No sooner did the green flag drop for the start of the NFL’s free-agency season did the New England Patriots pull into pit road as the early leader in the league’s race to restock rosters.

Yesterday, the Patriots officially announced the signings of linebacker Adalius Thomas, tight end Kyle Brady and running back Sammy Morris. Also, it was reported that the team is expected to offer Miami restricted free-agent receiver Wes Welker a multi-year deal.

Big (6-foot-2, 270 pounds), and versatile enough to line up at cornerback on occasion, Thomas seems tailor-made for New England. In an introductory press conference yesterday afternoon, the 29-year-old Alabama native spoke in a quiet but gravelly voice, and chuckled when annoying background noise made it difficult to hear and respond to the questions directed to him.

Though he has played nearly every defensive position, including cornerback, for his former team, Baltimore, Thomas said he doesn’t have a preferred position.

"I’m a football player. Whatever is needed for me to do here, that’s what I’ll do," he said, in words that must be music to Bill Belichick’s ears. "I don’t have a particular position. I just want to come here and play football. At different times, I may be different things (on the field)."

Thomas said that before entering free agency, he told his agent, James "Bus" Cook that he wanted to go to a great organization where he had a chance to win every year.

Considered the plum of this year’s free-agent crop, Adalius Thomas (96) figures to fit in fine in the Patriots’ linebacker corps.

AP / BILL ROSS

"When New England called, it gave us all the things we were looking for. There’s no need in trying to look for something else. I didn’t want to drag it out into a circus, going here, going there. Get it done."

His contract is another reason Thomas seems a perfect fit for the Belichick-Scott Pioli Patriots. One source with knowledge of the contract numbers said Thomas is receiving $14 million in guaranteed money, which, if true, makes him a relative bargain: San Francisco gave corner Nate Clements $22 million guaranteed.

The NFL Network reported that Thomas got five years and $37.5 million, with nearly two-thirds of the money being paid in the first three years.

In the official release announcing the three signings, Belichick said, "Personally and professionally, we are very impressed with Adalius Thomas. His playmaking, toughness, intelligence, versatility and character were all factors in our decision to pursue him."

Yet another sixth-round pick from the 2000 draft who has gone on to excel — like Tom Brady — Thomas played just three games in his rookie season but in 2003 went to the Pro Bowl as a special-teams player. Two years ago, he was named a starter at outside linebacker, and last year made another Pro Bowl after an 83-tackle, 11-sack campaign for the best defensive team in the league.

Thomas believes his climb over the last eight years has helped him, especially in the locker room.

"I think that builds character and helps me be an all-around leader. It allows me to communicate with guys on all levels, guys that start, guys that play special teams, from (players) not being able to have a quote-unquote significant role and are feeling their way out, to guys that are already established," he said.

He believes his biggest adjustments on the field will be in learning the Pats’ terminology. Off the field, he enjoys working with children through his SLASH (Sportsman Lifting Academics and Sponsoring Hope) Fund.

Kyle Brady, 35, comes to the Patriots from Jacksonville, but was originally drafted by the Jets in 1995. Belichick was defensive coordinator in New York during Brady’s final two seasons with the team.

Though he expressed frustration at not playing a larger role in the passing game in Jacksonville, Brady chose New England. He told the Florida Times-Union that his contract was for two years, $5.3 million, including a $2-million signing bonus.

Brady has missed just nine games in his 12-year career, playing a full 16 games in nine of those seasons, including the last two. Last year, he had just five grabs for the Jaguars, but had a career-high 64 in 2000.

New England will be the third AFC East stop for Morris, who was drafted by the Bills and spent the last three years with Miami. Coming off a season in which he averaged a career-best 4.3 yards per carry, he adds depth to a unit that includes Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans. Morris’ contract is for four years, $7 million.

The NFL Network also reported that New England offered Welker a 7-year, $38.5-million tender. If he accepts and the Dolphins do not match it within seven days, Miami will receive a second-round pick from the Pats.

smanza@projo.com