Prime moment

Rick Devereux

The T-shirts Randy Thomason will be handing out today at his Super

Bowl party today in Newport Beach say it all.

“From hard hat to helmet.”

The saying is in recognition of his brother’s unbelievable

comeback to the NFL after a two-year hiatus and working for a

construction company in New Jersey.

Jeff Thomason, a former Corona del Mar High standout swimmer, went

on to play tight end for the University of Oregon and had a 10-year

career in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Green Bay Packers

(where he won one Super Bowl and played in an other) and the

Philadelphia Eagles.

When Eagles’ Pro Bowl tight end Chad Lewis injured his ankle in

the NFC championship game, Thomason received a phone call inviting

him to a one-game contract with Philadelphia for the Super Bowl.

Thomason’s familiarity with the Philly offense and special teams

meant he was the best prepared free agent available to fit into the

system on such short notice.

Thomason kept in shape by competing in marathons, but people don’t

hit you when you’re swimming, running or pedaling a bike.

His first contact in practice was a jolt.

“It was interesting,” he said. “I saw a couple stars in my eyes. I

still haven’t had contact at full speed yet. The game is going to be

my first live action.”

The Eagles’ opponent, the New England Patriots, are the defending

Super Bowl champions and have a solid defensive crew.

Inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi is going to the Pro Bowl.

Outside ‘backers Willie McGinest and Mike Vrabel are athletic and

strong.

Strong safety Rodney Harrison is one of the most ferocious hitters

in the NFL.

All will be taking shots at Thomason, who will also play on

special teams.

“I know their linebackers are incredible,” Thomason said. “They

are huge and strong. They’re like defensive ends playing linebacker.

It’s going to be a challenge for me but I’m anxious for the

opportunity to get to play.”

As the No. 2 tight end behind second-year man L.J. Smith, Thomason

will see about 20 plays on offense.

“I’m looking forward to playing offense,” he said. “I want to make

a catch. I enjoy receiving. That’s the fun part. Blocking will be

interesting.”

Thomason said he readjusted easily to life as a Philadelphia

Eagle.

“I felt a little rusty [during practice],” Thomason said. “The

first five or six days of practice, I was just getting through. I

could feel the cobwebs. I wanted to react faster. Things started to

feel more natural [Feb. 3].”

An often overlooked factor in football is the mental aspect of the

game, but that is precisely why Thomason was added to the roster. It

would take too long for someone else to walk on with the team and

pick up different routes and plays than to have Thomason remember

what he did two years ago.

“Things haven’t changed too much,” Thomason said. “The terminology

is very similar. [New England’s] defense throws so many looks at you

with different blitzes and coverages, it could be confusing.”

Thomason said the mental aspect of practices have been good. But

he admits the pace of practice and the speed of the Super Bowl is

like comparing driving on the freeway and driving in NASCAR.

“If I’m uncertain about what I’m supposed to do at the level of

speed the game will be played in, I’m in trouble,” Thomason said.

He will also see action on special teams.

Though he would like to be coverage units and get the chance to

tackle someone, he said he will spend a lot of time blocking

opponents.

The shift from a project manager for a construction company to

Super Bowl tight end does have some drawbacks.

“I’m a little sore,” Thomason said. “But I’ve spent a lot of time

getting iced down and getting massages.”

The speed at which Thomason was catapulted from desk job to dream

job even amazes him.

“This whole situation is surreal,” he said.

Thomason said having other people to share this experience with

has been the most exciting part.

“I know on that first kickoff, when all the lightbulbs flash, all

the hype and all the energy, I know it’s going to send chills up my

spine,” he said. “The neatest thing is I will have to many people out

there in Newport to share it with.”