mighty12

Get him PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any takers?

Brann

Nope. He's a 3-4 LB and the 49ers have an interest in him. They'd be able to outbid any team if the Ravens don't tag him.

wheelman

Thomas can play any linebacker spot. Hell, the Ravens even lined him up as a corner sometimes. And we can match just about any offer for him, even if we re-sign all of our free agents. Remember, the Saints have $29 million to work with, and the cap hit of a signing bonus is distributed throughout the contract.

Brann

And the 9ers have 42+M in cap space. We cannot win a bidding war for his services.

TheDeuce

I agree with Brann here. We can't afford to get into a bidding war for a guy like Thomas because 3-4 teams are going to be going crazy for him. Remember, we need corner help, defensive line help, and receiver help. I think our primary concern in free agency should be a cornerback.

Also, about Thomas... yes, the guy is a very good player. But there, are some things that would, if I was GM, make me shy away from him. For one, he is a linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. That doesn't necessarily mean that he can't play a 4-3, but I think it does mean that he isn't a pure fit at a Mike, Sam, or Will backer position. We've got some good players already at the linebacker position, but we need that one guy in the middle who is a pure middle linebacker. I don't know if Thomas is that guy. Also, in terms of his production.... look at the guys around him on that Ravens defense. Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, Chris McAllister, Haloti Ngata, Bart Scott. Whoa. That's one hell of a defense. That's one hell of a defense for an offensive coordinator to try and target just one guy. Basically what I'm saying is that he's been able to run free because a team can't just key on him because they've got all of those other guys to worry about. Am I saying that Thomas isn't a stud? No, not at all. What I'm saying is that I don't know if we know truly how good this guy is; if he can be the guy on a defense and deal with double teams and shedding blockers and etc etc.

FatiusJeebs

Deuce may have a point. Remember what happened to Pat Swilling after he left us to join the Raiders??? (insert cricket noises here)

wheelman

But the Raiders tried to convert him to a DE if my memory serves me right. That is completely different.

Brann

My simple point is that the 49ers have been rumored to be drooling over Adalius Thomas since before the playoffs. They run a 3-4. They need a 3-4 OLB to help take some pressure off of Manny Lawson. They have the most cap space in the league. They're also a team that's clearly on the upswing. There is no way we can outbid for his services.

duece4pres

This cat can play. I went to Southern Miss when he played there. I watched him play for four years. His senior year, he was supposed to be a first round pick, but fell to the 7th(i believe) because the scouts said he was a tweener! Not enough weight for DE, but to much for LB. BS I tell u. The year he graduated, Southern had 7 or 9 people drafted. He was the last. A guy named Todd Pinkston was the first (BUST). A.T. can fly. Wherever he goes, he'll be a great addition

hagan714

1. Lance Briggs Chicago
2. Adalius Thomas Baltimore
3. Cato June Indianapolis
4. Scott Shanle New Orleans
5. Tully Banta-Cain N.E. Patriots
6. Boss Bailey Detroit
7. Brandon Short N.Y. Giants
8. Al Singleton Dallas
9. Rocky Boiman Indianapolis
10. Shantee Orr Houston

Outside LB in this order