"Adalius Thomas was not with the Patriots yesterday for the start of the team's offseason program, based on an e-mail the linebacker sent last night to the Herald.

Many expect the linebacker, who was at odds with coach Bill Belichick last season, will be released soon. Thomas disputed the notion, however, that he has a grand desire to play for the New York Jets, as recently described by Jets linebacker Bart Scott. Thomas claimed he never made any such intentions known to his former Ravens teammate.

"I've heard of all the chatter up there about me," Thomas wrote. "It was about something Bart Scott said on TV, (and) that's not what was said . . . I have never told anyone that I wanted to leave and go play for the Jets.""