Esley Thorton to Defense

[BisonNation11]

My buddy and I were just discussing this possibility of this happening yesterday while staining his deck. I am in the boat of this is a great move. Adding depth to defense, putting some security in the QB situation, and allowing 2 players (Esley and Carson) the ability to succeed at positions for the future. Esley will make a great defender no matter what position he will be at and Carson will be able to take the reigns of the team in 2 years when Brock is done. I see the '11, '12, and '13 years of NDSU football leaving a legacy none of us will ever forget! Go Bison!

[DjKyRo]

Big props to Esley for having the stones to make the move. This benefits the team and that's a heck of a big gesture on his part to accept that.

Meanwhile, that rumble you just felt was 4m's head exploding.

[BlueBisonRock]

Big props to Esley for having the stones to make the move. This benefits the team and that's a heck of a big gesture on his part to accept that.

Meanwhile, that rumble you just felt was 4m's head exploding.

My money says 4M is ok with this move and will loudly proclaim its merit!

[ndsubison1]

Thorton played safety along with QB at Bismarck High

welcome to bisonville.

[ndsubison1]

Esley to the defensive side? Is this necessary? Where exactly would he fit in? Secondary? Linebacker ? What if, Lord forbid, Jensen goes down in the first game? It has happened........I trust the coaches decisions regarding position changes, but this is a "WOW" !!!!!!!!

it means theyre comfortable with Wentz as no. 2 and probably think he is a slightly better option. esley only gives us more depth. assuming he will play safety or maybe LB since we need depth there

[gabe]

Good move. I dont think this means Wentz is better. It just means they are similar and Brock is the man for 2 more years so it makes sense to have Wentz or McGinnis the starter for 2 or 3 years vs Thornton as 1 year. Esley is an incredible athlete. He apparently has the best vertical on the team. He could play linebacker or safety.

[344Johnson]

With E's size and quick feet,I bet he ends up as a Lb. (He can add 20lbs of weight easy)

My money is on linebacker.

I'd like Es at safety. He was a boss at that back when we played high school. Regardless, I am pumped for him because he has a better shot at playing and he always seemed like a class act on the field.

[CaBisonFan]

Good move. I dont think this means Wentz is better. It just means they are similar and Brock is the man for 2 more years so it makes sense to have Wentz or McGinnis the starter for 2 or 3 years vs Thornton as 1 year. Esley is an incredible athlete. He apparently has the best vertical on the team. He could play linebacker or safety.

Yup...think this is mostly about timing and getting yir best athletes on the field. Bingo gabe.

Let me add that if Esley is a really great athlete, maybe playing safety is his shot at playing professionally.

It's a long ways off and perhaps a long shot. Just a thought.

This all makes me think a little bit about Mertens. He was supposedly a really good athlete...qb wasn't really working out for him, but we didn't have options. He probably could have played very well somewhere else on the field. Not saying that Thorton and Mertens are similar athletes...but I can't help but wonder. To me it was like having a good starter in a baseball game who was getting beaten up, but the bullpen was empty, so he took one for the team.

[Bisonwinagn]

it means theyre comfortable with Wentz as no. 2 and probably think he is a slightly better option. esley only gives us more depth. assuming he will play safety or maybe LB since we need depth there

The best news is Wentz must be a great QB to beat out someone who was a no. 2 all last year. I'm hoping Thorton contributes on defense, but knowing the QB sitution is solid is awesome!!

[loudsilverado]

This is about getting your best athletes on the field imo. It's not like he's leaving the team, I'd imagine if we had an emergency at QB Bohl would make the right move again. He had some pretty big hits playing D in highschool, I bet he is ready to take out his frustration of sitting on the bench by de-cleating a few people. Can't wait to see it!