loyalboyd Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 (edited) http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7797362...o-Bowler-Thomas One of the faces of the Miami Dolphins is no longer with the organization. Miami has informed perennial Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas they will release him Thursday, FOXSports.com has learned. Thomas, like the rest of the Dolphins, suffered through a miserable 2007 season. He suffered a concussion on the field and injuries in a car accident that limited his play. After missing several games, the Dolphins finished Thomas' season for him when they placed him on injured reserve in December. Thomas instantly became a fan favorite his rookie year and went on to become one of the league's most well-known tackling machines. In the last couple of months, Thomas has told FOXSports.com he thought his release was imminent due to his salary. However, Thomas also said that he is not ready to hang up the cleats. The move is the second major salary slash this week by the Dolphins, who went 1-15 last season and subsequently brought in Bill Parcells to lead the team's rebuilding project. Miami trimmed about $9 million in 2008 base salary on Monday, when it parted ways with quarterback Trent Green, wide receiver Marty Booker and seven other players. Thomas was slated to make just over $5.6 million in base salary this coming season. Thomas was the 154th player chosen in the 1996 draft, and many observers didn't give the 5-foot-11 player from Texas Tech much chance of making the Miami roster. Lonely on Valentine's Day? ...then let the women of FOXSports.com be your Valentine. * Top 10 couples in sports * Hooters Best Damn Dream Girls * AskMen's Most Desirable Women From there, he only wound up one of the best linebackers in Dolphins history. Thomas led the Dolphins in tackles 10 times, is the franchise's all-time leader in that category by a wide margin, and his 168 games is the most by any Miami defensive player. He was remarkably durable in his first 11 seasons, missing only 13 games, and recorded a career-best 195 tackles in 2002, and 165 in 2006 — an indication he wasn't exactly slowing down. But Thomas missed two games in September this season because of a concussion, and on Oct. 21, he took another hard shot off the field. Thomas had eight tackles in Miami's 49-28 loss to the New England Patriots, and as he and his wife drove home that day, their vehicle was rear-ended on Florida's Turnpike. Originally, the Dolphins said Thomas was uninjured in that crash. But he experienced numerous migraines following that wreck, and never got back on the field in 2007. He was inactive for the next seven games before the Dolphins put him on injured reserve, officially ending his season and sparking widespread speculation that his time with Miami could be drawing to a close. A week ago, new Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said no decisions had been made about Thomas' status for 2008. "We're doing what we have to do," Sparano said on Feb. 7 when asked about Thomas' future. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Edited February 14, 2008 by loyalboyd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Great player. Its sad to see him released but I understand. I hope for his health he retires rather then go elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 if they are releasing him it is probably because he wants to play elsewhere, otherwise I would think the Dolphins would have given him the chance to retire a Dolphin prior to being released. Wouldnt surprise me to see NE cast off Seau for Zach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigrocks Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I love me some Zach Thomas, but its probably time for him to call it a career. The guy has played nearly every snap since his first exhibition season with Miami. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantasy Jesus Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 (edited) 5'10' - 225 MLB - although his size never mattered 34 years old Concussions last year His base salary was $5.65 million, a sum he would have made in 2008, the final year of this contract. Sad day for Dolphin fans. Says he wants to keep playing. PLEASE do not sign with New England. The Dolphins are going to be so far under the cap when the purge is all said and done. They were at 30-35 million under before the Zack Thomas cut. Edit to add: The cut doesn't surprise me at all - when Parcells first came to Dallas one of his first cuts was Emmitt Smith. Edited February 14, 2008 by Fantasy Jesus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameltosis Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 if they are releasing him it is probably because he wants to play elsewhere, otherwise I would think the Dolphins would have given him the chance to retire a Dolphin prior to being released. Wouldnt surprise me to see NE cast off Seau for Zach. Correct me if I'm wrong, and I could be, but isnt Thomas and IL and Seau is an OL. I dont think Thomas is cut out to play OL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 From the article on NFL.com: The Miami Dolphins will release seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas, who plans to continue his career with another team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigrocks Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Correct me if I'm wrong, and I could be, but isnt Thomas and IL and Seau is an OL. I dont think Thomas is cut out to play OL. Correct - he's played inside his entire career. He has had a few INTs over the middle, but isn't really cut out for pass coverage. His game was attacking the ball carrier when the guys in front of him swallowed up the blockers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budlitebrad Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Great player, but slowing down and Parcells likes his ILBs big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 (edited) Correct me if I'm wrong, and I could be, but isnt Thomas and IL and Seau is an OL. I dont think Thomas is cut out to play OL. Seau is an ILB...Vrabel and Colvin are the OLBs edit: and of course zach is an ILB/MLB Edited February 14, 2008 by keggerz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flip_Side Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 (edited) W.T.F this outrages me, im starting to question the big tuna little bit. Edited February 14, 2008 by Flip_Side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 hopefully he is resigned at a lower contract number Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Great player, but slowing down and Parcells likes his ILBs big. Slowing down or not, he's still one of the top ILB when it comes to stopping the run. He'll sign with a team that has a chance to make a playoff run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BumpNRun Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 He deserves to play for a contender after everything he has given...So does Taylor....Have been a fin Homer since the 70's.....We need to start all over and it is sad to see Thomas go, but better he will be... Have some faith in the Tuna.......in time we will once again compete on a high level, and have new talent,,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piratesownninjas Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 He deserves to play for a contender after everything he has given...So does Taylor....Have been a fin Homer since the 70's.....We need to start all over and it is sad to see Thomas go, but better he will be... Have some faith in the Tuna.......in time we will once again compete on a high level, and have new talent,,,, I agree with you. I think it's going to be nice to see Thomas get a shot to make the playoffs before it's too late, and that Tuna is going to return this team back up where they need to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'canes2004 Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 While I'm sad to see him go, I feel like this is the best move for both Zach and the Dolphins. There is no reason for Zach to have to sit around and baby sit a bunch of new guys in the middle of a rebuilding of the franchise. He says he's healthy so I'm sure he'll find a team (probably NE) with a chance to win where he can play his last year or two for a contender. Zach was the consummate pro football guy who always put him team first and his personal goals last. A great guy off the field giving of himself to a bunch of charitable organizations and was always willing to sign an autograph or take a picture. You never saw Zach in trouble for drugs or DUI or hitting his wife or any other thing to tarnish his name or his team. You are greatly loved Zach and will be sorely missed by all Dolfans! Thanks for all your hard work and everything else you've done for the 'Phins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fantasy Jesus Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 You are greatly loved Zach and will be sorely missed by all Dolfans! Thanks for all your hard work and everything else you've done for the 'Phins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piranha Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Great player Will be strange to see him in another uniform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1st&punt Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 One of the bigger news stories so far this offseason. Good luck Zach and hope to see you dominate again soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_bone65 Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Great player Will be strange to see him in a Pats uniform. Fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Fixed Zach doesn't want to play for a loser does he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlence Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Looks like the Cowboys might be interested in him. http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/football/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'canes2004 Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Looks like the Cowboys might be interested in him. http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/football/ Good for Zach. At least it's not the f'ing Patsies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BumpNRun Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 Good for Zach. At least it's not the f'ing Patsies. I may be wrong on this, but I don't see the kind of player Thomas is , to go to the Pats.....I think he would re buff that....sure he is hardworking, tenacious, a leader by example, his knowledge of the game, his integrity for the game....would prevent him from signing with the Pats.....IMO..and then again money talks..... but not with Zach... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
'canes2004 Posted February 16, 2008 Share Posted February 16, 2008 I may be wrong on this, but I don't see the kind of player Thomas is , to go to the Pats.....I think he would re buff that....sure he is hardworking, tenacious, a leader by example, his knowledge of the game, his integrity for the game....would prevent him from signing with the Pats.....IMO..and then again money talks.....but not with Zach... I agree on your assessment of Zach 100%. I would also say that Wes Welker fits into that kind of football mentality as well and look where he ended up. Bottom line is Zach wants to win in his final year or two in the league. There are only a few teams where you could say have a btter than average chance of making it to the SB in the next 2 years and unfortunately, NE is one of them. This from the Sun Sentinel: So would he join the rival Patriots, or even the Jets? He laughed. "If I'm fitting a need, I can't say that I wouldn't," Thomas said. "I can't say that I would either. I've got to do what I've got to do, but yeah, I also want to go out the right way." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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