Ten Patriots for 2009: No. 2, LB Adalius Thomas

by NESilver on Jul 24, 2009 3:45 PM EDT in New England Patriots News

You've probably heard it all offseason. "The Patriots need a better pass rush." There are questions as to who will be up to the task of replacing Mike Vrabel after he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs along with Matt Cassel for a second round pick. Along with our secondary, this is probably the biggest perceived weakness for our New England Patriots. They made no moves in the draft to pick up an outside linebacker, and while they pursued Jason Taylor and Derrick Burgess, we've seen no action in that regard ever since (Taylor, as we all know, chose to return to the Miami Dolphins). So who steps up to get after the quarterback?

Number 2 on our list: Adalius Thomas.

Okay, so he's not directly replacing the spot Mike Vrabel occupied this season. I know that. Vrabel's old spot will likely go to Pierre Woods or one of the other OLB candidates competing with him. However, if it's getting after the quarterback we're talking about, why is everyone ignoring Adalius Thomas?

He was injured after nine games last year (technically ten, but his injury came in the beginning of that Buffalo game). He was one of many players to land on the Injured Reserve list, so was it any wonder that our pass rush was lacking? After playing mostly inside linebacker in 2007, he was a force to be reckoned with in "The game that shall not be mentioned" on the outside, and he had gotten five sacks last year up until he was injured. Those five sacks came in a limited rushing role because he was dropping into coverage a lot (most likely because of our secondary problems and to help Mayo/Guyton as they progressed), which leads me to my next point.

Thomas is our most versatile player on defense. He can play inside and outside linebacker. He can set the edge, rush the passer, drop into coverage, all of it. After Tom Brady, I would argue that he was the next most important player we lost to injury last year. When healthy, the guy hardly ever left the field. With Adalius Thomas back, and Mayo and Guyton hopefully much improved playing in coverage, the pass rush should see improvement. Whoever plays SOLB in place of Vrabel does not need to be a pass-rushing demon, just solid and consistent. As Bill Belichick would say, "just do your job."

And if you need a friendly reminder for what Thomas is capable of, just ask Brett Favre and Leon Washington.

via assets.nydailynews.com

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i love that play its my favorite of the defence

thanks for video link

by Z-money12 on Jul 24, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe that's why Favre is hesitating about coming back, lol

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 24, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

No problem

That picture never gets old, so any excuse to put it up works for me.

by NESilver on Jul 24, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Washington ended up with the ball

Favre had it, then lost it as he was going down and Washington scooped it up. Adalius knew one of them would have it, and tackled both.

I think it was Wilfork who was asked about the power Adalius showed in tackling both Favre and Washington. He said, “Who, that little guy?” Fun stuff.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 24, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

yup im happy to have him back with good health

by Z-money12 on Jul 24, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions

Thomas

He’s a very good player, but I lost all respect for the guy, and this is why. At a function in South Florida where my 23 year old attended along with my 21 year old son and some of their friends, Thomas tried to pick up my daughter. When my daughter asked him “aren’t you married?” he responded with “why do you need to bring that up?”.
There were many other athletes at this function, and being Patriot fans of course my kids wanted to take pictures with the Patriot players present. But what a disapointment Thomas was to them.

by parent on Jul 24, 2009 11:24 PM EDT reply actions

you joined today and made just 1 post here
sure
your a Pat Hater

by Z-money12 on Jul 25, 2009 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions

A Pat hater?

How absurd, you have no clue about what you’re talking about. I’ve been a Patriot fan since the 70’s when I lived in the area and the Pats were not very good then. And about my comments, what does me joining today and sending one message have to do with anything?, I normally don’t join in on things like these because I don’t know enough football to discuss the subject in depth. I’m a fan that enjoys watching the team play and that’s it. I joined only because I happened to see the story on Thomas. Maybe you don’t believe my comment about his behavior, that’s up to you, I’m saying something that is true, it actually happened in south Florida where I live. And by the way, all my kids who were born in Florida are rabid Patriot fans.

by parent on Jul 25, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions