Panthers dine with Shaq Thompson

[C47]

 

That game was by far one of the worst I've seen him play, and he still made plenty of plays. 

[micnificent28]

How enlightening. 

First off his sparq ratings when being compared to other athletes coming out this year is slightly below average. He isn't that good of an athlete. The guy doesn't have a true position he is more a jack of all trades master of none type. He isn't good enuff in coverage to be called a safety and he isn't really big enuff to be a linebacker at the point of attack. Let's not even get into the lost time at Runningback. The guy just isnt reactive enough at LB and is more of a see it and run guy. He has No instincts. I would be ok with him in the second not the first.

[TheNewStandard]

First off his sparq ratings when being compared to other athletes coming out this year is slightly below average. He isn't that good of an athlete. The guy doesn't have a true position he is more a jack of all trades master of none type. He isn't good enuff in coverage to be called a safety and he isn't really big enuff to be a linebacker at the point of attack. Let's not even get into the lost time at Runningback. The guy just isnt reactive enough at LB and is more of a see it and run guy. He has No instincts. I would be ok with him in the second not the first.

"a see it and run guy" is exactly what you need in rushing defense. you see the ball and you go after it with conviction...that's exacrly what this guy does. I mean the second you try to guess and guess wrong, you are out of the play.

players can't get caught up trying to read the QB because NFL QBs are adept at looking off and getting the defense to bite. this guy plays the ball and stays in his area. what's wrong with that?

don't know how you can say he's not that great of an athlete when he makes everything look so easy. nothing hurly jerky or what I'd call wasted movement while diagnosing and and attacking. Shaq is smooth as silk and powerful in his attack of the ball/ball carrier...looks natural and w

explosive.

I totally disagree with your assessment of him and how learning the game at different phases of the game can be a bad thing. At least he shows the skill and know how to operate at a high level at so many different phases of the game...I'd call him a student and a ball hawk. definitely a football player who could easily be a master at whatever position the team decides to play him and coach him at.

[micnificent28]

"a see it and run guy" is exactly what you need in rushing defense. you see the ball and you go after it with conviction...that's exacrly what this guy does. I mean the second you try to guess and guess wrong, you are out of the play.

players can't get caught up trying to read the QB because NFL QBs are adept at looking off and getting the defense to bite. this guy plays the ball and stays in his area. what's wrong with that?

don't know how you can say he's not that great of an athlete when he makes everything look so easy. nothing hurly jerky or what I'd call wasted movement while diagnosing and and attacking. Shaq is smooth as silk and powerful in his attack of the ball/ball carrier...looks natural and w

explosive.

I totally disagree with your assessment of him and how learning the game at different phases of the game can be a bad thing. At least he shows the skill and know how to operate at a high level at so many different phases of the game...I'd call him a student and a ball hawk. definitely a football player who could easily be a master at whatever position the team decides to play him and coach him at.

 

I disagree. And that's what makes luke so good. He has natural instincts and a nose for the ball. Seeing it and then running alot of the time makes you slow to react and can lead to big plays. His times were not that good. He isn't even one of the fastest linebackers and people talk about him playing safety? With your first round pick you want a guy who will make a impact right away. Since this guy has shared time at all these other positions i believe it has hindered his development. Shaq is a classic boom or bust type player. 

[jdpanther5]

Per PFT:

"Thompson ... told USA Today that he’ll have more intimate workouts with the Panthers and Falcons in the near future. Thompson also had private sessions with the Texans and Bronws ahead of his pro day and is slated to meet with the Cowboys, Colts and Vikings at each team’s respective headquarters.

[MHS831]

I seriously believe that if he is there at 25, we take him (Barring some other stud at a bigger need falling to us)

[Strawman]

I'm not sold on him yet as a first round pick, but with all these teams brining him in, what do I know.

[Moorgan]

I know it's bleacher report but:

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2419536-shaq-thompsons-versatility-can-translate-to-the-nfl-level

"Shaq Thompson might project as a “tweener” at the pro level because of his 6'0", 228-pound frame, but let's not forget about the athletic versatility the former University of Washington star brings to the field.

Thompson doesn’t have the prototypical size to play linebacker and his 4.64 speed won't jump off the page if you want to slide him back into the secondary at the safety position. But the tape, the true grading tool used by scouts and decision-makers in the NFL, tells me that this guy can flat-out play football regardless of where he lines up on Sundays."

[unicar15]

Could def be the pick if we're scared we gonna lose TD in the next year or two. Would be smart to consider his replacement. I'm not gonna complain about him being in the rotation as a rookie either. If he's considered BPA then I think we'll take him.

[Dex]

He will be a special player. Move him between OLB and SS in certain packages.

[Bartin]

I'm not sold on him yet as a first round pick, but with all these teams brining him in, what do I know.

That's actually the likely reason all these teams are bringing him in for a visit or working him out. Teams really aren't sure about him and are trying to figure out his position and if he will work in their defense. He doesn't really "fit" anywhere, but teams are likely excited about the potential he has at multiple positions. There's also his willingness to play something besides LB. He's said on multiple occasions that he only wants to play LB.

[C47]

I know it's bleacher report but:

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2419536-shaq-thompsons-versatility-can-translate-to-the-nfl-level

"Shaq Thompson might project as a “tweener” at the pro level because of his 6'0", 228-pound frame, but let's not forget about the athletic versatility the former University of Washington star brings to the field.

Thompson doesn’t have the prototypical size to play linebacker and his 4.64 speed won't jump off the page if you want to slide him back into the secondary at the safety position. But the tape, the true grading tool used by scouts and decision-makers in the NFL, tells me that this guy can flat-out play football regardless of where he lines up on Sundays."

 

That's written by Matt Bowen, a former NFL DB. Bleacher report has done a complete 180 from the website that it used to be btw. A ton of highly credible and knowledgeable people write there now. 

[gettlemanjack]

That's actually the likely reason all these teams are bringing him in for a visit or working him out. Teams really aren't sure about him and are trying to figure out his position and if he will work in their defense. He doesn't really "fit" anywhere, but teams are likely excited about the potential he has at multiple positions. There's also his willingness to play something besides LB. He's said on multiple occasions that he only wants to play LB.

no, he has said on multiple occasions that he will play S or LB but doesn't want to be a RB in the NFL (don't blame him with the life expectancy of NFL RBs). Here's what Shaq wrote just the other day:

"Some teams see me as a strong safety, like a Kam Chancellor type. ... But most of the teams I've been talking to all said weakside linebacker. I'm open to safety, but my heart is still at linebacker. Definitely still not open to running back. It's my business and I don't personally want to play running back. Longevity has something to do with it, but I just want to play defense."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/04/05/shaq-thompson-washington-draft-diary/25329969/

[bababoey]

I know it's bleacher report but:

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2419536-shaq-thompsons-versatility-can-translate-to-the-nfl-level

"Shaq Thompson might project as a “tweener” at the pro level because of his 6'0", 228-pound frame, but let's not forget about the athletic versatility the former University of Washington star brings to the field.

Thompson doesn’t have the prototypical size to play linebacker and his 4.64 speed won't jump off the page if you want to slide him back into the secondary at the safety position. But the tape, the true grading tool used by scouts and decision-makers in the NFL, tells me that this guy can flat-out play football regardless of where he lines up on Sundays."

 

It's kind of funny, a lot of people are saying take Shaq because his game tape is so good.  Which it is good, don't get me wrong.  I just wonder if those are the same people that are saying take Perriman because he ran so fast during his pro day.  Or draft the OT out of VT (I forgot his name) because he tested so well at the combine.

 

When you look at the other 2 guys game tape you would be kind of like, whatever.  Now Perriman has some highlight reel catches and looks really good at times.  But then other times he looks as if he doesn't even want to be on the field.  The OT out of VT just gets rocked back by every D-lineman that bullrushes him.

 

You can't coach effort, and Shaq has plenty of that.  I just wonder if you want to draft a guy in the 1st round that might only see the field on special teams for a year or 2?