The biggest story prior to the start of Sunday's record setting win against the Tennessee Titans was the fact that veteran linebacker Adalius Thomas had been benched for the game.
Thomas, who according to published reports wasn't at the stadium and sources say was less than pleased about it, was reportedly benched due to "performance-related issues" - although Belichick told reporters after the game it was more due to having the best personnel on the field.
When asked by reporters after the game if there was a personal issue with Thomas, Belichick said, "No, we just went with the players that would have a bigger role in the game."
His comments and tone were telling, and it's going to be interesting to see how this whole thing unfolds. Looking at the numbers, through five games Thomas' production has already waned compared to where he was even at this point last season, and it's hardly the type of play one would have expected from a player who signed a 5-year deal back in March of 2007 that was reportedly worth $35 million. Granted he's coming back from a broken arm, but so far he's seemed out of position and must have done something wrong to cause Belichick to sit him down.
Here is a look at the numbers from 2008 through the first 5 Games
Week | Solo | Assist | Tackle for a Loss | QB Hit | Passes Defensed | Sacks |
| Week 1 | 4 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 1 |
| Week 2 | 3 | - | 1 | 1 | - | 1 |
| Week 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | - |
| Week 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Week 5 | 2 | - | - | 1 | - | - |
| TOTALS | 15 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
Here is a look at the numbers from 2009 through the first 5 games of this year
Week | Solo | Assist | Tackle for a Loss | QB Hit | Passes Defensed | Sacks |
| Week 1 | 4 | 1 | - | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Week 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Week 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Week 4 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Week 5 | - | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| TOTALS | 10 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
So draw your own conclusions. But just by looking at where he is so far this season, obviously Belichick isn't pleased and it remains to be seen what he'll really need to do to prove his worth before we'll see him back out on the field.
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