PHOTO/VIDEO: Thornton Bulking Up

[Ian]

Some video from his Instagram story:

 

[DaBruinz]

His numbers are bizarre because he had a 1.41s 10 yard split in the combine 40 -- which has to be close to the record -- yet only ran a 7.25s 3-cone at his pro day. He only did 36.5" vertical at the combine but 38.5" at his pro day, yet "only" ran a 4.39s there. So he's really physically inconsistent which to me sounds like diet and lifestyle related. Besides tiny hands and a thin frame his big issue is lateral agility so hopefully he's able to work on that somehow.

Despite his "small hands" he's not had issues making grabs nor with fumbling during his college career.
Thornton has never been a hard cut player. He excels by using various speeds to beat a person. He's best when hit on the move. Slants, GOs, Corners, Posts and Ins.

Not sure where you get that he's "physically" inconsistent. Players who don't get the result they want typically focus their training to improve that item at the Pro-Day. That's what Thornton did.

Thornton is your typical long-striding, tall, fast WR who you want on the outside. People look at the failure of last year and say "Oh Thornton sucks" but ignore that the offensive line and Offensive coaching sucked which had a drastic affect on the entire offense.

 

[Nunchucks]

Thornton was done dirty last year. Hope he shows up this year. The guy is very fast and can be the patriots explosive number 1. The fact that so many are writing him off is baffling

 

[WinstonSmith]

Some video from his Instagram story:

At 6'2' it looks like he is at least over 190, and has 3 months to continue to bulk up. Seems like solid progress to me.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

Looks like he’s up to 165-170

 

[masterbouncer]

 

[BTTA]

Muscle doesn't really slow you down unless it's too much

Which is how one might define...too much.

 

[billdog3484]

Legs?

Thorntons leg days are days that end with X

 

[patfanken]

His numbers are bizarre because he had a 1.41s 10 yard split in the combine 40 -- which has to be close to the record -- yet only ran a 7.25s 3-cone at his pro day. He only did 36.5" vertical at the combine but 38.5" at his pro day, yet "only" ran a 4.39s there. So he's really physically inconsistent which to me sounds like diet and lifestyle related. Besides tiny hands and a thin frame his big issue is lateral agility so hopefully he's able to work on that somehow.

Interesting take. I am NOT a big fan of straight ahead speed since it rarely plays out on the field. Football is a game of stops and starts and acceleration out of breaks. Barry Sanders had 4.6 straight ahead speed, but it mattered little because no one accelerated out their breaks faster than Barry Sanders. I will be happily surprised if Thornton achieves anything close to value of his draft status. A 500yd 3TD season would satisfy me. Something less won't be a surprise. And that is a surprise coming from me who is usually pretty patient and optimistic about young players. But the proof's in the pudding.

 

[captain stone]

Bust.

 

[Hades]

The last time I saw a pair of legs like that they were hanging out of a nest.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Looks like he's been hitting the gym hard so far this offseason:

When you said Thornton will be bulking up, I thought it was going to look more like this...



Goodness knows he needs more meat on dem bones!

 

[State]

He can’t create separation with his slight build against press coverage. Everyone knew that even if they were intrigued by his straight line speed. Those legs are not NFL legs.

So he was supposed to be a third or fourth round pick according to nfl.com’s Lance Zierlein. And that’s just on his speed.

Check out the Cheetah running a 60 metre dash recently. He is slight too by NFL standards but he looks like Lou Ferrigno compared to this skinny creature. Look at Tyreek Hill’s legs. That’s the way a professional athlete’s legs should look at the WR position.

Ken is correct. A 500 yard, three TD season is the ceiling for this second round bust.

 

[State]

Who stole Tyquan Thornton’s quadriceps?

Unless we can scheme him into the open, most corners will press cover him into next week.

Slants and double moves can work. Especially with a real OL coach giving the QB more time.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

He can’t create separation with his slight build against press coverage. Everyone knew that even if they were intrigued by his straight line speed. Those legs are not NFL legs.

So he was supposed to be a third or fourth round pick according to nfl.com’s Lance Zierlein. And that’s just on his speed.

Check out the Cheetah running a 60 metre dash recently. He is slight too by NFL standards but he looks like Lou Ferrigno compared to this skinny creature. Look at Tyreek Hill’s legs. That’s the way a professional athlete’s legs should look at the WR position.

Ken is correct. A 500 yard, three TD season is the ceiling for this second round bust.

It wasn't just his straight line speed, though, it was his ability to cut and change direction that made him attractive. If you recall preseason last year, he had some great receptions and ran great routes, even in the red zone. I think he's got the goods as a downfield receiver, but I haven't seen much evidence that he can turn a WR screen into a 20 yard gain. Regadless he'll be ready this year, and BOB & Mac will get the ball to him.

 

[Jim Beankie]

Thanks experts for letting me know that guys with legs this skinny can't make it in the NFL...

 

[Triumph]

Bust.

He caught LESS than 50% of his passes.

 

[borg]

Seems to me the "offseason workout" photo is a certain Patriots 'kiss of death'

Sanu and Harry concur

 

[State]

It wasn't just his straight line speed, though, it was his ability to cut and change direction that made him attractive.

I wish that were so, but his three cone time begs to differ.

 

[Triumph]

BB setting up his buddy BOB to fail.