When the Patriots made their aggressive move for free agent Adalius Thomas, the question was how the team would employ him. Thomas was primarily an OLB in the Ravens' 3-4 alignment but he's been lining up mostly on the inside with the Patriots, next to Tedy Bruschi. That has freed Mike Vrabel to move back to his more natural spot outside, where he is effective at setting the edge in the running game by taking on tight ends and tackles, forcing plays back to the middle of the field. With Rosevelt Colvin (pictured) on the opposite side, the Pats have 2 solid bookends who can pressure. It has all the makings of one of the best starting LB corps in Belichick's tenure. Junior Seau is the top backup inside and he could split snaps with Bruschi, preserving both players. Pierre Woods seems primed to fill the role previously held by Tully Banta-Cain as the top backup on the outside.

Rating: Improved