Patriots Sign Adalius Thomas

The rich are adding to their wealth. The New England Patriots (remember they were in the AFC Championship game) signed one of the most sought-after free agents on the market this off-season by stealing Pro Bowl All-World LB Adalius Thomas from the Baltimore Ravens. What better place for an athlete who can handle practically any defensive position than with the creative Bill Belichick? This is as perfect a fit as there will be in free agency this year. Thomas is coming off his best season (106 tackles, 11 sacks) and is ideally built for the Pats defensive scheme. He lined up at defensive end, linebacker and even defensive back as an anchor in Baltimore’s top-rated D. And at 270 pounds, that’s no small fete. He can play anywhere — and he will — when he suits-up in New England.

If you’re a Raven fan, you’re left wondering how you lose perhaps your best player. Of all the stars on that team’s defense last season, I would claim Adalius Thomas and Ed Reed as my most valuable players. Adalius Thomas would have certainly been a priority in my off-season plans. Other important free agent signings included:

• The scrappy Jeff Garcia, signed by the Bucs, will try to pick up where he left off in Philadelphia. The Eagles took their chances that Donovan McNabb will be back at 100% and let Garcia go to Tampa where he will compete for the starting job alongside Chris Simms and maybe Jake Plummer if he doesn’t retire. The Bucs obtained the rights to Plummer from Denver.
• Fred Smoot is on his way back to Washington after two tumultuous seasons in Minnesota. Smoot had off-the-field issues, a variety of injuries on it, and eventually lost his starting spot alongside Antoine Winfield to rookie Cedric Griffin. The Vikes weren’t too upset about letting him go.