WRECKER
Solomon Thomas has become the apple of many Bears’ fans eyes of late. The Stanford defensive lineman likely caught their attention like most others. When they were watching quarterback Mitch Trubisky in the Sun Bowl and bore witness to Thomas’ single-handed devastation of the North Carolina offense instead. It was a game-wrecking performance that launched him onto the national stage.
There is no denying he has an impact on almost every snap. Little by little he’s seeped into the consciousness of everybody The feeling is growing that he could be a potentially lethal addition to their defensive front seven alongside Akiem Hicks, Leonard Floyd and Pernell McPhee. Other experts are climbing on board with the idea as well.
Could Solomon Thomas be the missing piece for the #Bears' front seven? Versatile skill set for Vic Fangio's scheme. https://t.co/u4xvUnfnvj
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) March 18, 2017
BORN AND BRED
Perhaps the icing on the cake for why Bears fans want him so much? He’s from Chicago. Though he attended high school in Texas and college in California, Thomas was born in the shadow of the Second City. It’s in his blood and the way he plays is an exact reflection of what people from there love: intensity, relentlessness and instilling fear. Towards the end of that bowl game, blockers wanted no part of Thomas.
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Amazing as it might sound, this wouldn’t be the first time the Bears would’ve selected a Chicago-native with the #3 overall pick. That came way back in 1965 when they ushered in the era of the greatest and most fearsome linebacker in NFL history.
Dick Butkus arrived from the University of Illinois. A son of Lithuanian immigrants, he grew up on the south side of Chicago, attending high school there as well. No player ever arrived with a bigger bang (literally) than Butkus. He was a terror from the moment he stepped on the field. He was also the model for defensive excellence. Despite chronic knee problems later in his career he finished with eight Pro Bowls, 23 interceptions and a record 27 fumble recoveries.
Not a bad run for a guy who only played nine seasons. If one man could dominate in front of his hometown like that, is it possible for lightning to strike twice? No doubt more than a few people are anxious to find that out, practically begging the Bears to pull the trigger on Thomas when they go on the clock.
