Buzz: How Interested Are the Jets in Adalius Thomas?
Brace yourself. It seems that I got Rex’s relationship with Adalius Thomas wrong. Over a month ago, I noted that I thought Rex didn’t appreciate some of Thomas’s statements about the Ravens once we he went to New England. Looks like I was wrong …. shocker, right? :) Anyway, Cimini reports on Ryan’s love for the former LB.
Citing the tampering rules, Ryan refused to take questions on Raiders CB Nnamdi Asoughma and Patriots LB Adalius Thomas, a former Raven. There’s been a lot of Nnamdi-to-the-Jets buzz, and there’s speculation that Thomas, an old Ryan favorite from Baltimore, will be released. If that happens, the Jets will be on him in a New York minute. Ryan loves Thomas, who also is close with Bart Scott. If they were to sign Thomas, you have to wonder how that would impact Bryan Thomas, who is due to make $3 million in salary.
Albert Breer of the Boston Globe was at the same presser, and added these “other side of the fence” thoughts on AD.
… when asked to comment on a possible reunion with Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas, widely assumed to be the outs in New England … [Ryan] … did offer the value of having some of his ex-Ravens in New York.
“That’s big, I think any coach that gets a job would want to bring in people he’s familiar with, because these are guys that the rest of the team is going to look at,” Ryan said. “You better make sure your’re bringing in the right guys from a work ethic standpoint. … Their teammates are going to be watching them. So that something where we definitely had the right guys.”
Time will tell if Ryan thinks Thomas is one of those guys, as we believe the coach does.
The Jets are looking for anyone to help boost their pass-rush. That was supposed to be Vernon Gholston’s job by now, but we all know how that experiment is going.
Tackling the Bryan Thomas issue first. I like BT’s versatility in coverage and think it’s an asset for this Jets team. That said, BT is not much of a pass-rusher, and we can finally conclude that 2006 and his 8.5 sacks was an anomaly, maybe because Mangini catered his scheme to the OLB in his first year. Three million doesn’t seem like a lot for a guy under contract in a year where the Jets are limited in terms of what moves they can and can’t make. Unless there are larger concerns, it seems needless to cut him even if they bring in Adalius Thomas.
AD wasn’t as productive in New England as he was in Baltimore for whatever reasons. In his last three years in Baltimore, Thomas gathered 28 sacks versus his 14.5 in his last three years. As far as I can tell, there’s three factors at play in this. In Baltimore, the scheme (1) catered to his abilities, there was also some dude (2) named Terrell Suggs who played opposite him and (3) he was still playing for a big contract. The bottom line is that I think the Patriots squandered their use of Adalius Thomas (AD) in their read and react defense, but he also wasn’t the right type of player for their overall organization as he started getting less playing time in 2009 and popping off at the mouth in the process.
With that, of those three mitigating issues, the Jets can really only address two components should he come to New York in 2010. The Jets don’t have a Suggs player, but could structure a contract to incent him to focus, and have the scheme that might work. If Ryan knows how to motivate Adalius Thomas, then go get him. What I will say is that at his age, don’t expect him to rack up 15 sacks for the Jets in 2010. He would be a Parcells-esque “hold the fort” guy for the Jets.
62 Responses to Buzz: How Interested Are the Jets in Adalius Thomas?
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Adalius to the Jets seems like a perfect fit. A veteran OLB that exceled in Ryan’s system.
The other nonsense was really overblown.
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Jets Commenter says:
Are we still worrying about Vernon Gholston?
Simple solution to the Gholston problem:
Rex should ride him hard in the off-season and training camp. Let him know that if he does not get a sack in two of three pre-season games, that the Jets will not hesitate to trade him for a lukewarm beer and a 3rd round pick in the 2018 draft.
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Brendan says:
I would much rather have Porter.
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Bent says: What Thomas brings that I like is the versatility. He could have filled in for Bart Scott if we had him two months ago and the defense wouldn’t miss a beat. Heck, get ‘em both!
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Well I’ll start by saying I like both players. As Bent pointed out, Thomas is very versatile, and would give Rex a toy to move all over the place. And his pass rushing is above average.
But in my mind we don’t need another versatile LB on the roster. We don’t need a guy who is a pretty good pass rusher who can “hold the fort”, as Bassett put it. What I think this team needs in the worst way is an beast at WILL. I still don’t know why Porter split time with Wake in Miami. I watched a lot of that team, and it was obvious (to me, at least) that the defense was better with Porter in. He’s certainly not running on an empty tank, and when given the reps he’s one of the most fearsome, relentless and skilled pass rushers in the NFL. The Jets need a guy like that, and while AD is a good pass rusher and could be used in a variety or ways, I think the team would be better served bringing in a guy who can get after the QB like Porter can.
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joe c from ct says:
GET’ER DONE!!
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Brian Thomas can be dealt for something in this league.
I predicted Thomas to the Giants for Umenyora & then we sign Thomas.Ellis Jenkins Umenyora (Devito, Pouha)
A.Thomas, Harris, Scott, Pace
Revis, Rhodes, Leonard, #2 corner.Better defense than last season right there.
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GP says:
I’m with Brendan. Porter seems to be more consistent year-to-year than AD. Not to mention, he holds grudges like none other. He would be looking to absolutely maim everyone in teal and white when we play the Phins.
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Considering the final 4 rules that we are subject to, there is no doubt in my mind that we will sign him if & when he gets cut.
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GP found the root of my Porter love-fest. The two games a year he’d become demonically possessed and tear the limbs off of Phins players while red-eyed, breathing fire and racking up sacks.
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david i says:
I think both are 32 and people who follow the phins felt Porter had to be phased out…I think AT would be a good move, integrated quickly and save us another year from having to pick up another body in the draft, which we are thin again in numbers this year.
Which, btw, I love was Mr T is doing, but this is a deep deep draft this year and we are short again on picks. That might not be bad for us considering what we got for it, but it will help others who have the picks down the road. This is a draft where teams can stockpile talent for years to come if they pick well. Some of the bad teams might be able to look at ’10 draft as the year they turned their franchise around because of the depth of quality coming out.
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dave b says:
Can someone explain this to me?
We have glaring holes in our defensive backfield. Bryan Thomas is, admittedly, not elite, but able and shines every once in a while. Why would we go after AT when a premiere DB or safety (or DT) is much more crucial? Addressing our OLB “situation” seems, to me, to be a myopic tactic considering our other needs.
Wouldn’t like this move. Cards just released Antrel Rolle. Let’s look at him!
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Dylan says:
I’ve said this a million times before but I’ll say it again. Porter won’t play for the Jets. He said he wants to play on the west coast. I would love for the Jets to add AD. He is a better pass rusher than BT, and he would be a nice quick fix for our pass rush. He would also come relatively cheap so signing him wouldn’t be much of a risk.
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Dylan, I might have missed it but what kind of a contract is AT looking for
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Dylan,
Players say they want to play here, they want to play there every year. Know where the play? Where they get paid. If you think Porter would turn down a chance to play in Rex’s defense, for a huge market team, on a defense on the cusp of being great, to stick it to his former team twice a year (can’t be understated) and his other team possibly once a year, if the $ was right than I don’t know what to tell you.
He would come, but the team needs to decide if they want him first.
Dave b,
Our defense’s BIGGEST need is a pass rusher. B. Thomas can’t do it and Calvin Pace isn’t a WILL linebacker (the pass rushing OLB in a 3-4). Why look to Rolle when we have two good safeties. We have one good OLB, two good safeties, so you tell me which one seems to be a myopic task.
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dave b,
I’m not sure, but he is 32 and is coming off a really bad season (34 tackles 3 sacks) so the Jets could probably sign him to a one-year deal for pretty cheap. I wouldn’t know the exact number though. I’m sure Bent would have a better idea. -
Brendan,
I think he will end up in San Diego because:A) San Diego is an awesome place to live and Taylor has stated that he would love to play on the west coast.
B) The Chargers are going to be contenders next year.
C) The Chargers need an OLB.
D) I think Taylor is too loyal to the Fins fans to go and play for their rival.
So yes, I do think he would pass up playing for us in order to join a team like the Chargers or the Niners. If there weren’t a lot of options for him I think he would join the Jets, but that just isn’t the case. I think there will be at least 10 teams interested in signing him.
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patpat says:
i like the picture,
thats really all i have to say
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Also, money is not an issue for him. If I remember correctly he left a lot of money on the table in order to come back and play for Miami.
http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/5661/jason-taylor-low-class-jets-should-shut-up
Maybe this article will change your mind.
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Brendan,
I personally think our biggest need is a corner to compliment revis. lowery has proven to be wholly uncapable, and teams leaned on the un-Revis-d side of the field the entire season. I think about those TD drives in Indy and I want to puke.
I don’t think Rhodes is a good safety. So maybe that’s where we’re butting heads. I’ll admit that Ryan didn’t play into his strengths earlier in the year, and he “stepped up” as the season went on, but Rhodes hasn’t returned to form and was generally pitiful in pass coverage all year.
BT is decent. He’s not great, he’s not elite, but he’s decent. So when I look at our needs, I see a huge need for a second corner, then a safety, then DE/OLB.
AT would be awesome if we can get him for a cheap price, as Dylan points out is a good possibility. But what do we do with Thomas? Cut him? For a 32 year old guy? Doesn’t seem like a smart move from that standpoint
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Another article with lots of quotations. Last year he said he would rather play for the Pats than the Jets.
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Dylan, you’re talking about Jason Taylor, I’m talking about Joey Porter, who is going to be released.
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Brendan,
Haha woops yeah I got confused with that one. I still think he will end up with the Chargers but I guess we will find out in a matter of weeks. -
You know what, nevermind.
I think our answer for a second corner is right here:
http://blogs.nfl.com/2010/02/28/pacman-schedules-march-19-workout-for-teams/
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^^^ NO WAY
I love every player on our team…I cant root for a guy like Pacman, no way. -
Steven says:
The look on Brett’s face is priceless in this pic! LOL
But any way I say sign him to a cheap 1yr deal and get this position settled so we can move on the the CB position!
Oakland any1?
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btw I dont understand why we didnt let Jones to finish up his contract this season. He only has 1 season left at a total of 5 million dollars which is fair for him.
I’ve heard people say it has a lot to do with the possibility of a lockout next season. But he’s only signed for 1 more year, so why would it make a difference.
Leon is coming off an injury & S. Greene’s running style makes him prone to injuries. -
Brendan
I wouldnt mind Porter as a backup plan. Thomas is a better fit and while he might be as dynamic as a pass rusher he is a better overall player at this point. Which is only intesified under Ryan and the system that Thomas knows already
Plus lets not sell Thomas short on the attitude. He verbally battled Belichick and Ray Lewis. Two people that very few challenge.
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Steven, we dont need Asomugha. If we’re going after an elite player, it should be for a DE/OLB.
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ronnie
The theory is TJ will be a backup this year so why pay a backup player 5 mil when you can get a cheaper player to provide similar resluts. Remember TJ was not going to get 300 touches this year with Greene and Leon in the mix.
Mr T and the Jets are not stupid. They know what they are doing.
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Drew, but Leon is coming off an injury and Greene was injury prone with only playing half the season.
We know what we can get with Jones. Someone who is a team leader, can still give you a solid running game, will pickup the blockers and will never turn the ball over.
I dont trust Westbrook, Tomlinson, Taylor etc. -
haha, in terms of trash talk and attitude Joey Porter is in a first place tie with Bart Scott, for the entire NFL. I understand the desire for a seamless transition by acquiring AD, but I think he certainly has lost more off his game than Porter. Porter went from 17.5 sacks to splitting time with a CFL player, that has “doghouse” written allllllll over it. It’s no secret that he clashed with management in Miami. And let’s not forget that Porter was one of the best football players, not just pass rushers, in the NFL just a few years ago. He’s still got enough in the tank for a couple of high-octane pass rushing years, which this team needs badly. They can cover him if he’s a liability in the running game (which he shouldn’t be), but AD just can’t offer the type of impact off the edge that Porter can.
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antic says:
Any word on the likelihood of peppers coming to new York? And if there is any chance we could sign ndami I say we go for it. Why not try gholston out at end. After all he was an end at Ohio State. Just some thoughts. I feel our first concern should be at the #2 cornetback spot. Lowry showed promise but is best as a nickleback. We all saw it manning bent lowry and shepherd over and proceeded to rape them violently. After that yes we need another better pass rusher.
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WOJF says:
Brian Thomas could move to DE taking Douglass’ spot.
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Davo says:
Although he’d no doubt love to re-unite with Ryan, he’s a “prototype” OLB for the Patriots defensive scheme, and both the Chiefs and Bronco’s will up the bidding.
Oh, and while we’re at it, can someone explain the “final 8″ plan and how it relates to AD.
He’ll be an unrestricted FA if he’s released, right? So the final-8 rules apply? Or not?
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Brendan
I am not putting him in the Bart Scott/Poter level but he brings some cockiness to the table was my point.
Plus he is a young 32. He didnt even play early in his career and then Ryan made him a star. Porter has been through wars and I feel at this point is still a good pass rusher but not a very good player overall anymore…..but thats just me
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mole57 says:
Davo,
Final 8 rules do not apply to anyone who is released. It only applies to UFAs whose contracts expired.
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Jimmy says:
why is no one giving pace credit? the guy had 9.5 sacks in 12 games, a rate better than Julius Peppers. sure, he’s not suggs, but he’s no slouch. adalius thomas would be an awesome addition for cheap.
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Jimmy
I dont think anyone is questioning Pace. I think this has more to do with Bryan Thomas’s lack of ability to get the QB on the ground.
BT is a good player but there is room to upgrade there. For the record Gholston was supposed to take his place and we know where we are with that
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and Suggs is a little overrated….. He hasnt really had a big sack year…..really ever
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Green Lantern says:
I Would rather have Joey Porter as well…Sack Monster Thats Exactly What we need.
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If we get Porter, I feel bad for David Harris because he’ll be in between Porter & Scott all season on the field. He may go deaf.
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Pdubbs says:
I think we will grab either Porter or Thomas which is really annoying being that we drafted Gholston, so that we wouldnt be in this situation…. but Gholston SUCKSS….
So, pick up a verteran pass rusher who knows how to play in the AFC East and draft both CB and WR.
Draft done…. aside from other depth players.
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dmazz says:
I’d rather have Porter
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CB, DE,OLB, WR are what we need to adress in that order. if there are corners like dunta Robinson and asomugha going to be available I see no reason to draft in that direction. Both porter and adailius would be an upgrade to b Thomas. But I feel we need to address the end position first. There is a chance however small that gholston will showout this year. Rex Ryan said himself that they have not given him the chance he deserves. Devito is average at best in my opinion and if I’m not mistaken on his way out. On a different note I’m am satisfied with our running backs even without Jones. We could use one more reciever and probably look into a offensive lineman. Faneca woody and Moore are all up there in age.
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JesusRevis says:
Brendan,
“Our defense’s BIGGEST need is a pass rusher. B. Thomas can’t do it and Calvin Pace isn’t a WILL linebacker (the pass rushing OLB in a 3-4). Why look to Rolle when we have two good safeties. We have one good OLB, two good safeties, so you tell me which one seems to be a myopic task.”
So does this mean you now agree with what I was saying last week regarding Asomugha?
Also, I agree with you on Porter, I would rather sign him than Thomas.
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SackDance99 says:
Over the weekend, Rex was on Dan Leberfeld’s show on SIRIUS. Leberfeld asked him point blank about getting a pass-rushing WILL, which Leberfeld said was one of the few areas where the defense was not elite. Rex responded by praising Pace and saying how much better he would’ve done if he had not missed the first 4 games. While IMO, a guy like Porter, Merriman or Dumervil, who are all WILL/DE pass rushers, fit the Jets better with Pace playing the SAM, the SAM does usually come out in nickel coverage. Because of AD’s versatility, he may not come out as much in nickel coverage, which could only improve the pass rush. Moreover, AD is a better football player than BT and knows Rex’s system better.
So, maybe Rex thinks that if he gets AD, he can put him at SAM, and move Pace permanently to WILL (and, IMO, Pace is a pretty talented pass rusher, not in the Porter/Merriman/Dumervil league, but it would be interesting to see him with more reps AND he’s certainly paid like a WILL!). Then, the Jets can bolster CB in the draft (although, I just don’t think that the talent will be there in the first 2 rounds when the Jets pick) and take a last look at Gholston.
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Andy says:
Ronnie,
While I agree that leon is coming off an injury and I guess Greene is injury proned after a half a season, which I don’t get, but I have to agree with Drew. As much as I liked TJ it was time to let him go. I don’t think he can do what he did in’09 this year. Now as far as Greene is injury proned, how can you say that after not even a full season. I mean I broke my finger once am I injury proned now? If he is injured every year for the next two or three years then it can be a fair assessment.
I’d totally take Thomas for D. We need that pass rush! -
JEFFDOLFINI says:
I would take Porter in a second if we could get him. He is the pass rusher that we need to win now!
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JR,
As I said back then, Aso is the ONLY cornerback I’d consider going that route for. Any other cornerback not named Nnamdi, and I want a pass rusher 10000000000x more. I just think that the possibility of putting the two best players at CB (and it’s not even close) on the field together is something this league has never seen before, so no one knows that it couldn’t/wouldn’t work.
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brian311 says:
i would take AD on the team. no thanks to porter. the team can have only so many strong personalities….
if it is true that we are parting ways with TJ, suddenly RB moves towards the top of the list of needs with passrusher and CB. hopefully we could address RB via free agency by adding someone like chester taylor. guys like willie parker, westbrook and LT do not appeal to me. we need someone who will stay healthy and serve as a security plan for if Green gets hurt – none of the other available free agent RBs fit that mold
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If NFL teams put classified ads to fill holes in their team, our new RB “hole”‘s ad would read:
” Needed: Part-Time running back. Must be able to carry 5-10 times a game. Must be able to spot-start in cases of emergency. Must be adequate as a blitz pick-up. Rookie candidates: must be low-level draft picks (or undrafted). Veteran candidates: please be mindful you will not be “the guy”. Open to all applicants. ”
Boom. Done. Nothing fancy. 100 carries, solid depth, not a “HE’S starting? Aw hell we’re screwed!” guy. It will not be a hard position to fill.
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The quality RB list in this draft is deep, very deep. Plus there are plenty of RBs that are around looking for work. One thing the NFL has, is a surplus on RB’s.
On the other hand, good DB’s and game impacting D pass rush specialist are like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
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Why not get both for a cheap price and maybe get a good CB and draft a WR or a young running back in case Leon isn’t 100% or gets injured I expect the Jets to win at least 11 games or 12 games
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dakar says:
if carlos dansby is let go from arizona i would try to get him in sted of porter or thomas…just my thoughts…
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dakar -
Dansby is looking for huge, huge money. There’s no way in hell we’re getting him.
Thomas is gonna be 33 when the season starts, as is Porter. At least Porter still appears to be a valuable pass rusher with 26.5 sacks the last two seasons. Thomas may be a slight upgrade over BT, but we need someone who can get to the QB without blitzing, and he doesn’t look like the guy. If he’s willing to play for pennies to be under Rex again, then come aboard, but I wouldn’t pay him any real money.
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Eddie DiGio says:
I guarantee that Rex gets an infinite amount more out of Thomas than Belicheat did.
Thomas lack of production and playing time was due to personal issues between him and BB. BB can be a real SOB, despite being worshiped by ESPN.
This is a good move for the Jets, this is the defense that got AT paid, made him a house-hold name, and the coach that discovered him
No brainer AT over Porter
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joe b.
your right…i forgot dansby is looking for that highest paid D. player type contract…
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Eddie,
No Brainer? Really? Porter is more what this team needs. A prototypical WILL edge rusher. If he’d come, I’d much rather have him, as he’d be the missing link in our defense (until we found someone younger to do it).
Would Joey Porter be a better pick up for the Jets?