Thomas signs with Falcons

Steve Guiremand

Friday, June 13, 2003 | 9:10 a.m.

Jason Thomas flew to Atlanta late Wednesday aftermoon to play football with a quarterback he often was compared to a few years ago, Falcons star Michael Vick.

But in yet another odd twist to the career of this former UNLV star, he could be catching passes from Vick.

Thomas, who asked for and was granted his release from the New York Jets just 10 days earlier so he could once again pursue his childhood dream of one day playing quarterback in the NFL, said he will play H-Back with the Falcons.

"It just didn't come through," Thomas said of his quarterback opportunities. "There wasn't anything open. The teams that were interested in Canada already had their roster situations full or they already had a solid No. 1 guy in place."

Faced with the very real prospect of not playing professionally this fall, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Thomas elected to report to the Falcons and play H-Back ... again.

"I didn't want to take a year off from football," Thomas said. "My goal has always been to play in the NFL. I didn't want to just be sitting around here (waiting for a chance to play quarterback) and all of a sudden have two years gone with nothing to show for it."

Ironically, Thomas originally balked at UNLV coach John Robinson's suggestion he move to tight end/H-Back following a disappointing senior season throwing the ball. Thomas hired a full-time quarterback coach to try to fix his flawed throwing mechanics but failed to impress any NFL teams before April's NFL Draft.

The Jets then signed Thomas as a free agent on the condition he would play tight end. A month later, Thomas asked for his release from head coach Herman Edwards, who left the door open for Thomas if his quarterback dreams did not work out.

"But they weren't going to do anything until October, so now it's off to Atlanta," Thomas said. "I'm going to go down there and try to make the team. I've got a daughter to support (17-month old Jalynn). She's the reason I'm going out there."

One of Thomas' teammates will be guard Travis Claridge, older brother of Rebels linebacker Ryan Claridge.

The Falcons list five other tight ends on the roster including former North Carolina star Alge Crumpler, who started last season. Brian Kozlowski, a 10-year veteran from Connecticut, backed up Crumpler. Derek Rackley, a four-year veteran from Minnesota, Lamont Hall, a five-year vet from Clemson, and James Hugo, a rookie from Arizona, are also listed as tight ends on the Falcons website.

"They said they would take their time with me learning the position, but you never know because it's a business now," Thomas said. "They said they wanted to bring in more playmakers. Hopefully I can become one of them."