The problem with all this expansion pr0n is that it sucks the time and energy out of everything else that I keep meaning to post.
One of of those things is what should be an upbeat story on Todd Thomas finally getting on Pitt’s campus for the summer session and playing this year.
This after having to go to Milford for an extra year of prep work. Through it all he never wavered in his desire to play at Pitt. In that respect it is a great story to celebrate Thomas getting here.
But…
It seemed odd when Coach Wannstedt mentioned it in spring practices. Now unless Todd Thomas is far better than any of us realized, he is going to redshirt in his first year at Pitt. He is coming in to play wide receiver. I assumed that this was Coach Wannstedt keeping a promise to a player that he could come to Pitt and play WR rather than safety where Pitt has less depth, more injury issues and clearly more need than at the WR spot — now and in the future. Nope.
But if it were Thomas’ choice, he’ll play safety. That was his position at Milford.
“(The Pitt coaches) want me to play receiver. But I want to play safety,” said Thomas, who played linebacker, safety, running and wide receiver during his scholastic career at Beaver Falls.
Why does Thomas prefer safety?
“I just love using my athleticism to run around and make plays,” said Thomas, who’s 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. “I’m more of an animal on defense. I’m more menacing on the defensive side of the ball. I just think that’s the position that fits me best. That’s just how I feel.”
Last year while playing safety at Milford, Thomas intercepted four passes and was named the Falcons’ most valuable defensive player.
I’m trying not to be too hypocritical here, I really am. I deferred to Coach Dixon on the basketball side with regards to Dante Taylor and playing the 5 rather than the 4. So I’m going to grit my teeth and trust the coaches on this one. That Thomas and the team is best served by him at WR. That by next year Thomas won’t have wasted even a month of training camp and development before the coaching staff makes the switch with Thomas to DB.
But…
Seriously? You have a big athlete that wants to play at a position of need. Where you actually have to replace a lost safety-like player and big time athlete like Elijah Fields. A kid with size and strength and who could so obviously be a big help in passing downs — where Pitt needed a lot of help last year.
Okay. Letting go of it.
Maybe we’re pretty solid at the safety position or maybe Thomas is a lot like Fields.
If WR is where he can get that way and contribute soonest – then have at it I say. Besides, I’ve heard that this kid is just too good of an athlete for the staff not to want the ball in his hands.
Sometimes the fans’ perspective isn’t always the most informed.
I’ll be surprised if he redshirts in any event. There is some risk with this kid staying all four years anyway & I’ll bet the staff wants him contributing as soon as possible.
