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Thomas Howard (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter biggamer3
- Start date
Who the hell knows. He has a shot to start at WLB and if he can hold the job good things may happen. At that WLB roll, he could put up top 40 numbers. Not bad for a rookie. But in the end, Art Shell could rotate all types of guys through his LB corp reducing everyones value.
I have him as the 4th or 5th best LB rookie (depends on Ryans) for next year.
I have him as the 4th or 5th best LB rookie (depends on Ryans) for next year.
brakeyawself
Footballguy
I like him a lot. He's really fast. I dont know how the raiders will use him, but I assume he has the ability to cover a bit and pass rush. I think that eventually makes him a 3 down back if he isnt one all ready. If he does get the weak side spot, he could produce pretty big. I agree with the possibility of cracking the top 40. I have him personally ranked for dynasty higher than Simms and lawson, which imo does put him at about the 4th or 5th best LB in this draft, with only hawk, greenway, and possibly ryans ahead of him. As far this year he might even outproduce everyone except hawk i think. But IMO he has all the ability to one day be a pro bowl (and fantasy pro bowl) linebacker. But its definitely not guaranteed.
brakeyawself
Footballguy
Well I do agree with you and have Ryans ahead of him by a bit. But I think after those top three it gets a little murky no? 4-8 or so arent very clear. At least not to me.The football intelligence thing im not sure about. Ive heard this used about a lot of prospects and some have panned out and some havnt. I would think at LB its athelticism and talent might overule this lack of football intel? Especially with someone as young as Howard. Now I do think that might prevent him from ever becoming a MLB, so im guessing he probably is a career OLB. Hopefully not a SSL though, and I guess thats the gamble.
massraider
Footballguy
Howard has been mentioned by several players thus far in camp.
That "no instincts" label seems like it's gonna follow him around. We'll see. Ever notice how the "no instinct" guys tend to be the best athletes?
Never saw him at UTEP, so I can't say for sure. But he has been a standout of camp thus far, and if he's been impressive enough to move Morrison to the middle, and Clark to the bench, might be time to let the scouting report go, and go by the current results.
As I said in the Morrison thread, I am still not sure he's a starter, but moving Morrison to the middle greatly improves the odds. THe only other 'WLB' on the roster is Darnell Bing, and he's changing positions. Talk about raw.
Also, one must factor in the idea that Sam Williams will get hurt this season. If that happens, my guess is that Howard moves over the TE, Morrison back to WLB, and Clark to the middle. That would kill Howard's value. I suppose it is possible that Clark would go to SLB, he has played outside, but I've not read anything that mentions Clark getting reps at OLB.
That "no instincts" label seems like it's gonna follow him around. We'll see. Ever notice how the "no instinct" guys tend to be the best athletes?
Never saw him at UTEP, so I can't say for sure. But he has been a standout of camp thus far, and if he's been impressive enough to move Morrison to the middle, and Clark to the bench, might be time to let the scouting report go, and go by the current results.
As I said in the Morrison thread, I am still not sure he's a starter, but moving Morrison to the middle greatly improves the odds. THe only other 'WLB' on the roster is Darnell Bing, and he's changing positions. Talk about raw.
Also, one must factor in the idea that Sam Williams will get hurt this season. If that happens, my guess is that Howard moves over the TE, Morrison back to WLB, and Clark to the middle. That would kill Howard's value. I suppose it is possible that Clark would go to SLB, he has played outside, but I've not read anything that mentions Clark getting reps at OLB.
Rozelle
Moderator
True. They get by with their athletic ability and sometimes thats not enough at the NFL level. When you have both (atheltic and instincts), you get a Ray Lewis / Johathan Vilma / AJ Hawk type.
massraider
Footballguy
Sure, and there are plenty of guys that couldn't make it because they didn't have the head for the game. I was more wondering if players like Howard, a true athletic marvel, get that label unfairly. Sort of the idea that when people are looking for negatives about a guy, and when there's no athletic negs, they figure he must have poor instincts. As I said, I haven't seen him play. But based on what I read post-draft, I was expecting little PT from Howard this year. His performance in camp thus far has surprised me greatly. It makes one wonder if perhaps the lack of football intelligence thing was overblown.
Fantasy-wise, he has a very good shot at starting at WLB right off the bat, ona defense that might be on the field a lot. IMO, that makes him a potential nice surprise, and it seems that there's a good shot that he'll outperform his ADP (thus far, anyway).
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
While I wouldn't say that Howard has no instincts at all -- if anything, he's been praised for his abilities in coverage -- he's still pretty raw in run defense but excels in pursuit. The Will is really the best place for him. Don't write off Danny Clark altogether, but if Howard doesn't pull a Demorrio Williams and get exploited terribly by teams choosing to run right at him, he's a better backer than Clark. Given that Sam Williams seems to be a front office favorite and Morrison is more than capable in the middle, it's not a big surprise that Clark becomes the odd man out. Massraider is right, though, expecting Williams to survive camp is expecting a lot.
As far as putting Howard above Ryans and Sims -- meh -- I can't see him getting the tackle numbers to pull that off in the short or long term.
redman
Footballguy
brakeyawself
Footballguy
Ahh awsome posts about this guy lately. I guess Simms size and injury problems have scared me off more than Howards "lack of football iq". ha, if nothing else he might be good mid season trade bait if he does start at wsl.
coolnerd
Footballguy
http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...9&hl=howard
Here was my reaction to his performance in his bowl game. I also saw UTEP earlier in the year and he played better, but did not dominate to the level that his physical skill suggested especially considering his competition.
http://www.houstontexans.com/fan_zone/mess...ighlight=howard
there was more direct discussion about the same report on another board.
Here was my reaction to his performance in his bowl game. I also saw UTEP earlier in the year and he played better, but did not dominate to the level that his physical skill suggested especially considering his competition.
http://www.houstontexans.com/fan_zone/mess...ighlight=howard
there was more direct discussion about the same report on another board.
