AD talks, says he called in advance that he would be late, watched film at home

[eagle eye]

You guys all need to stop really. Its a very childish argument.

Anything can happen at anytime, being late by 9 minutes on one occasion is no big deal. We don't know if this is the first time they have been late, we don't know what exactly transpired traffic wise to make them late on that particular day.
Just leave it alone, talk about the man's comments all you want, and for me there is nothing in his comments other than him having a sense of humour.

 

[BradyManny]

Umm.. The likelihood of Brady hitting traffic on 93/95 between 4:30 and 6:00 is next to none. Sorry.

As I have stated, since no one actually knows the truth, how can everyone have their panties in a wad? People need to get over it. Sh!T happens.. Deal with it and move on.

As Reiss said 57/61 players made it there on time. That's all you need to know.

Besides, if you have an 8AM meeting at work, you do not show up at 8AM. You should show up at least half hour early. And that's not just football, that's how it is at any job. And if you expect weather to be a factor, you build time in on top of that.

No excuses for AD - sure, anyone could sympathize with the situation, but he has to shut his mouth and accept responsibility, not blame his boss. No one is getting on the other three guys b/c they have kept their mouths shut.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Umm.. The likelihood of Brady hitting traffic on 93/95 between 4:30 and 6:00 is next to none. Sorry.

As I have stated, since no one actually knows the truth, how can everyone have their panties in a wad? People need to get over it. Sh!T happens.. Deal with it and move on.

You haven't lived here recently, or perhaps you disremember how things work here. Sections of 95 S stretching from Waltham on have been under overnight construction for several weeks now. 8PM to 6AM. And the potential for a snow and ice event to impact the Wednesday AM commute had been the talk of the day since Monday, when Bill also told the players they needed to be in early and stay late to show a committment to improving and winning down the stretch.

 

[DaBruinz]

That is not true. Guyton, Moss, and Burgess all disappeared during the media availability period in the locker room on their day back. If players don't want to talk, they find something else to do (get treatment, lift, etc.). AD's had an axe to grind with BB since October 18th. He questioned him after he was deactivated. He questioned his 4th down call in Indy. He's questioning him now.

You're right. They don't have to talk. However, if they duck the media too much, they get a warning from the league about it. As does the team. I can remember Moss getting warned about it for failing to show up for a conference call.

You've said this before and I guess you can see it. What I saw was that Thomas just answered the questions truthfully. If that has become an offense that is punishable by being run out of town by the fans, then why the hell are we even here talking about the team?

 

[BradyManny]

You guys all need to stop really. Its a very childish argument.

Anything can happen at anytime, being late by 9 minutes on one occasion is no big deal. We don't know if this is the first time they have been late, we don't know what exactly traspired traffic wise to make them late on that particular day.
Just leave it alone, talk about the man's comments all you want, and for me there is nothing in his comments other than him having a sense of humour.

Again, he was 9 minutes late to the MEETING - he should've been at work earlier. You don't just waltz into work as a meeting is starting.

It's not a huge deal except BB made it a point of emphasis AND Adalius won't accept responsibility.

 

[DaBruinz]

You guys all need to stop really. Its a very childish argument.

Anything can happen at anytime, being late by 9 minutes on one occasion is no big deal. We don't know if this is the first time they have been late, we don't know what exactly transpired traffic wise to make them late on that particular day.
Just leave it alone, talk about the man's comments all you want, and for me there is nothing in his comments other than him having a sense of humour.

FINALLY, someone else with some sense.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Why the hell do you insist on harpiong on a friggin hypothetical? Also, there are other roads than Rt. 1 that a person can drive in N. Attleboro. And no, not a lot of other guys would, necessarily, have been late if there had been an accident. Would you actually read what is posted isn't of spouting off without thinking?

You're the one that keeps bringing up traffic accidents as a reason why someone could justifiably be late. How about this: you list the reasons, in order, and I'll respond to each of them in a way that completely invalidates them. I know that you won't take the time to do this, since it would completely blow whatever flimsy case you're trying to make out of the water, but it would be a fun little exercise.

I swear. You people need to get a clue. I gave ONE possibility. I also gave an example of how traffic can change quickly and how 1 person can be affected and one wouldn't be. What the hell is so hard for you people to grasp?

Ever heard of occam's razor? Guyton and Burgess both admitted that being late was within their control and their fault. So either Thomas was the one and only guy to get totally screwed over by the traffic, or he just didn't leave early enough.

Jesus, get the hell over yourselves. You act like you've never had outside influences cause you to be late or cause a change or anything.

I've never been late for something that was as important to me as this practice should have been to Thomas. When it's extremely important that I be on time, and I don't have an appointment directly preceding it (which Adalius obviously didn't, since this is the beginning of the day) I've been known to show up 45 minutes to an hour early. In the real world, that's what professionals do. And for what he's being paid, Thomas should be a professional.

You're all sh!t stinks just like AD's. You are no better so what gives you the right to sh!t on him because he was late?

Well that's the thing- four guys were late. Do you see the other 3 getting crap for it? No, because they manned up and took responsibility for their actions. Most errors are forgivable if you react to them maturely and constructively, and Adalius would do very well to learn that. Instead he whined about how Belichick wouldn't have even cared if he had ended up in a ditch, which is the kind of dumbass thing that I might have said when I was 15, but wouldn't even think of saying to an authority figure in the workplace. Even dating back to when I was a high school kid working a crappy minimum-wage job, it wouldn't even have occurred to me to be such an immature d-bag.

Of course, I can't say I'm surprised that you're taking up the cause of a whiny, self-important egotist who can't figure out when to let it go and act like an adult.

 

[DaBruinz]

Again, he was 9 minutes late to the MEETING - he should've been at work earlier. You don't just waltz into work as a meeting is starting.

It's not a huge deal except BB made it a point of emphasis AND Adalius won't accept responsibility.

I swear to god that most of you have never been out of your houses if you think that stuff doesn't just happen and no matter how you plan for it, things happen that throw it all out the window..

I swear to god, there are many of you who live in some fantasy world where no accidents happen or something.

 

[DaBruinz]

You haven't lived here recently, or perhaps you disremember how things work here. Sections of 95 S stretching from Waltham on have been under overnight construction for several weeks now. 8PM to 6AM. And the potential for a snow and ice event to impact the Wednesday AM commute had been the talk of the day since Monday, when Bill also told the players they needed to be in early and stay late to show a committment to improving and winning down the stretch.

Mo - I remember how things work just fine. As for the 8 PM to 6 am work, they don't when its snowing out unless its supposed to be a dusting. Any accumulation, they stop work because the water can cause issues with the construction.

And at 4:30 or 5 in the morning, the traffic is negligible on 95S.

 

[JackBauer]

Even if he were late, his comments are inexcusable. Anyone with an ounce of gray matter would understand this.

Just stop, DaBruinz. I like you as a poster, but you're defending the indefensible here. The guy is a turd, no matter how you look at it.

 

[BradyManny]

I swear to god that most of you have never been out of your houses if you think that stuff doesn't just happen and no matter how you plan for it, things happen that throw it all out the window..

I swear to god, there are many of you who live in some fantasy world where no accidents happen or something.

What accident, though? The other 57 guys were on time.

Based on his own comments, it was just general snow-related traffic that slowed AD down, and anyone who has lived in this area for as long as he has should know how to deal with that by now.

Its besides the point - I said its not a big deal if he just kept his mouth shut and moved on.

 

[DaBruinz]

You're the one that keeps bringing up traffic accidents as a reason why someone could justifiably be late. How about this: you list the reasons, in order, and I'll respond to each of them in a way that completely invalidates them. I know that you won't take the time to do this, since it would completely blow whatever flimsy case you're trying to make out of the water, but it would be a fun little exercise.

I listed the traffic accidents because people like yourself act as if they are predictable. There is nothing you can say that would completely invalidate everything I put out there. It wouldn't be a fun exercise. It would be one of futility and a complete waste of time. You just can't accept reality. Plain and simple.

Ever heard of occam's razor? Guyton and Burgess both admitted that being late was within their control and their fault. So either Thomas was the one and only guy to get totally screwed over by the traffic, or he just didn't leave early enough.

Yes, I've heard of Occam's Razor. And just because it's the "simplest answer" doesn't mean its the correct answer.

BTW, my second example was one that leaving 45 minutes earlier than she needed to should have been PLENTY for my aunt, but it wasn't. Short of sleeping at Gillette and potentially forsaking his familial duties, how was Adalius supposed to know how much time he should have budgeted?

I've never been late for something that was as important to me as this practice should have been to Thomas.

Now the truth comes out. You go from never having been late to school or work to changing the scenario..

When it's extremely important that I be on time, and I don't have an appointment directly preceding it (which Adalius obviously didn't, since this is the beginning of the day) I've been known to show up 45 minutes to an hour early. In the real world, that's what professionals do. And for what he's being paid, Thomas should be a professional.

No. In the REAL WORLD, professionals budget their time in such a way that they don't need to show up 45 min to an hour early. In fact, its unprofessional to show up to a meeting more than 15 minutes early when its being held off-site. It shows one of two things. Either you don't have enough to do or you think your time is more important than the time of the person you are meeting. It makes them feel rushed and then they have to apologize for making you wait even though you were the one you caused the issue.

Well that's the thing- four guys were late. Do you see the other 3 getting crap for it? No, because they manned up and took responsibility for their actions. Actually, Moss hasn't said word one about it. Burgess only said something today when Chris Price talked to him. People have said Guyton said something, but I've yet to see it. In fact, in the WEEI video, Guyton refused to comment on it saying that he's moved on to Carolina. That's not taking responsibility for his actions.
Most errors are forgivable if you react to them maturely and constructively, and Adalius would do very well to learn that. Instead he whined about how Belichick wouldn't have even cared if he had ended up in a ditch, which is the kind of dumbass thing that I might have said when I was 15, but wouldn't even think of saying to an authority figure in the workplace. Even dating back to when I was a high school kid working a crappy minimum-wage job, it wouldn't even have occurred to me to be such an immature d-bag.

First off, there is clearly conflicting reports as to what was said. Reiss has one thing and it said NOTHING about being in a ditch and Rappaport/Gilgore had something else. I hadn't read their articles until you mentioned it. Also, he didn't say it TO BB. He said it to the press. That being said, I can understand BOTH sides. As an employee, you want to know that your boss knows your value and treats you with the respect you deserve. As a boss, if you set a meeting, you get annoyed if someone is going to be late, especially if you re-iterated about being early. What we don't know is if BB asked if he'd been in an accident or something. From AD's talk, BB didn't. Which would make the employee feel less appreciated.

Having been a manager, its a delicate balancing act. But its one that is vital to keeping your workforce happy. If they don't feel appreciate by you, they won't give you their best work. And if they underperform, its on YOUR head as the manager.

Of course, I can't say I'm surprised that you're taking up the cause of a whiny, self-important egotist who can't figure out when to let it go and act like an adult.

I'm not taking up AD's cause. I am point out the flaws in all the hate filled comments about AD on this site. I can't say that I am surprised you don't understand the difference.

 

[DaBruinz]

Even if he were late, his comments are inexcusable. Anyone with an ounce of gray matter would understand this.

Just stop, DaBruinz. I like you as a poster, but you're defending the indefensible here. The guy is a turd, no matter how you look at it.

NOTHING that AD said weas "inexcusable." In fact, I think its pretty clear that his answer regarding motivation has been thoroughly blown out of context.

Sorry, Jack, but it's clear to me that people have decided to make AD their scapegoat for this season and are intentionally blowing things he said out of proportion.

If he'd come out and called BB a LIAR something of that nature, I'd agree. But, the reality is that he's a frustrated employee who has the RIGHT to vent, whether you or BB likes it or not. While BB could get him for Conduct, that is 1 game. Nothing more.

 

[DaBruinz]

What accident, though? The other 57 guys were on time.

Based on his own comments, it was just general snow-related traffic that slowed AD down, and anyone who has lived in this area for as long as he has should know how to deal with that by now.

Its besides the point - I said its not a big deal if he just kept his mouth shut and moved on.

And the other 57 guys travel the exact same route as AD does every day?

That's just it. We don't know what happened other than the guy was late because of traffic that wasn't moving (hence his comment regarding the Jetsons). We don't know how long he wasn't moving or what the reason was.

I pointed out a very PLAUSIBLE scenario where a difference of less than 8 minutes can cause traffic to back up unexpectedly.

As I stated earlier and in another thread. I have no issue with AD having been disciplined along with Moss, Guyton and Burgess. The issue is with the vitriol coming out of people's mouths as if they have never been late or delayed in their lives.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I listed the traffic accidents because people like yourself act as if they are predictable. There is nothing you can say that would completely invalidate everything I put out there. It wouldn't be a fun exercise. It would be one of futility and a complete waste of time. You just can't accept reality. Plain and simple.

But there wasn't a traffic accident. If there was, you'd have a point. But there wasn't.

Now the truth comes out. You go from never having been late to school or work to changing the scenario..

I said that I'd never been late on account of snow back when I lived in Maine. That's true, and nothing that I said contradicts that. But it's been almost a decade since I lived in Maine. Once again, you're in such a rush to discredit everyone else that you get absolutely dominated by reading comprehension. Getting to be a pretty common theme around here.

No. In the REAL WORLD, professionals budget their time in such a way that they don't need to show up 45 min to an hour early. In fact, its unprofessional to show up to a meeting more than 15 minutes early when its being held off-site.

It's unprofessional to show up to work early? I wish any one of the bosses that I'd ever had at any point in my life had agreed with you.

Also, he didn't say it TO BB. He said it to the press.

... yeah, that's sorta the problem.

From AD's talk, BB didn't. Which would make the employee feel less appreciated.

Adalius Thomas is making $6.5M to play football in 2009. If he doesn't feel appreciated, then that's his damn problem. Frankly, I think everyone here would *love* to be appreciated to the tune of $6 million per year.

Having been a manager, its a delicate balancing act. But its one that is vital to keeping your workforce happy. If they don't feel appreciate by you, they won't give you their best work. And if they underperform, its on YOUR head as the manager.

I own a business and manage employees, so this isn't exactly news to me. You respect people to the extent that they deserve it, but if they flagrantly defy a point of emphasis that you made, then they have to be dealt with. No excuses, end of story. If they respond by not putting in their best effort, then it's time to fire them and move on. Accountability matters.

 

[DaBruinz]

But there wasn't a traffic accident. If there was, you'd have a point. But there wasn't.

And you know this how? Boston.com's traffic alert cover's Rt 1, but only from Wrentham to Dedham on the south side of Boston. It doesn't cover Foxboro.

I said that I'd never been late on account of snow back when I lived in Maine. That's true, and nothing that I said contradicts that. But it's been almost a decade since I lived in Maine. Once again, you're in such a rush to discredit everyone else that you get absolutely dominated by reading comprehension. Getting to be a pretty common theme around here.

I wasn't in a rush to "discredit everyone". You are the one who made the comments you did. It came across as you "changing the goal posts." If you weren't, so be it.

It's unprofessional to show up to work early? I wish any one of the bosses that I'd ever had at any point in my life had agreed with you.

You claim that I have a comprehension problem, yet you come back with this? Why do you think I mentioned OFF-SITE, which is typically with a client. Talk about being in a rush to discredit someone and getting dominated by reading comprehension. That seems to be a bigger theme with you than myself.


... yeah, that's sorta the problem.

Why is it a problem? Nothing AD said was overly damning other than it came across that BB doesn't necessarily give a damn about a player's well-being. And yes, it's something that I'd expect BB to call him into his office, one on one, and have him explain himself.

Adalius Thomas is making $6.5M to play football in 2009. If he doesn't feel appreciated, then that's his damn problem. Frankly, I think everyone here would *love* to be appreciated to the tune of $6 million per year.

First off, Thomas isn't making $6.5 million in 2009. His salary for this year is $1.9 million and he received workout bonuses to the tune of almost $108K. You quoted his salary cap number. $4.4 of that was signing bonus that he received back prior to the start of the 2007 season.

As for managing others, as a manager, you should know that MONEY does not equal respect or appreciation. Telling an employee "Good Job" when they've accomplished something goes a long way. There is such a thing called morale. Money can't buy morale. Just like it can't buy happiness.

I own a business and manage employees, so this isn't exactly news to me. You respect people to the extent that they deserve it, but if they flagrantly defy a point of emphasis that you made, then they have to be dealt with. No excuses, end of story. If they respond by not putting in their best effort, then it's time to fire them and move on. Accountability matters.

Do you understand the word in bold? Flagrantly. It means " to do so obviously inconsistent with what is right or proper as to appear to be a flouting of law or morality do on purpose. " Or in other words, to do on purpose without regard to the rules. Are you saying that AD was late ON PURPOSE to basically tell BB to F-OFF? Do you honestly believe that?

I guess that is possible, but AD clearly doesn't come across that way in the interview.

BTW, was it respectful of BB to have Matt Patricia be the one to tell AD he wasn't dressing for the Tennessee game?

 

[emoney_33]

They are not EXCUSES. Jesus.. WTF is it with people dealing with reality and calling them excuses. Seriously. I hope every7 single one of you ******* get fired the next time you're late and it's not your fault. Because THAT is exactly what you are saying should happen to AD..

BTW, E-money, it was a hypothetical, not a certainteed fact. Reality is that traffic can go to a grinding halt in no time flat. And all you schmucks claiming that AD is acting like an ***** really need your friggin heads examined.

I have no idea why you have these deep love for AD.

First off, they are 100% excuses.

Second off, no one ANYWHERE is asking for AD to get fired because he was late. Burgess, Guyton and Moss were late, not a single one of them went whining and *****ing to the media. Not a single one of them are stirring up ****.

It's also quite f'ing hilarious that you can sit there and tell us all to shut up because we don't know all the facts, yet you have no idea how many warnings they had or what was said to the team about arriving early. I'm damn sure if my boss told me to be early next week and I showed up late that I'd at least get pulled into the office.

Most of us want him benched for continuing to talk **** in the media and not setting a good example for the rest of the friggin team. And keep your hypotheticals to yourself, I really don't give a rat's ass of what COULD have happened to him. He was told to arrive EARLY, and it's his responsibility to check the weather. He arrived late, and MOST LIKELY it is his fault for not leaving early enough rather than some freak accident or incredible unforeseen traffic.

 

[mgteich]

If it is a firing offense to be late for practice, then that is the team we have become.

 

[patsfan-1982]

its was snowing ill give him that. but to say he was home watching film lol thats some big time BS



he is not acting like a T.O it's just that we never seen anything like this befor and the fact that he is not doing anything this year for the pats

he thinks he is being used wrong and that's why he is mad and maybe he is right, or maybe he was just riding rey lewis back for one good season in a contract year. the ravens don't let go peopel they can't replace

 

[DaBruinz]

FWIW Boston.com's Trafficalert reported no signficant delay on either 495/95/rt. 1 for that day, so it's not like AD was sitting for hours in traffic.

BTW, Boston.com's traffic alert covers Rt. 1 from Wretham to Dedham. It doesn't cover Foxboro.