Post by MOnarchsRule on May 2, 2007 13:43:29 GMT -5
April 29, 2007
By Dave Brandon
Mammoth bodies are just becoming commonplace in the XFL, but even so, the shadow defensive tackle Walter Thomas casts is sure to turn heads at training camp at Avila University with the Kansas City Monarchs. At 6-foot-4 and 374 pounds, he reportedly runs a 4.9-second 40-yard dash, bench presses 475 pounds and squats 800. When The New York Times showed up to interview him before the XFL Draft last month, he executed a perfect front flip. Judging from those numbers, it's little wonder the Monarchs signed this football version of an urban legend to a free agent contract. He was one of 4 free agents added on Monday. Originally from Texas, Thomas' college football odyssey took him to Senatobia for two games at Northwest Mississippi Community College this season. Before that, he played for a year at Oklahoma State and then sat out a season. "The man's an absolute monster and an amazing athlete for someone that size," NWCC coach Randy Pippin said. "He's a good kid, too. He's just got some baggage that comes along with him."
And there's the dilemma. A 21-year-old with such breathtaking football skills doesn't go undrafted unless there's a good reason. Thomas played just two games at Northwest before being arrested on a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery. The Tate County Circuit Clerk's office said the charge is still pending, but a court date hasn't been set. Pippin suspended Thomas for the rest of the season. Considering the NFL recently doled out long suspensions to troublemakers like Tennessee Titans' Adam "Pacman" Jones and the Cincinnati Bengals' Chris Henry, young players with a questionable past are greeted with suspicion.
But still, it was awfully hard for teams to ignore Thomas' prodigious workout at Mississippi State's pro day. The way he dominated in a pre-draft game called Texas vs. The Nation just added to the buzz surrounding a guy who had played only two real football games in two seasons. "Thomas just absolutely destroyed people," XFL scout Michael Detwillier said after looking at the game tape. "It looked like he was going against the junior varsity. After that game, he was all anybody was talking about." He was ranked 23rd at defensive tackle in Detwillier's draft report and said Thomas' positives were numerous: terrific agility and speed for a man his size and also possesses great strength. But the weaknesses are also glaring. He's probably carrying too much weight and has very little game experience. Plus, his work ethic is questionable considering his spotty past. "I'd say he'll have to lose at least 30 pounds to be an effective player in the league," Detwillier said. "Carrying 370 pounds in a season would cause too much wear and tear. This might be his last chance to play football, so it'll be interesting how he responds."
Copiah-Lincoln coach Glenn Davis was one of the two opposing coaches to see Thomas in action this year, saying "He's awfully hard to move. It seemed like he could fill up two holes out there." And that's probably why the Monarchs were more than happy to take a chance on a little-known big man. "It's one of those low risk, high reward opportunities," Detwillier said. "After the Monarchs' great season last year, if Thomas turns out to be a great player, maybe we can finally say that after all these years the football gods are actually smiling on Kansas City."
BY THE NUMBERS
A look at Walter Thomas' stats:
Height: 6 feet, 4 inches
Weight, in pounds: 374
Benchpress, in pounds: 475
Squat, in pounds: 800
By Dave Brandon
Mammoth bodies are just becoming commonplace in the XFL, but even so, the shadow defensive tackle Walter Thomas casts is sure to turn heads at training camp at Avila University with the Kansas City Monarchs. At 6-foot-4 and 374 pounds, he reportedly runs a 4.9-second 40-yard dash, bench presses 475 pounds and squats 800. When The New York Times showed up to interview him before the XFL Draft last month, he executed a perfect front flip. Judging from those numbers, it's little wonder the Monarchs signed this football version of an urban legend to a free agent contract. He was one of 4 free agents added on Monday. Originally from Texas, Thomas' college football odyssey took him to Senatobia for two games at Northwest Mississippi Community College this season. Before that, he played for a year at Oklahoma State and then sat out a season. "The man's an absolute monster and an amazing athlete for someone that size," NWCC coach Randy Pippin said. "He's a good kid, too. He's just got some baggage that comes along with him."
And there's the dilemma. A 21-year-old with such breathtaking football skills doesn't go undrafted unless there's a good reason. Thomas played just two games at Northwest before being arrested on a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery. The Tate County Circuit Clerk's office said the charge is still pending, but a court date hasn't been set. Pippin suspended Thomas for the rest of the season. Considering the NFL recently doled out long suspensions to troublemakers like Tennessee Titans' Adam "Pacman" Jones and the Cincinnati Bengals' Chris Henry, young players with a questionable past are greeted with suspicion.
But still, it was awfully hard for teams to ignore Thomas' prodigious workout at Mississippi State's pro day. The way he dominated in a pre-draft game called Texas vs. The Nation just added to the buzz surrounding a guy who had played only two real football games in two seasons. "Thomas just absolutely destroyed people," XFL scout Michael Detwillier said after looking at the game tape. "It looked like he was going against the junior varsity. After that game, he was all anybody was talking about." He was ranked 23rd at defensive tackle in Detwillier's draft report and said Thomas' positives were numerous: terrific agility and speed for a man his size and also possesses great strength. But the weaknesses are also glaring. He's probably carrying too much weight and has very little game experience. Plus, his work ethic is questionable considering his spotty past. "I'd say he'll have to lose at least 30 pounds to be an effective player in the league," Detwillier said. "Carrying 370 pounds in a season would cause too much wear and tear. This might be his last chance to play football, so it'll be interesting how he responds."
Copiah-Lincoln coach Glenn Davis was one of the two opposing coaches to see Thomas in action this year, saying "He's awfully hard to move. It seemed like he could fill up two holes out there." And that's probably why the Monarchs were more than happy to take a chance on a little-known big man. "It's one of those low risk, high reward opportunities," Detwillier said. "After the Monarchs' great season last year, if Thomas turns out to be a great player, maybe we can finally say that after all these years the football gods are actually smiling on Kansas City."
BY THE NUMBERS
A look at Walter Thomas' stats:
Height: 6 feet, 4 inches
Weight, in pounds: 374
Benchpress, in pounds: 475
Squat, in pounds: 800