I'm a little concerned with our Daniel Thomas selection. Most of my 26 years coaching experience comes as a Running Backs coach, and although I do like some of what Thomas brings to the table, there are some significant rough areas in his game. Here are his strengths and weaknesses as I see them: Strengths: Does have good burst, and makes people miss. He runs hard, and has some weapons when being engaged by tacklers (Uses arms to push off, straight arm, forearm) and spins. He does have vision, something that rates amongst the most high in terms of making plays. He sets up blocks well, and is good inside and outside. He plays forward and doesn't take silly losses trying to make bigger plays. He does keep his legs moving, and has quick feet. Explosive. Example of how Thomas tends to be high at contact time and ball is away from his body Weaknesses: Not blazing fast downfield. Runs extremely loose and high (arms are almost like a bow legged person in arm's running movement). Holds the ball away from his body, doesn't use "high and tight" ball protection techniques near or on contact (this is why he fumbles). He takes big hits, and that will only get worse in the bigger and faster NFL game. If he doesn't master how and when to dip, take angle contact instead of direct contact, he may not have a long career or even season. He potentially is another teams highlight reel taking a shot. Lastly, one of his favorite moves is to simply stop mid run and completely change direction. While this move can be a great juke, it also opens him up to big shots (especially because he is very high when he does it) and turnovers. I think the key to this guy beiung an impat player is simple, it's coaching. He has some great raw skills, and some good size / speed ratios in his make-up. But this kid has some big holes in his game that need shoring up. If I were his position coach, He'd spend his rookie year working on a wide variety of ball handing drills (Not the same type Boomer does while watching the Royal Wedding). He'd work on ball transfer from right to left, and on going from running motion to high and tight with the ball for contact. He needs to run through ropes that require focus on his feet while also working on ball handling skills / drills. He also needs alot of work in the shoots to keep him low and help him learn muscle memory on playing low - while still having burst and his good dips and fakes. Playing low and having good ball handling is 100% coachable. If the kid doesn't have these things close to being managed come week 1 of the regular season then we know that our coaching is lacking.
As for the assessment itself, it is actually quite reassuring IMO. Thomas has only played running back for two seasons after coming to K-State as a QB. So those criticisms wouldn't seem unusual for a guy who's still relatively new to the position. If you're seeing his weaknesses (aside from god-given speed) as predominantly correctable by good coaching, then that is a good sign. Something that caught my ear was Jeff Ireland saying he had 40 runs over 10 yards last season, and 15 or 16 over 20 yards. So it would seem that raw ability seems to be there indeed.
I did forget to mention that I do think he is far better than anyone we have right now in the open field. His open field running is one of his better skills. I think Kory Sheets and he could be a good tandom if Sheets is healthy. I'd prefer to keep Ronnie over Ricky if we have to choose.
thanks for the insight mike, its good to get that perspective. the weaknesses seem very coachable and that is really positive news. i think he's only been a running back for 2 seasons which is not long at all, if he is smart and can take coaching it looks like he could be a very good back with his physical tools.
Couple of good things in there Coach, and what I see I like for a couple of reasons. #1. While hes new to the position relatively he hasn't really taken the physical beating alot of back have before getting into the pro's. Hopefully this will help him with his NFL longevity (had some hamstring issues earlier but all ok now) #2. He is predominately a north south runner with good vision!! This can not be overlooked. Ronnie drove me crazy because he took way to long to figure out where he wanted to go. In the NFL the holes are smaller and close faster good vision is a key ingredient. #3. He will play some Wild-Cat Good I hate that formation but maybe if we use it right now it will be a good thing and this Kid can do that (he can also QB some) Sometimes as fans/talent evals we get caught up in the numbers, and if I am correct I think Thomas finished 1st or second in the nation at tailback in 2010! Where he had no major talent around him so teams knew he was coming and he still accomplished a hell out a lot! In Miami he doesn't need to be a savior, he needs to get Chunk yardage 4+ behind out new NASTY center (I'm guessing) (Sir Pounce). He will be the wear it down back and I think Ricky or someone else will be added. We will go with a rotation system once again. What Miami really needs is to get a STAR tight end caliber player somehow. We have enough talent now on offense to spread the field and hopefully we will stop playing like scared children and open up the air game some to free up the backs to make big gains. He needs to carry the ball closer I agree in the NFL he will lose the ball alot holding it out their. Hes still new to it so once he gets a position coach on his *** each day he will improve. I like the pick, don't like that we traded away 3 picks to get him, but were here now..
You mean the only guy worse than Dan Henning at his job won't do any better this year? Peyton Hillis!
