Daniel Thomas: Rookie year was “very disappointing”

[jim1]

Second-year tailback Daniel Thomas was the 62nd overall pick in last year’s draft. He struggled as a rookie, and the Dolphins switched coaching staffs, offenses, and blocking schemes during the offseason.

They also drafted Lamar Miller in the fourth round, and he’s considered a superior fit for coach Joe Philbin’s new zone-blocking system than Thomas.
“I can’t worry about who they’re drafting,” Thomas told the Miami Herald. “I know I’ve gotten better. The injuries affected me a lot last year. They messed my mind up. I lost the confidence I had. I didn’t have the same burst I had earlier.”

Staying healthy is part of the battle, of course. Thomas averaged 3.52 yards per carry on 165 rushing attempts. He conceded the average was “very disappointing,” and believes he “can average 5.0 a carry in this league.”

Philbin previously mentioned pass protection as one of the primary areas in which Thomas needs to improve.
If Thomas doesn’t make significant strides in year two, it’s fair to wonder whether his roster spot might hang in the balance. Reggie Bush looks entrenched as the starter, Miller is pushing for the No. 2 job, and Steve Slaton would be a workable No. 3. H-back Charles Clay is a lock for the final roster. Thomas might not be.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/10/daniel-thomas-rookie-year-was-very-disappointing/​

 

[El Calebra]

I hope we get something in return for drafting him so high. It would be a shame if he did not rush for 1000 yards this season. (I know Bush is the starter). Imagine how good a season we would have. Bush, Miller and Thomas all being highly productive. Fingers crossed.

 

[DcRy82]

I hope we get something in return for drafting him so high. It would be a shame if he did not rush for 1000 yards this season. (I know Bush is the starter). Imagine how good a season we would have. Bush, Miller and Thomas all being highly productive. Fingers crossed.

The offense that we appear to be moving towards, I'd be surprised to see Reggie over 1,000 this season, let alone TWO backs reach 1,000. And if all 3 of them are getting touches, I def don't see Thomas getting 1,000. My hope for him is that he can be that goal line back and short yardage back that we have needed since dropping Lousaka.

 

[Dsteve]

I don't understand how people can be so stupid. He was hurt last year. period. he didn't play much either and didn't get the benefit of training camp because of the lockout. I don''t approve of his drafting and moving up to do so but you've got to atleast see what you have with this kid. I think he might eventually be cut or traded due to the type of offense we're supposed to run is pass heavy but at the momement we have no WRs and a crappy QB lined up to be the starter. If philbin wants to win, running the ball with this team is the way to go.

 

[BenchFiedler]

I think he might eventually be cut or traded due to the type of offense we're supposed to run is pass heavy but at the momement we have no WRs and a crappy QB lined up to be the starter. If philbin wants to win, running the ball with this team is the way to go.

Crappy QB??? You guys talk trash on your own team and get mad when someone from NFL Network, ESPN, etc.. does the same...

 

[miamiron]

My goal for Daniel Thomas is to score a rushing td
and not pull a hamstring sneezing or farting

 

[flynryan15]

My goal for Daniel Thomas is to score a rushing td
and not pull a hamstring sneezing or farting

See above he is a goal line back! He has a nose for the endzone!

 

[joeylats]

give Thomas another year before passing judgement.He had no otas,little training camp,and a nagging hamstring.Not to mention horrible coaching.

 

[footsteps_falco]

I get that the injuries, the lack of an offseason and training camp, the inconsistant play of the offensive line, and the poor coaching that we had, the even worse conditioning this team had, and the fact that reggie bush came on at the wrong time for D.Thomas are all serious factors in why his rookie year wasn't that exciting.

But the biggest one to me is that this kid played 2 years of runningback, thats it. he was a JUCO QB before that.

Now with all those excuses out there (that we already know), let's be honest. we all watched him play, there were a few good games but this kid didn't run tough enough for what he is. You can't teach toughness as they say. He has a lot to prove. The fact that he lead the AFC in rookie runningbacks for rushing means little to me. I can't believe how much he was outplayed by the likes Roy Helu and Demarco Murray. There were a lot of backs last year in that round 2-5 range and we didn't hit like the cowboys or skins seem to have. those players really impressed me. Ingram, Thomas, Leshoure ect ect I don't think are going to be anything seriously special in this league. just more dime a dozen comittee runningbacks who have a good run here or there to keep their jobs.

Miller need to get SERIOUS playing time this year, because you need to know what he can do in games ASAP. Reggie's contract will be up. you need to know what you have behind him incase you can't resign him. otherwise you lose control and draft need again

 

[CO-Gator]

He was playing well before his season was derailed by injuries and then Reggie started tearing it up. I really hope he has a breakout year.

 

[spiketex]

Daniel Thomas seems to have received an inordinate amount of negative publicity both last year and it's happening again this year. He is built and has stated that he is set for a better season now he's fully recovered from injury. Let's see what he can do before tossing him in the scrap heap.

 

[tcdrover]

Daniel Thomas seems to have received an inordinate amount of negative publicity both last year and it's happening again this year. He is built and has stated that he is set for a better season now he's fully recovered from injury. Let's see what he can do before tossing him in the scrap heap.

It's probably because he must have a low rating on Madden. :rolleyes2:

Bush is a Hiesman winning top ten draft pick, they are completely different types of backs.

There were a few games where Thomas did very well. He was injured most of the season. I fully expect him to do better this season.

 

[rustydowell]

im really excited about lamar miller

 

[Funky Fin]

Never liked the Thomas pick and I don't expect him to change my mind. On the upside, Lamar Miller will have us quickly forget about this upright running, stone handed, skinny legged QB.

 

[Dsteve]

Crappy QB??? You guys talk trash on your own team and get mad when someone from NFL Network, ESPN, etc.. does the same...

Matt Moore is crap. Fiedler, as your name indicates, was just as bad if not worse. I think the experts are stupid when they say stupid **** like, manning/flynn dissed dolphins. Jake long on the way out, tannehill is already a bust etc.