De'Anthony Thomas now more of a WR than a RB

[The Franchise]

http://espn.go.com/blog/kansas-city-...er-than-a-back

De'Anthony Thomas now more of a receiver than a back

Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Perhaps in a nod to his limitations as a running back, the Kansas City Chiefs made a subtle shift with De'Anthony Thomas when offseason practice started last week.

Thomas now works in practice with the wide receivers and goes to their positional meetings. He worked with the running backs last season as a rookie.

Opponents will likely see more of De'Anthony Thomas catching the ball as a receiver for the Chiefs in 2015 than they did last season. AP Photo/Colin E. Braley
Thomas can still line up in a variety of places, including running back. But the move means the Chiefs intend to utilize Thomas more as a receiver and less as a runner. He played some of both last season.

"It makes me more valuable to the offense," Thomas said. "It lets defenses look for me, see where I'm at on the field. It just gives them a different look. I believe it's a great thing."

In the backfield, Thomas could be a liability. He's only 5-8 and 176 pounds, which makes him an easy and inviting target to blitzing linebackers and safety.

As a receiver, Thomas is not such an easy target. Opponents can try to jam him at the line of scrimmage but there's a problem with that because of how fast Thomas is.

"You've got to respect his speed," cornerback Sean Smith said. "You don't want that kind of speed running by you. Me, personally, I'm a bigger guy. I have to get out there and bail a little early so routes like hitches and curls [are] big for him.

"Those little, short routes are going to be open all day."

At 6-3 and 218 pounds, Smith has Thomas by more than a half-foot and about 40 pounds. At the line, Smith could bury Thomas. But that's easier than it might sound.

"That's the plan until you miss," Smith said. "It's a track meet from there. You don't want to be chasing [Thomas]."

Thomas didn't sound worried about matchups with big cornerbacks like Smith.

"I'd just step back a little bit, give him a little wiggle off the line and then go," he said.

[In58men]

I've always considered him a WR/Slot

[chefsos]

At 6-3 and 218 pounds, Smith has Thomas by more than a half-foot and about 40 pounds. At the line, Smith could bury Thomas. But that's easier than it might sound.

A million editors out of work and...

[Mr. Laz]

Don't know why in the hell he was ever in the backfield in the first place. All it did was slow his development as a WR.

I said it then, saying it now.

[loochy]

Perhaps in a nod to his limitations as a running back, the Kansas City Chiefs made a subtle shift with De'Anthony Thomas when offseason practice started last week.

Maybe it was a nod to the Chiefs' limitations in WR instead

[KurtCobain]

we got 3 more years of him and then he goes to the Titans

[Sandy Vagina]

Love the weapons on this team. I felt that all DAT needed was a stronger understanding of scheme, and the desire to improve on the routes. His motivations get him to that point, and sky's the limit. He can be the Phillip Dorsett that we passed on.

JC, Maclin, Kelce, DAT, Wilson, and Conley should be so much fun to watch, if the OL can protect worth a shit.

[ThaVirus]

I'd like to see Jamaal lined up wide a bit more as well.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

I'd like to see Jamaal lined up wide a bit more as well.

Rather see him come out of the backfield after play-action to run a wheel route.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Love the weapons on this team. I felt that all DAT needed was a stronger understanding of scheme, and the desire to improve on the routes. His motivations get him to that point, and sky's the limit. He can be the Phillip Dorsett that we passed on.

JC, Maclin, Kelce, DAT, Wilson, and Conley should be so much fun to watch, if the OL can protect worth a shit.

I appreciate the enthusiasm but we aren't there yet.

All this potential still has to actually DO IT.


Oline is a keystone, it has to protect well enough to make Smith feel safe enough to go deep.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Don't know why in the hell he was ever in the backfield in the first place. All it did was slow his development as a WR.

I said it then, saying it now.

I don't have a problem with it. His work out of the backfield as a receiver last year likely went a long way in his transition to the new position.

If you think of coaches as teachers, this is the most efficient way to get him quality touches as early as possible while also not hampering his growth as a WR.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Rather see him come out of the backfield after play-action to run a wheel route.

Assuming he's healthy he'll see 1,000 snaps this year. We can move him everywhere.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

I appreciate the enthusiasm but we aren't there yet.

All this potential still has to actually DO IT.

Oline is a keystone, it has to protect well enough to make Smith feel safe enough to go deep.

True.. yet despite the unproven playmakers on offense, I still find myself optimistic and excited about their futures.

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Assuming he's healthy he'll see 1,000 snaps this year. We can move him everywhere.

True enough. Happy to see JC anywhere on the field for the offense.

[Hootie]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Don't know why in the hell he was ever in the backfield in the first place. All it did was slow his development as a WR.

I said it then, saying it now.

WR and RB aren't the same position?

[thabear04]

Originally Posted by SNR

I don't have a problem with it. His work out of the backfield as a receiver last year likely went a long way in his transition to the new position.

If you think of coaches as teachers, this is the most efficient way to get him quality touches as early as possible while also not hampering his growth as a WR.

I love the play when he scored on the 49ers. And his block for Charles against the Seahawks.