Given the LB situation, this is a tremendous move.
I think the best starting line-up is:
Thomas - Bruschi - Seau - Vrabel
Thomas and Vrabel are the best OLB's against the run.
Bruschi and Seau are the best inside run-stuffers.
This makes the most sense for 'starting' downs - first series of a game.
In any passing situation, Seau should be subbed out for Colvin:
Thomas - Vrabel - Bruschi - Colvin
The sub package can be something like:
Woods - Alexander - Vrabel - Colvin
That gives the top four playmakers, Thomas, Bruschi, Vrabel, and Colvin a number of rotations. It might over-use Vrabel in several positions, but the team has four ILB's it can rotate in and out.
Seau proved a terrific inside run-stuffer in the Pats system, racking up 15 tackles in the Jets game. He was also very good in coverage over the TE.
This provides one more versatile LB, a guy who can tackle, rush the passer, and cover the receivers - tight end or RB. Thomas, Vrabel, Bruschi and Seau can all line up inside or outside, and are almost equally effective from either spot. Bruschi and Vrabel can both line up over the nose in passing downs; presumably Thomas can as well given his size, strength, and athleticism.
I really think this is a big deal, just behind franchising Samuel and acquiring Thomas for the defense.
As noted, it does nothing to solve the long-term issue, and acts to ****** the development of young players like Alexander who would otherwise get more snaps. However, given that the Patriots really have no high-potential young players, it's not that big a deal.
The only other problem for the Pats is game-day actives. Historically they fund special teams out of the LB corps, and they once again have a bunch of older linebackers. This squeezes them on game-day actives to fill special teams. They just don't have many young guys who can learn the system, play a few series, and focus on special teams.
