Adalius Thomas Ready To Jet To New York?

New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott went on ESPN's Mike & Mike morning show on Tuesday and said that New England Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas was ready to come to the Jets if he's released from the Patriots. All signs point toward that happening. 

As a result, it looks like a reunion of Scott, Thomas, and Jets head coach Rex Ryan is on the horizon. 

“It’s funny,” Scott said. “I was hanging with Adalius Thomas for Super Bowl weekend. We’re buddies from back in the day. He made it public that he’s expressed an interest in joining Rex. I think some of his better years of his career have been a part of the Ravens defense and under Rex Ryan’s tutelage. It’ll be exciting.”

Scott and Thomas played together from 2002-2006 when they were with the Baltimore Ravens. The pair combined for 362 tackles and 33.5 sacks in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Rex Ryan served as their defensive coordinator for the run that had the Ravens ranked fifth and then first in total defense those years—Thomas became a two-time All-Pro. 

Some time has passed since then, but adding him still makes a lot of sense for New York. He would help bolster an already strong linebacker core, and if used properly the 32-year-old is still capable of solid production. As a pass rushing specialist in Rex Ryan's blitz-heave scheme, Thomas could excel in spot duty.

The Patriots are expected to release the 270-pound linebacker on March 5 at the start of the 2010 free agency period. Cutting him would save them $4.9 million in base salary, and a trade is unlikely. New England won't be able to find a taker for the struggling veteran. 

They'll have no choice but to let him walk straight into the arms of his old buddies. Ryan and Scott will be glad to welcome him to New York. Once he straps on a Jets helmet and gets on the field, he'll show the fans he can still ball too.