Maybe, Gruden still could be living in Tampa, and that addy was forwarded by Sean Weatherspoon. But it could be fakery.
Stich ... guess it just matters what page you look at ... as each seems to have a different listing. Look at the last 2 years of this regime ... they have drafted positions of need -- and they have stuck to their prototypes. their 'old' prototype for a DB was 5'10" > 6'0" ... but increases in size have mandated an increase in DB -- 6'0" and yes, i will give you that Berry is somewhere between 5'11" and 6'0" ... but i will say that the regime would be 'in love' with him at 12 and make the exception. not so sure about Thomas. my point though, is that these guys are pretty strict when it comes to meeting certain measurables for real consideration -- unless the prospect really just blows the doors off and can become an exception.
Every safety you just mentioned with the exception of Earl Thomas plays bigger than their size. Earl Thomas, first of all, didn't play at 208. He admitted that he gained weight because of the questions about his size and physical play. Second, he plays small. He is a horrible tackler that takes bad angles to the ball, and he cannot fight his way through blockers to get to the ball. Bob Sanders and Troy Polamalu are two of the most physical safeties in football. Earl Thomas makes LaRon Landry look like a linebacker physically. Ed Reed is excellent in run support and is a very good tackler. Same goes for Bathea and Clark. Earl Thomas is a cornerback playing safety.
http://www.draftcountdown.com/ScoutingReports/S/Earl-Thomas.php http://www.nfl.com/draft/2010/profiles/earl-thomas?id=496745#tabs:tab-analysis http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2010ethomas.php http://www.profootballdraftnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_jumi&fileid=5&id=622 Just some websites who completely disagree with you.
I can play this game too. Wes Bunting of nationalfootballpost.com NFL Draft Scout's take on his tackling.
Both scouting analysis are from Wes Bunting, the only scout I know who has Earl Thomas as the 5th best FS coming out.
Not sure if it's been mentioned already, but on NFLN Mayock mentioned that Thomas ran a 4.35 at his Pro Day, I think.
I have yet to see a safety fight his way thru blockers, i have seen them run around them really fast. Most DB's get run over by blockers. Only time i see a sort of win, is in a hand fight. Bob Sanders and Troy are two of the most physical safeties, check out the ir every year, they will be on it. They are sometimes too physical for their own good. Thomas can bring a load also, and last i checked, Gibril couldn't tackle well last year and he had size. The kid can tackle, it's not like he tackles like Deion Sanders.
So you have a draft guru title, yet say he tackles like Deion sanders? Wow, i have never seen Sanders lower a shoulder into someone. Have you even watched Thomas play? The kid is way more physical then Deion has ever been in any aspect. I remember seeing Deion getting stiff armed by a 3rd string QB. Thomas is way more physical. Is he Steve atwater in terms of physical, or Ronnie Lott? No. But he is also no Deion sanders.
Parcells likes taking them later. You don't take a Dan Williams first round when there's a Mt Cody, Cam Thomas, Torrell Troup or Linval Joseph to be had later on.
Sanders is an extreme, but it is one that has to be made to show how awful Earl Thomas is as a tackler. He doesn't have a physical bone in his body, and he is nothing more than a ride down tackler that takes bad angles. And as I said before, he has never met a blocker that couldn't block him. He is easily the worst tackling safety that is in this draft.
I asked you to find me one video example to support your claim. Just one. That was about a week ago. Still waiting. Or is it just that you can't.
I can show you reams of film that show what a poor tackler Earl Thomas is. Don't you ever insinuate that I can't back up what I say. I don't say things just for the hell of it.
Then why havent you. I'm waiting. I'd suggest you don't speak to me like that. If you dont want people thinking you make baseless claims, support them.
I am kind of curious and bewildered as to why Thomas is so highly regarded by so many sports media persons if he is so bad, too short and can't tackle? I just googled Earl Thomas and there seemed to be far more positives for him than negatives.
But KB says he sucks so he must. Just like Vince Young should be benched to any pocket passer in the NFL. Yet when Collins went to the bench what happened? KB just likes to say things to stir people up IMO.