Bryan Thomas (American football)

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Bryan Thomas

Thomas in 2009.
No. --     Free agent
Linebacker / Defensive End
Personal information
Date of birth: (1979-06-07) June 7, 1979
Place of birth: Birmingham, Alabama
Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)Weight: 265 lb (120 kg)
Career information
High school: Adamsville (AL) Minor
College: Alabama–Birmingham
NFL Draft: 2002 / Round: 1 / Pick: 22
Debuted in 2002 for the New York Jets
Career history
Career NFL statistics as of 2012
Tackles 442
Sacks 33.5
Forced Fumbles 7
Interceptions 0
Stats at NFL.com

Bryan Thomas (born June 7, 1979) is an American football linebacker and defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jets 22nd overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Early life

Thomas was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he played college football for the UAB Blazers.

Professional career

2002 NFL Draft

The 6'4" Thomas had an impressive combine performance that elevated him from a mid-second round pick to the first round.[1]

Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP
6 ft 4½ in 266 lb 4.47 s 4.01 s 35 in 33 reps
All values from NFL Combine[2]

New York Jets

2002 season

Thomas played 15 games in his rookie year of 2002 collecting a half-sack and 5 total tackles.

2003 season

Thomas played all 16 games (10 started) in 2003 with a sack, 3 passes defended, one fumble recovery, and 26 total tackles.

2004 season

Thomas played in 14 games (6 started) of the 2004 season with 1.5 sacks, a pass defended, and 28 total tackles.

2005 season

Playing 16 games (4 starts) of the 2005 season, Thomas has 3.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, and 25 total tackles

2006 season

Thomas led the New York Jets in sacks with 8.5 sacks. This was his breakout season playing as an outside linebacker with new head coach Eric Mangini. At the end of the 2006 season, Thomas was awarded a new contract.

2007 season

In 2007, Thomas reverted to the disappointing play that had previously been the hallmark of his career. This raised concerns that Thomas was a "one year wonder" or a "contract year" player. In particular, comments made by Thomas during the 2007 season where he said he had not thought it necessary to "continue to work to improve" left many Jets fans extremely concerned. Overall, Thomas finished the 2007 season with 2.5 sacks, one pass defended, a forced fumble, and 39 total tackles.

2008 season

Thomas had a mediocre 2008 season as he collected 5.5 sacks, one pass defended, 2 forced fumbles (1 recovery), and 38 total tackles.

2009 season

Thomas collected 2 sacks, one pass defended, 2 fumble recoveries, and 41 total tackles. He led the Jets into the playoffs until the team lost in the AFC Championship to the Indianapolis Colts.

2010 season

In 2010, Thomas changed his jersey number to 58. He collected 6 sacks, one pass defended, a fumble recovery, and 31 total tackles. He led the Jets to the playoffs for the second season in a row but lost the AFC Championship to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2011 season

Thomas did not play long during the 2011 season as he suffered a torn Achilles tendon on October 2, 2011, which knocked him out for the rest of the season. Overall, he recorded 10 total tackles and one pass defended in 4 games played.

2012 season

Thomas was released by the Jets on September 22, 2012 after suffering a hamstring injury.[3] Two days later, the Jets re-signed him.[4] Thomas finished the 2012 season with 2.5 sacks, one pass defended, and 18 total tackles. Thomas was released after the season was over.

References

  1. Battista, Judy (April 21, 2002). "Jets Hold Off on Cornerback And Opt for a Defensive End". New York Times. 
  2. "Bryan Thomas profile". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2009-05-28. 
  3. Orr, Conor (22 September 2012). "Jets release veteran OLB Bryan Thomas". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2012. 
  4. Orr, Conor (24 September 2012). "Bryan Thomas, re-signed by Jets, said he was upset after being cut". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012. 

External links

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