Donald Thomas favorite to start at RG!

eckonice · 08-04-2008, 04:50 AM

BATTLE OF THE WEEK

Rookie Donald Thomas vs. rookie Shawn Murphy and Trey Darilek for the starting RG spot -- Thomas has been working with the first unit most of the week since taking over for Darilek, who shifted to backup LT behind Jake Long. Thomas, a 6-4, 310-pound specimen, has impressed coach Tony Sparano -- a former offensive lineman at New Haven, not far from UConn, where Thomas walked on -- as well as veteran D-linemen like Jason Ferguson. "I call him heavy chest. His punch is really brutal. When he came in I said to coach, 66 (Thomas' number). Yeah that's a strong guy right there.' I think he's the guy to help (center) Samson (Satele) out. If he works with his feet, learns what he's doing, and gets in his books he'll be good." Murphy, who was drafted in the fourth round, two rounds ahead of Thomas, needs to play major catch-up to unseat Thomas.

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/teams/report/MIA/10918450

FinsFan74 · 08-04-2008, 08:25 AM

Excellent to hear! Thanks for the info

PHINANALYST · 08-04-2008, 08:34 AM

Being an UCONN alumn ... would love to see Thomas there ...

Vaark · 08-04-2008, 09:30 AM

I caught part of local Fox's sunday nite sports talk with Steve Shapiro and Drew Rosenhaus who told him that Thomas starting is already a done deal. (take that for what anything that comes out of Drew's mouth is worth)

miabrown23 · 08-04-2008, 11:23 AM

if he does start great. jake long is going to be a a great player if donald pans out him long and satelle could be stapels for this franchise for years. all though starting two rookies on the line we have to expect some growing pains

Dfan06 · 08-04-2008, 11:58 AM

That would be awesome, not only would we have 5/5 oline done, We would also have young depth at oline.

SuperMarksBros. · 08-04-2008, 12:08 PM

glad we got a potential steal in Thomas, but the thought of a rookie LT, rookie G, and 2nd year C makes me a bit uncomfortable. Please leave Henne on the bench this year, I dont wanna ruin this kid.

WaywardZest · 08-04-2008, 12:16 PM

It is nice to see him develop nicely. If Murphy could unseat Smiley next year, we could have a steady line for a long time.

FriendofBill · 08-04-2008, 12:21 PM

Parcells and Ireland were really great at finding late round gems for the Cowboys. Looks like they may have uncovered another one.

phin2004 · 08-04-2008, 12:28 PM

It looks like our o-line is solid. I can't wait to see how they play saturday.

Mcganiel · 08-04-2008, 12:35 PM

Thats great to here. Now they need to gell. It looks like we have our offensive line established for years to come with some great depth. Way to go parcells.... It also nice to read about Ferguson input. Having Ferguson will defintley help our line develope at a faster pace.

emeraldfin · 08-04-2008, 12:58 PM

Always good to hear someone come out and take a starting place and make it theirs. I think the O-Line needs to have a steady year, if that was to happen then the likes of Thomas, Long, Satele and Murphy would be even better the next year. Staying injury free is a must also, if one of these young guys was to get injured early in the season then it would hinder their development

WaywardZest · 08-04-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FriendofBill

Parcells and Ireland were really great at finding late round gems for the Cowboys. Looks like they may have uncovered another one.

Thats the truth. Patrick Crayton (7th round) and Tony Romo (undrafted) come immediately to mind.

Vaark · 08-04-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaywardZest

It is nice to see him develop nicely. If Murphy could unseat Smiley next year, we could have a steady line for a long time.

I'm not necessarily rooting for that.. If Smiley can stay healthy and turn back the clock 2 seasons when he was said to be largely responsible for Frank Gore's breakout year, turning 27 in November, he could be an OL bedrock for a good 5 or more years. Already he seems to be the OL's mentor, spokesman and spirit with a great attitude. IMO, he was a terrific signing and I'm looking for him to "guard" our QBs and create seams for the R's for years to come.

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08-04-2008, 08:25 AM	#2
FinsFan74 Cement Shoes Distributor Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: South Carolina (from MIAMI) Posts: 1,959 Credits: 4,284 Thanks: 155 Thanked 133 Times in 66 Posts	Excellent to hear! Thanks for the info __________________ I Love JESUS CHRIST To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world

08-04-2008, 12:08 PM	#7
SuperMarksBros. Formerly &amp;amp;quot;Fiedler for MVP&amp;amp;quot; Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: A van down by the river Posts: 3,286 Credits: 5,500 Thanks: 154 Thanked 177 Times in 104 Posts	glad we got a potential steal in Thomas, but the thought of a rookie LT, rookie G, and 2nd year C makes me a bit uncomfortable. Please leave Henne on the bench this year, I dont wanna ruin this kid. __________________

08-04-2008, 12:35 PM	#11
Mcganiel Seasoned Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cedar Knolls, New Jersey Age: 37 Posts: 953 Credits: 9,142 Thanks: 81 Thanked 51 Times in 40 Posts	Thats great to here. Now they need to gell. It looks like we have our offensive line established for years to come with some great depth. Way to go parcells.... It also nice to read about Ferguson input. Having Ferguson will defintley help our line develope at a faster pace. __________________

08-04-2008, 12:58 PM	#12
emeraldfin Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Carlow, Ireland Age: 23 Posts: 654 Credits: 2,291 Thanks: 49 Thanked 97 Times in 63 Posts	Always good to hear someone come out and take a starting place and make it theirs. I think the O-Line needs to have a steady year, if that was to happen then the likes of Thomas, Long, Satele and Murphy would be even better the next year. Staying injury free is a must also, if one of these young guys was to get injured early in the season then it would hinder their development __________________

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08-04-2008, 08:34 AM	#3
PHINANALYST Seasoned Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Carolina Age: 43 Posts: 1,076 Credits: 209 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	Being an UCONN alumn ... would love to see Thomas there ...

08-04-2008, 09:30 AM	#4
Vaark Stercus accidit Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rattlesnake Speedway in the Utah Desert Posts: 1,689 Credits: 20,939 Thanks: 1,063 Thanked 886 Times in 450 Posts	I caught part of local Fox's sunday nite sports talk with Steve Shapiro and Drew Rosenhaus who told him that Thomas starting is already a done deal. (take that for what anything that comes out of Drew's mouth is worth)

08-04-2008, 11:23 AM	#5
miabrown23 Seasoned Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: toronto Age: 29 Posts: 798 Credits: 1,241 Thanks: 6 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	if he does start great. jake long is going to be a a great player if donald pans out him long and satelle could be stapels for this franchise for years. all though starting two rookies on the line we have to expect some growing pains

08-04-2008, 11:58 AM	#6
Dfan06 Seasoned Veteran Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 19 Posts: 1,042 Credits: 4,288 Thanks: 18 Thanked 124 Times in 77 Posts	That would be awesome, not only would we have 5/5 oline done, We would also have young depth at oline.

08-04-2008, 12:16 PM	#8
WaywardZest Pro Bowler Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Palm Bay, Florida Posts: 3,558 Credits: 30,807 Thanks: 460 Thanked 410 Times in 331 Posts	It is nice to see him develop nicely. If Murphy could unseat Smiley next year, we could have a steady line for a long time.

08-04-2008, 12:21 PM	#9
FriendofBill Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 223 Credits: 1,065 Thanks: 0 Thanked 100 Times in 56 Posts	Parcells and Ireland were really great at finding late round gems for the Cowboys. Looks like they may have uncovered another one.

08-04-2008, 12:28 PM	#10
phin2004 Rookie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa Posts: 192 Credits: 7,329 Thanks: 27 Thanked 36 Times in 17 Posts	It looks like our o-line is solid. I can't wait to see how they play saturday.