Adalius Thomas to the Skins

LionofJudah89 · Post by **LionofJudah89** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 6:07 pm

I really like his work ethic on special teams and every team needs a all purpose defensive player. We could play him at LB and DE. Anyone else have any thoughts?

Jake · Post by **Jake** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 6:11 pm

I like AT but his coming here would depend on how much defense he would play compared to ST.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 6:35 pm

I wonder if this guy is a diamond in the rough found by Joe Gibbs...

I mean, Arrington is moving to weakside, he's going to be stopping the run and not having to deal with tight ends...

Here's Adalius Thomas who's a big guy who's made the move to linebacker... he's got major range, good change of direction skills, can make plays in space, and is a good pass rusher...

This sounds a little like someone who can cover a TE pretty darned well... :-k

COZ · Post by **COZ** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 6:59 pm

Wait a minute - are you saying we signed AT? If so, he is the diamond in the rough for sure! Part / Full time LB and ST and FULL TIME BIG TIME Hitter! This guy is the man. I've watched enough Raisin ball to think this is the best FA pickup yet in what we got versus what we expect to pay.

bigredskinfan63 · Post by **bigredskinfan63** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:14 pm

i have never heard of the guy?where has he been?

COZ · Post by **COZ** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:21 pm

He plays on the Raisins (Ravens). When Ray went down he filled in with Hartwell. An excellent defender - very fast and seems to have the right feel for the game. As much as I hate the Raisins - this guy plays their type defense.

One thing that so impresses me about the Raisins defense is the speed and swarming ability. They hit the ball carrier with 3 or more men every play. Sometimes 5 or 6 hit the poor sap carrying the ball. And they're not arm tackles. Rarely do you gain a yard once they get you. When was the last time the 'Skins tackled like that? We need that type of player.

*** I want you all to know that was really tough on me complimenting the Raisins ***

COZ · Post by **COZ** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:23 pm

Guys - I'm really Jones'ing here.... Did we sign him or what??????? I can't seem to find any info.

Bitter Smuggs · Post by **Bitter Smuggs** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:26 pm

I'm not sure either. I can't find anything about him. We are all victims to a drive-by posting by a newbie. The subject makes it sound like we got him, but the newbie wasn't clear about if we got AT or just speculation in terms of what AT could bring to the team.

Steve Spurrier III · Post by **Steve Spurrier III** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:31 pm

We haven't signed him, he's just speculating...

skinsfaninroanoke · Post by **skinsfaninroanoke** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 11:27 pm

Washington is in the same vein as AT... and he is a nice young LB to work the attacking scheme of Williams - I have heard Washington compared to a hard hitting safety who has wheels on him packed into the size of a LB...

COZ · Post by **COZ** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:47 pm

Oh well - Ravens signed AT to a 3 year deal.....

SirSmizzy · Post by **SirSmizzy** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 6:30 pm

One of the game's most versatile but little-known performers is staying with the Baltimore Ravens, with defensive end-linebacker Adalius Thomas signing a three-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal are not yet available.

The four-year veteran and unrestricted free agent, thought to be one of the best middle-level players in the market, surprisingly received only scant interest from other teams. But the Ravens, whose coaches feared losing Thomas in free agency, understand his value to the team and made his retention a priority.

And Thomas, 26, had said from the outset of the signing period that his preference was to remain in Baltimore, so he is anything but disappointed by his new deal.

"We're so close here to doing something special," Thomas said. "It would have taken a really big offer, something way beyond what the Ravens were willing to do, to get me to seriously think about leaving. I'm happy to be coming back."

The former Southern Mississipi standout, chosen in the sixth round of the 2000 draft, figures to be the primary backup at both outside linebacker positions in 2004. He likely will play end in "nickel" situations as well. And having been selected to the Pro Bowl for his special teams expertise, Thomas will likely stay on the all kicking-game units.

Thomas is a classic hybrid "edge" player whose skill set fits well into the Ravens' 3-4 scheme. He is quick enough when playing end to beat tackles upfield on the pass rush and his sacks per snaps ratio is very high. At the same time, when playing linebacker, Thomas can stack the run.

Certainly he is the kind of attacking defender the Ravens covet.

His versatility is evidenced by the fact he started 12 games at end in 2002 and then 11 at linebacker in 2003. Thomas missed three games last year after undergoing season-ending elbow surgery, but is expected to be able to participate in minicamps later this spring. Thomas has averaged neaarly 23 special teams tackles over the past three seasons and led the team in 2003 with 23 stops on kickoff and punt coverage.

For his career, Thomas has 142 tackles, 10½ sacks, two interceptions, five forced fumbles and 22 passes defensed.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

Not going anywhere.

gambit187 · Post by **gambit187** » Sat Mar 20, 2004 7:41 pm