Panthers Show Interest In Draft TE Prospect

[pantherfan81]

TE JULIUS THOMAS, PORTLAND STATE

JOURNAL 2- JANUARY 22, 2011

Dear Journal,

The last couple weeks of training has been a lot of preparing for the tests at the Combine. We have been doing 40 starts working on our drive base, lifting, and on the field I have been working on footwork and releases. I spent a lot of time working on agility and getting in and out of routes. It is important to cut out unnecessary movements.

Coming out here to Orlando for the Shrine Game was a great experience. The first day we were here we went to the hospital and saw children who are less fortunate. We take for granted our athleticism and you look at them and they don’t get to catch footballs and even dunk a basketball like I have been able to. It gives you something to really be appreciative for.

The week here started off really hectic. We had to take tests for various teams and spent a lot of time for interviews. The first couple days I didn’t have any time to just sit down because of practice, meetings, and talking to teams. You can’t tell which teams are the most interested but you hope each team is considering drafting you. Most of the questions are filler questions they ask off a sheet. You answer it based on what you have experienced and your background information. The teams where I talked to more than one person were the Panthers and Lions. I met with both of their staffs. I spoke with the Bears a couple times this year and talked to him again. I also talked to the GM of the Jaguars. A lot of my time here has been spent explaining my story how I ended up coming to play football. I think I told my story 17 or 18 times. Even the coaches for the West Team wanted to know. I think it’s exciting for people as much as it is for me. A lot of people were really surprised I have only been playing football for a year now. I think it was good because I could show I can perform against the top talent and coming from a small school they question that. I think it’s going to go a long way towards the decision making process seeing me here.

I am just so excited about preparing for the Combine and I’m blessed and thankful every day for what I can do and how far I have come. God has really been looking out for me and you can’t ask for more than that.

Talk to you in a couple weeks.

Julius Thomas

ESPN ranks Thomas as the 40th best available TE in the draft, with a 20 overall rating

http://www.jbscouting.com/index.php/interviews/3-interviews/1552-julius-thomas-draft-journal-2-jan-22-2011

Ever heard of him? I haven't.

[MHS831]

He looked good in the East West game. Former basketball player like Gonzales, Gates, and the Saints TE (forgot name).

TE from Texas (Smith, I think) looked good too.

[YoungPanthers89]

7th round

[vorbis]

good spot, pantherfan81. you found the blog of the 40th rated TE by ESPN and found that he mentioned meeting with the Panthers. now THAT is some legwork.

[AceMan]

Antonio Gates was an UFA...just saying

[Actionman0z]

Antonio Gates was an UFA...just saying

This guy will be too.

[Matthias]

Bring him in, what do we have to lose. (There's no where to go but up at the TE position.) Why are the lions interested in this guy, they already have a TE in Pettigrew

[pantherfan81]

good spot, pantherfan81. you found the blog of the 40th rated TE by ESPN and found that he mentioned meeting with the Panthers. now THAT is some legwork.

I gotta give credit to @kepickle for the heads up.

[CatMan72]

He may be graded low at this point, but if I understood correctly he's only been playing football for 1 year - so he's probably not even close to fulfilling his potential and I'm sure Chud thinks he can develop him.

[Ruff]

ESPN ranks Thomas as the 40th best available TE in the draft, with a 20 overall rating

I f'n lol'd.

[Mr. Scot]

Saw that earlier today.

I could see it with a 6th or 7th. Chud worked with a pretty good former basketballer once before.

[MHS831]

In the East west game, he got alligator arms going over the middle to catch a pass to avoid going to heaven in a wheel chair.

The better prospect was Smith, TE, Texas.

Thomas was just getting a lot of attention from the announcers because they could link him to basketball forward turned TE success stories. Still, he has an upside and could make us better. Will not be drafted, but I would invite him.

[SOJA]

still think we should go balls to the wall on zach miller

[Mr. Scot]

I'd probably rather go free agent (but there has to be free agency first).