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UDFA Signing: So.Arkansas DT Cedric Thronton

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  • UDFA Signing: So.Arkansas DT Cedric Thronton

    http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2...t-and-terrance

    Eagles Sign Undrafted Free Agent Cedric Thornton, DT

    The news of undrafted free agent signings is coming quickly and it appears as though the Eagles have snagged two more players. The most notable is Cedric Thornton, DT from Southern Arkansas. Thornton is a massive guy at 6-3, 309 and played college ball in division II. He had 8.5 sacks as a junior, but was slowed by an injury all last year. Still, some saw him as a mid round pick after his junior here.

    He does have some character concerns stemming from some of the field stuff. Still, a big body with a nasty attitude that NFLDraftCountdown ranked as their #6 UDFA.
    Violent hitter with adequate size. Great toughness as he played the entire 2010 season hurt. Good strength at the point of attack. Makes a lot of plays chasing backside. Quick off the snap. Productive pass rusher who made a lot of plays because of his effort. Made plays in several aspects of the game over his last two years
    Tommy Lawlor is also a fan and had Thornton as his #4 UDFA target.

  • #2
    http://bloggingthebeast.com/2011/07/...gnings-so-far/

    Per Jimmy Kempski...

    The prize of this list appears to be DT Cedric Thornton, who was scooped up by the Eagles. Per Tommy Lawlor of Iggles Blitz, here’s how he might fit into Jim Washburn’s wide nine:
    Cedric Thornton is a legit prospect with a chance to win a roster spot. Thornton is a small-school prospect, but NFL teams were all over him. Bill Parcells was impressed enough with his play to recommend that agent Jimmy Sexton sign Thornton up as a client. Thornton got an invitation to the Senior Bowl and had a solid showing in Mobile. During the game I thought he had the quickest first step of any of the defensive tackles. He was faster off the ball than some of the ends. That burst would fit in well with the new one-gap style of Jim Washburn. (The Eagles) need players that can get up the field and be disruptive. The rule of thumb with small-school prospects is that they should be dominant. Thornton put up huge numbers in 2009. Teams went out of their way to control him in 2010. Thornton still managed 13 tackles for loss in eight games. He was dominant at his level. He played DE in college, but is absolutely made for DT.

    I very much like Thornton’s build. Mike Patterson and Trevor Laws are short DTs. Antonio Dixon is 6’3, but is a widebody. Brod Bunkley has a medium build. Thornton is just a tad over 6’3, but isn’t too thick. He’s made for attacking up the field. I know some of you wonder what to make of a guy from Southern Arkansas, but Thornton did play with elite NFL prospects at the Senior Bowl and more than held his own. Jim Washburn likes DTs with a tall frame and quickness off the ball. Thornton is a good fit for that. Now we have to see how he adjusts to NFL competition. He doesn’t lack ability.

    I also think you have to love any player who’s college mascot was the Muleriders.

    Comment


    • #3
      Per Jimmy Kempski...

      DT: Cedric Thornton: Thornton shows promise as a pass-rushing specialist, but will have to beat out Trevor Laws and Jeff Owens if he wants to sniff the final roster.

      Comment


      • #4
        From Scouts INC

        Overall Football Traits


        Production 3 2007: (10/5) 23 total tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 FR. 2008: (10/0) 33 total tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF. 2009: (10/10) 80 total tackles, 23 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 2 FFs. 2010: (10/10) 52 total tackles, 13 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 FF.Height-Weight-Speed 3 Possesses adequate overall measurables for the position but top-end speed is below average.Durability 2 Has been durable throughout his career. Needs to monitor his weight and conditioning closely in the NFL. Intangibles 4 Suspended for two games in 2010 due to violations of team rules. Scouts are thoroughly investigating off-field character concerns.
        1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal
        Defensive Tackle Specific Traits


        Versus the Run 3 Possesses an adequate first step to establish position. Anchor is solid but not elite. Flashes ability to hold ground in a one-on-one phone-booth situation but will have issues against more massive interior offensive lineman. Needs to do a better job of staying low working against double teams. Overall range is adequate and can factor in on runs outside of the tackle box on occasion. Pass Rush Skills 4 Needs some refining in this area. On one hand has good short-area power and can get adequate initial push with bull rush. However, limited athletically and still developing as a finisher. Does not have a wide array of pass rushing moves. Closing burst is average and can get home if having a clear run at quarterback. Quickness (hands/feet) 3 Possesses an above-average first step. Flashes good short-area lateral movement to redirect and find the ball. Hands are active and possesses a powerful initial punch. Needs refinement with technique in this area though. Toughness/Motor 3 Average in this area. Instincts are adequate at best and can be a second late finding the ball on occasion. Generally plays to the whistle. Fights to work through traffic and find the ball. Lacks elite endurance and can wear down as the game progresses.
        1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal

        Comment


        • #5
          Thornton made the team as the 5th DT. You'd have to think he's probably deactivated most weeks if everyone's healthy. He may also be the first to go if the Eagles sign someone else.

          It's also possible that they resign Landi or Hargrove after Week #1, and they'd try to sneak Thornton onto the Practice squad.

          Thornton and punter Chas Henry were the only 2 UDFA's to make the team this year.

          Comment


          • #6
            http://www.csnphilly.com/09/03/11/Di...828&feedID=692

            Didinger: Thornton earns a roster spot
            When the cuts were completed and the dust finally cleared Saturday, Cedric Thornton was still standing. The undrafted free agent defensive tackle had won a spot on the 53-man roster.

            It probably was the biggest surprise of cutdown day. The Eagles released two linemen with starting NFL experience, Derek Landri and Anthony Hargrove, to keep a kid who last season was playing for a 2-8 Southern Arkansas team.

            In a milder surprise, the Eagles also released defensive end Daniel Te’o-Nesheim and kept Phillip Hunt. Not that Te’o-Nesheim did much in his brief time here, but he was a third-round draft pick last year, which means the Eagles did have an investment in him. Usually teams are reluctant to admit a mistake that quickly. They keep a player around hoping he’ll develop. The Eagles chose to cut their losses and move on.

            Hunt signed with the Eagles after leading the Canadian Football League in sacks last season. He got off to a slow start at training camp – after the first week, he looked like a goner – but as he learned the scheme and became comfortable, his play really picked up.

            Hunt is small – don’t believe the 6-0, 250 on the official roster – but he has an explosive first step and he knows how to get under the blocker’s pads as he turns the corner on the pass rush. He might not be a fit in every defense, but with the Eagles wide line splits his speed on the edge could be very useful.

            Thornton making the team was a real upset, but it was well-earned. The kid worked hard in practice and improved every day. It would have been easy for him to get discouraged, looking up and seeing five or six guys, most of them veterans, ahead of him on the depth chart. He could have said, “What’s the use?”

            But the 6-4, 310-pound Thornton kept plugging away and each day you could see him getting more reps and more attention from line coach Jim Washburn. I thought he would wind up on the practice squad where he could spend this season polishing his game. But the Eagles chose to keep him on the 53.

            I wouldn’t expect him to play much this season, not with Mike Patterson, Antonio Dixon, Cullen Jenkins and Trevor Laws ahead of him. But he was still standing Saturday night and that’s quite an accomplishment in itself.

            Comment


            • #7
              ... and his roster spot lasts a day, until one of Mudd's past players became available.

              Would think they would want him on the practice squad though.
              Last edited by FairOaks; 09-04-2011, 04:03 PM.

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              • #8
                I like to say I hardly knewya, but damn, I still don't know who the hell you are. I thought he got cut 3 weeks ago.
                "Hey Giants, who's your Daddy?"

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                • #9
                  Post your favorite Cedric Thornton memories here.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by IMK View Post
                    Post your favorite Cedric Thornton memories here.
                    The day I was at training camp, Thornton was the only healthy DT at camp. That's the only reason I know who he is...err...was.

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                    • #11
                      Makes the fluff piece on the team website today about Thornton and his great accomplishment at making the roster seem rather comedic.
                      http://shop.cafepress.com/content/global/img/spacer.gifOK, let's try this again...

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by FRESH View Post
                        Makes the fluff piece on the team website today about Thornton and his great accomplishment at making the roster seem rather comedic.
                        Yeah, WTF...Couldn't anyone have told the website guys, "Pssst...might want to avoid posting the story about Thornton...He'll be the first one to go...probably as soon as tomorrow. Shhhhh."

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