Adalius Thomas anyone? - The Orange Mane

cmhargrove · 04-26-2010, 08:03 AM

Thomas free to sign with another team

By Mike Reiss
ESPNBoston.com
Archive
Linebacker Adalius Thomas was released by the Patriots on Monday, according to an NFL source, ending a three-year tenure that started with promise and concluded with Thomas publicly sparring with the club.

Adalius Thomas
#96 LB
New England Patriots
2009 STATS
Tot
34
Solo
26
Ast
8
FF
0
Sack
3
Int
0
Thomas was the highest-priced free-agent acquisition in team history, signing a five-year, $35 million contract in 2007, but he turned out to be one of the biggest personnel missteps in Bill Belichick's 11-year tenure.

In the end, it was a pairing in which both sides didn't get what they felt was advertised.

Thomas had issues with his role, expecting to be used as more of a pure pass rusher, while the Patriots were disappointed with Thomas' production and presence in the locker room.

The 32-year-old Thomas wasn't expected back with the Patriots in 2010. The main question was whether he would be released or traded, and his $4.9 million base salary for 2010 made a trade unlikely.

Given the timing of the release, it appears the Patriots tried to trade Thomas during the draft and when nothing materialized, they went ahead with the release.

Thomas's final season in New England was a rocky one, highlighted by his benching for a game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 18, and then being sent home with three others players for being late to an 8 a.m. meeting on a snowy, icy December morning. That contrasted the early days of Thomas's tenure, when he printed "Humble Pie" T-shirts and distributed them to teammates as a sign of how he was buying in to the Patriots' approach.

The 32-year-old Thomas played in 39 regular-season games for the Patriots, with 35 starts, totaling 148 tackles and 14.5 sacks. He is now a free agent and figures to draw consideration from the New York Jets. Thomas thrived under Jets head coach Rex Ryan when Ryan was the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator and Thomas was his star linebacker.

New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott said on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike" show in March that Thomas would like to play for the Jets if he were released by New England.

"It's funny," Scott said. "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 in 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."

Thomas later told the Boston Herald that conversation never happened and that he had never discussed joining the Jets with Scott.

"I've heard of all the chatter up there about me," Thomas wrote the Herald. "It was about something Bart Scott said on TV, [and] that's not what was said . . . I have never told anyone that I wanted to leave and go play for the Jets."

Thomas told Boston radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub in February that he wasn't sure whether he would be released by said he wanted to play "somewhere where I'm wanted and where I'm going to have fun. That's where I want to be."

He stopped short of saying he felt unwanted in New England, but told the radio show: "I definitely didn't have fun. It was definitely a frustrating year as far as that goes."

Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com. Follow him on Twitter.

dbfan21 · 04-26-2010, 08:07 AM

Beat me to it. I was just about to post this. Not sure if he would be someone we'd benefit from. 32 years old...another 30+ year old on defense may not be the direction we should head at this point.

dbfan21 · 04-26-2010, 08:08 AM

also...

Jacksonville will release former Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Henderson on Monday, according to a source close to the situation.

Henderson had two years and $11 million remaining on his contract, and Jacksonville felt more comfortable not paying it and relying on its rookies.

WolfpackGuy · 04-26-2010, 08:08 AM

No way.

He would fit good with the Jets or as a reserve on the Ravens though.

Dukes · 04-26-2010, 08:12 AM

I'm sure Rex Ryan is already working on getting him signed.

montrose · 04-26-2010, 08:17 AM

Why not? Depending on the money, this dude not only is versatile on D but he was a special teams beast with the Ravens.

GoBroncos84 · 04-26-2010, 08:38 AM

Could give us a viable option if Ayers isnt ready. Good depth. I'd be all for it

PRBronco · 04-26-2010, 08:46 AM

They wouldn't sign someone the Patriots got rid of because he was a pain.

I am most certainly interested in John Henderson though.

Baba Booey · 04-26-2010, 08:50 AM

Henderson please

yerner · 04-26-2010, 08:53 AM

Yes if Henderson can play in this system.

spdirty · 04-26-2010, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRBronco

They wouldn't sign someone the Patriots got rid of because he was a pain.

I am most certainly interested in John Henderson though.

Exactly. If Belichek couldnt wait to get rid of him, why in the hell do people think McD would want anything to do with him?

crush17 · 04-26-2010, 09:14 AM

Henderson's a 4-3 DT. Would be hard to fit him in here.

s0phr0syne · 04-26-2010, 09:25 AM

Clint Ingram was also released today. He's a versatile and skilled LB, wonder if he'll be on Denver's radar as a potential competitor for an ILB position.

briane · 04-26-2010, 09:50 AM

If would could either one of them cheap, I would say "go for it". But I doubt either of them would sign more "cheap"

azbroncfan · 04-26-2010, 10:00 AM

Can he play SILB? If so take a swipe at him probably would be hard to land him though.

atomicbloke · 04-26-2010, 11:11 AM

We need to have all potential ILBs and 3-4 DEs on our radar.

Stopping the run was our biggest weakness last 3 seasons, and it was due to lack of talent. We should pick up moderately good veterans who can hold the for for 1-2 years, and then concentrate on this area in next year's draft.

supermanhr9 · 04-26-2010, 11:55 AM

Bring him in!!!!

Doggcow · 04-26-2010, 11:57 AM

If the Pats can't make him a productive player.... No one can.

Ziggy · 04-26-2010, 11:59 AM

Henderson would make a great 3-4 DE. He has the ability to hold the point of attack, push back the pocket, and long arms to disrupt passing lanes.

DBroncos4life · 04-26-2010, 12:01 PM

I still think he will be a Jet or a Raven.

DBroncos4life · 04-26-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggcow

If the Pats can't make him a productive player.... No one can.

lol He was productive before he got there with the Ravens and he remained productive with the Pats.

elsid13 · 04-26-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggy

Henderson would make a great 3-4 DE. He has the ability to hold the point of attack, push back the pocket, and long arms to disrupt passing lanes.

Henderson would play NT not end.

PRBronco · 04-26-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggy

Henderson would make a great 3-4 DE. He has the ability to hold the point of attack, push back the pocket, and long arms to disrupt passing lanes.

That would be friggin glorious.

eddie mac · 04-26-2010, 12:19 PM

Wasn't Thomas on the Jets radar then they signed Taylor.

DBroncos4life · 04-26-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddie mac

Wasn't Thomas on the Jets radar then they signed Taylor.

I still think they could use the depth. They have Taylor, Pace, Vernon Gholston who sucks, and Bryan Thomas. Bryan Thomas and Pace are the last years starters. Adalius Thomas would give them a pretty solid rotation of guys. Gholston just reworked his deal but he is worthless. I suppose a team like KC could come in and grab him.

04-26-2010, 08:03 AM	#1
cmhargrove Is this thing on??? Travis Henry's love child... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 6,409 Adopt-a-Bronco: Peyton Hillis	Adalius Thomas anyone? Thomas free to sign with another team By Mike Reiss ESPNBoston.com Archive Linebacker Adalius Thomas was released by the Patriots on Monday, according to an NFL source, ending a three-year tenure that started with promise and concluded with Thomas publicly sparring with the club. Adalius Thomas #96 LB New England Patriots 2009 STATS Tot 34 Solo 26 Ast 8 FF 0 Sack 3 Int 0 Thomas was the highest-priced free-agent acquisition in team history, signing a five-year, $35 million contract in 2007, but he turned out to be one of the biggest personnel missteps in Bill Belichick's 11-year tenure. In the end, it was a pairing in which both sides didn't get what they felt was advertised. Thomas had issues with his role, expecting to be used as more of a pure pass rusher, while the Patriots were disappointed with Thomas' production and presence in the locker room. The 32-year-old Thomas wasn't expected back with the Patriots in 2010. The main question was whether he would be released or traded, and his $4.9 million base salary for 2010 made a trade unlikely. Given the timing of the release, it appears the Patriots tried to trade Thomas during the draft and when nothing materialized, they went ahead with the release. Thomas's final season in New England was a rocky one, highlighted by his benching for a game against the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 18, and then being sent home with three others players for being late to an 8 a.m. meeting on a snowy, icy December morning. That contrasted the early days of Thomas's tenure, when he printed "Humble Pie" T-shirts and distributed them to teammates as a sign of how he was buying in to the Patriots' approach. The 32-year-old Thomas played in 39 regular-season games for the Patriots, with 35 starts, totaling 148 tackles and 14.5 sacks. He is now a free agent and figures to draw consideration from the New York Jets. Thomas thrived under Jets head coach Rex Ryan when Ryan was the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator and Thomas was his star linebacker. New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott said on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike" show in March that Thomas would like to play for the Jets if he were released by New England. "It's funny," Scott said. "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 in 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." Thomas later told the Boston Herald that conversation never happened and that he had never discussed joining the Jets with Scott. "I've heard of all the chatter up there about me," Thomas wrote the Herald. "It was about something Bart Scott said on TV, [and] that's not what was said . . . I have never told anyone that I wanted to leave and go play for the Jets." Thomas told Boston radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub in February that he wasn't sure whether he would be released by said he wanted to play "somewhere where I'm wanted and where I'm going to have fun. That's where I want to be." He stopped short of saying he felt unwanted in New England, but told the radio show: "I definitely didn't have fun. It was definitely a frustrating year as far as that goes." Mike Reiss covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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04-26-2010, 08:07 AM	#2
dbfan21 Broncos Fan in Florida Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,182 Adopt-a-Bronco: Pat Bowlen	Beat me to it. I was just about to post this. Not sure if he would be someone we'd benefit from. 32 years old...another 30+ year old on defense may not be the direction we should head at this point.

04-26-2010, 08:08 AM	#3
dbfan21 Broncos Fan in Florida Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 2,182 Adopt-a-Bronco: Pat Bowlen	also... Jacksonville will release former Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Henderson on Monday, according to a source close to the situation. Henderson had two years and $11 million remaining on his contract, and Jacksonville felt more comfortable not paying it and relying on its rookies.

04-26-2010, 08:08 AM	#4
WolfpackGuy Call me, "Maybe" Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Delaware Posts: 5,675	No way. He would fit good with the Jets or as a reserve on the Ravens though.

04-26-2010, 08:12 AM	#5
Dukes Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 6,317	I'm sure Rex Ryan is already working on getting him signed.

04-26-2010, 08:17 AM	#6
montrose Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 6,095 Adopt-a-Bronco: VP John Elway	Why not? Depending on the money, this dude not only is versatile on D but he was a special teams beast with the Ravens.

04-26-2010, 08:38 AM	#7
GoBroncos84 Perennial Pro-bowler Crucify the Ego Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 758 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	Could give us a viable option if Ayers isnt ready. Good depth. I'd be all for it

04-26-2010, 08:46 AM	#8
PRBronco FML less Join Date: May 2004 Location: North Vancouver Posts: 4,206 Adopt-a-Bronco: I'm so alone	They wouldn't sign someone the Patriots got rid of because he was a pain. I am most certainly interested in John Henderson though.

04-26-2010, 08:50 AM	#9
Baba Booey twitter: @dpieza HURRY HURRY! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North of the Wall Posts: 2,050 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Harris	Henderson please

04-26-2010, 08:53 AM	#10
yerner Ring of Famer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Charlottesville VA Posts: 3,304	Yes if Henderson can play in this system.

04-26-2010, 09:14 AM	#12
crush17 orange & blue Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 2,662 Adopt-a-Bronco: DT88	Henderson's a 4-3 DT. Would be hard to fit him in here.

04-26-2010, 09:25 AM	#13
s0phr0syne Symbiotic Absorb and Redirect Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,592 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	Clint Ingram was also released today. He's a versatile and skilled LB, wonder if he'll be on Denver's radar as a potential competitor for an ILB position.

04-26-2010, 09:50 AM	#14
briane Seasoned Veteran http://www.privatepostmark.com Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 368 Adopt-a-Bronco: None	If would could either one of them cheap, I would say "go for it". But I doubt either of them would sign more "cheap"

04-26-2010, 10:00 AM	#15
azbroncfan Ring of Famer Angry guntoting,meateating AMERICAN Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Scottsdale Posts: 8,669 Adopt-a-Bronco: TEBOW	Can he play SILB? If so take a swipe at him probably would be hard to land him though.

04-26-2010, 11:11 AM	#16
atomicbloke Ring of Famer La 12 Boca Juniors Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 2,347 Adopt-a-Bronco: Offensive Line	We need to have all potential ILBs and 3-4 DEs on our radar. Stopping the run was our biggest weakness last 3 seasons, and it was due to lack of talent. We should pick up moderately good veterans who can hold the for for 1-2 years, and then concentrate on this area in next year's draft.

04-26-2010, 11:55 AM	#17
supermanhr9 Ring of Famer "I'm gonna burn this mother down" Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: ST. LOUIS, MO Posts: 1,266 Adopt-a-Bronco: Nobody	Bring him in!!!!

04-26-2010, 11:57 AM	#18
Doggcow Rebel Laughs At Unbelievers Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 8,299 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	If the Pats can't make him a productive player.... No one can.

04-26-2010, 11:59 AM	#19
Ziggy Pro Bowler Noob Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 508	Henderson would make a great 3-4 DE. He has the ability to hold the point of attack, push back the pocket, and long arms to disrupt passing lanes.

04-26-2010, 12:01 PM	#20
DBroncos4life Hey pic Mod!?!?! FU Why yes, that is Bacon Bacon. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The wrong side of right. Posts: 26,555	I still think he will be a Jet or a Raven.

04-26-2010, 12:19 PM	#24
eddie mac Ireland's No1 Bronco Eddie Mac 87 gone but never forgott Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: IRELAND Posts: 15,572 Adopt-a-Bronco: Rod Smith	Wasn't Thomas on the Jets radar then they signed Taylor.