Bills may reach out to MSU receiver

[Jay]

The start of the 2008 NFL draft could resemble the 2006 NFL draft for the Buffalo Bills.

Two years ago, the Bills picked safety Donte Whitner a tad higher than many draftniks had him rated— at eighth overall. This year the Bills may make a similar move in selecting Devin Thomas, the wide receiver from Michigan State. Thomas is rated by many as the best receiver in the draft but most experts don’t put him among the top 12 players overall.

Like all NFL teams, the Bills are being secretive about their plans for the draft. But team sources indicate Thomas is highly regarded at One Bills Drive.

The Bills need to do something to bolster a passing game that ranked 30th in the NFL last season and has ranked among the bottom six in the NFL five straight years.

Thomas has the size and speed the Bills’ offense desperately needs. He is 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, and he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds, just a shade behind the time Bills receiver Lee Evans ran coming out of college.

Thomas left Michigan State after a junior year in which he caught a school-record 79 passes for 1,260 yards and eight touchdowns.

“He’s an excellent vertical [receiver] and an excellent runner after the catch,” Bills Vice President of College Scouting Tom Modrak said at last week’s pre-draft news conference.

Thomas’ size makes him difficult to bring down after he makes a catch. He also has the size to help the Bills in the red zone, where bigger receivers have an edge. Buffalo has ranked in the bottom seven in terms of scoring touchdowns when it gets inside the opponent’s 20 four straight years.

The one question about Thomas’ resume: Is he is a “one-year wonder?” After spending two seasons, one as a redshirt, at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, he had just six catches in his first season at Michigan State.

On the other hand, if Thomas had stayed in college and put up a similar season as a senior, he may have wound up as a top five pick next year.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper ranks Thomas as the No. 1 receiver available and the 20th best player in the draft. Scout.com lists him 16th. The Sporting News lists him ninth, and NFLDraftScout.com 14th.

Of course, several other factors will have a big influence on the Bills’ decision with the 11th pick. One is the way the top 10 picks play out.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bi...ry/329021.html

[Jay]

I wouldn't mind taking him.

I know you guys got a hardon for Hardy, but I think this guy would fit in nicely.

[The Common Man]

I think he has a eally high upside... he reminds me of Tory holt.

But he's not the huge redzone threat everyone wants... if we take him i won't be pissed.

[treydawg]

Great, lets draft a guy who doesn't run routes but bubble screens. That's exactly what we need out of our 2nd receiver.

[Jay]

That's pretty much all NE runs.

Shit, look at Tim Dwight last year.

[The Common Man]

Great, lets draft a guy who doesn't run routes but bubble screens. That's exactly what we need out of our 2nd receiver.

Its that or a guy who pretty much plays half the time, and is only good because he's tall.

[Jay]

and punches babies

[The Common Man]

and punches babies

I don't know... I don't know who's gonna be good and who's not...

I have A LOT of doubts as to how many people on these boards have seen multiple Michigan State games, let alone 1 MSU game.

same with indiana.

All i know is there isn't a lock at WR in this draft...so anyone we take early is gonna have risk.

Looking at what Thomas has done, he's excelled on special teams, and last year was busting out close to 200 all purpose yards per game at 6'2'' 215. I'm fine with adding that to our squad.

How many all purpose yards per game was Reggie Bush getting?

[Jay]

I don't know... I don't know who's gonna be good and who's not...

I have A LOT of doubts as to how many people on these boards have seen multiple Michigan State games, let alone 1 MSU game.

same with indiana.

All i know is there isn't a lock at WR in this draft...so anyone we take early is gonna have risk.

Looking at what Thomas has done, he's excelled on special teams, and last year was busting out close to 200 all purpose yards per game at 6'2'' 215. I'm fine with adding that to our squad.

How many all purpose yards per game was Reggie Bush getting?

I completely agree. I'm not saying he's a lock by any means. But there seem to be many scouts and personnel people that think he's going to be a decent receiver.

He's got good speed and good size. So I don't know ... the whole damn thing is a crapshoot.

[calr]

That's pretty much all NE runs.

Shit, look at Tim Dwight last year.

Wes Welker?

[treydawg]

Wes Welker?

I didn't even catch that

[Jay]

Shit, I didn't even catch that either.

Hahahah, good call Carl.

hahahahhaah

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

I don't mind Thomas. I just don't think we need him. He is a Roscoe on steroids. We need a redzone threat not a bubble screen guy. We already have screen guys.

[Jay]

Where did this bubble screen crap come from?

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

He good at screens. I should retract that a little cause he's good at YAC. None the less it's still the same argument. We have YAC guys.

[treydawg]

Where did this bubble screen crap come from?

Uh, the plays the Michigan State OC called? :confused:

[treydawg]

Straight from Modrak:

"Devin Thomas, he's an excellent vertical and an excellent runner after the catch," said Modrak. "They used him a lot on bubble screens, those kind of things. He runs very well. He's strong and he's tough. He ran great on the clock, 4.4's, that kind of thing."

[Jay]

So, you're criticizing him because he's good at running bubble screens? I guess I really don't understand dude.

[Officer Joseph J Whitestick]

So, you're criticizing him because he's good at running bubble screens? I guess I really don't understand dude.

No I'm not criticizing him. I'm just saying the Bills don't need his style of WR. They need a giant redzone beast. Thomas plays just like Scoe but he's bigger.

[treydawg]

So, you're criticizing him because he's good at running bubble screens? I guess I really don't understand dude.

No, because he never played in a true pro style offense where he was expected to run routes and make plays down the field. I have nothing against Thomas, I just think the Bills would be better served going a different avenue.