Cardinals’ Logan Thomas looking to translate classroom lessons into on-field results at rookie camp
May 24, 2014, 7:11 PM | Updated: May 25, 2014, 2:46 am
For the first time in his infant NFL career, quarterback Logan Thomas is the man at the Arizona Cardinals’ training facility in Tempe.
Thomas, a fourth-round pick out of Virginia Tech earlier this month in the 2014 NFL Draft, is one of only two quarterbacks participating in the Cardinals’ weekend rookie camp, meaning no Carson Palmer, Drew Stanton or Ryan Lindley to compete with for snaps.
“It means a ton [to get extra snaps], because you get to see multiple different things that you don’t normally get to see,” Thomas said Friday. “I get two snaps out of every five on the other field [at OTAs]. Here, I get everyone one of them. It’s very nice to have that chance to see things.”
And Thomas needs all the chances he can get.
The 6-foot-6, 248-pound product comes to the NFL as a mix of impressive physical tools (strong arm, tremendous positional size and athleticism) and less-than-stellar traits (shoddy footwork and mediocre decision-making skills).
While Thomas was adamant at his introductory press conference that he’s ‘a lot more ready than people think,’ Friday’s practice session, at least in the eyes of his head coach, was an indication that there’s plenty of work still left to be done.
“When he knows what he’s doing and the guys around him know what they’re doing, he’s pretty good,” Bruce Arians said. “The biggest thing for him is when you’re dropping back don’t decide where you’re going to throw. Just get back there.
“It takes him too long to get back. Then, he’s ready to throw but his feet aren’t there yet. Get back and move your feet. He has all the talent in the world, it’s just processing information and getting the ball out of his hand. That’s experience.”
It’s experience that Thomas is hoping to get over the next few days — both in the field and in the classroom.
“At first it was kind of slow, but now I’m starting to understand [the playbook], so it’s starting to pick up,” said Thomas. “It takes time, it’s not something that happens overnight. I understand that. Now it’s taking what I know and applying it.”
