Adalius at ILB or OLB?

[BradyManny]

Simple Q, what will AD's primary position be next season...state your claim...I know that FA and draft will influence this, so maybe think of this as where YOU would play AD next season, future signees and draftees aside.

 

[tobias funke]

With Colvin gone I don't think this is even a question. Vrabel and Thomas are the starting OLBs.

 

[skri65]

Cb
..........

 

[BradyManny]

With Colvin gone I don't think this is even a question. Vrabel and Thomas are the starting OLBs.

I really like what he brings at ILB as well though. It's too bad we don't have two Adalius Thomas to be on the same field at the same time. Hurry up with this cloning stuff already!

 

[signbabybrady]

At this point in the offseason my decision was based soley on the fact that you have two pro bowl caliber players at LB Thomas and Vrable and Why have them both at the same position, spread the talent out.

once we see what comes in we can make a better more accurate choice.

The good thing is they are both flexible enough to play both inside and out which means yuo don't have to target a specific LB yuo can just get the best guys.

 

[BPF]

AD has the speed to close on QB's as a pass rusher on the outside and he can also walk out on the slot guy. He seems thougher to get movement on as a run defender on the outside and seems to have trouble anchoring on the inside where he tends to get fooled more often as well. He has strong enough hands to control blockers and is tough to knock off his feet but he seemingly feels a lot more comfortable on the outside. He has intelligence to play several positions but his inconsistency reacting to plays on the inside leads me to believe that he should play outside and moved around in pass rushing situations only.

 

[upstater1]

I'd rather move Vrabel inside than have AD play there.

 

[Pats726]

I think they will move him around..I see him at a number of places on the D and I think that taking a flexible player and deciding NOW where he would be is silly..wait till teh other linebackers are here and see what the strongest rotations are..and that might depend on what particular team one is playing..

 

[satz]

Running defence

AD in ILB - 83.5 yds per game
AD in OLB - 133 yds per game

satz

 

[LiveShot]

I believe it will depend on who the Pats pick up either in free agency or the draft. Bruschi and Seau cannot play full time and are slowing down. Linebacking corp needs youth.

 

[mcsully]

Running defence

AD in ILB - 83.5 yds per game
AD in OLB - 133 yds per game

satz

FIRST.. Good poll.. And great topic.. I voted ILB for the reason of the stats..

WHere people think because he has speed he can rush the passer.. Part of rushing the passer is more than just speed but technique..

 

[WhiZa]

The only choices are whether you'd want Woods or Alexander to start. So right now I'd say you have to play him outside and play Bruschi and Alexander inside. There's no doubt tho that a LB or CB will be drafted in the first round.

 

[tobias funke]

Running defence

AD in ILB - 83.5 yds per game
AD in OLB - 133 yds per game

satz

This would be a good stat, but I doubt you can tell me how much of the difference is due to the loss of Colvin and the overall effect it had on the LB rotation that had to end due to his injury.

So I don't think it's simply as cut and dry as that.

IMO, Thomas played more comfortably on the edge. I'd rather have him there. If we're forced to put him inside, fine, but I'd rather have players playing where they are their best.

 

[Mr.Muhozi]

i'll get back to you after te draft

 

[fumbrunner]

i'll get back to you after te draft

Exactly. If they get Gholston, then AD will be inside.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Even if the Pats drafted nothing but offense, Thomas needs to return to the inside. His presence there makes the run defense stronger, both when teams are running at him and away from him, because he can chase from the backside. His coverage skills are ideal for the inside where his short burst and athleticism allow him to make plays.

Also on the outside his pass rushing is nothing special. With Long, Groves, Gholston and Davis of UCLA available in this draft, the Pats can get a sensational edge pass rusher to complement Vrabel and Woods.

 

[BradyManny]

Even if the Pats drafted nothing but offense, Thomas needs to return to the inside. His presence there makes the run defense stronger, both when teams are running at him and away from him, because he can chase from the backside. His coverage skills are ideal for the inside where his short burst and athleticism allow him to make plays.

Also on the outside his pass rushing is nothing special. With Long, Groves, Gholston and Davis of UCLA available in this draft, the Pats can get a sensational edge pass rusher to complement Vrabel and Woods.

I like your thinking and I like the idea of adding Gholston or Groves.

The team's defense was much stronger when AD was inside, but as others have pointed out, there are so many other variables that went into it. Still, when he was inside, he was strong against the run and good in coverage. His injury limited his effectiveness for a few weeks, and by the time he was healthy, he was moved to OLB b/c of Colvin.

He can be a force at OLB as well, and has a solid pass rush. But I'd like to see them rush him from the inside as well, its a definitely a welcome dimension.

It's unfortunate that Colvin's health must be a bigger issue than we thought, b/c signing him back would make me feel more comfortable. Then you can bring Gholston or Groves in and have them just be a passing down beast. So maybe we do look at Haggans or someone like that.

 

[satz]

This would be a good stat, but I doubt you can tell me how much of the difference is due to the loss of Colvin and the overall effect it had on the LB rotation that had to end due to his injury.

So I don't think it's simply as cut and dry as that.

IMO, Thomas played more comfortably on the edge. I'd rather have him there. If we're forced to put him inside, fine, but I'd rather have players playing where they are their best.

Forgot to add if you see the highlights of asante interception and early success the presure was brought up the middle and in 2 interception our friend thomas was blitzing up the middle . we never let the QB to step up and with vince and a 270 LB crashing in the peneration was phenomial.Once we moved him out we could not get any middle peneration and let our guys succeed.

a reason vrabel number went down as when you let the qb step up due to no pressure up the middle the edge rushers success goes down.

 

[BradyManny]

Forgot to add if you see the highlights of asante interception and early success the presure was brought up the middle and in 2 interception our friend thomas was blitzing up the middle . we never let the QB to step up and with vince and a 270 LB crashing in the peneration was phenomial.Once we moved him out we could not get any middle peneration and let our guys succeed.

Co-sign, another reason I'm liking the idea of AD back in the middle...

 

[GPR11788]

I think he would be better inside, hopefully they draft a outside pass rusher.

But knowing BB, he probably will trade down to get multiple picks for the 7th overall.