DMN: Blog: Report: Patriots offer Thomas contract

[Cbz40]

Report: Patriots offer Thomas contract

6:22 PM Mon, Feb 18, 2008 | Permalink
Albert Breer


According to the NFL Network's Adam Schefter, the Patriots have offered veteran LB Zach Thomas a contract, which would presumably mean that he's passed a physical in New England.


Today's visit in Foxboro, Mass. was the first on Thomas' tour. The Cowboys have shown an interest in Thomas, and head coach Wade Phillips has shown his affection for the ex-Texas Tech star in the past.


The question now is whether Thomas makes it out of the Boston area as a free agent. Schefter has him visiting New Orleans tomorrow, and the Cowboys were slated to visit with him after the combine.


Considering that Thomas did extensive work in researching all these teams, it would seem he may take some time to make a decision. But that all could depend on how convincing the Patriots are. If he did indeed pass a physical, that is certainly significant, given the concussion issues he grappled with during 2007.

 

[Hostile]

I'd be shocked if he doesn't go there.

 

[Cbz40]

I'd be shocked if he doesn't go there.

It would be a real good bet he does.

 

[EastDallasCowboy]

Seems to me they'd be wanting to get a little younger at that position, but apparently not.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

did I mention that I hate the Pats?

 

[sago1]

i also am inclined to think he went to the team he more interested in first before the Saint and us.

 

[skinsscalper]

I'd be shocked if he doesn't go there.

Me too, Hos

Seems to me they'd be wanting to get a little younger at that position, but apparently not.

That's the only thing baffling to me. But, hell, they squeezed the last little bit out of Seau, too. Seau certainly wasn't as dominant as in his early years (he was actually a shell of his former self), but there weren't a whole lot of times that he was a liability this past year, either.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I'd be shocked if he doesn't go there.

Agreed.

I would be surprised if he is not signed by this time tommorow. I think Zach had his list numbered and his visits were set up that way.

Pats probably #1 on his list.
Saints probably # 2.
Boyz probably #3.

I am 95% sure he will be a freaking Patriot next year

 

[theebs]

Seems to me they'd be wanting to get a little younger at that position, but apparently not.

Belichick is obsessed with veteran linebackers. It is the heart of his defense. Smart linebackers who can take in a ton of info and not make mistakes.

He never puts young linebackers on the field, I am not even sure he considers it!!

 

[TheCount]

Belichick is obsessed with veteran linebackers. It is the heart of his defense. Smart linebackers who can take in a ton of info and not make mistakes.

He never puts young linebackers on the field, I am not even sure he considers it!!

Very true. They are his favorite unit, and not because they are a bunch of young know-it-alls that think stardom is more important than winning. He likes guys that already had their moment in the sun and are ready to do whatever he tells them to for a championship.

 

[BAT]

Seems to me they'd be wanting to get a little younger at that position, but apparently not.

Maybe the Pats just want to get BETTER at that position. Novel thought, huh.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I didn't want him to sign with Dallas anyway... I hope Burnett's steps in front of Ayodele this training camp!

 

[theogt]

Patriots Are Serious About Zach Thomas, Offer Him Contract Before He Leaves Foxboro
Ryan WilsonPosted Feb 18th 2008 9:41PM by Ryan Wilson

This morning I mentioned that former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas would visit the Patriots and joked that if the team let him off the property without signing him to a contract, the seven-time Pro Bowler would also visit the Cowboys and Saints later in the week.

Well, Thomas still plans on trips to Dallas and New Orleans, but this is kinda shocking even though it shouldn't be, I suppose:

The Patriots offered a contract to former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas on Monday, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

Thomas and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, visited New England on Monday and will continue negotiations with the team. Thomas is scheduled to visit with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday.

In addition to the Saints and Cowboys, the Texans, Broncos, Bills and Jets are also interested in bringing in Thomas for a visit.

A couple of thoughts on the Patriots contract offer: first, even if Thomas/Rosenhaus ultimately want to be in New England, it makes sense to mull the offer. It creates demand, which means more money. Second, Thomas said he was looking for a winning team with a competent quarterback. Obviously, the Patriots qualify, but so too do the Cowboys, and to lesser extents, the Broncos and Saints.

This would indicate that the Texans, Bills and Jets have no chance, but it all goes back to my first point above; if the money's right, Thomas is probably available. I'm still guessing he ends up in New England. Junior Seau would want it that way.

 

[DT101]

I hope if he signs with the Pats he has nothing left in the tank and doesn't do well.

I wanted him to sign here to give us some depth and vet leadership, it'd probably help us (As for his age, my god, we were 13-3 last year. We aren't rebuilding. Lets go win a superbowl instead of sitting here worrying about the future. Oh, and by the way, the team is all around pretty young, a few old players wont hurt anything)

 

[Temo]

Age is irrevelant. Term of contract and how much he has left in the tank are the only considerations here.

Of course, age will play a factor is guessing how much he has left, but it's looking at it from the wrong angle to look at his age first.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm hoping that Zach is mulling the Pat's offer because he's waiting to hear from Jerry Jones

 

[Doomsday101]

Pats looking to get even older on defense? Keep it up Pats it will come back to bite you