Adalius Thomas

- New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas acknowledges without hesitation that this has been the most trying season of his 10-year career, marred by a public run-in with coach Bill Belichick and his least productive statistics since he was a rookie. But when presented with a hypothetical mulligan regarding his 2007 free agency choice as his current team prepares to face his former squad in the Ravens, he says he wouldn't change a thing. "I'm fine with how it turned out," Thomas said.

As the Ravens work on their coverage units this week, they might want to heed some advice from former special teams ace Bennie Thompson . Throughout his 11-year career (1989 to 1999), Thompson was one of the NFL's best. He even had his own special fan club in Baltimore from 1996 to 1999. He later was a special teams assistant under former Ravens head coach Brian Billick . Thompson still lives in Baltimore, and watches Ravens games, including that 84-yard punt returned for a touchdown by Cleveland's Josh Cribbs Saturday.

The number of customers rooting for the Baltimore Ravens is evenly matched with the number cheering for the Washington Redskins at Michael's Pub in the Kings Contrivance Village Center, according to owner Shane Curtis. The ratio should be expected, considering Columbia sits almost midway between the two cities. On Thursday evenings, however, there isn't much diversity - it's almost all purple and black. "It's definitely Ravens Country on Thursdays in here," Curtis said. For the past three years, Ravens fans have filled Michael's Pub on Thursday evenings to listen to and participate in a live radio broadcast - this season with ESPN 1300's Anita Marks and Ravens linebacker Adalius Thomas.

Fifteen years ago, the Ravens selected UCLA offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and Miami linebacker Ray Lewis -- the two best players in franchise history -- in the first round of their first draft in Baltimore. Since then, the Ravens have continued to find productive players in the NFL draft, especially with their first-round selections. With the Ravens set to add another draft class to the record books at this week's NFL draft, now is a good time to look at the best draft picks in team history.

There is only one Adalius Thomas. Literally. Final cuts Ravens retain seven cornerbacks, seven running backs. PG 10D

Adalius Thomas is a free agent after this season. Apparently, his agent and the Ravens are negotiating, but they're fairly far apart. The Ravens could franchise Thomas, but do they franchise him as an outside linebacker or defensive end? Technically, he would make the average salary of the top five players at his position, and probably would make more as an end. mike.preston@baltsun.com For more Ravens Central, go to baltimoresun.com/ravenscentral

Last week, we asked who the Ravens should start at wide receiver. The results: All three, 51.3 percent (1,281 votes) Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton, 21.5 percent (275 votes) Mason and Demetrius Williams, 20.5 percent (263 votes) Clayton and Williams, 6.7 percent (86 votes) This week's question: Which former Raven is most deserving to go on the Ring of Honor at M&T Bank Stadium when his career is over? A. Jamal Lewis B. Adalius Thomas C. Edwin Mulitalo D. Vinny Testaverde To vote, go to baltimoresun.

On the brink of ending a two-year postseason drought, the Ravens know their playoff fever likely isn't fleeting this time. With just four starters projected to become free agents - linebacker Adalius Thomas, running back Jamal Lewis, offensive tackle Tony Pashos and fullback Ovie Mughelli - the Ravens have the potential to keep this team nearly intact and make a similar run next season. Ravens@Chiefs Next Sunday, 1 p.m., Ch. 13, 1090 AM, 97.9 FM Ravens' free agents The Ravens are scheduled to have seven unrestricted free agents and three restricted ones in March: Unrestricted --OLB Adalius Thomas, OT Tony Pashos, FB Ovie Mughelli, DE Jarret Johnson, RB Musa Smith, FS Gerome Sapp, DT Aubrayo Franklin.

Idaho (8-3) vs.Southern Mississippi (7-4)When: Today, 3 p.m.Where: Boise, IdahoTV: ESPN2Line: Southern Mississippi by 16 1/2Series record: Idaho leads 1-0Outlook: The Vandals, in their third season in Division I-A, use a West Coast offense featuring freshman QB John Welsh and senior RB Joel Thomas (1,229 yards rushing, 16 TDs). The unit ranks 19th in the nation in total offense (444 ypg). Southern Mississippi lost to national powers Penn State, Texas A&M and Alabama, along with unbeaten Tulane.

On expectations for the Ravens next season We'll have a team capable of winning 13 games, but we'll finish third and win nine. Not as many things will go right, plus injuries and a tougher schedule, and there's a reason that the only teams that make the playoffs every year are in bad divisions. Assuming the loss of [Adalius Thomas], I would say 10-6, but could also see 7-9. I am not really sure there is much of a difference between a 7-9 team and a 9-7 team. Forget the record. My expectations are to make the playoffs any way we can and put up a better showing in the playoffs.

In what I hope will become a Friday staple at Baltimore Sports Blitz, I’ll give you a top-five list for a Baltimore sports-related category to discuss. I'm feeling drafty this week, so let's tackle the best draft picks in Ravens history. Scanning through The Baltimore Sun’s Ravens draft pick database this morning, I realized this one was going to be a lot tougher than I initially thought. The Ravens have had a bunch of great players over the years, Pro Bowl players such as Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Jamal Lewis, Ed Reed, Chris McAlister, Peter Boulware and Haloti Ngata.

Here's a look at where selected Ravens players are now: Sam Adams: Owned National Indoor Football League franchises in Cincinnati and Everett, Wash., before giving up control in 2007 Robert Bailey: President of Rosenhaus Sports Representation Orlando Bobo: Died of heart and liver failure at age 33 in 2007 Peter Boulware: Member of the State Board of Education in Florida O.J. Brigance: Ravens senior adviser to player development Cornell Brown: Defensive line coach for Calgary Stampeders (Canadian Football League)

Numbers don't do him justice. In an understated NFL career, what you get with Jarret Johnson is more than the sum of his parts. Give the Ravens linebacker a hard hat and a ball-carrier, and you have a tackle waiting to happen. Johnson has 250 tackles in 52 regular-season games since inheriting, in 2007, the position held by Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas. He has 10½ sacks in his last 28 games, two interceptions in his last seven games. Not bad for a player who started in the NFL as an undersized defensive tackle, then moved out to a play-making position on the edge of one of the best defenses in the league.

The New England Patriots on Monday released former Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas, who joined the team as a high-profile free agent in 2007 but fell into disfavor with coach Bill Belichick last season. The decision, announced by the team on Monday, leaves Thomas, 32, free to sign with any other NFL team. His agent, Bus Cook, did not immediately return a phone message. The linebacker signed a five-year, $35 million deal with the Patriots after seven seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, where he played alongside Ray Lewis.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas acknowledges without hesitation that this has been the most trying season of his 10-year career, marred by a public run-in with coach Bill Belichick and his least productive statistics since he was a rookie. But when presented with a hypothetical mulligan regarding his 2007 free agency choice as his current team prepares to face his former squad in the Ravens, he says he wouldn't change a thing. "I'm fine with how it turned out," Thomas said.

Derrick Mason flashed a big grin when talking about a pressure-filled second half of the season. With only eight games remaining in the regular season - and perhaps his career - the veteran wide receiver expressed unexpected excitement as the Ravens sit at the crossroads of their season. Their 4-4 mark at the midway point of the football calendar might be cause for concern for some teams. A second-half schedule that includes a showdown with the undefeated Indianapolis Colts and two meetings with the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers might lead to some anxious faces in the locker room.

Minutes after the Ravens' 27-26 comeback victory over the Tennessee Titans on Nov. 12, linebacker Adalius Thomas - who made eight tackles and a sack despite a jammed finger - took a welcome hot shower, dried himself off and prepared to get dressed. But rather than wrap his weary, 6-foot-2, 270-pound frame in, say, a long-sleeved polo shirt and sweat pants, Thomas meticulously dressed in a sharp-looking gray suit with a blue shirt, blue-and-gray tie and blue alligator shoes. Ravens@Chiefs Sunday, 1 p.m., Ch. 13, 1090 AM, 97.9 FM Line: Chiefs by 3

Adalius Thomas hasn't worn a Ravens jersey in three years, but there are times when his former teammates can still envision the linebacker - who now plays for the New England Patriots - running on their side of the line. "I always wish he was on my team," Ravens free safety Ed Reed said Wednesday. "We don't have that multitalented guy moving around on our field like we used to." Outside linebacker-defensive end Terrell Suggs conceded that he misses Thomas. "He was like my mentor when I got here, he and Bart [Scott]