The Bobcat Nation

Packers | Thomas Shifting to Safety? - from www.KFFL.com
Wed, 16 Mar 2005 07:59:47 -0800

Chris Havel, of PackersNews.com, reports the Green Bay Packers are contemplating shifting second-year CB Joey Thomas to the safety position next season.

I doubt Joey is going to like that. If memory serves, that is one of the reasons he left Washington for MSU - they wanted him to switch to safety and he wanted to be a corner and we let him.

Of course, if someone were paying me millions to play a game I would probably play just about any position they asked me to. Maybe he will see it differently now as well.

I think the Packers recently released one of their safeties (Sharper, maybe?) for cap reasons, so I wouldn't be surprised if they moved somebody from corner to fill that slot. If it gets Joey into a starting role, I don't know why he would mind the move. Safeties don't tend to make as much as corners, but starting in the NFL is a pretty good gig, regardless of the position.

I think they are down 2 safeties - Sharper was cut (for cap reasons) and I think they lost another earlier to free agency. I agree, making that move to get a chance to start would be worth it to me too.

Sharper was released for cap reasons and the other safeties just plain sucked! I think Joey will do GREAT in that position!!!!!

Oh my GOD! I said GREAT about an ex-cat!

VictorG wrote:Sharper was released for cap reasons and the other safeties just plain sucked! I think Joey will do GREAT in that position!!!!!

Oh my GOD! I said GREAT about an ex-cat!

Is he big enough to play safety? I think that he is only about 190 lbs, he's not a big hitter, and he's not great in run support. I wish him luck, but I really don't see him becoming a starting NFL safety.

The Packers had to let a lot of players go due to the cap. Sharper and couple o-linemen. I don't think they have much to go get any free agents and all they'll probably do is save what they have for the drafted players. If any left after then they go look for some scraps, but not much will be there. Unless they get some stud DBs (Pac-Man Jones, Rogers) in draft, this should be a good situation for Thomas. MacKenzie left last year, Carroll did OK for a rookie last year, but hasn't shown signs of being anything special. Roman is not very good, but is their best safety right now. They brought in a guy from the CFL last year. This is a big opportunity for Thomas.

Joey is a great athlete, has great speed, and is even has the attitude of a NFL cornerback.

BUT, let me tell you why JOEY WILL NOT MAKE IT AS A NFL SAFETY. He can NOT Hit, nor does he like to hit. He wasn't even a "good" tackler in the Big Sky. Ankle tackles and arm tackles are all Joey has ever done.

Can I refresh your memories to last years 2nd game against the Vikings. That #24 who was wiffed twice by there RB and hurdled by the tight end. He is not going to cut it as a safety in the league.

Indeed...The TE was Jermaine Wiggins for cryin' out loud. He's good, but that was probably THEE worst attempt at tackling caught by the tv cameras that I've ever seen. That was just plain pathetic.

Joey won't even be an average safety in my opinion either. I just don't think you can talk him into run support. He might have a good game or 2, but he is what he is - a poor tackler, and an adequate NFL cover guy at best. I think he would have a long career as a nickel or dime guy.

Of course, Adequate = 1-2 million a year. So you can't sneeze at that!!! I think he'll make it long enough to get his pension.

VictorG wrote:Sharper was released for cap reasons and the other safeties just plain sucked! I think Joey will do GREAT in that position!!!!!

Oh my GOD! I said GREAT about an ex-cat!

VictorG: Maybe we can bring you back from the "Dark Side" yet.

BleedsBlue&Gold wrote:Joey is a great athlete, has great speed, and is even has the attitude of a NFL cornerback.

BUT, let me tell you why JOEY WILL NOT MAKE IT AS A NFL SAFETY. He can NOT Hit, nor does he like to hit. He wasn't even a "good" tackler in the Big Sky. Ankle tackles and arm tackles are all Joey has ever done.

Can I refresh your memories to last years 2nd game against the Vikings. That #24 who was wiffed twice by there RB and hurdled by the tight end. He is not going to cut it as a safety in the league.

My goodness, you are right! How could I have forgotten about his tackling ability! I even watched that game and comented on it on this board!!!!

I retract my last post!!!!

Man, CRS is hitting big time! Now if I can only remember my wifes birthday. Lets see, March 3rd. Great! I still have time!

That's interesting and a little surprising since the Packers also cut Hawthorne, one of the CB's from last year.

gtapp wrote:

VictorG wrote:Sharper was released for cap reasons and the other safeties just plain sucked! I think Joey will do GREAT in that position!!!!!

Oh my GOD! I said GREAT about an ex-cat!

VictorG: Maybe we can bring you back from the "Dark Side" yet.

Ya, I said that but I was proven wrong alreadyand had to retract it!

Bleedinbluengold wrote:Indeed...The TE was Jermaine Wiggins for cryin' out loud. He's good, but that was probably THEE worst attempt at tackling caught by the tv cameras that I've ever seen. That was just plain pathetic.

Very pathetic. It was like he tried NOT to tackle him. I saw the replay and laughed. Out loud. Good luck w/ the conversion to safety...

grizzh8r wrote:

Bleedinbluengold wrote:Indeed...The TE was Jermaine Wiggins for cryin' out loud. He's good, but that was probably THEE worst attempt at tackling caught by the tv cameras that I've ever seen. That was just plain pathetic.

Very pathetic. It was like he tried NOT to tackle him. I saw the replay and laughed. Out loud. Good luck w/ the conversion to safety...

i have to agree with grizzh8r on this one. i was rolling on the floor trying not to get punched in the face by my packers friend! i would say, though, that i would love to see joey thomas at safety. Once the Vikes get kleinsasser back and keep on the wiggins train, the packers defensive backfield will look sick!

For what it's worth, Dion Grant hates to tackle (I have this from an extremely reliable source, in my opinion) helmet to helmet like a linebacker, but he'll lay a hurt on you at virtually any angle...

Boy! The Packers must have seen something we never saw...or they are totally wacked out! Joey is a cover corner and that's all he is (except maybe a nickel back). He's like Deion Sanders (without the speed). Could you imagine Deion Sanders at safety?

Seems to me they are setting Joey up to fail if they insist on making him a safety!

Helcat72 wrote:Boy! The Packers must have seen something we never saw...or they are totally wacked out! Joey is a cover corner and that's all he is (except maybe a nickel back). He's like Deion Sanders (without the speed). Could you imagine Deion Sanders at safety?

Seems to me they are setting Joey up to fail if they insist on making him a safety!

maby its their way to get him to tackle

Hell's Bells wrote:

Helcat72 wrote:Boy! The Packers must have seen something we never saw...or they are totally wacked out! Joey is a cover corner and that's all he is (except maybe a nickel back). He's like Deion Sanders (without the speed). Could you imagine Deion Sanders at safety?

Seems to me they are setting Joey up to fail if they insist on making him a safety!

maby its their way to get him to tackle

You can lead a horse to water.....

Helcat72 wrote:

Hell's Bells wrote:

Helcat72 wrote:Boy! The Packers must have seen something we never saw...or they are totally wacked out! Joey is a cover corner and that's all he is (except maybe a nickel back). He's like Deion Sanders (without the speed). Could you imagine Deion Sanders at safety?

Seems to me they are setting Joey up to fail if they insist on making him a safety!

maby its their way to get him to tackle

You can lead a horse to water.....

well if he finally has to do it in order to earn a paycheck i would hope you can lead him to water