Adalius Thomas

ker, as the average age will be 25 on opening day after the release of 10-year veteran, 32-year old Adalius Thomas (this average also includes Jermaine Cunningham, Marques Murrell, Rob Ninkovich, and Derrick Burgess, though they are listed as defensive ends). 

Continue reading "Shawn's Gone"

need, with 1 not a need and 5 being ugent:Linebackers

Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Tully Banta-Cain, Adalius Thomas, Rob Ninkovich, Tyrone McKenzie, Eric Alexander, Bruce Davis, Shawn Crable, Bo Ruud, Thomas Williams, Marques Murrell

Continue reading "Draft Evaluation: Linebackers"

Blitzers are guys who need help via scheme. Jeremiah said that while he was in Baltimore Adalius Thomas fell firmly in the Blitzer category in that Rex Ryan needed to come up with creative ways

Continue reading "Adalius Thomas: A Blitzer, Not a Rusher"

as long as it’s not with an AFC East team. 

Want to know what’s the value of LB Adalius Thomas? None. It’s not that there aren’t any teams that want him, but no team will make a trade offer for a guy they know the Pats want to dump. They know the divorce is coming, so they’ll wait until New England cuts him and sign Thomas without giving up compensation. One of those teams rumored to be interested in Thomas as a free agent is the New York Jets, where Thomas would be reunited with his former defensive coordinator, Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Guess which two games Thomas circles on his calendar if he matriculates to the Jets? 

Continue reading "Hours Away"

When Adalius Thomas went on the radio airwaves a couple weeks ago he shed just a little light on what exactly went wrong with him and the Patriots in 2009. Apparently it all started after the first game of the season, the home opener against the Buffalo Bills, which saw the Tom Brady pull of the greatest fourth quarter comeback of his career. Thomas said that Coach Belichick met with him after the game to express that his play was substandard and from there things went down hill fast.

Continue reading "A Closer Look at Adalius Thomas in ..."

Belichick still has his head-butting with Adalius Thomas fresh in his mind and Bill wouldn’t want to put himself through that again. 

There are two names that caught my eye and they could work very well if they accept the roles assigned to them: 

Continue reading "Window Shopping"

Merriweather almost had his second interception return for a touchdown if only OLB Adalius Thomas was able to block Jaguars QB David Garrard. 

6. For a team that has a problem closing out games, New England does a great job closing out the first half. The offense has 10 scores when there is two minutes or less left in a half. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 16"

And has he struggles, so does the offense as of late. 

A.D.? You mean Adalius Thomas? I guess you heard. Yeah, well, I think he’s gonna play out the season and do his best, but he wants out. He didn’t like being benched, he didn’t like being sent home for being late, and I’m sure he didn’t like being deactivated last week. I think Thomas wants out as soon as the season is over. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 15"

Robert has been suspended by the team. Don’t be surprised if LB Adalius Thomas accompanies Robert as suspended Patriots employees…K Stephen Gostkowski kicked his 100th field goal,

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 14"

ing responsibility two days after punishment dispelled that rumor. 

The only division is LB Adalius Thomas bumping heads with coach Bill Belichick. Thomas will be inactive for today’s game because of his comments delivered on Thursday. If Adalius remains defiant, Belichick should suspend Thomas for the rest of the year. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 14"

In a surprise, Adalius Thomas named himself captain of the revolution. 

Omitting the capital “r” was intentional, as the veteran linebacker won’t be joining the New England soccer team. 

Continue reading "Thomas vs. Belichick"

s half done, resembling a path to walk the plank. 

On Wednesday morning, WR Randy Moss, LBs Adalius Thomas and Gary Guyton, and DE Derrick Burgess were late for an eight AM team meeting, because of bad weather and resulting traffic. Head coach Bill Belichick doesn’t accept excuses and he sent the quartet home for the day, missing the game plan installation meetings and practice. 

Continue reading "The Message?"

The pass rush was near absent, with OLB Adalius Thomas with the only sack. And with WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker pretty much taken away, there wasn’t a consistent third option that QB Tom Brady count on. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 12"

That maybe was the case when LB Adalius Thomas was deactivated against Tennessee. And Miami head coach Tony Sporano used it on OLB Joey Porter. 

What the coach wants to see is how the player responds to being benched. For Porter, he came out in the next game and registered two sacks. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

store order to the galaxy.

Today's injury report should provide some insight as to what's up with Adalius Thomas. Thomas was healthy for last Thursday's bye week practice but was missing yesterday for unknown reasons. I only say unknown because there was no injury report yesterday. Hopefully things will be clarified today by either Thomas' presence at practice or the injury report that will be released at 4pm EST.

Continue reading "More Drama for Adalius Thomas?"

And to think: It’s only Tuesday. 

Whether Adalius Thomas was benched or it really was a tactical move, the expectations for the veteran LB were higher than his production thus far. The injury to LB Jerod Mayo briefly affected Thomas’ role on the team as New England flip-flopped between 3-4 to 4-3 and back. But to have just one sack after six games when he was the star of training camp is very disappointing. Thomas will be back in the lineup maybe as soon as Sunday. Will we see a different Thomas for the rest of the year? The proof will be in his play.  

Continue reading "Changing Whether"

When the team played a 3-4, Guyton was in there with Jerod Mayo, Adalius Thomas, and Pierre Woods. 

But if called upon, Guyton can switch to OLB. As the season winded down last year, Guyton shifted out when injuries added up and Junior Seau was brought back. The versatility to stay on the field gives Guyton plenty of chances to make plays. 

Continue reading "Breakout Player"

In years past, Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas could handle the move without  compromising the defense. Without Vrabel, the Pats are down to Thomas, but shifting Thomas inside takes away the only proven OLB pass rusher on the team. 

Continue reading "Linebacker Fall-back Plan"

Whether a starter wins out or a combination plays opposite OLB Adalius Thomas, the Patriots must improve the pressure, and hopefully, get more sacks. 

A more physical camp will benefit the offense as well. While the Pats were the sixth-best rushing offense last year, that was done partially against the AFC and NFC West, the two weakest divisions last year. If the O-line and ball carriers can enforce their will for a second year in a row, it makes the passing game dramatically easier. 

Continue reading "Establishing the Defense"

ling to snag a role in the secondary. 

Of equal importance is finding a linebacker opposite Adalius Thomas. Since the off-season trade of Mike Vrabel, a distinct move to secure a new starter wasn’t made. Instead the holdovers from last year (Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Vince Redd), plus the return of Tully Banta-Cain, will conduct a battle royal until someone emerges. 

Continue reading "Camp Countdown"

Considering the OLB competition opposite Adalius Thomas is wide open and completely unsettled, then there is a place McGinest could fit in. 

But with fans, it’s always a “what have you done for me lately” demand. They remember what McGinest meant for New England in the three Super Bowl titles. They also remember that head coach Bill Belichick let McGinest leave because Bill felt Willie outlived his usefulness. 

Continue reading "Is Willie Willing to Adjust?"

n, Vinny Ciurciu, Shawn Crable, Gary Guyton, Jerod Mayo, Pierre Woods, Vince Redd, Paris Lenon, and Adalius Thomas as the roster LBs (rookie Tyrone McKenzie is on injured reserve for the year). 

Continue reading "Deep Thoughts"

>As I’ve said ad nauseum, the Pats don’t have an outside linebacker starter opposite of Adalius Thomas. New England had a meddling 31 sacks, and that was with Mike Vrabel, who was traded this off-season. Either someone on the roster steps up (among Pierre Woods, Tully Banta-Cain, Shawn Crable, Vince Redd, or Angelo Craig), New England completes a trade (with Oakland’s Derrick Burgess a current possibility), or the Patriots wait for teams to make cuts (Dallas’ Greg Ellis will be available if the Cowboys are unable to trade the 11-year veteran). 

Continue reading "Brady Back, but Patriots Still Not Complete"

George Selvie, but I have to wait until next year for him.

Without a proven starter opposite Adalius Thomas, head coach Bill Belichick and his staff wait until the third round for a guy with 4.5 career sacks. Considering the Patriots as a team had 31 sacks last year, that's not giving the secondary much help.

Continue reading "Never Caught Short"

ide linebacker? No one on the current roster has me convinced they can be the starter opposite Adalius Thomas. Of the candidates between Pierre Woods, Tully Banta-Cain, Shawn Crable, Vince Redd, and Angelo Craig, Crable is the favorite by default. Woods doesn't pass rush well, Banta-Cain is a liability in pass coverage, Redd and Craig are unknowns, and Crable never saw the field before going on injured reserve.

Continue reading "Finding Bargains"

He would join Adalius Thomas, Jerod Mayo, and Tedy Bruschi in the starting lineup. 

Hmmm…Curry…Mayo…Bruschi… I’m getting hungry. Could Gary Guyton change his last name to Gumbo? 

Continue reading "Cooking up a Patriots Mock Draft"

s mold. 

Currently on the Patriots roster there are seven outside linebackers: Mike Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Vince Redd, Darrell Robertson, and Angleo Craig.

Continue reading "A Difficult Search for Patriots-type Players"

Peppers would have to drop back into coverage like Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas do. At that size, can Peppers backpedal into a zone or turn and run with tight ends and running backs? At that weight I wonder if he could do those skills effectively.

Continue reading "Swirling Trade Winds in Foxborough"

By the start of next season, Bruschi will be 36, Mike Vrabel 34, and Adalius Thomas 32. Rookie Jerod Mayo is the only under-30 starter, and fortunately it will be a while before he crosses that threshold.

Continue reading "One More, Bruschi, Harrison?"

s with 14 players on injured reserve, including key players QB Tom Brady, S Rodney Harrison, and LB Adalius Thomas.

The journalist who made the statement was NBC's Bob Costas. His explanation, as printed in The Boston Globe:

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

That dubious honor went to the defense. 

Adalius Thomas and Rodney Harrison going down played a significant role in the defense’s demise, but even with them in the lineup the 2008 Pats D again displayed the problems that plagued it in 2006 and 2007.  

Continue reading "2008 New England Patriots: Epilogue ..."

placed on injured reserve.

That wasn't the case in '07 as we nabbed the premiere free agent LB in Adalius Thomas. Also joining him was WR Donte' Stallworth, RB Sammy Morris, and two trades for receivers that played beyond the price paid, Wes Welker and Randy Moss.

Continue reading "The Bi-annual Free Agency Splash"

But  Bo Ruud doesn't make the active roster. Then Shawn Crable goes on IR. Next up was Adalius Thomas apparently breaking his arm. Pierre Woods takes his place. The word is Woods broke his jaw tackling Pittsburgh's tight end on Sunday.

Continue reading "Younger Depth at Linebacker"

In his absence, Adalius Thomas played better than Colvin after switching from ILB to OLB. 

With that in mind, New England decided to move forward with Thomas and stock the depth chart with youth. Pierre Woods was already on the roster, Shawn Crable was drafted in the third round, and Vince Redd was added as a rookie free agent. 

Continue reading "A Patriots-Colvin Reunion"

the ball just enough to win in week two will be challenged.

Doubting Woods -There was no doubting Adalius Thomas' play. He had the deciding 20-yard sack on Jets' QB Brett Favre in week two. With Thomas done for the year, the Jets will go after Pierre Woods and whoever plays in place of Thomas.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 11"

Adalius Thomas, you're the next contestant on the injured list! Come on down!

According to media sources, Thomas broke his arm on Sunday and will miss the rest of the season.

Honestly, what is this? Is this a running joke? Is Ashton Kutcher gonna pop out of the Patriots training room and tell Patriot Nation, "You've been Punked!" With all the injuries suffered by the New England players, it's starting to feel like a bad t.v. show: Meet the Patri-ouchs!

Continue reading "Patriots Mounting Injuries Aren't Funny"

Through four games he has two sacks, which projects to eight sacks for the year.

Adalius Thomas averaged nine sacks in his last four seasons. With three sacks through four games, he's on pace for 12.

Continue reading "Short on Sacks"

Besides Brady, Chiefs QB Brodie Croyle was knocked out of the game on a third quarter sack by LB Adalius Thomas. Test results showed Croyle suffered a separated shoulder and will miss Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders. Croyle wears number 12. More proof?

Continue reading "Unlucky number"

And while you're at it, LB Shawn Crable could try some new pass rush moves as Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas give him veteran insight from the sideline. Skip Cassel and play Kevin O'Connell, use Matt Slater on both sides of the ball and as a returner. Empty the bench.

Continue reading "Eye to the future"

ind of guys and Colvin seemed like one of them.

As a situational pass rusher to spell either OLBs Adalius Thomas or Mike Vrabel, Colvin could work. I wouldn't want to take my chances with Rosey and put him in coverage. SI said Colvin still has pain from the hip injury that nearly ended his career. Add to that the foot injury that cost him the last six games of 2007 and the playoffs and Colvin is a risky signing.

Continue reading "Reruns?"

I was a fan of a healthy Colvin, but he missed 26 games with the Pats. When LB Adalius Thomas shifted from a member of the ILB rotation to OLB from week 13 through the playoffs (eight games), Thomas had 5.5 sacks. Colvin had four sacks in twelve games. If that production continues for Thomas, combined with good health, Thomas projects (eleven sacks) to have a better season than Colvin's career best (10.5).

Continue reading "Room for improvement"

RE Richard Seymour
OLB Mike Vrabel
ILB Tedy Bruschi
ILB Victor Hobson
OLB Adalius Thomas
CB Ellis Hobbs
CB Fernando Bryant
FS James Sanders
SS Rodney Harrison

Continue reading "Looking too far ahead"

urprised if he's the highest paid LB on this team, ahead of veterans Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Adalius Thomas. That's probably what it will take to sign the 10th pick overall.

Don't blame Mayo. It's the going rate. The contract for first pick overall Jake Long made him the highest paid OT in the game. Third pick overall, QB Matt Ryan, reached an agreement with the Atlanta Falcons that pays him more than two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady.

Continue reading "Drop and give me $20 million"

The injury to Rosevelt Colvin eliminated the rotation inside that kept Seau, Adalius Thomas, and Tedy Bruschi fresh. With Hobson and Mayo in the mix, there's a lot more time to keep the veterans fresh through December and beyond. How can Seau resist this situation?

Continue reading "Say When"

y Bruschi is on a one-year deal and Junior Seau still doesn't know if he wants to continue playing. Adalius Thomas, while able to play inside or outside, finished the season at ROLB. So the need for a ILB prospect is real.

Continue reading "Size doesn't matter?"

uld also be a good free agent pickup and at 28 6’2 241# would be excellent as a complement to Adalius Thomas. Pittsburgh outside linebacker Clark Haggans would fit the Patriots linebacker

Continue reading "The Patriots linebacker quest"