Adalius Thomas

[subin]

From PFT:

PACK ANGLING FOR ADALIUS

Regardless of whether the Green Bay Packers eventually make an effort to trade for Raiders receiver Randy Moss, the more immediate objective for the Favre Franchise is to land Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas.

Thomas, a sixth-round pick in 2000, will hit the open market unless the Ravens slap the franchise tag on him. And, as we're told, one of the first teams to ring his phone will be the Packers. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Thomas is the clear-cut top target for the Packers in free agency.

The Pack plan to make Thomas, a hybrid linebacker/defensive end in the Baltimore defense, into a full-time defensive end. And that could be very bad news for current Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila, whose star has faded in the years since he was regarded as an up-and-coming sack master. KGB fell behind Cullen Jenkins on the depth chart in 2006, and Gbaja-Biamila's $5 million salary for 2007 could cause him to fall off of the roster entirely.

If the Ravens plan to use the franchise tag on Thomas, they'll need to have the cap room to do it. And that could ensure the release of running back Jamal Lewis, who re-signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent in 2006 and who is owed a $5 million roster bonus next month, and a $5 million salary in 2007.

There's no question that the guy is really really good. But I'm not sure how effective he'd be playing strictly Defensive End, seems like it'd be wasting his talents.

 

[Popcynical]

From PFT:
There's no question that the guy is really really good. But I'm not sure how effective he'd be playing strictly Defensive End, seems like it'd be wasting his talents.

I'm sure the only reason we'd have him as a full time DE is because of how strong our LB corps is already.

 

[retiredgrampa]

I don't know much about him but he must be good if the Ravens consider putting the tag on him. It would be nice to add a pass-rusher extrordinaire who could fill in at LB if we had a bad injury there. Multi-purpose players are at a premium. We've got the money, especially if they choose NOT to pay KGB as a front line player. It probably won't come to pass but it does keep us occupied during this drought time.

 

[kmac]

I'd think he'd be more effective as a SLB, but I can't argue with a 270 pound RE with OLB speed.

 

[all about da packers]

I've got mixed feelings.

First of all, I think he'd be an awesome addition. Kamp/Thomas line-up would be killer. Plus he is coming over from a team that has had some of the best defence oriented teams in recent time, and the attitude of being the best that Thomas would bring, that alone is a great addition to the D.

Plus I'd like to think that Thomas could help Barnett, Hawk, Popp with some things, especially since he has played with great LBs.

Secondly,I'm a bit sad it got out. IF it is true, then it will make things much tougher for Thompson, because the Ravens will be more cautious with Thomas.

Finally, IF this is true, how the hell did it get out? Ted isn't one to brag, in face he is very secretive so I am quite shocked a tidbit like this would actually be leaked with Ted in charge.... :-?

 

[smlutz]

Why not switch to the 3-4 and play Kampman/Jenkins and Pickett up front and Thomas/Hawk/Poppinga/Barnett in the back?

 

[kmac]

Pickett's not a nose tackle, only 1 of the 4 LBs is a true MLB, and Poppinga and Hawk are not 3-4 type linebackers.

 

[Zero2Cool]

Pickett's not a nose tackle, only 1 of the 4 LBs is a true MLB, and Poppinga and Hawk are not 3-4 type linebackers.

Whats the difference between Defensive Tackle and Nose Tackle?

 

[kmac]

A nose tackle is on a line with 3 DLs, instead of 4. He's expected to take on 2 blockers and plug up the hole so the 4 LBs can make the plays. Because he's on an island by himself and he's expected to take on 2 blockers, he's got to be huge, like Jamal Williams, Casey Hampton, etc.

 

[HatestheEagles084]

Pickett's not a nose tackle, only 1 of the 4 LBs is a true MLB, and Poppinga and Hawk are not 3-4 type linebackers.

Whats the difference between Defensive Tackle and Nose Tackle?

a 4-3 defensive tackle and a 3-4 nose tackle are different, d-linemen in a 3-4 have to be bigger, and the nose tackles have to be bulldozers that can take on two blockers and plug the run, a perfect example is Casey Hampton.

Pickett's big but doesnt have the overall mass that is required to be a nose tackle

 

[Mackie2001]

I find this hard to believe. Why take a 30 yr old outside linebacker and play him at a different postition? Seems like more risk than Thompson would take. Does anyone have a clue as to what his forty time is or more appropriately, his 10 yard dash time?

 

[Yared-Yam]

Yes yes yes, 15 thousand times yes.

Thomas is a stud on a studly defense.

 

[gbpackers0065]

I find this hard to believe. Why take a 30 yr old outside linebacker and play him at a different postition? Seems like more risk than Thompson would take. Does anyone have a clue as to what his forty time is or more appropriately, his 10 yard dash time?

he not a true linebacker he is a 3-4 OLB which is basically a standup DE

here is a good 3-4 diagram

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[Yared-Yam]

I find this hard to believe. Why take a 30 yr old outside linebacker and play him at a different postition? Seems like more risk than Thompson would take. Does anyone have a clue as to what his forty time is or more appropriately, his 10 yard dash time?

he not a true linebacker he is a 3-4 OLB which is basically a standup DE

here is a good 3-4 diagram

He's like Willie McGinest. Rarely does McGinest drop back in coverage. Almost every play he lines up at DE and rushes.

 

[PackerLegend]

Hmm I had no idea he was even on the list of packers wants let alone the way top. I thought TT was cheap but there is so much talk going around about him signing and trading for big guy names that I dont know whats going on anymore. But most things are rumors so far.

Anyways I want him and then trade KGB

 

[Zero2Cool]

Hmm I had no idea he was even on the list of packers wants let alone the way top. I thought TT was cheap but there is so much talk going around about him signing and trading for big guy names that I dont know whats going on anymore. But most things are rumors so far.

Anyways I want him and then trade KGB

Hmm, get him, trade 3rd rd + KGB for Moss?

 

[Lare]

I wouldn't believe everything you read about teams/FA interest at this time of year, including that on PFT.

First of all, teams cannot express any interest or make contact with any player under contract or his agent before free agency starts. Does it happen? Sure, but when it does everyone keeps an extremely tight lip about it.

Also, anything you do read is most probably total assumption on someone's part or pure subterfuge leaked to the media to mask players that teams are REALLY interested in.

My guess is that the Packers are looking at a DE, but it isn't Thomas. And with PFT being from out East, my guess is that another team in that area is extremely interested in signing Thomas, and is glad that people are thinking it's Green Bay instead.

 

[warhawk]

I see this only if they have a plan for KGB. There are some that feel his contract is not so out of line for a pass rush specialist in todays market.

What that tells me is there is too much money out there because what we pay KGB is insane as far as I am concerned.

If this story hold any truth to it I think it means KGB will find the road some way. I thought we might just hold onto him for depth but if we signed Thomas we would certainly find a new home for KGB.

 

[PackerLegend]

Ravens pondering tight cap room
Thursday, Feb 15, 2007 1:59 pm EST

The Baltimore Ravens have less than $3 million in cap room for next season, so are undecided whether to use the franchise tag on All-Pro linebacker Adalius Thomas. They can keep him from becoming a free agent by paying him $7.2 million.

The team can free up $3.3 million in cap room if they cut running back Jamal Lewis, as expected, before he receives a $5 million roster bonus next month.

Source: Baltimore Sun

 

[retiredgrampa]

As tight-lipped as TT is, I sincerely doubt any rumors came from the Packer organization. I think when the Ravens came so tight againest the cap and Thomas became possibly available, some writers then looked at every team that might need a good DE/LB. GB was just one of those teams, thus a rumor gets going.

 

[Pack88]

I would look at Thomas's Agent!! Amazing how this kind of came out of the blue, and knowing how taciturn TT is the agent knows it will never be refuted!

Kudos to ML for posting that picture of the 4-3 3-4 alignment
Pack88

 

[paxvogel]

i AGREE, SOUNDS LIKE AN AGENT TRYING TO HYPE UP THE PRICE. i DON'T SEE THIS AS A GREAT NEED. SPEND THE MONEY ON A TE, WR OR DB.

 

[bozz_2006]

EVERYBODY STOP YELLING! (that's what is going on, right?)

 

[kmac]

Haha, I love how my post got deleted.

 

[tromadz]

yeah mods are working overtime latley for no reason whatsoever and it is annoying.