ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- When linebacker Adalius Thomas was benched last week after the fallout from showing up late for an 8 a.m. meeting on a snowy, icy morning, some speculated that he had played his last down with the Patriots.
Thomas said he never considered the thought.
"I didn’t wonder that at all," he said. "That’s one thing about the cream -- the cream always rises to the top. You can hold it down however you want to. It doesn’t matter.
"You just go out there and do what you are asked to do. If you’re out there on the field, you go out there and do the best you can. If you’re not on the field, then you cheer the guys on in whatever capacity it is. I’m willing to accept whatever role I’m handed down, whatever that role may be."
Thomas was asked if anything had changed in his situation, such as him clearing the air with coach Bill Belichick.
"I think what changed is that we won last week. Winning cures a lot of things," he said. "If it’s a loss, then maybe things are handled differently. I don’t know."
Thomas played in the base 3-4 defense Sunday against the Bills, but came off the field in sub situations. He finished with three tackles.