National Football League

Thomas benefits from study of Polamalu

Published Sep. 16, 2011 12:54 a.m. ET

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It doesn't take a scout's eye to see the similarities between Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu.

Both are just shy of six-feet tall, each an eyelash over 200 pounds and lightning quick. Both were selected in the top 20 of the NFL draft and both have played under Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.

For someone who has coached both players, Thomas with the Seahawks and Polamalu at USC, the comparison between the two is an easy one to make.

''Boy, there are some tremendous similarities,'' Carroll said. ''The package - they're about the same size, one. But the thing that separates them and kind of makes them alike is they're both so darn fast.''

''It shows up all the time. Some people run a 4.3 and you don't see it. These guys, they show it on the practice field.''

Thomas has taken a noticeable step forward with his aggressiveness and comfort in Seattle's defense. The Seahawks rely on his speed to cover the middle portion of the field 30-plus yards downfield and also to fly up to the line of scrimmage to make plays in the running game.

''When you turn the tape on, both appear to be moving at a different speed than other men on the tape,'' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. ''His initial quickness, his movement to plays, his instincts, it's unique.''

Carroll talks about Polamalu's ability to knife through blockers and cover ground at a staggering pace as one of the things that sets him apart as one of the NFL's elite. Thomas went to work studying Polamalu over the offseason and came away with one big impression as to what makes him successful.

''When Troy tackles somebody, he's always got a plan,'' Thomas said. ''It doesn't matter if he's blitzing or taking on a block. He always gets the guys down.''

''Sometimes you might come free on a blitz and you might overshoot the runner cause you don't have a plan once you get there. Just little stuff like that. It's about having a plan and knowing what you're going to do when you get to the ball,'' Thomas said.

Carroll has seen the transformation and the growth in understanding Thomas made over the offseason.

''We preach about having a plan and having in mind how you want to make the tackles you want to make as opposed to just throwing your body at it, which is what he did last year for the most part,'' Carroll said. ''He's looked, already, sharper. He benefited from his offseason and from his experience last year more than most players do. We hoped he'd make a big sophomore jump and at least it looks like he has.''

Thomas showed his tremendous potential in his rookie season, racking up 71 tackles and five interceptions. Thomas, 22, entered the draft after his redshirt sophomore season at Texas. Now, he's on the verge of becoming one of the NFL's best defensive playmakers.

''You can just see the confidence on the field,'' cornerback Marcus Trufant said. ''He thinks he can make every play and I think that's the kind of mindset you have to have at safety if you want to be a big time safety, and I think he's fitting into that role.''

Thomas was second on the team in tackles with eight in the team's 33-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week. He was constantly around the football, laying hits on receivers downfield and even making two tackles in the backfield for losses.

His comfort has grown from a year's experience at the NFL level and having the faith in himself to trust what he sees and react in an instant.

''I was able to play much faster,'' Thomas said. ''The game slowed down tremendously. It's all coming into place. I've just got to keep working.''

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