Is something funny going on?

Just a thought...not even a hunch, but...

The Ravens had the opportunity to tag Adalius Thomas. For a bizarre reason, they did not.

Then, the Niners seemingly had an open-door invitation to sign Thomas. Nolan used to be his coordinator and SF had more money than anyone.

Oddly, a day before free agency begins, there's a leak in Niners camp that says, "we may not be as interested in Thomas as you think..."

Sure enough, from the gun, the Niners jump in and sign Clements, leaving Thomas alone. They tentatively book an interview, but on Day 2, understanding that New England would have first dibs.

Perhaps Thomas simply wanted to play with New England--I mean, who wouldn't. They are the best thing going right now...a Super Bowl contender, potential dynasty, playing with a lot of money. Maybe Thomas' agent said to the Niners, "I don't care how much money you offer me, my client wants New England."

But maybe Nolan and the Ravens know something we don't. Is it possible Nolan and Billick thought Thomas wasn't worth big money? And the talk of the Niners' interest was just smoke and mirrors to drive the price up for another team?