Travis Thomas at LB?

[Irish Envy]

I've been doing my daily visit to some other forums and there have been several posts about Travis Thomas being moved to LB. Anyone heard anything?

 

[scooper]

Relating back to the thread that went a bit awry. I don't think there's nearly enough RB depth to try that.

 

[jiggafini19]

I can't see this. There are two lettered running backs on this team that aren't fullbacks.

I see Prince as a DB-special teams guy, Schmidt as a fullback. He'll beat out McConnell for the backup spot.

Thomas has two years of RB experience. Why would they do this now? He practiced all spring at RB.

 

[KMac151993]

My guess is that someone that doesn't know a whole lot heard the name Thomas and figured that it was talk about Travis Thomas rather then the LB we already have named Mitchell Thomas.

 

[IRISHMAN]

this wont happen, CW isn't stupid. if TT is moved to LB then who's the #2 RB? aldridge might not be healty, that would leave munir prince and i doubt he'll be ready.

 

[BigIrish]

My guess is that someone that doesn't know a whole lot heard the name Thomas and figured that it was talk about Travis Thomas rather then the LB we already have named Mitchell Thomas.

IMO, this is the most likely scenario.

 

[loweND]

I think I found the original thread, and in it the poster claims that his source said that this news is all over the message boards. As somebody who visits just about every ND Board I know of every day - I can say that this isn't the case. Mitchell Thomas playing LB has been fairly well talked about though...

 

[irishwavend]

The Old Guard initially wanted to make TT a linebacker, but b/c of the RB situation, they kept him there.

 

[tgolden]

no way does he move.

 

[nayers]

he worked at RB all spring, and there isnt enough time in his eligibility to make him a worthy LB

 

[Irish Envy]

My guess is that someone that doesn't know a whole lot heard the name Thomas and figured that it was talk about Travis Thomas rather then the LB we already have named Mitchell Thomas.

That has to be it.

 

[Guest]

He's a pretty solid RB, no point in moving him. Plus its a little too late now, wouldn't be fair to him. I think the LB's will be solid this season, not great, but solid.

 

[Ant4NDIrish]

Travis Thomas is as good or better than Darius! Give TT the same amount of carries he would be just as successful. So LB would be crazy with the depth at RB we have.

 

[loweND]

Just got finished listening to Monday night's Irish Eyes Power Hour. According to Mike Frank, they approached Travis Thomas after the spring game and asked him how he'd feel about playing LB. Apparently, this is something the coaches have been thinking about doing for a long time. Nothing is guaranteed, but Frank said there's a very good chance that this migth happen.

 

[jiggafini19]

This is completely nuts. Mike Frank said this or Travis Thomas said this?

They're going to have to throw 70 times a game if TT moves to defense and something happens to Walker.

Guess they have a lot of faith in the linebackers they have, huh?

Toryan Smith and Morrice Richardson, your table is ready.

 

[loweND]

Mike Frank said it. Somebody called in and asked him about it. It's at about the 1 hour 50 minute mark.

Personally, I think it could be good news. I don't think the coaches would do this unless they knew that Alridge could play this year. In fact, it sounded like Aldrige's status is playing a big factor in this decision. We've already seen that Thomas is a beast on special teams - he'll probably make a killer LB. And, if he is a good LB, I think it's more valuable to have a good starting LB than a good backup RB.

Not to mention between Darius, Prince, Schmidt and Alridge I think we'll be fine at RB next year. Who knows, maybe the staff is planning on moving another player to RB to accomodate this change.

 

[jiggafini19]

Without a single rep that anyone knows of having been taken in practice, Thomas would have major catching up to do. It doesn't make any sense to try this despite the lack of experience all of the other guys have.

Walker and four freshmen running backs does not excite me at all. If they have that much faith in those running backs and not enough in Smith and Richardson to want to move Thomas, then they misevaluated someone somewhere.

Horrible move for the team and a horrible move for Thomas' future football career. Breaking up that Walker-Thomas tandem is foolish. His performance against USC alone makes me think running back suits him just fine.

 

[KMac151993]

I still don't believe a word of this.....Weis is doing some very odd things....if he does indeed move TT then he's got a lot of explaining to do. Why move a guy who has the biggest play of the spring game from RB to LB? Doesn't make sense at all.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I still don't believe a word of this.....Weis is doing some very odd things....if he does indeed move TT then he's got a lot of explaining to do. Why move a guy who has the biggest play of the spring game from RB to LB? Doesn't make sense at all.

I have heard it's not going to happen...don't expect it.

 

[Guest]

whatever Weis decides to do is fine with me, I have total faith in that guy. Weis has stated numberous times that the best player will play, perhaps they feel Aldridge is already better than TT and will pass him on the depth chart. I'd be very surprised if Weis redshirted Aldridge, unless his injury is very serious. Aldridge is certainly ready physically and mentally to play right away(as long as his injury wasn't serious)

Personally I like TT alot, but there's too much of a lovefest going on with this guy right now. I think he's a pretty solid back, but I'm not really expecting much more than that from him. I don't see him being a productive NFL back, reminds me a little of Ryan Grant, only Grant accomplished more. Powers Neal looked just as good as TT in the 4 or so games he played.

Someone said earlier that TT is as good or better than walker. I don't think its even close, I'd take Walker over TT in a heartbeat, hands down...

When its all is said and done I don't see TT moving to LB, but I don't see him passing the likes of Walker or Aldridge either. Not to mention whatever RB we land this year. Basically he's a good solid back, Walker and Aldridge have much more of an upside IMO.

 

[gipper2nd@yahoo.com]

I agree with QueensNY. Everything I've seen of TT, is that he is another Ryan Grant....too vertical, good straight ahead power, but no lateral movement.

 

[tgolden]

well, Grant did manage to have a 1000 yard season, the 1st since Autry Denson. and, what, only the 8th in ND history. i hope he stays at RB, but I guess if they really think he'd be a good LB, and he'd get to play more, it would be good for him.

 

[KMac151993]

I agree with QueensNY. Everything I've seen of TT, is that he is another Ryan Grant....too vertical, good straight ahead power, but no lateral movement.

What was wrong with Ryan Grant, I thought a RB was supposed to run North/South not East/West; unless of course they have changed the rules and reward yardage for all that East/West dancing Walker does I prefer guys to go North/South.

 

[Guest]

well, Grant did manage to have a 1000 yard season, the 1st since Autry Denson. and, what, only the 8th in ND history. i hope he stays at RB, but I guess if they really think he'd be a good LB, and he'd get to play more, it would be good for him.

Grant was a solid back, but the line we had that year made him look like a much better back than he really was.

 

[cpozeznik]

I had heard on IrishEyes that they were trying him out at LB, but remember he also used to play Safety in High school. Also the comment made by Weis in the spring, something to the effect, "Travis is a running back with a defensive mentality, a linebacker in a running back's body." (He runs right at people, not avoiding contact)

 

[KMac151993]

I had heard on IrishEyes that they were trying him out at LB, but remember he also used to play Safety in High school. Also the comment made by Weis in the spring, something to the effect, "Travis is a running back with a defensive mentality, a linebacker in a running back's body." (He runs right at people, not avoiding contact)

He ran so good through people on his way to his touchdown against USC that I wouldn't mind him staying at RB for good.

 

[cpozeznik]

I agree, this would be a big loss for the offense, and I don't think it would tremendously help the defense this year. (remember this is his last year)

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

... Personally I like TT alot, but there's too much of a lovefest going on with this guy right now. I think he's a pretty solid back, but I'm not really expecting much more than that from him. I don't see him being a productive NFL back, reminds me a little of Ryan Grant, only Grant accomplished more. Powers Neal looked just as good as TT in the 4 or so games he played.

Someone said earlier that TT is as good or better than walker. I don't think its even close, I'd take Walker over TT in a heartbeat, hands down...

While I would take Walker over TT. They are very different.

TT is FAST, hits the whole hard, and can blow through a hole like he was hit with a huge tailwind. BUT, he is not shifty. He goes straight ahead with little lateral movement.

Walker is slow, does not hit the whole that hard, but he is shifty. He's like an Autry Denson. Hips, hips, hips... But if he makes it through a hole, he will get caught.

Between the two, Walker is more dangerous because of that.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

He ran so good through people on his way to his touchdown against USC that I wouldn't mind him staying at RB for good.

He's fine in that position, but I suspect the younger guys in the class might offer more...hence why he will see little time.

But yeah, when he gets a head of steam he can move forward fast and hard.

 

[scooper]

He's fine in that position, but I suspect the younger guys in the class might offer more...hence why he will see little time.

But yeah, when he gets a head of steam he can move forward fast and hard.

If the LB rumors are not true, he'll be the second back...all season long. He will see plenty of time.