With the Patriots likely looking at life without Adalius Thomas (arm injury), here is a look at the void that would be created in some of the team’s various defensive packages and who might step in:
3-4 defense: Thomas has lined up at outside linebacker, where he is sometimes used as a fourth or fifth rusher while also finding himself in coverage at times. Third-year player Pierre Woods, who played just 13 percent of the snaps in the season’s first eight games, projects to fill that role.
4-3 defense: When the Patriots bring on an extra defensive lineman (often Jarvis Green) in place of a linebacker, Thomas usually moves off the line of scrimmage. In Sunday’s game, Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel were the other linebackers in that package, so Woods and rookies Jerod Mayo and Gary Guyton would be three other options.
Nickel & dime packages: Thomas has been an integral part of 3-3-5, 4-2-5, or 2-4-5 nickel packages, as well as all dime packages, his combination of size and speed helping the team stay strong in the box against the run while not losing much in the footrace downfield in the passing game. Now Mike Vrabel (who often comes off in the 4-2-5) and Jerod Mayo (who sometimes comes off in the 3-3-5) will probably be asked to do more, with Tedy Bruschi and Gary Guyton also potentially seeing expanded duties.
Leading the huddle: Thomas is one of the two defenders with the communication device in his helmet this season, leading the huddle. Because he plays more snaps than any other defender – 99 percent leading into Sunday’s game – he's a natural choice for that role. Mike Vrabel, who has also led the huddle this year at times, would be a likely candidate to take over.
Special teams: Thomas has a limited role on special teams, playing only on the punt team when the Patriots are backed up deep in their own territory. Special teams coach Brad Seely would have to shuffle his personnel, weighing the risk of using Mike Vrabel in that role. Another trickle-down effect – with Vrabel potentially being asked to do a bit more on defense – is if the Patriots will continue to use Vrabel as a third tight end on offense.
Other personnel thoughts: The Patriots’ answers would likely come from within, with each linebacker asked to pull a little more of the rope, similar to last season when Rosevelt Colvin (foot) was injured and Junior Seau went from part-time player to full-time player. Rookie Vince Redd, a free agent who is on the practice squad, will probably see his practice reps increase. Fellow rookie Shawn Crable (shin) is not an option because he is on season-ending injured reserve. In terms of veteran free-agent help, Colvin is available and knows the system. He could add another layer of depth if the Patriots choose to add from the outside.
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Woooww... I hope people realize, how good is Mr. Belichick is. He does not make injury as a excuse. No wonder, Seau said "He would only fight for Mr. Belichick and Mr. Kraft". Seau realize in his long HOF carrer, that, Mr. Belickchick is special coach.
Mike, Is AD out for year, If we make playoff, is it possibility for him to come back ?
What's going on with Alaxander ? Is he OLB or ILB ?
Is Seau or Colvin a option? The reason, I said Seau, so Seau and Bruski can play full time ILB and Guyton can move to OLB. Also what about making Jarvis Green to OLB. He seesm to be same size as AD. And mike wright can help Seamore, when needed. Anyway, just a thoughts..
this is a huge loss.sure we will here we got gary guyton.who?never heard of him.how long has he played?its a big loss.
I think Guyton's looked like an excellent prospect when he's been called upon, but it's a big ask for him to step up and fill A.D's cleats, particularly when Guyton has been seeing most of his playing time inside.
I'd love to see them bring Rosie back. If he's fit, the extra depth could be invaluable come January time.
They need to stop winning games
Lose them, get a better draft pick, and get ready for next year
Id be intruiged about Colvin, as far as I remember he was let go because he could not pass a physical? But then he didn't stick at the Texans, did he?
Losing Thomas is another terrible injury loss though....if BB gets us to the Divisional Playoffs now, its the best coaching job since the first SB!
hey juneyah get off your surfboard and come get some chowdah
Who the hell is A.D????????!! Do you mean, A. T?????
I wonder if Colvin has been staying in shape and wants to comeback? If he has and he does he seems like a natural fit.
Although picking up these older guys off the street after injuries has not been the Pats MO this season (No veteran QB brought in. Law and Lynch not brought in when Harrison got hurt)
Plug and play. If we can survive the loss of Brady, we can survive the loss of anybody.
As already mentioned, would Seau be any help, Mike? I remember Belichick saying before the season that he had no plans to call Junior, but might revisit that later in the season if things changed.
Seau? Why not Seau?
What the heck is going on this year with injuries ... AD Thomas gone for the year now ?!?! ... WTF
This is worse than the year we lost all of our corners and still won the Super Bowl. Is it too late to bring Seau back and shift Guyton to the outside ?
Where the heck is Alexander ? He hurt his Hamstring in Week #2 and is still not back and has not been placed on IR yet ?
I hope they did not put Crable on Ir just to make room for the signing of Jason Webster ...
All of this ... and the Jets are in town in 3 days for 1st in the division ... LET'S GO PATS
ALWAYS TRUST THE MASTER IN THE HOODIE ! ... CAN YOU THINK OF ANY OTHER COACH, WITH ALL OF THESE INJURIES AND BE 6-3 (should be 7-2 with that Colts game) AND LEADING THEIR DIVISION ?
IN BILL WE TRUST
gick = moron
confused = aptly named
Smoot is the glue. Smoot is the stitch in time that saves nine. Smoot is working behind the scenes. Belive in Smoot.
This is getting ridiculous! How many more players are going to go down for the season?? The guys we are losing are not bit players, they are major cogs of the machine. Here the Pats are 6-3 and you gotta be amazed. What a job by the entire organization. It has been so topsy-turvy and now we see how great a head coach Belichick is. The silver lining to all these bad things happening is the backups are gaining experience and the Pats will be stronger for the all the adversity. BB has to be coach of the year!!! All that said, I predict NE wins Thursday 23-13.
Adalius will be back for playoff time. He'll wear a cast if he has too, guy does not miss a snap until he must. Looking more and more like 2001.
Adalius will be back for playoff time. He'll wear a cast if he has too, guy does not miss a snap until he must. Looking more and more like 2001.
Anyone else questioning whether the conditioning staff should be losing their jobs?
I think BB should get coach of the year if we pull off the playoffs with so many injuries. The Titans are good but they haven't really beat any "good teams" - indy is good but they were unhealthy. Giants haven't played many good teams either - cowboys had a great chance if they had romo. So i dont think either of those coaches should get coach of the year. I wouldn't mind Falcons coach gets the nod since he turned that franchise a 360.
It was foolish not to bring in Colvin right away when he was released by the Texans. Now that Thomas looks out for awhile, it's time not to mess around, and bring him back - especially in providing any pass rushing help. And while the Pats are at it, they should look to add some depth again at running back. As excited as we are now about BenJarvus Green-Ellis right now, he's one hit away from heading to the sidelines like the crew of Lamont Jordan, Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris. What comes to mind is Najah Davenport, who was just cut a few days ago by Pittsburgh (who could have used him Sunday against a below average Colts team).
There seems to be many more injuries in the NFL than in previous years. Perhaps the league needs to reexamine the benefits (or pitfalls) in their current physical programs (stretching, weight lifting, diets etc.) The present system does not seem to be working!
the Web says a broken forearm takes 8-10 weeks to heal. That would be right around the first round of the playoffs......If he were to be put on IR could he still play in the playoffs??
Colvin should definetly be called up and brought in. Even if he took a few weeks to get back into shape and what not he would be a good help down the stretch. Can anyone find out more info on him and why no other team has called him up?? I tried but couldnt find anything
Gonna have to roll with Woods on outside in the 3-4...
Possible 4-3 LB look: Vrable OLB, Mayo MLB, Guyton OLB
Forget about Colvin (health) Forget about Seau (doesn't help the need for OLB)
You may see a strong safety/Hybrid LB move in to OLB in the 4-3
The entire organization has done an unbelievable job to date. No one has taken the hits this team has absorbed and compare where they are. The Jets, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Colts are all about the same or less than us and have any of them lost thier number one player and the entire running back corp? These guys are just a pleasure to watch whether they win them all or not.
is it just me, or does this season (though barely halfway through) feel more satisfactory, rewarding, more patriots-football than last season? Dont get me wrong, i loved last years' blowout humiliations, but it just feels better screaming your heart out for every game, on every play... I dont know... these life-and-death, aint-over-till-its-over, grind-it-out wins help you re-discover your real passion for the game and the team. What with all these injuries and setbacks, (and the overcomingation(...) of those) it feels pretty damn good being a pats-fan these days.
"Anyone else questioning whether the conditioning staff should be losing their jobs?"
Its a freaking broken arm, how on earth do you blame the conditioning staff for the amount of calcium in the guys bone? are you kidding me? Oh an its clearly the conditioning staffs fault that blitzing safety wasn't properly clobbered in the hole and given the chance to dive at the MVPs knee.
BILL B. - You are my HERO.... thank you for making this a season to watch... even with all the injuries. You are AWESOME!!
Confused - Adalius Thomas goes by the nickname "AD" not "AT". Check his website at www.adalius96.com. Why "AD"? Perhaps both because that's the first two letters of his first name and also because his full name is Adalius Donquail Thomas.
Can we please put gick's ability to post messages on this board? What a moron. Lose so you can get a lottery pick? Fire the conditioning staff because of injuries? You sir are a moron! Is the reason AD broke his arm because he didn't drink enough milk as a child? Let's blame his parents
I would bring in Colvin, he knows the system and we have nothing to lose if we bring him in. When he was healthy I thought he played great for the Pats.
Gick has once again proven his ignoramous status. We need to submit him for a Darwin Award. Don't suspend him from posting though -- his stupidity is so egregious it is entertaining..
Brady
Rodney Harrison
Maroney
Lamont Jordan
Sammy Morris
Terrence Wheatley
Shawn Crable
Adalius Thomas
all missing
Colvin is an enticing option, true.
However, you have to look into why the Pats and Texans both cut him in the past year. He also had a try-out with the Colts if I am not mistaken ? There is a reason for this. He has sustained some bad injuries over his career. (Broken Hip and Achilles Tear)
Give credit where credit is due ... To Belichik and his coaching staff for putting players in a position to succeed. ALSO give credit to the Scouting staff for finding and signing these un-drafted rookies and they are contributing. Guyton looks like a keeper with great instincts and speed and Mayo is already a stud at ILB. He had a great hit on Edwards on the 2nd play from scrimmage and a nice pass break - up on 3rd down in the 4th quarter over the middle. BenJarvus Green-Ellis runs with power and makes his cut and goes.
Tim:
If a player is put on IR, he is done for the season and that includes playoffs.
Is there a definitive list of Injured Reserve players for the year somewhere? We shouldn't forget Tank Williams went down in training camp. If I recall they seemed to be planning on using him pretty heavily. I can't remember a year with this many top-line players/starters on IR.
I usually don't do this, but c'mon. Tedy "Bruski" has been here since 1994. Bill "Belichik" has been here since 2000. Richard "Seamore" has been here since 2001. Referring to Brandon "Merryweather" is one thing, but these are the team leaders of the last decade. The least we can do is spell their names right.
Is there a definitive list of Injured Reserve players for the year somewhere? We shouldn't forget Tank Williams went down in training camp. If I recall they seemed to be planning on using him pretty heavily. I can't remember a year with this many top-line players/starters on IR.
I don't know if it was Woods or Guyton, but there was one play where one of these 2 guys tried to dance around Buf's O lineman, the lineman simply pushed him in the direction he was dancing, which caused our LB to fly about 4 feet onto his face.
Not exactly what BB is looking for in his LBs I'd wager.
Of course, it was just one play. Maybe a fluke.
Vince Redd anyone guy looked great in preseason just barely got beat out by guyton give him a chance he is like shawn crable in size 6'6 a specimen
OK, sorry about the double post. I don't know how that happened, I definitely did not hit the submit button more than once, as fiercely warned below!
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