Devin Thomas claimed by Panthers.

[CatMan72]

Well, at least we're trying something... DT has the physical tools, it's been a mental thing for him, lets hope he takes this opportunity to turn his career around, maybe #89 can have a positive influence on him?

[pantherfan81]

Dpantherman said he's good, I'm gonna hold him to his word

[Proudiddy]

Hate? What are you talking about? I don't hate AE.

Man the stuff you are saying is full of "dislike" at the least... Put on 50 lbs? At 5'11"? So he's better equipped to go over the middle? There's isn't many 5'11" TEs buddy, and we already have a fullback, that's ridiculous.

He's taken hits. He's played against LSU and Michigan in college and took hits from NFL prospects... He didn't snap in half.

He should be out there learning when we're already looking at a Top 5 draft pick, let him learn on the job... IMO, he should've been left at QB regardless of his size b/c of his abilities and he wouldn't have to go through the transition of a new position... But, they want him to be a WR so he's got to get reps, and he is elusive, getting hit is the least of his problems - running routes and catching are what he needs to worry about, not getting hit.

[Dpantherman]

Devin Thomas is a good player. Hes still young, and I think hes going to be good. when he had a shot last year, he had Tds in that NO game last year.

[Gazi]

Devin Thomas told @1067thefandc the picture was of him napping between meetings, not during a meeting.

[cdandi1]

Well, at least we're trying something... DT has the physical tools, it's been a mental thing for him, lets hope he takes this opportunity to turn his career around, maybe #89 can have a positive influence on him?

exactly what i was thinking

[Primetime 89]

Devin Thomas is a good player. Hes still young, and I think hes going to be good. when he had a shot last year, he had Tds in that NO game last year.

he surpassed DJ in like 2 out of the 3 categories in that one game.....still trailing on DUIs though...

[KillerKat]

For those concerned about AE's weight, Im sure Smith can tell him how to gain a few pounds like he did when he first came into the league. That is, when he's done being angry that the rookies aren't kissing his feet.

[SOJA]

how are you guys bitching about this???? this is if anything great news

Don't know if you guys have noticed but the Panthers are god awful this year. So what we cut Tim Duckworth for a guy loaded with potential. He is motivated to prove himself, and guess what????? we could take anyone on offense to help us. At the very least sign him see what he can do and maybe he turns out to be a great receiver for us. I swear you people's parents must have spoiled you silly

[Proudiddy]

both radio guys said that everytime they hvae been around him and talked to him he seems to have his heart into football. They said he is known for being in the weight room and having a good work ethic, but if you choose to listen to the shanahan reports that he showed up late to meetings, etc then so be it.

I think Shannahan is a dick honestly. Great coach, but he's a dick. One of the hosts was Lavar Arrington and he said that this coaching staff has pretty much started a "smear campaign," for lack of a better term, on several of the players there - I think he was referring to Larry Johnson. He said the staff has made an issue out of "professionalism" there and it's been the biggest story of the season there. Arrington and the other co-host agreed that this guy sounds hungry and and they think he really lives to play the game. Sounds like Lavar really felt it was personal.

Host loved the guy as did their fans. He went on there just to say goodbye to the city and those fans and excited about coming to Charlotte

Is he really good enough to be compared to Moose like the host was doing?

I was actually thinking he was very similar to Moose when I heard he was released, plus obviously he's a MSU guy.

BTW as a SN: How come we don't have Panther coverage like this? I kept listening, and am still listening now to this station, and it's like the whole thing revolves around the Redskins... They have interviews with Carriker, Cooley, and a few other players after that... I've never heard more than 1 live player interview on Panthers Huddle... Man, our local media sucks ass.

[Gazi]

I think Shannahan is a dick honestly. Great coach, but he's a dick. One of the hosts was Lavar Arrington and he said that this coaching staff has pretty much started a "smear campaign," for lack of a better term, on several of the players there - I think he was referring to Larry Johnson. He said the staff has made an issue out of "professionalism" there and it's been the biggest story of the season there. Arrington and the other co-host agreed that this guy sounds hungry and and they think he really lives to play the game. Sounds like Lavar really felt it was personal.

I was actually thinking he was very similar to Moose when I heard he was released, plus obviously he's a MSU guy.

BTW as a SN: How come we don't have Panther coverage like this? I kept listening, and am still listening now to this station, and it's like the whole thing revolves around the Redskins... They have interviews with Carriker, Cooley, and a few other players after that... I've never heard more than 1 live player interview on Panthers Huddle... Man, our local media sucks ass.

That radio station kicks ass

[PantherBrew]

I hope somebody grabs this kid and tells him how lucky he is to be getting a second chance.

[GritsRgreat]

http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-skins/2010/10/mike-shanahan-devin-thomas-was-no-anthony-armstrong-2970.html

When asked about the reasons the Washington Redskins cut former second-round pick Devin Thomas on Saturday, Mike Shanahan today cited a lack of total dedication on Thomas' part and went out of his way to praise Anthony Armstrong.

The Redskins waived Thomas -- the 34th pick of the 2008 draft -- on Saturday to make room for Keiland Williams, an undrafted rookie running back, whose skills as a third-down back were needed with Clinton Portis injured.

Shanahan on Sunday said that Thomas, "needed to do to be a pro football player, both on and off the field." When asked today to further elaborate on his view of Thomas' lack of professionalism, Shanahan said that Thomas still has a chance to be a player in the NFL, just not with the Redskins at this point.

"I think he can still play in the National Football League. But I’ve got to keep our top five wide receivers and we lost a running back. Devin was the next guy to go," Shanahan said. "Does that mean he can’t play in the National Football League? Absolutely not. Does it mean I don’t like Devin? Absolutely not. I encouraged Devin and said, ‘You’re a big kid, you’re strong, you’ve got a lot of speed. You want to get to the next level, you’ve got to get in a heck of an offseason program and be the best you can be. If you want to be good, you’re gonna be good. But you’ve got to make a total commitment. In this league it’s not based on talent, it’s based on people working extremely hard.’ I’ve got some strong feelings for Devin, and I like him quite a bit. I was being honest with him and hopefully he takes advantage of that down the road."

By cutting Thomas, the Redskins parted ways with their top kick returner, who was averaging 28 yards a return, which ranked fifth in the league among players with at least 10 returns.

But Shanahan said he has confidence in all of the other players that have the capability to return kicks, and that he believes because of the players blocking downfield, any of the return men can be effective.

Then Shanahan unprompted outlined what he looks for in a player and compare the elements that Armstrong -- an undrafted first-year player, who bounced around in arena football leagues and practice squads before getting his break this year -- brings to the team in contrast to Thomas.

"I look at somebody’s total game, not just special teams play.One of the great things about Armstrong, is the guy would make plays. Every position you put him at," Shanahan said of Armstrong, who on Sunday had a 48-yard touchdown reception. "I knew Armstrong was going to be a football player. It was too important to him. He loves to play. How can a guy that weighs 180 pounds make tackles every time? How’s he beat people five yards down the field? The guy’s a competitor, he wants to play, he’s here every day. He knows all three positions. He’ll play at every special teams position you put him at. Those guys help you win, and that’s why you have to get a pecking order -- first, second third, fourth, fifth, whatever it may be -- and then you’ve got to go with whatever guys you think can help you win as a team. Not just talent."

Thomas' former teammates when asked on Sunday about his release said they were surprised. Receiver Santana Moss said for the most part, he saw Thomas' exit coming.

"I'm surprised a little bit, but then again, you never know. I just feel like where Devin stood on this team, there was a lot he wasn't doing. He wasn't playing receiver, but was playing a lot of special teams. With a guy like that, that's so talented and not playing receiver, then something's wrong," Moss said. "But, everything happens for a reason. His situation could be better going somewhere else and getting a fresh start. I feel like he can be that guy, it was just some of the things here he had got himself in a hole and it wasn't a place he could climb out of."

What exactly those "things" were, are unclear, but recently a picture of him snoozing in a meeting surfaced on twitter, and Thomas in the past drew criticism for his offseason modeling projects and also for his role in a music video with Fantasia.

Thomas didn't have to wait long to get his fresh start, however. This afternoon he was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.

[cdandi1]

I hope somebody grabs this kid and tells him how lucky he is to be getting a second chance.

i hope smitty will