Prospect Watch: S Earl Thomas
As the Jets journey towards the draft in April, we here at TJB will be taking a look into prospects that could be on the Jets draft board. Today we will be taking a look at: Texas product, Earl Thomas.
Projected Round: First
Measurables: Stands at 5’10. Weighs in at 197 lbs.
Positives: Thomas is very agile and his hips are very fluid. Thomas has one of the best set of ball skills you will find in this class. He can catch the ball like a wide receiver and can carry it properly as well. Thomas has great control over his body and has great recognition skills and can the read the QB’s eyes well in coverage. He has a good backpedal and has the ability to locate the ball all the time. Thomas doesn’t mind taking on large blockers and has good lateral pursuit. He puts in effort to help in run support. Thomas has great speed and is a good tackler. Thomas can play CB if need be.
Negatives: The only true problem with Thomas is his size. He needs to gain more upper body strength in order to become a more effective tackler.
The Bottom Line: Eric Berry is hailed as the best safety of 2010 but if anything Earl Thomas just might be #1B. Thomas has a great set of skills that would be a great addition to the Jets secondary. The good part is the Jets may not have to give up much if they need trade up to get him (I’m hoping he’ll still be around at 29 though). I’d like to see Thomas in Green and White.
Thomas Highlights:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK_tq6nqCPU
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRrjr5HG_ck
Drop me an e-Mail at tjb.weeks@yahoo.com if you want to see a particular player analyzed or shoot off some feedback.
81 Responses to Prospect Watch: S Earl Thomas
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dave,
The website has been taken down. That isn’t to say it won’t be done in the future but for right now, we are no longer doing that.
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Is actualyl rated higher on alot of draft boards over Berry.
I think Berry is more of a true safety where Thomas can be and should be drafted as a CB.
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Doctor K says:
Hope this guy is at 29 by the time we pick. I like him or Wilson as the two CBs that hopefully we be around in the late 1st. That being said I still have a core philosophy that no matter where you pick, it is always for BPA. Wish we could see Tanny’s draft board.
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Green Lantern "I WANT BERRY" says:
Hes Good. Only thing Stetting Him away from Eric Berry in my eyes are the hard hits i’ve seen from Mr. berry.
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Le' Sean Roberts says:
Wow! In the first video he looks like he’s play WR at times. Great anticipation, hits well……the only problem I have with him is the possibility of getting baited by the quarterback or WR. Great talent all around. Who knows, for many that year when Darrell Revis was drafted the rave was mostly on Leon Hall, and somewhat Mike Jenkins for a while……McKelvin hasn’t done much yet……sometimes, its the quiet ones that are really the damn good ones….
look at Celek of the TE of PHI, or Witten. -
nyckage says:
How bout we save a draft pick, and move Lowery to safety, we already know about his coverage skills, it’s his speed that’s the problem, we can save a draft pick that way, and Lowery can go back to his ball-hawking ways.
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For Lowery, other than his speed the guy has stiff which was exposed.
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I mean stiff hips.
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cmonleon says:
where do people have him giong on draqft day i havent heard to much of him i like what i hear now tho.
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Right now, last first to early second…….he can make a push to mid come April……..its down to his pro-day (somewhat) and the tons of game tape scouts have.
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Damn, I mean late first…………………………………….
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cmonleon,
I saw quite a few mocks that have Thomas being taken in the late teens early twenties.
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Rhodes is SOFT says:
I still prefer Berry but this guy is talented and his real position looks like it should cornerback.
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BigBear says:
I think most mocks have him in picks 13-25 of 1st round….I really like him and would love to see him in Green and White – he’s one of my favorite picks for Jets, but we would prob need to trade up a bit for him. One potential issue is that he is somewhat undersized, and, coupled with JL, makes for a small safety tandem.
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Head_Coach says:
i like him or Rehad jones…. and of course Eric Berry
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Dont sleep on Chad Jones from LSU….This is guy a better version of Taylor Mays.
The guy is a stud athlete and will be around in the 2nd round
E Weeks……. How about a Chad Jones profile? If anyone cares ……watch the hit he laid on a Arkansas WR last year. He got flagged for a helmet hit but is was as devastating a hit I have ever seen. He also starred on the LSU baseball team.
Now that Rhodes is gone. This guy would be a very nice fit
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Thomas having corner ability may as well be an advantage to us with the Welkers, Edelemanns, etc…….I anticipate NE to make use of both Welker and Eldlemann in 3WR sets to give defenses fits………….two guys running some annoying routes, etc. at the same time, while Moss does what he does. It will be moving of the chains, etc……when you think you’re in a good position with 2nd and 10 the next thing you know its 3rd and two or one.
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Lowery aint covering no Edlemann or Welker going across the middle with them stiff hips.
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brightfuture says:
What’s the deal with Sharper?
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Sharper gonna break the bank, thats the issue with NO….he’s never been this revered so he’s gonna make most of it despite his age…..looking for huge money (possibly in guarantees) for a what, three year deal or something. He’s not gonna play till he’s forty I think…..Well, he has all time interceptions numbers, close to Rod Woodson.
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Yep, 3WR sets, the Patriots will take a lesson from the Colts…….use Edlemann and Welker with Moss.
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sexy rexy says:
Chad Jones. forgot about him. He is a better Taylor Mays hed be perfect for gang green.
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GangreenTed says:
thomas would be great pick if we got him at 29..the jets have a couple slts to fill and cant afford to be trading up giving up picks..id definitely sign sharper and give him some big up front money this year with the uncapped year and look for a young safety in next years draft or even the 4th rounder we got this year…oh and guys stop trippin bout the patriots wr..welker is goin to be out all year..hes not comin back this year..he has a torn acl and mcl..that takes roun 14 months to recover from that..do the math…an aging moss and edlemann dont scare anyone…oh fargas got relesed from the raiders last nite..he would be perfect backup to shonn greene..peace thomas jones…
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sackexchange says:
i cant believe everyone is all over sharper………he has done nothing the last 4 years….on year under a new cordinator everyone loves this guy…he is a product of the NO defence. i do not want him.
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sharper is the product if the NO defense? what is the NO defense? its a blitzing defense that keeps pressure coming the whole game..with a ballhawking secondary…sound familar? sharper is the type of safety made for this defense..and why use a draft pick early when you need a pass rusher, a wide reciever or even on another CB….sharper is short term answer..maybe even a one year answer..but this team can win now…so give the front office all the flexibility they can get
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Give Leon The Damn Ball says:
we are a pressure d with no real pass rusher aside for pace. the afc title game tells me that we are going to take a player who can get after the opposing qb.
furthermore, how many safeties in the nfl were taken in the first round? i feel like we can get a good safety in the later rounds.
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Edlemann isn’t………wait and see. Forgot about the Welker injury though……..Hope we can take the division convincingly……….loosing to Buffalo, Miami, Jacksonville, and that damn game against the Falcons, that was embarrassing.
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The really embarrassing part about our weakside linebacker, he’s so much worst than our Strongside linebacker (Pace)…..no need to grab a first round pass rusher….the draft is always filled with great rushers……….the last good one in a while was Woodley and Orakpo, it was a huge drought before that (Ware, Merriman, etc.).
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quick question for all jet fans: Lets say ure Mr. T and you have say the 7th pick in the draft…who would you pick between these 2 players: Eric Berry or CJ Spiller?
which of these player would make a bigger impact on this jets team? -
ted
eric berry and it’s not even a tough call. we have leon and greene already. why in the world would use a top 10 pick on another back? we can probably find a decent backup running back in the later rounds
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Ted, Berry there are numerous running backs no impact safetys
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RB’s are much easier to find then a talent like Berry.
I will make one last comment on how good I think the value for Chad Jones will be come April. I see that E Weeks will have a profile out on him in a day or so ….but thsi kid played both baseball and football at LSU and still was a very good safety last year.
Once this kid put full effort into football he could be beyond scary. 6’3 225 with much better instincs than Mays. Considered a in the box safety also but has pretty good range and is as atheltic as they come. Some say a top 5 athlete at the combone…….Plus he much better value in the 2nd maybe 3rd round.
If you need some tape on him go watch the bowl game against PSU this year or the absolute crushing hit and game he had against Arkansas.
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great input guys: one more question: you are Mr. T again and the first round is at #17 and earl thomas or joe hayden is sitting there and you trade up who do you take? I would imagine best player there is hayden but the need is thomas, who do u take?
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JesusRevis says:
I dont want any of these clowns at safety. Eric Berry is a great prospect but we would have to trade almost all of our picks to get him. I dont like this Rhodes trade one bit, unless The Jets are going to sign a proven safety to replace him.
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Zartan says:
Taylor mays suck .
My Jets draft board.
I.Jared Odrick,Devin McCourty,Golden Tate
2.Reshad Jones,A.J Edds,Brandon Ghee,Daryle Washington,Corey Wotten,Carlton Mitchell
4.Taylor Price,Jacoby Ford, Akwasi Ansah
5.C.J Wilson,Myron Rolle,Ciron Black
6.Chris Marinellis,Clifton Geathers
7.Kam Chancellor,Chris Chancellor,Punter -
^ if a higher rd player is available later, take him. obviously not at the same position.
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dakar says:
WOW…
what happened to we really need a pass rusher…now every1 wants to trade up or not for a safety…i think not…draft the best pass rusher available…just my thoughts…
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Bent says: JR – I’d be stunned if they waited until the draft to address the position. Teams picking ahead of them will have them over a barrel. Too risky (as is the concept of trusting such a crucial role to a rookie.)
These profiles are great but within a few weeks, I expect they’ll be rendered moot.
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Jesus
How shocked were you by this trade? I was pretty stunned when i read it last night
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Bent
Or you assuming we are going to sign someone to an offer sheet? Landry or Atogwe?
I would think Tanny has a plan here after this trade.
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Bent says:
I’d be guessing if I made a suggestion, but they must have a plan otherwise it was reckless to make the move.
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Drew,
I was real shocked, but as you already know, I think very highly of tannenbaum and I trust he has a plan.
The only thing enticing about Landry is that Rex likes him so much. Other than that he seems like a pretty average player to me.
Bent,
Well where do you see them going then? is it true that we can sign free agents from the other final 8 teams freely? How about Sharper?
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Eddie DiGio says:
“but they must have a plan otherwise it was reckless to make the move.”
Well said.
When it happened yesterday, I was expecting to wake up this morning or read this afternoon that the Jets have signed or made another trade for a safety
I hope they got something going on the low, because Bent hit it on the head that not having someone lined up is just plain “reckless”
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? is
well the ? really doesn’t matter now but fruck it…
who were we better off with…CRO. and all his problems or RHODES…
now both seem to be soft on making tackles…but kerry has a year under his belt in this D.system and we know what we were gonna have with him…CRO. has to learn it and get comfortable…and we dont know if he’s gonna do anything for us…50/50…just like lito was…
i really like the CRO. trade when we had KERRY…but after trading KERRY away it only makes me think that REX and TANNY both have something up their sleeves…becuz to me it only created another hole in the defense…
again…i really trust REX and TANNY because they have done a good job so far…and i hope they draft the best PASS RUSHER available when 29 comes around…just my thoughts…
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Bent says:
We never got formal confirmation, which leads me to suggest that they can NOT sign UFAs freely from other final four (it was never suggested final 8) teams. The language in the CBA is vague enough that they might be able to challenge it behind the scenes, but it might be easier just to go in another direction.
I think that rules out Sharper because they’d have to wait until one of their UFAs was signed to finalize the deal and do something creative with the contract, so I expect they have something else in mind.
Rex made them the number one defense with less than ideal personnel, so I’m sure he can have success with a slightly different group. The defense might look a little different to last year, but as long as they add some more quality depth to the defensive backfield, I’m confident he’ll get them producing.
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Yea… I trust Rex and Tanny so I was stunned and questioned the move but have faith in the system we have so….
The problem is no matter how reckless the move this was proably more of rex and the staff trading him than money and Tanny doing it. So Rex and the FO must be on the same page for another guy. I would assume an “very good” offer sheet is coming shortly. Or another trade
If they come out of this with E Smith starting and a drafted safety I am going to be scratching my head why this happened.
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I WANT ERIC BERRY!!!
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Bent says:
Trouble with offer sheets is that you have to wait a week and don’t know if they’ll match, so it might be more likely that they’ll pull off as trade.
I didn’t think a trade for an RFA was possible, but last week’s announcement by the NFL essentially confirmed that an RFA that isn’t tendered does not count as a UFA for the final 8 rules, so I think that could mean that a trade for an RFA would not constitute a trade for a player you couldn’t “otherwise sign as a UFA”. If I’m right, that would secure the player’s services sooner and they could negotiate a long term deal after that.
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jake says:
Is it true that Atogwe wasn’t tendered if so doesn’t he seem like a perfect fit.
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Brad says:
Taylor Mays, Earl Thomas, and Eric Berry wont be there at #29, the next best safeties are Nate Allen, Chad Jones, and Reshad Jones. I personally prefer Reshad Jones- believe he has more experience over Chad Jones, and R. Jones has better stats and made a ton of plays for a Georgia too. For those in love with that big hit Chad Jones put on the LSU guy, Reshad Jones has just a big a hit on an Oklahoma ST. guy. Look up Reshad Jones on youtube- the guy is a stud!
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rusty sanchez says:
like how on friday tanny said rhodes will be our safety unless something happens…after reading that now we all should of known be4 hand this was going to happen
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CWPOST1993 says:
I’m with Brad —
I’ve watched Reshad Jones this season become a stud !
He looks like a draft steal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R1Ryqw3k5Y&annotation_id=annotation_223946&feature=iv
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXbnf_M84S8&feature=related
Reshard Jones is our man ! Check out this hit !
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joe0991 says:
just watched the video on jones…this kid is a BEAST
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EastSide says:
I like both Reshad and Chad Jones intrigue me as depth picks. Chad Jones shows up on tape looking like a faster and stronger Abe Elam type. Reshad Jones looks like he could become a great compliment to Leonhard’s playing style.
Also I thought this was interesting: Sean Taylor ran an official 4.5 40 time back at his combine. Shows that speed is often much more deceptive than the 40 yard dash.
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The Chad Jones hit is much more intense and vicious!
I like Reshad but Chad Jones is the guy i have been hoping we get for over a year now. His Penn State game confirmed it for me.
He will be available in the 2nd round. Still get a OLB / passrusher in the 1st!
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Plus how can you go wrong with his hit against Arkansas being called “The Hit” in the whole South. It also dosent hurt that his nickname is the “Dreads of Doom”
Its not War Machine but its pretty good
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Drew,
Weird thing about C. Jones is that he seems to be able to get in position to make plays but according to SI’s coverage of the combine, he looked sluggish in drills and backpedalling.
That said, I’ll take a guy who can play the game over a guy that looks good in drills. -
FYI – Earl Thomas reportedly weighed in at 208 at the combine (vs 195 or so during season). Reportedly trying to get stronger/bigger for run support in NFL. Supposedly put some scouts at ease that he was at least 5′ 10″ and now at 208 doesn’t sound too small.
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Jake says:
I really like Morgan Burnett, he’s an all around safety.
He’s got good size, at 6’1” 210. He has decent speed. He would be a good option too. I love how this years draft class is so STACKED with talent, It amazes me. -
James in TN says:
Earl Thomas Conley? wasn’t he a country singer?
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Jake- I agree, Morgan Burnett is another very talented Safety that is right up their with the other guys I have mentioned.
AKA Drew- Chad Jones hit was more vicious, not sure about that, but maybe you are right, but the hit was clearly a helmet to helmet hit- last Jet that did something like that E. Smith on Boldin- resulting on Smith being suspended- forget how many games? That doesnt make C jones better than R jones. Also when R. Jones laid out his player, he did it standing up with his shoulder, where C. Jones got the worst of his hit- on the ground afterwards, woosy, having trouble getting up!
Also did u see R. Jones decleat that LSU RB – textbook tackle for a safety in Run Support! Also in Run Support- did u see how R. Jones finished off the Florida Gators RB.
R. Jones showed me a great ability to undercut passes for interceptions. -
does anyone want to try and move lowery to safety. i think he could do it. what you think deeper at cb in draft or safety
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BigKatt says:
No Lowery blows
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jj
i think lowery,digs and a later round draft pick should fight for it…and obviously the best man gets the starting job…but the 1st 2 picks should go to a PASS RUSHER AND DE or even another PASS RUSHER… after that i dont care what we pick…just my thoughts…
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I would love Jets to get Taylor Mays, Earl Thomas, and especially Eric Berry to QB our defense.
And, I understand that Kerry Rhodes wasn’t gonna fit. Only, It’s just really too bad that all Tanny could get was a fourth rounder – damn!
Cause, what we really needed was Brandon Graham, Jared Odrick or Ricky Sapp!
How ’bout Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech with the second round pick?
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How ’bout some Free Agent solutions?
Unrestricted Free Agents:
Darren Sharper, FS. Patrolling center field for the Super Bowl champion Saints, he intercepted nine passes last season. His play tailed off near the end of the season, but he still can have a big presence on defense.
Ryan Clark, FS. Troy Polamalu overshadowed him in the Steelers’ secondary, but don’t overlook Clark. He’s one of the most instinctive and hardest hitters in the league, and he had 100 unassisted tackles last year.
Restricted Free Agents:
O.J. Atogwe, S, Rams. (require 2nd draft-pick compensation) Wherever he is on the field, a turnover seems to follow. In the last three seasons, he has intercepted 15 passes and forced nine fumbles.
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jon in bk says:
I don’t understand why almost everyone is treating the Rhodes trade like Tanny made it for the value of the picks. It didn’t take much reading between the lines to see that the plan was never to have Kerry back, whether that was related to behavior/compatibility with the system/coaches/whatever.
Generally Tanny hasn’t made such moves w/o a backup plan, but I do think it’s possible this time that his hand was pushed by the impending bonus and desire to get rid of KR.
Ultimately the trade’s success will be totally determined by who replaces Rhodes. If we get a Bethea/Thomas/Agotwe/etc. it’s fine- if we end up with Eric Smith, you’re gonna have to wonder if they couldn’t have worked something out with Rhodes.
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Mike24 says:
I really do think they have a move set up…there are still a few good options left and the reality was that we couldnt just trade Rhodes for another safety that was better. And hes definitely not gunna get you back an above average pass rusher…so yeah in the grand scheme of things here its about opening up the spot. Rex had a huge problem with his game, not the Hollywood, and he knew he needs someone to make a play and do certain things on plays and he just doesnt wanna comprimise his playcalling. He believes in his system the safety should be taking advantage of all these bad throws and miscues and scoring points. We just gotta wait and see whats next. Hard to believe that with the way they are stressing how important that position is to them that an above average player like Rhodes cant do the job that they would have somebody or thing better in mind.
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Ben Nevis says:
E. Weeks-
I agree: Earl Thomas is a solid cover safety, he can play the ball, he can play the QB, and he can tackle, he can hit. He’s also a playmaker, can turn his hips, intercept, and run with the ball.
But I think Eric Berry is more of what we need: a safety who is a very strong edge blitzer. As well as a solid cover safety, a solid run-stopper, a solid tackler, who can really hit.
But you’re right: it’s much more likely that Thomas would be available to us with the pick we have in the first round. Or if we had to trade up, it wouldn’t be very far up.
But even though I know it’s unlikely, I’d love to see Mike T trade up in the draft to get Berry.
EB is a monster.
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One more thing, E. Weeks-
Nice job with Prospect Watch.
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Brendan says:
The thing that is my biggest issue with trading Rhodes: If they don’t offer Landry (Balt) a deal and sacrifice the 2nd rounder, they’ll look to trade up for a safety (Berry or Thomas, most likely). If they do that then the Jets aren’t getting a pass rusher int he draft, which is a problem.
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Green Lantern says:
Then we can sign Joey Porter and wait until next year for a pass rusher.
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You won’t find a bigger “bring in Porter” supporter than me. But he’s 32. He’s a void-filler for a couple years, I would feel much better having his eventual replacement on the roster this year to learn from him.
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Brendan-
I agree: trading Rhodes left a hole in a secondary. And we have to fill it, either via trade or the draft. And if it’s the draft, you’re right: we’d have to trade up.
Even though I think it’s unlikely, I’d love to see us trade all the way up to get Berry, but Thomas is enormously talented as well.
One advantage of Berry (one of many) is that he is a solid blitzer. So if it were at all possible to trade up to draft him, then we’d have another serious advantage in our blitz packages.
But, yes, it was a strange move to trade Rhodes. It puts us in the position of having to fill a hole.
Especially after we had picked up Cromartie, and taken care of our most glaring hole on D.
I also agree that Porter would be a temporary solution, but, yes, he would be an upgrade, at least for a season or two.
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I think Berry is one of those guys that, like Ed Reed, only come along once a decade or so. He could be a guy that the Jets draft and starts from day one for the next 10 years. I would love the move if they could trade up for him.
That being said, the Jets were the #1 pass defense in the league last year, and the front office just traded the #3 reason for that behind Revis & the blitzes. That won’t be easy to replace, despite what a lot of other people believe.
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Brendan-
No argument from me on this one.
I agree: Rhodes won’t be easy to replace.
Also agree that Berry is an extremely unusual talent. He clearly has All Pro potential. And, yes, I think he is that rare player who could be ready to start from day one.
Do you guys still do that rookiepedia page for NFL prospects? Can you provide a link? These posts are great, thanks