Colvin gone means time for the 'TRUE' emergence of Adalius Thomas

[PATRIOT64]

Adalius has been decent so far in his first year here but for the most part,Unspectacular in most games.

Now he gets to go back to his OLB position and should provide nightmares for opposing QBs the rest of the way to the playoffs.

Adalius will be hard to stop in the lane leading up to the QB in his favorite position and I think its more than likely that we see the dominating Adalius of old and I expect him to at least double or triple his sack total compared to what he has totaled now.

Colvin exits 2007 - Its time for Adalius to man that spot and so he will and I think he will do very well there.

The emergence of a true off the edge pass rusher for NE begins in Baltimore and so ironic this being his old team - Bank on 3 sacks,maybe more for Thomas in this weeks game.

 

[alamo]

Or else...

 

[rabthepat]

I agree...it should be interesting to see AD at his natural position of OLB.

 

[Robdude]

Does AD really need to emerge much more? He has been a very solid player on this team. Seriously, he has been solid, excluding a few quiet games when injured, and every player on the team has had an off day (except for maybe Asante)

In my opinion the injury to Colvin, who also has been great, means the emergence of Woods and Alexander. This is Alexander's third year in the system and he has the chance for significant playing time. If he does not emerge now when will he?

 

[danny88]

Does AD really need to emerge much more? He has been a very solid player on this team. Seriously, he has been solid, excluding a few quiet games when injured, and every player on the team has had an off day (except for maybe Asante)

In my opinion the injury to Colvin, who also has been great, means the emergence of Woods and Alexander. This is Alexander's third year in the system and he has the chance for significant playing time. If he does not emerge now when will he?

Never. It will be a severe disappointment if Alexander and Woods do not contribute. To know the pats are really counting on Chad Brown to replace Colvin would be a total let down.

with the way the nfl is moving old slow lb's are not going to cut it anymore. If it takes 4 years to develope someone that is a waste of time.

 

[FrontSeven]

I would be shocked if Chad Brown starts. Forget that - AD will be outside and Alexander inside (maybe not starting, but getting plenty of snaps.)

It's possible that AD will have a greater impact now but I wouldn't equate the word impact with the word effective. Don't forget, inside they don't get the sacks, etc. and it's pretty hard to rate the job they're doing unless you can see them getting pushed around.

Having him outside could stifle the run to that side. I never thought Colvin was that hot at sheddling blocks and stopping the run. I could be wrong, but I think AD will make it a lot tougher for certain RBs to get outside.

At that position you can also line him up opposite a TE or WR and let him take the first shot at him where the scheme is to get physical with them.

I like the idea of him playing outside, but don't you think the coaches already tried all those schemes and decided that he's worth more inside? Now there is no choice and we need Alexander to really step up. Maybe this all works out fine, but let's face it, it's a big experiment to see how Alexander will function. He did start against the Colts last year though. He's not exactly lunch meat.

 

[danny88]

I would be shocked if Chad Brown starts. Forget that - AD will be outside and Alexander inside (maybe not starting, but getting plenty of snaps.)

It's possible that AD will have a greater impact now but I wouldn't equate the word impact with the word effective. Don't forget, inside they don't get the sacks, etc. and it's pretty hard to rate the job they're doing unless you can see them getting pushed around.

Having him outside could stifle the run to that side. I never thought Colvin was that hot at sheddling blocks and stopping the run. I could be wrong, but I think AD will make it a lot tougher for certain RBs to get outside.

At that position you can also line him up opposite a TE or WR and let him take the first shot at him where the scheme is to get physical with them.

I like the idea of him playing outside, but don't you think the coaches already tried all those schemes and decided that he's worth more inside? Now there is no choice and we need Alexander to really step up. Maybe this all works out fine, but let's face it, it's a big experiment to see how Alexander will function. He did start against the Colts last year though. He's not exactly lunch meat.

Good post. If Alexander is ready to start this could all be water under the bridge. Lets face it , if Alexander can start and be effective , Ad is playing outside , and things are working great we need to look at restructuring Rosie , or letting him walk all together.

His contract is to big.


I just hope Alexander can step it up

 

[satz]

You guys are putting too much pressure on alexander to replace AD in the inside. alexander gives up 35 lbs to AD and gainst a 300 lb gaurd he will have tough time shedding blocks and achieving peneration through the ol as AD did.

point of attack AD due to his size and speed is tailer made for BB 3-4 ILB position with bru/seu on the inside. i am hoping woods and chad can replace os colvin`s production.He was our best LB in space against RB [where more lateral movement is required than downhill skill like AD`s]

 

[Robdude]

You guys are putting too much pressure on alexander to replace AD in the inside. alexander gives up 35 lbs to AD and gainst a 300 lb gaurd he will have tough time shedding blocks and achieving peneration through the ol as AD did.

point of attack AD due to his size and speed is tailer made for BB 3-4 ILB position with bru/seu on the inside. i am hoping woods and chad can replace os colvin`s production.He was our best LB in space against RB [where more lateral movement is required than downhill skill like AD`s]

I know Alexander is smaller than AD and I don't expect him to jump in and be the beast that AD can be. BUT, with that said he is an inside LB that has been on our team for three years now. If he cannot do it then why keep him around for so long? If one of the main jobs is to shed blocks then now is the time to do it. Why else do we have him around still?

 

[denverpatsfan]

Those younger players will HAVE to step in and give Bruschi & Seau a breather. Those two cannot play the entire game. Let's hope the D doesn't miss a beat. This is a good game to see what they have going up against a weak QB with a solid RB and solid LT.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Good post. If Alexander is ready to start this could all be water under the bridge. Lets face it , if Alexander can start and be effective , Ad is playing outside , and things are working great we need to look at restructuring Rosie , or letting him walk all together.

His contract is to big.


I just hope Alexander can step it up

Not that anyone cares or remembers but I've stated in this forum that Alexander is a decent backup who can fill-in 10-15 snaps a game.

I think Woods can do the job on passing downs too. He has all the physical tools and is no doubt well coached in this system.

There is a drop-off in talent and experience no question. However, we have enough playmakers on the edge. We'll be ok.

 

[Mooch]

I'd say he "emerged" quite a bit today. Led the team in tackles. 1.5 sacks. 2 forced fumbles. AD was a BEAST today.

 

[chrisfx811]

AD was all over the place. Did any of you guys see some of the plays where he was chasing the play, but didn't get in on the tackles?
It seems like he still has a bad wheel sometimes out there. I'm sure the cold weather wasn't helping. Still a nice game all around.

 

[ATippett56]

I know Alexander is smaller than AD and I don't expect him to jump in and be the beast that AD can be. BUT, with that said he is an inside LB that has been on our team for three years now. If he cannot do it then why keep him around for so long?

Unfortunately the salary cap prevents teams from signing all the best free agents available. Personally I would rather have selected David Harris in the first round than Brandon Meriweather.

 

[ATippett56]

In my opinion the injury to Colvin, who also has been great, means the emergence of Woods and Alexander. This is Alexander's third year in the system and he has the chance for significant playing time. If he does not emerge now when will he?

The emergence of Woods and Alexander? Since when has Alexander proven to be a capable starter?

 

[TruthSeeker]

AT is a beast, as a rushing LB, he is a QB's nightmare. Now with Seymour playing better, throw in Jarvis Green, and I really like the pressure we've been putting on the QB lately. We need AD and Seymour, and all the other rushers to get pressure on the QB for the rest of the year. Our D is really starting to come around, just in time for cold weather games.

 

[sebman2112]

Unfortunately the salary cap prevents teams from signing all the best free agents available. Personally I would rather have selected David Harris in the first round than Brandon Meriweather.

Ah, not me. Yea, I'd like him on the Pats, and I said he was an option before the draft, but Meriweather made more sense for NE at 24. Besides, he likely would have received little playing time for most of the season, so fans on here would have started asking if he was a "dissapointment". BB likes to let his LB's develop before he gives them any playing time, if you haven't noticed.

I might have selected Harris at 28th overall, and that's what it seemed NE was going to do, but I'm happy with the 49ers 2008 first, and Randy Moss.

Now, if Anthony Spencer was still on the board at 28 I wonder if they would have pulled the trigger? I thought he was a better option than Harris.

Oh, and Victor Hobson might be an option in free agency, along with Haggans, and Dansby.

 

[ATippett56]

Oh, and Victor Hobson might be an option in free agency, along with Haggans, and Dansby.

Forget about Dansby since he will be one of the premier free agent linebackers in 2008.

 

[ATippett56]

Now, if Anthony Spencer was still on the board at 28 I wonder if they would have pulled the trigger? I thought he was a better option than Harris.

The Patriots needed youth and depth at inside linebacker this season not outside linebacker.

 

[sebman2112]

The Patriots needed youth and depth at inside linebacker this season not outside linebacker.

I hear what you're saying, but Spencer was a better prospect for NE's defense, and while Harris has had some good games with the Jets, we don't know how well he'd have done as a rookie in BB's system, especially since BB usually doesn't give rookie LB's much playing time.

Also, Harris slipped into the second round, so NE could have traded up for him if they had wanted.