oldschooler Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 8. A little birdie tells me that Bengals coach Marvin Lewis has fallen in love with UTEP linebacker Thomas Howard.http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5497044Thomas Howard Interview One thing is certain and that is if you have the talent then NFL scouts will find you. One of the fastest and most athletic players at his position in the country, Thomas Howard may not be well known on the national level right now but that will all change by the time the 2006 NFL Draft rolls around. Thomas was kind enough to check in with Scott Wright and answer some questions about his game, the NFL Draft and much more.Scott Wright: What is your accurate height, weight and forty time? Thomas Howard: 6'3'' 240 4.38 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: You actually walked on at U.T.E.P. and began your career as a defensive back. How did you evolve into a linebacker and how do you feel that experience in the secondary has helped you at your current position? Thomas Howard: Yes, I did walk on at UTEP. I thought that I was going to receive a scholarship, but I didn't make the cut so I walked on. My freshmen year, red shirt freshmen year that is, I gained a solid fifteen pounds which took me to about 215 or 220 pounds and I have just put on a few pounds every year after that. Coming from the secondary, I have the speed of a safety or even faster and my ball handling skills are as good as you are going to find. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: You have some entertainment roots in your family with your father having been drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs (1977) and your cousin a member of the musical group En Vogue. Do you feel you're better prepared for the fame that awaits you? Thomas Howard: Well, I don't really know my cousin from in En Vogue, if she was to walk by me on the street she would not know me from you, so... But the stories and lessons that my father shares with me about his experiences in the league and in college can't do anything but help me. If it is fame that awaits me, then I will takie it in stride, one day at a time and ask God to guide me with my every move. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: Up until last year U.T.E.P. wasn't talked about much by the national media. Do you feel you are still underrated as a player and prospect because you don't play at a "traditional powerhouse" program? Thomas Howard: Well, there is no doubt about it, that bigger programs get more publicity, then the quote / un-quote mid major schools. But as time goes along, folks are going to find out about you if you're a good player because a good thing can't hide forever. Just like David Carr when he played down at Fresno State, it wasn't that hard for the everyone to finally find out how good he was. But that's just how it is. But I do believe that this year will be good for me now that my name is out there more than it was last year. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: What do you feel is your greatest strength as a football player and what area do you feel you need to improve in? Thomas Howard: My strongest area is my speed, playing from sideline to sideline, and my ability to rush the passer. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: What NFL linebacker do you most admire and who do you think you compare favorably to? Thomas Howard: I admire any NFL player who is taking this opportunity in their lives to give back to the community, take care of their families and is a positive role model to all the kids growing up, watching them and dreaming about one day being in their position. I'm not sure exactly, but people have said that my body style and game reminds them of Keith Bullock of the Tennessee Titians. I have not actually watched his game too close, but I know he is a good one. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: Who is the best player you have faced during your career? Thomas Howard: I am not sure, but I know that we play some good backs this year in DonTrell Moore and DeAngelo Williams. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: What is your greatest football moment to date? Thomas Howard: My first start in college football came as a red shirt freshman, we were playing the Rice Owls at home on homecoming, a game that we won by a field goal. But the game had a lot of lead changes, and in the 4th Quarter I scooped a fumble caused by Kamal High, our starting DE at the time, and ran 54 yards for a TD. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: Who was your favorite college and pro team growing up? Did you have a favorite player? Thomas Howard: My favorite professional team growing up was the Green Bay Packers. Just like the rest of the country I enjoyed watching Deion Sanders play and seeing whether or not he would run a punt return back for a TD. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: At what point did you realize that you might have a future in football beyond college? Thomas Howard: That has been by dream since I was a kid, so I never thought that I didn't have a chance to play in the NFL. I knew that it would take hard work. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: What do you plan to do once your playing career is over? Thomas Howard: Make sure that I manage my money right. There are too many former players in the NFL who are broke now, so I would do my damndest to make sure that I take care of my money and keep a thousand eyes on those who are suppose to be helping me to manage my money. That way at the end of my career I'll be able to take the money that I made playing and flip it over and over again, in whatever career I decide to make my main focus. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: Is there one player on the team that you see developing into a star, either at the college or pro level? Thomas Howard: Quinton Demps, he already has that big play mentality, and he is a Big Time player that is an explosive impact player on our team. If and when he intercepts the ball look out because he is heading for the crib (to the house). He reminds me a lot of Ed Reed becuase he is always around the ball when it is in the air. Look for him to have a big year and to be asking him these same questions a few years from now because he is only a sophmore. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: When you get your first professional paycheck what is the first thing you will buy? Thomas Howard: I'll probably get my mom a house or something like that. That will probably be my first big purchase. And then take my daughter and my nieces and newphews shopping. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: Obviously it is still very early, but do you have any goals in mind when it comes to the NFL Draft (Round One, Top Three Rounds, etc.)? Thomas Howard: Of course I do, but I'll keep that to myself. But I would be lying if I told you I did not want to go in the 1st round. But only time wilI time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott Wright: Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions and good luck! Thomas Howard: God Bless. http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/interview...omashoward.htmlStrengths: Is an explosive athlete with a rare combination of size and speed. Can change directions quickly and shows very good burst when closing in. He shows very fluid hips for his size. He covers a lot of ground vs. the run and can be very disruptive in the backfield. He pursues hard and plays with a good motor. Will make plays from behind vs. the run. He possesses powerful upper body strength. He is an explosive tackler that will jar the ball loose on occasion. Shows good initial burst and speed as a pass rusher. Has instincts on the blitz and has been very productive when turned loose to rush the passer. He also has a lot of upside in coverage because of his speed, fluid hips and ball skills.Weaknesses: Level of competition is a concern. He will have a big leap to make in the NFL, where he won't be able to run around as many blockers as he did at the mid-major collegiate level. He must learn to do a better job of taking on and disengaging from blocks in the phone booth. He will take some poor angles and can be over-aggressive. Needs to improve his consistency as a tackler and do a better job of wrapping up in space all of the time. He has below average recognition skills in coverage. Will take some false steps and gets some late jumps on the ball. He gets away with it at his level but needs to diagnose things quicker in the NFL.Overall: Howard redshirted in 2001 and played as a backup and on special teams during his redshirt freshman season in 2002. He emerged as a starter at the WLB position as a junior in 2003 before moving to the SLB position as a junior in 2004, when he finished with 62 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two interceptions. Howard started all 12 games as a senior in 2005 and finished with 85 tackles, seven TFL, three sacks and one interception, while earning second-team All-Conference USA honors. Howard doesn't get a lot of national attention at UTEP but he is a legitimate early-round NFL prospect with a rare combination of size and speed. There are questions regarding his level of competition and Howard still has room to improve in terms of his recognition skills, ability to take on blocks and overall tackling consistency. However, Howard emerged as a big-time playmaker during his final two seasons at UTEP and he has the NFL "measurables" to back it up. Howard will need more time than most in terms of his transition to the NFL, but he shows great promise to develop into a starting OLB in the NFL. He also has the skills to contribute as a nickel linebacker on passing downs, as well as a cover-guy on special teams right away as a rookie. We are not quite as high on Howard as some, but we still think he warrants early second-round consideration in the 2006 draft.* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Next_Big_Thing Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 #10 Jeff Garcia is in love with some guy named Jack Meoff.This guy gives no reasons or evidence for this claim, and reading his article cost me more brain cells than an evening in the smoke cloud surrounding Spain's head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 No doubt a lot of teams are intrigued by Howard. He's absolutely great in coverage dropping back and can keep up with TEs all over the field. There's as much ceiling for him as just about any other LB in the draft and he would definitely be high on the list as a future replacement for B-Simmons, much more so than some of the LB/S tweener types the Bengals were talking a lot with earlier in the process like Travis Williams, Jon Alston and Brian Iwuh.The downside with him is that he's lacks any killer instinct and will have his hands full playing the run from the weakside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turningpoint Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 he could be a possibility in the 2nd round, who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckj414 Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Love the interview, sounds like a great kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Marvin loves linebackers. If Greenway and Sims are both gone in the first as they likely will be, then I could see us grabbing Howard in the second. We may have to trade down out of the first round and pick him up in the early second, because I am not sure he'd be there at #55. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Why the f**k was this thread moved to the draft forum ?There was a thread with 3 PAGES right below it, talking aboutthe Bengals taking Vernon Davis ! http://forums.bengalszone.com/index.php?showtopic=10758&st=0Makes no sense...but meh...whatever.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Why the f**k was this thread moved to the draft forum ? Because it relates to the draft.There was a thread with 3 PAGES right below it, talking aboutthe Bengals taking Vernon Davis ! http://forums.bengalszone.com/index.php?showtopic=10758&st=0Makes no sense...but meh...whatever.... Point taken, thread moved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlainThePain Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Other than lack of competition, all of those weeknesses listed are the same as Derrick Johnson's from last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Other than lack of competition, all of those weeknesses listed are the same as Derrick Johnson's from last year. He certainly did well for himself as a Chief last year, eh? Howard was projected as a first rounder earlier in the offseason as well, so he sounds good to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 I think he's got a package of pure speed and pass rush skills that Marvin would covet, and if developed properly his upside is outstanding. During Senior Bowl practices my eyes were constantly drawn to him simply due to the way he's built and how he moves. No kidding, nobody passes the eyeball test like this guy. But I've always been concerned about how every evaluation highlites his lack of instincts and his inability to hold up at the point of attack. One of them went so far to call him a heat seeking missile with no guidance system. In the end I think I'd prefer the smaller but much smarter & more instinctive Jon Alston to Howard, but that may be true only because I've seen more of Alston. Last, I think Howard is the 3rd LB/FS tweener type who is said to have drawn interest from the Bengals, joining Alston and D'Qwell Jackson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJJackson Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 and Manny Lawson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Maybe, but it seems like a stretch. Alston, Jackson, and Howard are all LB's who feature coverage skills and sideline-to-sideline range so outstanding that many believe they could play safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Why the f**k was this thread moved to the draft forum ? Because it relates to the draft.There was a thread with 3 PAGES right below it, talking aboutthe Bengals taking Vernon Davis ! http://forums.bengalszone.com/index.php?showtopic=10758&st=0Makes no sense...but meh...whatever.... Point taken, thread moved.Thanks, TDB.Not that it's any of your business, oldschooler, but I was interrupted while moving several threads, before I'd gotten around to the TE one. Sorry I wasn't quick enough for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 6'3'' 240 4.38That is just crazy !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlainThePain Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 6'3'' 240 4.38That is just crazy !!!WHODEY !!!Sounds like the perfect canidate to cover these probowl caliber tight ends in our division. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Why the f**k was this thread moved to the draft forum ? Because it relates to the draft.There was a thread with 3 PAGES right below it, talking aboutthe Bengals taking Vernon Davis ! http://forums.bengalszone.com/index.php?showtopic=10758&st=0Makes no sense...but meh...whatever.... Point taken, thread moved.Thanks, TDB.Not that it's any of your business, oldschooler, but I was interrupted while moving several threads, before I'd gotten around to the TE one. Sorry I wasn't quick enough for you. Not that I really care about your pathetic "excuse". I was just wondering why my threadwas moved almost immediately, when another thread was allowed to sit for 2 daysand get 3 pages of replies... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Not that I really care about your pathetic "excuse". I was just wondering why my threadwas moved almost immediately, when another thread was allowed to sit for 2 daysand get 3 pages of replies... It depends on the judgement call of each individual moderator. It's impossible for all of us to move threads in exactly the same manner. People tend to take offense when their threads are moved, but there really is no intention for that. If you have further complaints with or about the moderators, please use the PM system to make them.6'3'' 240 4.38That is just crazy !!!WHODEY !!!Sounds like the perfect canidate to cover these probowl caliber tight ends in our division. That's just what I was thinking. I like those numbers a lot... If we get anyone to replace Simmons, Ihope they have some speed and Howard looks like a very good candidate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Not that I really care about your pathetic "excuse". I was just wondering why my threadwas moved almost immediately, when another thread was allowed to sit for 2 daysand get 3 pages of replies... It depends on the judgement call of each individual moderator. It's impossible for all of us to move threads in exactly the same manner. People tend to take offense when their threads are moved, but there really is no intention for that. If you have further complaints with or about the moderators, please use the PM system to make them.I really don`t care... was just wondering. You answered my question and then Joisey cameback with a pissy pants reply. It`s all good. Just thought I would share someinfo I came across...where you feel the need to put it is up to you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Not that I really care about your pathetic "excuse". I was just wondering why my threadwas moved almost immediately, when another thread was allowed to sit for 2 daysand get 3 pages of replies... Well, I can't speak for what went on over the last 2 days, or even the last 5, because I haven't been here. I was on vacation and offline from last Saturday until this morning. If you don't believe me, go down to the "Big Board" thread and read my last update, last Friday, where I stated I was updating the listing early since I was going to be gone for several days.I really hate to be the one to break it to you, but the actions of the mods on this board don't revolve around you. At least, mine don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted April 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 Not that I really care about your pathetic "excuse". I was just wondering why my threadwas moved almost immediately, when another thread was allowed to sit for 2 daysand get 3 pages of replies... Well, I can't speak for what went on over the last 2 days, or even the last 5, because I haven't been here. I was on vacation and offline from last Saturday until this morning. If you don't believe me, go down to the "Big Board" thread and read my last update, last Friday, where I stated I was updating the listing early since I was going to be gone for several days.I really hate to be the one to break it to you, but the actions of the mods on this board don't revolve around you. At least, mine don't.When did I say they did ? I`m not a reg here... and my thread was moved immediately while another threadwas allowed to hang on the "Big Board" for 2 days and gather 3 pages of replies.I thought I had a legitimate gripe.My question was answered, but you felt the need to be all pissy pants about it after the fact.So anyway, why don`t you take a little time and clean the sand out of your vagina,that you accumulated while on vaction ?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 This needs to be left off of the regular forum. Any other complaints should be handled through PM to address it further if need be.We now return you to your regularly scheduled program...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 We now return you to your regularly scheduled program...This might help... Thomas Howard looks great! I say we trade down out of the first, and pick up someone in the upper second. I bet Howard will still be available there, and we'd get an extra 4th or so out of the deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spor_tees Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Don't worry Oldschooler buddy, I had the same gripe about a thread and got the same type of response...seems like you can change boards but you can never find equality in judgement. The only reason I hate threads being moved is if they are about the Bengals then I think they should stay in the Bengals board because I for one don't visit the other boards to sift through the stuff I want to read about the Bengals. I'm only on this thread now because the moved post hadn't fallen off the front page yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ29 Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 If Howard was some big, burly, slow guy, I would be upset about this, but Howard is reidiculously fast, and adding speed to a lineup is almost always benificial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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