Late-Gate: Adalius Thomas Sounds Off; Personifies Why Guaranteed Contracts are a Bad Idea
by Marima on Dec 10, 2009 3:51 PM EST
in Opinion/Analysis
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Adalius Thomas was the first of the infamous four late Patriots to talk to the media about yesterday's disciplinary measure taken by the head coach. He was clearly agitated by it and professed to be "dumbfounded" at the heavy consequence of being nine minutes late on a snowy New England morning.
As he said separately to Albert Breer, "I mean, I could've been in a ditch. They really don't give a damn. Hey, as long as you aren't in that meeting, they really don't give a (bleep)."
There was a lot of talk about the weather, how the forecasters get it wrong half the time, how he thought it might rain instead of snow, and how once he was stuck this wasn't the Jetsons where he "jump up and fly." Hey, we've all been held hostage on the road somewhere when we were supposed to be somewhere else. It happens. But certain situations are more important than others and for the the team this was one of them.
What A.D. failed to mention to reporters was what Belichick told the team on Monday, the last time they were in the building before their day off Tuesday.
It's going to take more commitment for us to get where we need to go. More film work. Coming in a little early. Leaving a little later. Not running out of the building.
Forget about only being nine minutes late, Thomas should have been in there an hour early. He must have said something to the effect of "I just do what I'm told" a dozen times, but that's not true. He was told to come in early just two days ago and didn't make the effort to ensure that he would be.
Thomas' purpose in talking with the reporters was to clear his name, but all it did was make me realize that I liked him better when he kept his mouth shut. I don't regret giving him the benefit of the doubt amidst the criticism aimed at his under-performing years in New England, but you'll now find me firmly lodged in the official "he's a bust" camp.
He can sack everyone in his path from here to Miami in February but it would still be too little too late to make up for his lousy attitude. He talks about being a professional, but is that what you'd call tweeting his friends in other clubs around the league about what happened inside the locker room? A.D. can tell himself he's a professional all he wants but actions speak louder than words - and his words have done him in enough without them.
As if that wasn't enough, he wanted to make sure reporters knew that he isn't to blame for the Patriots poor pass rush either. It's the fault of he coaches and defensive schemes in case you were wondering. He's "just an indian, not the chief" and has to roll with whatever plays are called. Sheesh. While the bus is rolling, might as well throw everyone underneath it.
Here is the complete transcript of Adalius Thomas' Q & A with the media. You can listen to it here.
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He's still got 2 years left on his guaranteed contract
They’ll have to trade him to a team outside of the division, that knows how badly the Patriots want him gone.
Keep the faith!
He seemed to have as much info on the Jetsons as the Panthers.
What film was he watching?
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 10, 2009 4:11 PM EST reply actions
Between this and Breer's piece ("roads are clear")
I’m about ready to put this down as a rebuilding year. Interesting that the problems over the last few games have largely been defensive, it’s defensive players airing their laundry in the media, and the biggest losses in leadership have been on the defensive side of the ball.
Is it time for Mayo to step to the plate and make some enemies? Is he even the guy to do it? Or will we have to import some leadership and forge a new identity over this year and the next. If this is becoming the norm, I’m willing to give up the playoffs this year and next to clean house and re-instill the right attitude in Foxboro.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Dec 10, 2009 4:30 PM EST reply actions
This is the exact thing the Patriots staff and vets pride themselves on NOT doing. Very dissapointed at AD
Jack of all trades-Master of None.....
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 10, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
They've been pretty good at it too
The last guy to be suspended for conduct was Terry Glenn.
Keep the faith!
disagree that the problems over the last few games
“have largely been defensive”.
The biggest problems have been the one-dimensional offense not being able to move the chains in the second half of games – and this has exposed weaknesses (mainly lack of depth) in the defense.
I do agree that we need someone like Mayo or Wilfork to step up and assert control over the defensive side of the locker room.
Team players should NOT be airing dirty laundry in public. Period.
Good point
but just like how a prolific offense can hide the sins of a weak defense, a strong defense gets the ball back to a struggling defense for another chance to score. They both work hand in hand.
Keep the faith!
Tomato, tomahto
I’d say the offense has been inconsistent due to poor game strategy/play-calling, rather than blatantly missed assignments.
Could be that the same is true for the D.
As Mr. Sloan always says, there is no "I" in team, but there is an "I" in pie. And there's an "I" in meat pie. Anagram of meat is team... I don't know what he's talking about. --Shaun of the Dead
by JohnHannahRules on Dec 10, 2009 9:25 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think so
I agree with you about the offense. With the defense, though, it seems more a combination of poor tackling, missed assignments, and the combination of no pass rush and poor coverage reinforcing each other.
Well...
…I would say that two of losses have been to bad defensive play calling. The entire Broncos game because of lack of secondary pressure on the WRs and the 4th quarter of the Colts game for the same reason. I would throw in the Saints game and that it could have been a lot closer, but I think the Saints would have won anyways.
The other losses have been due to lack of personnel. We don’t have the players who can make the plays, whether it’s due to inexperience (secondary and Pryor), laziness (AD) or just lack of skill (Burgess).
by Richard Hill on Dec 11, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
too much change on D in one year
okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule
Get your butts in there and WORK HARDER!
You get paid millions to make us happy so live up to it even you Randy!
Jack of all trades-Master of None.....
by Yardpenalty.com on Dec 10, 2009 4:42 PM EST reply actions
I like what Guyton, Burgess and Moss had to say in their own defense...
… nothing.
Funny thing is that before this, the media renewed its “Randy Moss Watch” where it waits (and hopes) for him to complain and show himself to be the bad locker room cancer they’re all sure he is. They know it with a certainty that he’ll show his ‘true colors’ somewhere, somehow and if they bait him enough and wait long enough they’ll be around to say, “Hah! Told you so!”
Even without a shred of evidence anywhere, it doesn’t stop them from opining and assuring the masses not to worry, it is sure to happen soon and painting a picture to show how it will look and what the fallout would be when it does.
Keep the faith!
Again, waiting for Atlas to trip.
Trying to humble the titan.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 10, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
Because the only right thing to say in their defense is nothing
Two days earlier, their coach told them that they were late if they were merely on time because they need to do more. Then they show up late because of weather when anyone who is actually behaving professionally knows that when the weather forecast is what it was for yesterday, you leave yourself plenty of extra time to get to work by leaving home early.
And if your coach punishes you for not acting like a professional, you shut up and take it. You don’t bitch about it to the media.
Thomas isn’t a football player anymore, he’s a whiny little brat. I hope Belichick deactivates him, at least for Carolina.
totally agree....
i want Chung to be a OLB on 3rd and passing downs cause he will do a better job than AT
Why was Bill's action so important?
It’s not like 4 people were able to make it on time and 57 were late. In that situation, you might commend those that were on time and move on.
Instead, you have 57 guys who prepared for the emergency sitting in a room (one of whom was sleepy from the birth of his son the night before) with a meeting going on as 4 stragglers walk in. I live in Minnesota, where 4 wheel drive is sometimes necessary to make it through the city streets to work in the winter. Guys need a lift, I’ll swing by and grab them. I’ve been in those meetings. Things go through your head: “If I can make it, why can’t they?” “Will the boss do anything?” “Was getting here THAT important?”
Bill answered those questions and made it clear to everyone in the room that their effort is appreciated.
Adalius said that motivation is for kindergarteners, implying, of course, that he is a professional.
The 57 guys that made it were professionals, and are now motivated to stay professional. Adalius hasn’t been motivated since he got here and got paid. This action wasn’t to motivate him. He’s a bust. It’s about the other guys.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 10, 2009 5:18 PM EST reply actions
Also...
…why the hell is AD talking? We already benched him earlier in the season for lack of performance. Now he’s late when everyone needs to STEP UP and arrive early (not 5 minutes early, but put the time in and get there REALLY early) and he wants special treatment?
Hopefully no one cares about AD anymore because he’s gone this off-season.
by Richard Hill on Dec 10, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
Hopefully, we can convince Al Davis that he's fast.
He’d snap him up in a minute if he thought he had a fast 40 time.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 10, 2009 5:36 PM EST up reply actions
As a Raider fan as well (Yeah, Raiders and Colts, now you all understand why I really hate your team)
I am scared Al will take him. His 40 time is good. Back when he was in Baltimore, he was used to cover speedy TE’s all the time (D. Clark, Gates, Gonzalez).
Also, just chalk him up to the ever-growing list of LBs that left Baltimore and immediately sucked without having Ray play next to them. It now reads: Jamie Sharper, Ed Hartwell, Peter Boulware, Adalius and I’m putting my money on Bart Scott joining in as well
EVH+DLR=BFFr........ God I Hope So!!
makes one appreciate Lewis all the more
I was in Bal’mer for the 2000 superbowl run – I’m still convinced that Lewis should have been named MVP of that season. That guy is the most dominant defensive player I’ve ever seen. As your post reflects, he also has that rare ability to raise the level of play of his team. He’s the reason why the Ravens have consistently had great defenses through all these years with different defensive coordinators and changing personnel around him.
Might make people appreciate Bruschi and/or Vrabel a bit more, too
AD got production playing next to Lewis. He also got production playing with Bruschi and Vrabel. When he was asked to step up and take over that Bruschi/Vrabel leadership role… bust.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Dec 11, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions
True
but he was nowhere near the player even in 07-08 that he was in Baltimore. He was a beast in Baltimore. Much having to do with Ray swallowing up running plays, Reed controlling the back end, and the Gregg/Ngata combo sucking on blockers. That was a perfect place for AD to just freelance his way to 9.5 sacks in 2006.
EVH+DLR=BFFr........ God I Hope So!!
Sad
AD just needs to shut up.
Pro athletes should know by now that NOTHING GOOD ever comes from talking dirty laundry with the media.
I would agree that both AT and Burgess should be gone
I remember how excited I was when they signed Thomas back in 2007… he’s been such a disappointment. I can’t imagine we could get much in trade value for him right now. Any idea what kind of salary cap hit we’d take if we cut him?
he signed a 5 yr 35 million (or 30 million) in 2007
what a waste of money during the 2008 and 2009 season
5 years, $35.04M
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/03/04/thomas/index.html
I think I got this right:
Signing bonus of $12 million, which I believe is spread through the cap over the length of the contract.
$8M option bonus paid in 2008, spread through the cap through 2011.
So if he’s cut after this season, that would be 12/5 = $2.4M/year x 2 = $4.8M cap hit for the signing bonus, plus $4M cap hit for the option bonus = $8.8M cap hit for 2010. But I think that can be cut in half, with the other half deferred to 2011, if they wait until June to cut him.
But his cap numbers are $9.4M and $10.4M for the next two years, so the Pats actually save money by dumping his whiny ass.
Then again, isn’t next year going to be uncapped? So if there is no cap, there is no cap hit.
by RSNexile on Dec 11, 2009 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Good point.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Dec 11, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions
And I agree completely...
With what SlotMachinePlayer said about motivation. Bill showed those guys who were on time that he wasn’t going to accept b.s. excuses from people who couldn’t make the commitment to be there on time.
it's clear
the pats struggles can be attributed to the fact that we are paying substantial money to underperformers- number one on the list is adalius thomas- and not even a devils advocate would bother to dispute it
GO PATS
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