Why do I feel like he is not going to sign here? Hope he does, but I'm not sure how much he has left.
Thomas played some on the inside in New England as well.. he would be great insurance at both outside and inside backer I think. If the price is right, I see now real downside to bringing him in if Rex gives his approval.
Well, I totally forgot that the Final 8 rules don't apply to players who are cut. But I get your point.
Bryan Thomas. The answer to your question is Bryan Thomas. Adalius Thomas has 68 tackles over the last two seasons, in which he's missed 9 out of 32 possible games, 7 for injury and 2 because he was deactivated. He's trashed both franchises he's played for in the media. He's a headcase with diminishing skill. Ray Lewis called him a coward. He was probably right. He's averaged 4 sacks a year over the last two years. He's 32 years old and his numbers look like it. Bryan Thomas is two years younger and hasn't missed a game since 2004. He's got 110 tackles over the last two seasons and 7.5 sacks. Is he a star? No, but he's a solid starter who is above average against the run and fills a role on this team. -X-
No brainer he's going to Jets for so many obvious reasons: -softens the emotional blow for the Faneca/Leon losses overnight.... -adds so much depth and interchangeable parts to an already-insane defense that there is no Jenkins-sized injury fear -cheap in an already-stellar cap situation -so the Dolphins don't -Rex guy -inside Pats info -etc. -etc. -etc.
Unless AT is shot as a player and a shadow of his former self (as to which I have no idea) he proved himself to be an absolute terror and one of the most versatile defensive players in the NFL under Rex in Baltimore. Bringing in AT is a no-brainer as far as I am concerned. If he's tapped out, we'll know soon enough and he'll be promptly disposed of accordingly. If, on the other hand, he still has something left, he could be another enormous impact player for us.....
Agreed, I definitely want Bryan Thomas to start over Taylor and, if we sign him, AT. He is better at this point in their careers. He's younger and much better in coverage then Taylor and much more durable and reliable then AT. Those 2 should only be on the field in obvious passing downs, sub packages and to give Pace/Thomas a breather.
Right, and he's 32. Big difference between a 32 year old who's missed significant time due to injury and the 20 something guy who played for the Ravens three years ago. People seem to be missing that. -X-
I don't know if anyone here can really objectively quantify the erosion of his skills, speed, desire, etc., be they the result of age, injury or normal wear and tear in terms of the degree to which they are directly related to his statistical decline. His tank may be empty, half-full, 3/4,...who really knows? I don't see any downside, however, in bringing him in so that Rex & Company can make a clear and rational appraisal of what he may or may not be able to offer us on the field.
The key to picking up these 30+ retreads is can they give what Rex wants them for? I don't think anyone is going to expect Taylor or AT or whoever else we sign that is considered "done" to play like they have in the past. They are not going to be every down players. They are going to be expected to do what they do best in situations that will put them in the best position to make plays.
Somewhere, from the back office of a car dealership in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Andre Wadsworth brushes the Doritoes chips from his shirt, stands at attention and anticipates "the call."
I don't know what else you need to know. The guy signed a huge contract and proceeded to stink. This is not uncommon for NFL players entering their 30's. His tackle numbers were diminished, he missed games due to injury, and he was DEACTIVATED while healthy, twice, on a team that wasn't exactly loaded at the linebacker position. The downside is the opportunity cost of having him on the roster versus a younger player who might have more long-term upside. The downside is that his past behavior and unhappiness with whatever role we have planned for him becomes a locker room distraction. I fail to see the upside. -X-
Well there's also the chance that he was a perfect fit for Rex's scheme in Baltimore, then flopped when he moved to a completely different team with a completely different scheme in NE. I don't necessarily think that, but there's a chance that's what happened. If Rex thinks he can be productive, then we have to think Rex knows what he's talking about. His versatility could really help if he agrees to come in as a backup and move around the field as needed.
One thing is for sure and that is, he's not going to play special teams. Same with Jason Taylor. We're going to need SOME of our backups to play special teams and I'm not sure we have enough. That said, if he's willing to come in and recognize he'll have a limited role (mostly pass-rushing on 3rd down and being a backup for the LBs), he can succeed here. I'm iffy on the signing.
