what would you think of New England getting A.THOMAS from Baltimore. I have heard 2 leading NFL guys today say it is in the making.
question for madJack
- Thread starter shamrock
- Start date
shamrock...
you know the old saying....don't count your chickens......but he would be a perfect player for the pats.
- Mar 13, 2002
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It seems a little bit like overkill as that position has been pretty solid with seymour and ty warren. But this is the area that Belichick is always looking to add more talent to, and it is a good formula to sucess.
Another player that I would think the Patriots would go after is Joey Porter (although his mouth might prevent it). With tully banta cain on the way out and an aging bruschi he would really be a good fit..he is a veteran player which belichick likes at the linebacker position, and he played the 3-4 defense in pitt which means he can plug right in.
Another player that I would think the Patriots would go after is Joey Porter (although his mouth might prevent it). With tully banta cain on the way out and an aging bruschi he would really be a good fit..he is a veteran player which belichick likes at the linebacker position, and he played the 3-4 defense in pitt which means he can plug right in.
Blitz is right on target, Samuel has been named franchise player, so he is already onboard for 07.
Thomas would play OLB for New England, from what I have witnessed, Thomas is twice the player as Porter, and a much better locker room guy.
Thomas would play OLB for New England, from what I have witnessed, Thomas is twice the player as Porter, and a much better locker room guy.
loudog-yes he is listed as de, but Patriots already have pro bowl players at that position, Warren & Seymour. Conversely they have never replaced Willie McGinnist at OLB, and that is where New England would play him.
that is not New Englands style.......they won't over pay for the high price tag Thomas carries, imo. N.E. uses FA to get mid level vets which theyve done very well with the last 6 years........
take a look at the list:
2001
Marc Edwards
Larry Izzo(sp te)
David patten
Roman Phifer
Atwoin Smith
Mike Vrabel
2002
no one of importance
2003
Roosevelt Colvin
Rodney Harrison
Tyrone Poole
2004
Keith Traylor
2005
no one of importance
2006
reche caldwell
jabbar gaffney
again not sought after free agents....its not their style
Dice, you are absolutely correct, but this year New England is like 20 million plus under the cap. And the fans are furious New England played last season like 9 million under the cap. The information is coming from NFL Channel guy Adam Sheffer? (Sp) he usually knows his stuff.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/don_banks/03/02/free.agency/index.html
maybe they will pay for him
maybe they will pay for him
This is what I was referring to earlier. They need to pony up some cash in terms of a structured contract for Samuels instead of putting out a big dollar multi-year contract for someone like Thomas who hasnt played a single snap for the team. Take care of your preexisting players first and foremost.
Hell, they dont have a damn thing else back there anyways.
From John Clayton ESPN.com
2. The biggest loser Friday was the Ravens. Right out of the box, they lost three players -- right tackle Tony Pashos, Mughelli and Franklin. They are expected to lose linebacker Adalius Thomas to the Patriots on Saturday morning. The Ravens stopped some of the bleeding by re-signing defensive tackle Jarret Johnson for around $13 million over three years. Plus, they also have a decent chance of re-signing halfback Jamal Lewis. Last year, the Ravens lost several players in the opening days of free agency but were able to rebound. Can they do the same thing again?
3. Credit the Patriots for sitting in the weeds on Thomas. Last year, everyone wondered if the Patriots were just not willing to spend money. They lost Deion Branch, David Givens, Willie McGinest and so many others. Most people thought Thomas was ticketed to San Francisco to reunite with his old Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Thomas will be a great fit for the Patriots if they get the deal done.
2. The biggest loser Friday was the Ravens. Right out of the box, they lost three players -- right tackle Tony Pashos, Mughelli and Franklin. They are expected to lose linebacker Adalius Thomas to the Patriots on Saturday morning. The Ravens stopped some of the bleeding by re-signing defensive tackle Jarret Johnson for around $13 million over three years. Plus, they also have a decent chance of re-signing halfback Jamal Lewis. Last year, the Ravens lost several players in the opening days of free agency but were able to rebound. Can they do the same thing again?
3. Credit the Patriots for sitting in the weeds on Thomas. Last year, everyone wondered if the Patriots were just not willing to spend money. They lost Deion Branch, David Givens, Willie McGinest and so many others. Most people thought Thomas was ticketed to San Francisco to reunite with his old Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Thomas will be a great fit for the Patriots if they get the deal done.
the guy was far and away the best player on the ravens the last few years....
yes...better than ogden/lewis or ed reed....
he can play linebacker.....a great cover guy at that size....and can play with his hand on the ground....
he`s just a playmaker,pure and simple....and possibly the best community/locker room guy they had to boot...
he was conference player of the year twice in a row at southern miss....
i`m not overstating his case....this is why the pats are consistently in the top 4 practically every year...
brilliant signing...sad day for the ravens....big dent in their defense....i wish they`d let ray lewis go instead....
btw...they also lost ovie mughelli ,to atlanta,who was turning into a force at fullback...catches the ball out of the backfield,blocks and runs like a truck....
i`m sure they`ll resign jamal lewis`pathetic 3 yards per carry ass and poor steve mcnair will be forced into yet more second and 3rd and 8 or 9`s on a consistent basis....
the guy is so shot,it`s unreal....
congrats,shammy...thomas was the best kept secret in the nfl...
yes...better than ogden/lewis or ed reed....
he can play linebacker.....a great cover guy at that size....and can play with his hand on the ground....
he`s just a playmaker,pure and simple....and possibly the best community/locker room guy they had to boot...
he was conference player of the year twice in a row at southern miss....
i`m not overstating his case....this is why the pats are consistently in the top 4 practically every year...
brilliant signing...sad day for the ravens....big dent in their defense....i wish they`d let ray lewis go instead....
btw...they also lost ovie mughelli ,to atlanta,who was turning into a force at fullback...catches the ball out of the backfield,blocks and runs like a truck....
i`m sure they`ll resign jamal lewis`pathetic 3 yards per carry ass and poor steve mcnair will be forced into yet more second and 3rd and 8 or 9`s on a consistent basis....
the guy is so shot,it`s unreal....
congrats,shammy...thomas was the best kept secret in the nfl...
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biggest free agent score this offseason so far:
The Boston Herald and ESPN are reporting that the Patriots have agreed to a deal with free agent linebacker Adalius Thomas and tight end Kyle Smith.
Not since 1995, when Willie McGinest was in just his second season, have the New England Patriots had a defender post double-digit sacks. That long drought is likely to end in 2007.
The Patriots have reached an agreement in principle with former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas, among the premier players in the unrestricted free agent pool, and the seven-year veteran appears to be a perfect fit for coach Bill Belichick's trademark 3-4 defensive scheme.
Thomas has 28? sacks over the past three seasons, with a career-best 11 sacks in 2006.
Thomas, 29, will have a physical examination on Saturday, when the contract is expected to be finalized. Financial details of what is believed to be a six-year deal, the principle elements of which were agreed to Friday, were not yet available.
But Thomas, who played for Belichick in the Pro Bowl last month, almost certainly will be one of the highest-paid players in free agency. Rated by ESPN.com as the No. 2 unrestricted player available, Thomas figures to land guarantees totaling at least $15 million. There is speculation the contract will average $10 million per year.
With its once-feared linebacker corps in obvious decline, and forced to cut and paste on the unit over the past couple seasons, the New England defense sorely needed the kind of upgrade Thomas should bring. He is the kind of hybrid, edge-type player around whom Belichick has traditionally constructed his defensive schemes, a wonderfully versatile athlete who can morph into multiple roles.
In fact, during his seven years in Baltimore, Thomas played nearly every defensive position, including cornerback, at various times. At 270 pounds, Thomas is physical enough to take on the action at the point of attack, yet swift enough to pursue plays from the backside. His unique blend of physical skills made him the Pats' top target in free agency.
A sixth-round choice in the 2000 draft, Thomas began his career playing on special teams and he earned his first of two Pro Bowl berths in that role. He eventually worked his way into the defensive rotation as a specialist and then became a starter three years ago.
In 96 games, the former Southern Mississippi star has 371 tackles, 38? sacks, six interceptions, 31 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and five recoveries.
New England has also reached agreement with 12-year veteran tight end Kyle Brady on a two-year contract.
Brady, 35, agreed to a two-year contract that is worth $5.3 million and includes a $2 million signing bonus. The 12-year veteran, who played the past eight years in Jacksonville, likely will replace Daniel Graham on the roster. Graham is one of the top unrestricted free agents and isn't expected to return to New England.
Noted more as a blocker at this late juncture of his career, Brady should team with Benjamin Watson in the two-tight end formations the Pats frequently use. A first-round pick in the 1995 draft, Brady has 334 career receptions for 3,449 yards and 23 touchdowns. His best season was in 2000, when Brady notched 64 catches for 729 yards and three scores.
The former Penn State star saw his playing time and his role as a receiver reduced in recent seasons with the Jaguars, who rarely employ a tight end on third down. Brady had only five receptions for 37 yards in 2006 and, for the first time in his career, failed to score a touchdown.
The Boston Herald and ESPN are reporting that the Patriots have agreed to a deal with free agent linebacker Adalius Thomas and tight end Kyle Smith.
Not since 1995, when Willie McGinest was in just his second season, have the New England Patriots had a defender post double-digit sacks. That long drought is likely to end in 2007.
The Patriots have reached an agreement in principle with former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas, among the premier players in the unrestricted free agent pool, and the seven-year veteran appears to be a perfect fit for coach Bill Belichick's trademark 3-4 defensive scheme.
Thomas has 28? sacks over the past three seasons, with a career-best 11 sacks in 2006.
Thomas, 29, will have a physical examination on Saturday, when the contract is expected to be finalized. Financial details of what is believed to be a six-year deal, the principle elements of which were agreed to Friday, were not yet available.
But Thomas, who played for Belichick in the Pro Bowl last month, almost certainly will be one of the highest-paid players in free agency. Rated by ESPN.com as the No. 2 unrestricted player available, Thomas figures to land guarantees totaling at least $15 million. There is speculation the contract will average $10 million per year.
With its once-feared linebacker corps in obvious decline, and forced to cut and paste on the unit over the past couple seasons, the New England defense sorely needed the kind of upgrade Thomas should bring. He is the kind of hybrid, edge-type player around whom Belichick has traditionally constructed his defensive schemes, a wonderfully versatile athlete who can morph into multiple roles.
In fact, during his seven years in Baltimore, Thomas played nearly every defensive position, including cornerback, at various times. At 270 pounds, Thomas is physical enough to take on the action at the point of attack, yet swift enough to pursue plays from the backside. His unique blend of physical skills made him the Pats' top target in free agency.
A sixth-round choice in the 2000 draft, Thomas began his career playing on special teams and he earned his first of two Pro Bowl berths in that role. He eventually worked his way into the defensive rotation as a specialist and then became a starter three years ago.
In 96 games, the former Southern Mississippi star has 371 tackles, 38? sacks, six interceptions, 31 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and five recoveries.
New England has also reached agreement with 12-year veteran tight end Kyle Brady on a two-year contract.
Brady, 35, agreed to a two-year contract that is worth $5.3 million and includes a $2 million signing bonus. The 12-year veteran, who played the past eight years in Jacksonville, likely will replace Daniel Graham on the roster. Graham is one of the top unrestricted free agents and isn't expected to return to New England.
Noted more as a blocker at this late juncture of his career, Brady should team with Benjamin Watson in the two-tight end formations the Pats frequently use. A first-round pick in the 1995 draft, Brady has 334 career receptions for 3,449 yards and 23 touchdowns. His best season was in 2000, when Brady notched 64 catches for 729 yards and three scores.
The former Penn State star saw his playing time and his role as a receiver reduced in recent seasons with the Jaguars, who rarely employ a tight end on third down. Brady had only five receptions for 37 yards in 2006 and, for the first time in his career, failed to score a touchdown.
I was up the stadium this morning for a AAA vacation Expo, and Thomas was up at Gillette signing autographs. I think this is a done deal.
