New Jets defensive lineman Solomon Thomas expects massive issues in 2022.
“I’m excited to go off,” Thomas mentioned on a Zoom name Wednesday. “I’m excited to go dominate.”
Thomas, who was the No. 3 general pick of Stanford by the 49ers in 2017, admits his manufacturing has not been what he anticipated within the NFL. Thomas has 9.5 sacks in 5 years. But Thomas mentioned he feels good now that he’s two years faraway from his ACL tear and is prepared to play at the next degree.
“I haven’t performed exactly how I’ve wanted over the years,” Thomas mentioned. “My production is not there. I’ve had a good year here or there. I’ve had good plays. Most importantly, I show up and try to be the best teammate I can be every day. I try to bring championship-level effort, championship-level professionalism to a program every day I can. That’s what I’m here to do. I know my personal production can go up a lot. I know I can be a way better player in this league.”
Thomas signed a one-year deal with the Jets, relishing the possibility to reunite with Jets coach Robert Saleh, who was his defensive coordinator in San Francisco from 2017-20. Thomas mentioned he spoke to the Jets final season in free company however went to the Raiders as a substitute. This 12 months, he mentioned he needed to come to the Jets.
“They’re attractive for a lot of reasons,” Thomas mentioned. “It’s a younger, hungry crew. You take a look at the expertise on the crew, with a few of the guys who’re right here, a younger, hungry quarterback, a really younger and proficient D line. Also, coach Saleh actually attracted me, too, realizing how he takes care of his gamers, how he coaches, the depth and keenness he brings, the scheme and philosophy and simply how he runs a constructing. It’s arrange for fulfillment.
“I want to bring a championship-level culture here. That was a goal of mine. I know that is a goal of coach Saleh’s — to win a championship. I know that what he’s doing here. He’s building to get to that level, to win a championship. That’s what we’re all trying to do here. I wanted to come here for a place I know is trying to achieve that level. I know we can do that here. That’s the goal.”
The 26-year-old mentioned he has no issues about taking part in his house video games at MetLife Stadium on the sphere he tore his ACL in 2020 towards the Jets. Thomas performed within the stadium final 12 months with the Raiders towards the Giants. He mentioned he and the turf talked issues out.
“I came out early, about three hours before game time,” Thomas mentioned. “I sat on the turf and I made amends with it. I talked to it. I forgave it. I said, ‘Hey, moving forward, we’re going to be buddies.’ I’m glad I did that because now I’ll be playing here eight, nine games a season. It also was new turf. I know it’s broken up a little bit and it’s more firm now. It’s a better turf now. I’m excited to be here. Like I said, me and the turf are on good terms now. We’re good to go.”
Thomas, listed at 6-foot-3, 295 kilos, mentioned he can play each inside and out of doors in Saleh’s protection and he feels the attacking fashion performs to his strengths.
“I’m an undersized, inside player but this is where I can thrive,” Thomas mentioned. “I can use my athleticism. I can be quick. I can be explosive. Those are my strengths. I also like the simplicity of it. You know your call and we can adjust off of it but our main calls are our main calls and we play off that.”
