Replies: 17
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All-In [48078]
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Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 8:47 AM
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What have you guys thought about his play this year? I expecting him to be an absolute freak coming in to the season, so my standards were too high. What have you guys noticed?
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Associate AD [805]
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Our D in general has not gotten the press the deserve
Oct 13, 2019, 8:52 AM
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XT is having a good year
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All-In [27209]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 8:53 AM
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Not sure I get what you're saying...he played extremely well the past two weeks (in particular) and made the stop vs. UNCheat that basically won the game for us.
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All-In [48078]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 9:04 AM
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I think he is getting better every week. Its hard to tell though each week. I was expecting him to look like a top 15 pick in the draft, a 1st team All American, who was constantly terrorising and pressuring opposing QBs. I think the light is just starting to come on for him.
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All-TigerNet [10507]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 9:02 AM
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I think he’s been asked to do much more this year. He’s not just a pass rush specialist. Now he’s playing the run, occasionally dropping to cover, setting the edge. It’s far more complex than his previous role of being a guided missile aimed at the QB.
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All-In [27209]
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Re: ^^^^^^^^This
Oct 13, 2019, 9:05 AM
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All-In [48078]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 9:06 AM
[ in reply to Re: Xavier Thomas ] |
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He is having to develop into a well rounded player. The future is bright.
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All-In [40100]
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Agree with this he’s now being asked to be a de every down
Oct 13, 2019, 9:07 AM
[ in reply to Re: Xavier Thomas ] |
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This is a lot more mental of a task than physical. He has done well. But I hope as the game slows down for him setting the edge etc that he will start to show his flashes of pure raw physical ability too
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Legend [17626]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 9:08 AM
[ in reply to Re: Xavier Thomas ] |
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True. If you watch the 2-pt conversion at UNC, he bit on the run fake but still had the speed to recover and snuff out the option. He's maturing very quickly at a critical position.
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Standout [312]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 9:10 AM
[ in reply to Re: Xavier Thomas ] |
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Not to mention they are asking him to run the ball too LOL. Hopefully he can learn to hang on to the ball and stick that ball in the endzone.
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Team Captain [495]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 10:12 AM
[ in reply to Re: Xavier Thomas ] |
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I think it is a lot harder to make splash plays as a 3-4 defensive end than a 4-3 end. That said, I think he has been outstanding.
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All-In [27366]
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And he still pounces fast like a Tiger when he need to.***
Oct 13, 2019, 10:35 AM
[ in reply to Re: Xavier Thomas ] |
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Orange Blooded [2189]
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It’s different when you go from the backup role to the
Oct 13, 2019, 9:38 AM
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starting position. Nonetheless, he is playing great and creating a disruption for the opponent. This team is adjusting from having 4 veteran upperclassmen on the line to a fresh set of new beasts. These guys, and especially XT, are doing just fine.
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Hall of Famer [24203]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 9:46 AM
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Valid question (comment?) - I get what you mean and have thought the same.
However, he is just in his second year and is progressing. I think he was one of those guys who excelled because of amazing God given abilities, so techniques, study, etc. were secondary. I think our coaching staff and his growth and maturation will begin to show!
I too agree our D is ‘under appreciated’
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All-In [48078]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 9:48 AM
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Plus next year our DT's will be creating more pressure too with Bresee.
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Heisman Winner [111909]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 10:44 AM
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He did not do much last night, but has 15 tackles and 2 sacks on the year. He was a beast against Syracuse, otherwise his numbers are down a bit from last year. But he did make that crucial play when the game was on the line against UNC, and that is more important than any individual stat this year.
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Rock Defender [54]
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Re: Xavier Thomas
Oct 13, 2019, 11:11 AM
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I think it's easier when opponents have to deal with 4-5 future NFL guys in their final season on that Dline. Opponents can try to run away from him instead of considering him to be the weakest link they face on the Dline. Opponents have more options now that (arguably) the best Dline at CLEMSON has moved on to the NFL.
I like the way he sets the edge and forces opponents back inside.
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Oculus Spirit [80731]
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He’s missed some sacks and tackles by over pursuing
Oct 13, 2019, 11:37 AM
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and I’ve heard Venables say that he needs to be consistent with his effort in practice. However he’s made some good plays for us this year, including stopping the 2 point conversion against unc, which was the biggest play of that game, imo.
I think most of us fans expected him to immediately be like Ferrell and that’s probably unfair to him. He’s good and going to get much better.
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