condon84

I hope everything is okay.

And I agree about your point in how we are using AD. He's out there in coverage most of the time. The only game I ever saw of him where he was specifically used as a rusher was 07 Super Bowl and I thought he was awesome that game.

For some reason, BB thinks he is more useful in space/coverage.

MoLewisrocks

Someone really needs to change the title of this ill conceived thread or lock it or just delete it, unless of course that would upset everyone who wants to vent about something they aren't equipped to know squat about. Sorry, there I go twisting that pole up my ass again, I guess...

JSn

AD is beastly, but it would rock to see him spending more energy charging QB's. More likely, this is damaging information for those trying to conceal that we've only played five games and that our DC is suspect at times.

And agreed about the title. Badness.

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jmt57

When Thomas was with the Ravens he would line up almost anywhere on the field, with the exception of DT or CB. Belichick absolutely loves that kind of versatility and that is why he wanted to sign him as a free agent. The Ravens played a much more agressive defense then, which resulted in more sacks. Fans assumed and expected the same type of play from Thomas once he came here as a Patriot.

But the Pats coaching staff has felt compelled to play a more passive defense than what the Ravens employed the last two years due to the rest of the personnel on the field, and possibly due to the way some penalties are called now as well. Their decision to go with a bend-but-don't-break philosophy is due to their belief that the risk of giving up big plays to the opponent was not worth the potential reward of the big play (sack, turnover) by the defense.

Fans naturally yearn for that big play, so when they don't get it they point fingers at pass rushers for lack of sacks and corners for lack of interceptions on defense, as well as receivers and the quarterback for lack of touchdowns on offense. It's a natural reaction fueled by espn's highlight clips that include all the other team's big plays. Watch an hour of that and you walk away thinking every other team makes big plays all game long; you want the Patriots to have the big sack, the big interception, and the big touchdown of the day every week. And after a loss that becomes amplified to a point of 'we lost because this guy didn't make a highlight play' finger pointing.

Now has Adalius Thomas lost a half step? Maybe, I don't know. But in my opinion the biggest problem is that fan expectations are not in sync with the team's current defensive philosophy.

KontradictioN

With Seau in, can we rotate him and Guyton to Mike or Will and have Pierre Woods to the other side and line up AD at DE with his hand in the ground for pass rush in a 4-3? Did AD play with his hand on the ground in college? Just saying that he is big and still has speed given the fact that he's been assigned to coverage duties this year and can still keep up with slot receivers and tight ends, and could possibly pose a problem going directly against some of the tackles we play this year...

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CREDIT - Sicilian

robertweathers

Yes. AD has & can play DE in a passing situation.

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aluminum seats

I hate espn as much as anyone, but don't you think it's true that the lack of these sorts of big plays is a genuine issue with the Pats' D? Looking back at the Super Bowl years, from Ty Law to Harrison to Bruschi, etc., it does seem to me that "big plays" were a vital component to a winning defense. Strong fundamentals, sound tackling, etc., for sure. But an interception at a key point of a game does do wonders.

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jbb9s

The truth is, since he wasn't a starter for several years to start his career, some people thought he really had less wear on him than average. Well that theory has also been pretty severely debunked.

Jimke

Thomas had quite a bit to say when Seymour was traded.

WhiZa

Which is why I do not understand taking him off the field on 3rd down. He's only on the field for 60% of the snaps but he's the highest paid defensive player for a reason.

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