Adalius Thomas at MLB?

[Nordberg]

After watching the game a couple of times....and I know it's early with the Thomas at MLB experiment....but does anyone else have even the smallest concern that Adalius plays to "high" to be an effective MLB in our system? He plays the game alot like Willie.....and I would have thought Billy B. would have been crazy if you saw Willie in that spot when he was here.

Most guards are short.....which I would think would favor them going against a taller MLB like Thomas. I see alot of them just taking out his legs on running plays....taking him out of the play.

 

[wdkantro2]

After watching the game a couple of times....and I know it's early with the Thomas at MLB experiment....but does anyone else have even the smallest concern that Adalius plays to "high" to be an effective MLB in our system? He plays the game alot like Willie.....and I would have thought Billy B. would have been crazy if you saw Willie in that spot when he was here.

Most guards are short.....which I would think would favor them going against a taller MLB like Thomas. I see alot of them just taking out his legs on running plays....taking him out of the play.

Ted Johnson: Great Pats linebacker, 6 feet, 4 inches tall.
Adalius: 6 feet, 2 inches.

Don't worry about it.

 

[Nordberg]

Ted Johnson: Great Pats linebacker, 6 feet, 4 inches tall.
Adalius: 6 feet, 2 inches.

Don't worry about it.

I'm not knocking him.....Just rewatch the tape if you have it. It just looks like he takes on Guards with a too high of center of gravity. (like a RB that runs too upright) I am sure IF that is the case, the coachs will get him lower in his stance when confronted with blockers

 

[363839]

Adalius will be everywhere on that defense. Both inside linebacker positions, outside linebacker, his hand will be in the dirt on some plays. Hell, he even lined up at corner for the Ravens. Drove Chad Johnson into the backfield the story goes.

 

[Frezo]

After watching the game a couple of times....and I know it's early with the Thomas at MLB experiment....but does anyone else have even the smallest concern that Adalius plays to "high" to be an effective MLB in our system? He plays the game alot like Willie.....and I would have thought Billy B. would have been crazy if you saw Willie in that spot when he was here.

Most guards are short.....which I would think would favor them going against a taller MLB like Thomas. I see alot of them just taking out his legs on running plays....taking him out of the play.

Guards are 6'2" and taller throughout the league. Sure you aren't getting a little old school here?

 

[Nordberg]

Guards are 6'2" and taller throughout the league. Sure you aren't getting a little old school here?

I said he plays tall....not he is too tall

I guess I should have just stated his style of play...instead of talking about the height of guards and MLB's

 

[Frezo]

I said he plays tall....not he is too tall

Sorry man, you said most guards are short.

 

[Nordberg]

Sorry man, you said most guards are short.

Yes I did.....by bad

 

[JoeSixPat]

After watching the game a couple of times....and I know it's early with the Thomas at MLB experiment....but does anyone else have even the smallest concern that Adalius plays to "high" to be an effective MLB in our system? He plays the game alot like Willie.....and I would have thought Billy B. would have been crazy if you saw Willie in that spot when he was here.

Most guards are short.....which I would think would favor them going against a taller MLB like Thomas. I see alot of them just taking out his legs on running plays....taking him out of the play.

'

You might have a point about his technique... my feeling is that AD will be moved around a lot but that right now he's still learning the nuances of our MLB spot, and in fact, it is pre-season and that's a pretty good time to experiment.

So if there is some technique issue you've noticed I'd have to think it could be corrected pretty easilly. This is the time of year when you're going to see those things worked on, so don't sweat it.

 

[Frezo]

Yes I did.....by bad

Maybe he is playing then guards a bit tall. I'll watch for it on Friday. Of course BB will have him at OLB for that game screwing everything up.

 

[patsfan55]

one thing that really worried me was that run by their backup rb (it wasnt cadillac, not sure who it was though) that went for like 15 yards
it was a sweep around adalius' side when he was at olb, and he looked absolutely lossed trying to contain the edge, it was pretty awful
hopefully it was just a brain fart or somthin

 

[townes]

I think they brought AD in to be the future leader of the defense in the middle. Its a shift that will take him some time to get used to, but he's definitely built for it and he's got the game smarts and intangibles to be a great MLB. This allows Bruschi and Seau to be part time players and Vrabel to move back outside, and it gives them both the size to take the guards on and athletic ability to run with receivers. I wouldn't expect him to have it down the first few weeks, but by October I don't believe there will be any doubt in anyones mind how good a MLB he is.

 

[rabthepat]

one thing that really worried me was that run by their backup rb (it wasnt cadillac, not sure who it was though) that went for like 15 yards
it was a sweep around adalius' side when he was at olb, and he looked absolutely lossed trying to contain the edge, it was pretty awful
hopefully it was just a brain fart or somthin

Ya, he ran right by the guy. Kind of reminded me of Dwight Freeney.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

It's only the first preseason game. If he's making mistakes in week one then I raise an eyebrow.

 

[TripleOption]

one thing that really worried me was that run by their backup rb (it wasnt cadillac, not sure who it was though) that went for like 15 yards
it was a sweep around adalius' side when he was at olb, and he looked absolutely lossed trying to contain the edge, it was pretty awful
hopefully it was just a brain fart or somthin

ILB's don't "contain". They are inside out players.

 

[DaBruinz]

After watching the game a couple of times....and I know it's early with the Thomas at MLB experiment....but does anyone else have even the smallest concern that Adalius plays to "high" to be an effective MLB in our system? He plays the game alot like Willie.....and I would have thought Billy B. would have been crazy if you saw Willie in that spot when he was here.

Most guards are short.....which I would think would favor them going against a taller MLB like Thomas. I see alot of them just taking out his legs on running plays....taking him out of the play.

A few things. The first and foremost is that Thomas isn't playing MLB. The Pats don't use a MLB in their base 3-4 system. They are an ILB and they have different responsibilities than a 4-3 MLB.

Next, most guards are not short. Just look at the Patriots. Mankins(6'4), Neal (6'4), Yates (6'2), Hochstein (6'4), Elgin (6'4), Mruczkowski (6'2). Also look at some of the starters aroung the league. Larry Allen (49ers)(6'3), Shawn Andrews (Eagles) (6'4), Rick DeMulling (Colts) (6'4), Alan Faneca (Steelers) (6'5), Kris Dielman (Chargers) (6'4).

Most starting guards fall in the 6'4 range. Thomas is 6'2, so he'd actually have the leverage advantage because he'd, theoretically be able to get under them. However, it needs to be taken into consideration that the guards already start in a 3 point stance where as, Thomas is starting in a 2 point stance at ILB. So, it may look like he is playing "high" when he's really not.

 

[reflexblue]

one thing that really worried me was that run by their backup rb (it wasnt cadillac, not sure who it was though) that went for like 15 yards
it was a sweep around adalius' side when he was at olb, and he looked absolutely lossed trying to contain the edge, it was pretty awful
hopefully it was just a brain fart or somthin

I remember that was the rap against him,that for his size he doesan't hold the edge well against the run.

 

[363839]

A few things. The first and foremost is that Thomas isn't playing MLB. The Pats don't use a MLB in their base 3-4 system. They are an ILB and they have different responsibilities than a 4-3 MLB.

In my post on the first page of this thread I indirectly mention this fact.

BTW, Dabruinz what was your take on AD's performance. Too early to tell?

 

[Vern]

I think they brought AD in to be the future leader of the defense in the middle. Its a shift that will take him some time to get used to, but he's definitely built for it and he's got the game smarts and intangibles to be a great MLB. This allows Bruschi and Seau to be part time players and Vrabel to move back outside, and it gives them both the size to take the guards on and athletic ability to run with receivers. I wouldn't expect him to have it down the first few weeks, but by October I don't believe there will be any doubt in anyones mind how good a MLB he is.

I love AD as ILB, but I think people have wrongly pidgeon-holed that role as just a "run stuffer." Go back and look at some of the games last year, Bruschi is getting older every year and Vrable wasn't strong enough in pass coverage. Last year they both were often exposed on underneath routes to the outlet receiver or screens.

There's no point in getting to the QB a split second faster if he can already dump it off over the middle at will for an easy 7 to 15 yard gain. With Thomas in there, I see a lot of potential INTs underneath or tiped balls to seam routes as Colvin and Vrable bring the heat from the outside forcing throws into traffic. Remember that Seau play Belichick raved about - where he dropped back one on one with (I think) the TE to shut down a play. AD can do that game in and out all year long.

Then to mix it up, he can rush or switch over to OLB.

 

[AzPatsFan]

A few things. The first and foremost is that Thomas isn't playing MLB. The Pats don't use a MLB in their base 3-4 system. They are an ILB and they have different responsibilities than a 4-3 MLB.

Next, most guards are not short. Just look at the Patriots. Mankins(6'4), Neal (6'4), Yates (6'2), Hochstein (6'4), Elgin (6'4), Mruczkowski (6'2). Also look at some of the starters aroung the league. Larry Allen (49ers)(6'3), Shawn Andrews (Eagles) (6'4), Rick DeMulling (Colts) (6'4), Alan Faneca (Steelers) (6'5), Kris Dielman (Chargers) (6'4).

Most starting guards fall in the 6'4 range. Thomas is 6'2, so he'd actually have the leverage advantage because he'd, theoretically be able to get under them. However, it needs to be taken into consideration that the guards already start in a 3 point stance where as, Thomas is starting in a 2 point stance at ILB. So, it may look like he is playing "high" when he's really not.

The Pats use the terminology "Mike" for the SILB; that can be shortened to MILB or MLB. Then it get confused with Middle Line backer or MLB, in a 4-3. SILB is non confusing, and merely identifies the Strong-side Inside LineBacker. There are differences in the duties of a SILB and WILB. SILBs get doubled and stood up; they need to be stouter in fighting off blocks. The WILB seldom gets two guys; he can succeed as well, by slipping blocks. Tedy set NCAA sack records by slipping blocks, not overpowering guys. He is much better as a WILB,where his talent for slipping blocks can more often be utilized. AD could probably do both, but he is bigger and appears to be more suited to SILB.

An extra duty for the SILB (and or WILB), is to set the Defense and/or make adjustments. Being inside, they are positioned centrally so their yells can be equally heard by players on both edges. Most of the time the Mike makes the call. I think that is why Tedy moved last year to SILB, to simplify the learning curve for Jr. new to the team and for Vrabel moving inside.

Pees noted that Vrabel is better as an OLB, which we all knew. BB and Pees are determined to get AD comfortable with SILB for the long term as his home position, before exploiting his other talents.

I don't think it is recognized how rejuvenating it will be to Tedy to return to WILB, and also have the use of both hands for block slipping. Combined, I could see Tedy being nominated for a "Comeback of the Year" type season.