Adalius Thomas Adalius Donquail Thomas ( ; born July 18 , 1977 ) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent . He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft . He played college football at Southern Mississippi . Early years . Thomas attended Central Coosa High School in Rockford , Alabama and was a letterman in football and basketball . In football , as a senior , he was named as a Class 4A All - State selection by the Birmingham News and as an Honorable Mention Class 4A All - State selection by the Montgomery Advertiser . In basketball , as a senior , he led his team to the State Title and was named the Alabama Class 4A Player of the Year . College career . Thomas attended the University of Southern Mississippi , where he was a star defensive end for head coach Jeff Bower . Thomas led one of the top defenses in college football , notching Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors his junior and senior years . The Golden Eagles won three Conference USA championships ( 1996 , 1997 , and 1999 ) in his four years in Hattiesburg , losing only two conference games and winning two Liberty Bowls . Thomas was named a Freshman All - American by the Sporting News in 1996 , leading the Golden Eagles to an 8 - 3 record and a share of the Conference USA title . Southern Miss finished 9 - 3 in Thomas ' sophomore season , en route to a Conference USA Championship and a victory in the Liberty Bowl . Thomas was named to the All - Conference first team . Statistically speaking , Thomas ' best season came in 1998 , when he tallied 71 tackles , in addition to a conference - high 12 . 5 sacks and 20 tackles - for - loss . Thomas was named a first team All - American and tied for Defensive Player of the Year . Thomas earned third - team All - American and Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior , in addition to being named the MVP of the 1999 Liberty Bowl . He was also named as a finalist for the Conerly Trophy . Thomas was also a power forward on the Golden Eagles ' basketball team in the 1995 – 96 and 1996 – 97 seasons , making him the first player in USM history to play both football and basketball . Professional career . Baltimore Ravens . Thomas was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round ( 186th overall ) in the 2000 NFL Draft . Competing with Peter Boulware and Michael McCrary for playing time , Thomas made only 89 tackles in his first three years . He was inactive for 12 games in his rookie season , but played in all 16 games in the 2001 season , starting two at defensive end . In 2002 , he started 12 games at defensive end , recording two interceptions as well as 15 special teams tackles . In 2003 , Thomas was recognized for his special teams play and was selected to his first Pro Bowl . That year , he registered 34 tackles , 8 passes defended , 4 sacks , and a forced fumble . He was placed on injured reserve by the Ravens on December 17 , but still led the team with 23 special teams tackles . In 2004 , Thomas started all 16 games for the first time in his career . While still collecting 16 special teams tackles , he amassed 72 tackles , 4 forced fumbles , 5 passes defended , an interception and 8 sacks . In 2005 , with Boulware relegated to situational pass - rush duty , Thomas was named the starting outside linebacker , where he accumulated 84 total tackles and 9 sacks . He also saw limited time at cornerback during that season . He had two interceptions on the year and three forced fumbles ; he returned three turnovers for touchdowns , making him the NFL ' s leader in non - offensive touchdowns that season . Thomas earned his second Pro Bowl bid in 2006 as part of a Ravens defense that finished first in the league en route to a 13 – 3 record . He was a first - team All - Pro after setting a career - high with 106 tackles and 11 sacks , as well as notching 1 INT , 1 safety , 7 passes defensed , and 1 fumble recovery returned 57 yards for a touchdown . It proved to be , without a doubt , his finest season as a pro . New England Patriots . On March 3 , 2007 , Thomas signed a 5 - year contract with the New England Patriots worth $ 35 million , including $ 20 million in guaranteed money . After the move , Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told Thomas that he had " backed up the Brink ' s truck " to pay him . Thomas played mainly at inside linebacker in the Patriots ' 3 - 4 defense in 2007 , rotating with veterans Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau . As the Patriots progressed though an undefeated 2007 regular season , Thomas handed out " humble pie " t - shirts to his teammates in the locker room , echoing ' s Belichick ' s message of staying humble after each win . After a season - ending injury to outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin in late November , Thomas started the remainder of the season and eventually Super Bowl XLII at outside linebacker . In that game , Thomas had a postseason - high two sacks and a forced fumble . Thomas continued to start at outside linebacker for the Patriots in 2008 . He led the team with five sacks until suffering a season - ending arm injury in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills . He was placed on injured reserve on December 5 . In 2009 , Thomas began the season on the active list ; however , he was deactivated for the October 18 game against the Tennessee Titans . Recording one sack on the season to that point , Thomas was asked by the press if he used the decision by Belichick as motivation to perform better . He responded " I don ' t need something like this to fire me up . This isn ' t kindergarten . I don ' t play [ those ] games . " Thomas was one of four Patriots sent home as a result of being late for a morning meeting on a snowy Wednesday morning prior to the Patriots ' Week 14 matchup against the Carolina Panthers . The next day , Thomas told the press that he called the team saying that he was stuck in traffic but was still sent home upon arriving . He also continued to question the perceived motivational aspect of the decision , saying " Motivation is for kindergartners . I ' m not a kindergartner . " He was again deactivated for the game against the Panthers , but started the Patriots ' Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills . Thomas finished the 2009 season with 11 starts in 14 games played , recording 34 tackles and three sacks . Thomas was released by the Patriots on April 26 , 2010 , one day after the 2010 NFL Draft .