BRSaintsFan

10. New Orleans takes a late-round flyer on Paul Thompson: We'll grant you that the Oklahoma senior quarterback hasn't generated much pre-draft buzz, but you still might want to remember his name and see where he lands on the NFL map. The Saints make sense, because with Drew Brees firmly entrenched as the starter, they'd have the luxury of time to groom a young quarterback with an impressive set of physical skills and intangibles.

Who's Thompson? He's the guy who bailed out coach Bob Stoops and the Sooners last season, leading Oklahoma to an 11-2 record and a surprise Big 12 Championship Game win over Nebraska before the Sooners' memorable Fiesta Bowl overtime loss to Boise State. That despite Oklahoma losing star running back Adrian Peterson for most of the season with a broken collarbone.

Thompson played receiver for most of 2005 after losing his QB job to Rhett Bomar, but when Bomar was kicked off the Sooners team in August 2006, Thompson rode to the rescue. While some in the NFL see him as another Michael Robinson, the ex-Penn State quarterback turned running back, Thompson is worth a look as a passer. He's 6-4, 220 pounds, and runs a 4.6. He has just the one season as a starting quarterback, but for a team that can afford to have a little patience with him, he could provide a huge payoff.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...4/draft/2.html

BRSaintsFan

Wide Receiver/Quarterback | Senior | Oklahoma Paul Thompson
Height: 6-35/8 | Weight: 216 | 40-Time: 4.68

Official Bio

Strengths:
Has good size and a solid frame...Excellent athlete...Versatile...Very strong and a standout in the weight room...Has decent hands...Shows some elusiveness after the catch...Smart and a team leader with top intangibles...Still has some upside.

Weaknesses:
Timed speed is lacking...Has never been able to stay at one position and master it...Doesn't run great routes...Arm strength is average...Still makes too many bad decisions...Raw and will need a lot of work regardless of what position he plays.

Notes:
Backed up Heisman Trophy winner Jason White early in his career before moving to wide receiver...He was forced to move back to quarterback as a senior in 2006 when Rhett Bomar was kicked off the team...A developmental guy whose future is at the next level will likely be at wideout...Might get some looks as a quarterback.
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Career Statistics
Year GP Comp Att Yds Comp % TD INT
2002 4 12 20 95 60.0% 2 1
2003 10 19 27 224 70.4% 2 1
2004 DNP - - - - - -
2005 10 11 26 109 42.3% 0 1
2006 14 196 335 2,590 58.5% 21 11
Totals 38 238 408 3,018 58.3% 25 14

papz

I'd take him... just not as a quarterback. He did surprise me last year though after he made the switch. He was AWFUL the year Bomar beat him out... AWFUL awful. He looked decent last year. But hey, if he doesn't work out here, he would work out there. It's good to have versatility.

saintsfan1976

we could pull Adrian Peterson back into the fold....

just a thought. werd.

WhoDat205

As a late round spec pick or a UFA, why not?

ScottF

I haven't heard much about some other guys- Palko, Beck, Mitchell, that kid from Boise St...

Will Fife make it as our number 3 again?

NarwhalHunter

If he has a semi-decent arm, he'd be great to use as a fourth or fifth wideout and develop a few trick plays around, same as the Steelers did with Randle El. Would LOVE to see the things Payton could do with a guy like that.

BRSaintsFan

Looks pretty nimble to me -----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcZdQOVyxmk

As far as the delivery and the mechanics, thats why he'd be a project. I think he would be another athlete to put on the field and can be groomed in background to see if he can develop into a QB.

WhoDat205

Did you see that fake? The entire defense bit on that. I could have gotten 20 yds out of that.

saintsrule

If they want him on the team, I hope they can get him. And who knows he might be good for the team.