Chiefs sign Zach Thomas

[phisherman]

http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...y/1137526.html

The Chiefs have agreed to terms with linebacker Zach Thomas.

Thomas, 35, is a 13-year veteran who started 14 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season and has made 20.5 career sacks. He spent the first 12 years of his career with the Miami Dolphins.

[Crush]

If they still want Raji while trading down, then they are going to have to beat Green Bay to the punch. There is no way in hell that Raji, if he is still on the board, makes it past Green Bay.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Claythan

BJ Raji at 12.

Everette Brown at 18.

That would be an ideal scenario.

But, who knows? They may not want to trade with the Donks. They may trade with some other team.

If I could come away with Raji and Brown in doing so...
I wouldn't give a shit who I was trading with.
They'd have to toss in a third pick though. A 4th or 5th Rounder...
Hello Roscoe Parrish!

[CupidStunt]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Curry is basically Gholston except Curry doesn't posses the pass rushing skills needed to play OLB in the 3-4.

This place has been infected by reerunation.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Unleash_the_Phury

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....

I don't think this negates any possibility of drafting Curry.

However, LB becomes less of a priority this year because of Varbel and Thomas.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Curry is basically Gholston except Curry doesn't posses the pass rushing skills needed to play OLB in the 3-4.

Overboard much?

The lengths that people are going to prove Curry isn't any good is out of control.

[philfree]

Originally Posted by doomy3

Overboard much?

The lengths that people are going to prove Curry isn't any good is out of control.

Exactly.



PhilFree

[TheGuardian]

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.

[Hammock Parties]

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.

I don't agree with this at all. 3-4 OLBs are handled by tackles all the time.

Branden Albert destroyed Joey Porter last year.

Merriman had his way with the Chiefs' tackles in years past.

I think Curry would get swallowed up against NFL offensive tackles.

[philfree]

Originally Posted by TheGuardian

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.

Very nice post.


PhilFree

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Claythan

BJ Raji at 12.

Everette Brown at 18.

That would be an ideal scenario.

But, who knows? They may not want to trade with the Donks. They may trade with some other team.

Agreed. There's a lot of scenarios that would work out great. Maybin could be okay in the middle of the first. Maualuga is actually a terrific fit for 3-4 ILB. Maclin, Robert Ayers. These guys could be had there too. In order, I'd go with Raji, Brown, Ayers, Maybin, Maclin. If you get one of those guys plus picks, that's a hell of a lot better than Curry at #3. Arguably, given that Curry would play an ILB role where he's limited to more of a role player than a versatile LB, most of these guys play higher impact positions anyway.

You can make the argument that versatile LBs are worth top 5 picks. But I don't agree that's the case for 3-4 ILBs.

[Bwana]

Good signing IMHO.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by milkman

Give me all your phone numbers and I'll call and tell all you dumbasses to shut the **** up.

[bringbackmarty]

tank tyler at end? and where does demorrio fit in? Biesel starts? You and the rest of us don't know shit about what they really plan to do, although tank at end and Biesel starting are two things they will not do unless there are some injuries.

I doubt we play that much 3\4 first of all. Zach Thomas probably is only going to see the field when we do, or if someone gets hurt. We probably will play a base 4\3 with DJ in the middle, Vrabel and Demorrio outside. Line would be Hali, Dorsey, Tyler, draft pick.

I think this is way more likely than going 3\4 full bore.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by bringbackmarty

tank tyler at end? and where does demorrio fit in? Biesel starts? You and the rest of us don't know shit about what they really plan to do, although tank at end and Biesel starting are two things they will not do unless there are some injuries.

I doubt we play that much 3\4 first of all. Zach Thomas probably is only going to see the field when we do, or if someone gets hurt. We probably will play a base 4\3 with DJ in the middle, Vrabel and Demorrio outside. Line would be Hali, Dorsey, Tyler, draft pick.

I think this is way more likely than going 3\4 full bore.

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.

[bdeg]

Originally Posted by Crush

If they still want Raji while trading down, then they are going to have to beat Green Bay to the punch. There is no way in hell that Raji, if he is still on the board, makes it past Green Bay.

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.