I vote to take the best safety in this draft....
by tmurawsk on Mar 21, 2010 12:01 AM CDT
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PrintJust not the one you were thinking of. If the Chiefs are going to select a safety in the first round, why not trade down for one, pick up some extra picks, and not have to break bank by paying for one. As Mike Mayock, IMO the best football scout/analyst out there, says: "I think Earl Thomas from Texas is the best safety in the draft now. He won't go ahead of Tennessee's Eric Berry, but that kid is an amazing playmaker and suited for today's NFL." I would take Mayock's word over anyone else's. Now let's just hope that a trade down scenario is available for us. If we can trade down somewhere around the middle of the round, I think we could pick up Earl Thomas, and perhaps more than just a second round pick. This move alone would give the Chiefs a highly graded draft.
Safety Earl Thomas, Texas (5-10"/197)
(Below analysis provided by Matt McGuire of WalterFootball.com)
Strengths:
Summary:
Earl Thomas is a ball-hawking safety with very good straight-line speed. Elite athlete with fluid hips who follows the quarterback's eyes and consistently jumps routes. Has the elusiveness to make people miss in space and can take an interception back to the house. Tough competitor who will fill in the running game and does not shy away from contact. Good tackler. Has the skills and versatility to play both cornerback and safety.
The only weaknesses that seem to surround Thomas are concerns of his size and effectiveness at the next level. I love how people automatically put a player in doubt because of size concerns. Thomas started 26 consecutive games for Texas, so it appears he is very durable. If you want to argue size, Berry might only be about an inch taller, and they weigh about the same. Don't make the mistake of thinking he is weak as well. At the combine he benched 225lbs. 21 times and ran the 40 in 4.44 seconds.
Earl Thomas is the kind of football player you just love to watch on tape. You fall in love with his speed, athleticism and instincts, but some teams might be scared of his small frame, which really seems to be the only thing holding him back from being a top-10 draft pick. Thomas projects as a free safety in the NFL and seems to be too good to fall out of the top 25 picks.
Interesting Links:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81677626/Mayock-s-top-5-S-CB
Earl Thomas Highlights (via sheets24heisman)
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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You lost all credibility when you said Mayock is the best talent evaluator out there.
Mayock is mediocre at best and is wishy washy. I like the idea of trading down and picking up Thomas and picks but thats not to say he’s the best Safety in this draft. Good plan bad execution.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
I disagree
I think Mayock isthe best talent evaluator. I agree 100% with tmurawsk that we should do everything we can to trade down and get ET.
Don't make me start digging out quotes and clips.
"Success is never ending, failure is never final."
by GenericBrand on Mar 21, 2010 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions
see? y'all could argue for hours, days, weeks ... and not reach common ground
and that’s just on Mayock, let alone Thomas v Berry in the Court of Public Opinion
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
It is a war
Really no need for it to be Berry against the world.
Pioli will decide who is the best fit in the 1st round.
I am definitely interested in Pioli’s decision:)
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
I really like Earl Thomas.
Most KC fans, particularly the online ones, love Eric Berry more than their own family, but many of them haven’t watched him enough. The guy is good, and has talent, but I really think Earl Thomas is better. If we could trade down to say 15 and pick up a 1st next year, or a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounder, I would do it.
Hi. My big board for KC's first rounder is:
1. Russell Okung, OT
2. Eric Berry, S
3. Rolondo McClain, ILB
4. Brian Bulaga, OT
5. Dan Williams, NT
Bye.
I'll say this; and you know I love Berry-
but IF he isn’t there at 5…
I’m wouldn’t be hurt if we took
Earl Thomas or,
Joe Haden for that matter.
Regardless of a trade down.
Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
...you had me at Berry!
by chiefsfan62 on Mar 21, 2010 1:59 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m = I
;o)
Official Member of the "Draft Eric Berry" Fanclub
...you had me at Berry!
by chiefsfan62 on Mar 21, 2010 2:05 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Berry is the better safety IMO and heres why...
Berry has played all over the field while in Tenn. FS/SS/CB/even basically played LB. He can do it all, aka a complete player. Teams started to throw away from Berry yet he was still in plays even on the opposite side of the field. Almost broke records for INT yards.
ET I’m really not too impressed with, stay deep take advantage of the pass happy teams.
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 21, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
wait, so you're saying he was out of position?
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!
Which guy are you talking about?
I don’t think either way, Berry was used in more positions although I see him as a more natural FS
From what I saw out of ET he really played deep which allowed him to clean plays up and keep the ball infront of him.
by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 21, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I voted for Earl Thomas because ...
he’s the lonely one I have seen helping his corners … well at least from the few videos I’ve seen. Berry is very good but I think he has more “I’m a bust” potential than Thomas. Berry plays a little bit like Ed Reed while Thomas reminds me of Brian Dawkins. I personally prefer Dawkins!!! Although the following highlights seems to indicate Berry is a better tackler, I believe the difference is very small and probably coachable … the few errors I’ve seen from Thomas are over-aggressivity (going for the big hit). A lot of the INT Berry had were errors by the QB’s which wont happen that much in the NFL. On the other side, Thomas interceptions are the kind I like .. helping out your corners, disguising your coverage, playing smart …
Look for yourselves.
Thomas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRrjr5HG_ck
I like Earl Thomas
but lets be honest, nearly 3/4s of that Texas defense will be drafted in the first four rounds. the only guy on Tennessee who is notable is Dan Williams. If you look at that highlight tape OneChiefs posted for Earl Thomas, you’ll see him get run on by Bama’s running back all game long. those Oklahoma State highlights encompass a bunch of poor decisions by Zach Robinson, including throwing that pick six because he didnt see Thomas. I really can’t see a deminsion that Earl Thomas has over Eric Berry.
Run Support- Berry
Pass Coverage- Berry
Block Shedding and Pursuit- Berry
Tackling- Berry
Leadership- Berry
Big Play Ability- Berry
One last point. Berry played in a run dominated conference which values QB’s managing games and not throwing picks and still managed to almost break the all time record for INT return yards. Thomas Plays in the most pass heavy conference in the NCAA. Not to take anything away from Thomas but I think Berry’s accomplishments are far more impressive when you take that into account.
Mayock is a "draft expert"
which means he’s pretty much nothing. Thomas is the #2 S in this draft.
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
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