Thurman Thomas was far faster than I thought he was...

[loedward22]

Gets me excited about the potential for us adding red helmets and those uniforms to the mix next year 

[TuelTime]

3 hours ago, I'm Spartacus said:

The icing on the cake was when Thurman just handed to ball to a ref after his TD.

No celebrations ever. True Pro.

Barry Sanders did the same thing. Didn't celebrate TDs.

[BubbaT]

Thurman was tremendous. His situational awareness was fantastic. Pass blocking, pass catching, what was needed for a first down. Everything. He was a team guy and a stud. Yes he had good teammates around him on those offenses but he made everybody look better too. One of my all time favorite Bills

[TheFunPolice]

Thurman Thomas was, IMO, the best RB of the past 40 years. He was also the last Buffalo Bill to be named league MVP.

 

Thurman was incredible, and in a time when the game was much more based on defense and running the ball, he was a 2000's era RB.

 

He could run, for sure, with incredible vision, power and speed. Then he could line up as a freaking WR and catch the ball 25 yards down the field along the sideline, not just in the slot (although he could do that too).

 

Then he could come in and pass block or run block for another runner. 

 

The dude was a 2020's RB 30 years ago, when you could hold, illegal contact was not a thing, and pass interference was rarely called. Guys could take headshots without it being a penalty. There was no defenseless WR. I could go on and on, but in an era of brutal, physical defense he was still nearly unstoppable. 

 

In today's game he would be even more unstoppable. 

 

I would take Thurman Thomas over EVERY RB who has played since 1980, at least. 

 

 

[njbuff]

16 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

Thurman Thomas was, IMO, the best RB of the past 40 years. He was also the last Buffalo Bill to be named league MVP.

 

Thurman was incredible, and in a time when the game was much more based on defense and running the ball, he was a 2000's era RB.

 

He could run, for sure, with incredible vision, power and speed. Then he could line up as a freaking WR and catch the ball 25 yards down the field along the sideline, not just in the slot (although he could do that too).

 

Then he could come in and pass block or run block for another runner. 

 

The dude was a 2020's RB 30 years ago, when you could hold, illegal contact was not a thing, and pass interference was rarely called. Guys could take headshots without it being a penalty. There was no defenseless WR. I could go on and on, but in an era of brutal, physical defense he was still nearly unstoppable. 

 

In today's game he would be even more unstoppable. 

 

I would take Thurman Thomas over EVERY RB who has played since 1980, at least. 

 

 

 

I love Thurman, but there is a lot of debate on who the best RB since 1980 is.

 

Hell, there will be idiots who wouldn't even have Thurman in the top 10.

 

Anyways, imagine if Josh had Thurman?

[TheFunPolice]

2 minutes ago, njbuff said:

 

I love Thurman, but there is a lot of debate on who the best RB since 1980 is.

 

Hell, there will be idiots who wouldn't even have Thurman in the top 10.

 

Anyways, imagine if Josh had Thurman?

 

If Josh had Thurman of the 1990 season then we might never punt all season, unless Josh uncorked a deep ball on 3rd down and just missed a guy andwe had to here and there. 

 

I also loved Barry Sanders, but he was not as good as Thurman as an all around back, IMO. Emmitt Smith was also great, but not the all around threat. 

[Stranded in Boston]

2 hours ago, wnyguy said:

I can remember a catch he made diving stretched out parallel with the ground. Still one of the greatest catches I have ever seen by a RB.

I remember it well, wnyguy, Check out 2:20 mark.  😀

 

Edited February 3, 2022 by Stranded in Boston
wrong time!

[Momma Pecoraro]

Made a living running up the alley at 200lbs.

[billsfan714]

Had a great jump cut, was faster than he was given credit for, excellent pass catcher.   Im sure every OL was glad they had 34 back there.   Was just a total complete back.

[Buffalo Ballin]

At Thurman Thomas' peak, he was the best RB in the AFC.

[Ray Stonada]

My all time favorite player!

 

 

[Reks Ryan]

5 hours ago, billsfan714 said:

Always remember a Monday night game I think against the Jets, had a shot at  the single game rushng record, he was just gashing them.   Didnt care about the record, sat out garbage time in a Bills win.

I was at that Monday night game in NJ.   He had over 200 yards on less than 20 carries.   Averaged 11 or 12 yards / carry. Definitely could've set some records that night if he played the whole game

[Niagara Bill]

Great player, great team mate, BETTER PERSON.

1995..Panthers 1st visit to Buffalo. Frank Reich qb

My 10 yr old son's birthday. 

He burns his hand on bbq and is bandaged in first aid but we stay. 

Front row seats, 50 yd line behind Bills bench. At half time he sees my son and nods.

Game over, Bills win. TT jogs over to our seats, reaches up and gives his gloves to my son. Smiles and jogs off to the dressing room.

They are framed, and autographed. 

[Solomon Grundy]

3 hours ago, TheFunPolice said:

Thurman Thomas was, IMO, the best RB of the past 40 years. He was also the last Buffalo Bill to be named league MVP.

 

Thurman was incredible, and in a time when the game was much more based on defense and running the ball, he was a 2000's era RB.

 

He could run, for sure, with incredible vision, power and speed. Then he could line up as a freaking WR and catch the ball 25 yards down the field along the sideline, not just in the slot (although he could do that too).

 

Then he could come in and pass block or run block for another runner. 

 

The dude was a 2020's RB 30 years ago, when you could hold, illegal contact was not a thing, and pass interference was rarely called. Guys could take headshots without it being a penalty. There was no defenseless WR. I could go on and on, but in an era of brutal, physical defense he was still nearly unstoppable. 

 

In today's game he would be even more unstoppable. 

 

I would take Thurman Thomas over EVERY RB who has played since 1980, at least. 

 

 

This^^^^

[Ray Stonada]

16 minutes ago, Niagara Bill said:

Great player, great team mate, BETTER PERSON.

1995..Panthers 1st visit to Buffalo. Frank Reich qb

My 10 yr old son's birthday. 

He burns his hand on bbq and is bandaged in first aid but we stay. 

Front row seats, 50 yd line behind Bills bench. At half time he sees my son and nods.

Game over, Bills win. TT jogs over to our seats, reaches up and gives his gloves to my son. Smiles and jogs off to the dressing room.

They are framed, and autographed. 

I can corroborate. I once had the chance to meet TT in person and he was incredibly friendly and nice. Once he found out I was a Bills fan (and I didn’t even tell him he was my favorite player, didn’t want to look like a kiss-up), he gave me a bunch of cool gear. Very cool, very warm person who I feel honored to have met.

[billybrew1]

Oh c'mon, I must have seen get caught after about thirty yards downfield about a hundred times....

 

Of course, he had a great burst.... just like Devin....I hope Singletary works on his routes and all pass receiving skills this offseason.

 

Go Bills!

[purple haze]

6 hours ago, fan_in_tx said:

Think of it this way... I recall CJ Spiller being caught from behind on 2 or 3 occasions and I believe he was the fastest running back we have ever had. 

O.J.

[The Jokeman]

6 hours ago, fan_in_tx said:

Think of it this way... I recall CJ Spiller being caught from behind on 2 or 3 occasions and I believe he was the fastest running back we have ever had. 

If you haven't seen OJ Simpson run then take a look. Spiller might have better clocked speed but OJ had size and speed that might be unparalleled to anyone except Bo Jackson.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Straight line speed isn't even in my top 5 skills for a RB. 

1. Vision

2. Quickness 

3. Pass catching/route running

4. Read blocks

5. Ability to break tackles

6. Speed

7. Pass blocking 

 

I'd take all of these traits which Thurman excelled at over a straight speed guy like Spiller who had none of these. 

 

Thurman is my favorite player of all time though Josh is challenging that with every dramatic moment.

4 hours ago, TheFunPolice said:

Thurman Thomas was, IMO, the best RB of the past 40 years. He was also the last Buffalo Bill to be named league MVP.

 

Thurman was incredible, and in a time when the game was much more based on defense and running the ball, he was a 2000's era RB.

 

He could run, for sure, with incredible vision, power and speed. Then he could line up as a freaking WR and catch the ball 25 yards down the field along the sideline, not just in the slot (although he could do that too).

 

Then he could come in and pass block or run block for another runner. 

 

The dude was a 2020's RB 30 years ago, when you could hold, illegal contact was not a thing, and pass interference was rarely called. Guys could take headshots without it being a penalty. There was no defenseless WR. I could go on and on, but in an era of brutal, physical defense he was still nearly unstoppable. 

 

In today's game he would be even more unstoppable. 

 

I would take Thurman Thomas over EVERY RB who has played since 1980, at least. 

 

 

Only Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson are in his league in my opinion.  Both were a little faster than Thurman. Thurman was a better pure pass route runner and receiver as well as a better pass blocker.

[slipkid]

Like someone said, that jumbo play was fun to watch. It felt unstoppable, especially in this clip.

 

All this is to say that I need a post in memory of Mom. She used to babysit Don Criqui.

[purple haze]

14 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

If you haven't seen OJ Simpson run then take a look. Spiller might have better clocked speed but OJ had size and speed that might be unparalleled to anyone except Bo Jackson.

Juice had track speed.  He was an All-American in track at USC.  His stride is longer than CJ’s.

[Punching Bag]

Make Deion Sanders a RB.  He could run away and avoid contact better than the rest of them.

Speed is not the most important thing.

[ArtVandalay]

8 hours ago, Big Turk said:

Saw a clip on youtube that popped up showing every Thomas TD from 88-90 and there were some really long plays where he ran away from people.  Did not remember him being that fast, but he was definitely faster than I remembered.

 

 

Because you've been stuck watching Dingleberry lol dude is so slow. Moss too.

[bmur66]

Yup. Thurman may not have had the super top speed but he had the perfect gear ratio.

[BringMetheHeadofLeonLett]

15 hours ago, Southern_Bills said:

I'm not old enough to remember the games all that well, I was 8-11 during the prime years.

 

Though I've always considered Thurman one of the first modern day RBs. His style is still relevant which can't be said for most of the league RBs in that era.

I think plenty of RB's from the 'old days' could stomp ass in today's league.  

[hondo in seattle]

9 hours ago, purple haze said:

Juice had track speed.  He was an All-American in track at USC.  His stride is longer than CJ’s.

 

Agreed.  OJ was a world-record holder in the 4x100 relay.   CJ wasn't as fast.

[wnyguy]

14 hours ago, Stranded in Boston said:

I remember it well, wnyguy, Check out 2:20 mark.  😀

 

That's the one, I remember sitting in the stands just in awe.

[T master]

21 hours ago, Nihilarian said:

Just think, Thurman had Barry Sanders on the bench behind him at OSU. Got injured as he tore his ACL... and when he returned...Sanders went back to riding the bench. 

 

Thomas fell to Buffalo in the second round, pick 40 because most teams thought he was overworked in College and all used up...also that knee injury. 7 RB's were taken ahead of Thurman in that 88 draft. 

 

The one thing Dan Marino never had at Miami was a Thurman Thomas at RB. John Elway didn't win a SB until Terrell Davis. 

 

Yah but if you ask today you can get a RB anywhere to fill the spot & do what you need done on the offense just choose any one they'll get it done it had to be more the O line than it was Thurman !! 

 

WHAT EVER !! 🙄

 

Can you imagine this Bills offense with a Thurman Thomas in the back field  !! OMG ...

Edited February 4, 2022 by T master

[34-78-83]

22 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

My lasting memories are of him being caught from behind on long, break away runs that should have gone all the way but for his lack of speed.

 

Kenny Davis had more runs to the house than Thurman had (as I remember it) because he was that much faster.

 

I still say Thurman was as dangerous an overall offensive weapon as this league has ever seen.

 

 

THAT is your "lasting memories" of Thurman Thomas? Holy crap man! You got it bad...

 

Also, Davis was about the same top end speed as Thurm, but he looked real fast with those quick feet of his.

[JaCrispy]

22 hours ago, Nihilarian said:

Just think, Thurman had Barry Sanders on the bench behind him at OSU. Got injured as he tore his ACL... and when he returned...Sanders went back to riding the bench. 

 

Thomas fell to Buffalo in the second round, pick 40 because most teams thought he was overworked in College and all used up...also that knee injury. 7 RB's were taken ahead of Thurman in that 88 draft. 

 

The one thing Dan Marino never had at Miami was a Thurman Thomas at RB. John Elway didn't win a SB until Terrell Davis. 

We need to find Josh his Thurman Thomas...👍

[Thurman#1]

I remember his longer runs more as beautifully surfing a wave and finding the exact right path more than running away from people.

 

Agreed with those that cited quickness more than speed.

 

 

1 hour ago, T master said:

 

Yah but if you ask today you can get a RB anywhere to fill the spot & do what you need done on the offense just choose any one they'll get it done it had to be more the O line than it was Thurman !! 

 

WHAT EVER !! 🙄

 

Can you imagine this Bills offense with a Thurman Thomas in the back field  !! OMG ...

 

 

Yeah, Thurman on these Bills would probably average 4.6 a carry and get around 10 - 12 carries a game. It'd be fantastic.

Edited February 4, 2022 by Thurman#1

[damj]

23 hours ago, Big Turk said:

Saw a clip on youtube that popped up showing every Thomas TD from 88-90 and there were some really long plays where he ran away from people.  Did not remember him being that fast, but he was definitely faster than I remembered.

He was very shifty too. Not Barry Sanders shifty, but then again ... NO ONE is that shifty

[TheFunPolice]

It was so much fun watching Sanders and Thomas in their primes.

 

Both would crush it in today's NFL.

 

Especially Thurman though. He was Marshall Faulk before that was a thing. 

[wettlaufer]

23 hours ago, I'm Spartacus said:

The icing on the cake was when Thurman just handed to ball to a ref after his TD.

No celebrations ever. True Pro.

 

He celebrated on the first TD of his career. Upon returning to the sideline, Marv Levy told him to "act like you've been there before." He never again celebrated a TD.

22 hours ago, Starr Almighty said:

Does anyone else remember how after being tackled he would lay on the grass for a while and scare you into thinking oh no 34 is hurt. He used to take a long time to get back up as I recall. Then he would get up do something huge and lay there for a minute again

Jim Brown used to do that to the opposing team. Make them think they had hurt him and then would get a huge play on the next down. He said it was demoralizing to opponents.

[Chicken Boo]

When you're really good and make it look easy...I love that.  That was Thurman.  

[purple haze]

19 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

 

Only Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson are in his league in my opinion.  Both were a little faster than Thurman. Thurman was a better pure pass route runner and receiver as well as a better pass blocker.

Roger Craig is the first RB to run and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season.  Great blocker too.

Edited February 4, 2022 by purple haze

[Punching Bag]

5 hours ago, wettlaufer said:

Jim Brown used to do that to the opposing team. Make them think they had hurt him and then would get a huge play on the next down. He said it was demoralizing to opponents.

 

Emmitt Smith would take it to extreme and his fakes were almost as bad as Marino's.

[Helpmenow]

14 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Agreed.  OJ was a world-record holder in the 4x100 relay.   CJ wasn't as fast.

Earl McCullough, Fred killer, juice and Lennox miller. 38.6 seconds 

[Solomon Grundy]

9 hours ago, TheFunPolice said:

It was so much fun watching Sanders and Thomas in their primes.

 

Both would crush it in today's NFL.

 

Especially Thurman though. He was Marshall Faulk before that was a thing. 

It pains me to hear people say Faulk was the greatest all around RB. Marcus Allen started the trend. Thurman took it to another level

[Victory Formation]

Thurman had very good speed, not elite speed. IIRC he played his entire career with a severely damaged ligament in his knee, which is the only reason why he fell to us in the second round. Lord knows how good he would have been if that knee was 100% healthy.

 

I think what made Thurman great was his sense of balance. He was able to absorb huge hits while being able to recover his footing without falling over. Very low center of gravity and the man was an absolute nightmare as a receiver. Had he not played RB, I feel strongly that he could of played WR.
 

Even in today’s NFL, Thurman would very likely be one of the top 2-3 receiving RBs in the league right up there with McCaffery and Kamara.