What separates Earl Thomas from FS Reggie Nelson?

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Gee, I wonder why Reggie Nelson isn't playing CB for the Jags?

Earl Thomas may be a poor tackler, but if he collect 10 INTs and we have Pollard on the field, he may not have to be a great tackler. In fact, if it keeps him healthy, I might prefer he not throw himself around like Troy P. and Bob Sanders. I think both of those guys are great, but have cost their teams in terms of not making good 'business decisions' and getting hurt.

I would disagree with Mayock that Thomas is the better FS in this draft over Eric Berry, but in terms of making sure we don't get beat deep on passes over the CB's head, Thomas would make an impact. I suppose you could call him the new "Cover Safety" that teams need in a pass-happy league.

Why not just take the bigger faster Mays?

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Why not just take the bigger faster Mays?

Mays doesn't react fast enough or anticipate like Earl Thomas does. I worry that Mays allows the Reggie Waynes and Kenny Britts of the division get behind him when he bites on play-action. I just want my FS to stay deeper than the deepest and make INT's that stop drives. If Mays had 6 INTs in a season instead of a career, then I'd be able to swallow that idea better.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by Roy P

Mays doesn't react fast enough or anticipate like Earl Thomas does. I worry that Mays allows the Reggie Waynes and Kenny Britts of the division get behind him when he bites on play-action. I just want my FS to stay deeper than the deepest and make INT's that stop drives. If Mays had 6 INTs in a season instead of a career, then I'd be able to swallow that idea better.

I agree, I'm just not as in love with Thomas as some. I like the kid, but I am not sure he is the savoir some are making him to be. On another board one poster was trying to say he was the best FS to come out in years, Taylor and Landry are hard to top. Thomas does not have optimum size and that concerns me.

Now if Ray Rhodes tag the kid, I am all aboard.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Taylor and Landry are hard to top. Thomas does not have optimum size and that concerns me.

Looking at Sean Taylor's first 3 years in the league, when he played full seasons these are his averages....

86 Tackles, .6 Sacks, 8 Passes Defended, 2.3 Interceptions & 2.3 Forced Fumbles.

We all know that stats are not the whole story, but those numbers aren't exactly unimaginable.

Brian Dawkins had 116 Tackles, 0 Sacks, 11 PD, 2 INTs, & 1 FF.

Jordan Babineaux had 104 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 6 PD, 2 INTs & 1 FF.