Were Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas considered reaches or mistakes on draft day? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Were Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas considered reaches or mistakes on draft day?

SkapePhin

SkapePhin

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Immediately following their drafts, what was the consensus (uninformed) phin fan opinion of them? Anyone remember?
 
I dont remember, but I'm sure no one expected much out of them because they were ''undersized''. Whomever passed on them has to be kicking themselves to this day.
 
Great question.

Jason Taylor was bemoaned as a tweener who conjured up bad memories of Eric Kummerow. Its why he fell to the third round. Few expected much from him.

Zack was way too small but with a great motor and thus might be able to help out on special teams. For a fifth rounder little was expected.

Shows you what we amatuers know, huh?
 
Ohiophinphan said:
Great question.

Jason Taylor was bemoaned as a tweener who conjured up bad memories of Eric Kummerow. Its why he fell to the third round. Few expected much from him.

Zack was way too small but with a great motor and thus might be able to help out on special teams. For a fifth rounder little was expected.

Shows you what we amatuers know, huh?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply... Hopefully we will look back on some of these players and laugh at all of our uninformed opinions on draft day as well..
 
This is what I remember about Zach or JT on or after draft day. first off, Zach was like completely unknown to most including myself. But a couple of days later, I heard some things (like through the guy on sports radio at night, forget his name) about Zach and how he will amaze people with his ability to just play football. Keep in mind that we drafed like 10 or 12 people that year so Zach was lost in the mix. I believe Larry Izzo was also drafted that year or was an undrafted FA. Zach's size obviously was the sole issue but other teams knew that JJ was a risk taker in regaurds to guys like Zach but still nobody really knew we were looking at him let alone take him.

JT I remember the knocks were small school and tweener and teams would have difficulty finding a spot for him based on this. But when he was drafted in late 3rd round, I felt a collective sigh from other teams when JJ took him. they knew that once again, JJ was taking a calculated risk on someone with huge upside and all the talent and character in the world, yet not sure what they would do with a guy his size.
 
good question, I enjoyed reading the responses.
 
I don't remember that much after the draft but remember when camp opened and Jack Del Rio was beat out on like the first day of training camp by Zach and the media was shocked how quick to the ball Zach was. It was apparent right away we had ourselves a steal. JT had alot of raw ability but also was a hard worker, he was able to get to the QB right away.
 
A lot of people were going "Jason who?" "From where?". And a lot of people were critical of Zach because of his size going "He's too short, he's practice squad at best" (this remind you of what people are saying about Steve Fifita?).
 
Can't wait to see who turns out to be a BALLER out of this class.
I remember last year, we got Matt ROth with our 2nd pick, but CHANNING CROWDER is the one who turned out to be the MAN so far. I like Roth too but he needs some more playing time.
 
I had the pleasure of watching Zack in a game against the Cardinals his rookie year...I knew he was going to be something special after that.The only game I've ever been to unfortunately, but I'll NEVER forget it. It's really something to see them up close. For anyone who's never been to a game ...you should go.
 
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