Flying Fungi

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Phoenix111

You've got to be kidding me. He seems "unhappy"? I guess this guy talks to him on a daily basis, right?. We need to relax and breathe.

RayClay

"One NFL coach I spoke with Monday night was surprised to see Thomas at the "Mike" inside linebacker spot, because he believes his skills were best suited to outside linebacker"

That's my thought. Why waste all that athletic ability standing in the middle when you could pick up a much less athletic player to do that?

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Phoenix111

Yes, understood. However, you've got to think that BB will have Thomas rushing the passer from the outside at some points during the season. And if BB wants Thomas at the Mike then you would think that it was a well thought out decision.

Regardless, my issue was with the fan stating that Thomas seemed unhappy. From a typical fan's perspective there is really no way to determine that.

BelichickFan

I don't know why we don't value athletic ability in the middle. Bruschi of today vs. Bruschi of 2003/4 shows what additional quickness/athleticism in the middle can be. Between blitzing, coverage and general field coverage I'm thrilled to have an athletic player in the middle. If not why not put Lua there and see how that works out

Flying Fungi

I would like to hear more about Maroney...

.....

Can Maroney be effective without a lead blocker?
Sageanalyst, Seattle
A: I think Maroney will be most effective running out of a three-wide set, with no lead blocker. In training camp, he has been quite explosive when making one decisive cut and finding the hole quickly.

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patchick

If Troy is ready to practice but Moss and Gaffney are not, the WR picture gets murkier and murkier!

Bobs My Uncle

It was interesting to note that two guys on Reiss' cut list - Caldwell and James, are counting $1.55M and $1.35M respectively against the cap. For guys who are likely to be WAY down the depth chart, I think it's quite likely they'll both be goners. Especially so once/if Jackson/Brown and/or Samuel return.

NE39

Maybe because, in the coaching staffs determination, that allows them to put all the best players on the field. Thomas may be a better fit outside, but by playing him inside it allows him to move Tedy back to WSILB and keep Vrabel at OLB. I don't know if that is the case, I'm just suggesting.

It seems to be Belichick wants to put the best combination of players out on the field, which is why Bruschi was moved over and Vrabel played some ILB the last couple years, despite their not being in the best positions for them individually. With Thomas, it could be the same, as his playing ILB allows the best defensive combination to be used.

Or, perhaps they are using him there to build skills and versatility, and when the season starts he may not play there as much.

I could see either way being possible.

RayClay

How long did it take Bruschi three years? (correct me if I'm wrong that's off the top of my head).

Also, Bruschi needed to learn in order to stay on the team, he wasn't making it as a DE or OLB at his height.

BB's just throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks. He's not going to take one of the most disruptive players in the league and confine him to the middle.

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