FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Adalius Thomas wasted no time defending himself after coach Bill Belichick sent him home for being late to a team meeting.

The New England Patriots linebacker said after returning yesterday that he was "dumbfounded" and "can't figure out what Bill thinks or knows."

Three other players were sent away for showing up late on Wednesday — wide receiver Randy Moss and linebackers Gary Guyton and Derrick Burgess. All four were at practice yesterday, but the other three declined to speak with reporters.

Thomas, a starter in nine games this year, called ahead on a snowy Wednesday morning, as players are instructed to do when they're going to be late, he said. Traffic was tied up and he nearly got into an accident, he said. But when he showed up about nine minutes late for an 8 a.m. team meeting, Belichick told him to leave.

That surprised him.

"You're told to call and you call, you get sent home," Thomas said.

"That's not an excuse," he said, but "I could have been in the ditch. They really don't give a damn, honestly. As long as you ain't in the meeting they really don't give a (expletive)."

The situation arose at a critical time for the Patriots (7-5) and could be a distraction heading into Sunday's game in Foxborough against the Carolina Panthers (5-7).

RAVENS

SUGGS FACING $70M LAWSUIT BY WOMAN

A woman has filed a $70 million lawsuit against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, claiming he is father of her two children and assaulted her multiple times.

Suggs said at practice yesterday that he has nothing to hide, but he was not able to discuss the case yet.

Candace Williams, 26, is seeking $50 million in punitive damages and $20 million in compensatory damages from the three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher. She filed a separate complaint seeking custody of the children. Both were filed Monday in Baltimore Circuit Court.

Williams is also seeking a restraining order against Suggs, whom she said knocked her down and poured bleach on her and their son.

ELSEWHERE

Giants: New York right guard Chris Snee practiced on a limited basis, improving his chances of playing in Sunday's game with Philadelphia. Snee has started 76 consecutive games for the Giants. He missed the second half of Sunday's win over Dallas with a left-knee injury.

Titans: Quarterback Vince Young has aggravated his right knee and Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher calls it a "setback. Fisher says Young originally hurt his knee in last week's 27-17 loss at Indianapolis and had been trying to push through practice. The coach says Young will be evaluated again today.