National Football League

Pats LB Thomas has no answers about benching

Published Oct. 22, 2009 7:33 a.m. ET

foxsports

Adalius Thomas played in two Pro Bowls as a star with the Baltimore Ravens. Then he signed the biggest contract the New England Patriots ever gave an unrestricted free agent.

The investment seemed sound when the linebacker had two solid seasons and was poised to play a bigger role this year after the Patriots lost two veteran linebackers — Mike Vrabel in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tedy Bruschi to retirement.

But on Wednesday, Thomas faced the possibility of being benched by coach Bill Belichick for the second straight game even though he's healthy.

Does he expect to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in London?

"Ask Bill," Thomas said.

Does he have something to prove to the coaching staff?

"Ask Bill," he said.

Why was he benched in the first place?

"Ask Bill," he said. "He has all the answers."

Bill wasn't saying — in the usual way.

"As we always do," Belichick said, "we'll activate the players that we feel give us the best chance to win this game, whoever those players are."

Thomas started the first five games this year but had just 12 tackles. His lone sack came in the opener.