Football analyst Detillier says Thompson ready for draft
Chris Singleton
Issue date: 3/18/04 Section: Sports
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Well-known football analyst Mike Detillier said former Colonels football cornerback Chris Thompson's chances of hearing his name called during the NFL Draft on April 24 and 25 are very good.
After participating in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 22, Detillier said Thompson has all the mechanics a NFL player needs.
"He's got good size and foot speed, and he also has quick hands. One of the things that I have seen is that a lot of defensive backs don't have reaction skills. You can't teach that because either you have it or you don't."
Detillier said Thompson's reaction to the football is great compared to that of other players.
"A lot of guys in the league have all the size and speed, but they don't have reaction to the ball," Detillier said. "Chris does, and he has good football reaction skill. I like that, and I think that is a huge part of playing NFL football."
In addition to having speed, size and reaction skills, Detillier said Thompson stock can increase due to his performance on special teams. During his career at Nicholls, Thompson blocked numerous punt and field-goal attempts.
"He is a terrific kick-blocker, and he's got a knack for blocking kicks. In this league, that is big."
During the draft, Detillier said Thompson could be a third or fourth round draft choice.
Thompson said the possibility of getting drafted is like a dream come true for him.
"Every time I wake up, it is like a dream," Thompson said. "You work so hard to get where you are now, and now it's so close that you can almost touch it."
Since the conclusion of his senior season, Thompson said he has been rather busy preparing for the NFL draft. Thompson was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic in Montgomery, Ala., on Dec. 20. He recorded an interception, a pass break-up and assisted in one tackle in the game aired nationally on ESPN 2.
After the Blue-Gray game, Thompson went to Kenner to train with fitness and nutritionalist guru Mackie Shilstone. Thompson said his main focus this offseason was to increase his speed.
After participating in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 22, Detillier said Thompson has all the mechanics a NFL player needs.
"He's got good size and foot speed, and he also has quick hands. One of the things that I have seen is that a lot of defensive backs don't have reaction skills. You can't teach that because either you have it or you don't."
Detillier said Thompson's reaction to the football is great compared to that of other players.
"A lot of guys in the league have all the size and speed, but they don't have reaction to the ball," Detillier said. "Chris does, and he has good football reaction skill. I like that, and I think that is a huge part of playing NFL football."
In addition to having speed, size and reaction skills, Detillier said Thompson stock can increase due to his performance on special teams. During his career at Nicholls, Thompson blocked numerous punt and field-goal attempts.
"He is a terrific kick-blocker, and he's got a knack for blocking kicks. In this league, that is big."
During the draft, Detillier said Thompson could be a third or fourth round draft choice.
Thompson said the possibility of getting drafted is like a dream come true for him.
"Every time I wake up, it is like a dream," Thompson said. "You work so hard to get where you are now, and now it's so close that you can almost touch it."
Since the conclusion of his senior season, Thompson said he has been rather busy preparing for the NFL draft. Thompson was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic in Montgomery, Ala., on Dec. 20. He recorded an interception, a pass break-up and assisted in one tackle in the game aired nationally on ESPN 2.
After the Blue-Gray game, Thompson went to Kenner to train with fitness and nutritionalist guru Mackie Shilstone. Thompson said his main focus this offseason was to increase his speed.