If you project his second half performance out to a full year, he'd come in around 14 sacks. I definitely think he's capable of doing that. He has all the tools and seems like a perfect fit for our defensive scheme. Obviously, tangini feels that way too since they gave him the big contract. That was another smart move because if he does get any where near 14 sacks imagine what he would have commanded out in the open market! Locking up your young players well before they can become free agents is the way to go and seems to be tangini's master plan. What a refreshing change from previous Jet regimes!
He will be top 10 in sacks in the NFL this year if he stays healthy.....with Coleman on D, and more upgrades to come in the pass rush department, Bryan Thomas should flourish.....he started to really "get it" down the stretch last year, and he will only improve.....a late bloomer, but he has all the tools to be a pro bowl player, and I really believe that
He's also not going to sneak up on people as much this year...I'd say between 8-11 sacks would be a very good year.
I actually think Thomas is our Ware to be in this defense. People forget just how fast and strong Thomas is, but the guy was the perfect 3-4 OLB candidate from the day he was drafted. He's got the size, the speed, and the athleticism necessary. He just got a late start to his career as one. Considering it was his first season as a OLB, he's good at rushing the passer, he's always been good at playing the run, he appearantly can drop back very well in coverage, and he's only 28...the guy could be a beast for us throughout the life of his new contract.
