Boston Herald thoughts on Adalius Thomas-LB-Ravens

[broadwayjoe]

The Boston Herald doesn't believe the Patriots will be willing to compete with teams like San Francisco to sign free agent Adalius Thomas.

Thomas would be a great fit in New England as an outside linebacker, but the Niners have more cap room and would seem more willing to "open the vault" for a player to mentor and start opposite Manny Lawson.

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/?p=983

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The Boston Herald doesn't believe the Patriots will be willing to compete with teams like San Francisco to sign free agent Adalius Thomas.

Thomas would be a great fit in New England as an outside linebacker, but the Niners have more cap room and would seem more willing to "open the vault" for a player to mentor and start opposite Manny Lawson.

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/patriots/?p=983

A reasonable assumption. Still, Thomas will probably visit here, we know BB has laid out expectations for a player and hooked them before this. Thomas' time left in the league is limited, does he "just" want the huge pay day? Or does another shot at the Super Bowl catch his eye? He knows New England will be competing for the near future, when will SF? The drama contiues until he does sign somewhere. :singing:

 

[PATSNUTme]

I don't think that we will get Thomas.

It maybe best to go after Jarret Johnson and get him signed on the first day of FA.

 

[NE39]

That article wasn't real helpful.

Bryan Thomas signed an extension with the Jets a while ago, he isn't a free agent.

Also, if he thinks Patrick Kerney (who will cost a ton like Thomas) or Chris Kelsay could make the transition to OLB he is crazy. Both are pure 4-3 DE's.

 

[BradyManny]

Breer also has a good look at the ILB position, which looks to be the more important of the two since preferrably Vrabel stays outside.

 

[SECTION 214]

THANKS FOR THE POST.

I agree with the Herald. Thomas would be a great fit but there are too many teams with so much $$$ out there due to the cap increase, we will not get into a crazy bidding war.

It will be interesting to see how we go about upgrading the linebacker position. Last years approach to this position was a joke. I have all the confidence that Bill and Scott will not make the same mistake for the 2007 season. We need to plug in a solid middle linebacker next to # 54 and kick vrebal and colvin back to their original positions.

 

[tombonneau]

THANKS FOR THE POST.

I agree with the Herald. Thomas would be a great fit but there are too many teams with so much $$$ out there due to the cap increase, we will not get into a crazy bidding war.

It will be interesting to see how we go about upgrading the linebacker position. Last years approach to this position was a joke. I have all the confidence that Bill and Scott will not make the same mistake for the 2007 season. We need to plug in a solid middle linebacker next to # 54 and kick vrebal and colvin back to their original positions.

I would disagree it was a joke. At the time it seemed so. But let's face it -- Seau stays healthy, we likely beat the Colts.

Of course one could argue the joke aspect was that the LB corps was hinging on a 40-year-old LB staying healthy.

 

[BradyManny]

I would disagree it was a joke. At the time it seemed so. But let's face it -- Seau stays healthy, we likely beat the Colts.

True, this sad and angrifying fact gets my ire up.

Likewise, if Harrison is healthy...we win the Super Bowl. I mean, there are so many ifs and buts out there in which we win the Super Bowl...the bottom line is, that if you come that close to winning a Super Bowl DESPITE all those injuries, I don't think you can call anything the front office did a joke. You gotta give them their props.

 

[patfanken]

Don't UNDERESTIMATE the chance at getting a ring, for a guy like Thomas. It will take a lot of money to get him here no doubt, but It might not take the MOST money out there.

Think about it. He's 30 with only 2-3 more productive years left. WHATEVER contract he signs will set him up for life, just with the signing bonus. If he comes here, he will play with a great lockerroom, great system. He'll have a REAL chance to win a few superbowls, and he'll be in a system where he'll be in a LB rotation with Vrabel, Colvin, Bruschi, etc. He wont be expected to Play EVERY down, and that saves wear and tear on the body.

 

[Rob0729]

I may be in the minority here, but I think if the Pats are as high on Thomas as people think that they might actually be competitive for him. They have paid for players in the past. Guys like Rodney and Colvin were actually paid competitively by the Pats. In fact, many felt we overpaif to get Rodney. The Cardinals were willing to give Colvin more of a signing bonus, but the Pats' overall package was very comprehible. Seymour is the highest paid d-lineman in the league over the life of his extension years. The Pats were willing to offer Branch about as much as the Seahawks gave him, but they were unwilling to rip up the last year of his contract.

I think if the Pats want Thomas, they will try to be competitive. If someone offers him crazy money which is a definite possibility, then they probably won't.

 

[unoriginal]

True, this sad and angrifying fact gets my ire up.

Likewise, if Harrison is healthy...we win the Super Bowl. I mean, there are so many ifs and buts out there in which we win the Super Bowl...the bottom line is, that if you come that close to winning a Super Bowl DESPITE all those injuries, I don't think you can call anything the front office did a joke. You gotta give them their props.

Exactly. Injuries to starters in the middle of the field are devasting.

Too bad the Colts didn't have to overcome similar injuries. If the Colts had lost Doss, Reagor and Simon...

 

[Remix 6]

I may be in the minority here, but I think if the Pats are as high on Thomas as people think that they might actually be competitive for him. They have paid for players in the past. Guys like Rodney and Colvin were actually paid competitively by the Pats. In fact, many felt we overpaif to get Rodney. The Cardinals were willing to give Colvin more of a signing bonus, but the Pats' overall package was very comprehible. Seymour is the highest paid d-lineman in the league over the life of his extension years. The Pats were willing to offer Branch about as much as the Seahawks gave him, but they were unwilling to rip up the last year of his contract.

I think if the Pats want Thomas, they will try to be competitive. If someone offers him crazy money which is a definite possibility, then they probably won't.

if we feel Thomas is worth what hes asking for or what others are offering..we will compete. if we feel teams are vastly overpaying..then forget it.

we give the player the money we feel he deserves and we give him a chance to compete each year

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

Is Thomas all about the money? I really know nothing about him other than what he's capable of on the field. I don't see the Pats paying beyond his value but if being competative is what really drives him,I'd have hopes of seeing him in a Pats uni.
He could be exactly what they need.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I would disagree it was a joke. At the time it seemed so. But let's face it -- Seau stays healthy, we likely beat the Colts.

Of course one could argue the joke aspect was that the LB corps was hinging on a 40-year-old LB staying healthy.

The injury that hurt was not Seau.

It was Harrision AND Tebuckey Jones AND Don Davis AND Chad Scott. If the Pats have any ONE of those guys healthy, the Pats make the Super Bowl. These were the guys to cover the TE, not Tedy or Alexander.

We might have won if either Tedy or TBC were healthy but neither was; both had the flu, along with a dozen other guys too.

 

[salty]

But this part of the article explains exactly why the Pats should get him:

Adalius Thomas is beyond a perfect fit. Not only does he have experience as an on-the-line outside ‘backer, but his versatility is absolutely mind blowing. Playing under innovative Baltimore coordinator Rex Ryan, Thomas played down on the line inside and out, up on the line, off the line at ‘backer and even in the secondary in 2006.

Imagine the possibilities! I think the Patriots will be competitive for his services. The Niners can pay a little more, and they are an up and coming team, which would have some allure for Thomas I would think. But I don't think you can count the Patriots out of the race just yet.

Woodley from the draft would be spectacular, but we would still need a veteran LB (preferably ILB) that could step in and contribute immediately.

 

[Seneschal2]

Raise your hand if you thought the Pats would sign a top-tier FA named Colvin.

Tick...tick...tick...

Don't underestimate BB & Pioli.

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

Raise your hand if you thought the Pats would sign a top-tier FA named Colvin.

Tick...tick...tick...

Don't underestimate BB & Pioli.

Thomas would be a coup for us and they know it.
BB was BFF with him for a reason,and no doubt it was to get to know him,get a feel for what fuels him. No doubt Pioli was on speed dial that week,and if BB saw what he's looking for in Thomas the Pats will definitely make a run at him.