New Jets defensive lineman Solomon Thomas expects large 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 choose by the 49ers in 2017, admits his manufacturing has not been what he anticipated within the NFL. Thomas has 9 ½ sacks in 5 years. However Thomas mentioned he feels good now that he's two years faraway from his ACL tear and is able to play at the next stage.
“I haven’t carried out precisely how I’ve wished over time,” Thomas mentioned. “My manufacturing just isn't there. I’ve had an excellent yr right here or there. I’ve had good performs. Most significantly, I present up and attempt to be one of the best teammate I could be day-after-day. I attempt to convey championship-level effort, championship-level professionalism to a program day-after-day I can. That’s what I’m right here to do. I do know my private manufacturing can go up lots. I do know I is usually a means higher participant on this league.”
Thomas signed a one-year take care of the Jets, relishing the prospect 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 yr, he mentioned he wished to come back to the Jets.
“They’re engaging for lots of causes,” Thomas mentioned. “It’s a younger, hungry workforce. You take a look at the expertise on the workforce, with a few of the guys who're right here, a younger, hungry quarterback, a really younger and proficient D line. Additionally, coach Saleh actually attracted me, too, figuring out 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 achievement.
“I need to convey a championship-level tradition right here. That was a objective of mine. I do know that may be a objective of coach Saleh’s – to win a championship. I do know that what he’s doing right here. He’s constructing to get to that stage, to win a championship. That’s what we’re all making an attempt to do right here. I wished to come back right here for a spot I do know is making an attempt to attain that stage. I do know we are able to try this right here. That’s the objective.”
The 26-year-old mentioned he has no considerations about enjoying his dwelling video games at MetLife Stadium on the sector the place he tore his ACL in 2020 towards the Jets. Thomas performed within the stadium final yr with the Raiders towards the Giants. He and the turf talked issues out.
“I got here out early, about three hours earlier than recreation time,” Thomas mentioned. “I sat on the turf and I made amends with it. I talked to it. I forgave it. I mentioned, ‘hey, transferring ahead, we’re going to be buddies.’ I’m glad I did that as a result of now I’ll be enjoying right here eight, 9 video games a season. It additionally was new turf. I do know it’s damaged up a bit of bit and it’s extra agency now. It’s a greater turf now. I’m excited to be right here. Like I mentioned, me and the turf are on good phrases now. We’re good to go.”
Thomas mentioned he can play each inside and outdoors in Saleh’s protection and he feels the attacking model performs to his strengths.
“I’m an undersized, inside participant however that is the place I can thrive,” Thomas mentioned. “I can use my athleticism. I could be fast. I could be explosive. These are my strengths. I additionally just like the simplicity of it. You realize your name and we are able to regulate off of it however our predominant calls are our predominant calls and we play off that.”
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