If Terrell Thomas wants to play football in the NFL, he will likely need to make the move to safety. Seeing the field will be a major accomplishment in itself, but it will be difficult for the New York Giants’ cornerback to return to form at a position that is so physically demanding.
Thomas has missed the past two seasons with a torn ACL in his right knee. He also suffered a tear in that same knee during his time in college at USC. The lateral cutting expected of a NFL cornerback will be almost impossible for Thomas to perform at an exceptional level. His knee is simply too unreliable to still be a serviceable cornerback.
Even Thomas admits it.
“Your knee is in a more unstable situation [at cornerback],’’ Thomas told the New York Post. “You have to react to the receiver. Safety is more you’re dictating. So I think that’s why Jerry Reese said that. But I already knew I’d switch to safety later in my career just because of my body type, the way I play. So I’m not scared at all.”
What Thomas is referring to with regard to Giants’ general manager Jerry Reese is Reese’s statement that a move by the corner to safety has been considered. It has long been speculated by many ─ including myself ─ that Thomas would make the move, despite limited room in the Giants’ secondary at the position.
Fortunately, the 28-year-old appears very open to the move and a bit more supportive of a position change rather than continuing to try to make it as a cornerback. He has played safety in the past, though it came in nickel and dime packages. The Giants often do employ three-safety sets on defense — a staple of coordinator Perry Fewell’s defense — and it’s very likely a fit could be made to get Thomas on the field in that capacity.
Before his injuries sidetracked his NFL career, Thomas was a physical defender who excelled in press coverage. While he likely can’t bump and run with elite receivers any longer, his physicality could be very valuable in the run game and against offensive players cutting across the middle of the field.
Thomas plays against the run well. He reads the play and reacts accordingly, and does a good job of wrapping the ball carrier up when he comes his way. Additionally, the six forced fumbles in his first three seasons add additional value should the Giants choose to use him as a safety… especially on short-yardage downs.
But before any of that can be put into the works, Thomas must prove he’s healthy enough to play at all. Right now, he says his knee is progressing nicely. He is keeping positive and there is nothing wrong with that.
As it is, the numbers are already stacked against him. New York currently has eight safeties on its 90-man roster. It’s not much better for Thomas with the numbers at the cornerback position, despite the unit’s struggles in his absence.
The six-year vet can’t rush his recovery though. He did so last summer and didn’t make it through the first week of training camp. The Giants clearly like him, and, though he will likely be only a glimmer of what he once was, they are willing to wait it out and see what he still has to offer as a completely revamped defensive back.
Louis Musto is a reporter and sports talk host for the Sports Journey Broadcast Network. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.