NFL

Jets’ interest ‘minimal’ in Patriots’ castoff Thomas

As soon as Adalius Thomas was released yesterday by the Patriots, speculation that Thomas would quickly be signed by the Jets gained momentum.

The veteran linebacker, after all, has always been a favorite of Rex Ryan, having played for him for six years in Baltimore, where he had his best seasons. Thomas knows Ryan’s defense inside and out.

Thomas, too, could potentially help a Jets pass rush that struggled to get to the quarterback last season, finishing with a low sack total of 32.

Despite the stars seemingly aligned for a Thomas-Ryan reunion, however, a highly-placed NFL source told The Post last night that the Jets’ interest in signing Thomas is “minimal.”

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Make no mistake, the Jets have had conversations about Thomas and signing him is not out of the realm of possibility, but it seems unlikely.

Ryan last week, responding to an Internet report that said Jets linebacker Bryan Thomas was going to be released, guaranteed Bryan Thomas would remain on the team.

The Jets just signed Dolphins outside linebacker and pass rush specialist Jason Taylor, leaving them with three starting-caliber outside linebackers. Thomas is 32 and is coming off a couple years of declining production — making 148 tackles and 14½ sacks in 39 games with New England.

The Jets, while they are building to win now, are also trying to get younger.

Despite that, Thomas’ availability has provided a pull for Ryan.

“To me, the guy’s like Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks,” Ryan said of Thomas in a 2006 interview. “LT was a great pass rusher, very fast, athletic and explosive. On the other side was Banks, who did all the dirty work, taking on blocks, stuffing the run, reading plays.

“Adalius is a combination of the two. For a long time, we just didn’t have the guts as coaches to put a plan in motion that let him do it all.”

The fact the Jets moved disappointing 2008 No. 1 draft pick Vernon Gholston from linebacker to defensive end has fueled speculation of a Thomas signing.

So did the fact the Jets didn’t draft a linebacker (they were interested in TCU’s Jerry Hughes), something that made you wonder if they were already making plans to bring in Thomas.

Everyone in the NFL, after all, knew the Patriots were eventually going to release Thomas, considering how he clashed with Bill Belichick last season.

Jets linebacker Bart Scott, who played with Thomas in Baltimore, said in a radio interview during Super Bowl week, “I was hanging with Adalius Thomas for Super Bowl weekend. We’re buddies from back in the day. He made it public that he’s expressed an interest in joining Rex.

“I think some of his better years of his career have been [as] a part of the Ravens’ defense and under Rex Ryan’s tutelage. It’ll be exciting.”

Thomas later denied making those comments.

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The Jets have signed 10 undrafted free agents, including Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren, a person familiar with the deals told the Associated Press.

Also signed were: linebacker Kevin Basped (Nevada), guard Keith Buckman (North Dakota State), tight end Jeff Cumberland (Illinois), cornerback Brian Jackson (Oklahoma), defensive end Jason Lamb (Baylor), linebacker Broderick Stewart (Vanderbilt), offensive tackle Matt Stommes (Minnesota), guard Charlie Tanner (Texas) and defensive tackle Ernest Williams (Pittsburgh).

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com