[CompSci87]

As I said on this topic in a long since pushed down other thread, the NFL is projecting Thomas as an OLB given his small for NFL DE size.  He's never played that position in his life to my knowledge.  Would Stanford give him the opportunity to play OLB for a year, to audition for the NFL, or does Thomas put on 10-15 more pounds and make a real concerted effort to stay a DE at the next level?

Thomas might be tracking the same position evolution as former ןɐɔ DL Lorenzo Alexander, on an accelerated timeline.  He played DT at ןɐɔ, went undrafted in 2005, and played a few seasons before making the switch to OLB after three years with the Redskins.  He was actually leading the NFL in sacks - at 33 years old - for a few weeks this season before getting hurt with Buffalo.

Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

[CompSci87]

As I said on this topic in a long since pushed down other thread, the NFL is projecting Thomas as an OLB given his small for NFL DE size.  He's never played that position in his life to my knowledge.  Would Stanford give him the opportunity to play OLB for a year, to audition for the NFL, or does Thomas put on 10-15 more pounds and make a real concerted effort to stay a DE at the next level?

Thomas might be tracking the same position evolution as former ןɐɔ DL Lorenzo Alexander, on an accelerated timeline.  He played DT at ןɐɔ, went undrafted in 2005, and played a few seasons before making the switch to OLB after three years with the Redskins.  He was actually leading the NFL in sacks - at 33 years old - for a few weeks this season before getting hurt with Buffalo.

Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

[CompSci87]

As I said on this topic in a long since pushed down other thread, the NFL is projecting Thomas as an OLB given his small for NFL DE size.  He's never played that position in his life to my knowledge.  Would Stanford give him the opportunity to play OLB for a year, to audition for the NFL, or does Thomas put on 10-15 more pounds and make a real concerted effort to stay a DE at the next level?

Thomas might be tracking the same position evolution as former ןɐɔ DL Lorenzo Alexander, on an accelerated timeline.  He played DT at ןɐɔ, went undrafted in 2005, and played a few seasons before making the switch to OLB after three years with the Redskins.  He was actually leading the NFL in sacks - at 33 years old - for a few weeks this season before getting hurt with Buffalo.

Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

[CompSci87]

As I said on this topic in a long since pushed down other thread, the NFL is projecting Thomas as an OLB given his small for NFL DE size.  He's never played that position in his life to my knowledge.  Would Stanford give him the opportunity to play OLB for a year, to audition for the NFL, or does Thomas put on 10-15 more pounds and make a real concerted effort to stay a DE at the next level?

Thomas might be tracking the same position evolution as former ןɐɔ DL Lorenzo Alexander, on an accelerated timeline.  He played DT at ןɐɔ, went undrafted in 2005, and played a few seasons before making the switch to OLB after three years with the Redskins.  He was actually leading the NFL in sacks - at 33 years old - for a few weeks this season before getting hurt with Buffalo.

Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

[stupac2]

Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

I don't think it's true to say that he's switched repeatedly, from what I read he was asked to switch from OLB to DL this past offseason, so he bulked up a bit and started learning technique, but then there was an injury or a trade or something that thinned out their planned OLB depth, so he cut the weight and went back to OLB. I don't think this really says much about making the switch, since I don't believe he ever played a down on the DL.

[stupac2]

Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

I don't think it's true to say that he's switched repeatedly, from what I read he was asked to switch from OLB to DL this past offseason, so he bulked up a bit and started learning technique, but then there was an injury or a trade or something that thinned out their planned OLB depth, so he cut the weight and went back to OLB. I don't think this really says much about making the switch, since I don't believe he ever played a down on the DL.

[stupac2]

Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

I don't think it's true to say that he's switched repeatedly, from what I read he was asked to switch from OLB to DL this past offseason, so he bulked up a bit and started learning technique, but then there was an injury or a trade or something that thinned out their planned OLB depth, so he cut the weight and went back to OLB. I don't think this really says much about making the switch, since I don't believe he ever played a down on the DL.

[stupac2]

Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

I don't think it's true to say that he's switched repeatedly, from what I read he was asked to switch from OLB to DL this past offseason, so he bulked up a bit and started learning technique, but then there was an injury or a trade or something that thinned out their planned OLB depth, so he cut the weight and went back to OLB. I don't think this really says much about making the switch, since I don't believe he ever played a down on the DL.

[82lsju]

[quote author=CompSci87 link=topic=16306.msg183111#msg183111 date=1482197896]Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

I don't think it's true to say that he's switched repeatedly, from what I read he was asked to switch from OLB to DL this past offseason, so he bulked up a bit and started learning technique, but then there was an injury or a trade or something that thinned out their planned OLB depth, so he cut the weight and went back to OLB. I don't think this really says much about making the switch, since I don't believe he ever played a down on the DL.
[/quote]

Trent's position switch story

http://www.tmurphy93.com/2016/08/09/from...ack-again/

[82lsju]

[quote author=CompSci87 link=topic=16306.msg183111#msg183111 date=1482197896]Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

I don't think it's true to say that he's switched repeatedly, from what I read he was asked to switch from OLB to DL this past offseason, so he bulked up a bit and started learning technique, but then there was an injury or a trade or something that thinned out their planned OLB depth, so he cut the weight and went back to OLB. I don't think this really says much about making the switch, since I don't believe he ever played a down on the DL.
[/quote]

Trent's position switch story

http://www.tmurphy93.com/2016/08/09/from...ack-again/

[82lsju]

[quote author=CompSci87 link=topic=16306.msg183111#msg183111 date=1482197896]Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

I don't think it's true to say that he's switched repeatedly, from what I read he was asked to switch from OLB to DL this past offseason, so he bulked up a bit and started learning technique, but then there was an injury or a trade or something that thinned out their planned OLB depth, so he cut the weight and went back to OLB. I don't think this really says much about making the switch, since I don't believe he ever played a down on the DL.
[/quote]

Trent's position switch story

http://www.tmurphy93.com/2016/08/09/from...ack-again/

[82lsju]

[quote author=CompSci87 link=topic=16306.msg183111#msg183111 date=1482197896]Trent Murphy has been repeatedly switched between OLB and DL since going pro, despite having played only LB at Stanford. So, not sure if it will matter much whether Thomas gets OLB experience at Stanford.

I don't think it's true to say that he's switched repeatedly, from what I read he was asked to switch from OLB to DL this past offseason, so he bulked up a bit and started learning technique, but then there was an injury or a trade or something that thinned out their planned OLB depth, so he cut the weight and went back to OLB. I don't think this really says much about making the switch, since I don't believe he ever played a down on the DL.
[/quote]

Trent's position switch story

http://www.tmurphy93.com/2016/08/09/from...ack-again/

[fullmetal]

Reports are that Trent has kept his strength after slimming down back to OLB.  Kind of amazing, the physical transformations that can be wrought upon the human body.

[fullmetal]

Reports are that Trent has kept his strength after slimming down back to OLB.  Kind of amazing, the physical transformations that can be wrought upon the human body.

[fullmetal]

Reports are that Trent has kept his strength after slimming down back to OLB.  Kind of amazing, the physical transformations that can be wrought upon the human body.

[fullmetal]

Reports are that Trent has kept his strength after slimming down back to OLB.  Kind of amazing, the physical transformations that can be wrought upon the human body.

[JohnR34231]

[quote author=JPRI link=topic=16306.msg183068#msg183068 date=1482184153]

He's played 12 games this year already. Will playing a 13th against a team not even ranked in the top 25 raise his stock significantly? IMO, no.

Maybe, maybe not. But his situation being undoubtably different from C-Mac's was my point. If Thomas records two sacks on Trubisky it will surely boost his profile, whereas C-Mac scoring two touchdowns probably doesn't move the needle at all in terms of NFL evaluation.
[/quote]

I agree that if Thomas had a monster game against UNC it would probably raise his stock more than if CMac played and had a monster game.
Is this worth the risk of injury? As you put it, maybe, maybe not.

[JohnR34231]

[quote author=JPRI link=topic=16306.msg183068#msg183068 date=1482184153]

He's played 12 games this year already. Will playing a 13th against a team not even ranked in the top 25 raise his stock significantly? IMO, no.

Maybe, maybe not. But his situation being undoubtably different from C-Mac's was my point. If Thomas records two sacks on Trubisky it will surely boost his profile, whereas C-Mac scoring two touchdowns probably doesn't move the needle at all in terms of NFL evaluation.
[/quote]

I agree that if Thomas had a monster game against UNC it would probably raise his stock more than if CMac played and had a monster game.
Is this worth the risk of injury? As you put it, maybe, maybe not.

[JohnR34231]

[quote author=JPRI link=topic=16306.msg183068#msg183068 date=1482184153]

He's played 12 games this year already. Will playing a 13th against a team not even ranked in the top 25 raise his stock significantly? IMO, no.

Maybe, maybe not. But his situation being undoubtably different from C-Mac's was my point. If Thomas records two sacks on Trubisky it will surely boost his profile, whereas C-Mac scoring two touchdowns probably doesn't move the needle at all in terms of NFL evaluation.
[/quote]

I agree that if Thomas had a monster game against UNC it would probably raise his stock more than if CMac played and had a monster game.
Is this worth the risk of injury? As you put it, maybe, maybe not.

[JohnR34231]

[quote author=JPRI link=topic=16306.msg183068#msg183068 date=1482184153]

He's played 12 games this year already. Will playing a 13th against a team not even ranked in the top 25 raise his stock significantly? IMO, no.

Maybe, maybe not. But his situation being undoubtably different from C-Mac's was my point. If Thomas records two sacks on Trubisky it will surely boost his profile, whereas C-Mac scoring two touchdowns probably doesn't move the needle at all in terms of NFL evaluation.
[/quote]

I agree that if Thomas had a monster game against UNC it would probably raise his stock more than if CMac played and had a monster game.
Is this worth the risk of injury? As you put it, maybe, maybe not.

[FarmBoy]

Don't bowl games provide a better platform to get NFL GM attention than regular season games? If there are only 3-4 games in a day, you're much likely to get evaluator eyeballs. Of course players like CMAC have had a lot of spotlight, so they don't need this kind of a stage. But a lesser known player like Thomas would undoubtedly create some more buzz. Considering the UNC QB is a top prospect at his position, if Thomas can be disruptive, anyone watching the QB situation will take notice. IMO, there's clearly more upside for Thomas in the bowl game than CMAC. But how much is impossible to know.

[FarmBoy]

Don't bowl games provide a better platform to get NFL GM attention than regular season games? If there are only 3-4 games in a day, you're much likely to get evaluator eyeballs. Of course players like CMAC have had a lot of spotlight, so they don't need this kind of a stage. But a lesser known player like Thomas would undoubtedly create some more buzz. Considering the UNC QB is a top prospect at his position, if Thomas can be disruptive, anyone watching the QB situation will take notice. IMO, there's clearly more upside for Thomas in the bowl game than CMAC. But how much is impossible to know.

[FarmBoy]

Don't bowl games provide a better platform to get NFL GM attention than regular season games? If there are only 3-4 games in a day, you're much likely to get evaluator eyeballs. Of course players like CMAC have had a lot of spotlight, so they don't need this kind of a stage. But a lesser known player like Thomas would undoubtedly create some more buzz. Considering the UNC QB is a top prospect at his position, if Thomas can be disruptive, anyone watching the QB situation will take notice. IMO, there's clearly more upside for Thomas in the bowl game than CMAC. But how much is impossible to know.

[FarmBoy]

Don't bowl games provide a better platform to get NFL GM attention than regular season games? If there are only 3-4 games in a day, you're much likely to get evaluator eyeballs. Of course players like CMAC have had a lot of spotlight, so they don't need this kind of a stage. But a lesser known player like Thomas would undoubtedly create some more buzz. Considering the UNC QB is a top prospect at his position, if Thomas can be disruptive, anyone watching the QB situation will take notice. IMO, there's clearly more upside for Thomas in the bowl game than CMAC. But how much is impossible to know.

[winflop]

As long as Thomas plays the bowl game he will have nothing but my thanks & best wishes for a great NFL career.  At that point the season's over, he's eligible for the draft, etc.

[winflop]

As long as Thomas plays the bowl game he will have nothing but my thanks & best wishes for a great NFL career.  At that point the season's over, he's eligible for the draft, etc.

[winflop]

As long as Thomas plays the bowl game he will have nothing but my thanks & best wishes for a great NFL career.  At that point the season's over, he's eligible for the draft, etc.

[winflop]

As long as Thomas plays the bowl game he will have nothing but my thanks & best wishes for a great NFL career.  At that point the season's over, he's eligible for the draft, etc.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Don't bowl games provide a better platform to get NFL GM attention than regular season games? If there are only 3-4 games in a day, you're much likely to get evaluator eyeballs. Of course players like CMAC have had a lot of spotlight, so they don't need this kind of a stage. But a lesser known player like Thomas would undoubtedly create some more buzz. Considering the UNC QB is a top prospect at his position, if Thomas can be disruptive, anyone watching the QB situation will take notice. IMO, there's clearly more upside for Thomas in the bowl game than CMAC. But how much is impossible to know.

I would venture to say the upside of a bowl game on Thomas stock probably didn't even cross his mind.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Don't bowl games provide a better platform to get NFL GM attention than regular season games? If there are only 3-4 games in a day, you're much likely to get evaluator eyeballs. Of course players like CMAC have had a lot of spotlight, so they don't need this kind of a stage. But a lesser known player like Thomas would undoubtedly create some more buzz. Considering the UNC QB is a top prospect at his position, if Thomas can be disruptive, anyone watching the QB situation will take notice. IMO, there's clearly more upside for Thomas in the bowl game than CMAC. But how much is impossible to know.

I would venture to say the upside of a bowl game on Thomas stock probably didn't even cross his mind.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Don't bowl games provide a better platform to get NFL GM attention than regular season games? If there are only 3-4 games in a day, you're much likely to get evaluator eyeballs. Of course players like CMAC have had a lot of spotlight, so they don't need this kind of a stage. But a lesser known player like Thomas would undoubtedly create some more buzz. Considering the UNC QB is a top prospect at his position, if Thomas can be disruptive, anyone watching the QB situation will take notice. IMO, there's clearly more upside for Thomas in the bowl game than CMAC. But how much is impossible to know.

I would venture to say the upside of a bowl game on Thomas stock probably didn't even cross his mind.

[AthleticsDynasty]

Don't bowl games provide a better platform to get NFL GM attention than regular season games? If there are only 3-4 games in a day, you're much likely to get evaluator eyeballs. Of course players like CMAC have had a lot of spotlight, so they don't need this kind of a stage. But a lesser known player like Thomas would undoubtedly create some more buzz. Considering the UNC QB is a top prospect at his position, if Thomas can be disruptive, anyone watching the QB situation will take notice. IMO, there's clearly more upside for Thomas in the bowl game than CMAC. But how much is impossible to know.

I would venture to say the upside of a bowl game on Thomas stock probably didn't even cross his mind.

[Redrum]

Was really good.  Twinges a bit to see these guys have really moved on and aren't pining to suit up for Stanford and beat the crap out of Oregon.  I know, I know...its just me.  Still, a very good read and a small window into the running of an NFL team from a player's point of view. Also, Murphy can write intelligently.  There are a lot of really good NFL players who can't.  I don't normally give a rat's a** about the NFL in general, but this glimpse was worth the time.

Redrum sez Check it out.
reposted: http://www.tmurphy93.com/2016/08/09/from-the-edge-and-back-again/  (Thanks Eric!)

[Redrum]

Was really good.  Twinges a bit to see these guys have really moved on and aren't pining to suit up for Stanford and beat the crap out of Oregon.  I know, I know...its just me.  Still, a very good read and a small window into the running of an NFL team from a player's point of view. Also, Murphy can write intelligently.  There are a lot of really good NFL players who can't.  I don't normally give a rat's a** about the NFL in general, but this glimpse was worth the time.

Redrum sez Check it out.
reposted: http://www.tmurphy93.com/2016/08/09/from-the-edge-and-back-again/  (Thanks Eric!)

[Redrum]

Was really good.  Twinges a bit to see these guys have really moved on and aren't pining to suit up for Stanford and beat the crap out of Oregon.  I know, I know...its just me.  Still, a very good read and a small window into the running of an NFL team from a player's point of view. Also, Murphy can write intelligently.  There are a lot of really good NFL players who can't.  I don't normally give a rat's a** about the NFL in general, but this glimpse was worth the time.

Redrum sez Check it out.
reposted: http://www.tmurphy93.com/2016/08/09/from-the-edge-and-back-again/  (Thanks Eric!)

[Redrum]

Was really good.  Twinges a bit to see these guys have really moved on and aren't pining to suit up for Stanford and beat the crap out of Oregon.  I know, I know...its just me.  Still, a very good read and a small window into the running of an NFL team from a player's point of view. Also, Murphy can write intelligently.  There are a lot of really good NFL players who can't.  I don't normally give a rat's a** about the NFL in general, but this glimpse was worth the time.

Redrum sez Check it out.
reposted: http://www.tmurphy93.com/2016/08/09/from-the-edge-and-back-again/  (Thanks Eric!)

[Spiny_Norman]

Was really good.  Twinges a bit to see these guys have really moved on and aren't pining to suit up for Stanford and beat the crap out of Oregon.  I know, I know...its just me. 

Redrum - if you are nostalgic for the days when Murphy led the party in the backfield, he has a long post about his time at Stanford here - http://www.tmurphy93.com/go-stanford/

Also interesting to read his thoughts as he decided whether to declare early or come back for a 5th year.

For his final project for the [decision analysis] class, [Murphy] weighed leaving early against staying. And after choosing Stanford because of football, Trent stayed thanks to its academics.

“Statistically speaking, in almost every outcome, graduating in the long term was more financially successful than leaving a year early, especially with the average NFL career being around 2.5 years,” Trent surmised. “It was risky to come back. It could have gone terribly wrong, but I thought that I had my fate in my owns hands and was going to take the bull by the horns and go back.”

[Spiny_Norman]

Was really good.  Twinges a bit to see these guys have really moved on and aren't pining to suit up for Stanford and beat the crap out of Oregon.  I know, I know...its just me. 

Redrum - if you are nostalgic for the days when Murphy led the party in the backfield, he has a long post about his time at Stanford here - http://www.tmurphy93.com/go-stanford/

Also interesting to read his thoughts as he decided whether to declare early or come back for a 5th year.

For his final project for the [decision analysis] class, [Murphy] weighed leaving early against staying. And after choosing Stanford because of football, Trent stayed thanks to its academics.

“Statistically speaking, in almost every outcome, graduating in the long term was more financially successful than leaving a year early, especially with the average NFL career being around 2.5 years,” Trent surmised. “It was risky to come back. It could have gone terribly wrong, but I thought that I had my fate in my owns hands and was going to take the bull by the horns and go back.”

[Spiny_Norman]

Was really good.  Twinges a bit to see these guys have really moved on and aren't pining to suit up for Stanford and beat the crap out of Oregon.  I know, I know...its just me. 

Redrum - if you are nostalgic for the days when Murphy led the party in the backfield, he has a long post about his time at Stanford here - http://www.tmurphy93.com/go-stanford/

Also interesting to read his thoughts as he decided whether to declare early or come back for a 5th year.

For his final project for the [decision analysis] class, [Murphy] weighed leaving early against staying. And after choosing Stanford because of football, Trent stayed thanks to its academics.

“Statistically speaking, in almost every outcome, graduating in the long term was more financially successful than leaving a year early, especially with the average NFL career being around 2.5 years,” Trent surmised. “It was risky to come back. It could have gone terribly wrong, but I thought that I had my fate in my owns hands and was going to take the bull by the horns and go back.”

[Spiny_Norman]

Was really good.  Twinges a bit to see these guys have really moved on and aren't pining to suit up for Stanford and beat the crap out of Oregon.  I know, I know...its just me. 

Redrum - if you are nostalgic for the days when Murphy led the party in the backfield, he has a long post about his time at Stanford here - http://www.tmurphy93.com/go-stanford/

Also interesting to read his thoughts as he decided whether to declare early or come back for a 5th year.

For his final project for the [decision analysis] class, [Murphy] weighed leaving early against staying. And after choosing Stanford because of football, Trent stayed thanks to its academics.

“Statistically speaking, in almost every outcome, graduating in the long term was more financially successful than leaving a year early, especially with the average NFL career being around 2.5 years,” Trent surmised. “It was risky to come back. It could have gone terribly wrong, but I thought that I had my fate in my owns hands and was going to take the bull by the horns and go back.”