Adalius Thomas

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Adalius Thomas (born July 18, 1977 in Equality, Alabama) is a starting Outside Linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens.

[edit] College career

Adalius Thomas attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was a prolific defensive player. In college he wore #97. In the 1998-99 season, Thomas was a First Team All-American and tied for Defensive Player of the Year. Thomas was also the MVP of the 1999 Liberty Bowl. The 2000 Senior Bowl was Thomas's final college game.

[edit] Professional career

Adalius Thomas was predicted as a third round draft pick in the 2000 draft. However, Thomas was not drafted until the sixth round(pick #186) by the Baltimore Ravens, for whom he wears #96. Many NFL scouts were shocked by his late drafting.

Nonetheless, Thomas was slow to make an impact for the Ravens great defense. Competing with two outstanding defenders in Peter Boulware and Michael McCrary, he made 89 tackles in his first three years.

However, in the 2003 season Thomas' superb special teams play was noticed and he received his first and only Pro-Bowl nod as a starter on special teams. He registered 34 tackles (23 of them on special teams) 8 passes defended, 4 sacks and a forced fumble.

Until the 2004 season, he remained a back-up Linebacker. Beside that fact, he began to shine despite the adversity and was put into games more frequently. In that season, he amassed 72 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 5 passes defended, an interception and 8 sacks.

Thomas's finest year to date came in the 2005 season. With Peter Boulware relegated to a strict pass-rusher, Thomas was named the starting Left Outside Linebacker. He accumulated 84 total tackles and 9 sacks, his prowess on the field was soon felt. In the absence of Ray Lewis, Thomas had to step up as the leader of the Ravens Squad. In the '05 season, Thomas became the first ever player to play all 5 defensive positions (DE, OLB, MLB, Safety, and CB) in not one game, but three.

Despite the fantastic numbers Thomas accumulated this year, he did not receive a single vote for defensive player of the year, even though he led the league in defensive touchdowns (3), and his 9 sacks were 2nd best by a linebacker; Thomas also forced 4 fumbles. He was also left out from the 2005 AFC pro bowl squad, proving that his name should be added to the players who are underrated severely.

[edit] Player Stats

Thomas is 6'2", 276 lbs, a 6 yr pro, has 288 tackles and 27.5 sacks.