Jags Sign Mike Thomas - 4th Round Pick

by bwfull on Jul 9, 2009 10:43 AM EDT Comment 22 comments

Mike Thomas #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during mini-camp.

The youth movement was amplified with the trade of Dennis Northcutt, and today, the Jaguars signed a piece of that movement. Jacksonville.com is reporting that Mike Thomas, 4th round WR pick from the University of Arizona, has signed a deal with the Jaguars. Signing details are here. This appears to indicate that through OTAs the coaching staff was satisfied that Thomas' youth was sufficient to allow for the trade of Dennis Northcutt. It is a lot to ask of a rookie to fill both the KR\PR duties. Apart from Jones-Drew and Brian Witherspoon, a second year player out of Stillman College, the Jaguars have lacked true depth and star power at the KR and PR positions. Thomas, listed at 5' 8" and 193 lbs, should allow Jones-Drew to focus solely on RB duties while adding an upgrade in size to the return role as Witherspoon tips the scale at a reported 5' 10" 175 lbs.

Last year Witherspoon led the team in KR with 52, averaging 24 ypr with a long of 51. He had 17 PR, averaging 11.3 ypr with a long of 38. He did not record any scores. Witherspoon was ranked 21st in the NFL in KR average but was not ranked for PR average due to the low number of returns (per Elias Sports Bureau), though his 11.3 was equal to Darren Sproles of the San Diego Chargers. He did set the club’s single-season record for kickoff returns (52) and kickoff return yards (1,250).

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i think i read that witherspoon set a franchise record for KR yards

LateRoundPick.com

by Surteal on Jul 9, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

In reply to...

Per Jaguars.com “Rookie free agent Brian Witherspoon set the club’s single-season record for kickoff returns (52) and kickoff return yards (1,250).”

Good call.

In case you missed it, this is a nice interview from earlier this year: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/182292-getting-personal-with-brian-witherspoon/page/2 with BW.

The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.
Vince Lombardi

by bwfull on Jul 9, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That just means the other team scored a lot of touchdowns

by Blair72 on Jul 9, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly what I thought.

And upon hearing that he didn’t qualify for enough returns on the PR stats, I was reminded we didn’t stop people enough. ;)

The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall.
Vince Lombardi

by bwfull on Jul 9, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

Good news! Thanks!

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Jul 9, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

just read--its 4 years

that shows faith

LateRoundPick.com

by Surteal on Jul 9, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They also released

Safety Calvin Lowery. Part of the reason I mention that is because I was just thinking yesterday that he was going to be the next guy cut when the next draft pick was signed.

by Ewdtrey on Jul 9, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I just saw your post, and went back to jaguars.com. Thanks for mentioning it!

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Jul 9, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whooooppppeeeeee… a rookie signing…. I’m going to celebrate by taking a nap!… It’s the rain, seriously.

Sean Jax Beach Bum

by cuffs007 on Jul 9, 2009 4:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm just glad they're reeling them in.

Ooops, ended it with a preposition!

Jacksonville Jaguars. It's what I do.

by JvilleJag2 on Jul 9, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sweet.

Let’s take a bet, who’s the next one to sign?

I’ll go out on a limb and take Eben Britton.

by Kbot on Jul 10, 2009 2:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna go with

Tiquan Underwood.

by Ewdtrey on Jul 10, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about Underwood as well.

Between Britton, Underwood, and Jennings, I decided on Britton because 2nd rounders are also slotted, and he hardly seems like the type to want to wait…and I flipped a coin in my head.

by Kbot on Jul 11, 2009 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Knighton

I think Knighton will be the next one to sign and then Jennings will sign after him.

by Kenzster on Jul 10, 2009 8:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

def one of

the receivers, then knighton, then britton, then monroe, or possably monroe then britton, i think that would probably be smarter

Brown Kid

by esierra44 on Jul 10, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eben Britton +1 -me
Tiquan Underwood +1 -Ewdtrey
Terrance Knighton +1 -Kenzster
Receivers +1 -esierra44

by Kbot on Jul 11, 2009 1:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

a reciever will sign next

Probably Jarret Dilliard but also it could be Underwood, but i’d think Jarrett. After them it should be Jennings, Knighton, Britton, Monroe

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

by TheTealDeal on Jul 11, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by TheTealDeal on Jul 18, 2009 4:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

An explantion

Teams usually sign there hotter/sexier picks first, so the public can see them in action. Then they’ll see the other positions, then the first round pick.

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"

by TheTealDeal on Jul 19, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs