Matt Thomas with the 1st Team

"We haven’t seen all the tricks defensive coordinator Keith Butler has planned for the season yet. But the Pittsburgh Steelers did roll out one new wrinkle on Saturday that looks like it might stick. According to linebacker Matthew Thomas, Pittsburgh’s utilization of him early in the game as an inside linebacker was their “Seminole” package."
https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2...e-package-versus-titans-to-improve-pass-rush/

It's utilizing a 3-2-6 with Matt Thomas and Vince Williams.

I like it.

 

His play so far has warranted more looks by most accounts. Good grab off the UDFA pile...

 

Put the best 11 out on the field.


Thomas fits the bill. So far so good. Let us see what he can in his final outing.

 

I had us drafting him in many mocks. The kid is active for sure. What I am seeing is the movement of all the LBers. Sometimes Vince comes off the edge. Sometimes Thomas comes off the edge. Dupree drops back at the last second or comes from the middle. Very disruptive and hard to account for anyone doing this. I like it.

 

Thomas has turned some heads thus far. I think he makes the 53.

 

I will be shocked if he does not at this point.

 

Hybrid LBs....

 

If Thomas doesn't make the 53 at this point, the coaches are beyond simple. No way in hades he makes the PS. Esp after the twitter post of him chasing that WR down the field and blowing by Behre. Kiss him goodbye.

 

I said this in another post. As fans we evaluate players by what we see on tv and read in stories on the web. That’s actually a very small portion of what goes into player evaluation as it pertains to making the team. Sometimes it’s not always as simple as “ he’s a good player”.
The coaches and team officials have access to stuff we don’t to make these decisions.
With that said I don’t see how Thomas doesn’t make the 53, but if he don’t maybe it goes deeper than what limited info we have.

 

Williams Bostic and Thomas all starters with fort and Tyler as backups

 

He has shown potential but he's limited.

Doesn't call any plays and doesn't want to..... Doesn't know the defensive scheme in its entirety yet. Still adjusting to the speed of the NFL.

Don't be surprised if he's cut and signed to the PS.

Cajun

 

They don't make a defensive package around a guy going to the practice squad or not on the active list on game day.

 

I nailed this in April.

 

I liked this kid back in April; you don't lead an FSU D, for 2 years, in tackles unless you got something. He is going to save our butts from the front office screwing the pooch in the draft on an ILB.

 

He was out there with the first team much of the game Sunday. He is far more likely to make the team than your beloved Dirty Red.

 

Does have have Fort making it, too? I'd be a little surprised to see them keep five inside linebackers. To me, the battle is between Matakevich and Fort for the final spot.

 

I just read Fittipaldo's entire projection. He has them keeping four outside linebackers and four running backs. He also has nine offensive linemen, with one spot open for somebody made available on cut day, which makes some sense. Aside from Finney, Feiler and Okorafor, their other backup offensive linemen haven't showed much of anything and that leaves them way too thin, especially with Foster still a question mark for the opener.

I think they fifth outside linebacker (Adams or Huegenin) or 11th defensive back (probably Marcus Allen), whoever those turn out to be, are better players than Matakevich. I wonder if Watt's status will affect things.

 

I don't know. They seem to like Red they talk highly of him and also his STs value has some weight. Fort has come and gone from this roster it's hard to say. They may indeed keep 5. I think Thomas is a pleasant surprise they didn't expect

 

I wouldn’t go as far to say they screwed the pooch. I was a bit surprised they didn’t draft an ILB myself, but I’m confident they know what they’re doing.
Anyway the kid looks like he could be good. I’m not getting my hopes up too much though. I’ve seen this a number of times with late round picks and UDFA’s, player looks good, the coaches and media talk him up then the season rolls around and the guy’s the invisible man. Then he gets cut to make room for some CB nobody’s ever heard of.

 

I didn't actually see his breakdown but I'm assuming the 4th RB to include Nix as the 4th....I think it would be a mistake to keep the 5th ILB over 5th OLB. I don't see anyway Adams doesn't make it and OA deserves a spot on the roster as well, bringing that group to 5. I also think Allen hasn't done enough or has been healthy enough to take a spot in a crowded Safety room unless it's at the expense of Berhe,which is possible. Does he have Sensabaugh making it among the DBs? Like Glenn said though we aren't privy to all the information....

 

Yup, that happens a lot. But I am hoping MT is the exception to the rule. I just like his production at FSU.

 

Interesting I read his draft profile. I don't really see these issues such as lacking poor instincts and awareness, not playing downhill, etc. He had issues with his academics after his mother died. << Not something that concerns me. He led the Seminoles in tackles his final year.

He's already proven he was deserving of a pick. I'm a bit surprised no one took a chance on him in the draft.

He reminds me of a young Lawrence Timmons.