WR/RB Lamaar "Flash" Thomas (transfer to New Mexico)

[RB07OSU]

He may only be a sophomore, but there's already a freshman above him on the depth chart. That means that he already knows he's likely a number two receiver at best in his career. It would suck to know that in your second year in the program.

Well when Thomas came in with Posey, I don't think anyone envisioned him as the #1 receiver. Both Posey and Carter will be flanked wide, which doesn't effect Thomas at all imo. Thomas was pegged for the slot and will still play the slot. The only real concern to me is that I wish he could have taken a redshirt his freshman year because Dane is a heck of a slot receiver and they are only a year apart.

 

[billmac91]

Well when Thomas came in with Posey, I don't think anyone envisioned him as the #1 receiver. Both Posey and Carter will be flanked wide, which doesn't effect Thomas at all imo. Thomas was pegged for the slot and will still play the slot. The only real concern to me is that I wish he could have taken a redshirt his freshman year because Dane is a heck of a slot receiver and they are only a year apart.

Just don't know why they can't work him in as a slot/running back more frequently. I'd love to see a zone read with Lamaar motioning across Terrelle and let Terrelle make the read. Just pop a few tapes of UF and Percy in....

 

[scarletngray]

Just don't know why they can't work him in as a slot/running back more frequently. I'd love to see a zone read with Lamaar motioning across Terrelle and let Terrelle make the read. Just pop a few tapes of UF and Percy in....

I think it is just a matter of time before we start seeing Flash used in a variety of fashions, much like Harvin was at UF. The Zone Read, ShotGinn and even the Pistol formation are all running formations in which I think he could be effective. Heck, even a type of wildcat formation with him and TP would be exciting to see.

Unfortunately for Lamaar, on the receiving end, he is presently playing behind our most effective receiver this year, so he is not going to get a significant amount of action at such an early stage in his career.

:osu:

 

[jwinslow]

Harvin was a pretty rare athlete, with the vision and strength to run between the tackles. Does Lamaar have that ability?

 

[Poe McKnoe]

Harvin was a pretty rare athlete, with the vision and strength to run between the tackles. Does Lamaar have that ability?

That's the million dollar question. I've never seen Thomas one on one or in space besides kickoffs. A quick pass or a screen never seems to result in any YAC. Harvin had a rare ability that no one ever seemed to notice...power. He may have been quick, but Harvin would get another 3 yards while getting tackled. Could Thomas be like Harvin? Probably not the power, but, at least in high school (I went there), he liked to find open space and was rather explosive.

I think Justin Green (Illini) and Lamaar Thomas are fairly similar athletes. Illinois used Green as a RB. Not an every down back.

 

[pnuts34]

I don't think a lot of people thought Dane would be THIS productive this year, and this has had a major effect on Flash's PT. I always knew Dane was consistent, but he's really making a name for himself this year. Granted Flash was always gonna be a slot WR, but I think a lot of our points are that we saw him as not just a WR threat, but an offensive threat in general. I did forget that he's just a Soph, but I'm just hoping that there plays in the future designed for him to utilize his speed. And no I'm gonna get into the Tress playcalling BS, but I'd like to see a couple plays with Flash in space, where we do get to see him one on one against a S or LB. I think screens and swing passes can result in some YAC when used properly. I guess this is just another case of being patient.

 

[jwinslow]

I don't think a lot of people thought Dane would be THIS productive this year, and this has had a major effect on Flash's PT. I always knew Dane was consistent, but he's really making a name for himself this year.

He's on pace for 1000 yards right now

 

[BrutuStrength]

Harvin was a pretty rare athlete, with the vision and strength to run between the tackles. Does Lamaar have that ability?

The McCluster kid from Ole Miss showed that type of vision in last night's game. He's only around 170 pounds or so but did a nice job of accelerating through some seams for good yardage. I'm guessing Lamaar hasn't shown that type of vision to the staff, otherwise we be seeing him on the field more.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

The McCluster kid from Ole Miss showed that type of vision in last night's game. He's only around 170 pounds or so but did a nice job of accelerating through some seams for good yardage. I'm guessing Lamaar hasn't shown that type of vision to the staff, otherwise we be seeing him on the field more.

I actually thought the same thing watching McCluster last night. It would be great to be able to use Flash in that same way. But you have to block that stuff well. I remember watching Harvin run it at FL...can't really miss a block if you expect him to get through there. FL ran it very well.

 

[Holy Buckeye!]

Just give the Kid the Rock!!! No offense, but besides my Boy J. Hall and TP out of the backfield I haven't seen any hop up out of my seat type plays from Boom or Saine.

Explosiveness has been missing so far and the way Thomas accelerates, cuts at speed and DOES break some tackles has him at the Top of the Big Ten in Kickoff Return Yards Per Average for those reasons.

Flash is a match up nightmare for a linebacker....See Homan/McKnight.

Just saying!

HB

 

[sammyjenkis]

... and even the Pistol formation are all running formations in which I think he could be effective.

I can't believe that people are still caught up on the Pistol formation. IIRC, wasn't it only implemented to get Pryor more accustomed to something other than the regular shotgun? To get him closer to the line of scrimmage without actually going under center? And, I think it only worked because we had Beanie and anything worked with him.

 

[jwinslow]

I can't believe that people are still caught up on the Pistol formation. IIRC, wasn't it only implemented to get Pryor more accustomed to something other than the regular shotgun? To get him closer to the line of scrimmage without actually going under center? And, I think it only worked because we had Beanie and anything worked with him.

Jim bollman caught a lot of flak in recent years because a lot of things didn't work with beanie.

I'd have to go dig up the ozone's stat breakdown, but I recall that formation picking up good chunks of yards vs wisconsin. Then their db knocked boom out for a few weeks, and that was about the last time we saw it.

I like my chances of making Ezeh, brown, Williams
Play assignment football.

 

[Buckeyecty4]

Harvin was a pretty rare athlete, with the vision and strength to run between the tackles. Does Lamaar have that ability?

If he gets good blocking for the line, then definately. Pop in the Army game. When he and Pryor ran the zone read option, he ripped off a couple huge runs right up the middle. Give him a lane/hole to hit, and I think he has the ability to run inside. I wouldnt line him up in our traditional running sets, but I think he could be very effective out of the shotgun next to Pryor

 

[crusher corpse]

He may only be a sophomore, but there's already a freshman above him on the depth chart. That means that he already knows he's likely a number two receiver at best in his career. It would suck to know that in your second year in the program.

Flash and Duron are two totally diffrent kinds of WR. I wouldn't say Duron has passed Flash on the depth chart.

 

[crusher corpse]

I actually thought the same thing watching McCluster last night. It would be great to be able to use Flash in that same way. But you have to block that stuff well. I remember watching Harvin run it at FL...can't really miss a block if you expect him to get through there. FL ran it very well.

I also thought as I was watching the Ole Mis game that JT should use Flash in the same way. I also don't understand why they don't give him carries as a RB. If they don't want to burn Berry's redshirt and Boom/Zoom aren't really lighting the world on fire, why not give Lammar some carries?