Return man: Dri Archer or De'Anthony Thomas

Damn Dri Archer is FAST!! The way he blows by people on that video reminds me of Ted Ginn at Ohio State.

What happened to Deanthony Thomas by the way? A couple years ago there was all this hype about the black mamba, but I haven't heard much about him recently over the last season or two. Why is he not highly touted anymore? How come he's not projected as a high round pick? I would have thought a few years ago that he would be a first or second rounder once he was done with college. Is he just a tweener that doesn't really excel at any position?

DeAnthony Thomas, because he plays with a Rolex on

If an athlete like this is on the board in a late round though, it's hard to pass up. How often to late round picks really pan out? DAT was actually going to be a cornerback in college but went to Oregon to play offense. He was very good at the college level, but I think he had much more potential as a CB at the NFL level. I'd be interested in taking him and seeing if we could convert him to CB. He could be awesome with his skillset.

The great thing about being a good team is that you don't have to so much draft to fill holes, you draft to get good players. That's how good teams stay on top so long despite all the turnover.

Originally posted by pwillis52beasty:
What happened to Deanthony Thomas by the way? A couple years ago there was all this hype about the black mamba, but I haven't heard much about him recently over the last season or two. Why is he not highly touted anymore? How come he's not projected as a high round pick? I would have thought a few years ago that he would be a first or second rounder once he was done with college. Is he just a tweener that doesn't really excel at any position?

DeAnthony had a great Freshman and Sophmore year, and was off to a great start this year, but got injured and missed a few games with an ankle injury, and wasn't quite the same afterwards. But he had insane touchdown per touch numbers, and teams often kicked it out of bounds rather than kicking to him.. This year the Ducks tried to use him as a traditional RB and it didn't work as well as when he was more of a utility player playing next to a star RB. But he still had great numbers because of the long runs he broke.

Originally posted by PopeyeJonesing:
LMJ. Already on the team. He has been really, really good.

A return specialist is also one less spot on the roster. It's trying to fix a problem we don't have. If folks want a burner as a receiver, draft one, but needing a returner ain't the reason to do it, IMO.

Edit: James' kickoff return average would have been top 5 in the NFL this year. His punt return average was top 10. Really, there's not a problem here.

Agreed. Love to have one of these explosive guys on the team but it would be a luxury pick. You're probably right that we don't have room for one of these guys on our roster.

Originally posted by spizzy:
DeAnthony Thomas, because he plays with a Rolex on

wow really??!!!??

EXACTLY why i wouldn't draft his "ballin" ass.... thats just retarded. Same with huge diamond stud earrings, hate when players wear them during games

I'd take dri archer, this is who Trent and Jim envisioned LMJ being for us. Split him out, use him as a rb, and pr/kr.

Originally posted by OtisDriftwood:
I'd take dri archer, this is who Trent and Jim envisioned LMJ being for us. Split him out, use him as a rb, and pr/kr.

If that's true then they f**ked up. James was always about quickness, agility, not pure speed. Archer is pure speed, he has a long stride for his height, give him 2 to 3 steps and he's at full speed and just blowing past people out on the football field. If he can develop, become a better route runner, he could be an absolute terror as a deep threat, a guy to use on end-around's, screens, runs out wide..etc.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by OtisDriftwood:
I'd take dri archer, this is who Trent and Jim envisioned LMJ being for us. Split him out, use him as a rb, and pr/kr.

If that's true then they f**ked up. James was always about quickness, agility, not pure speed. Archer is pure speed, he has a long stride for his height, give him 2 to 3 steps and he's at full speed and just blowing past people out on the football field. If he can develop, become a better route runner, he could be an absolute terror as a deep threat, a guy to use on end-around's, screens, runs out wide..etc.

Hey Phoenix, what rounds do you think each will get drafted in?

Originally posted by kronik:
Hey Phoenix, what rounds do you think each will get drafted in?

3rd round for both of them currently. Early to mid 3rd for Thomas, mid 3rd to early 4th for Archer.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by kronik:
Hey Phoenix, what rounds do you think each will get drafted in?

3rd round for both of them currently. Early to mid 3rd for Thomas, mid 3rd to early 4th for Archer.

OK thanks.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
If that's true then they f**ked up. James was always about quickness, agility, not pure speed. Archer is pure speed, he has a long stride for his height, give him 2 to 3 steps and he's at full speed and just blowing past people out on the football field. If he can develop, become a better route runner, he could be an absolute terror as a deep threat, a guy to use on end-around's, screens, runs out wide..etc.

LMJ has track speed. He runs a 4.37 at the combine. 4.5 is fast, below 4.4 is really fast.

Originally posted by Liono:
LMJ has track speed. He runs a 4.37 at the combine. 4.5 is fast, below 4.4 is really fast.

4.45, not 4.37. Fast, but not in the same class as a guy like Archer.