The Hollis Thomas effect?

[firstdayfan]

trade pep for a first round pick if at all possible. do with him what the pats did with seymour. just trade him and let him and the new team sort it all out. just find some way to get back in the first round. use the cap savings to improve in a lot of other areas and get some extension on other key players. if no cap next year then all the better. just would be better to use that money on someone who actually wants to be here and play.

you don't get enough bang for your buck with peppers. that money could be used better elsewhere, imo. not having a cap next year wouldn't mean that we have deep enough pockets to keep pep and improve other places. we aren't the redskins or cowboys.

doesn't matter who we have on the other side. pep can't be trusted.

I agree but I don't think we should let him go unless we can get back into the first round...which could mean a couple of 2nd's or a 2nd and a 3rd. I think we should use a first rounder on the secondary. I would love to bring in a top calibre corner or safety and let Marshall go back to the nickel. An Ed Reed type of safety would be nice as well but I doubt Fox does that with Godfrey and Harris back there. I think Wide receiver should be a priority and maybe some depth at the oline (although I think Robinson will be ready to start at guard next year). It would be nice to get a QB of the future but the guy I really, really like is Jake Locker out of Washington. I like his fire and passion and he has all the skills in the world. He's only a Junior so if he comes out (I doubt he will) we may be able to get him at the mid to late first. If he waits until next year he will be a top 10 pick for sure.

[CRA]

the experience and mentoring thing isn't overrated. it's very much needed. i wouldn't have a problem keeping 6 DTs next year just because of how difficult it is to keep them healthy.

right now the DL would look like (were it up to me):

DE: johnson, brayton, brown, taylor (or some FA/draft pick)

DT: kemo, lewis, hollis, sunny, irvin, leonard

use the money we save from not having pep to shore up other areas.

if we can get better on the DL that would be nice but that is in the very least how it should look.

based on that depth chart we would still need to look at bringing in a quality starter somewhere to make some impact. No matter how much heart and energy they play with....that is an average DL.

that of course is if Fox is still here and the way he prefers to play D. Need a legit playmaker to help out.

[monstercat]

If Thomas can just hold the point, he will make a difference. He doesn't need to be a pass rusher. Hell, Kemo wasn't much of a pass rusher either.

[firstdayfan]

But thats the point monstercat, he won't be in there on passing downs at all. I think he will help the run stopping and he will take up blockers that should free up Beason and maybe even Peppers. But how is he going to help the poor pass defense and tackling...oh and coaching? Thomas should have a big impact but I think we will be dissappointed if expect too much.

[rayzor]

based on that depth chart we would still need to look at bringing in a quality starter somewhere to make some impact. No matter how much heart and energy they play with....that is an average DL.

that of course is if Fox is still here and the way he prefers to play D. Need a legit playmaker to help out.

i agree. right now i would be happy with average (doesn't mean i want to stay there, btw). i'm not thrilled about keeping taylor. if we could give his spot to some good DE i'd be thrilled. there isn't a whole lot as far as FAs that will be available. those that peak my curiosity are kyle vanden bosch, aaron kampman, and daryll tapp.

[pstall]

I think the benefit of Thomas will be huge. No pun intended.

He will finally take up a blocker or two and they should allow a favorable matchup somewhere else.

Prediction. Thomas Davis and Beason will have at least 3 int's for td's between them before WK 12.

[megadeth078]

If Thomas can just hold the point, he will make a difference. He doesn't need to be a pass rusher. Hell, Kemo wasn't much of a pass rusher either.

*insert any and every DT we've signed so far this season*

Guys, we've been through this before. Do try not to get your hopes up.

[Cyberjag]

IF (notice the caps) Thomas is in good shape and healthy, then he could actually be an improvement on Kemo. However, that's a very big if. When he's on his game he'll play like Kemo with a pass rush. But he was released in New Orleans for being fat and out of shape, and St. Louis didn't really play him a lot.

He's 35, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. Pat Williams in Minnesota is 36 and part of one of the best defensive lines in football. Grady Jackson is still playing at 36 in Detroit. Jeff Zgonina in Houston is 39 and already has 11 tackles, despite playing in rotation. Linemen don't depend on speed, and as a result can play at a high level a lot longer than a running back or wide receiver.

Thomas was great in Philadelphia, and he was pretty good in New Orleans as well. He still can be, it's all about his health and conditioning.

[scpanther22]

IF (notice the caps) Thomas is in good shape and healthy, then he could actually be an improvement on Kemo. However, that's a very big if. When he's on his game he'll play like Kemo with a pass rush. But he was released in New Orleans for being fat and out of shape, and St. Louis didn't really play him a lot.

He's 35, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself. Pat Williams in Minnesota is 36 and part of one of the best defensive lines in football. Grady Jackson is still playing at 36 in Detroit. Jeff Zgonina in Houston is 39 and already has 11 tackles, despite playing in rotation. Linemen don't depend on speed, and as a result can play at a high level a lot longer than a running back or wide receiver.

Thomas was great in Philadelphia, and he was pretty good in New Orleans as well. He still can be, it's all about his health and conditioning.

lol..way to be optimistic

[Cyberjag]

I didn't say I was optimistic, did I? Hollis is a fat slob, cut him and he bleeds gravy. He's the only player in the NFL that rides a Wal-Mart scooter when he goes shopping. The guy decorates his apartment in early-American buffet!

And as far as his conditioning? What do you expect from a guy who has to take two trips to haul ass?

We're doomed...

[Sword]

Beason said he was funny..so maybe he will actually bring the Brenston Buckner effect instead..

[Upper Deck West End Zone]

Based on what I've seen, the main problem with HT is that those who hit the buffet after him will not have a lot to choose from. In the game, you want to have him in front of you, but in the buffet, you want to have him behind you, I would imagine. Just a thought. Perhaps HT is the reason that, when I go to HT, there's nothing on the shelves.

[panthers55]

Hollis was cut from the Saints due to a shoulder injury and subsequent settlement. Due to a ton of injuries he was brought back in November but played sparingly as he was still not recoved from the injury and out of shape. He was an option in St Louis but they decided to go with three technique DTs who could pressure the quarterback making Hollis the odd man out. He is a better fit for our over under nose tackle set up and will likely help us out. If our linebackers and safeties don't have to worry about being run over on every play they can focus on pass defense. Plus the DEs can hold the edge knowing they don't have to crash to the middle to stop the run.

[monstercat]

*insert any and every DT we've signed so far this season*

Guys, we've been through this before. Do try not to get your hopes up.

Hollis Thomas is the only DT they have signed who has proven that he can play NT at a high level. As long as he's healthy, he will help.