Will Adalius be better set at SILB with strong running teams?

[PATRIOT64]

I expect to see Adalius in just about every defensive position in the linebacking area this year but I also expect him to be set mainly inside all day at strong inside linebacker when we play teams that are known to be more run oriented than pass such as teams we play this year, San Diego with Tomlinson,Miami with Brown and Baltimore with McGahee,I think we will need his speed and versatility and youth
(ok hes 30 but hes still younger than Bru,Seau and Vrabel) inside with those better rushers and I expect him to be mainly all day on the outer edge when Peyton and Palmer come to play,otherwise I think Seau will be inside against teams with a better passing game and of course any other LB that makes the squad such as Lua.

Here is an interesting recent article from ESPN regarding Adalius and his adaptability in this defense....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2900954

 

[JaredOfNazareth]

I'm not really sure what to expect. Adalius lined up everywhere in Ryans defense. Against SD he sorta played opposite left tackle or the TE on that side. He was able to persue Ladainian whenever he ran left; able to force any blockers inside and then shed those blocks when LDT bounced outside. He played left side run D the whole game. Adalius and Suggs were moved around a lot.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

The knock on Thomas, from my reading, reportedly is his ability to take on OL. If true, SILB is going to put him to the test.

As things currently stand, Thomas is the Pats' best coverage LB. At SILB he's in a good position to work against the TE. Seau is the better run stuffer as far as we know, and from the news reports was taking the second string snaps behind Thomas.

The Pats have four LBs who can work inside (Bruschi, Seau, Thomas, and Vrabel) and five who can work outside (those four plus Colvin). Alexander may join the ILB group if he has a good Training Camp.

At this point where Thomas plays is all speculative, he'll probably do fine if he does start at SILB, he's a big enough boy to clutter the rushing lanes even if taking on OL isn't his strength. If he doesn't hold up he can move back outside and Junior will carry the load.

 

[JaredOfNazareth]

I took another look at the play-by-play and thay lined Adalius up on the strong side and LDT couldn't do much(26 for 98yds). A couple long runs in the 3rd that lead to a missed FG. ADT made the tackle on the two longest runs of the game, 19 and 29 yards.

Not sure if most teams have counter weak side plays off their main running plays.

I think we could have ADT shut down one side of the field and overload the other side. Like how the Broncos use Champ in coverage only this is against the run.

 

[sieglo]

I can't wait to shut down LT's *****y little ass and watch him cry all the way back to San Diego.

 

[Tunescribe]

The knock on Thomas, from my reading, reportedly is his ability to take on OL. If true, SILB is going to put him to the test.

As things currently stand, Thomas is the Pats' best coverage LB. At SILB he's in a good position to work against the TE. Seau is the better run stuffer as far as we know, and from the news reports was taking the second string snaps behind Thomas.

The Pats have four LBs who can work inside (Bruschi, Seau, Thomas, and Vrabel) and five who can work outside (those four plus Colvin). Alexander may join the ILB group if he has a good Training Camp.

At this point where Thomas plays is all speculative, he'll probably do fine if he does start at SILB, he's a big enough boy to clutter the rushing lanes even if taking on OL isn't his strength. If he doesn't hold up he can move back outside and Junior will carry the load.

It occurs to me that we haven't had a "pure" run-stuffing/O-lineman-mauling inside linebacker since Ted Johnson. Inside linebacker in general I fear will continue to be a touchy area this year, as Bruschi isn't as physical as he used to be and Junior is on the fragile side and will need to be spotted. Thomas is such a big, athletic beast -- what did you read about his trouble shedding blockers? I wonder if Lua can offer some surprise help in this area on early downs.
.

 

[patfanken]

I think by now we should understand that WHERE Thomas plays will be determined week to week, or even down to down, based on who we play and what their strengths or weaknesses they bring each game. For example on first downs Thomas might play the strong ILB, then on passing downs switch to the outside. Colvin will play on the outside exclusively as Tedy will at this point play exclusively on the inside. However both Thomas and Vrabel can play both. Thats a lot of flexibility.

 

[Born_a_Patriot]

Adalius
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U0D5hlOvMo

 

[patsfan55]

I expect to see Adalius in just about every defensive position in the linebacking area this year but I also expect him to be set mainly inside all day at strong inside linebacker when we play teams that are known to be more run oriented than pass such as teams we play this year, San Diego with Tomlinson,Miami with Brown and Baltimore with McGahee,I think we will need his speed and versatility and youth
(ok hes 30 but hes still younger than Bru,Seau and Vrabel) inside with those better rushers and I expect him to be mainly all day on the outer edge when Peyton and Palmer come to play,otherwise I think Seau will be inside against teams with a better passing game and of course any other LB that makes the squad such as Lua.

Here is an interesting recent article from ESPN regarding Adalius and his adaptability in this defense....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2900954

the biggest thing with stopping the run, especially against a guy like tomlinson is holding the edge

if we think adalius gives us the best chance to hold the edge than we keep him on the outside
personally, i dont know how well he is at contain, what i do know is colvin is terrible at it (getting suckin in allll the time), and vrabel is inconsistent at it (not being able to get off his blocks that well the last couple yrs)

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It occurs to me that we haven't had a "pure" run-stuffing/O-lineman-mauling inside linebacker since Ted Johnson. Inside linebacker in general I fear will continue to be a touchy area this year, as Bruschi isn't as physical as he used to be and Junior is on the fragile side and will need to be spotted. Thomas is such a big, athletic beast -- what did you read about his trouble shedding blockers? I wonder if Lua can offer some surprise help in this area on early downs.
.

There has been a lot written on A. Thomas, I recall being surprised reading that he wasn't especially good taking on blockers, I just can't lay my hands on those stories but will keep an eye out.

 

[PeytonManning'sbrain]

Id add the Jets to that list, i expect them to run the ball consintley with a Jones Washington combo.