Chance for LB Thomas to join Saints is small

While the New Orleans Saints did not address much help to their defense after the three-day 2010 NFL draft, there is a good defensive lineman available now as the New England Patriots just released 11-year veteran Adalius Thomas. However, analysts pointed out that Thomas would not be a good solution to Saints’ defensive problems.



Solely looking at Thomas’ statistics could give us an impression that he could do well both at linebacker and defensive end, and his versatility could help the Saints a lot in improving the relatively weak defense line. Joining the Patriots in 2007 as a free agent, Thomas has had 146 tackles, 14 sacks, 14 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception returned for a touchdown. During the first seven seasons he spent with the Baltimore Ravens, Thomas made two Pro Bowls respectively in 2003 and 2006. However, the main factor preventing him from putting on the Saints jersey could be the 3-4 schemes he has been used to play in.

Both the Ravens and Patriots hold 3-4 schemes and thus Thomas has been a 3-4 defensive player for his entire career and it would be hard for him to adjust to Saints’ 4-3 scheme. Although there are good examples of 3-4 linebacker making successful transition to 4-3 defensive end, it’s just unlikely to happen with Thomas. Even if the Saints are interested in signing him, Thomas himself may just hesitate to accept the offer. Instead, he could possibly choose the New York Jets, who are also interested and hold a 3-4 scheme.

Patriots LB Thomas may be benched for the second game

The New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas is facing the possibility of being benched by Coach Bill Belichick for the second straight game after being surprised by not having chance to play Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.




That is definitely not what he expected when he signed the biggest contract the Patriots ever gave to an unrestricted free agent. Actually, he was poised to play a bigger role in Patriots jersey this year after having two solid seasons with the Ravens while the Patriots lost two veteran linebackers—Mike Vrabel in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tedy Bruschi to retirement.

But Coach Belichick seems not satisfied with the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker’s performance at all. As for this Sunday’s game in London, Belichick has said that he will activate the players that the team feels give the best chance to win, while Thomas had just 12 tackles in the first five games he started this year and only one sack, which came in the season opener.

Patriots LB Thomas avoided commenting on Ryan's remarks

As the verbal war was going on between New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, Patriots LB Adalius Thomas, who played for for Rex Rya with the Ravens, did not want to make any comment on that.


"It's funny," he said Thursday, with wide smile on his face as usual. "It's something that you normally don't see in the media in June, so it's something you (reporters) really jump all over and really go from New York to Miami and then come here with it and expect me to pour gas on it."

That's wise. At the moment, it is not time for commenting or arguing. Practice and preparing for the coming season is what each team should do. Winning of any verbal war will not possible bring any benefit to the team.