With the Saints picking two players from Ohio State in this year’s NFL Draft and an Ohio State site existing right here on the Sports Daily, I wanted get their expert analysis on the two new rookies. As you’ll see, their comments are super insightful. Many thanks to Joe Dexter and his staff at Buckeye Battle Cry. Make sure you check them out on twitter, they’re a great source for all Ohio State news. I hope you enjoy the Q&A below!
Saints Nation: Who do you think has a better NFL career? Thomas or Bell?
Buckeye Battle Cry: I would have to say Thomas, just because I think he’s the best overall receiver in this draft class. In fact, it blows my mind that he fell into the lap of the Saints. This is a player that dropped only five passes over two full seasons. When given the opportunity, he’s made big plays on the field. He stretches out defenses as effectively as a Will Fuller or Corey Coleman, but does it after the ball is in his hands. He’s that psychical type of receiver that also brings a lot of skill to his position.
His superior route running and crisp foot mechanics off the ball make him a perfect fit for the New Orleans offense.
A lot of Saints fans are justifying Thomas’s so so stats by saying his QB situation was not ideal and that Ezekiel Elliott stole all the touches on offense. So some Saints fans feel we’ll see an LSU type NFL transformation with Thomas (like Odell Beckham or Jarvis Landry) where you plug a supremely talented guy with Brees and that offense and he explodes. Do you think that’s accurate?
On some levels it is. Ohio State is not a pass first offense by any stretch and their passing game is predicated on getting very fast guys in open space and letting them do their thing. What many people forget is that Michael Thomas actually committed to Ohio State PRIOR to Urban Meyer being hired. Thomas was at Fork Union Military Academy and to work on his grades and fell in love and committed to OSU on 10/30/11, the night true freshman Braxton Miller defeated Wisconsin at home on a Hail Mary at the end. Thomas thought he was coming to a more typical pro style offense that OSU had ran in the past under Jim Tressel. Thomas is your prototypical NFL wr, 6’3, 200+ pounds who is physical off the ball and can out run db’s because he runs such precise and great routes, he’s where he’s supposed to be when the ball is delivered. See the slant touchdown against Michigan State in 2014. Thomas should step in right away and be a huge contributor for the Saints offense. Brees will learn early in mini camp how great of a wr the Saints have blessed him with. — Patrick Jones
The big concern everyone has with Bell seems to be his tackling. How worried should we be about that?
On the surface, maybe; but I wouldn’t be too concerned.Granted, there is a meme that Vonn “shied away from contact”. Possibly he did. But he did finish the 2015 season with 65 total tackles, which placed him 5th on the team.Three of those higher than him were linebackers; Raekwon McMillan, Joshua Perry and Darron Lee. He was credited with 43 solo tackles, which placed him 3rd, again behind two of the linebackers and The LB’s had better be making more tackles than your safeties.The previous season, Vonn had 92 total tackles (2nd on team) and 57 solo tackles (2nd on the team). Bell does have the capability to “rough it up”. I think a couple early reminders by the coaching staff to remind him what is involved with his job description in the NFL will keep Vonn on the proper course. — Ken Kohl
Do you think Thomas will make an impact in this offense in year 1 or will he take time to season?
I think it is VERY reasonable to EXPECT 80+ catches and 1000+ yards, and 10+ TD’s in Thomas’s rookie season. Draft gurus fall in love with 4.3 speed and 20 touchdowns in 8 games and all these “measurables” but the teams that draft “football players” instead of these workout warriors are the teams who sustain winning over the course of years. (See the Patriots, Steelers, Packers, and Saints). Thomas will make a huge impact in year one and I expect the Saints offense to return to the 5000+ passing yards that we all know Drew Brees is capable of. — Patrick Jones
What kind of people are these guys? Sean Payton is big on character. Any tidbits on how they are in the locker room or off the field?
In Thomas and Bell, you are getting quality individuals who were unheralded staples in the Ohio State program. Everyone will talk about Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott, Darron Lee and Eli Apple as major game changers in the program getting to the next level.These two though have the mentality to be game-changing players. There is a reason that Payton selected these two Buckeyes. He trusts the character of these two players through the words of his good friend Urban Meyer. Payton was one of the most active coaches at Ohio State’s pro day in Columbus. He was constantly seen alongside Meyer during the workouts.In Thomas, New Orleans is getting a player that Meyer himself called the most competitive player he’s ever coached. While that doesn’t translate to professional football, at the very least it is clear that he will not leave any stones unturned when it comes to doing the little things to succeed.In Bell, the Saints are getting a natural born leader in the secondary. A player that set the tone during the off-season by organizing player workouts and took the safety position group under his wing as a junior. He’s talented, yes — but he’s also a hard worker that is willing to put in the time to improve.
Any memories you want to share of Will Smith if you’ve been an Ohio State fan that long?
Like Saints fans, those that root for Ohio State will remember Will most for his leadership on and off the field. Even though he had some impressive moments and was one of the most consistent defensive linemen during his time in college football and the NFL.One of my favorite stories came from Jim Tressel, who has been open about how much of a leader Smith was after Ohio State lost to Michigan after their championship season in 2002.The 2003 season at that point could be a throw away. Kansas State was a great team, but Ohio State only planned to settle for a shot at defending their national title.At the first bowl practice, Tressel said that Smith stood in front of the team and told them that he wouldn’t settle for nothing less than a Fiesta Bowl championship and if there were any questions about what level to perform at in the practices leading up to the bowl, all they needed to do was watch him practice.That’s what I’ll remember most about Will. He left it all on the field — even if it was the one behind the stadium that doesn’t have lights shining above or seats over 100,000.
Anything else we should know?
With the addition of James Laurinaitis, I hope you don’t mind that us Ohio State fans root for the Saints on Sundays. Mr. Consistency will be a great addition to the New Orleans defense.As will Bell and Thomas from this draft.
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