Packers Question of the day - Ready to see more of Joe Thomas?
Putting together a string of decent preseason games is common in August. Performances that make you nod your head and say, "hey, this guy isn't too bad. Maybe he can do something special for us this season." Then it turns out, that player doesn't even make the roster and is lucky to make the practice squad.
Joe Thomas doesn't fall under that category. After the aforementioned preseason performances that entice the nodding of your head, chalk up a solid two regular season games as well. His serviceable presence in Jacksonville was enough, but on Sunday night, he was more than serviceable. Thomas has shown the vast improvements thus far that the Packers' coaching staff, Winston Moss included, the team's linebackers coach, have implemented in his game.
Is it time to expand his role beyond just being the team's dime inside linebacker? Or is that where the second-year player is best suited?
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (16)
croatpackfan
September 20, 2016 at 09:26 am
Yes, I do! ;-)
SpudRapids
September 20, 2016 at 09:32 am
I love how everyone was so critical of TT on how he addressed the MLB position. Looks like we have a stable of young, fast guys who fly to the ball. Arrow is pointing up
Gianich
September 20, 2016 at 11:03 am
Agreed. Why is this an article? Kidding but seriously. Plenty of crap going wrong on the other side of the ball as the Defense continues to hold teams around or under 20 points the offense continues to blow. Listening to Bill Michaels this morning and his analysis from the game, and his sidekicks observations during the game, guys are open. Rodgers is not taking what the defense gives him and once you look at the numbers he has not for 15 games. Until he throws to the open guy, no matter the name on his jersey or the progression of the reads this decent will continue.... on offense... The D is fine, really good actually
Big_Mel_75
September 20, 2016 at 12:16 pm
Do you think these MLB are in the same category as Lance Kendricks? We passed on a lot of great MLB to settle on the ones we have...
RCPackerFan
September 20, 2016 at 12:26 pm
Lance Kenricks? The Rams TE?
Big_Mel_75
September 22, 2016 at 07:47 am
LOL my bad. Eric. The guy that who make Rodgers life hell Sunday night...
Ibleedgreenmore
September 20, 2016 at 09:40 am
It is time he is hungry to play and show what he can do. He gets it, someone else on the team needs to get it. We are stronger there than we have been in several years.
WinUSA
September 20, 2016 at 10:27 am
tough to say....both Ryan (especially Ryan) and Martinez were flying around the ball all game...difficult to believe the ILB corp was the blunt of all hostilities last year.
Of course it is early in the season..but the signs all point to a darn good upside for both of these guys!
Too early for Joe Thomas...but he has been extremely impressive in the times that he was utilized, playing 10 downs vs 38 downs is a far less sample to chose to judge an individuals talent.
Since'61
September 20, 2016 at 11:06 am
The fact is that all 3 of our ILBs have played well this season. If we expand Thomas' role and make him a 3 down ILB I guess that Jake Ryan becomes the backup or 3rd ILB. I'm not sure that significantly improves our defense. For the moment, I think we have a situation that isn't broken so I wouldn't fix it. Plus I like the idea of keeping a fresh set of legs for the dime situations. Ryan can't fill that roll and I would not want to limit Martinez' role to the dime backer. Our defense has played well enough to win 2 games on the road. Hopefully Shields returns this week to firm up our CB situation. Right now it's more important to get the offense moving again. Thanks, Since '61
dobber
September 20, 2016 at 11:28 am
The nice thing is that the Packers seem to have three largely interchangeable players -- performing pretty well -- which helps to protect the defense from injury. I don't think anyone saw this coming 6 months ago.
Turophile
September 20, 2016 at 01:40 pm
I loved Ryan when he was picked, one of my favourite players (relative to his draft position) of that draft. He was touted as a guy who was not that special athletically, but he 'got it'. Some guys seem to have an innate understanding of how to play the game and they gain a step because of how fast and how well they can process what they see. A key reason I liked him so much was how he moved fairly seamlessly from OLB to ILB in his final college year, a very good indicator of a guy you want on your team.
I also really liked Martinez, one of, if not the best,coverage type linebackers in the last draft. So yes dobber, some of this I did see coming, but I'm as glad as you are to see it actually happen.
I knew nothing of Thomas, but I'm glad he has come on like gangbusters. I thought we were going to get better at ILB after Ryan and especially when the Packers picked up Martinez (we seriously needed linebacker talent in coverage) and now I'm more sure than ever.
rdent
September 20, 2016 at 12:58 pm
It appears the d-line and backers are improving ,they missed Sam Shields for sure but they can't afford to have Randall laying turds like he did Sunday night,besides the iffy PI call that was one of the worst performances I have seen in recent memory,their 4th round receiver torched GB's 1st round db
Turophile
September 20, 2016 at 01:49 pm
He (Randall) is barely into his second year as a corner after playing safety in college. Give him and Rollins a chance (Rollins has also played very, very little football, at any significant level - his game was hoops).
When you have a fairly pure draft and develop strategy, you cannot afford to forget the word DEVELOP. Both guys need time and no matter how much it annoys you, we will all have to live with some growing pains with both.
It is simply not the same with these guys as it is with someone who played in a major program for 3-4 years, and high school before that, who has not had to learn a new position, or has played very little time at the position.
Bear
September 20, 2016 at 02:41 pm
Randall played most of his college career as a cornerback. He moved to safety because he was needed there. In 2012 he was a defensive player of the year as a cornerback at Mesa Junior college. He will be a great cornerback in the NFL with more pro experience. He is definitely not new at the position.
Pack Man 22
September 20, 2016 at 11:26 am
We need to stop taking deeps shots on 3rd and 1. That's what 2nd and one is for. We need to use Lacy more. He is being under utilized IMO. Rodgers needs to step up big time. He need to stop being to jittery and fix his footwork. I am not mad about losing to Vikings because we played a horrible game and still lost by 3 on the road to a solid playoff caliber team. If losing will make this team better than I am all for it! Go Pack Go!
stockholder
September 20, 2016 at 02:08 pm
No I would not like to see more of Thomas. I can see he has learned to play the sidelines without getting caught in Traffic. And is in position this year. But No to the pass, and No to Rushing the QB. He has 1 sack from last year. 2. He's smaller than Ryan and Martinez. Which shows it's a waste to rush him. And I still prefer Mathews. Thomas is bigger than Burnett, and has shown improved tackling. But I'd still rather see the safeties, than Thomas on passing downs. Ryan has been playing great. Martinez showed he's not overwhelmed yet. And Thomas is showing us he doesn't Suck Now.