New to Blue, Thomas won’t say

integrity over the new NFL anthem policy would be even stronger than last year’s league-wide frustration.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk with my brothers,” said Thomas, black Stanford-educated veteran from Houston. “It’s clear where everybody stands on this… For me right now it’s gonna be taking the time to talk with my brothers. It’s May right now. We haven’t decided what’s gonna happen. (I’m) not committing to anything right now. So just talking to my brothers, seeing what we are gonna do to continue to fight for our communities. But right now (I’m) not trying to jump the gun (or) commit to anything and comment on anything.”

Thomas’ personal stance in this matter is clear, though. As he put it: “You all know who I am and where I stand.”

Thomas, who signed as a free agent from the Miami Dolphins this offseason, knelt for the anthem last season until Miami asked its players to no longer do so. Ownership chafed, and then Dolphins coach Adam Gase made a rule that players must stand for the anthem or stay in the locker room or tunnel, leading Thomas, tight end Julius Thomas and wideout Kenny Stills to stand in the tunnel the following Sunday.

That is, of course, a similar arrangement to the new league-wide policy passed last week by the owners. The rule allows protesting players to stay in the locker room or