Thomas, one of four players Belichick sent home Wednesday for arriving late, said he believes he acted appropriately and “there’s nothing to really apologize about.’’
Thomas believes the weather gave him - along with Randy Moss, Derrick Burgess, and Gary Guyton, the three other disciplined players - a valid reason for not arriving on time. Thomas got stuck in traffic caused by snow.
Thomas said he nearly got into an accident and he notified the Patriots that he would be late. In the past, Thomas said, calling ahead to explain a tardy arrival was accepted. When he arrived at “8:09 or something like that,’’ Thomas said, Belichick told him to leave the facility for the day.
“I mean, I could have been in the ditch,’’ Thomas said. “They really don’t give a damn, honestly. Hey, as long as you ain’t in the meeting, they really don’t give a [expletive]. So, that’s how I feel.’’
Thomas traveled by himself, but said one of the other three players was present when Belichick ejected him. Thomas still could not understand why yesterday, and he used both defiance and humor to make his point.
“There’s one thing about Mother Nature - you can’t control that,’’ Thomas said. “You can’t run people over getting to work. There’s nothing to apologize about. I wasn’t trying to be late.
“You leave home, there are people there, cars sitting in the road, you’re sitting there, what are you gonna do? It’s not the Jetsons. I can’t jump up and fly.’’
Belichick could have pointed to the roughly 50 Patriots who found a way to arrive on time. According to one Patriot, Belichick gathered the team at the end of Wednesday’s practice and told them, “It’s not summer anymore. It’s New England in December. Plan accordingly. An 8 a.m. meeting is still an 8 a.m. meeting.’’
This marks the second time Thomas and Belichick have opposed one another this season. Against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6, Belichick made Thomas inactive even though Thomas was healthy.
Thomas has 28 tackles and three sacks this year. His season has been “real frustrating,’’ he said.
“But it is what it is. That’s one thing about being a professional. It’s good things and it’s bad things. It’s just not a good time.
