The Chiefs added LB, Zach Thomas to bolster their weak defense and improve their linebacking core one veteran at a time.
Having the youngest team in the NFL last season, it looks like Pioli and Haley are once again using the Patriots team blueprint by bringing on another veteran to the defense. The Chiefs have already added 33 year-old Mike Vrabel from the Patriots in February. Now they are adding a 36 year-old to help the team transition to a 3-4 defense.
If the Chiefs are to draft Aaron Curry like most speculate, then the Chiefs starting LB's in 2009 could resemble this:
- ROLB: Derrick Johnson
- RILB: Zach Thomas
- LILB: Mike Vrabel
- LOLB: Aaron Curry
I am not all for of adding players that are too aged into a young team on the rise. However, Zach Thomas seems to fit the mindset that the Patriots built their dynasty on and the mindset Pioli is bringing to the Chiefs:
- Young talent
- Veteren leadership
- Intelligent, hard working players
Thomas has played 14 seasons in the NFL and has made 7 trips to the Pro Bowl. All of his Pro Bowl trips came as a Miami Dolphin where he spent many years as an elite MLB. Most recently, Thomas started 14 games last season with the Cowboys.