A pril 26, 2010 -- Linebacker Adalius Thomas was released by the Patriots on Monday, ending a three-year tenure that started with promise and concluded with Thomas publicly sparring with the club. The New York Jets are now reportedly interested in signing the free agent.
The Patriots parted ways with Thomas, who signed a five-year, $35 million contract in 2007. The 32-year-old linebacker fell out of favor with coach Bill Belichick last season. Thomas’ declining production – eight sacks in the past two seasons – was only part of the problem.
He was outspoken over his role within Belichick’s scheme and became a perceived locker room nuisance last season by the coaching staff. Thomas was outspoken about Belichick's decision to send him home after being late for a team meeting due to a snowstorm.
"There's one thing about Mother Nature -- You can't control that," Thomas said at the time. "You can't run people over getting to work. There's nothing to apologize about. I wasn't trying to be late. I don't know what to say. You leave home, there are people there, cars sitting in the road, you're sitting there, what are you gonna do? It's not the Jetsons. I can't jump up and fly. What am I supposed to do?"
Thomas had 14 1/2 sacks in his three seasons in New England. But his lowest total came in 2009, when he had only three sacks.
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