Patriots: Adalius Thomas
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter comments on the Patriots' release of veteran linebacker Adalius Thomas today.
"Many people would not be surprised if Thomas wound up in the AFC East, either for the New York Jets or the Miami Dolphins," Schefter says. "Thomas, right now, according to his agent Bus Cook, has nothing going. But in the coming days, he will."
"It's funny," Scott said on the program, as quoted by Graham. "I was hanging with Adalius Thomas for Super Bowl weekend. We're buddies from back in the day. He made it public that he's expressed an interest in joining Rex. I think some of his better years of his career have been a part of the Ravens' defense and under Rex Ryan's tutelage. It'll be exciting."
The Patriots have an interesting call when it comes to Thomas.
If you cut him, you are almost assured that he's headed to one of your division rivals. If you keep him, you might have lingering bad vibes in the locker room.
A trade is a possibility, but given Thomas's salary ($4.9 million) and limited production in 2009, will be there be any interest?
This is how the exchange went down:
Adalius Thomas addressed his situation Thursday. Do you have any reaction to anything he said?
"My focus is on the Carolina Panthers. That's what I've been working on all week. That's what I'm going to work on until Sunday. ... Do you have a big story on it I should read? [Smiling] I'll check it out."
[Laughter among media members]
Safe to say you are aware of what he said?
"I'm just focused on the Panthers."
What can you tell us about yesterday?
“I got sent home. That’s pretty much it, for being late.”
Can you add more context to that; maybe a reason behind it?
“I think everyone woke up to the snow yesterday. I didn’t know it was going to snow. There was traffic. I can’t run people over getting to work. I don’t do that. I actually almost had a car accident. It is what it is. He did what he thought was best for him. That’s what he did.”
How surprising was it to you?
“It was surprising, just from the standpoint that you notify when you think you’re going to be late. And it still happens. That’s what I was told to do, when you think you’re going to be late –- notify or whatever.”
First time you’ve ever been sent home?
“Yeah. First time.”
Were you here or did you get a phone call to leave?
“I was here.”
Have you spoken with Bill Belichick since?
“For what?”
To clear the air.
“There is nothing to talk about.”
It seems like there is a strain, from my view, between the two of you. Maybe clearing the air can get people on the same page.
“You have to ask him about that. I have no idea. I just do what I’m told. I was told to go home so that’s what I did.”
Do you feel the need to talk to your teammates about what happened yesterday?
“Everybody knows what happened.”
Do you feel compelled to say something to them –- an apology or what have you?
“I don’t know. That’s one thing about Mother Nature. You can’t control that. You can’t run people over getting to work. There is nothing to really apologize about. I didn’t try to be late. That’s basically it, though. I don’t know what else to say. You leave home, you have people there, cars sitting in the road, you’re sitting there, what do you do? It’s not the Jetsons, I can’t jump up and just fly. What the heck am I supposed to do?”
How frustrating has this season been for you from a personal standpoint?
“Real frustrating. But it is what it is. One thing about being a professional, there are good things and bad things. So you know there are a lot of things you can say or whatever. It’s just not a good time. I don’t want people to think –- it was put out there like I just didn’t show up or didn’t have a reason, and nobody knew. That’s not true. That’s not the case at all. That being the case, I was trying to be a professional and let them know traffic is bad and I might not make it on time. After you do that, there is nothing else you can really do.”
What time did you get to the stadium?
“That’s irrelevant. 8:09 or something like that.”
Were you driving in with any of the other guys?
“We were all by ourselves. We didn't carpool or anything like that.”
You talk about being professional. Do you feel they treated you professionally?
“That’s a personal thing. He’s the head coach. He makes all the calls. So whether you agree with it or not, you just roll with him. That’s why they pay him to be the head coach. He has that title. He doesn’t have to have a reason to send me home. You just have to abide by it. I was told to go home. I went home, enjoyed my day off, put my toes up in the air, and relaxed.”
Are you concerned that this is at all a distraction as this team is fighting for a playoff berth?
“I think it’s more than what it should be. Your focus should be on Carolina, but instead, it’s on this whole topic of being late. It will be determined on Sunday after the game. If we play well, it will be the whole great thing. If we don’t, you guys will kind of come back to this whole thing and say it was a distraction. So you might as well write it now, what you think it is. Don’t be 20-20 hindsight. Don’t do that now.”
How did this affect your preparation?
“I actually watched a lot of film yesterday, a lot of games. I kind of got a jump on the film because I had a lot of free time on my hands.”
Did you talk to the other players who were late?
“Yeah.”
What was their reaction?
“I’ll let you ask them about their reactions. I can only speak for myself. I’m not going to speak for anybody, or say what somebody else said. If they want that to be known, I think it’s only fair for them to say that.”
Do you think Bill used you as some sort of message or teaching tool, or something like that?
“You have to ask … I have to know. Teaching tool? I don’t know. I can’t figure out what Bill thinks or knows. I don’t know. I promise you I don’t.”
Do you expect any ramifications as far as playing time?
“I have no idea. I just do what I’m told. Whatever I’m told to do, that’s what I do and I try to do it in a professional manner. I try to come here, be professional, try to do what I’m asked to do, and try to do it to the best of my ability.”
Were the four of you told at the same time or was it an individual?
“I was here. Me and other players were here. We were told together. It wasn’t in a meeting or anything like that.”
By Bill or someone else?
“I was notified by Bill.”
After the Tennessee game when you were a healthy scratch, you said if Bill wanted to come talk to you, he could come talk to you. Have you had any conversations about any discomfort between the two of you?
“No.”
Is the fact there is a disconnect between a coach and player a problem?
“I don’t know. I really don’t know. I’m dumbfounded. I don’t try to figure it out. I’ll let you guys do it. You guys do a lot more guessing at it than I do. Like I said, whatever I’m told to do, that’s what I do.”
You really are perplexed?
“I mean, there are a lot of things that can go on that you are dumbfounded by. It’s not just that. You just roll with it. I’m an Indian. I’m not the chief. I just roll with the punches.”
Can what happened yesterday serve as motivation?
“Motivation is for kindergartners. I’m not a kindergartner. Sending somebody home, that’s like ‘He’s expelled, come back and make good grades.’ Get that [expletive] out of here. That’s ridiculous. Motivation?”
Did you get fined for being late?
“I have no idea. I haven’t received anything like that. The biggest thing is trying to get back to Carolina, trying to get business back to hand. I know you guys had questions about it, then it’s lingering. Is it this? Is it that? I wanted to clear my name from the standpoint that I tried to be professional by letting them know I was going to be late.”
Did you talk to Bill today?
“No.”
Will you now watch the weather?
“I never really watched the weather like that. They’re 50-50. It’s either going to rain or it’s not … Like I said, I got a chance to watch a lot of film. They have great backs. Good wide receivers. We have to try to get a win. That’s the only thing that matters now that I’ve addressed all the questions about tardiness, snow and stuff like that. I know you are all going to take off now, with all the juicy stuff gone.”
You talked about clearing your name with us. Do you want to clear your name with teammates?
"No, like I said, we’re on to Carolina now. That’s really what we’re trying to focus on now. We’re not focusing on apologizing to somebody. I didn’t do anything intentionally. I didn’t try to be late.”
Brady's wife delivered the couple's son Tuesday. Brady was present at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday morning, holding his regularly scheduled press conference.
The other players not spotted at the start of practice were running back Fred Taylor, defensive lineman Myron Pryor and defensive lineman Ty Warren.
Media members were present for stretching and agility drills before departing. With snow and rain in the region, the practice was held inside the Dana-Farber Fieldhouse.
ILB Gary Guyton – 51 of 51 snaps
ILB Jerod Mayo – 51 of 51
S Brandon Meriweather – 51 of 51
CB Jonathan Wilhite – 51 of 51
CB Leigh Bodden – 50 of 51
S Brandon McGowan – 50 of 51
OLB/DE Adalius Thomas – 40 of 51
NT Vince Wilfork – 39 of 51
DE Mike Wright – 37 of 51
DE Ty Warren -- 34 of 52
OLB Tully Banta-Cain – 26 of 51
OLB Pierre Woods – 19 of 51
DE Derrick Burgess – 17 of 51
DT Myron Pryor – 17 of 51
CB Darius Butler – 12 of 51
S James Sanders – 9 of 51
S Pat Chung – 5 of 51
DT Ron Brace – 1 of 51
S Randy Moss – 1 of 51
(Two false start penalties included in snaps)
ANALYSIS: The base alignment was a 3-4, with the Patriots using a 3-2-6 dime (6 defensive backs) in most passing situations and occasionally a 4-2-5 nickel (5 defensive backs). … Butler and Chung were the fifth and sixth defensive backs in the sub package. … When Chung left the game with a head injury, he was replaced by Sanders. … Mayo and Guyton played every snap at inside linebacker, keeping Junior Seau on the sidelines for the third game in a row. … Including penalties, the 51 snaps were the third fewest the defense has played in a game this season (46, vs. Falcons, 49 vs. Titans). … Banta-Cain made the most of his playing time, finishing with five tackles and two sacks in just 26 snaps. … After seeing action solely on early downs, Thomas is playing again in sub packages as he’s had more of a chance to rush the passer in recent weeks. … Woods played on defense for the first time since Oct. 18 against Tennessee, starting at outside linebacker and working in a rotation. … This was the second time this season that Moss has been called upon as a safety in a Hail Mary situation.
FOXBOROUGH -- Linebacker Adalius Thomas, speaking publicly Wednesday for the first time since he was a healthy scratch in the Patriots' 59-0 win over the Titans, said he was surprised by the decision and has not spoken with coach Bill Belichick about the reason for his deactivation.
Asked if the decision fires him up, Thomas said, "I don't need something like this to fire me up. This isn't Kindergarten. I don't play [those] games."
Chris Forsberg/ESPNBoston.com
Adalius Thomas addresses the New England media on Wednesday.
Thomas said he found out about the deactivation from linebackers coach Matt Patricia the morning of the game. He didn't want to re-live the experience when asked to review how he found out.
"That's over with, last Sunday is done," he said. "Let's move on to Tampa. It's bigger than me. These guys had a great game. We're trying to overshadow it by what happened to one person. No one person is bigger than the game. No one person is bigger than the team. I don't want to make it seem like it's about me, because it's not about me.
"Bill makes the decision. It is what it is, whether you like it or not, and I live with it."
When asked if he was given a reason for the decision, Thomas said, "Ask Bill. He has all the answers."
Asked if he felt his situation with the team could go forward productively, Thomas said, "I come to work every day, be a professional, do my job, and do what I'm asked to do."
Asked if he was still happy in New England, Thomas said: "I'm fine."
Thomas seemed to respect that reporters were asking questions about his situation, but shortly into the interview, he asked to change the topic.
"It's bigger than me," he said. "We went out, we had a good game, we won as a team, it was a great performance, the best game so far. So we're moving on to Tampa."
The Patriots shuffled their media schedule this week, and moved their regular Tuesday conference calls with Bill Belichick (noon), director of player personnel Nick Caserio (12:15) and defensive coordinator Dean Pees (12:30) to Monday.
One of the hot topics of discussion was the deactivation of outside linebacker Adalius Thomas in Sunday's game against the Titans. NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said on television that he spoke with Thomas, and that he was upset but plans to work it out with his coach.
Here is some of the Q&A with Belichick from Monday, which provides context as to the questions asked and the answers given in regards to Thomas:
What made the combination of outside linebackers -- Derrick Burgess, Pierre Woods, Rob Ninkovich and Tully Banta-Cain -- the better choice to have them with the bigger role in the game over Adalius Thomas?
"It's a combination of all the things on defense and on special teams, and third down. When you look at what the roles for those players were on all four downs -- first, second, third and fourth -- they each contributed in at least one and usually two areas pretty strongly. Again, every player has value. If we could have brought more than 45 players to the game, we would have. And I'm sure they all would have played. We had to select the ones that we felt would have the bigger role in the game. That's what we did."
What does this mean for Adalius' future going forward?
"I don't know. It was one game. We'll evaluate it this coming week against Tampa like we always do. This week is different from last week."
Bill, has Adalius lived up to your
expectation of what you thought he would be when you signed him?
"I've said many times I think he's a good football player. He's versatile. He's made some big plays for us, and he's done a lot of different jobs. We have a lot of confidence in him. If that wasn't the case, then he wouldn't be here. I'm glad we have him. I think he can help us. I think he will help us. And he has helped us. I feel that way about our other players as well."
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Outside linebacker Adalius Thomas' standing with the Patriots took a surprising turn Sunday when he was not active for the team's game against the Titans.
Thomas was not on the team's injury report. After the game, head coach Bill Belichick was asked if a personal issue kept Thomas out.
"No, we just went with the players that we thought would have a bigger role in the game," he responded.
Thomas was not available for comment.
The deactivation marked the first time Thomas did not suit up -- except when he's been injured -- since his rookie season with the Ravens in 2000.
The Patriots' marquee free-agent signing in 2007, Thomas started the team's first five games this season, totaling 12 tackles with one sack and one pass defended.
Veteran Derrick Burgess started in Thomas' place, as the Patriots played a 3-4 alignment for most of the game. Burgess and Pierre Woods started at outside linebacker, with Tully Banta-Cain and Rob Ninkovich also part of a four-man rotation.
The Patriots had played only 10 snaps in the 3-4 alignment prior to Sunday's game, utilizing primarily a four-man front.
"It was a little change, but we all took care of it and handled it professionally," said Gary Guyton, who rotated at inside linebacker along with Jerod Mayo and Junior Seau.
Receiver Randy Moss and linebacker Adalius Thomas did not practice Thursday, but the reasons were not injury related, according to the Patriots' practice report.
Running back Fred Taylor, who will require surgery on his injured right ankle, was the only other player who did not practice.
Right tackle Nick Kaczur (ankle), linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee), safety James Sanders (shoulder), defensive back Shawn Springs (knee), receiver Wes Welker (knee), and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (ankle) were limited in practice.
Quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder) had full participation.
On the Broncos side, running back Correll Buckhalter (ankle), safety Brian Dawkins (knee/shoulder) and linebacker/fullback Spencer Larden (shoulder) did not practice.
Guard Ben Hamilton (hamstring) and cornerback Alphonso Smith (ankle) had limited participation.
Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas has been fined $5,000 for his fourth-quarter roughing-the-passer penalty on Bills quarterback Trent Edwards, the NFL confirmed. Thomas was fined for unnecessarily slamming Edwards to the ground after the whistle.
Thomas told Christopher L. Gasper of the Boston Globe that he planned to appeal the fine.
"I don't know, either you got to have a fast whistle or the guy is going to get taken to the ground," Thomas told Gasper. "I didn't think I slammed him to the ground, nothing like that. Right before I got ready to swing him down or whatever, or tackle him, my feet are off the ground and I'm on his back kind of. You don't really know what to do. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Do you let the guy go and let him throw the ball?"
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork was not fined for his third-quarter roughing-the-passer penalty against Edwards.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Reiss
Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter here.
Chris Forsberg
Chris Forsberg has been reporting on the Boston sports scene since 1999. With his video camera in tow, Forsberg covered everything from Massachusetts high school sports to Boston's pro sports teams. Follow him on Twitter.
ESPNBOSTON.COM PATRIOTS ON TWITTER
