Earl Thomas, one of 13 Ravens Pro Bowlers last season, has long been among the league’s top defensive backs. However, the 11th-year safety has a tendency to wear out his welcome. Thomas, a founding member of Seattle’s Legion of Boom secondary alongside Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman, left the team on less than good terms in 2018, no-showing for offseason work and later flipping off his own sideline after being carted off with a broken leg, an injury that would effectively end his Seahawks tenure.
The veteran’s abrasive side came out again Friday when Thomas sparred with fellow safety Chuck Clark at Ravens training camp, forcing teammates to come in and separate them. According to Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Sun, their disagreement began toward the end of practice as the two exchanged words with Thomas at one point balling his fists in anticipation of throwing a punch. Tensions only escalated from there as Thomas and Clark encountered each other again during red-zone drills, leading to another flare-up.
The Ravens resumed practice Saturday sans Thomas, who was reportedly sent home following Friday’s altercation. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports the Ravens haven’t made a decision yet, but are keeping their options open in regard to Thomas. It’s unclear what that decision would detail—perhaps the team would pursue further discipline or even consider releasing Thomas, as suggested by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
Details of Friday’s spat remain somewhat scarce, though Thomas appears to have been in the wrong as teammates have reportedly sided with Clark on the matter. In fact, the trust between Thomas and his teammates is so broken that members of the Ravens’ Leadership Council have recommended Baltimore move on without the disgruntled 31-year-old. Thomas’ albatross four-year, $55-million contract could make releasing him a challenge, though cutting the seven-time Pro Bowler with a “conduct detrimental” designation could alleviate some of the team’s cap burden.
A likely Hall of Famer who ranks fifth among active players with 30 career interceptions, Thomas would be difficult to replace, though Baltimore’s secondary remains relatively well-stocked with Pro Bowl corners Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters along with third-year safety DeShon Elliott who, ironically, hails from the same alma mater as Thomas (both are UT products). Free agent Tony Jefferson would also be a possibility for the Ravens should the team decide to throw in the towel on Thomas. Despite his affinity for stirring up locker-room chaos, the high-maintenance safety would be a highly coveted asset if Baltimore made him available either in free agency or via trade.
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