Four Thoughts Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp: Day Six
By Ben Nielsen
2. All De’Anthony Thomas Does Is Score Touchdowns
Another day, another excellent performance from De’Anthony Thomas, according to camp observers. Thomas scored two touchdowns today and had several other excellent plays. It’s just practice, yes, but the notes of his speed and ability to make people miss are good things to hear regardless.
De'Anthony Thomas is having a great day. He keeps beating everyone to the corner and shows a real knack for exploding through the hole.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 30, 2014
It is going to be really interesting to see what the Chiefs do with Thomas in his rookie season. Ultimately the Chiefs probably want him to be in a role close to what Dexter McCluster was doing. Forcing that role on a rookie may be a little too much at the beginning, or at least to start the season. Keeping things simple and expanding as the season moves along is probably the route to go.
Oregon was also very protective of Thomas. The most touches Thomas ever had in a season was 137 (10.5 touches per game), and last season Thomas averaged about 12 touches per game. With a longer season, more wear and tear from facing NFL competition, plus the fact Jamaal Charles exists probably limits the amount of times Thomas touches the ball.
Then again, if all he is going to do is score touchdown it may not matter how much he touches the ball.