from yesterday's trib and Super Bowl 39:
Eagles tackle Hollis Thomas is no golfer, but this week he did get to play the TPC course in Sawgrass.
"You take away the stick," Thomas said, "and it's just like walking."
Trivia Q.
What was his number when he played for NIU?
Dyno I'm surprised at you. 78 same as his current # with Eagles.
Doh, my memory fails me. I remember him with a higher number. oh well. Who was 99 or 98 in that era?
Just found HT's college scouting report, as filed by Dan Shonka, the scout that signed HT to the Eagles. It's on his website (
http://www.proscoutconfidential.com/index.htm). He says he discovered HT, when he went to scout Leshon Johnson against Iowa in HT's sophomore year. Interesting stuff on the site.
Here's the report:
Quote:Thomas, Hollis | 78 | 10/05/95 | 6.0 | 5 | 5.0
Last, First | Jersey | Report Date | Ath. Grade | Round Pos. | Grade
1/10/74 | Northern Illinois | Shonka | Free agent we want if not drafted
Birth Date | School | Scout | Comment
NT | DT | 6000 | 310 | 295 | 5.1 | 4.9
College Position | Pro Position | Height | Weight | Weight | Potential Speed | Play Speed
Injuries & Interviews: Must monitor weight - has endurance problem if overweight.
Mental: (6.0) Football smart - can retain - has interior instincts and feel.
Instincts: (5.5) Has a good feel for game - channels emotions, quick to read and react to angles.
Personal Character: (6.0) All good according to coaches, solid person and worker.
Football Character: (6.0) Will work, weight must be monitored.
Competitive & Toughness: (5.5) Sudden quicks, has motor, explosive when delivering blow, unlocks hips with force.
Playing Strength: (5.5) Doesn't get knocked off feet, strong arms & legs, good hand placement & extension. VJ 26,
BP 441, SQ 659.
Production: (Run - 5.5, Pass - 5.5) Produces as a run stopper, presses the pocket, good push.
Body/Build: (Body - 5.5, Build - 5.5) Thick short build, huge thighs and butt, soft mid-section.
Athletic Ability: (6.0) Has good A/A - well coordinated, good QABS.
Anchor: (5.5) Holds ground at POA, can stack up double team, plays with good leverage, explosive hands &
hips.
Shed: (5.5) Slips blocks, takes blow, slides off. Good use of hands to separate, strength to pull and jerk,
good lateral shuffle, plays on feet, not on ground.
Pass Rush: (5.0) Gets push up middle - bull rusher - can improve tricks, quick burst off blocker.
Critical Factors: Plays big in big games, sudden quickness, just maturing. Played good vs. Arkansas ('94). Gained
weight during season - can be overpowering at times - run stopper, makes plays, has quicks to
twist, plays best when under 300, plays higher when he weighs more - 3 year starter.
Summary: Three-year starter. Perfect nose tackle build with long arms, thick torso, hips and thighs. Hands extremely
quick from ground to offensive lineman's chest. Explosive, doesn't stay blocked. No wasted motion, quick feet to
run offensive guard back to quarterback. Good lateral quickness to pursue downline, stunt and slant. Good ability to
disengage blocker and find ball. Plays with leverage. Quick to read and react. Stops ball carrier at line of
scrimmage without losing ground. Will wrap. Good pursuit angles. Will finish long and short pursuit if weight is
held down.
Tapes: MSSO '95, KYLO '95, CASJ '95, KSST '95