Young Lineman Survey

[-Slap-]

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7664/t1mosshg0.jpg http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5483/87o253u7xd3.jpg
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7636/ryanharriskq1.jpg http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1276/274275el1.jpg


I've provided five questions on the template below. You will not be graded and this thread will not be pulled up and used against you at a later date. I realize we haven't even had a mini-camp yet and its too early to know anything.

1/17 - Jarvis Moss DE Florida (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/de/jarvismoss.html) - 6'6", 250 pounds, 4.70

2/56 - Tim Crowder DE Texas (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/de/timcrowder.html) - 6'4", 272 pounds, 4.69

3/70 - Ryan Harris OT Notre Dame (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/ot/ryanharris.html) - 6'5", 305 pounds, 5.09

4/121 - Marcus Thomas DT Florida (http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/dt/marcusthomas.html) - 6'4", 315 pounds, 5.25

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

[BroncoInferno]

1) Tim Crowder
2) Marcus Thomas
3) Ryan Harris
4) Honestly, I think all these guys will be productive players, but I'd say Thomas has the most "bust" potential simply because DT is such a hard position to project into the pro game, plus the potential of off-field problems.
5) I think it will produce at least three starters, so I think everyone is going to be very pleased.

[want2bAbronco2]

1. Thomas
2. Moss
3. Harris
4. Crowder (have avg numbers and be a role player, but someone will say didn't live up to 2nd round.)
5. b+

[BroncoInferno]

What are your answers, Slap?

[TheDave]

1. Tim Crowder... Actually i can easily see none of these guys starting a single game yet still contibuting in the rotation. But if i had to pick a starter I think crowder is the most NFL ready.

2. Marcus Thomas... assuming he can stay out of trouble he has the most "upside"

3. Ryan Harris... Safest pick of the 4

4. Jarvis Moss... Highest pick, highest expectations, I hope I'm wrong

5. If we can pull 2 solid players and a handful of probowls out of this I will be happy... Very happy


By the way isint moss 260+

[-Slap-]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

It will come down to Crowder or Thomas. I think one or both of them will get significant reps right away. I lean towards Thomas, due to position scarcity.

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

I could see Moss ringing up a dozen sacks (probably not this year) and making it to Honolulu quickest, even if he's not the best all around lineman in the group.

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

Harris is the safe choice because offensive stick around a bit longer on the average. I think Crowder will play the most total downs among the defensive linemen.

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

Moss will need to start fast to avoid early whispers of the B word. I guarantee lots of people will call Ryan Harris a wasted pick for at least the next two or three years and constantly bring up guys who were still on the board @ 70. This kid is going to need coaching, but he understands the team concept and he's got the physical and mental tools to succeed long term.

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

What a stupid question. This is all a crap shoot, right?

Okay, philosophically, it was what just about everybody wanted. Not only was it a lineman draft, but it we even moved up twice to get the linemen we specifically targeted. I think a 50% hit rate would be nice and 75% would be fantastic. I think the latter figure is attainable.

[Jens1893]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

1 - Tim Crowder

2 - Marcus Thomas, as he has the most "talent". Harris is the other guy who could make a Pro Bowl. I am happy with Moss and Crowder but I do not know if they will ever be the kind of player that you have to be to make the Pro Bowl.

3 - Ryan Harris. If he lives up to expectations he could easily play 10+ years in Denver.

4 - Crowder, as he ain´t fancy and may never be more than a solid NFL player alá Courtney Brown.

5 - B+, same as now. I am happy with the players this draft produced and I think most will agree once they have seen the players on the field and forget about the trades for Moss and Thomas.

[watermock]

As Sheryl Crow sang, "It's too soon to tell"

I'm in honeymoon mode. Harris could be a long time starter in a few years.

I think Bates will be salivating over all three DL picks. They all pass they eyeball test. Moss looks pretty light but I guess that what Bates likes. We now have another RDE to compliment Dumervil. I think Moss will put on some muscle after that two year battle with staph. Once that crap gets in the lockerroom you need to evacuate it and do house cleaning, including everything in the lockers.

All 4 have good speed.

Obviously, Thomas has huge risk/reward, but he hasn't had MAJOR issues. Let's just not have Moss and Thomas rooming together Okay?

Crowder has very good speed for a LDE. I'm with some others...quality over quanity. Not all drafts can fall in your lap like last year.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Crowder

Thomas

Crowder

Moss- because someone will make the Pro Bowl first, and a ton of people here seem to call any 1st round pick who doesn't make the Pro Bowl, a bust. The expectations are way too high for 1st round picks on a team that pick in the bottom part of the 1st every year. See Foster- wrong fit for this system, but solid up until this past season. Not a bust, but he wasn't a great pick either.

A or a B in 3 seasons. Small class, but will be looked at as a very good class too.

[Killericon]

I have no idea.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007? - Crowder

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl? - Moss

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco? - Crowder

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust? - Thomas

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years? - C+ for two DEs and a backup OL

[watermock]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/image.php?u=4720&dateline=1178012848

First to the Pro Bowl heh.

[chickennob2]

1. Crowder will start the most games this year. Ekuban, I think, is a lock to start at DE. After that, we don' really have anyone on the roster built to start at DE on 1st and 2nd downs. Lang filled in for Courtney Brown last year as a starter and proved that he was not suited for the job. Moss is far too small right now. And I think the Mane would melt down if Engelberger was ever considered for a starting spot. So Corwder appears to be the best fit. Harris may get a look if Lepsis can't recover from injury, but I'm hoping Matt will be fine, so I don't want to consider Harris here. Thomas could start some games, but after skipping most of last year he doesn't seem quite as NFL ready as Crowder. Also, MUG on broncomania (a name that probably holds no weight here, though he is the most respected D-Line expert over there) seems to really like McKinley, so I think he may get the starting nod.

2. I think Moss will get to the ProBowl first. Harris (hopefully) won't be starting for a while, and either way, if Lepsis can't make the Pro-Bowl, I don't see Harris getting the national media love. Crowder won't be putting up very sexy numbers, though he will be a quality starter. So it comes down to Moss and Thomas. If you look at last year's Pro-Bowl roster, the AFC had DT's Jamal Williams, Casey Hampton, John Henderson, and Richard Seymour. That is a very strong list of well-established and well-known guys. Add in Stroud, young Ngata, and a lot of other names, and Thomas will have a hard time making a name for himself sufficient to get him to the probowl. At DE, the AFC had Jason Taylor, Aaron Schobel, and Derrick Burgess. In that group you have a Guy in his mid-30s and probably nearing retirement and 2 guys who have really only posted 2 solid seasons. With the type of numbers Moss has the potential to put up under Bates and his Florida pedigree, I think he has the best shot at the Pro-Bowl.

3. Given Denver's history of letting Heyward and Berry walk and the general longevity of O-Linemen, I see Harris being around the longest.

4. Harris has the best chance of being labelled a bust, and only because he will likely not see the field for a few years. Crowder should be starting, and Thomas and Moss will get significant playing time. You just don't rotate O-Linemen like you do D-Linemen.

5. A-, B+. Moss and Thomas could be stars. Crowder will be a solid starter. Harris should develop into a solid starter. This is a good group of guys, and we are going about things the right way. You've got to start with the trenches, and that's exactly what we did.

[Requiem]

Tough questions to answer, Thomas is the real wildmcard here. . .

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

It's either Crowder or Thomas. I'm going to go with Crowder. Thomas has a chance to really impress if he keeps straight, and like Slap said - the lack of depth there might give him an upper hand. Not a real straight answer, but it's too hard to really predict.

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

I think it's Jarvis. Not this year, but perhaps in two years he could develop into that every down defensive end and have the success needed to be a Pro Bowler.

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

Tim Crowder. Just a smart kid, hard worker and just seems to be the kind of guy we'd like to have around in the locker room for a long time. Obviously, he'll have to play well to merit an extension, but he'll be here for a good four or five years (pending on his contract) and I can see him being the guy that is a future leader of this team along with Foxworth. Soft spoken guys, but great role models and good players who we can count on. Foxworth and Crowder will probably be our future NFLPA reps. I think Foxworth is one of our two now, behind Rod.

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

Thomas, obviously. Right now, he's getting a lot of unfair treatment. At least in my opinion. I want to see what he does on the field, or off the field before I make any judgements on him. He's on a clean slate with me. We can only hope he stays clean because the kid was on an absolute tear before being kicked off the team. He was on pace for 10 sacks, 20 TFL, 50-60 tackles. Just sick in the SEC.

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

I think all of the players will contribute and I believe all CAN become starters. Harris, next to Crowder was probably my favorite selection and where I don't think he'll start this year - I think after a one year period of getting stronger and adjusting to the NFL through practicing hard - he'll take over one of the tackle spots or perhaps somewhere at guard. He has everything it takes. He just needs a little more development.

I think Crowder will be the most consistent. I think there will be a little ambiguity in the play of Jarvis. I think if Thomas stays clean, he'll be a solid starter. I think Harris has the potential to be a starter.

What grade? It'll be passing. I'll go with what I gave 'em when we drafted 'em. A solid B.

[watermock]

I'm giving the draft a B right now. In three years who knows.

[Inkana7]

1 - Marcus Thomas and Tim Crowder will both start all 16 games next year. Crowder because he seems to be the most complete end opposite of Ekuban, who will be our starter this year. Thomas comes in as easily the 2nd best DT talent-wise. McKinley might start over him based just on experience, but I really think Thomas will become the starter next to Warren.

2 - Jarvis Moss. In two or three years, Moss has the potential to be the next Jason Taylor. He has that explosive first step and is just a natrual pass-rusher. The AFC Defensive End pool is also pretty thin.

3 - Ryan Harris. Lepsis doesn't have much left, and it's Harris' job after that. Denver likes to keep their offensive linemen, and they seem to last a long time to begin with. If Harris gets a bit stronger, he could be very good.

4 - Jarvis Moss. He has the greatest potential to boom or bust. The fact that we traded up for him wouldn't help if he were to underperform.

5 - We will regard this draft as one that started the base for a dominant defense. Next year we'll grab our young Safety, Outside Linebacker, and perhaps more D-Line.

[Cito Pelon]

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7664/t1mosshg0.jpg http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5483/87o253u7xd3.jpg
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7636/ryanharriskq1.jpg http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1276/274275el1.jpg



1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

6- Is Slap a last-word freak?


1. Thomas.
2. Thomas.
3. Thomas.
4. Moss.
5. Who knows? Crowder could be Neil Smith, could be no better than Ekuban/Lang. Moss could be a one trick pony, Thomas could be a mistake waiting to happen.
6. Yes. :wiggle:

[SoCalBronco]

Good thread idea, Slappy.

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?
This is a tough call between Thomas and Crowder. However, I would give an edge to Marcus Thomas, since, as Slappy noted, Veal/Burton/McKinley are an easier group to beat out for the other DT spot then Lang/Ekuban would be for Crowder.

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?
Another tough choice, I could see Moss becoming a real demon off the edge, but I'll go with Thomas.

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?
Crowder. As many have said, he's really a solid type of guy that you can count on to play at a good but not great level for a long time. If the guys with the higher ceilings fulfill their potential, we might not be able to afford at least one of them when the second contract comes up.

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?
Just a gut feeling...but Ryan Harris.
5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?
Man, that is pretty tough. If Thomas doesnt piss away his chance, I think this could be a solid B+ class.

[watermock]

I can't remember an all lineman draft, ever.

[Drek]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?
Tim Crowder. I don't think Crowder would get the nod over McKinley to start the year. Crowder won't actually be a every down starter, but he'll start games as a run stopping DE in our base 4-3 defense.

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?
Marcus Thomas. He's hands down the most talented of the bunch when healthy. He's very boom/bust but if he hits he'll be a great player.

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?
Ryan Harris. He's a Broncos type of OT. That'll keep him from having a lot of FA market value, as people assume our guys get it done due to system (we didn't break the bank on Lepsis or Nails a year ago, even though both are upper tier OLs, and that was with Gibbs in ATL, Kubiak in Houston, etc.). We'll keep him for 10+ years as a good LT.

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?
Moss, I think Herc nailed it. He won't be an every down stud immediately so everyone will pan him for it, even if he's helping the team win ball games.

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?
B, solid draft that put the pieces in place to build a new DL around and got a great system fit OT. We'll regret passing up a safety in this deep class though.

[rbackfactory80]

1. Tim Crowder
2. Ryan Harris
3. Ryan Harris
4. Jarvis Moss
5. One solid player maybe 2

[BroncoBuff]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007? Marcus Thomas

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl? Marcus Thomas

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco? Ryan Harris

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust? None

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?
. . . . . . . "Four out of Four with 3 starters - 4 starters if you count Ryan Harris taking over for Lepsis next year (2010)."

[youcandoit1687]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?
Marcus Thomas - Most need, maybe most talent
2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?
Jarvis Moss - Sack numbers should be very high in two or three years
3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?
Ryan Harris or Tim Crowder - More role player types who will be cheaper but still contribute
4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?
Jarvis Moss - Traded up to get him, high expectations although he should have good sack numbers
5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?
Solid foundation for a top 10 defense. Similar to teams like the Panthers who have made mediocre players in the back seven look much better due to great DLine play.

[freak6]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

Moss

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

Moss if any

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

Probably Moss

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

Thomas

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

Worst draft ever unless Bates does his thing with Moss. It's up to Bates. Given his credentials, I have high hopes for Jarvis Moss.

[Kaylore]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

Thomas, because he's so talented and the depth at tackle is crappy. I also think he'll be a work horse and want to prove everyone wrong about him. Second choice is Moss simply for the fact he's a first rounder and Bates will want to use his pass rushing ability as soon as possible.

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

Moss because he'll get a lot of the sexier stats. He's just that kind of player. Though Thomas, Crowder and even Harris will be better all around players, but Moss is the "sexy" choice.

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

That's easy. Ryan Harris simply because he's an offensive linemen. My next guesses are Thomas, Crowder and Moss in that order.

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

Thomas because he's already carrying the "Clarrett pick" stigma. Moss is a close second because he was a first rounder and we traded up to get him.

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

Wow, I have no idea. I'll just make something up. One of these guys will bomb, the other two will be decent and one will be a real standout even pro-bowler. Two of the three end up being mostly career Broncos.

[Taco John]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

Tim Crowder - I think Crowder is the most well-rounded out of the group we have, and is thus more of an every down type of guy than any of the other guys we just drafted. Of course, I think Thomas will see plenty of playing time, given our lack of depth at DT.


2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

Jarvis Moss. He's got the more flashy style of play, and is quicker than any of these other guys to the quarterback. ESPN highlights = love.


3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

Ryan Harris - We don't have a history of holding onto our defensive linemen. That's not the case with our offensive linemen. Ryan Harris is the odds on favorite to have the longest career as a Bronco.


4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

Marcus Thomas. There seems to be a lot of folks that already expect him to fail, and not without decent reasoning.

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

Just what the doctor ordered. But I'm probably being too optimistic.

[Odysseus]

This is really really tough but interesting.

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

Thomas is going to dominate the Broncos defensive line. It's hard to determine actual start versus number of minutes on the field. Crowder might get more time on the field but Shanahan needs to put a vote of confidence on this guy to buy himself and this player credibility. No knock on Crowder.

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

Thomas because of his focus, motivation, the lack of talent at DT, the pressure the DE are going to provide, and Bate defense. Broncos have not seen anything like this guy in awhile. I think Moss could also get the nod.

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

Harris if he's good enough to backup Lepsis. Crowder if doesn't because of Crowder's leadership on the field and high character Broncos are going to want to keep him around. Broncos don't normally keep DE around long.

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

Harris if he doesn't get instant praises because most folks don't watch the offensive line that carefully. Moss because he'll play hot and cold leaving fans to question him as a bust but a few plays later Moss will remove all doubts.

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

The draft will remain a highly regarded draft not only for the player's performances but because the Broncos were able to get exactly what the team needed where the player fell. If the Broncos had not moved up Moss and Thomas would both have been gone.

[wabbit]

Intriguing thread.

Start most games as a rook: Thomas-Broncos need pocket pressure from DT & Thomas will shine at that from training camp on.

1st to make the Pro Bowl: Thomas

Longest career with Broncos: Harris-safe pick, as Slap mentioned.

Bust: None

Grade in 3 years: A

Moss, like Dumervil, will be a terrific situational player, but I'm not convinced he will ever be a 4-down guy.

Crowder is a workman, but I see more a solid rotational guy than a future star.

[Clockwork Orange]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

Marcus Thomas.

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

Jarvis Moss.

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

Jarvis Moss.

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

Ryan Harris.

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

If Marcus Thomas keeps his head on straight, this could be the draft that takes the Broncos defense to the next level. It also could be a colossal failure if those dreaded character issues surface. Ask again in three years. ;D

[Taco John]

Something to ponder as we evaluate these guys...

In 1985, the Broncos spent a third round pick to draft a 6-5 defensive end who weighed 240 pounds. He instantly became a starter, but registered only 1 sack in his first year. In his second year, he showed improvement, giving the team 5 sacks worth of production, but his third year saw a decline in numbers, with only 4 sacks and an injury that shortened his season.

By today's standards, he'd be considered a bust. But he went on after that third year to deliver an average of almost 11 sacks per year after that.

In 1995, Simon Fletcher retired as a Bronco with 97.5 sacks to his credit.

[wabbit]

...
In 1995, Simon Fletcher retired as a Bronco with 97.5 sacks to his credit.

...without a single Pro Bowl...probably the single most over-looked NFL star of his era.

...of course, getting blown out in three SBs didn't exactly elevate the reputation of the 'D', but still...

[Odysseus]

Nice! Simon Fletcher played his heart out for the Broncos. This what I think will happen with Moss in a sense. We need to let this guy fill in.

If the DT seals the line our DE are going to giving QB fits. I hope the rookies learn all the rules about QB contact. The NFL is brutal with those calls. It's going to come to the play of our DT. Veal, Burton, and McKinley all bring solid potential so our DT should be very deep this year.

[Bronco LB 59]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?
Crowder because he'll be on his share of run downs.

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?
None. In a non-injury season, only six defensive linemen out of 60 starting defensive linemen in AFC get bestowed this honor. That's not to say all four of these guys will be busts, but they can have successful careers without having the honor of going to Honolulu.

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?
Ryan Harris. I agree with Slappy here about offensive linemen having longer stints with their original team because of durability and longevity. Trevor Pryce and Matt Lepsis both came in as rookies in 1997. Pryce is gone despite a more distinguished career and Lepsis is still our left tackle.

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?
Moss because of the Jason Taylor-Jevon Kearse expectations here.


5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?
The bodies Denver added will give the team a better chance to advance to the AFC Divisional round and beyond, but I don't think a star will come out of the class. B- to C+ class.

[BroncoBuff]

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?
Moss because of the Jason Taylor-Jevon Kearse expectations here.

I don't see those comparisons. Maybe Jason Taylor a bit, but Javon Kearse was MUCH stronger - much stronger upper body.


Jarvis reminds me of Demarcus Ware.

[chaz]

1 - Which rookie will start the most games in 2007?

crowder

2 - Who will be the first to make the Pro Bowl?

moss

3 - Who will have the longest career as a Bronco?

harris/crowder both stay in denver for their careers

4 - Which rookie will be, fairly or unfairly, labeled a bust?

moss if he doesnt put up big sack numbers right away

5 - How will we regard this draft class in three years?

me likey.

[BritBronco Maniac]

...without a single Pro Bowl...probably the single most over-looked NFL star of his era.

...of course, getting blown out in three SBs didn't exactly elevate the reputation of the 'D', but still...

Very interesting, 97.5 career sacks without a probowl.

I wonder what the record is for most career sacks without a probowl?

[Taco John]

Very interesting, 97.5 career sacks without a probowl.

I wonder what the record is for most career sacks without a probowl?


I'm not sure, but he had a 16 sack season in there...

[Arkansas Bronco]

1. Thomas
2. Thomas
3. Harris
4. If anyone its Moss. He has to add some weight and everyone is expecting so much from him already.
5. It will all go down to the question of Did they really change their characters.

[fontaine]

Good thread slap.

I think Marcus Thomas is our first probowler out of the bunch and gets the most starts.

I ran across something interesting about the kid in www.milehighreport.com

Perhaps no player personified risk more than Florida defensive tackle Marcus Thomas. Before getting into that, it's worth noting what he can do on the field. There was a time that Thomas was considered 2007's best defensive tackle prospect. Thought to have played under 300 lbs., most scouts believed he would best fit in a Tampa 2 system, since he had the athleticism to make plays on the move in the backfield. He really became a candidate for the Broncos when he measured in at 6'3 315 lbs., and flashed ability to play at that size last season and in post season games. Most all scouts talk about how explosive Thomas' hands are in controlling blockers and gaps, critical in Bates' scheme as Thomas will have to tie up blockers to protect the linebackers. An explosive player at his size (and running a 40 under 5.00), Thomas can beat tackles out of their stances and drive them back with the bull rush. Even if he was to play at a lesser weight, he has the hand quickness to initially win most battles. Thomas has also shown the ability to shed blockers and make plays in the backfield, with an average of four sacks in each year he started. I would imagine that Denver would push Thomas to keep the weight on so that he can hold up against multiple blockers. Some scouts have compared him to Casey Hampton because of his hand use of blocker control, but he's not nearly as consistent, or have the wide base of Hampton (though he could.) He's very dangerous on stunts.

I'm loving the fact that Thomas has such good hand quickness in getting past OL because it's not something that can be taught easily.

I think the key sign is going to be how this kid is preparing in the offseason. If he can work hard and get in shape this off season and be ready for mini camps then it will go a long way towards proving he's left his turdish ways behind him.

Like someone said earlier, we're really short on DTs and in the past we've playing rookies, new guys at that spot so Marcus won't be the first. Let's hope he can follow through on this pre draft promises.