BOSTON (AP) – Adalius Thomas loves to joke around, just like the brash defensive coordinator he played for with the Ravens.
Unlike Rex Ryan, though, the Patriots linebacker isn’t shooting barbs at other members of the AFC East.
Ryan, the new coach of the New York Jets, already has tweaked New England coach Bill Belichick and Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder. So what does Thomas think of the coach whose style he saw up close in Baltimore?
“It’s funny,” he said Thursday, his usual wide smile creasing his face. “It’s something that you normally don’t see in the media in June so it’s something you (reporters) really jump all over and really go from New York to Miami and then come here with it and expect me to pour gas on it.
“No,” he said with a laugh, “no thank you.”
Ryan was a defensive coach in all seven of Thomas’ seasons with the Ravens, the last two as coordinator. Thomas joined the Patriots as a free agent in May 2007, but missed much of last season with a broken right forearm that he says is “fine” now.
The Jets hired Ryan after firing the relatively humorless Eric Mangini. Last week, the son of Buddy Ryan, an outspoken defensive coordinator himself with the Chicago Bears when they beat the Patriots 46-10 in the 1986 Super Bowl, opened his mouth.
He said in a radio interview that he “never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings” and said he wasn’t intimidated by the coach who led the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships this decade.
After Ryan expressed confidence in his team during organized team activities, Crowder said sarcastically that Ryan must be excited because he’s a first time head coach and that he won the OTA Super Bowl.
“I don’t know this Channing Crowder,” Ryan said without being prompted. “All I know is that he’s all tatted up, so I guess I ought to be nervous about him.” Crowder responded: “If he wants to be prepared, shouldn’t he know the starting middle linebackers of his division rival?”
Belichick, typically, refused to be baited by Ryan’s comments.
“I have a lot of respect for Rex,” he said Wednesday. “We’ve always had great battles with the Jets, so I’m sure that will continue. It’s a good rivalry.”
Patriots release Pass
The New England Patriots have released running back Patrick Pass a week after signing him.
Pass was cut Thursday, ending his bid to stick with the team he played for from 2000-2006 as a backup. He was released after the 2006 season, played one game with the New York Giants in 2007 and then dropped out of football.
Pass called coach Bill Belichick last Wednesday, had a workout, and signed. He played as a running back and blocking back in his previous stint.
with the Patriots and started at fullback in their 2005 Super Bowl win over Philadelphia.
Pass was one of only seven current Patriots who were on all three of New England’s Super Bowl champion teams.
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