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sholditch said:
There were a few threads this offseason discussing Thomas. One included a detailed article about the defense and how they'd use Thomas.
Was there a shift in thinking for you staffers and the IDP forum in general at some point this off-season? I'm not as well-read about this as I could be but I distinctly remember plenty of folks saying AT was in for a down year.
There was for me. I wasn't very big on Thomas last season after reading how he might be deployed in Baltimore variation of the 46 defense. I wasn't any more excited after learning of the 4-4-3, when I assumed that much of his production came from opportunities presented after the injury to Ray Lewis. And I was one of those who suggested that his (prospective) owners should temper expectations.I changed my tune after seeing an in-depth piece the Baltimore Sun did on the 4-4-3 and 46 variations the Ravens ran last year. The article essentially stated that AT became a rover last season, playing anywhere from end to safety, and aligned wherever his skills would provide the greatest mismatch. The article also quoted the coaching staff as saying that would continue in 2006, which suggested he'd have ample opportunity to fill boxscores even with Lewis around. We'll see how it turns out when the Ravens match up against an offense that can hold their own across the OL and on the scoreboard, but for now it looks like I still seriously underrated him in the LB35-45 tier.Was there a shift in thinking for you staffers and the IDP forum in general at some point this off-season? I'm not as well-read about this as I could be but I distinctly remember plenty of folks saying AT was in for a down year.
Thomas is still being used in a varity of ways---he actually lined up in all 11 defensive positions at 1 point or another last season, which was great for production but hurt him regarding getting recognition at 1 specific position....somethimes we tend to let the name get in the way of determining if a player represents good value or not---the Ravens LOVE this guy, and the Rex Ryan schemes for AT will continue having him post serious numbers....ie, this is no flukeJeff eluded to the lack of experience---the D-line is the most experienced part of the unit, followed by LB and then the razon thin secondary, where rookie Landry is starting next to Ed Reed....as with most teams these days, take a player or 2 away due to injury and the team takes a hit---the Raven-D is no different, except that they are at such a high level that losing a couple players just makes them a top 10 unit instead of 1 or 1-A
Very good info here, way to man up as well. I'm just glad I didn't try to trade him because he's been a very pleasant surprise so far at what I considered one of my weaker positions at the beginning of the season. He'll get to see his first action this week in my lineup along with Barnett & Urlacher.There was for me. I wasn't very big on Thomas last season after reading how he might be deployed in Baltimore variation of the 46 defense. I wasn't any more excited after learning of the 4-4-3, when I assumed that much of his production came from opportunities presented after the injury to Ray Lewis. And I was one of those who suggested that his (prospective) owners should temper expectations.I changed my tune after seeing an in-depth piece the Baltimore Sun did on the 4-4-3 and 46 variations the Ravens ran last year. The article essentially stated that AT became a rover last season, playing anywhere from end to safety, and aligned wherever his skills would provide the greatest mismatch. The article also quoted the coaching staff as saying that would continue in 2006, which suggested he'd have ample opportunity to fill boxscores even with Lewis around. We'll see how it turns out when the Ravens match up against an offense that can hold their own across the OL and on the scoreboard, but for now it looks like I still seriously underrated him in the LB35-45 tier.Was there a shift in thinking for you staffers and the IDP forum in general at some point this off-season? I'm not as well-read about this as I could be but I distinctly remember plenty of folks saying AT was in for a down year.
Thanks. I'm surprised I remembered.It was hard to hang onto Thomas because he had some TDs to amp up his numbers last year and I was getting decent offers for him. Kind of a sell-high situation. And then I read a few folks being down on him here. But ultimately, my lack of LB talent led to me to hang onto him. Nice to have it work my way every now and then.There was for me. I wasn't very big on Thomas last season after reading how he might be deployed in Baltimore variation of the 46 defense. I wasn't any more excited after learning of the 4-4-3, when I assumed that much of his production came from opportunities presented after the injury to Ray Lewis. And I was one of those who suggested that his (prospective) owners should temper expectations.I changed my tune after seeing an in-depth piece the Baltimore Sun did on the 4-4-3 and 46 variations the Ravens ran last year. The article essentially stated that AT became a rover last season, playing anywhere from end to safety, and aligned wherever his skills would provide the greatest mismatch. The article also quoted the coaching staff as saying that would continue in 2006, which suggested he'd have ample opportunity to fill boxscores even with Lewis around. We'll see how it turns out when the Ravens match up against an offense that can hold their own across the OL and on the scoreboard, but for now it looks like I still seriously underrated him in the LB35-45 tier.Was there a shift in thinking for you staffers and the IDP forum in general at some point this off-season? I'm not as well-read about this as I could be but I distinctly remember plenty of folks saying AT was in for a down year.
From KFFLRavens | A. Thomas practices WednesdayWed, 20 Sep 2006 16:18:56 -0700Jamison Hensley, of the Baltimore Sun, reports Baltimore Ravens DL Adalius Thomas (foot) practiced Wednesday, Sept. 20 and is expected to start the Week 3 game. He is listed as questionable on the team's injury report.
