rmackman Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Think anyone will want him with his concussion history?By Omar Kelly | Sun-Sentinel.com 1:04 PM EST, February 14, 2008 Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas has been informed that his tenure as a Miami Dolphin has come to an end.According to a source, Thomas, 34, was told by the Dolphins' new management that he no longer fits into the team's long-term plans, and will be released today.Instead of playing out the final year of his contract, which was set to pay him just under $6 million, the seven-time Pro Bowl selection will be shopping for a new team because he plans to continue playing.Thomas, a fifth-round pick in 1996 who has led the Dolphins in tackles 10 of his 12 seasons, had the 2007 season shortened because of a concussion he suffered in the second game of the season against Dallas. He came back and played three games after a two-week hiatus but was sidelined again due to concussion-like symptoms, stemming from an October car accident he was involved in while leaving Dolphin Stadium after a loss to the Patriots.Thomas contributed 52 tackles in the five games he played last season.New General Manager Jeff Ireland admitted that as a fellow Texan, he's a fan of Thomas, going all the way back to Thomas' college days at Texas Tech. But following a 1-15 season the Dolphins are working feverishly to retool the roster, and are creating salary cap space to do so. Earlier this week the Dolphins released nine players, which included four starters.Thomas' departure means Channing Crowder, who led the team with 78 tackles in an injury-shortened season, will likely fill in as the team's middle linebacker unless the Dolphins address that position when free agency starts at the end of the month, or in April's draft. "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be eaten. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you'd better be running." - Unknown | Check out my articles on jerseys at Bacon Sports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braden Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 As sad as it is... it's pretty expected, especially with the team being in rebuilding.I hope he doesn't retire and win the Superbowl with a team other than the Patriots or Jets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeytonManningRocks Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I think he'll go to the Pats.... just because..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddySicks Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Well, he COULD stay in Florida and sign with a team that looks to be a contender in the next few seasons On 11/19/2012 at 7:23 PM, oldschoolvikings said: She’s still half convinced “Chris Creamer” is a porn site.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 I think he should retire too many concussions. www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewp80 Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Well, he COULD stay in Florida and sign with a team that looks to be a contender in the next few seasons The Jaguars? Seriously though, is there anyone the Dolphins aren't releasing? Man, talk about rebuilding. Kinda OT, but where do you think Rickey Williams fits in the Dolphins future? Cardinals -- Rams -- Blues -- Tigers -- Liverpool Check out my music! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJTank Posted February 14, 2008 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Well, he COULD stay in Florida and sign with a team that looks to be a contender in the next few seasons The Jaguars? Seriously though, is there anyone the Dolphins aren't releasing? Man, talk about rebuilding. Kinda OT, but where do you think Rickey Williams fits in the Dolphins future? www.sportsecyclopedia.com For the best in sports history go to the Sports E-Cyclopedia at http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustForFun Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Dude's probably a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he hangs it up now. What a great competitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckymack Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Dude's probably a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he hangs it up now. What a great competitor.Seriously? He was good, but was he that good?! Sigs are for sissies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeytonManningRocks Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Well, he COULD stay in Florida and sign with a team that looks to be a contender in the next few seasons So he's going to sign with the Jaguars then? EDIT: Kewp beat me to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigga Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Dude's probably a first-ballot Hall of Famer if he hangs it up now. What a great competitor.Seriously? He was good, but was he that good?!Not really, we think everyone playing now is "tha gr8ist evar!!!" I do think he should be a Hall of Famer, but Derrick Thomas (RIP) was light years ahead of Zach Thomas. I will say this, if there was a Hall of Fame for busting your ass and maximizing every ounce of ability you have, he would certainly be a first-ballot selection. On January 16, 2013 at 3:49 PM, NJTank said: Btw this is old hat for Notre Dame. Knits Rockne made up George Tip's death bed speech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmackman Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 I'm not entirely sure he's a first ballot hall of famer. I do think the Dolphins should retire #54 though without a doubt. Zach Thomas is the epitomy of what you want in a football player when it comes to heart and drive. "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be eaten. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you'd better be running." - Unknown | Check out my articles on jerseys at Bacon Sports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmackman Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 You know, I was thinking something last night. I think Dan Marino, Zach Thomas, and Jason Taylor are the reason most NFL players today are the way they are. Marino, Thomas, and Taylor played their entire careers with one team, never complained, felt what you felt, were angry when you were angry, were happy when you were happy, gave absolutely every ounce of effort and heart that they had for one team and not necessarily the money....and the team failed them. None of them ever won a championship. This is why a lot of players don't have loyalty...because that kind of loyalty is rarely rewarded with anything. I feel bad for those three Dolphins because they all deserved better. Sometimes a star comes along and if the team doesn't win it's that star's fault (i.e. A-Rod of the Yankees). In this case the stars were here, they did everything...it's not their fault. The Dolphins now have a history of wasting superior talent. It's sad. I hope Zach Thomas latches on somewhere and at least gets a ring next season. Good luck to him. "Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be eaten. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you'd better be running." - Unknown | Check out my articles on jerseys at Bacon Sports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 "he no longer fits into the team's long-term plans,"Yeah, plans of being ETRNAL LOSERS!!!What a pathetic move... Guy had 2 concussions... give him a break.Definitely one of the best player at his position I've seen play in years...Why not have a good talk with the guy, see what his future holds, and convince him to retire as a Dolphin and hire him for any job you have...NO!!! We'll just kick him when he's down... So typical of most Pro Sports Franchise today... No wonder there is no more Player Loyaty.... they don't feal any loyalty from their owners... @Frenchie_TO Owner of the Rochester Americans of the MLH Owner of the Toronto Frenchies of the GCFHL6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiddySicks Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Well, he COULD stay in Florida and sign with a team that looks to be a contender in the next few seasons So he's going to sign with the Jaguars then? EDIT: Kewp beat me to itYeah, as I posted that I said to myself that I should probably post some Jaguars reference so that people avoid making the most predictable joke on the planet. On 11/19/2012 at 7:23 PM, oldschoolvikings said: She’s still half convinced “Chris Creamer” is a porn site.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mania Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Even though I hated him as a Dolphin, I think Zach Thomas would fit awfully well in with a team that values leadership and veteran presence from their linebackers, and has a great shot at a ring next year. Off The Top Rope: A Pro Wrestling Podcast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckymack Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 From the Boston Herald...Home / Sports / Football / Patriots Sports LogEx-Dolphin Thomas will visit PatriotsEmail|Print| Text size ? + February 18, 2008 NFL Free-agent linebacker Zach Thomas, who was released by the Dolphins last Thursday, is scheduled to visit with Patriots officials at Gillette Stadium today. The 34-year-old Thomas has played his entire 12-year career with Miami. A seven-time Pro Bowler, he was limited to just five games last season by concussions and migraines. The Dolphins are undergoing a rebuilding project under executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland, and coach Tony Sparano, and with Thomas scheduled to make $5.65 million in 2008, that factored into the team's decision to release him. The 5-foot-11-inch, 228-pound Thomas would project as an inside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 alignment .Anybody really all that shocked by this? Sigs are for sissies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbreadmann Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 From the Boston Herald...Home / Sports / Football / Patriots Sports LogEx-Dolphin Thomas will visit PatriotsEmail|Print| Text size ? + February 18, 2008 NFL Free-agent linebacker Zach Thomas, who was released by the Dolphins last Thursday, is scheduled to visit with Patriots officials at Gillette Stadium today. The 34-year-old Thomas has played his entire 12-year career with Miami. A seven-time Pro Bowler, he was limited to just five games last season by concussions and migraines. The Dolphins are undergoing a rebuilding project under executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland, and coach Tony Sparano, and with Thomas scheduled to make $5.65 million in 2008, that factored into the team's decision to release him. The 5-foot-11-inch, 228-pound Thomas would project as an inside linebacker in the Patriots' 3-4 alignment .Anybody really all that shocked by this?They offered him a contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Has free agency started? Cause the Patriots offered this guy a contract and the Seahawks signed Mike Whale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mania Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 If you were cut you were free to sign with another team right away, before free agency officially begins. Off The Top Rope: A Pro Wrestling Podcast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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