Columnist Ron Kantowski: There’s no doubting Thomas hype

Thursday, Aug. 24, 2000 | 10:43 a.m.

Ron Kantowski's column appears Thursday. His inside notes column appears Tuesday. Reach him at ron@lasvegassun.com or 259-4088.

If there's any truth to his press clippings, this is what Rebel football fans who take in the first open-to-the-public intrasquad scrimmage of the preseason can expect to see at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday night:

Based on what has been written and said about the new Rebels quarterback so far, they might as well take the No. 2 off his jersey and put a big, block "S" in its place. This guy must be Superman. Or at least the next Michael Vick.

Nothing has been written about Thomas in what, three days now? But I'm not here to jump on his bandwagon. Not yet, anyway. Maybe somebody will save a spot for me on the running board after the heralded transfer from Southern Cal leads the Rebels to an upset victory at Iowa State in the season opener on Sept. 9.

But what if Thomas turns out to just be really, really good instead of blatantly fantastic?

Well, that, sad to say, would be too bad. Because as far as expectations go, Rebels fans are anticipating more than that kid who lined up a prom date with an X-rated movie star courtesy of the Howard Stern show.

The manner in which Thomas is being touted is obscene. He's featured prominently on the UNLV football media guide and schedule posters and already has been anointed Mountain West Newcomer of the Year by the sportswriters and sportscasters who cover the league.

He's been trumpeted so much that he could play a duet with Louie Armstrong. For instance, last weekend I heard a plug urging me to "Follow quarterback Jason Thomas and the UNLV football team all season long" on my favorite neighborhood sports radio station. Then the station played a Thomas soundbite, asking him what role he would play with the UNLV basketball team this winter.

I guess being the savior of one UNLV program isn't good enough anymore.

Come on people, give the guy a break. Let's let him complete a few passes or turn a couple of sacks into first-down scrambles before we put his jersey in the rafters between those of Randall Cunningham and Larry Johnson.

So far, UNLV coach John Robinson is the only one trying to keep his enthusiasm from bubbling over. He has yet to name Thomas his starting quarterback and said the Rebels may even use an alternating system this year.

Uh, coach, we're not buying that one. And here's why.

During a scrimmage this week, Thomas took the snap from center and scooted down the line on what appeared to be an ordinary option play. But then he faked a pitchout, put a Sammy Davis Jr. juke-and-jive step on the cornerback and got his strapping 6-foot-4 inch frame, with those 230 pounds packed tightly on it, headed toward the end zone quicker than you can say Liberty Bowl. Or at least Poulan Weedeater Independence Bowl.

And I swear, nobody so much as layed a hand on his bright, red cape.