"The Patriots defense has always been a challenge for rookies to grasp. They’re not alone. Don’t think for a minute it’s a snap for veterans to pick up.

Sure, it may be a bit easier for the experienced players to work with, but it’s certainly no picnic.

Here’s the one constant: The more time spent learning all the intricacies and nuances of coach Bill Belichick’s 3-4 alignment, and the more time spent playing in the system, the more comfortable the players become. That’s why most experts are predicting bigger and better things from linebacker Adalius Thomas this season.

After a year learning the defense from the inside, then the outside after Rosevelt Colvin suffered a broken foot, Thomas is back for a second crack at it. This time around, Thomas will likely be playing at outside linebacker, where he is more comfortable.

The Patriots made a big splash in the free agent pool in 2007, when they spent $35 million to sign Thomas away from the Ravens with a five-year deal. While he did look great in spurts last season, he wasn’t quite the impact player that had been advertised upon arrival.

Playing in his more natural position on the outside, which is where he seems headed based upon this week’s handful of training camp practices, Thomas could very well bust out in an impressive way.

He appears to be more at ease in his second Pats camp.

“It’s a lot easier for me now,” Thomas said. “You know everybody. You kind of know the system - for the most part. There’s a lot less nervous energy, I would say.”

A heightened comfort level should benefit the linebacker.

“I think it’ll help a lot,” he said. “You can play a lot faster from the get-go. It’s not like you’re starting from scratch all over again. As the season wore on last year, I think I got more comfortable with plays where you just react, instead of think. Now, it’s just all about getting better every day, working hard at it and moving forward.”

During his session with the media, Belichick spoke about the element of playing faster when it came to Brandon Meriweather, who is also in his second season with the Pats after playing as a rookie in 2007. Once a player is confident in the dynamics of the system he’s playing and knows its ins and outs, it allows him to play faster, quicker and be more aggressive. What Belichick said while talking about Meriweather also applies to Thomas.

Perhaps it was no accident Thomas’ best game was the Super Bowl, where he was a force on the edge. He registered two sacks in the loss to the New York Giants.

Thomas’ biggest goals heading into this season are to learn the plays and be confident in the system, because those were areas that needed the most improvement."