Pat Thomas a Bill [Archive] - BillsZone.com

SquishDaFish

03-18-2009, 08:02 PM

Patrick Wain Thomas (born January 26, 1983 in Miami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami,_Florida), Florida (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida)) is an American football (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football) linebacker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker) for the Kansas City Chiefs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Chiefs) of the National Football League (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League). He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonville_Jaguars) in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NFL_Draft). He played college football (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football) at North Carolina State (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NC_State_Wolfpack_football).

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pat_Thomas_%28linebacker%29&action=edit&section=1)] College career

In 50 career games at North Carolina State University (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Carolina_State_University) with 36 starts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starting_lineup), he recorded 334 tackles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_%28football_move%29), 38 tackles for a loss, 15.5 sacks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback_sack) and five forced fumbles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumble).

Philagape

03-18-2009, 08:03 PM

Meet Plan B

Jaybird

03-18-2009, 08:03 PM

depth for special teams!

X-Era

03-18-2009, 08:05 PM

Meet Plan B

I think its plan A to a plan that doesnt involve finding a starting OLB.

So, no, I think we still plan to fix our starting OLB spot.

SquishDaFish

03-18-2009, 08:07 PM

If you can add young guys to your roster to fight for jobs you do it. Now if they come out and say hes the starting LB then we have a problem

Block "O"

03-18-2009, 08:08 PM

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/552657

:idunno:

well said.

X-Era

03-18-2009, 08:09 PM

From Chris Brown:

There is a report from ProFootballTalk that the Bills are going to sign Chiefs free agent MLB Patrick Thomas (http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/03/18/pat-thomas-heads-to-buffalo/). No confirmation yet from the Bills. We’ll keep you posted on Buffalobills.com.
Thomas has also played outside linebacker in his career, so if the report is accurate Thomas could be viewed as a potential replacement for Angelo Crowell who just signed with Tampa Bay earlier today.

Are you ****ing kidding me?

A backup for one of the worst teams in the league is a possible replacement for Crowell?

The Spaz

03-18-2009, 08:09 PM

Well **** me we better have one hell of a plan for the Draft!

Romes

03-18-2009, 08:13 PM

championship!

Buddo

03-18-2009, 08:16 PM

Good pickup. Another undersized LB should fit well in our scheme.

I hate our FO. I know he's just camp fodder...until he makes the roster.

Actually, at 6' 1" and 237 lbs, he seems to have decent size and weight for the position. Whether he can play or not, is another matter.

venis2k1

03-18-2009, 08:19 PM

Gotta be Depth. Right? Right?

BAM

03-18-2009, 08:20 PM

championship!

http://image.com.com/tv/images/video/chappelle_racial_medvid.jpg

Fo' shizzle.

cordog

03-18-2009, 08:20 PM

If OBD invisioned him as a starter, I don't think they would sign him to only a 1 year deal, but who knows.

SeatownBillsFan21

03-18-2009, 08:23 PM

He probably would only sign a one year deal this has gotta be for depth

X-Era

03-18-2009, 08:24 PM

If OBD invisioned him as a starter, I don't think they would sign him to only a 1 year deal, but who knows.

Thats a interesting point... I wonder if its a stop gap because we are thinking seriously about a draftee to be our starter... so you sign this guy as a backup plan to your rook.

OpIv37

03-18-2009, 08:39 PM

The guy had all of 33 tackles in 12 games last year.

Great.

I can't wait to hear Jauron's comments on that- it'll probably be something like "well, a LB doesn't have to rack up tackles to be effective in our system."

DrGraves

03-18-2009, 08:41 PM

CHILL OUT!!! he isn't a starter. Cato is still coming.

jimbohastle51

03-18-2009, 08:45 PM

he is just depth, they obviously were not happy with constanzo or corto and he is a replacement for one of them. he is an established special teams player and depth. no way he is our starting OLB on opening day. i would believe they were letting there boy ellison keep the job over letting thomas start instead of him.

Nighthawk

03-18-2009, 08:48 PM

ghz in pittsburgh

03-18-2009, 08:53 PM

Now consider that Crowell came to Buffalo, meeting the staff one last time before signing on to the Bucs, then the Bills inked Pat Thomas, what's the logic here?

1) The Bills know Crowell. If they wanted him, there is no need for him to visit here. Talking to his agent over the phone is enough. The only logical answer is that the Bills medical staff needs to examine Crowell's knee one last time. They let him go after that; you can guess summary of the report on Russ Brandon's desk.

2) Of all the LBs visited here, the Bills offered only 1 year contract (to Peterson and now Thomas). That's a strong signal that they only want someone to keep the seat warm for someone else? What kind of person would eventually start,maybe some time in the middle of the season and definitely next year? A rookie drafted high.

I still maintain drafting a linebacker high is their plan.

jimbohastle51

03-18-2009, 08:55 PM

I don't know, how many ST'ers do we need to sign??? How about signing some talent to backup or even start?

completely agree, but this guy has been in the league for 4-5 years and hasnt cracked a starting lineup besides when a injury occured so i dont know how the bills could honestly think he is going to start here.

Philagape

03-18-2009, 08:56 PM

homeslice5484

03-18-2009, 09:02 PM

they need bodies for camp..thats all this is.

OpIv37

03-18-2009, 09:15 PM

CHILL OUT!!! he isn't a starter. Cato is still coming.

I agree- he's definitely not a starter. I'm not sure about Cato though. I'm losing faith with each passing day. Plus, with Crowell off the market, June and Kieaho's prices just went up.

bigbub2352

03-18-2009, 09:19 PM

he is better depth than Buggs, corto, and costanzo so this is a good signing if this is what it is for
but they better not be signing this guy as the starter

X-Era

03-18-2009, 09:20 PM

I agree- he's definitely not a starter. I'm not sure about Cato though. I'm losing faith with each passing day. Plus, with Crowell off the market, June and Kieaho's prices just went up.

Ohh no, were just working to figure out exactly who we want from free agency... :rolleyes:

All I know is that one of the 3 main guys left that we thought could be a solid starter for us at OLB got signed today... and now we have 2 left and have just signed a STer.

Philagape

03-18-2009, 09:24 PM

Thing is the timing ... this happening the same day that Crowell chooses the Bucs? I hope that's a coincidence :nervous:

bflobarry

03-18-2009, 09:30 PM

Thing is the timing ... this happening the same day that Crowell chooses the Bucs? I hope that's a coincidence :nervous:
No coincidence. Next year is an uncapped year; hence the one year offers. This is your starter, the price was right. This is the Bills, remember?

Romes

03-18-2009, 09:35 PM

psubills62

03-18-2009, 09:44 PM

OpIv37

03-18-2009, 09:49 PM

It doesn't necesserally mean that Thomas was plan B to Crowell. It could be that the Bills had an offer on the table for a while. That it was Thomas who lifted the offer when he saw the Bucs fill that role.

We don't know...
but we do know how this organization operates and their horrendous record with FA's, hence the reason for concern.

OpIv37

03-18-2009, 09:51 PM

How? Who else wants them? Supply and demand, my friend...

Supply and demand is exactly why the price went up.

There were 3 C2 linebackers who can start available in FA. Now there are 2. Supply went down, demand stayed the same. Hence, price goes up.

Mitchell55

03-18-2009, 09:54 PM

I hope that this is just to replace Ellison but after the Hangartner signing (which I still like), I think that Thomas might be the Crow replacement.

mikemac2001

03-18-2009, 09:55 PM

Supply and demand is exactly why the price went up.

There were 3 C2 linebackers who can start available in FA. Now there are 2. Supply went down, demand stayed the same. Hence, price goes up.

And demand went down with one less c2 team your logic baffles me sometimes

psubills62

03-18-2009, 09:57 PM

Supply and demand is exactly why the price went up.

There were 3 C2 linebackers who can start available in FA. Now there are 2. Supply went down, demand stayed the same. Hence, price goes up.

Demand is zero outside of Buffalo. The supply still exceeds the demand.

cocamide

03-18-2009, 10:20 PM

Good pickup. Another undersized LB should fit well in our scheme.

I hate our FO. I know he's just camp fodder...until he makes the roster.

Glad to see the quote generator is working.

soapman

03-18-2009, 10:22 PM

Who needs Crow or June when we can have Pat Thomas?

OpIv37

03-19-2009, 12:00 AM

Demand is zero outside of Buffalo. The supply still exceeds the demand.

And demand went down with one less c2 team your logic baffles me sometimes

So, Tampa can't sign more than 1 linebacker? Teams that aren't C2 teams can't sign these guys? Please.

At the very least, demand and supply both decreased by the same amount, so it's even (but like I said before, that analysis is short-sighted). You guys really need to take an economics class.

Romes

03-19-2009, 12:11 AM

but we do know how this organization operates and their horrendous record with FA's, hence the reason for concern.

Thats true. I'm just not so concerned yet cause I don't believe this is anything more than a special teams signing. If it is more than that...well...****

Michael82

03-19-2009, 12:17 AM

This sounds like a sollid depth signing. But knowing the morons running this team, he probably is our next starting OLB. :ill: Come on Buffalo. Please sign Cato June or that Colts LB still.... :pray:

jimbohastle51

03-19-2009, 12:26 AM

pat thomas couldnt win a job as an outside backer on either the chiefs or the jags and seriously did he have stiff competition either place??? NO! he started 9 games last year because of a injury, he is not a starter, we are either drafting a LB in the first or 2nd round or june is going to sign, no way is this guy an upgrade, or honestly even on ellisons level. the guy barley had 33 tackles in 9 games!!!!! no way is he starter material.

Tatonka

03-19-2009, 12:32 AM

derrick brooks is still available too.. as well as june and keiato..

at this point, i still want june.

jimbohastle51

03-19-2009, 01:01 AM

derrick brooks is still available too.. as well as june and keiato..

at this point, i still want june.

i agree, and brooks is a guy that wants to play one more year just to show he can play at a high level, and go out on his own terms. no way our staff can really think pat thomas is a starter in this league.

LifetimeBillsFan

03-19-2009, 02:51 AM

So, Tampa can't sign more than 1 linebacker? Teams that aren't C2 teams can't sign these guys? Please.

At the very least, demand and supply both decreased by the same amount, so it's even (but like I said before, that analysis is short-sighted). You guys really need to take an economics class.

Actually, you are the one who needs to check your math on this one, Op.

Supply and demand both decreased equally (number of available T-2 LBs = x, number of open spots on T-2 teams = y, x-1, y-1). If supply was greater than demand to begin with (and it was, so x > y), and both are decreased by an equal amount (x-1, y-1), the percentage by which supply exceeds demand will increase (x/y < x-1/y-1). And, that should lower the price on the remaining supply. QED

I must admit that I am gradually being won over to the belief that the Bills could be planning to take a LB with the 11th pick in this year's draft.

I know the pass rush was awful last season. But, I can see the Bills looking at the top DEs in this draft and determining that there is no "sure thing" at the top of this draft class of DEs and the player that will be available to them at # 11 will need a year of seasoning before he can contribute more than 4-5 sacks. I can also see them looking at A.Schobel returning and figuring that he can give them at least 8 sacks, if not more, and deciding that, after a year of seasoning, Chris Ellis should be ready to give them a minimum of 4-6 sacks, perhaps more this season.

If that is the case, they could decide that they would get more "bang for their buck" this season, by taking a LB with the 11th pick in the draft, where they would probably have their choice of Cushing or Maualuga. Taking either one would give them a potentially elite LB corps once the rookie is ready to step into the starting LB. Because LBs take less time to learn how to play in the Tampa 2 system, that should be no later than 4-6 games into the season. In the meantime, they could let DiGiorgio, Ellison and Thomas fight it out between them to determine which would hold down the spot until the rookie is ready to start.

For a staff that is on thin ice and must win this season to retain their jobs, adding a player who can help the club this season would obviously be more attractive than adding a player who may end up sitting the whole season or most of it. In that case, drafting a LB would fit the bill more than adding a DE. And, they could argue that adding a quality talent at LB would help put opposing offenses in more 3rd and long situations and bolster the pass rush by freeing up Poz and Mitchell to blitz more often in those situations, etc.

As much as I think that they need to add a pass rushing DE, the more I think about it, the more I have to admit that, for this staff, making what for them would be the "safe" pick and taking a LB at # 11 could be the route that they take. So, I would not be shocked one bit if they end up taking a LB instead of a DE with the 11th pick in the draft.

But, I must also admit that I am so puzzled by what they have done in free agency this offseason (I thought I had an idea of what they were trying to do when they signed TO) that I really cannot even speculate with any degree of conviction about what they may intend to do, let alone will do. Just when they do something that makes all kinds of sense, they follow it up by doing something else that is completely counterintuitive. So, who knows what their thinking is at this point!

alohabillsfan

03-19-2009, 04:42 AM

Well said LBF, as always!

Jan Reimers

03-19-2009, 07:03 AM

Let's see...We lose Crowell and gain Thomas. We lose Greer and gain Florence. We lose Royal and Dockery and gain...well, there's always the draft.

We're adding depth, losing starters, and depending on the draft to fill several major holes. Not a recipe for success.

deathadder

03-19-2009, 07:30 AM

Looks like ESPN is reporting it as well now....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3994302

at the bottom of article it says

Meanwhile, the Bills wasted no time filling Crowell's roster spot by reaching a one-year agreement with linebacker Pat Thomas, a source told ESPN.com's John Clayton. Thomas, 26, started nine games for the Kansas City Chiefs last season.

Michael82

03-19-2009, 07:31 AM

HHURRICANE

03-19-2009, 08:35 AM

Exactly, Jan. And for the record, before anyone else chimes in.... No, we are NOT overreacting! We are just stating the truth...we took a team that had a bunch of holes after the season and added more. But it's okay because we added backups and depth.

You know the reality of the situation when Mikey is worried.

I posted a thread yesterday on our inept FO and I was told that it was 5 months too early.

Just curious how we are going to upgrade DE, LB, LG, TE, and RB all through the draft.

Does anyone actually rememeber the impact the draft had on our wins and losses? Pretty much zero. But now, in 2009, we are going to score 5 starters out of 7 picks.

OpIv37

03-19-2009, 08:57 AM

Actually, you are the one who needs to check your math on this one, Op.

Supply and demand both decreased equally (number of available T-2 LBs = x, number of open spots on T-2 teams = y, x-1, y-1). If supply was greater than demand to begin with (and it was, so x > y), and both are decreased by an equal amount (x-1, y-1), the percentage by which supply exceeds demand will increase (x/y < x-1/y-1). And, that should lower the price on the remaining supply. QED

I can't question the math.

I can question the assumptions.

I think you're underestimating the demand.

As far as the rest of your post, I agree that there aren't a whole lot of options left at DE and the FO may have it's hands tied on this one. But at the same time, I don't see how this team can win with the same DL as last year. They just don't harass the opposing QB enough.

Jeff1220

03-19-2009, 09:46 AM

This FO would've made Corey Moore a 5 year starter.

Oaf

03-19-2009, 10:06 AM

You know the reality of the situation when Mikey is worried.

I posted a thread yesterday on our inept FO and I was told that it was 5 months too early.

Just curious how we are going to upgrade DE, LB, LG, TE, and RB all through the draft.

Does anyone actually rememeber the impact the draft had on our wins and losses? Pretty much zero. But now, in 2009, we are going to score 5 starters out of 7 picks.

Are you crazy? Pretty much zero? Score FIVE starters? Since when do we need a starting RB and more than a situationist DE? An argument can be made that Fine can become a starting caliber TE this year. We need an every down starter at LB and LG. Can anyone argue with that? Then we need a pass rush specialist at DE and maybe an upgrade at TE depending on how the staff thinks about fine.

The one thing that is consistent about you is you blow things wildly out of proportion.

TonyBlack

03-19-2009, 10:18 AM

y only one year?

madness

03-19-2009, 12:07 PM

Thomas could actually turn out be a surprise. He was demoted to backup from starter at MLB for the Chiefs but most will agree he was playing out of position and belongs on the outside. I think it would come down to Bowen (if fully recovered) and him if the position isn't addressed any further.

Not necessarily the ideal situation so I hope the Bills could pick up somebody worthy before then.

FYI - With Bates as their DC, The "Tampa 2" is finished in Tampa.

WeAreArthurMoates

03-19-2009, 12:22 PM

Exactly, Jan. And for the record, before anyone else chimes in.... No, we are NOT overreacting! We are just stating the truth...we took a team that had a bunch of holes after the season and added more. But it's okay because we added backups and depth.

Yes but we filled holes as well. We found another playmaker on offense and a starting center. Tight End is not a need now seeing there is only one football to catch, all we need is a pass catching tightend like Beckum, Coffman, Hill in the middle rounds. Our biggest need is for pass rush and there were no linebackers or ends that provided it in free agency.

OpIv37

03-19-2009, 12:39 PM

Our biggest need is for pass rush and there were no linebackers or ends that provided it in free agency.

then we lose, just like last year. That's all there is to it.

raphael120

03-19-2009, 12:58 PM

I think we know what happens when we rely on former draft picks to make impacts.

7-9 here we come!

Jeff1220

03-19-2009, 01:11 PM

I think we know what happens when we rely on former draft picks to make impacts.

7-9 here we come!

That would be above my expectations as of right now.

WeAreArthurMoates

03-19-2009, 01:28 PM

then we lose, just like last year. That's all there is to it.

Well it's true there weren't any. So we have to find them in the draft, that's all I'm saying.

HHURRICANE

03-19-2009, 01:38 PM

Are you crazy? Pretty much zero? Score FIVE starters? Since when do we need a starting RB and more than a situationist DE? An argument can be made that Fine can become a starting caliber TE this year. We need an every down starter at LB and LG. Can anyone argue with that? Then we need a pass rush specialist at DE and maybe an upgrade at TE depending on how the staff thinks about fine.

The one thing that is consistent about you is you blow things wildly out of proportion.

We don't have a pass rush. period. Neither Schobel or Kelsay is going to fix that so I can make the case we need two DEs. This is probably the Bills most important need in the draft. +1 maybe +2.

We currently don't have an LG. +1

Who's replacing Crowell at LB? +1

You said yurself that we need an upgrade at TE. I agree. +1

RB wasn't a need until Lynch became a criminal. You can't trust that this guy won't make another mistake. +1

That's 4-6 starters. Period.

homeslice5484

03-19-2009, 01:42 PM

hey, if we still suck then at least jauron should be fired this time...so there is some light i guess.

theanswer74

03-19-2009, 01:47 PM

We don't have a pass rush. period. Neither Schobel or Kelsay is going to fix that so I can make the case we need two DEs. This is probably the Bills most important need in the draft. +1 maybe +2.

We currently don't have an LG. +1

Who's replacing Crowell at LB? +1

You said yurself that we need an upgrade at TE. I agree. +1

RB wasn't a need until Lynch became a criminal. You can't trust that this guy won't make another mistake. +1

That's 4-6 starters. Period.

Whatever you want to call it, pass rush or garbage sacks, Schobel will increase our sacks by atleast 6-7. We need to get Schobel the help he has never had rushing the passer. A situational 3rd down pass rusher is key, Chris Ellis has talent also and will play a role hopefully.

LG was terrible in 2008, Dockery had some of the worst OG sack numbers ever.

TE leader was Robert Royal? Nuff said.

Angelo Crowell didnt play last year, so there is no loss there. So stop talking about him. Ellison needs to be upgraded which should not be that hard.

Marshawn Lynch, I agree, cant trust him. Fred Jackson has shown he can be a good player, not worried about starting RB, we need a backup to Fred Jackson, but that isnt a huge priority to me.

Basically what Im saying is our holes were holes last year and hopefully with Buddy Nix added to our draft team we can have a solid draft like he did in San Diego. Every team has some holes during the year.

OpIv37

03-19-2009, 01:51 PM

Well it's true there weren't any. So we have to find them in the draft, that's all I'm saying.

Fair enough but I have two concerns about that.

1. This FO sucks at drafting.
2. Even when the FO gets it right, a lot of players take a year or two to develop.

This is why the Bills always lose. We rely on the draft to fill holes EVERY year. With teams like the Patriots, they're about 95% set going into the draft, and they have the luxury of developing a player for a year or two before they have to rely on him. If they hit on a pick and the guy's good enough to start, it's just a bonus that makes them even better.

By contrast, the Bills go into the draft EVERY year looking for a starter, often several starters. That's too much pressure on the FO and too much pressure on the kids we draft.

psubills62

03-19-2009, 02:08 PM

I must admit that I am gradually being won over to the belief that the Bills could be planning to take a LB with the 11th pick in this year's draft.

I know the pass rush was awful last season. But, I can see the Bills looking at the top DEs in this draft and determining that there is no "sure thing" at the top of this draft class of DEs and the player that will be available to them at # 11 will need a year of seasoning before he can contribute more than 4-5 sacks. I can also see them looking at A.Schobel returning and figuring that he can give them at least 8 sacks, if not more, and deciding that, after a year of seasoning, Chris Ellis should be ready to give them a minimum of 4-6 sacks, perhaps more this season.!

I think you've got a good point here. Some of my thoughts on taking a LB (like Cushing) in the first round:

1) It would be a way to help our pass rush without taking a DE that doesn't really fit our system.
2) We need to upgrade the LB spot too, anyway.
3) They could be counting on Sanders to not only improve the pass rush of our current starters/depth players, but also to help develop our young talents like Chris Ellis and possibly Copeland Bryan.
4) As we all know, Poz isn't the greatest at blitzing. Mitchell is good sometimes, but inconsistent. We do need a pass-rushing DE (e.g. Lawrence Sidbury), but one of those could be had later in the draft, while a good blitzing LB like Cushing could be had in the first round. Grabbing those two together could really help get pressure on the QB.

I think Cushing would be a reach, but I wouldn't mind grabbing him at 11 depending on who else is there.

psubills62

03-19-2009, 02:16 PM

Fair enough but I have two concerns about that.

1. This FO sucks at drafting.
2. Even when the FO gets it right, a lot of players take a year or two to develop.

This is why the Bills always lose. We rely on the draft to fill holes EVERY year. With teams like the Patriots, they're about 95% set going into the draft, and they have the luxury of developing a player for a year or two before they have to rely on him. If they hit on a pick and the guy's good enough to start, it's just a bonus that makes them even better.

By contrast, the Bills go into the draft EVERY year looking for a starter, often several starters. That's too much pressure on the FO and too much pressure on the kids we draft.

I'm not sure that's entirely correct. I think the reason the Pats do so much better than the Bills is:

1) They have a scheme that masks the weaknesses of their players or talent level at a position. If they are weak at ILB, or CB, then they adjust the scheme to work even without the best defensive players. The Bills have a scheme that needs super talent at certain positions, like DE, and for some reason they just don't get talent there.

2) The Patriots just get good value for players, and they get experienced players who fit their system. Adalius Thomas signs for relatively low money, Randy Moss was obtained with a 4th rounder. I think they got Wes Welker cheap.

I agree that the Pats have better FO's than we do (although their recent drafting hasn't exactly been superb), but I think it's mostly coaching. Their defense really wasn't that great in 2007, but it was easily masked by an amazing offense that basically forced other teams to play catch-up every game. After all, the Pats needed a starter at LB last year, and they got Mayo. They needed a starter at CB and they got Wheatley, who ended up on IR, I think. The Pats do need starters going into drafts (right now I think they need an OLB), but even if they don't get a guy who is supremely talented, they still do well because of the system and the coaches, imo.

theanswer74

03-19-2009, 02:31 PM

I'm not sure that's entirely correct. I think the reason the Pats do so much better than the Bills is:

1) They have a scheme that masks the weaknesses of their players or talent level at a position. If they are weak at ILB, or CB, then they adjust the scheme to work even without the best defensive players. The Bills have a scheme that needs super talent at certain positions, like DE, and for some reason they just don't get talent there.

2) The Patriots just get good value for players, and they get experienced players who fit their system. Adalius Thomas signs for relatively low money, Randy Moss was obtained with a 4th rounder. I think they got Wes Welker cheap.

I agree that the Pats have better FO's than we do (although their recent drafting hasn't exactly been superb), but I think it's mostly coaching. Their defense really wasn't that great in 2007, but it was easily masked by an amazing offense that basically forced other teams to play catch-up every game. After all, the Pats needed a starter at LB last year, and they got Mayo. They needed a starter at CB and they got Wheatley, who ended up on IR, I think. The Pats do need starters going into drafts (right now I think they need an OLB), but even if they don't get a guy who is supremely talented, they still do well because of the system and the coaches, imo.

I just hate NE. Adalius Thomas wasnt cheap, he was a $7 million a year LB I think. He has been a huge bust for them.

NE has all types of busts or players that never pan out.

OpIv37

03-19-2009, 02:53 PM

I'm not sure that's entirely correct. I think the reason the Pats do so much better than the Bills is:

1) They have a scheme that masks the weaknesses of their players or talent level at a position. If they are weak at ILB, or CB, then they adjust the scheme to work even without the best defensive players. The Bills have a scheme that needs super talent at certain positions, like DE, and for some reason they just don't get talent there.

2) The Patriots just get good value for players, and they get experienced players who fit their system. Adalius Thomas signs for relatively low money, Randy Moss was obtained with a 4th rounder. I think they got Wes Welker cheap.

I agree that the Pats have better FO's than we do (although their recent drafting hasn't exactly been superb), but I think it's mostly coaching. Their defense really wasn't that great in 2007, but it was easily masked by an amazing offense that basically forced other teams to play catch-up every game. After all, the Pats needed a starter at LB last year, and they got Mayo. They needed a starter at CB and they got Wheatley, who ended up on IR, I think. The Pats do need starters going into drafts (right now I think they need an OLB), but even if they don't get a guy who is supremely talented, they still do well because of the system and the coaches, imo.

Have they ever gone into a draft needing 2 or 3 starters like we do this year? Not that I can recall.

Dr. Lecter

03-19-2009, 02:55 PM

I used to deal with a Pat Thomas who worked at the FDA.

She might have been a bigger impact of a signing.

The Bills signed a back-up who used to play on a defense worse than theirs?

mchurchfie

03-19-2009, 03:19 PM

I used to deal with a Pat Thomas who worked at the FDA.

She might have been a bigger impact of a signing.

The Bills signed a back-up who used to play on a defense worse than theirs?
Amen. You took the words right out of my mouth.

psubills62

03-19-2009, 03:57 PM

Have they ever gone into a draft needing 2 or 3 starters like we do this year? Not that I can recall.

Last year they needed an ILB and CB. They got the first but not the second, as Wheatley wasn't ready his first year.

TigerJ

03-19-2009, 04:21 PM

He fits the profile of the more typical Bills' signee (who isn't TO). He's younger than 30, and has started a few games and looks like there is a chance he has some upside. Oh, and he's cheap. I would be surprised if the Bills think he would be any kind of frontrunner to start over say a draft choice or Keith Ellison. He's a "fill out the roster kind of guy."

Jan Reimers

03-19-2009, 04:27 PM

I have one serious concern about the Thomas signing: Does it spell the end for the invaluable Jon Corto?

Mudflap1

03-19-2009, 04:49 PM

I have one serious concern about the Thomas signing: Does it spell the end for the invaluable Jon Corto?

I'm more concerned about Blake "don't call me George" Costanzo, and Buggs.

The Jokeman

03-19-2009, 08:09 PM

I'm more concerned about Blake "don't call me George" Costanzo, and Buggs.
Because everyone knows ho weak our special teams were last year we definitely need to improve them instead of our starters. [/SARCASM]

jimbohastle51

03-19-2009, 09:36 PM

i was reading somewhere that after this pat thomas signing we are done with free agents because of remaining cap space, could this be true?? NO WAY we can not sign a guard, weather its kendall simmons or mike goff, no way we can not sign a guard, we cannot take what we have which is no expirience and then take a couple rookies and just plug them in. that is a injury to trent waiting to happen!!! the guy cant take hits as it is, no way can we afford a "oops my bad" buy bell, chambers, or a rookie! i hope we can reel a guy like goff in for a meager contract and at least have some real vet depth. we honestly have not upgraded a thing except reciever. hangartner is no upgrade, he has never started a 16 game season and couldnt win the starting job going against kris jenkins in practice so i dont know how he will improve for us? second fitzpatrick i know wasnt that expensive but anything over 1 million for him is a joke! i am ok with the florence thing because really he was the best WE were going to attract without spending 5.5 million apparently considering greer took alittle less than 5 a year to go to the saints. third pat thomas is a complete joke. he started on the 3rd worst team in football last year and lost his starting job after a 4 game injury when he was health he spent the last 3 games of the season on the bench because he wasnt good enough on the 3rd worse team in football!!! we honestly have gotten no better at Center, at best the same at QB, and at best the same at OLB. i truly believe if florence plays how he used to play in SD than he is a very good corner, the question is does he want to play football anymore because he looked so uninspired last season. the one good thing is if we dont make the play offs a new coach will come in and completely strip this team as they all do when they take over and get rid of all these mediocore players and start again. i sure wont miss the likes of kelsay, whitner, ellison, and such...