Coming out of Stanford as an undrafted free agent in 2012, Michael Thomas had to battle for security with the San Francisco 49ers.
It didn’t last long. After spending time on the practice squad in 2012 and preseason in 2013, Thomas moved on to the Miami Dolphins through the 2017 season. For the past two years, Thomas has played for the New York Giants.
The 5-10, 196-pound safety knew that the best way to ensure his longevity in the NFL would be to master special teams play.
“It takes a different mentality,” Thomas said. “You’re going down there and going against a bunch of guys that might be their only job, to go down there and try to block you for the whole game.”
Thomas earned a Pro Bowl in 2018 for his special teams play, and Pro Football Focus added him to their 2010s all-decade team because of his ability to excel in the transition phase of the game.
Said Thomas: “So, you have to be fast, you have to be strong, but you’ve also got to use your mind and understand this guy that’s probably returning the ball when I’m covering a punt or a kick, it’s probably like a Tyreek Hill, it’s probably like a (Mecole) Hardman, it’s probably somebody who is very fast, very gifted and talented.”
The first aspect Thomas has to handle is defeating his block and then set himself up to an open field tackle. While it is simple to explain, it is even more difficult to execute.
“I didn’t just want to do it to be one of the guys out there,” said Thomas. “I want to master it and I want to be one of the best. I know I can play on defense and I can contribute in any type of role, whatever the team needs me to do.”
Thomas is looking forward to teaming up with special teams aces such as outside linebacker Brennan Scarlett, inside linebacker Peter Kalambayi, and safety A.J. Moore to bring even more dominance to special teams coordinator Brad Seely’s unit.
“I’m going to love being out there with Scarlett, Pete, A.J. Moore, being out there with those guys now because they did it at a high level last year and we’re going to continue to try to do it this year,” Moore said.