A recipe is defined as a set of directions with a list of ingredients for making or preparing something. This is easy to understand when throwing together the game-day chili or that pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. But what would the ideal recipe be if you were trying to make the perfect wide receiver? Look no further than New Orleans Saints rookie wide-out Michael Thomas for the ingredients.
Michael Thomas – The Perfect Recipe for a Wide Receiver
The most obvious needs when speaking about the ideal prototype of a wide receiver would be size, speed and hands. As for the size, his 6’3″ stature measures up to be a mismatch for nearly every defender on the field. Thomas’ 4.57 second 40-yard dash creates additional problems for the opposition. Add in his reliable hands and you’ve got the nucleus of something great.
But there’s more to a wide receiver’s success in the NFL than God-given talent. We’ve seen too many talented players fail to live up to the hype in the past.
Start at the beginning with the pedigree. Surely, you’d want your WR to have some incredible blood lines. Well Mike Thomas is the nephew of former three-time Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl Champion Keyshawn Johnson. Check.
You would also want someone that came through a college system that prepared him for the NFL. Part of the gamble on so many stat-producing wide receivers in college is wondering how they will adapt to the NFL game. Well, how is working under Urban Meyer and starting for a National Championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes? Mike Thomas gets another check.
A Further Analysis
The size, speed, hands, bloodlines, great foundation and proven winning. But if you’re drafting the wide receiver, you want more. You want character and a great teammate. Michael Thomas is a God-fearing man who has already demonstrated grace and humility both on and off the field. Mike has shown his appreciation for his colleagues and his profession. In addition, he is a fan-favorite who goes out of his way to give an extra high five, sign an autograph or take a photo.
Any wide receiver without a catchable football in his vicinity is a waste of a weapon. So, how about the great quarterback to throw him the ball? Answer: Drew Brees. Check Finally, fans want to see an immediate return on my investment. It’s the last piece of the wide receiver puzzle. The Saints used their second round selection in the 2016 draft on Michael Thomas and, considering they needed so much help on the defensive side of the ball, felt very confident in the investment. Through five games this season, Thomas has accumulated over 300 yard receiving and has a touchdown grab in three consecutive games.
Mike Thomas and the New Orleans Saints will have their hands full this week as they travel to Kansas City to play the Chiefs. Kansas City is widely known as one of the toughest places to play in the NFL. With a top-10 pass defense, Thomas will have his work cut out for him.
While no one can be sure the outcome of this week’s game, but if one had to guess, the Chiefs pass defense will not be ranked in the top 10 after this game, largely in part to the emergence of #13, Michael Thomas.
