DMN Blog: Bradie James happy to have Zach Thomas

WoodysGirl

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12:20 PM Thu, May 22, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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Bradie James is more than happy to have Zach Thomas to play "Mo" (WILB) to his "Mike" (SILB).

In fact, even though James is going into his sixth year, and he's been in Dallas and Thomas has not, there are still things he thinks he can learn from the 13-year vet.

"There's a lot of things, and he learns things from me too," James said. "You want a 1-2 punch, and both of us have to know where the other one will be. You can kind of free-lance when you've got another good player there, because guys can go and make plays. One player can (get in position) to make two plays at once, if the other one is free-lancing. That's how we're doing it. We're building a rapport right now, so I can't wait until we put on pads."

What James is saying, I think, is that each player is good enough to cover for the other, if a chance needs to be taken (i.e., coming harder in pursuit.) And that's something that everyone on the defense should benefit from.

"Zach brings the experience we need on the defensive side of the ball," James said. "He helps everybody out because he's always full speed and his intensity. We can feed off one another, and you can't have enough good players. Here comes another good player, he fits in and we're going to keep rolling."
 

theogt

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Two guys in the middle with an uncanny ability to get through traffic and make the tackle. Should be fun. If only Zach were 30 instead of 35.
 

ENGCowboy

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Im not sure its the leader we need but the player and the experience then maybe were talking.
 

sago1

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There's a reason why Belicheat wants vet linebackers rather then the young guys. Vets like Zack Thomas have been around/seen it all so they can better anticipate/put themselves in positions to make plays; they also make less mistakes. Thomas is also one of those players who a big motor who can go sideline to sideline. He's far better in pass coverage then Ayodele which hopefully limits the success our opponents have enjoyed in the middle of the field (Shockey, Cooley & any other TEs) which can only help Roy's play. If Zack stays healthy (had no problem except for the 07 season), he's a tremendous addition. With better defensive players around him now, his play could be even better.
 

Doomsday101

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I'm looking forward to seeing Brady James and Zack Thomas playing along side each other. They seem to have hit it off well and no doubt James could learn a thing or 2 from playing along side Thomas.

My only concern with Thomas remains the head injury from last season but if he can manage to stay healthy no doubt Thomas can still play some good football.
 

Stash

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TDHND;2092215 said:
i'm very excited to see him as part of this defense.

Me too.

He's obviously a huge upgrade over Ayodele and his presence should really help this defense, starting with James.

The only concern would be age or injury but both are "x" factors where we'll just have to hope for the best.
 

dbair1967

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Akin Ayodele gone...enter Zach Thomas, significant upgrade

Jacque Reeves gone...enter Mike Jenkins...huge upgrade

Nate Jones gone...enter Orlando Scandrick...significant upgrade

if/when Adam Jones gets reinstated, huge huge upgrade at CB, could potentially replace Henry as starting CB...moving Henry to nickel or potentially safety

Julie Jones gone...enter Felix Jones...significant upgrade

Tyson Thompson gone...Tashard Choice...significant upgrade

Tony Sparano gone...enter Hudson Houck...massive upgrade

Kacy Rodgers gone...enter Todd Grantham...huge upgrade

Todd Bowles gone...enter Dave Campo...significant upgrade

alot of reasons to think 2008 is gonna be Super

David
 

Velvet Jones

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In all fairness, it is impossible to say if a rookie is an upgrade over someone that has performed. You just can't tell what they are going to bring to the table. You always draft to upgrade, but it doesn't always work out.

Zach is an upgrade but what is that same comparison if Akin plays an entire season and Zach goes down? Pacman is a gigantic upgrade but what is that comparison if he doesn't get reinstated?
 

dbair1967

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Velvet Jones;2092265 said:
In all fairness, it is impossible to say if a rookie is an upgrade over someone that has performed. You just can't tell what they are going to bring to the table. You always draft to upgrade, but it doesn't always work out.

Zach is an upgrade but what is that same comparison if Akin plays an entire season and Zach goes down? Pacman is a gigantic upgrade but what is that comparison if he doesn't get reinstated?

Reeves and Jones were stiffs...it isnt hard to see how guys with tremendous physical talent like Jenkins and Scandrick would be huge upgrades

and even if Thomas didnt play all yr, not having Ayodele on the field is an upgrade in itself...despite post after post railing on R Williams, the worst player on the defense last yr was Ayodele...at least Williams made SOME plays...Ayodele made none

David
 

Stash

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Velvet Jones;2092265 said:
In all fairness, it is impossible to say if a rookie is an upgrade over someone that has performed. You just can't tell what they are going to bring to the table. You always draft to upgrade, but it doesn't always work out.

Considering the poor level of play the team got from the 'known' players, I don't know if it's much of a stretch to consider the rookies improvements. If nothing else, Jenkins was considered a consensus 1st round talent.

Velvet Jones said:
Zach is an upgrade but what is that same comparison if Akin plays an entire season and Zach goes down? Pacman is a gigantic upgrade but what is that comparison if he doesn't get reinstated?

Zach needs to play about 6 games to equal a year's worth of Ayodele, the numbers bear that out.

Anything Pacman might bring is a huge bonus.
 

Velvet Jones

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I do agreee that their potential is a huge upgrade, but can't go any further than that. And I guess my worry with Zach is who plays behind him? You would have to also compare that person with Akin because Zach might have a tough time holding up for 17 weeks.
 

Stash

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Velvet Jones;2092276 said:
I do agreee that their potential is a huge upgrade, but can't go any further than that. And I guess my worry with Zach is who plays behind him? You would have to also compare that person with Akin because Zach might have a tough time holding up for 17 weeks.

Personally, I'm not worried about that at all.

I would rather see what Carpenter or Burnett can do with the opportunity rather than counting on another year of mediocre play from Ayodele.
 

Velvet Jones

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stasheroo;2092275 said:
Considering the poor level of play the team got from the 'known' players, I don't know if it's much of a stretch to consider the rookies improvements. If nothing else, Jenkins was considered a consensus 1st round talent.

So was Roy. Our defense has a ton of 1st round picks on it. Way too many to be ranked what we were with who is our coach

I do agree that their potential is higher but tough to call them out as huge upgrades. Year 1 rookies and all. Just trying to keep a realistic head.

What was this thread about, anyway?? Lmao. I flaked
 
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