A make-or-break game for Adalius Thomas

[fillylabinga]

With all the hype of the new WR additions it's easy to forget the Pats biggest offseason acquisition was actually Adalius Thomas.

After the D was exposed in the AFCCG, the verdict seemed to be that the LB crew was too old. It seemed like BB felt that was too. The insertion of Alexander into the lineup in that game smacked a little of desperation. Then the first thing the FO did in the offseason was pick up Thomas, a LB with speed in addition to size.

Although on the one hand I would say that Thomas has been a good addition to the defense, I would also say that he's been a bit of a disappointment.

Arguably the biggest impact AD has made was to allow Vrabel to move back to the outside where he has been a beast. AD has been been solid against the run and fine in pass defense, but with the exception of the one pick he hasn't exactly been swarming around the ball, picking up tackles and sacks, or otherwise been much of a difference-maker.

Part of this might be adjusting to a new scheme, but he's been through a full training camp and now the season is 1/2 over. The time for excuses is over.

So today AD has the chance to prove to the team and the fans why BB signed him to that huge contract. If he is able to keep the Colts TEs covered while shutting down the run then he will have been worth every penny.

What do you guys think? Will AD step it up today? How will BB use him? Will BB put him on Dallas Clark who has been absolutely killing us recently? Will he be the difference-maker in a Pats win today?

(BTW, the Globe has a big article on him
http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...2007/11/04/thomas_should_have_things_covered/)

 

[PATRIOT64]

With all the hype of the new WR additions it's easy to forget the Pats biggest offseason acquisition was actually Adalius Thomas.

After the D was exposed in the AFCCG, the verdict seemed to be that the LB crew was too old. It seemed like BB felt that was too. The insertion of Alexander into the lineup in that game smacked a little of desperation. Then the first thing the FO did in the offseason was pick up Thomas, a LB with speed in addition to size.

Although on the one hand I would say that Thomas has been a good addition to the defense, I would also say that he's been a bit of a disappointment.

Arguably the biggest impact AD has made was to allow Vrabel to move back to the outside where he has been a beast. AD has been been solid against the run and fine in pass defense, but with the exception of the one pick he hasn't exactly been swarming around the ball, picking up tackles and sacks, or otherwise been much of a difference-maker.

Part of this might be adjusting to a new scheme, but he's been through a full training camp and now the season is 1/2 over. The time for excuses is over.

So today AD has the chance to prove to the team and the fans why BB signed him to that huge contract. If he is able to keep the Colts TEs covered while shutting down the run then he will have been worth every penny.

What do you guys think? Will AD step it up today? How will BB use him? Will BB put him on Dallas Clark who has been absolutely killing us recently? Will he be the difference-maker in a Pats win today?

(BTW, the Globe has a big article on him
http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...2007/11/04/thomas_should_have_things_covered/)

I guess you missed his outstanding performance in 2 of our biggest games to date, the San Diego and Dallas games, especially the San Diego game in which he helped boldly to contain Gates and even ran for a score

I think you are underestimating his impact,You don't have to have great stats to show you are contributing to the defense - He is playing fine and I am glad he is here...A.D. being a dissapointment is B.S.

Without A.D. in the lineup Bruschi and Seau would be more showing thier age and Colvin and Vrabel would not be having excellent campaigns either - He is the heart of the LB corps so far although Vrabel does have the better stats.

 

[cblesz]

Wow. Make or break? Are you even watching the games?

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

I think Thomas has been outstanding this year.

 

[RobertWeathers]

With all the hype of the new WR additions it's easy to forget the Pats biggest offseason acquisition was actually Adalius Thomas.

After the D was exposed in the AFCCG, the verdict seemed to be that the LB crew was too old. It seemed like BB felt that was too. The insertion of Alexander into the lineup in that game smacked a little of desperation. Then the first thing the FO did in the offseason was pick up Thomas, a LB with speed in addition to size.

Although on the one hand I would say that Thomas has been a good addition to the defense, I would also say that he's been a bit of a disappointment.

Arguably the biggest impact AD has made was to allow Vrabel to move back to the outside where he has been a beast. AD has been been solid against the run and fine in pass defense, but with the exception of the one pick he hasn't exactly been swarming around the ball, picking up tackles and sacks, or otherwise been much of a difference-maker.

Part of this might be adjusting to a new scheme, but he's been through a full training camp and now the season is 1/2 over. The time for excuses is over.

So today AD has the chance to prove to the team and the fans why BB signed him to that huge contract. If he is able to keep the Colts TEs covered while shutting down the run then he will have been worth every penny.

What do you guys think? Will AD step it up today? How will BB use him? Will BB put him on Dallas Clark who has been absolutely killing us recently? Will he be the difference-maker in a Pats win today?


(BTW, the Globe has a big article on him
http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...2007/11/04/thomas_should_have_things_covered/)

we have no idea if bb thinks hes been a dissapontment. hes freed up vrable to be a monster on the outside this year. colvin has been very good also.

hes playing on the inside. hes 2nd on the team in tackles. hes plugging the middle. he has a pick, he has a sack and hes forced a couple of fumbles. Hes learning a complicated and hes adjusting.We're not talking about a JD Drew situation here. He'll be fine.

If he holds Clark to 3/40 today and perhaps again in the playoffs, but has a ave reg season statistically, will the acq. be worth it in your eyes?

i say yes.

 

[Jr.]

1 star 10 chars

 

[JJDChE]

I'll echo the other posters. This is most certainly not a make-or-break game for Thomas.

Hell, this isn't even a make-or-break SEASON for Thomas. If he had actually been playing poorly (which he definitely is NOT), then maybe you could call next season a make-or-break season for him.

Calling this a make-or-break game for AD is...crazy.

 

[Remix 6]

wether he stands out in a game or not doesnt matter. He does his job..hes playing sound and has made plays for us. Dont know why we need to expect pro bowl #s or for him to cover someone if the coaches dont assign that to him

 

[CrazyDave]

I have'nt found Thomas dissapointing at all. He's filled our biggest weakness - ILB, and may very well lead the team in tackles.
And while I'm no expert, he seems to have helped to make the LB's around him better. Vrabel is playing at a very high level (see last week), and Colvin's resurgance may have something to do with Thomas as well.

 

[primetime]

Thomas was signed for one reason, I believe. That was to control Dallas Clark. The Patriots knew they could beat any team in the league with last year's team. Except Indianapolis. So they went shopping for players that can beat Indy. Thomas can neutralize Clark, just like he neutralized Witten.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

With all the hype of the new WR additions it's easy to forget the Pats biggest offseason acquisition was actually Adalius Thomas.

After the D was exposed in the AFCCG, the verdict seemed to be that the LB crew was too old. It seemed like BB felt that was too. The insertion of Alexander into the lineup in that game smacked a little of desperation. Then the first thing the FO did in the offseason was pick up Thomas, a LB with speed in addition to size.

Although on the one hand I would say that Thomas has been a good addition to the defense, I would also say that he's been a bit of a disappointment.

Arguably the biggest impact AD has made was to allow Vrabel to move back to the outside where he has been a beast. AD has been been solid against the run and fine in pass defense, but with the exception of the one pick he hasn't exactly been swarming around the ball, picking up tackles and sacks, or otherwise been much of a difference-maker.

Part of this might be adjusting to a new scheme, but he's been through a full training camp and now the season is 1/2 over. The time for excuses is over.

So today AD has the chance to prove to the team and the fans why BB signed him to that huge contract. If he is able to keep the Colts TEs covered while shutting down the run then he will have been worth every penny.

What do you guys think? Will AD step it up today? How will BB use him? Will BB put him on Dallas Clark who has been absolutely killing us recently? Will he be the difference-maker in a Pats win today?


(BTW, the Globe has a big article on him
http://www.boston.com/sports/footba...2007/11/04/thomas_should_have_things_covered/)

Never mind that the bolded text is almost worth the price of admission by itself. The Pats FA philosophy has always been the presence of one player is to compliment the presence of the other players, and he does perfectly.

That said, he has quietly been very steady in the middle, with a few STAND OUT games (SD and Dallas). The bigger the game, the bigger his impact. I can deal with that.

 

[JJDChE]

Thomas was signed for one reason, I believe. That was to control Dallas Clark. The Patriots knew they could beat any team in the league with last year's team. Except Indianapolis. So they went shopping for players that can beat Indy. Thomas can neutralize Clark, just like he neutralized Witten.

No, Thomas was signed because our ILBs were on the verge of retirement, Bruschi has lost a step and we didn't even know if Seau was going to come back. We absolutely needed a starting ILB.

 

[ALP]

No, Thomas was signed because our ILBs were on the verge of retirement, Bruschi has lost a step and we didn't even know if Seau was going to come back. We absolutely needed a starting ILB.

ill have to agree there....

we have always used harrison to cover clark, and harrison is back...we didnt get ad to tak eon clark...and harrison has that job...

he was just hurt last year...

 

[DarrylS]

This D is not stat driven, so if you go by those numbers you do not get a picture of what is going on here, he neutralized Witten, allows Vrabel to rush the passer.. he has been stout on the run.. not sure how you can say this is make or break, he has made a nice impact on this D.

 

[primetime]

No, Thomas was signed because our ILBs were on the verge of retirement, Bruschi has lost a step and we didn't even know if Seau was going to come back. We absolutely needed a starting ILB.

That's true as well, but don't think the fact that AD can cover Clark had nothing to do with it.

 

[spacecrime]

I think you are underestimating his impact,You don't have to have great stats to show you are contributing to the defense - He is playing fine and I am glad he is here...A.D. being a dissapointment is B.S.

Without A.D. in the lineup Bruschi and Seau would be more showing thier age and Colvin and Vrabel would not be having excellent campaigns either - He is the heart of the LB corps so far although Vrabel does have the better stats.

I agree. Thomas is part of the reason Vrabel has better stats.

Fantasy football is slowing dumbing down football discussion. If they don't have stats, they're bums.

Stats do have a place in evaluating players, but only if used intelligently. Stats gives Losman credit for an 85 yard TD pass last week, but if you look at it, it was a screen pass that the WR took for the distance.

But especially with defense, and most especially team defense, stats are a poor measure of quality.

Thomas is doing his job very very well. He has allowed Vrabel to back outside where Vrabel is doing very very well.

Maintaining gap responsibility and forcing a RB into a tackle elsewhere is a job well done. Pushing the pocket up the middle, forcing the QB out of the pocket where he is sacked by someone else is a job well done.

I don't see how anyone could watch our games and say Thomas has not been an asset.

And the idea of a player having a make-or-break game with BB is silly. BB won't evaluate a player based on one game. Not that he isn't above cutting a JAG to send a message: see Chris Sullivan, Steve Martin, Shawn Mayer.

I am very happy we have Thomas, and when he went down a couple weeks ago, it scared teh crap out of me.

 

[PATRIOT64]

I agree. Thomas is part of the reason Vrabel has better stats.

Fantasy football is slowing dumbing down football discussion. If they don't have stats, they're bums.

Stats do have a place in evaluating players, but only if used intelligently. Stats gives Losman credit for an 85 yard TD pass last week, but if you look at it, it was a screen pass that the WR took for the distance.

But especially with defense, and most especially team defense, stats are a poor measure of quality.

Thomas is doing his job very very well. He has allowed Vrabel to back outside where Vrabel is doing very very well.

Maintaining gap responsibility and forcing a RB into a tackle elsewhere is a job well done. Pushing the pocket up the middle, forcing the QB out of the pocket where he is sacked by someone else is a job well done.

I don't see how anyone could watch our games and say Thomas has not been an asset.

And the idea of a player having a make-or-break game with BB is silly. BB won't evaluate a player based on one game. Not that he isn't above cutting a JAG to send a message: see Chris Sullivan, Steve Martin, Shawn Mayer.

I am very happy we have Thomas, and when he went down a couple weeks ago, it scared teh crap out of me.

Like I said in another post if you want to look at a guy we have signed this year who needs to show more its not A.D. - Its Donte Stallworth who has been good sporadically at best,If he was at his very best, this offense would be putting 50 points on the board EVERY week and Brady would have 40 TDs by now but why get spoiled

 

[patsox23]

AD was awesome the first few games, got nicked up and has been less effective over the second half of the season. However, I think he's been at least solid so far.

I'm guessing the original poster doesn't really get what "make-or-break game" means or has a different definition from ours.

 

[FrontSeven]

This may be "make or break" for you, but not for Adalius.

A guy's impact isn't always measured by sacks or picks, right? If you don't know what his role is on a play, why bother second guessing his impact?

 

[ATippett56]

Although on the one hand I would say that Thomas has been a good addition to the defense, I would also say that he's been a bit of a disappointment.

Adalius Thomas has been injured lately or have you paid attention to the injury reports:

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

October 31, 2007
Injury report
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff

The Patriots released their Wednesday injury report:

Limited participation in practice
LB Adalius Thomas (ankle)