OK, i've got a few thoughts on this topic.
1, The best thing about Lazar's film study, IMHO were the many examples that showed how well he caught the ball outside his frame. It made me feel much better about the pick. The fact that he seems to understand some of the finer points of route running also bodes well. Plus never underestimate the ability to track the ball and adjust to it. He seems to do that very well too, so it became clear he is a lot more than just 4.2 40 speed.
2. However I'm still having a problem getting passed the 7.25 3-cone time, which is btw, a full 2 tenths SLOWER than our freakin' QB. I am a BIG fan of short area quickness over long field speed. JE was a perfect example. A 6.6 3cone and 4.6 speed turned into a LOT of yards over the years. But like all things these abilities can be developed. His athleticism and explosiveness (vertical and broad jumps are both excellent),
3 Personally I don't see big things from him this coming season. Something in the 4-500 yd range, I'd consider excellent. I'd actually like to see him start his education from the slot. By learning the WR position inside out, it will give him a fuller view of how the offense is built, as well as force him to improve that short area quickness. Of course you can have him run go patterns and deep crossers depending on matchups and injuries My ideal would be having Bourne up his offensive snap count to the 60+ % level and have Thornton and Meyers split the rest as well as plays some outside snaps as well.
4. As for his strength, looks like he has more than we thought, though I like to see see him add 10lbs of muscle to that frame over the next few years. HOWEVER I can't tell you how upset I get watching football players maxing out on one lift heavy lifts. The only one who wins that contest is the orthopedist. Getting strong is rather simple. Fatigue the muscle to complete failure, rinse and repeat. Its not rocket science. For example, when lifting heavier weights you stop when the lactic acid builds up in the muscle and forces you to stop. When lifting heavier weights that's usually 3 or 4 reps after it first appears. To over simplify, using lighter weights in a more controlled manner, not just throwing it up using momentum, one will be able to do do 18-20 reps and lift 10 or so reps under duress and thus fatigue the muscle more fully and effectively building.
I've been using this system on and off for well over a decade, unfortunately off has been more than on the last few years. But this summer one of my Poker buddies has a son who is playing small college NE football (a 300lb OT no less) I have worked this system with him and a few of his teammates this summer and have seen a lot of gains, without the risks we see in the Thornton clip. Kind of a pet peeve of mine, though I think the NFL is really coming around on this. Sorry about the digression. Carry on.
Thornton seems pretty well put together already.
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