The idea of Walter Thurmond

[400WattHPSHawk]

The thing about WT3, is that he has stuck around despite his injuries. It seems to me that the FO is quick to cut ties with oft injured players, and that the FO see's something special enough with WT3 to keep him around to see if he pans out.

Yup. i've read through this entire thread to this point and you "smoke' have clearly figured this shit out. T3 if healthy won't go anywhere.

 

[jlwaters1]

Thurmond had some injuries in college, but as a Seahawk he had an ACL and then missed time because he was rushed back into action a little too aggressively. That's pretty much it.

The reason you keep Thurmond is because as the saying goes: you can never have too many good corners. The last few times Thurmond took the field was very good. He's currently the fourth corner on a team that keeps six. If Browner and Winfield leave after next season, he could end up our #2 in 2014 should Seattle sign him back.

Maybe Thurmond gets hurt again this year and really does deserve the injury bust label. I don't think he's earned that distinction just yet. ACL is a two year recovery and he stayed healthy in year one.

That's reasonable, but If he makes the team over the likes of Lane, Maxwell, or Simon it should not come without scrutiny. I've seen this time and again on many teams. They keep a player because of what he shows for a few games each year saying, "one more year...one more year...one mo/" and end up letting a guy go who becomes a valuable contributor for someone else. It's more rare that a player shakes the injuries. In Harvin's case, he's molded his body and added 20 pounds and has been more durable with that.

I know Schneider says he doesn't get into hindsight, but he also drafted Micheal this year stating that he couldn't stand it if he went to another team and became a great RB. I'm not so sure that he isn't an injury bust already, but when cut time comes this will be one to watch for sure.

Why would you want to keep Maxwell over Thurmond? Seriously, Maxwell's been just as injured and has has NO production whatsoever in the 2 year's he's been here. I'd rather have THurmond because he can play in the Slot with Winfield and keep Lane and Simon and cut ties with Maxwell. Unless Maxwell's made huge strides this offseason, he offers very little value to the Seahawks aside from his contract situation.

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

There is no idea... Thurmond is probably the best pure cover corner on the roster.

Also, I think the Seahawks keep him, because if Winfield gets hurt, he's the only one of the backups that I would trust defending the slot.

 

[Hawkstorian]

Your point is that we can't count on him. True. So let him compete and prove he can contribute. That is the true "idea" of Walter Thurmond.

 

[vin.couve12]

I gotta call BS on these claims of special and best pure cover corner on the roster. Oregon fans or homers, that's just crazy talk.

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

vin.couve12,

Ok... you're the one who starting this conversation... maybe you shouldn't be so one-sided and open your mind to reason other than filling your own agenda. Which is seemingly knocking a player who has excelled when healthy off his pedestal.

No one here said he's the best corner on the team. Or the strongest. But in terms of just coverage ability... Thurmond is most likely the best.

No, he's not Richard Sherman. He doesn't toy with your mind, then uses his intelligence, length and wing span to make plays nor is he Brandon Browner... who is aggressive, thumps you at the line, thumps you with the ball, thumps you without the ball, and like Sherman uses his length and wing span to not only make plays but to make up for lack of elite speed.

Thurmond is in a different mold. He's pretty much Kelly Jennings but bigger and plays the ball. And the people supporting Thurmond most likely have seen him play, and seen him shutdown his side of the field at times.

No one here knows if Thurmond will make the team for certain but if he does its because he competed and the Seahawks feel good about his health. End of story.

 

[vin.couve12]

One sided? There's written evidence that I'm open to him proving it, but when the time comes it could still play into the end decision.

I do admit that the homerism bugs me though. It's at least more premature than suggesting that we cut him for the sake of a wasted roster spot due to an oft injured player. However, it is true that Maxwell has been dinged up too and you could probably get 16 games of active play between the two. That I could go for, but I have doubts that Thurmond makes it through TC without IR even.

 

[-The Glove-]

I gotta call BS on these claims of special and best pure cover corner on the roster. Oregon fans or homers, that's just crazy talk.

Nope. Not a Ducks fan (never even seen him play college ball). Not a homer either. Couldn't stand Jennings and Wilson when they were here. I just feel I have a pretty good eye for DB's (said Sherman would be our best corner after 2 games). Take that however u want to.

 

[firebee]

I had high hopes for Thurmond, but with the emergence of Lane and IF Simon proves to be the corner I think he'll be, another Sherman; I see us having a real hard time keeping Thurmond on the roster. Who are we going to cut to make room for Thurmond?

 

[Bobblehead]

IF healthy FO see's him as at least the 2nd best DB on the team.

 

[Sarlacc83]

Is Thurmond going to be the 2013 .NET whipping boy? Time will tell...

 

[vin.couve12]

Is Thurmond going to be the 2013 .NET whipping boy? Time will tell...

I don't see that. I'm skeptical, but he's got quite a lot of faithful for a couple good games who also tend to take things personally for some reason. He's a good cover player. Good, but not great speed. The big thing is that he's very fluid, which is key for the position. Most starters are, but maybe don't have the natural feel for when to turn the hips and run. Nothing special physically, but does use the fluidity and good feel and timing to be a good cover player. IMO, it's extremely premature to call him special or anything like that, but he's got too many followers to be any whipping boy.

My problem is that with this team....there are vultures everywhere looking at this roster. I'd hate to lose one for another IR after 1-2 games. Again though, it will sort itself out.

 

[Bigpumpkin]

Well it is better than talking about quarterbacks haha. I guess I've just read this thread in several iterations since he pulled the hammy coming back and it comes down to essentially the same line of "he's never healthy" and "Let's see if he's healthy".

Personally I just don't see a lot of discussion to it, he's cheap, let him see what he can do in camp. He obviously has talent. His injuries aren't the nagging sort in my opinion, at least once fully healthy, so I wouldn't be afraid to have him on the team if he's healthy. Maybe he is just made of glass, but I don't buy that.

One of the major challenges with a broken leg is that it has to be made "immobile". When that happens, the leg muscles and tendons atrophy. It takes a l-o-n-g time for the healing process to be complete, especially for a professional athlete. "Pulling a hamstring" or straining one is not uncommon during the healing process. This year, will be pivotal to Walter. One more injury.....and he is gone. I think that he deserves another chance!

 

[olyfan63]

My money is on WTIII to not only make the roster, but also play over 30% and closer to 40% of the defensive snaps this year. Higher if Sherman or Browner sit out any games.
He is a solid talent. I think the injuries are just being snakebitten, related injuries as others said, and he will stay healthy enough this coming season to play all year. I will take WTIII over Maxwell, Lane, and pretty much everyone except Sherman and Browner. (Haven't seen really Winfield yet so can't judge)
Count me in the WTIII fan club. Not a homer, as I'm not a Duck fan. (Except against Auburn a couple seasons ago, UO won me some money by keeping it under a field goal)

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

I had high hopes for Thurmond, but with the emergence of Lane and IF Simon proves to be the corner I think he'll be, another Sherman; I see us having a real hard time keeping Thurmond on the roster. Who are we going to cut to make room for Thurmond?

Seahawks will keep 6 CBs:

Sherman, Browner, Winfield, and Lane are probably locks.

Simon is probably a lock unless he doesn't improve his strength and conditioning and flops.

That leaves Thurmond, Maxwell, Parker, Shead (who can play Safety), Will Blackmon (who provides Returning ability) in a battle for 1 spot.

However, Thurmond is the only one out of those guys who is fluid enough to effectively play the slot defender role as well as start at both sides if needed. I see the Seahawks keeping Thurmond if he's healthy. WT3 would be one of the best 4th CBs in the NFL and to keep him healthy they can platoon him with Lane.