khans2k5 wrote:monsterpile wrote:WolvesFan21 wrote:monsterpile wrote:Interesting thread and comp. I have one thing I can't help but bring up...
People think Thielen is just average athletically but it's honestly not true. He ran a sub 4.5 at his pro day and is 6'1". Notice the guy puts moves on people when he has the ball. This guy is actually athletic not just some super smart awesome route runner although he does that too. I don't think people give Diggs enough credit for his athleticism either. These guys don't rely on it but they have it. That's what makes these guys pretty damn good. Looking back you wonder why Thielen didn't get on the field more and maybe sooner. He made plays when given his chances years ago.
The point is he isn't Julio Jones, Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson.
Athletically he doesn't excel like other top end WR's have like those mentioned above Running 4.3's with a 48 inch vert and 6-3 - 6-5.
Same as Rice who was said to have run a slow 40 and went to a small school. Body wise, I think he is similar to Rice AND Similar playing style as well. Superb hands and route runner. He gets it done with skill. Not to say he is slow, just merely avg amongst NFL WR's (thats not a bad thing).
Rice may have had a little higher top end speed like the other poster mentioned. He didn't seem to be caught from behind much.
It's always fun to throw out Rice's 4.7 40 time. :) I don't think either Rice or Thielen are "average" athletes. Sure it's the skills and brains that make them great but you aren't great without that regardless of your physical gifts. I think calling both guys average athletes seems unfair. Sorry this has bugged me with Thielen for years. I'd like to see where Thielen has been run down where he wasn't slown down first having to make a catch etc.
Lol he was literally run down in the Redskins game. He caught one over the middle, got around the safety and then got caught from behind as he was slightly turning towards the middle of the field away from the other corner and safety who were also going to catch him. He's a great athlete. He's just not that fast. All the fast WR's in the league would have taken that one to the house. I'd rather have Thielen than most of them still.
He still was not running in a straight line. Like you said their were other guys that would have caught him anyway. That's not meeting the complex criteria I put forth. :) Regardless after thisbback and forth I think we all ultimately agree on Thielen's athletic ability in this thread.
