Joe Thomas will be a top-five pick in this year's draft but has declined an invitation to be present. He will be at home in suburban Milwaukee. He and his father, Eric, have planned to go fishing on Lake Michigan, as they often do this time of year. "You know what?" Joe Thomas asked over the telephone the other day. "For me, the whole NFL draft show is not really what I'm all about. I don't define myself by where I go in the draft. "I define myself by how I play in the NFL. I don't want the NFL draft to be the celebration of the end of my career. I'd rather spend the day at home with my family and have a last few days before I'm shipped off and get ready for the NFL season. "I'm not preparing to have a big celebration on NFL draft day. That's not what I'm all about. I want the transition to be smooth from college to the pros, and not make a big deal about the draft."