The Panthers have a true magician on the team

[Lame Duck]

Ian has been with 3 coaches now and woos all of them during the summer but bro disappears like a true magician the seconds pads go on in September.  
 

ESPN’s David Newton said Ian Thomas has “stolen the spotlight” at tight end during Panthers’ OTAs and minicamp.

Rookie fourth-rounder Ja’Tavion Sanders was expected to be the Panthers tight end who would impress in the passing game. While that still may happen, Newton writes that in head coach Dave Canales’ “tight-end-friendly scheme [Thomas] has become a big target” at the position. The Panthers rank dead last in the league in tight end targets over the last four seasons, and Thomas hasn’t gone for more than 197 yards since posting a line of 36-333-2 as a rookie back in 2018. We’ll take this one with a grain of salt, but it’s possible the seven-year vet is the preferred tight end for the Panthers in 2024 if his strong offseason carries into training camp.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

He’s stolen more than just the spotlight. Dude has 5 fingered a lot of game checks too. 

Edited June 24 by Pejorative Miscreant

[CmC2k]

If Canales is able to unlock Ian Thomas, then go ahead and get him measured for a statue outside the stadium. 

[jbland]

Haven’t we heard this very thing every offseason. Then the season starts and he disappears. 

[Bear Hands]

This is going to be the Seventh year with this guy...SEVEN!! 

All I'll say is he better not be positioned in front of Sanders and Tremble.  This is a prove-it year for Tommy and the first 2 are big for TEs where Sanders will need exposure.  Sanders has real receiving talent so he just needs to be out there. 

I mean, we're near the end of Thomas' second contract and he'll be 30 before you know it.  So all in all, this is getting ridiculous at this point.  You know what you're getting with him. 

He's been ineffective here for almost twice the average NFL career length. And this guy at best has been barely outcompeting Steven Sullivan and Giovanni Ricci for 30 target type seasons and a 18-180-1 td type line. 

I think this would be pretty jilting for the fanbase after you've been hyping up a 3rd round investment (who's been steadily improving) in Tremble and a fresh investment in Sanders with strong receiving potential. 

There is no clear benefit in playing Ian Thomas, but man, this guy must give off great vibes in camp.

 

[LinvilleGorge]

He had a decently promising rookie season and has been stealing money ever since.

[Lame Duck]

5 minutes ago, Bear Hands said:

This is going to be the Seventh year with this guy...SEVEN!! 

All I'll say is he better not be positioned in front of Sanders and Tremble.  This is a prove-it year for Tommy and the first 2 are big for TEs where Sanders will need exposure.  Sanders has real receiving talent so he just needs to be out there. 

I mean, we're near the end of Thomas' second contract and he'll be 30 before you know it.  So all in all, this is getting ridiculous at this point.  You know what you're getting with him. 

He's been ineffective here for almost twice the average NFL career length. And this guy at best has been barely outcompeting Steven Sullivan and Giovanni Ricci for 30 target type seasons and a 18-180-1 td type line. 

I think this would be pretty jilting for the fanbase after you've been hyping up a 3rd round investment (who's been steadily improving) in Tremble and a fresh investment in Sanders with strong receiving potential. 

There is no clear benefit in playing Ian Thomas, but man, this guy must give off great vibes in camp.

 

Forgive me!  4 coaches!  Every offseason he looks like Tony Gonzalez out there but once the pads go on… dude vanishes like the fart.

Edited June 25 by Lame Duck

[strato]

Yeah the fog of war. Scratch war and put in beat writers in preseason. 

[Waldo]

Every year. This guy is going to be 34 and still getting the 'it's his year' articles while making this roster. It's a litmus test for what's to come IMO.

[SmokinwithWilly]

We shall once again be shocked and amazed to see the magical disappearing act of Ian Thomas. 

[CRA]

[The Natural]

The thing that has always impressed me most about him is his inability to ever gain any yardage after contact. 

[Tbe]

2 hours ago, jbland said:

Haven’t we heard this very thing every offseason. Then the season starts and he disappears. 

Often times “stole the show” just means he sucks but sucks less than everyone else.

[pantherclaw]

He's always had the talent to be an all around TE. Just never flourished like we expected him to.  There has been a number of offensive coaching changes since he's been here. 

I'm not expecting him to suddenly have a breakout season, although it's not impossible.