Thomas

INDIANAPOLIS — In news that’s not much of a surprise, don’t expect to see Donte Stallworth back in a Patriots uniform next season, but Larry Izzo will be in New England colors while it remains to be seen whether Jabar Gaffney will.

Drew Rosenhaus, the agent for the three players, held court with the media yesterday and said he has spoken with the Patriots about both Stallworth and Gaffney.

However, “more likely, Donte will be a free agent,” said Rosenhaus. “We’re talking with them about Jabar.”

Asked to classify the Gaffney talks, Rosenhaus said they were “ongoing.”

The contract Stallworth signed a little less than a year ago called for him to receive a $6-million option bonus tomorrow and a $2-million roster bonus yesterday in addition to $3 million in base salary for the receiver, who averaged 15.2 yards on his 46 receptions last season and scored 3 touchdowns.

Stallworth’s production was spotty last season, He started off slowly, but had 33 receptions for 497 yards and all three of his TDs in games four through 11. His best game of the season was against Dallas, when he had 7 grabs, 136 yards and a score.

The agent expects there to be a lot of interest in Stallworth, who will be playing for his fourth team in four seasons if he signs with another club.

Gaffney is at the end of the two-year deal he signed with the Pats in October 2006. He had 36 catches for 449 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner against Baltimore. Though his yards-per-catch isn’t as gaudy as Stallworth’s, Gaffney can be had for a lot less money and seems to be better fit with the Patriots and Tom Brady.

According to Rosenhaus, he has a verbal agreement for a one-year contract with New England for Izzo, who is entering his 13th season in the NFL and eighth with the Pats.

Cowboys land Zach Thomas

The main reason for Rosenhaus’ impromptu news conference yesterday was to announce that linebacker Zach Thomas had signed with Dallas.

The longtime Dolphin, who was cut last week, visited with New England on Monday and New Orleans later in the week. His visit with Dallas was scheduled for Tuesday, but Thomas flew here to Indianapolis to meet with owner/general manager Jerry Jones and coach Wade Phillips Thursday night.

He met with the pair on Jones’ Cowboys-star emblazoned luxury bus parked outside the Westin Hotel and when he emerged with Rosenhaus, he was a member of the team he cheered for growing up in Pampa, Texas.

“That took it away from New England and New Orleans. Being in Dallas is something special for Zach,” Rosenhaus said. “We’re fired up. This is a great day. I know his dream just came true.”

Rosenhaus said the deal, essentially for one year, calls for Thomas to make $1 million in base salary, a $1-million signing bonus and $1 million in “very reachable” incentives. The contract offers from the Pats and Saints were similar financially, but the prospect of playing in front of friends and family tipped the balance.

No positive news on Samuel

Alonzo Shavers played coy when asked on Thursday if he had met with Pats’ vice president Scott Pioli to discuss a new contract for Asante Samuel, but a league source said yesterday that the sides had not met. … Dallas defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, whose first NFL job came thanks to new Pats assistant Dom Capers, said this about his former boss: “He’s very attention-detailed — very, very. He’s a very organized, very smart, very diligent coach. He’s going to get the guys to do what he asks.”

smanza@projo.com