AT: Inside man

[Mack Herron]

Thomas spent much of the practice lining up at inside linebacker.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

Anyone else expect that AT will primarily be at inside LB this year? Vrabel and Colvin at OLB, Bruschi and Seau rotate ILB.

 

[dhamz]

I expect that he will play all over the place.

I also expect that we will read way too much into things like where guys line up in drills and practices - just like we do every year.

 

[livinginthe past]

Can we call him AD purtty please?

 

[stevedogc]

I expect that he will play all over the place.

I also expect that we will read way too much into things like where guys line up in drills and practices - just like we do every year.

agreed, he'll be played everywhere

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

Sports Tonight said he was playing almost everywhere today.
Whatever goes on during the media portion of camp doesn't hold a whole lot of signifigance but there's no doubt AD's going to be one of the most exciting players we've ever had. He's perfect here,and it's going to be awesome to see how BB uses him and what schemes he'll be able to build around Thomas.

 

[bronk37]

I think he will be opposing QB's worst nightmare because he will be lining up everywhere, I think Rosie has a monster year as teams will be more focused on AD. I can't wait to see Manning getting sacked by AD and co

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

I think he will be opposing QB's worst nightmare because he will be lining up everywhere, I think Rosie has a monster year as teams will be more focused on AD. I can't wait to see Manning getting sacked by AD and co

:agree: AD is going to enable BB to completely transform this defense-something the Pats desperately needed to have happen.
During the SB years we had the best red zone defense in the league. While we may not achieve that status exactly,we'll be outstanding at confusing offenses. I predict brand new pics and video footage of a very confused Peyton Manning,just like old times

 

[BB_dynasty]

I think opposing OCs will be loosing sleep planning for AT/AD whatever you want to call him. Then they will still be outsmarted by BB. It is a lose lose situation for other offenses. A sort of heads you win tails i lose is what the offenses are thinking.

 

[zippo59]

I know people are very optimistic, as am I. I agree that Thomas will be used everywhere. No need to nail him down to one position, but I do think he will see significant time at outside linebacker in the elephant role.

 

[Ring 6]

:agree: AD is going to enable BB to completely transform this defense-something the Pats desperately needed to have happen.
During the SB years we had the best red zone defense in the league. While we may not achieve that status exactly,we'll be outstanding at confusing offenses. I predict brand new pics and video footage of a very confused Peyton Manning,just like old times

While I agree that Thomas is a great addition and the best part may be bringing his versatility into a defense with many versatile players, I find it ludicrous to say he will enable BB to COMPLETELY TRANSFORM his defense and that is DESPERATELY NEEDED.
We were the second best defense (barely not first) in the NFL last year, and cummulatively since BB has been here, the best D in the NFL.
Your comments sound like you are talking about the 80s Chargers.

 

[Metaphors]

It has been mentioned before, but the key is where the linebackers go post-snap...not necessarily where they line up pre-snap. I actually expect AT's flexibility (along with a healthy secondary) to allow Bruschi to use his instincts to roam around and make more plays than he did last year.