Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

NEW ORLEANS — Rookie linebacker Chase Thomas may not look the part. He certainly wasn’t drafted to play the part, since all 32 NFL teams skipped over him for seven rounds in April.

But don’t bet against him playing an integral part in the New Orleans Saints’ 3-4 defense under first-year coordinator Rob Ryan, said Russ Lande, director of scouting for National Football Post.

“When you watched Stanford, Thomas was all over the field,’’ Lande said last week. “He was making tackles everywhere. Now he doesn’t test out well. He’s not a pretty looking guy. By that I mean he’s not sculpted or chiseled. He’s just a football player.

“I had him with a second-round grade. I think he’s a starter in a 3-4 defense. I wouldn’t be shocked if he played a ton this year. Plus he’s going to be a (bear) on special teams.’’

So how does a second-round projection by a reputable scout, from a top-shelf BCS school, end up going undrafted? Are there off-the-field problems? Injuries? A make-believe girlfriend?

What’s the deal?

“From all the feedback I was getting, it was a surprise,’’ Thomas said Thursday after the team’s third of their allotted 10 organized team activities. “But you can’t dwell on it for too long. I was blessed to have an opportunity at all. I’m still here. It doesn’t really matter how I got here.’’

Read more: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

He’s not a pretty looking guy. By that I mean he’s not sculpted or chiseled. He’s just a football player.

He's just a Football Player.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

He reminds me of Brian Urlacher in his prime...

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

If you can't buy a Paul Kruger, find a guy who you can mold to play like him.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

I will be amazingly surprised if he isn't on the team come September

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

Just watch and wait for it...

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

The next Shanle!

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

I don't remember seeing Thomas last year, but what I do remember is Stanford having a swarming defense. And btw, they got a bad call against ND on that final goal line play & should have won that ame.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

Ummm, mebbe not...

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

We'll see. It's not spoken of much, but Urlacher was very fast.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

Really believe he'll be a starting outside linebacker by next season at the latest...

And no, he won't be like Shanle as he'll have a different set of responsiblities and won't have to share coverage with Roman Harper on Tight Ends and Running Backs in the slot...

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

I don't know much about the kid but hopefully he makes enough of an impact to make the final roster.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

He played for Stanford. Their Football program has been in the limelight.

There is no shortage of film on him.

All 32 NFL teams had access to the film and I assume they watched the film.

None of the 32 teams drafted him, including the Saints.

He is an UDFA!!!!!!!!!!

Calm the heck down.

Jebus........

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

how many teams have you played for in the NFL, seer1?

many players thought very highly of shanle.

many fairweather, disloyal yuppies in the guise of a fan bashed on shanle.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

I hope f'n not!!!!!!!

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

I'm sorry, I didn't realize this has become a forum open only to NFL players. Why don't people tell me these things, or at least insist we email in a a picture of our NFLPA card before being allowed to register? You love coming in here every once in a while and call people you don't agree with"yuppies", or "disloyal" fans. Do you even know what the term "yuppie" means? Can you at least give us an idea as to how being a "yuppie" -by your definition- excludes one from being allowed to post their opinion here? And please tell me as well how a person who states right here that Thomas (should he stay healthy, of course) is going to be twice the player Shanle was is in any way disloyal?

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

I've got high hopes................I've got high hopes!

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

I don't know much about him but he seems like a teamer and a guy that's gonna play with a chip. I'm rooting for this guy to make an impact and start!

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

Pierre Thomas played for Illinois, no tiny school either and everybody passed on him while I bet a bunch of teams wish they hadn't. Chase Thomas seems to be a good player and a smart kid. Of course folks will be excited.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

For the sake of our D I hope Thomas and the rest of the lb.'s become monsters, we could finally have a front 7 worth a damn again after all these miserable DEFENSIVE years. I don't care who makes it as long as it gets done!!

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

True, and a violent hitter before age and injuries caught up with him.



Urlacher [Combine]

40 yd dash: 4.59
20 yd dash: 2.67
10 yd dash: 1.62
20 yd shuttle: 4.18
3 cone drill: 6.94


Thomas [Pro Day]

40 yd dash: 4.80
20 yd dash: 2.77
10 yd dash: 1.69
20 yd shuttle: 4.31 [Combine]
3 cone drill: 7.17 [Combine]




Best thing to do is just to ignore. :-)

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

I watched him play when I lived in New Mexico. He was pretty amazing. He played safety, wide receiver and ran return duties as well. There were games where he beat teams single handedly.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

We've all seen success stories about guys who didn't measure well, but were just really good football players. The NFL is full of them.

But we've also seen many players who were just really good football players at the college level not make it in the league (Mike Haas, Alfred Fincher, Courtney Watson, Cie Grant, Chip Vaughan, Stanley Arnoux, Nate Bussey etc...)

,

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

AAAAARRRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your killing me!
I'm not going to get any sleep tonight because of this. :ohno:

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

Who carried a 2nd - 3rd round grade by many teams.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

He needs to have a break out season!!! And it goes without saying he needs to be a Beast!!

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

That would not be so bad. for years the saints tried to replace him and year after year he beat all comers. Shanle was never brought in to be a starter here. he just refused to go away for what 8 years?

I would be happy to see him make this team year after year no matter who the saint sign as a FA or draft.

I am not ready to put him as a starter but to get an UDFA as your key backup LB that can play inside or out for the next 10 years is a win win in my book

pass on the Urlacher comparison to different players with two different skill sets.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

OVERVIEW
In a November 2011 article about Thomas in the San Francisco Chronicle, former Stanford and current 49er defensive coordinator Vic Fangio aptly summed up scouts’ feelings about the versatile defender: “He was born to play football.” While quarterback Andrew Luck and the Cardinal’s offensive line received well-deserved hype over the past couple of seasons, Thomas impressed his coaches and pro scouts alike by wreaking havoc in opponents’ backfields.

The Georgia native redshirted in 2008 to add to weight to his lean sub-200 pound frame coming out of high school. He played 13 games, starting eight, in his freshman year after stepping in for injured defensive end Erik Lorig (36 tackles, seven for loss, four sacks). He earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 accolades as a linebacker in Fangio’s 3-4 scheme by leading Stanford in tackles for loss (11.5) and tying for the lead in sacks (7.5). His playmaking skills flourished as a junior, garnering All-American and first-team All-Pac 12 honors by increasing his production (17.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) for the second straight season.

The Stanford program didn’t miss a beat after losing Luck to the NFL. Riding the strength of their running game and defense, they lost just one game (in overtime to Notre Dame) and largely shut down many high powered offenses. Thomas had another year of gaudy production (71 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks) on his way to earning first-team All-Pac 12 honors once again.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Versatile edge defender who finds the ball regularly and has made plays at linebacker or defensive end. Displays violent and strong hands to get past the shoulder of his blocker on an edge rush or disengage when containing his side. Works his way though trash well on this inside, showing a bit of quickness to cut into the A-gap for run plays (or B-gap as a blitzer), work his man upfield on the pass rush or spin inside to take advantage of that lane. Good club and swim move inside. Mirrors pretty well in coverage, takes good angles to running backs in the flats, and gets physical with tight ends and crossing receivers. Usually beats tight ends and running backs when they pass block against him. High-effort player, hustles through single blocks and doubles to the ball, consistently chases plays from behind, and keeps his balance after taking on linemen at the second level. Has enough upper-body strength to separate the ball and create turnovers or slow down/stop ball carriers trying to cut past him.
WEAKNESSES Not an elite pass rusher with pure power, great flexibility or upfield speed to turn the corner. Also lacks top closing speed, relies on hustle to make plays. Lacks lengths and bulk, offensive tackles can keep him at bay and mirror him easily as an edge rusher. Needs to continue to get stronger, getting off blocks and keeping leverage will be a bit tougher against NFL linemen. Most of his pressures come against tight ends/running backs or inside stunts. Has good enough movement skills to handle coverage responsibilities in the flat, but quicker ball carriers cut past him in space and he struggles changing direction due to playing upright. One speed player who lacks burst off the ball on the edge or closing speed in pursuit.
NFL COMPARISON Connor Barwin
BOTTOM LINE An aptly-named defender who earned All-American accolades as a junior (17.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) with great hustle and instincts, Thomas displays potential as a starter for teams needing a strong-side linebacker or utility defender that plays on the line of scrimmage. His lack of length and athleticism handicap his ceiling, but he has been an ultra-productive defender on a good defense. If he fails to develop into a starter, he should at the very least be a capable backup linebacker and special teams player. He will likely be chosen on the second day of the draft.

Chase Thomas Draft Profile

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

Speaks volumes there, You watch those 3 players in college and think "they will be beasts for our team" I immediately thought the same thing

There's no proven formula, either a player has it or not

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

Very good answer.

Re: Rookie Chase Thomas set to help Saints defense
 

If Vic Fangio (a guy who knows a thing or two about LB's) thinks this guy can play football at the NFL level, I'm elated he is with the Saints competing for a roster spot.