The New England Patriots took a major step towards getting back to "the Patriot Way" today by releasing mercurial linebacker Adalius Thomas. A multi-dimensional player, Thomas came to New England prior to the 2007 season for what was then the biggest contract for a linebacker in the NFL. Since then, it's gone mostly downhill between Thomas and the team.
In his first year, Thomas played in all 19 games, leading the Pats to the Super Bowl, where he was one of just a few notable players in the loss that left New England 18-1. He excelled as a player who could do almost anything as part Bill Belichick's defensive schemes. That Super Bowl performance was quite possibly the peak of Thomas' tenure.
The next year, Thomas was off to a dynamite start through the first half dozen weeks of the season. In what was considered a lost year without Tom Brady and a rapidly aging defense, Thomas stood out thanks to highlight plays such as when he sacked Brett Favre and Leon Washington of the Jets on the same play for a twenty yard loss. Unfortunately for Thomas, he broke his arm midseason and was lost for the year and the Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2002-2003 season.
This past season things really took a turn for the worse. With stalwart leaders Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and Mike Vrabel out of the picture, Thomas was looked at as a player who was going to need to step up and be a leader more than just on the field. Instead, Thomas focused solely on his mission on the field and became lax in the locker room causing tension with Belichick.
That boiled over when Thomas, along with a few other players, was late for a team meeting due to an early morning snowstorm. While he followed all the necessary procedures for a player who might be late, Thomas failed to realize that with the team's inconsistent play, this was no time to relax. Belichick chose that moment to make a statement to Thomas, as well as other expected leaders on the team and sent them home.
Thomas overreacted the next day in front of the media, spouting off about not being treated like a child and mocking Belichick's authority within the organization by answering several questions with a flippant, "Talk to Bill." At that point, Thomas had not only alienated himself from the coaching staff, but from most of the other players in that locker room as well.
Thus, it was no surprise that the team chose to move on from Thomas in the final year of his contract. The Patriots have gone through this offseason looking to re-establish the character in their locker room. Thomas' actions last season clearly showed that he wasn't going to be part of the plan.
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