Solomon Thomas, DT

Originally posted by genus49:

Don't think so. But no question he's been very disappointing as far as top 3 selection. But still I can't help but think his sister's suicide played a significant part of his poor season.

He certainly wasn't what we wanted and hoped for last year but when you compare his rookie season to this season it's still a totally different player.

41 tackles, 34 solo, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 11 QB Hits in 14 games as a rookie
31 tackles, 24 solo, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 6 QB Hits in 16 games this year

And that's with him getting his best production int he last few games when getting more inside snaps.

Usually guys don't improve if they're lazy and don't work to improve their game. That's not the issue with Thomas. We'll never know what would've happened this year if he didn't have to suffer through that but hopefully time helps him and this offseason will be very important for him.

Not understanding your post in relation to his stats?

You say he's a totally different player yet show his production went down in year two.

Originally posted by Jeepzilla:

Originally posted by genus49:

Don't think so. But no question he's been very disappointing as far as top 3 selection. But still I can't help but think his sister's suicide played a significant part of his poor season.

He certainly wasn't what we wanted and hoped for last year but when you compare his rookie season to this season it's still a totally different player.

41 tackles, 34 solo, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 11 QB Hits in 14 games as a rookie
31 tackles, 24 solo, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 6 QB Hits in 16 games this year

And that's with him getting his best production int he last few games when getting more inside snaps.

Usually guys don't improve if they're lazy and don't work to improve their game. That's not the issue with Thomas. We'll never know what would've happened this year if he didn't have to suffer through that but hopefully time helps him and this offseason will be very important for him.

Not understanding your post in relation to his stats?

You say he's a totally different player yet show his production went down in year two.

I think hes showing how his sister's suicide, which happened after his rookie year, bombed this season for him.

Originally posted by walker807:

Originally posted by Jeepzilla:

Originally posted by genus49:

Don't think so. But no question he's been very disappointing as far as top 3 selection. But still I can't help but think his sister's suicide played a significant part of his poor season.

He certainly wasn't what we wanted and hoped for last year but when you compare his rookie season to this season it's still a totally different player.

41 tackles, 34 solo, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 11 QB Hits in 14 games as a rookie
31 tackles, 24 solo, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 6 QB Hits in 16 games this year

And that's with him getting his best production int he last few games when getting more inside snaps.

Usually guys don't improve if they're lazy and don't work to improve their game. That's not the issue with Thomas. We'll never know what would've happened this year if he didn't have to suffer through that but hopefully time helps him and this offseason will be very important for him.

Not understanding your post in relation to his stats?

You say he's a totally different player yet show his production went down in year two.

I think hes showing how his sister's suicide, which happened after his rookie year, bombed this season for him.

Oh got it

Originally posted by Jeepzilla:

Originally posted by walker807:

Originally posted by Jeepzilla:

Originally posted by genus49:
Don't think so. But no question he's been very disappointing as far as top 3 selection. But still I can't help but think his sister's suicide played a significant part of his poor season.

He certainly wasn't what we wanted and hoped for last year but when you compare his rookie season to this season it's still a totally different player.

41 tackles, 34 solo, 10 TFL, 3 sacks, 11 QB Hits in 14 games as a rookie
31 tackles, 24 solo, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 6 QB Hits in 16 games this year

And that's with him getting his best production int he last few games when getting more inside snaps.

Usually guys don't improve if they're lazy and don't work to improve their game. That's not the issue with Thomas. We'll never know what would've happened this year if he didn't have to suffer through that but hopefully time helps him and this offseason will be very important for him.

Not understanding your post in relation to his stats?

You say he's a totally different player yet show his production went down in year two.

I think hes showing how his sister's suicide, which happened after his rookie year, bombed this season for him.

Oh got it

I said the same thing. Very confusing wording. Makes sense now.

Before I defend why we should keep Thomas and give him another year before calling him a bust, I would like to point out some things.

1.) He was drafted as an interior pass rusher
2.) Coming out of Stanford he was considered a tweener, not the right size for any spot on the line
3.) His family issues have had a major affect on him
4.) We tried playing a rookie at a spot during his rookie season that he is not used to playing, and in my opinion is not the best spot for him (LEO rather than interior)
5.) I'd ask each of you what your expectations were when we drafted him. Did you really think we could draft an interior pass rusher and expect double digit sacks from an underweight rookie with 0 pass rush from the ends?

Some of you guys on here have absurd and unfounded expectations for rookies and players.

Rookie campaign-
Thomas shows up around 275 lbs (IIRC) and we try moving him to the LEO position despite drafting him for the promise he showed as an interior rusher (we all saw that NC game).
He did not do well there. I think he finished with 3 sacks, and a whole lot of time spent trying to get off blocks. Can't say I blame him. We essentially drafted a player, moved his position, and did not provide any help and you all on this board expected him to perform like a top 3 pick. Not going to happen.

This season- Family issues are obviously going to be a factor here. None of us can speak on the toll it took on him because we don't know. I can assume it was not one that benefited his playing.
I read a stat that up to week 7, Thomas had played 77% of his snaps on the edge. WHY
His athleticism is great for a 280lbs+ athlete, but not great enough that he should be rushing from the edge.

I remember watching Thomas beat Pouncey when we played the chargers. Thomas lined up over the interior lineman and I would argue it was the best game I have seen him play.

The point I am trying to make here is I do not think we have a Thomas problem. Thomas has been doing what he is best at all season long, he's just been doing it in the wrong position. I think we have a Saleh problem. If we trade and or release him and he goes to a team that will actually play him in his natural position, and will provide some degree of help, all of you critics out there will be eating crow.

You don't need a PhD dissertation to explain Solomon Thomas. His head wasn't right this year. That's all. No guarantee it get better next year. Could be a complete washout.

Originally posted by Quest4six:

Before I defend why we should keep Thomas and give him another year before calling him a bust, I would like to point out some things.

1.) He was drafted as an interior pass rusher
2.) Coming out of Stanford he was considered a tweener, not the right size for any spot on the line
3.) His family issues have had a major affect on him
4.) We tried playing a rookie at a spot during his rookie season that he is not used to playing, and in my opinion is not the best spot for him (LEO rather than interior)
5.) I'd ask each of you what your expectations were when we drafted him. Did you really think we could draft an interior pass rusher and expect double digit sacks from an underweight rookie with 0 pass rush from the ends?

Some of you guys on here have absurd and unfounded expectations for rookies and players.

Rookie campaign-
Thomas shows up around 275 lbs (IIRC) and we try moving him to the LEO position despite drafting him for the promise he showed as an interior rusher (we all saw that NC game).
He did not do well there. I think he finished with 3 sacks, and a whole lot of time spent trying to get off blocks. Can't say I blame him. We essentially drafted a player, moved his position, and did not provide any help and you all on this board expected him to perform like a top 3 pick. Not going to happen.

This season- Family issues are obviously going to be a factor here. None of us can speak on the toll it took on him because we don't know. I can assume it was not one that benefited his playing.
I read a stat that up to week 7, Thomas had played 77% of his snaps on the edge. WHY
His athleticism is great for a 280lbs+ athlete, but not great enough that he should be rushing from the edge.

I remember watching Thomas beat Pouncey when we played the chargers. Thomas lined up over the interior lineman and I would argue it was the best game I have seen him play.

The point I am trying to make here is I do not think we have a Thomas problem. Thomas has been doing what he is best at all season long, he's just been doing it in the wrong position. I think we have a Saleh problem. If we trade and or release him and he goes to a team that will actually play him in his natural position, and will provide some degree of help, all of you critics out there will be eating crow.

I thought he was redundant and a poor fit so my expectations were low but I am hoping he surpasses them someday.

Thomas seems best fit for the 3T but the 49ers best player is Buckner at 3T.

Originally posted by TheWooLick:
I thought he was redundant and a poor fit so my expectations were low but I am hoping he surpasses them someday.

Thomas seems best fit for the 3T but the 49ers best player is Buckner at 3T.

Strongly agree here, but at this point you have to coach and scheme what you have. There should not be a cap on the number of good pass rushers a team can have, I would argue the more the better.
I think having two players who can effectively play the 3T only helps. I want to see some creativity out of Saleh next year, even if that means every once in awhile trying out an old school 5-2 (not realistic but you get my point)

Originally posted by Quest4six:

Originally posted by TheWooLick:

I thought he was redundant and a poor fit so my expectations were low but I am hoping he surpasses them someday.

Thomas seems best fit for the 3T but the 49ers best player is Buckner at 3T.

Strongly agree here, but at this point you have to coach and scheme what you have. There should not be a cap on the number of good pass rushers a team can have, I would argue the more the better.
I think having two players who can effectively play the 3T only helps. I want to see some creativity out of Saleh next year, even if that means every once in awhile trying out an old school 5-2 (not realistic but you get my point)

As long as they don't mess with Buckner I am fine and hope Thomas does well but they should have drafted a position of need.

play him at corner, just have him tackle the receiver before they pass the 5 yds.

Originally posted by okdkid:

Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:

This thread is always good for a laugh. What is there to debate? As a 3rd overall pick he's a complete bust. If we found him in the 6th we be debating whether to keep him or Street..

This is so true.

There is only debate with people who are delaying the inevitable. He has shown absolutely nothing, even on his best days, that he can live up to a #3 pick.

No disrespect taken. My comment wasn't about what management should or shouldn't do. As a first round pick you are almost forced to roll with it until the contract is up.

Originally posted by Quest4six:
Before I defend why we should keep Thomas and give him another year before calling him a bust, I would like to point out some things.

1.) He was drafted as an interior pass rusher
2.) Coming out of Stanford he was considered a tweener, not the right size for any spot on the line
3.) His family issues have had a major affect on him
4.) We tried playing a rookie at a spot during his rookie season that he is not used to playing, and in my opinion is not the best spot for him (LEO rather than interior)
5.) I'd ask each of you what your expectations were when we drafted him. Did you really think we could draft an interior pass rusher and expect double digit sacks from an underweight rookie with 0 pass rush from the ends?

1. True, but he was projected to be capable of playing inside (pass downs) and outside (run downs).
5. Not double digits, but I expected him to show a lot more disruption wherever he lined up.
In college, he flashed the ability to do all of the above.

As to what went wrong, IMO it's between the staff and himself. Some possibilities:
1. Coaches are not letting him be aggressive (just a guess - or his practices are just bad).
2. His technique is raw (was half-winging it in college - might explain his inconsistency in college too), so most pro linemen can shut down his moves.
3. S & C transformed him into the wrong body shape. Some of the players (Armstead, Thomas, Garnett) look a bit too lean. Maybe they are playing below their best playing/fighting weight.

Whatever the case, his performance so far is bust territory and he's got work to do. Luckily for him, he probably still has chances.

Thomas needs to be playing inside next to Buckner, and that is that. Scheme and plug players around that pair of guys, and go from there.

In my opinion Soloman Thomas was a worse pick than Reuben Foster.
And we all know how Foster ended up.

year 3 will be make or break, just like for kyle and john.