Why do we still throw to Ian Thomas?

[BIGH2001]

Or for that matter why is this guy still on the team?  Last week he tried to helmet catch one of the few good passes that Bryce has thrown all season. Yesterday, for reasons known only to our head coach who thinks he's playing Madden '95, we run some ugly ass play that looks like a tight end screen to him. A tight end screen to Ian fuging Thomas. What exactly did Reich expect to happen? That he was gonna grab the screen and just take off downfield, outrunning every Lions defender in his path? 

He hasn't scored a touchdown since 2020, he's slow as hell and he's not even good at blocking. As I type this, I realize it's just as much of a coaching problem as it is a player problem. He shouldn't be on the field and he sure as poo shouldn't be an option on any pass plays. What is it going to take?

[Jon Snow]

[Prowler2k18]

[Prowler2k18]

27 minutes ago, BIGH2001 said:

Or for that matter why is this guy still on the team?  Last week he tried to helmet catch one of the few good passes that Bryce has thrown all season. Yesterday, for reasons known only to our head coach who thinks he's playing Madden '95, we run some ugly ass play that looks like a tight end screen to him. A tight end screen to Ian fuging Thomas. What exactly did Reich expect to happen? That he was gonna grab the screen and just take off downfield, outrunning every Lions defender in his path? 

He hasn't scored a touchdown since 2020, he's slow as hell and he's not even good at blocking. As I type this, I realize it's just as much of a coaching problem as it is a player problem. He shouldn't be on the field and he sure as poo shouldn't be an option on any pass plays. What is it going to take?

And on screens at that. WTH????

[UnluckyforSome]

He is a complete waste of payroll.

Some have claimed he's good blocker. Even if that's true, more is expected from a TE in today's NFL, and no matter how good a blocker he might be, there's a very, very good chance that his production could be replaced and eclipsed at a savings.

Edited October 9, 2023 by UnluckyforSome

[t96]

he did have our biggest pass play of the game...

[Wundrbread33]

And it seems like multiple coordinators enjoy throwing screens to Thomas. 
 

This is a recurring wasted play, but it transcends coaching staffs. Thomas must be a hell of a practice player. Maybe our defense is the only one that doesn’t immediately sniff that play out, so it looks effective in practice?

 

 

[Johnstonny]

$64,000 question....I think the mufker is surprised we throw to him too...

Edited October 9, 2023 by Johnstonny

[RJK]

Prob because nobody is expecting it

[4Corners]

That was a huge drop he had against the Vikings. Different game if he does his job and catches it. Whining for a flag after the ball hit him in the chest. 

[45catfan]

He told the coaches he's got some new "special" gloves.

 

[Billy Love]

[WarHeel]

Ian Thomas wouldn’t be on a roster anywhere else 

[toldozer]

The funniest part to me is he's our best tight end