Zach Thomas, will be one of four teams

[BradyToMoss]

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/40198

I could see the Colts simply signing him to keep him away from us.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Indy almost never signs FA, I'd be surprised if he went there. Vinatraitor was the exception for them. I'd love us to sign him if Belichick thinks he'd fit the defense; notable is that two of his three 100+ tackle seasons were when he was playing for Saban.

 

[Handel]

It would not be a typical Colts action. They prefer to develop their guys than bring an aged player (Viniatieri is the exception).

 

[Watson's IQ]

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/40198

I could see the Colts simply signing him to keep him away from us.

This isn't exactly Yanks-Red Sox. Especially since they're not in the same division, the Colts have absolutely no reason to think like that. Despite the rivalry, they're more concerned about Jacksonville and Tennessee, as well they should be.

Count me among those who think he'll be a Patriot next year.

 

[VOODOOZF]

There is a 50/50 chance he ends up here.

The guys on ESPN were speculating that Thomas would end up with the Pat's today.

 

[PromisedLand]

Did anyone see the snippet in this morning's Globe of Ted Johnson talking about Zach and how he would fit in the Pats defense? 25 word summary - Zach played in a 4-3 his whole career and never had to take on 320 # guards - he has concussion problems and TJ doesn't know if he wants to start doing that now.

PromisedLand's take: that, and 4-3 ILBs tend to be bigger than 4-3 MLB's - Zach is a little small for the role. (I guess you could say the same about Bruschi though.)

 

[BradyToMoss]

Another Florida paper thinks he's coming here

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphi..._george_0215.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=46

 

[mgteich]

The patriots do stuff like that (remember Minny last year). The colts don't.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/40198

I could see the Colts simply signing him to keep him away from us.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Does anyone remember what kind of defense Saban ran in Miami ? He's obviously a Belichick guy and Thomas was effective for him.

 

[sebman2112]

Yup, it seems the Patriots are among the main teams in the race.

Something I wondered about was if he would even continue his career, or simply retire. This morning he cleared that question up by saying he has ever intention of playing football in 2008, so I think he's ready to go.

 

[BradyToMoss]

The patriots do stuff like that (remember Minny last year). The colts don't.

The reason why the Colts don't sign FA's is because for the last 6 years, 3 guys have gluttoned all of the CAP pie and they haven't had a nickel to shine never mind sign anyone.

 

[speed]

The reason why the Colts don't sign FA's is because for the last 6 years, 3 guys have gluttoned all of the CAP pie and they haven't had a nickel to shine never mind sign anyone.

Not true at all that they haven't ever had cap space.

Is true, that the main players get the most of the money though.

It is also true they don't venture out into other teams FA, with the exception of Fat boy Corey Simon and they were burned badly, so I wouldn't guess they'd go after Thomas unless he'd take next to nothing, which he shouldn't. Colts say they do sign FAs, their own.

Pats are the first team I thought of when I heard he was cut.

 

[LiveShot]

The guy is very talented but unfortunately he has this problem with concussions. Think the Pats want to get involved with him after the Ted Johnson episode. I don't think so.

 

[PromisedLand]

Does anyone remember what kind of defense Saban ran in Miami ? He's obviously a Belichick guy and Thomas was effective for him.

Good question. TJ thought he played in a 4-3 his whole career, and I don't remember what Saban ran, but here are some links that might help:

Nick Saban's '3-4' Defense

There has been some debate - and in some cases, insistence - that new Dolphins head coach Nick Saban will run a 3-4 defense. In making such assertions, press and fans alike take those numbers literally, anticipating only three down linemen to face off against the interior offensive line. However, it appears that the media, in particular, have confused any defense while places a defensive tackle over or on either shoulder of the center as being a "3-4". What such a technique (normally called the 'zero technique' by coaches) defines is an 'odd' defense, and defenses have played four down linemen in odd defenses for years. This is normally accomplished by sliding those linemen to or away from the strong side of the offense.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/02/dolphins-defens.html

...a hybrid 3-4/4-3 scheme that was put in place by Cameron's predecessor, Nick Saban. It it was more 4-3 than 3-4 because of personnel shortfalls at safety, nose tackle and linebacker.