Lovie Not Happy About J.T. Thomas' Arrest..............
Smith voices displeasure over LB Thomas' arrest
By Vaughn McClure, Tribune reporter
10:46 a.m. CST, February 23, 2012
INDIANAPOLIS -- Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith voiced his displeasure Thursday with linebacker J.T. Thomas, who was arrested Feb. 13 and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Morgantown, W.V.
Police alleged Thomas was exceeding the speed limit of 25 mph and said that was the reason he was pulled over. When asked to provide registration for the vehicle, which was in the glove compartment, police allegedly found two plastic bags that contained what appeared to be marijuana.
Smith spoke with Thomas after the incident. He was charged with possessing less than 15 grams of marijuana.
"Yes, that did disturb me," Smith said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "Whenever we're talking about a guy off the field with something like that ... for us to talking about it right now doesn't make me happy at all."
Thomas, a sixth-round draft pick last April, missed his entire rookie season with a back injury. The former West Virginia standout was placed on injured reserve.
Smith stop short of saying the Bears would cut ties with Thomas.
"Had a chance to talk to him, so we're going to let it play out in court," Smith said. "Still, you want people to talk about you on the field instead of off the field first."
vxmcclure@tribune.com
Twitter@vxmcclure23
