My take on No. 2 pick Terrell Thomas

by Ed Valentine on Apr 27, 2008 10:35 AM EDT in News Comment 17 comments

The Giants selection of Terrell Thomas a cornerback from USC, was somewhat of a surprise.

With Penn State linebacker Dan Connor, considered by some to be a first-round talent, still on the board I expected him to be the pick. Giants' fans at Radio City were chanting Connor's name.

I have no issue with the selection of a corner. With Sam Madison aging and Corey Webster still needing to show he can play well for a full season this was an area that needed help.

I am just not sure Thomas was the best corner available. Justin King of Penn State and Charles Godfrey of Iowa were expected to go before Thomas.

We will see how this one works out, but Thomas was a questionable choice in this spot.

With Reese's track record, though, I am trusting him until he is proven wrong.

Scouts Inc.'s take

What he brings: He is vulnerable to getting beat deep when left on an island. He is also another player who has a long history of injuries. However, he has excellent size and good upper-body strength, so he can slow receivers down at the line. There's also a lot to like about his versatility; he can line up at safety and does a very good job covering kicks.

How he fits: The Giants' main weakness on defense last season was their secondary. Thomas will help improve this area of the game. Sam Madison is getting up in age and has declining skills. R.W. McQuarters is better suited as a No. 4 or No. 5 corner. Thomas has some versatility, but played corner primarily at USC. He fits in Steve Spagnuolo's system, who loves to run zone-blitz schemes.

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From what I've read

I would have liked Connor too. It seems like we drafted a Saftey who could play corner if needed and a big hitting corner who could play saftey. Haven't heard any interviews yet ,was out yesterday. Is it possible that Thomas was drafted to play Saftey? This is my gut feeling for the moment anyway.

by big blue wrecking crew on Apr 27, 2008 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Connor

Seems we may have overestimated him. He finally got chosen in the 3rd round (Carolina), but seems his speed size led most to question whether he can play outside.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 27, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised

that I have no recollection of this guy. I live on the West Coast & have seen plenty o'Trojans games, so I know that I must've watched a game in which Thomas has played. I guess he just didn't make much of an impression on me.

So like most of you, I did a little web-digging last night to try and learn what I could. Basically it seems that scouts are divided about his prospects as an NFL CB. Some seem to think his 4.5 40 times make him more suited to S or a cover-2 CB as he'd probably be a step slow for man coverage of the speedier WRs. Other scouts seem to think that his size will be an asset in today's changing NFL in which WRs are getting bigger and where the new rules allowing force-outs place a new-found premium on DBs who can muscle their man out of bounds. I'm guessing the fact that the Deadskins just drafted two monstrous WRs may have influenced this decision a bit.

I'm gonna trust Reese on this one, although Thomas' injury history does give me pause.

Oh yeah, love the fact that we nabbed Manningham at the bottom of the third.

by knickfan on Apr 27, 2008 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

webster

i think this pick is a definite message to corey webster; that no one thinks his amazing playoff run will be sustained this season. CB should be an interesting battleground come training camp.

by DieEaglesDie on Apr 27, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

as a Penn Stater

Don't worry about missing out on Justin King. You thought Will Allen was a terrible ball hawk. King got by on his speed and the fact that no one would throw on him since we was always fast enough to be with his man. Every time someone threw at him, he never turned his head around to look for the ball... EVER. At least Will Allen deflected passes (even if it was with his facemask most of the time)

by queler on Apr 27, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i agree

justin king is an outstanding athlete, and that was part of the reason he was so heavily recruited.

but it kinda goes to waste because the kid has no idea how to play football.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Apr 27, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thomas

He seems to be injury prone so I surely wouldn't have taken a chance with #2 by choosing him.

In that slot of the draft, I would've rather picked Connor.

Maybe they knew something that we didn't. Maybe Thomas will prove me wrong, but I will remain surprised that he was our #2 guy.

We didn't even have a chance for the "perfect season", but we did have the perfect ending.

by GAgiantfan on Apr 27, 2008 6:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Risk

Reese took a few risks in this draft. Thomas, Manningham, Kehl (since he traded a pick for him) and Woodson can all be considered big risks.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 27, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ed, I agree.

Lots of upside potential with the first three as well. The competition @ LB and DB will be fierce. We're surely not going to keep eight LBs. Will Kiwi go back to DE?
The team looks like it's getting younger, too, pretty good for the SB champs.
SUPER BOWL CHAMPS.

by george cronin on Apr 28, 2008 6:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ed, I agree.

by george cronin on Apr 28, 2008 6:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

LB

George, actually I think this is really bad news for Chase Blackburn. It will be interesting to see what the Giants do with Kiwi. I still believe he can be a real force at LB as a hybrid kind of guy.

by Ed Valentine on Apr 28, 2008 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If this is true

it's a shame. Other than not getting off the field in time( at the worst possible time) Blackburn , given a chance, has been solid. I wouldn't mind seeing a heavy dose of him in the preseason at both "mike" and "sam". The guy seems to have a huge motor.

by big blue wrecking crew on Apr 28, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs