Suppose AD takes most of his snaps at ILB

[Fencer]

If Thomas were to play most of his snaps at ILB, the whole roster might make more sense.

• He certainly has both the speed and strength to do so.
• It's not obvious that he's a superior pass rusher to Vrabel.
• It is indeed obvious that he's a superior pass defender to Vrabel -- and the ILB has a lot of coverage duties.
• It's easier to imagine the Pats grooming young OLBs than ILBs.

Why not a core LB rotation of:

Bruschi (inside)
Thomas (inside, nickel, and rotating outside)
Vrabel (outside; backing up inside)
Colvin (outside)
Seau (rotating inside)
youngster (some situational nickel rushing; backup outside)?

Plus Izzo, Alexander, et al. for STs and backup, and maybe in situational sets.

 

[unoriginal]

I don't care what they call 'em, I just want Vrabel, Colvin, and All Day on the field at all times.

... well, for most of the day, anyway.

 

[Triumph]

Thats like a race horse pulling a wagon.

Thomas has 20 sacks in 2 seasons lined up as a OLB and DE, BTW.

 

[DarrylS]

I think that this years D, if all are healthy, will be extremely innovative and Thomas will be used all over the place, with the talent and versatility of all of these guys opposing O coordinators will be having fits while trying to prepare for the pats. The key is how good will the D backfield be? If they are average or just above, I can see us going with sets never seen in the NFL before. The nicest thing about AD is he can plug in so many places and play well there, he is not a guy you can assume will be doing something.

 

[JoePats]

AD and MV will both play in both spots, and Belichick knows Thomas is an elite pass rusher and he will let him rush the passer frequently. You say Vrabel is not as good inside, agree, but it's one thing to have him inside next to Tully Banta-Cain, and one thing to have him inside w/ AD, no comparison.

 

[Remix 6]

we already had the sense that he would play some ILB but would rotate because ILB in 3-4 takes away his abilities really..

 

[Poll]

I think we can see more safety blitzes with Thomas on the field.

 

[patsgo]

If Thomas were to play most of his snaps at ILB, the whole roster might make more sense.

• He certainly has both the speed and strength to do so.
• It's not obvious that he's a superior pass rusher to Vrabel.
• It is indeed obvious that he's a superior pass defender to Vrabel -- and the ILB has a lot of coverage duties.
• It's easier to imagine the Pats grooming young OLBs than ILBs.

Why not a core LB rotation of:

Bruschi (inside)
Thomas (inside, nickel, and rotating outside)
Vrabel (outside; backing up inside)
Colvin (outside)
Seau (rotating inside)
youngster (some situational nickel rushing; backup outside)?

Plus Izzo, Alexander, et al. for STs and backup, and maybe in situational sets.

no way they just didnt spend 35 million on a run stuffer you can take that to the bank , he will be on the edge putting pressure on the qb

 

[Crowpointer]

Thats like a race horse pulling a wagon.

Thomas has 20 sacks in 2 seasons lined up as a OLB and DE, BTW.

Good analogy. Put your playmakers in the best position to make plays.

 

[sebman2112]

Nah, I think he is going to play both positions, but probably more at OLB. AD is a better pass rusher than Vrabel, and probably better than Colvin. Colvin, Vrabel, and Thomas rotating on the outside will be sick this season. Vrabel and Thomas are both versatile enough to play ILB, but that is not their best position. I think maybe a draftee who is also versatile enough to play both positions would be optimal, especially if ILB is his best position.

Emagine having Colvin, Vrabel, Willis, and Thomas on the field at the same time? Willis can play at any of the four Backer positions. This would be a QB's nightmare. All four can rush the passer, all four can drop into coverage, and three of them could set up anywhere...Plus, this set has a dramatic upgrade in speed over last year, just by adding two players.

An LB corp of Colvin, AD, Willis, Vrabel, and Bruschi as your starters, and some combination of Woods/Mays/Hartwell/or another draft pick as your backups/rotational backers would be very nice.

Colvin, AD, Willis, Vrabel, Bruschi, Woods, Mays, Hartwell, and another draft pick adds up to 9 LB's the Patriots have carried ten under BB in the past.

 

[signbabybrady]

This question is still up in the air, several things will determine this. What happens in the draft and the rest of free agency will be a huge factor in determining this. If we get seau and a good young LBer in the draft than both could be primarily outside backers with occasional duty at ILB, but if neither happens one could be ILB full time. Wether or not we get seau and a rook most of this will be answered in Training Camp as you need to see AD on the field with the other guys to see where they best fit together.

 

[BradyManny]

I don't care what they call 'em, I just want Vrabel, Colvin, and All Day on the field at all times.

... well, for most of the day, anyway.

Yup, co-sign.

 

[patsox23]

I think the Pats will obviously play AD all over the field, but - and I'm disappointed in this - he will like likely see more time at OLB, rather than inside. With Vrabel being more productive/suited to OLB, it's a bummer - seems it would be much more efficient for AD to play ILB, where we need him more (IMO) - but something tells me BB will have a pretty effective defensive plan, no matter where the various parts perform.

 

[dhamz]

I think the Pats will obviously play AD all over the field, but - and I'm disappointed in this - he will like likely see more time at OLB, rather than inside. With Vrabel being more productive/suited to OLB, it's a bummer - seems it would be much more efficient for AD to play ILB, where we need him more (IMO) - but something tells me BB will have a pretty effective defensive plan, no matter where the various parts perform.

Vrabel is a better ILB than Thomas is. Thomas is a better OLB than Vrabel. Both guys will play all over the field but it stands to reason that Vrabel will play more inside than Thomas because he is better at.

 

[mgteich]

I agree. The linebacking corps makes sense no matter who bb chooses to have more reps inside.

Vrabel is a better ILB than Thomas is. Thomas is a better OLB than Vrabel. Both guys will play all over the field but it stands to reason that Vrabel will play more inside than Thomas because he is better at.

 

[the taildragger]

don't be surprised if we try him in the slot on goal line...ala vrabel...no joke.

 

[smg93]

I'm not sure what position would AD would be more suited too except that I think he will plug one of this defense's greatest weaknesses last year which was covering good TE's like Clark or Gates. Just for this alone, he will make our D that much tougher.

 

[Fencer]

Thats like a race horse pulling a wagon.

Thomas has 20 sacks in 2 seasons lined up as a OLB and DE, BTW.

In Vrabel's best year he had the second-most sacks in the league for an LB, I think after Suggs.

 

[Fencer]

Vrabel is a better ILB than Thomas is.

Really? On what do you base that?

 

[TheSeymonsta]

I agree wth most that say AD belongs outside but so does Vrabel.

I would much rather see a clear rotation of

Colvin, Thomas and Vrabel on the outside with

Bruschi, Hartwell, Willis/Poz on the Inside.

This would be ideal and also sick for opposing offenses.