Ravens never putting Earl Thomas and 'comfortable' in same sentence
Earl Thomas acknowledges it will take time for him to learn the Baltimore Ravens' defense after spending all nine of his NFL seasons in Seattle.
Ravens coaches and players are also getting familiar with the six-time Pro Bowl safety and an intensity that few players bring. Walking around with that no-nonsense stare, Thomas wears a laser-type focus that has been key in him owning the middle of the field.
When asked how comfortable Thomas is with the Baltimore defense, coach John Harbaugh had to make a clarification.
"He has never looked 'comfortable.' I would not put 'comfortable' and 'Earl Thomas' in the same sentence," Harbaugh said. "He has looked determined. He looks like he understands the defense, which I think is what you’re alluding to. He looks crisp and sharp. He has been moving really well. He looks really good to me."cheap nike nfl jerseys paypal
Thomas comes to the Ravens following his middle-finger exit in Seattle and an about-face during free agency. He was set to sign a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs before Baltimore entered the picture late.
After the Cleveland Browns traded for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the Ravens persuaded Thomas to come to Baltimore on a four-year, $55 million deal (which included a $20 million signing bonus). The Ravens added their best ball-hawking safety since Ed Reed as well as more edge to a retooled defense.
During his introductory news conference in March, Thomas lived up to his reputation of being a man of few words and a lot of passion.
"Some dogs don't bark," Ravens defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale said after Thomas joined the Ravens. "They just bite."
Thomas believes stories about his all-business attitude are a little overhyped. But you rarely see a smile from Thomas on any pictures on his Instagram.nfl nike jerseys cheap china
"I’m not that intense, like everybody says," Thomas said. "In the locker room, guys, they’re starting to understand me and vice versa. These are my type of guys. This is the locker room that I want to be a part of. God just worked it out for me."
Thomas understands the tradition of great defenses. In Seattle, Thomas was part of the "Legion of Boom" and a defense that allowed the fewest points for four straight years (2012-15). Now, he's joining a Ravens secondary that could be the best in the NFL and a defense that has ranked in the top 10 in four of the past five seasons.
Even though there is a similar standard of success, Thomas sees a big difference between the defenses in Seattle and Baltimore.
