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.

[bringbackmarty]

Originally Posted by Claythan

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

Unfortunately we have the dumbest fan base.

QFT....

[Bill Lundberg]

The Guardian is quickly becoming my favorite poster... That's all

[bringbackmarty]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

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.

I don't think we have the personnel to run either, and vrabel would be outside in obvious passing situations regardless of which scheme was being run. Maybe we sub someone in for him and\or thomas when it's first down.

Tank is not agile enough to play end in any system, no matter what his weight. Think completely inneffective like alphonso Boone. Dorsey is just plain wrong for the 3\4.

We can't afford for Vrabel and Thomas to be only "situational' next year if we don't get some good meat for the lines.

[DJJasonp]

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.

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

[Crush]

Originally Posted by bdeg

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.

Maybe not, but I think Raji would be a nice security blanket in the middle since they are switching to the 3-4.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by DJJasonp

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

I feel almost compelled to give him neg rep just to counter the pos rep, just cause I'm an asshole.

[DTLB58]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsMan

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

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

[philfree]

Updated: April 12, 2009, 9:21 AM ET
Report: Chiefs, LB Thomas agree to dealComment Email Print Share ESPN.com news services

The Kansas City Chiefs and seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas have agreed to a contract, The Kansas City Star has reported.



Thomas

Thomas, 36, started 14 of 16 games for the Dallas Cowboys in 2008 during his 13th NFL season, recording 94 tackles, 65 of which came solo.

Thomas rounds out a linebacker corps that includes four-year veteran Derrick Johnson and Mike Vrabel.

The Chiefs acquired Vrabel from the New England Patriots in a February trade that brought quarterback Matt Cassel to Kansas City for a second-round draft pick.

Thomas spent the first 12 years of his career with the Miami Dolphins, with whom he was named to his last Pro Bowl in 2006 before missing 11 games with migraine headaches resulting from an auto accident in 2007.

Thomas made off-the-field news in March when he told The Dallas Morning News that his wife, Maritza, was handcuffed and spent about three hours in jail in July 2008 after Dallas police officer Robert Powell pulled her over for an illegal U-turn.

Powell, who has resigned, stopped Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats last month for running a red light on his way to the hospital to see his dying mother-in-law. Powell detained Moats for more than 10 minutes, in which time his mother-in-law died.

"We wanted to tell our story, not knowing how many others have been affected by Officer Powell," Thomas told the newspaper. "We know the vast majority of the Dallas police force are good and professional people, but this guy just seems excessive

What a monster.



PhilFree

[tonyetony]

Originally Posted by DTLB58

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

That picture reminded me of how damn stocky that cat is. I mean really now, his neck and his head are the same size.

[SBK]

I think this is a good move. He'll be able to teach our younger guys a few things before he gets a concussion.

[tonyetony]

Thomas made off-the-field news in March when he told The Dallas Morning News that his wife, Maritza, was handcuffed and spent about three hours in jail in July 2008 after Dallas police officer Robert Powell pulled her over for an illegal U-turn.

Powell, who has resigned, stopped Houston Texans running back Ryan Moats last month for running a red light on his way to the hospital to see his dying mother-in-law. Powell detained Moats for more than 10 minutes, in which time his mother-in-law died.

"We wanted to tell our story, not knowing how many others have been affected by Officer Powell," Thomas told the newspaper. "We know the vast majority of the Dallas police force are good and professional people, but this guy just seems excessive

http://www.epk.com/2009/03/maritza-t...ats-treatment/

Powell literally looks like a dick with ears.

[StcChief]

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 good analysis. Agree Zach Thomas good signing.

[htismaqe]

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....

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?

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

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?

[philfree]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

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?

There's a chance Cassel could turn into an 8-10 year starter. Isn't there? I'm no different then most Chiefs fans in that I'd really like for the Chiefs to draft a QB who becomes our franchise QB but I try not to let that cloud my judgement of things that could or couldn't happen. Cassel for a 2nd was a good trade IMO but it did take away the chance for the Chiefs to draft that franchise QB. That doesn't mean Cassel can't be a franchise QB for the Chiefs. Will he? I don't know but the people who are running the Chiefs now will probably do a good job of setting him up to succeed.


PhilFree