HEADLINES

Andrew Thomas

AFC East Rumors: Patriots, Brady, Jets

March 3rd, 2020 at 12:42pm CST by Zachary Links

As speculation continues to swirl around Tom Brady, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston offers up an assuring and expected update for Patriots fans. No one knows what the quarterback will do when free agency begins, but the two sides are still in communication with each other. They’ve yet to meet, but texts are still being exchanged and head coach Bill Belichick has been among those in contact with the future Hall of Famer.

One source who spoke with Curran dismissed the notion that Brady has mentally divorced himself from the Pats.

“Of course not. There’s an attachment there. You can’t be someplace for 20 years and not have an attachment,” the anonymous source said. “That’s just not who he is.”

Brady will listen closely to the Patriots’ pitch, Curran writes, and he expects them to pinpoint all of the comforts they offer against the backdrop of the unknown that he might find elsewhere.

“Wherever he goes, there won’t be one guy who knows what he wants done and how he wants it done,” one league source said. “Is he going to coach the receivers coach on how to coach the receivers? Or coach the offensive coordinator? There’s a million things.”

While we wait for Brady’s next move, here’s a look at more from the AFC East:

  • In his latest mock draft, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has the Jets taking Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas. Some expect the Jets to target a wide receiver at No. 11 overall, but league sources tell Miller that the Joe Douglas-led front office will not seek a WR in the first round. Thomas, meanwhile, can solve the Jets’ most glaring need and protect Sam Darnold at the left tackle spot.
  • Patriots special teams ace Justin Bethel had surgery to repair a shoulder issue that had been bothering him, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. The good news is that Bethel should be good to go for the start of the season. The Pats may need the former Raven on hand since several special teams stalwarts – including Matthew Slater and Nate Ebner – are slated to reach free agency later this month.
  • Could Josh Norman reunite with his old friends from Carolina? Earlier this week, Bills GM Brandon Beane said that he’s talked with the veteran cornerback.

Georgia OL Andrew Thomas To Enter Draft

December 17th, 2019 at 2:33pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The 2020 NFL Draft just picked up another top prospect. Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas will forego his final season of college eligibility and enter the draft, he announced on Twitter.

Thomas is considered a surefire first-round pick, and is regarded by many as a potential top-ten selection. Viewed by many as the top offensive line prospect in the draft, there are many teams that could use his services. Fellow top offensive line prospect Mekhi Becton declared for the draft yesterday. Thomas announced that he won’t be playing in the Sugar Bowl, so he’ll begin preparing for the draft immediately.

Thomas became an instant starter as a true freshman with the Bulldogs and never looked back, racking up countless accolades along the way. He won the SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy for being the conference’s best blocker, and was also a first-team All-SEC selection. The Jets are one of several teams in need of a new left tackle, and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets that “there will be a lot of chatter over the next four months about Thomas and the Jets.”