Pats sign Thomas to 53; Tarpinian and Mills to PS

[DaBruinz]

That's interesting. I didn't even know that. Mention by the radio guys at UConn of Thomas was always followed by, "...first stepped onto a football field as a college sophomore."

This was mentioned religiously, almost like any mention of Matthew Slater must be followed by the words, "Son of Jackie Slater, NFL Hall of Famer."

NFLDraftScout isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but they usually have their facts correct.

Such as Thomas red-shirting as a freshman in 2003 and being on the UCONN Scout team for 2003 and 2004.. Playing on special teams in 2005 and 2006, and then 2007 as a guard. On special teams he was a wedgebuster.. Which is pretty amazing to me.

That being said, I will email The guys over there and ask them about Thomas' background since it's clear that the HS doesn't have a football team.

 

[jeffbiologist]

NFLDraftScout isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but they usually have their facts correct.

Such as Thomas red-shirting as a freshman in 2003 and being on the UCONN Scout team for 2003 and 2004.. Playing on special teams in 2005 and 2006, and then 2007 as a guard. On special teams he was a wedgebuster.. Which is pretty amazing to me.

That being said, I will email The guys over there and ask them about Thomas' background since it's clear that the HS doesn't have a football team.

Back-peddling to fact-checking? ROFLMAO

 

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots Make Multiple Transactions, Sign Thomas

Patriots Make Multiple Transactions, Sign Thomas
By: Derek Havens

The Patriots announced several roster moves on Wednesday as they continue to shuffle their roster. ...

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[Mainefan]

Lot of journalistic talent here on Patsfans. Very enjoyable exchange.

 

[DaBruinz]

Back-peddling to fact-checking? ROFLMAO

No. It's called being willing to admit that I am wrong and willing to do my due dilligence on it. Something that you have no clue how to do. You've yet to admit you've been wrong about any of the BS you've posted. And it hasn't mattered if it was myself or someone else pointing out how wrong you were.

BTW, how is it back-pedalling when I am asking a source to verify their facts???

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Is there no one available out there better than Thomas? I wish we had kept Austin.

 

[Horace's Ivories]

Is there no one available out there better than Thomas? I wish we had kept Austin.

Thomas might be a good find - plus Austin didnt exactly thrill during the pre-season...

 

[patsfaninpa]

Our 2nd and 3rd offensive lines played very poorly in the last two exhibition games. At Detroit and NYG. Doesn't surprise me that we weren't in a rush to bring any of them back. I hope Wendell is healthy enough to dress and play if needed. He's in danger of being cut if he's not able to play this Sunday. We need a backup C for 6-10 weeks.

 

[Tunescribe]

I've been watching Thomas for years.

A late round pick for Miami, the guy instantly won a starting spot as a rookie over players picked early in the draft and the incumbent veterans. He was a surprise.

Parcells especially liked him. Defensive players were reporting to Parcells and the coaches that Thomas packed a wallop. His initial engagement was like being punched by a boxer.

Thomas was hurt midway through the first year for the Dolphins, and then did not come back into form from the injury (don't know why, rehab was too long, or he didn't come back in shape, just don't know) and he was cut.

He is very physically gifted, but also incredibly raw.

He did not play high school football. He was a regular UConn student. The UConn football players saw him working out in the gym and he looked like the incredible hulk. So they encouraged him to try out. He played at UConn as a walk-on until his final year(s).

He just does not have that much football behind him. Hopefully, he can be a Scarnecchia project.

I love stories like this. I hope he finds a home here.

 

[fester]

Dumb question --- is this the offense that BB has wanted since 2004/2005 Watson/Graham experiment -- a devastating inline blocking tight-end that is also a high end receiving tight-end and a wide receiver in a tight end body?

This is a nice insight Sciz. Clearly it means that BB wants to have that "move" TE as an integral part of his offense. Even more interesting is that it probably meant that BB envisioned this role long before we got Hernandez. He probably saw the potential of Mills filling that role, but he wasn't ready yet, and the Pats couldn't get him through waivers and the PS. Now a few years later and BB has BOTH the "move TE" of dreams.....and his back up.

BTW- who is Donald Thomas? What position does he play? And can someone give us a little bio on him

 

[signbabybrady]

Dumb question --- is this the offense that BB has wanted since 2004/2005 Watson/Graham experiment -- a devastating inline blocking tight-end that is also a high end receiving tight-end and a wide receiver in a tight end body?

Pretty sure that experiment started in 02/03.

Any how pretty hard to ingnore the facts of what BB has created not once but twice. I wouldn't consider the Graham/Watson combo a failure but certainly does not seem as talented as this duo on both fronts.

Hard to say Gronk is a better blocker than Graham was yet (stress the yet) but he certainly has far surpassed Grambo as a receiver already.

Hernandez also is not the blocker that Watson was yet (Watson actually was a pretty good blocker considering it wasnt his strength) but he certainly has far surpassed Watson as a receiver already.

Add in BBs love for Bavaro and clearly you can see how BB values the TE position.

 

[Urgent]

Just saw this tweeted from Reiss:

Donald Thomas to the 53. Thomas Welch Cut (which we knew)

Tarpinian and Mills to the Practice Squad.

I thought the Pats had 7 people on the PS after they promoted Welch.. I must have miscounted.. or there will be another move announced. .

Thanks for the update, and the interesting background on Donald Thomas. I remember him being considered a top five guard in his draft class - in a class that was admittedly weak, with only about eight pure guards being drafted (not counting the list of college tackles considered NFL guards). Had no idea of that history.

On Welch - I would assume, since the Patriots originally drafted him, and promoted him to the 53-man squad over PS peers Kota and McDonald, that they would prefer him to those practice squadders. If the Jets, Dolphins, or Bills don't claim him tonight, I would expect to see him re-signed to the squad and one of Kota or McDonald released.

 

[patchick]

BB's infatuation with drafting tight ends used to be a running gag. I think now we finally see the unfulfilled vision behind it. How do you stop a player like Gronkowski? (Sing along!)

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Dumb question --- is this the offense that BB has wanted since 2004/2005 Watson/Graham experiment -- a devastating inline blocking tight-end that is also a high end receiving tight-end and a wide receiver in a tight end body?

Not dumb at all. Finally BB has the right pieces to implement his diabolical plan many of us (moi) ridiculed, including Hernandez's backup Mills on the PS. And it's a deadly plan when seen in action.

 

[mgteich]

Belichick is putting together decnet Practice Squad, given that posters have been moaning about all our cuts that have been picked up.

OFFENSE
RB Kettani
TE Mills
OT Kopa (soon to be Welch we presume)
OG McDonald
WR Taylor

DEFENSE
LB Carter

SPECIALISTS
ST Ventrone
ST Tarpanian

Thanks for the update, and the interesting background on Donald Thomas. I remember him being considered a top five guard in his draft class - in a class that was admittedly weak, with only about eight pure guards being drafted (not counting the list of college tackles considered NFL guards). Had no idea of that history.

On Welch - I would assume, since the Patriots originally drafted him, and promoted him to the 53-man squad over PS peers Kota and McDonald, that they would prefer him to those practice squadders. If the Jets, Dolphins, or Bills don't claim him tonight, I would expect to see him re-signed to the squad and one of Kota or McDonald released.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Belichick is putting together decnet Practice Squad, given that posters have been moaning about all our cuts that have been picked up.

DecNet is old and was obsolete ages ago

 

[Froob]

For a second there I thought you ment Adalius Thomas

 

[Froob]

That's interesting. I didn't even know that. Mention by the radio guys at UConn of Thomas was always followed by, "...first stepped onto a football field as a college sophomore."

This was mentioned religiously, almost like any mention of Matthew Slater must be followed by the words, "Son of Jackie Slater, NFL Hall of Famer."

Now that that dude actually gets the ball I wonder how long that's going to continue. Do they still mention the blind side every time they do the ravens starting line up?

 

[Urgent]

Interesting - looking back at Donald Thomas' draft class.

The Patriots have more udfa's than drafted players from that class.

Drafted:
Mayo and Slater

Undrafted:
Green-Ellis, Wendell, Guyton

Gone:
Wheatley, Crable, O'Connell, Wilhite, Ruud

 

[RayClay]

Finally got Mills to the practice squad, lol.