Originally Posted by Claythan (Post 5661644)

We have the smartest owner, GM, head coach, quarterback and middle linebacker.

Unfortunately we have the dumbest fan base.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501 (Post 5661900)

There's a few things wrong with that.

First, Tank at End isn't a reach. I think he's better suited as a backup nose if he puts up pounds, but DEs in a 3-4 fit more of the mold of a DT. The only concern might be that he's a little short for the position. Beisel starting is not a stretch either. He's experienced in this system--he started for a few games in New England as an ILB. DJ and Zach Thomas are coverage guys, Beisel is the DE converted into a LB. I don't know that Beisel starts, but I think he sees a lot of reps as the more stout, run-stopper than DJ or Zach Thomas.

But most importantly, Vrabel is not a guy you want to play OLB in a 4-3. He's not a great OLB in a pure OLB sense of the word. He's a pass rusher who can play OLB when called upon to mix things up. What's more likely is that Zach Thomas plays the middle and DJ and Demorrio play on the outside in a 4-3. But again, I believe that this hybrid defense is a stopgap until they have the resources to load up on 3-4 personnel. That's why you get stopgaps like Vrabel and Zach Thomas to hold a short-term defense until you can build the real one. I guarantee this team is full-blown 3-4 within the next 2-3 years.

Originally Posted by TheGuardian (Post 5661801)

Wow. I started to read through the first couple of pages but I felt my inner Ted Bundy coming on and I had to stop for a few minutes at the stupidity.

To outline a few things.

This signing has nothing to do with whether or not we draft Curry. Thomas is 35 and might play here a year or two. I could easily take the path that Thomas was signed to show Curry how to play the position, something the Pats did a lot with their players.

Complaining about Zach Thomas' sack number makes about as much sense as complaining about Jenna Jameson's lack of a PhD. It's not what they are here for.

Zach's weight? When he came into the league as a rook he beat out Jack Del Rio for the starting job in Miami, put him out of the league, and he did it at 215 pounds or so. And I've never heard Zach complain about needing big blockers in front of him, even if he does from time to time (and what mike backer doesn't benefit from that anyway?)

Zach at this stage in his career is a two down player. His instincts are second to none of any linebacker I've ever watched in 30 years. Even better than Ray Lewis. Think about this. Zach had 94 tackles last year playing mostly on two downs in a defense where there were 3 other linebackers to share tackles with. Those 94 tackles were second on the team. He only started 14 games.

For those who don't know the position, have played the position or coached the position like I have, I can tell you that watching Zach run to where the ball is going to be going before it's snapped is a kick ass thing. Esp when you have been watching guys like Derrick Johnson flail all about the place when the ball is snapped, like he's in a ping pong battle with some guy from China.

Zach and Vrabel were brought in because we have the worst linebacking corps in the league, and the worst front 7. Not only will they help the young guys learn how to play at a high level they will actually improve the defense themselves.

I'm also still laughing at the people in here who keep going on and on about pass rushing skills at the outside linebacker position. It's not rocket science. It doesn't require the technique of a hand in the dirt defensive end. In a 30 front it's the ends job to occupy the tackle and the backers job to beat the extra protection like backs and tight ends. That's why guys like Merriman, who was no pass rushing demon at Maryland, can come in and rack up double digit sacks because they aren't matching up against tackles. They are being asked to beat backs and tight ends. Which most NFL linebackers can do. Greg Lloyd was a 5 time pro bowler (or more) at Pittsburgh. When he came out of Fort Valley State he was a 220 pound linebacker with no "pass rush skills", whatever the F that means.

Either way, the Thomas signing is a good one. He'll be asked to stuff the run, which he does really well, and help the young guys learn. This team just got a little better in the front 7, and they need all the help they can get.

Originally Posted by bdeg (Post 5661904)

I'm not as sure. They did just draft a 330 lb DT a ouple years ago, Justin Harrell. He has been injured too much to have an impact, but I'm not 100% sure they're ready to give up on him.

Originally Posted by DJJasonp (Post 5661919)

nice post...welcome to the planet....and rep!

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan (Post 5661646)

is this legit or what? you would think this would break espn.com

Originally Posted by DTLB58 (Post 5661962)

Ask and ye shall receive http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4062170

Originally Posted by TheGuardian (Post 5661801)

Wow. I started to read through the first couple of pages but I felt my inner Ted Bundy coming on and I had to stop for a few minutes at the stupidity.

To outline a few things.

This signing has nothing to do with whether or not we draft Curry. Thomas is 35 and might play here a year or two. I could easily take the path that Thomas was signed to show Curry how to play the position, something the Pats did a lot with their players.

Complaining about Zach Thomas' sack number makes about as much sense as complaining about Jenna Jameson's lack of a PhD. It's not what they are here for.

Zach's weight? When he came into the league as a rook he beat out Jack Del Rio for the starting job in Miami, put him out of the league, and he did it at 215 pounds or so. And I've never heard Zach complain about needing big blockers in front of him, even if he does from time to time (and what mike backer doesn't benefit from that anyway?)

Zach at this stage in his career is a two down player. His instincts are second to none of any linebacker I've ever watched in 30 years. Even better than Ray Lewis. Think about this. Zach had 94 tackles last year playing mostly on two downs in a defense where there were 3 other linebackers to share tackles with. Those 94 tackles were second on the team. He only started 14 games.

For those who don't know the position, have played the position or coached the position like I have, I can tell you that watching Zach run to where the ball is going to be going before it's snapped is a kick ass thing. Esp when you have been watching guys like Derrick Johnson flail all about the place when the ball is snapped, like he's in a ping pong battle with some guy from China.

Zach and Vrabel were brought in because we have the worst linebacking corps in the league, and the worst front 7. Not only will they help the young guys learn how to play at a high level they will actually improve the defense themselves.

I'm also still laughing at the people in here who keep going on and on about pass rushing skills at the outside linebacker position. It's not rocket science. It doesn't require the technique of a hand in the dirt defensive end. In a 30 front it's the ends job to occupy the tackle and the backers job to beat the extra protection like backs and tight ends. That's why guys like Merriman, who was no pass rushing demon at Maryland, can come in and rack up double digit sacks because they aren't matching up against tackles. They are being asked to beat backs and tight ends. Which most NFL linebackers can do. Greg Lloyd was a 5 time pro bowler (or more) at Pittsburgh. When he came out of Fort Valley State he was a 220 pound linebacker with no "pass rush skills", whatever the F that means.

Either way, the Thomas signing is a good one. He'll be asked to stuff the run, which he does really well, and help the young guys learn. This team just got a little better in the front 7, and they need all the help they can get.

Originally Posted by Unleash_the_Phury (Post 5661649)

So because you signed a 35-year old MLB you pass on a potential 10-year starter? Because Curry couldn't possibly learn anything from Vrabel and Thomas, could he? Nah, never happen....

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 5662024)

So because you signed a 26-year old QB who has less than 16 games of experience in college and the NFL combined, you pass on a potential 10-year starter?

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 5662024)

So because you signed a 26-year old QB who has less than 16 games of experience in college and the NFL combined, you pass on a potential 10-year starter?