Reloading mid-season at LB

[Fencer]

The Adalius Thomas thread is badly polluted with "I broke the news first"/"No you didn't" BS. I don't want to wade through it, so I'm starting over.

Here's how I see it:

• Mayo and Guyton are rookies. Expecting them to play elsewhere than ILB is unrealistic. That's hard enough to learn.
• Vrabel and Woods are the obvious starters at OLB.
• Bruschi IS still a starter at ILB, and probably will get most of his reps there.
• Bringing in a guy who doesn't know the system to be a pure pass rusher is not crazy. But if they liked that idea, would they ever have red-shirted Crable?
• Bringing in a guy who doesn't know the system to do much more than pass rush is unrealistic.
• So yes, it's Colvin/Seau/Redd time.

 

[DarrylS]

Prior to knowing about Thomas this AM, had wondered what happened to Colvin.. not sure he is the answer, we let him go and did not even make the Texan's roster... suspect that his injuries have caught up with him.. not sure the alternative, but as always this team adapts..

 

[reflexblue]

Houston signed Colvein but hes sitting at home from what I've read. He would be my choice.

 

[BritPat]

I'd forget Junior, he's not going to help our pass rush.

Rosie for me too, although I'm intrigued to see what Redd could do. God knows how much he's learned though, it can't be much on the PS surely?

 

[Mack Herron]

He will be missed. Among his many skills, the pass rush has been weak and AD was our best with 5 sacks. Vrabel in particular seems to have lost a step. But pass rushers are a rare commodity so they will have to figure out another way.

 

[Schmo]

Prior to knowing about Thomas this AM, had wondered what happened to Colvin.. not sure he is the answer, we let him go and did not even make the Texan's roster... suspect that his injuries have caught up with him.. not sure the alternative, but as always this team adapts..

I think the Pats have proven that they can integrate certain players much better than other teams. i.e. Lamont Jordan and Randy Moss cast off from the Raiders.

IMO Colvin getting released by the Texans is a sure sign that he is ready to be a pro-bowler as a Patriot.

 

[Wretch]

The Adalius Thomas thread is badly polluted with "I broke the news first"/"No you didn't" BS. I don't want to wade through it, so I'm starting over.

Here's how I see it:

• Mayo and Guyton are rookies. Expecting them to play elsewhere than ILB is unrealistic. That's hard enough to learn.
• Vrabel and Woods are the obvious starters at OLB.
• Bruschi IS still a starter at ILB, and probably will get most of his reps there.
• Bringing in a guy who doesn't know the system to be a pure pass rusher is not crazy. But if they liked that idea, would they ever have red-shirted Crable?
• Bringing in a guy who doesn't know the system to do much more than pass rush is unrealistic.
• So yes, it's Colvin/Seau/Redd time.

OK going WAY out on a limb, but do they start playing more 4-3 with Mike Wright?

 

[MetalBleachers]

If Seau was looking for an opportunity to come back, he's got it. He's in the rotation at OLB with Vrabel and Woods, and could provide some pressure off the edge. Seau is stronger vs. the run than Colvin.

Brady, Maroney, Harrison, Thomas. Someone please tell the football gods: that's enough for 2008, okay?

 

[MetalBleachers]

OK going WAY out on a limb, but do they start playing more 4-3 with Mike Wright?

I don't think that's out on a limb at all. They might use more of it; It's just that they never want to project a game plan, and the 3-4 allows them the most flexibility.

Didn't they start the Buffalo game in a 4-3 alignment, bringing Thomas down in a DE position? hard to tell.

 

[JSn]

I think we'll see more DT heavy alignments for sure, but if AD is headed for IR you can pretty much bank on the activation of Vince Redd.

 

[patsgo]

I think we'll see more DT heavy alignments for sure, but if AD is headed for IR you can pretty much bank on the activation of Vince Redd.

i think hobson wii be brought back

 

[Fencer]

OK going WAY out on a limb, but do they start playing more 4-3 with Mike Wright?

Or just Jarvis Green.

In the 2001 season they switched to a 4-3 due to the number of LB injuries, so your theory isn't far-fetched at all.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

OK going WAY out on a limb, but do they start playing more 4-3 with Mike Wright?

or sending jarvis to rush-that would be nice......we always find ways!

 

[Mark Morse]

What about John Lynch as a LB rather than Saftey? He is 6'2" 220#'s. I think Pierre Woods is the OLB in running situations but having Lynch in passing downs allows more flexibility.

 

[BelichickFan]

The problem with switching to a 4-3 is it doesn't really fix the problem. We are weak now at OLB and unless you want to switch Bruschi, Mayo or Guyton out there, playing one less LB doesn't accomplish anything.

Looks like the new Woods will be Redd unless Colvin is ready to go.

 

[primetime]

i think hobson wii be brought back

That's what I'm thinking as well. Colvin's career is likely over due to injuries, while Seau isn't going to do much at OLB. Redd and Woods will be options, but you need a rotation. Hobson has played OLB in a similar system before.

 

[Jimke]

Many of you are making the situation too complicated. The

Pats will simply put Thomas on IR and promote Redd from the

practice squad. I will be interested to see how much Redd has

progressed since he appeared in the preseason games. I thought

Redd showed some potential.

 

[Fencer]

The problem with switching to a 4-3 is it doesn't really fix the problem. We are weak now at OLB and unless you want to switch Bruschi, Mayo or Guyton out there, playing one less LB doesn't accomplish anything.

Looks like the new Woods will be Redd unless Colvin is ready to go.

Bruschi seems more credible to me as an admittedly slow 4-3 OLB than as a 3-4 OLB.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Many of you are making the situation too complicated. The

Pats will simply put Thomas on IR and promote Redd from the

practice squad. I will be interested to see how much Redd has

progressed since he appeared in the preseason games. I thought

Redd showed some potential.

I think you called it. Redd has won some practise awards. The thought of Lynch as an OLB that Mark mentioned crossed my mind but assuming Lynch can and now wants to play, at best Lynch would be too situational, too few plays. Speed it OLB is the issue; not sure the old coot has any left. UDFA Redd is Da Man.

 

[mtbykr]

I don't think that's out on a limb at all. They might use more of it; It's just that they never want to project a game plan, and the 3-4 allows them the most flexibility.

Didn't they start the Buffalo game in a 4-3 alignment, bringing Thomas down in a DE position? hard to tell.

They played a lot in the 3-4, but would sometimes have someone drop down like a DL to disguise what they were going to do. Let's not get carried away with the 3-4 and 4-3 talk.....please remember that their are the same number of OLB in both packages!