FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- New England Patriots defensive end Derrick Burgess took a different tone than teammate Adalius Thomas when answering questions about his tardiness Wednesday, saying he was "disappointed" in himself.
Burgess, Thomas, Gary Guyton and Randy Moss were all sent home by Patriots coach Bill Belichick for being late for an 8 a.m. meeting Wednesday due to snowy weather.
Asked Friday if he was shocked by the decision, Burgess said: "Shocked is one of the words you can use, but I'm more disappointed in myself."
Asked what time he arrived, Burgess said it didn't matter.
"Late is late," he said.
Asked if the most frustrating part for him was the example it set for younger players, he said: "That wasn't my big disappointment. My big disappointment is in me. I lead by being an example. I don't lead by being 'rah, rah.' I was disappointed in myself."
Burgess said he had not been sent home since high school.
Second-year linebacker Guyton answered questions from reporters Friday, but would not address being disciplined. He said he would only talk about the Panthers, Sunday's Patriots opponent.
A day earlier, Thomas had pointed words, saying he was surprised at Belichick's decision because he had called ahead to say he might be late as players are instructed to do. Thomas also said he almost got into a car accident as he drove to Gillette Stadium during a snowfall that tied up traffic.
"I think everyone woke up to the snow [Wednesday]," Thomas said. "I didn't know it was going to snow. There was traffic. I can't run people over getting to work. I don't do that. I actually almost had a car accident. It is what it is. He did what he thought was best for him. That's what he did."
Thomas said he showed up about nine minutes late and was told by Belichick to leave. Thomas also said he doesn't know how Belichick thinks and he's dumbfounded by a lot of things that go on, but he just does what he's told.
Asked whether he thought Belichick was trying to motivate the players by sending them home, he had a strong response.
"Motivation is for kindergartners. I'm not a kindergartner," Thomas said. "Sending somebody home, that's like, 'He's expelled, come back and make good grades.' Get that [expletive] out of here. That's ridiculous. Motivation?"
Belichick would not comment when asked by a reporter for his reaction to Thomas' comments Friday.
"My focus is on the Carolina Panthers," Belichick said. "That's what I've been working on all week. That's what I'm going to work on until Sunday. ... Do you have a big story on it I should read? [Smiling] I'll check it out."
Moss has not spoken to reporters about the incident.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.