Adalius Thomas--Stud or almost stud? (1 Viewer)

[Browns#1]

Can people tell me why he is ranked so lowly by both the informal polls and the official FBGuy rankings?

Last year was the first time he started all games and he was an absolute monster, especially at end of season.

Is there any reason to think he can not be a top 20 LB for the next few years?

All thoughts appreciated here as I'm looking to acquire him in a deal...

 

[RAPTURE]

Can people tell me why he is ranked so lowly by both the informal polls and the official FBGuy rankings? Last year was the first time he started all games and he was an absolute monster, especially at end of season.Is there any reason to think he can not be a top 20 LB for the next few years?All thoughts appreciated here as I'm looking to acquire him in a deal...

He's numbers were inflated last year with 3 TD's, 4 Fumble Recoveries and a career high 84 tackeles. I do feel as if he's sacks will be there this year, but it will be quite difficult to match the TD's and Fumble Recoveries. It reminds me a little bit of Derrick Brooks a couple years back, when he had a bunch of INT's and TD's.RAPTURE

 

[Jene Bramel]

Can people tell me why he is ranked so lowly by both the informal polls and the official FBGuy rankings?

Last year was the first time he started all games and he was an absolute monster, especially at end of season.

Is there any reason to think he can not be a top 20 LB for the next few years?

All thoughts appreciated here as I'm looking to acquire him in a deal...

Thomas is a tough nut to project.By raw projections, I've got him in the high 40s for production this season, but I've ranked him much lower than that because I'm not sure that I'd draft him over many other players in that LB3-LB4 tier today.

I think last year will prove to be his career year in tackles and big plays. I think it was a perfect storm last season - the Ravens included many 46 fronts in their defense and Ray Lewis was injured much of the season. I'm also pretty certain that Thomas was a full time starter in 2004. I didn't check every gamebook from that season, but most of them show Thomas as the starter.

Thomas gets a nice bump in production from his alignment in the 46. Although he's technically a strong side player, he lines up outside the TE, but covers two players on that side of the OL - both a DE and (usually) another LB. So, not only is he in a good rush position, he is often frequently shielded from having to take on bigger blockers.

But I think a healthy Ray Lewis makes more tackles than the Polley-Scott combo in that defense, knocking Thomas into the low-mid 60s, and it's hard to project Thomas for more sacks and big plays than last season. I'll probably bump him a bit later in the preseason when we see how the mess in DET/MIN/ARI/NO, etc plays out. He's a valuable player in most systems, but unless you're in a system that puts a premium on sacks over tackles, he's probably got Top 35 rather than Top 20 upside.

 

[fruity pebbles]

He's not as good as his numbers last year.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Stud or not, this guy is definitely an athlete...

Ravens | Thomas lines up at corner

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:54:44 -0700

Mike Duffy, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports Baltimore Ravens LB Adalius Thomas lined up at cornerback during one-on-one drills between defensive backs and wide receivers at the Ravens' OTA Thursday, June 1.

 

[Pick]

Stud or not, this guy is definitely an athlete...

Ravens | Thomas lines up at corner

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:54:44 -0700

Mike Duffy, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports Baltimore Ravens LB Adalius Thomas lined up at cornerback during one-on-one drills between defensive backs and wide receivers at the Ravens' OTA Thursday, June 1.

I've read blurbs like that before. The dude has the ability and smarts to play all over the field.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Stud or not, this guy is definitely an athlete...

Ravens | Thomas lines up at corner

Thu, 1 Jun 2006 20:54:44 -0700

Mike Duffy, of BaltimoreRavens.com, reports Baltimore Ravens LB Adalius Thomas lined up at cornerback during one-on-one drills between defensive backs and wide receivers at the Ravens' OTA Thursday, June 1.

I've read blurbs like that before. The dude has the ability and smarts to play all over the field.

Very much hoping the Ravens try to use those ability and smarts in coverage against my beloved Bengal receivers this season...