Chargers Sign Cam Thomas to 4-year Deal

by creanium on Jul 9, 2010 10:41 AM PDT in San Diego Chargers News Comment 15 comments

Reports are coming in that the Chargers have signed rookie DT Cam Thomas to a 4-year, $1.98 million contract. Thomas received the standard base salaries of $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000 as well as a fourth-year escalator clause that can significantly boost the total value of the deal.

Thomas was selected by the Chargers in the fifth-round of the 2010 NFL Draft. While many had projected him to be a 2nd-or-3rd-round talent, Thomas fell down the draft board and the Chargers selected him to bolster the run game, presumably to use him exclusively as a Nose Tackle.

Hopefully this will reduce the "Nose Tackle by Committee" approach the Chargers took in 2009 when Jamal Williams went down for the year. Should Cam Thomas come into training camp this year and win the starting Nose Tackle job, this contract will be quite the bargain for the Chargers.

$500k a year (effectively) for a Jamal Williams replacement? I'll take it.

SOURCE: National Football Post

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Nose Tackles

are like wine, they need to age a little before they get good. I believe he will just be a 1-2 down guy this year; I still expect a regular rotation this season. Next year maybe…

Still, great news, I was wondering if he thought he slipped too low and would ask for more than the Chargers were willing to give him.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jul 9, 2010 11:21 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

True

That could have turned into a hold out situation. Thomas is definately better than where they drafted him.

Now we get to see who will take that starting NT job with all the players having equal access. If Thomas had held out, it would have been interesting to see if his raw talent would have been enough to take the job.

by Trendsearcher on Jul 9, 2010 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

True

but it’s well he’s going to get all his preseason reps.

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Jul 9, 2010 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I think the rotation is going to be in effect for a few years. The coaches seemed to like it a lot last year. But I do think mr Thomas and castillo will be in for longer shifts than the rest.

by Its Mikey!! on Jul 9, 2010 11:43 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Castillo doesn't play in the middle

by Trendsearcher on Jul 9, 2010 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions

They rotate the d ends too. Johnson, cesaire, Martin, castillo. I didn’t mean for it to come off as him playing nt.

by Its Mikey!! on Jul 9, 2010 3:05 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Sounds good to me.

"This is no ordinary honey!"
Bolts From The Blue - Heavy with the facts, slightly less heavy with the opinions.

by Zach (maestro876) on Jul 9, 2010 11:54 AM PDT reply actions

Congrats Triple Fat Goose

Now lets hope he steps up and shows why he was a steal in the 5th round.

by CABurrito on Jul 9, 2010 12:16 PM PDT reply actions

Did you see Vaughn Martin at the Spanos clasic?

Dude came in as a DE prospect. It looks like he gained some weight over the summer! Like 30 pounds.

To me Martin looks taller and heavier than Cam Thomas. Height and weight being two key criteria for space eating. If Martin’s balance and footwork have improved, we could have a serious competion at NT.

by Trendsearcher on Jul 10, 2010 10:44 AM PDT reply actions

And if we put in some 43 packages out there....

WOW….THAT WOULD BE A SIGHT … Martin and Cam would allow some serious gaps for our LB’s to get through.

by Gorditoe1 on Jul 13, 2010 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

If VM has gained 30 lbs.

then he’s in the legit 350lb. range now.

I hope Thomas turns out to be the steal of the draft, but I’m not holding my breath. And I really hope to see some of the NFL lights clicking on for VM. The guy is a beast – he’s just gotta learn to compete at this level.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jul 10, 2010 11:36 AM PDT reply actions

Not sure why you automatically deem rotation as less than

While not as solid versus the run than during Jamal’s heyday, having fresh guys on the line was a godsend on passing downs. Alphonso Boone had more sacks last year than Jamal had combfined for the past 3 years. That is not counting sacks from Owebuo and Scott. They jumped from 25th to 15th in the league in yards allowed and from 15th to 11th in points allowed. After game 4, they didn’t give up more than 121 yards rushing in any game and were top 10 in pass yards allowed after being near the bottom the year before. Everybody seems to overlook how one dimensional Jamal had come, useless during pass downs, in an increasingly pass oriented league that passes on first and second downs. Give me fresh and hungry over name brand.

Thoughts? "I have none. If there are any other developments, we will let you know." Charger GM - AJ Smith.

by bringbackbuddytrees on Jul 10, 2010 8:53 PM PDT reply actions

Glad they signed him!

With all of the discussions surrounding the hold-outs of Vj and MM this summer nice to hear some good news for a change.

Cam Thomas appears to me me to be a “Gung Ho” type of player that is BIG but, also can be mean and, nasty when called upon. Let’s hope he pans out…………..

YO……….

by iliketowinallthetime on Jul 11, 2010 10:21 PM PDT reply actions