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Thomas played like a first round pick vs. the Titans.

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Thomas played like a first round pick vs. the Titans.

I caught up to a friend of mine who a big FSU fan. He says Thomas was a 5-star recruit, one of the top ten best rated high school recruits in the nation, choosing FSU over Alabama, and USC.

When I asked why Thomas wasn't drafted he said the coaching was a mess at FSU, and Thomas never reached his potential, but you can see he had a ton of it.

Last night, that potnetial was on display. Thomas was all over the place, making seven tackles. He shined in the box, shedding and block and tackling the ball carrier, looked very solid in coverage with our starters, and showed he could add value on special teams in kick coverage.

The question to me isn't will he make the team, its when should he start over Bostic. I say NOW. Thomas adds speed and coverage ability Bostic can not. You could say Thomas far more scheme flexible and based on what I've seen is a more reliable tackler in the open field.
 
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Sure but we all know Tomlin will always give the spot to the veteran. The young guy will have go way, way, way above and beyond to get the start over a veteran in Tomlin's eyes.
 
TDX27 said:
Sure but we all know Tomlin will always give the spot to the veteran. The young guy will have go way, way, way above and beyond to get the start over a veteran in Tomlin's eyes.
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In this case the veteran is new to the team and has looked shaky in two of the three pre-season games. The NFL has changed and needs linebackers that can both run and cover.
 
Coach said:
In this case the veteran is new to the team and has looked shaky in two of the three pre-season games. The NFL has changed and needs linebackers that can both run and cover.
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Understood but Tomlins habits from the past show he will 9 times out of 10 go with Bostic in this situation. Maybe we will get that 1 out of 10 this year.
 
Hilton started week 1 in the slot over vet Gay last year, so this coaching staff does know how to promote undrafted talent to the starter ranks early.

I was surprised to see Thomas running with the 1s, but he not only held his own, but he excelled. He responded to the challenge, 2 weeks of productivity, and I can see him getting playing time week 1.
 
Cope said:
Hilton started week 1 in the slot over vet Gay last year, so this coaching staff does know how to promote undrafted talent to the starter ranks early.

I was surprised to see Thomas running with the 1s, but he not only held his own, but he excelled. He responded to the challenge, 2 weeks of productivity, and I can see him getting playing time week 1.
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I don't want to call him a lock, but I am thinking strongly he has the best undrafted showing this year. I don't think he starts but could see some third down looks...........
 
Thomas had a pretty good game. I think that Thomas can be a Kendrell Bell-type player, given his amazing physical abilities. Dude ran a 4.58 40, had a 41" vertical, almost 11' broad jump, and a 4.28 shuttle.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/matthew-thomas?id=32462018-0002-5598-86e2-43ff05f442ff

He is showing that he can put those physical skills into practice as a LB'er.

I would love to say that his pass coverage was excellent, but the Steelers ILB'ers once again showed issues in covering the middle of the field. The pass rush and a poor throw by Mariota disguised the fact that TE's were pretty much running free in the middle of the field.
 
I didn't see him stand out. And that really doesn't mean he didnt, but I just didnt see it. I will try to watch again. In terms of making the team I guess it's two of three between him, Red and Fort. Doubt they cut Bostic. Bostic might be a Moates type. All things equal I always want the guy with the big athletic upside to play. Put him in and if he is killing you with errors pull him. I just really doubt he can make the sight adjustment calls for the force unit.
 
SteelerSask said:
I didn't see him stand out. And that really doesn't mean he didnt, but I just didnt see it. I will try to watch again. In terms of making the team I guess it's two of three between him, Red and Fort. Doubt they cut Bostic. Bostic might be a Moates type. All things equal I always want the guy with the big athletic upside to play. Put him in and if he is killing you with errors pull him. I just really doubt he can make the sight adjustment calls for the force unit.
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Don't see the Moats comparison, Moats wasn't the athlete Thomas is and played a different position.

I still like Bostic to start, I like his run stop ability.

Also with Thomas you see a guy that potentially can develop into a solid pass defender. He does have the speed and the athletic ability that none of the others possess at the position. Will he ? who knows.

But at least you know he is less likely to be a step slow.

Add those tackles up, he was around the ball a decent amount of time..........
 
I think you misread what I said. I think Bostic might be a Moates type free agent. I was pretty excited when Moates joined the Steelers, but he was a journeyman. Which is why if Thomas can handle the mental/ assignment part I play him because he at least has dynamic physical attributes.
 
SteelerSask said:
I think you misread what I said. I think Bostic might be a Moates type free agent. I was pretty excited when Moates joined the Steelers, but he was a journeyman. Which is why if Thomas can handle the mental/ assignment part I play him because he at least has dynamic physical attributes.
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Yeah I misread it. But still don't see Bostic as that type of player. As Moats was a traveler do to just not being good enough. Bostic has been held back by injuries. And has played well when healthy.
 
SteelerSask said:
I didn't see him stand out. And that really doesn't mean he didnt, but I just didnt see it. I will try to watch again. In terms of making the team I guess it's two of three between him, Red and Fort. Doubt they cut Bostic. Bostic might be a Moates type. All things equal I always want the guy with the big athletic upside to play. Put him in and if he is killing you with errors pull him. I just really doubt he can make the sight adjustment calls for the force unit.
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Watch the play where he shed a block and quickly made the tackle. Thomas did stand out. His versatility and production is impressive.
 
He had a solid game but Tomlin does not seem to consider desire when he picks a veteran over the new guys.
 
black and gold apex said:
He had a solid game but Tomlin does not seem to consider desire when he picks a veteran over the new guys.
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You mean as a starter? Because this team does keep a good amount of undrafteds.


And sure a undrafted might not get a quick start, but that can be said for many of draft picks.

This team likes you to earn your stripes. And if you are good enough he will see the field and even earn a start...
 
They must think highly of Thomas since they have a package named after him, the Seminole D or something like that. I think they intend to rotate him in various packages, my guess is VWill & Bostic man the middle on early downs. Nonetheless great news if they were able to find Thomas in the UDFA heap, a jewel in the rough, yet another feather in Tomlin/Colbert's cap.

At the rate he's going, he may well supplant Bostic in the base D as the season goes on. I love the idea of pairing someone like Thomas with VWill, in the Shazier role. Could add a lot to this D.
 
TDX27 said:
Sure but we all know Tomlin will always give the spot to the veteran. The young guy will have go way, way, way above and beyond to get the start over a veteran in Tomlin's eyes.
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Watt over Harrison, Burns over Gay/Sensabaugh, JuJu over Eli, DHB, and Hunter, Shazier started his rookie year, Sean Davis... There are plenty of instances (this is not all of them), where the coaching staff started the young player over the vet. Tomlin has never been afraid the throw the young guys into the fire.
 
Could you imagine him and Shazier in a 4-3 defense? I know Shazier is most likely done, but the speed of the two would be something.
 
Thomas will play his way onto the field. We will see more of him as the season progresses.
 
black and gold apex said:
He had a solid game but Tomlin does not seem to consider desire when he picks a veteran over the new guys.
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Well Bostic is hardly a Steeler veteran. He's new to the defense as well.
 
I personally believe Thomas made the team vs the Titans. I think dirty red makes it just because he knows the defense and is a good special team player. That leaves it down to Bostic and Fort and even though Fort has outplayed Bostic I feel Bostic makes the team.


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It will become apparent early that we will need speed at this position. By mid-season Thomas will be seeing 50% of the snaps
 
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The steelers lost games last year due to communication issues. Bostic and Burnett will help with those issues. Bostic will play in base and they will find a way to use Thomas in situations he doesnt have to think as much til he is ready.
 
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