Dolphins to release Zach Thomas (1 Viewer)

[moleculo]

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Dolphins to release Zach Thomas, source says

By TIM GRAHAM

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Thursday, February 14, 2008

DAVIE — A source close to the situation told The Palm Beach Post this afternoon that the Dolphins will release seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas in a move to create room under the salary cap.

The announcement is likely to come later today; a Dolphins spokesman declined to comment immediately.

Thomas, 34, was the longest-tenured player on the Dolphins roster. He is coming off a season in which he missed 11 games, including the final nine because of concussion-related issues.

His base salary was $5.65 million, a sum he would have made in 2008, the final year of this contract.

When healthy last season, Thomas was effective. He finished with 52 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. In the five games he played, he led the Dolphins in tackles four times. He recorded double-digit tackles three times.

The 13 tackles Thomas made against the Washington Redskins on opening day were the team's highest total all season. Thomas had amassed 100 or more tackles in each of his 11 previous seasons.

He suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys and missed the next two games.

Thomas' season was over after the car his wife was driving was rear-ended on the Florida Turnpike following the Week 7 home loss to the New England Patriots. He was placed on injured reserve because of persistent migraines.

Earlier this week, the Dolphins terminated the contracts of four other veteran starters: quarterback Trent Green, receiver Marty Booker, right tackle L.J. Shelton and defensive tackle Keith Traylor.

 

[mozzy84]

I thought I heard on fox sports radio they did cut him.

 

[Rooster]

:(

 

[Chachi]

I wonder if they'll try and trade Jason Taylor, I can't see the Dolphins getting to the super bowl while Taylor is still able to play at a high level.

 

[saintfool]

goodbye, junior seau!

hello, zach thomas!

 

[Rooster]

goodbye, junior seau! hello, zach thomas!

This is my worst fear.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

I wonder if they'll try and trade Jason Taylor, I can't see the Dolphins getting to the super bowl while Taylor is still able to play at a high level.

I heard from the voice in my head that Jason Taylor is going to Jacksonville so he can play for a contender close to home.

 

[Slinger]

Zach Thomas was a special player, but it was that time to take the dog behind the shed and club it like a baby seal. Good move for the Dolphins.

 

[Kirby]

Hey Bengals.. where ya at?

 

[{Syrus}]

Patriots will sign Zach Thomas just so they can derive inside info on a divisonal opponent. Its the Patriots, what do you expect?

 

[Slinger]

Patriots will sign Zach Thomas just so they can derive inside info on a divisonal opponent. Its the Patriots, what do you expect?

Ahhh yes because the Dolphins of '08 will have the exact same coaching staff, front office and players from '07.

 

[hitmenssharpshooters]

Patriots will sign Zach Thomas just so they can derive inside info on a divisonal opponent. Its the Patriots, what do you expect?

Ok..let's start a list..not to hijack..who have the Pats taken from inner division?Keith Byars from MiamiWes Welker from Miami although via trade..Fins problemJunior Seau from MiamiSammy Morris from Buffalo/Miami

 

[Kirby]

Zach Thomas was a special player, but it was that time to take the dog behind the shed and club it like a baby seal. Good move for the Dolphins.

So he's gotten a lot worse since he went on IR? 50 tackles in 5 games sounds like he was still getting it done.

 

[cutter]

If it is true... Zach T. you are a class act and wish you the best. Thanks for all you did over the last 12 years.

 

[{Syrus}]

Zach was and still is a great player. This is just Bill Parcells cleaning house and bringing in his own guys. Before long, Drew Bledsoe will be the starting QB, Keyshawn Johnson will be lining up at wideout, Richie Anderson will be in at RB, Jason Ferguson wil be in the middle of that D-line, and Aaron Glenn will be in the defensive backfield. Bank on it.

 

[Mikey16x]

Zach was and still is a great player. This is just Bill Parcells cleaning house and bringing in his own guys. Before long, Drew Bledsoe will be the starting QB, Keyshawn Johnson will be lining up at wideout, Richie Anderson will be in at RB, Jason Ferguson wil be in the middle of that D-line, and Aaron Glenn will be in the defensive backfield. Bank on it.

Don't forget about Dave Meggett on return duties

 

[The Goat]

So unbelievably sad over this.

Great player, great guy, great role model.

Thank you, Zach. You'll be missed something fierce.

 

[Bri]

ATL, NYJ, CLE all have BB or Pioli proteges/disciples/students/pick your word

 

[Lord of the Rings]

As much as we (Dolphins fans) know that Zach has been maligned (injury wise) lately, this is still a hard move. HE WAS CUT!!!! I'm wondering how much the Parcells regime understands the implications. It's not quite the same as Jimmy threatening to cut Marino, but it still runs the risk of alienating fans who might not quite be on the Tuna Wagon yet.

None of us want another 1-15 season. All of want to believe that Parcells is the guy to get us to the promised land, but treating an All-Pro, Fan Favorite as collateral damage is still hard to swallow. I realize that Parcells probably doesn't really care about the average fan when it comes to running the ship his way (and rightly so), I wish there was some middle-ground. There probably wasn't and I understand that, but some kind of show of angst, press conference to address the difficult move, "I realize this is tough, but for Zach's sake and ours this is why we have to do this now... etc." Letting Thomas go out on his own terms, perhaps. Of course it's a business, but I'm just an old school, "Where's the loyalty" kind of guy.

 

[faux_bear]

This is from Miami Herald beat writer Armando Salguero's blog. I thought it was interesting. It sounds like he still feels he can play at a high level.

http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/

Zach Thomas says he's been preparing for this move

Just got off the phone with Zach Thomas who called to say good-bye and ask if I had any final questions for him.

He tells me he isn't exactly thrilled that he has to leave the Dolphins. "Anytime you're cut it's not great," he admitted.

But in the same breath, he is clearly excited about the new possibilities his career is about to offer. And, true to form, he's been preparing for the likelihood he would be playing somewhere else.

"Ever since the last game of the season, you know me, I've been breaking down the defenses on a bunch of teams to see which one fits me," Thomas said. "I've had a lot of time on my hands, I guess, so I've been looking at three or four games a day. I've been seeing which defenses have needs to fill and I've got them all saved up on the computer."

Thomas said his agent Drew Rosenhaus has indeed been fielding phone calls from interested teams. He said he's compiled a list of requisites for the teams he will look at: "It has to be a winning team first," he said. "I've got to fit the scheme. I'm looking at a team with group of good guys. I'm looking at the place because I will be living there. And I'm lookin to see what their quarterback situation is because you need a good quarterback and a good offense to win."

Thomas had been considering retirement since the end of the season, but that is out of the question now given what he calls "being totally healthy."

"I'm not waking up with anchey joints," Thomas said. "Look, if my play had dropped last year and I was feeling wrong, I'd stop. But why do that when I can still play. I've been doing this since I was in third grade. It's been an important part of my life and I still feel I can play. So that's what I'm going to do."

Thomas wants to play but it won't be about money or being a star on his next team.

"I want to go somewhere and fit in," he said. "I want to go to a team that doesn't need me as much as I need them."

 

[Jason Wood]

Thomas will get a shot with another team, and probably will have greater motivation now that he has to prove himself valuable again. I sure as heck wouldn't mine the Eagles bringing him in for a look; but then again it seems every year I hold out hope the Birds will take the LB position seriously; and am left wanting at the end of free agency year in, year out.

 

[Kirby]

This is from Miami Herald beat writer Armando Salguero's blog. I thought it was interesting. It sounds like he still feels he can play at a high level.

http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/

Zach Thomas says he's been preparing for this move

Just got off the phone with Zach Thomas who called to say good-bye and ask if I had any final questions for him.

He tells me he isn't exactly thrilled that he has to leave the Dolphins. "Anytime you're cut it's not great," he admitted.

But in the same breath, he is clearly excited about the new possibilities his career is about to offer. And, true to form, he's been preparing for the likelihood he would be playing somewhere else.

"Ever since the last game of the season, you know me, I've been breaking down the defenses on a bunch of teams to see which one fits me," Thomas said. "I've had a lot of time on my hands, I guess, so I've been looking at three or four games a day. I've been seeing which defenses have needs to fill and I've got them all saved up on the computer."

Thomas said his agent Drew Rosenhaus has indeed been fielding phone calls from interested teams. He said he's compiled a list of requisites for the teams he will look at: "It has to be a winning team first," he said. "I've got to fit the scheme. I'm looking at a team with group of good guys. I'm looking at the place because I will be living there. And I'm lookin to see what their quarterback situation is because you need a good quarterback and a good offense to win."

Thomas had been considering retirement since the end of the season, but that is out of the question now given what he calls "being totally healthy."

"I'm not waking up with anchey joints," Thomas said. "Look, if my play had dropped last year and I was feeling wrong, I'd stop. But why do that when I can still play. I've been doing this since I was in third grade. It's been an important part of my life and I still feel I can play. So that's what I'm going to do."

Thomas wants to play but it won't be about money or being a star on his next team.

"I want to go somewhere and fit in," he said. "I want to go to a team that doesn't need me as much as I need them."

Awesome... I'm glad to hear it. Hopefully it's a team I don't hate.

 

[PatrickT]

Zach T to Atlanta to play the middle, and move Brooking to the weak side where he can play out his last couple of years. Draft a MLB to learn under one of the best.

Won't happen, but would be nice.

 

[Lord of the Rings]

This is from Miami Herald beat writer Armando Salguero's blog. I thought it was interesting. It sounds like he still feels he can play at a high level.

http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/

Zach Thomas says he's been preparing for this move

Just got off the phone with Zach Thomas who called to say good-bye and ask if I had any final questions for him.

He tells me he isn't exactly thrilled that he has to leave the Dolphins. "Anytime you're cut it's not great," he admitted.

But in the same breath, he is clearly excited about the new possibilities his career is about to offer. And, true to form, he's been preparing for the likelihood he would be playing somewhere else.

"Ever since the last game of the season, you know me, I've been breaking down the defenses on a bunch of teams to see which one fits me," Thomas said. "I've had a lot of time on my hands, I guess, so I've been looking at three or four games a day. I've been seeing which defenses have needs to fill and I've got them all saved up on the computer."

Thomas said his agent Drew Rosenhaus has indeed been fielding phone calls from interested teams. He said he's compiled a list of requisites for the teams he will look at: "It has to be a winning team first," he said. "I've got to fit the scheme. I'm looking at a team with group of good guys. I'm looking at the place because I will be living there. And I'm lookin to see what their quarterback situation is because you need a good quarterback and a good offense to win."

Thomas had been considering retirement since the end of the season, but that is out of the question now given what he calls "being totally healthy."

"I'm not waking up with anchey joints," Thomas said. "Look, if my play had dropped last year and I was feeling wrong, I'd stop. But why do that when I can still play. I've been doing this since I was in third grade. It's been an important part of my life and I still feel I can play. So that's what I'm going to do."

Thomas wants to play but it won't be about money or being a star on his next team.

"I want to go somewhere and fit in," he said. "I want to go to a team that doesn't need me as much as I need them."

See this is my problem. He can still play. And it sounds like he wanted to continue playing for the Dolphins. So why has he been given his walking papers? I'm all for cleaning house, but what's wrong with keeping core veterans in the fold as you begin the rebuilding process?

 

[PatsFan23]

Patriots will sign Zach Thomas just so they can derive inside info on a divisonal opponent. Its the Patriots, what do you expect?

Ok..let's start a list..not to hijack..who have the Pats taken from inner division?Keith Byars from MiamiWes Welker from Miami although via trade..Fins problemJunior Seau from MiamiSammy Morris from Buffalo/Miami

This stuff happens all the time....all across the NFL.How about all the players the Jets took from the Pats and vice-versa?I thought that with the Pats losing the Superbowl and the perfect record this crap would stop but I guess I was wrong.Way to ruin a good fantasy football forum guys.....

 

[hitmenssharpshooters]

Patriots will sign Zach Thomas just so they can derive inside info on a divisonal opponent. Its the Patriots, what do you expect?

Ok..let's start a list..not to hijack..who have the Pats taken from inner division?Keith Byars from MiamiWes Welker from Miami although via trade..Fins problemJunior Seau from MiamiSammy Morris from Buffalo/Miami

This stuff happens all the time....all across the NFL.How about all the players the Jets took from the Pats and vice-versa?I thought that with the Pats losing the Superbowl and the perfect record this crap would stop but I guess I was wrong.Way to ruin a good fantasy football forum guys.....

1 word for you....Spygate

 

[pizzatyme]

I wouldn't mind seeing Thomas in a Colts uni.

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

Thomas will get a shot with another team, and probably will have greater motivation now that he has to prove himself valuable again. I sure as heck wouldn't mine the Eagles bringing him in for a look; but then again it seems every year I hold out hope the Birds will take the LB position seriously; and am left wanting at the end of free agency year in, year out.

, but replace Eagles with Saints.

 

[Slinger]

I would like to remind everyone that it's 2008, not 2003. Zach Thomas is a shell of his former self and the Dolphins made the correct choice here. It may be wise for another team to sign him for next season, but expectations won't be high. There has been talks that he may retire if he doesn't land on a championship caliber. Generally speaking, he needs a team more than a team needs him. You couldn't say that in 2003.

Slinger

2/15/08

 

[Ozymandias]

This is from Miami Herald beat writer Armando Salguero's blog. I thought it was interesting. It sounds like he still feels he can play at a high level.

http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/

Zach Thomas says he's been preparing for this move

Just got off the phone with Zach Thomas who called to say good-bye and ask if I had any final questions for him.

He tells me he isn't exactly thrilled that he has to leave the Dolphins. "Anytime you're cut it's not great," he admitted.

But in the same breath, he is clearly excited about the new possibilities his career is about to offer. And, true to form, he's been preparing for the likelihood he would be playing somewhere else.

"Ever since the last game of the season, you know me, I've been breaking down the defenses on a bunch of teams to see which one fits me," Thomas said. "I've had a lot of time on my hands, I guess, so I've been looking at three or four games a day. I've been seeing which defenses have needs to fill and I've got them all saved up on the computer."

Thomas said his agent Drew Rosenhaus has indeed been fielding phone calls from interested teams. He said he's compiled a list of requisites for the teams he will look at: "It has to be a winning team first," he said. "I've got to fit the scheme. I'm looking at a team with group of good guys. I'm looking at the place because I will be living there. And I'm lookin to see what their quarterback situation is because you need a good quarterback and a good offense to win."

Thomas had been considering retirement since the end of the season, but that is out of the question now given what he calls "being totally healthy."

"I'm not waking up with anchey joints," Thomas said. "Look, if my play had dropped last year and I was feeling wrong, I'd stop. But why do that when I can still play. I've been doing this since I was in third grade. It's been an important part of my life and I still feel I can play. So that's what I'm going to do."

Thomas wants to play but it won't be about money or being a star on his next team.

"I want to go somewhere and fit in," he said. "I want to go to a team that doesn't need me as much as I need them."

See this is my problem. He can still play. And it sounds like he wanted to continue playing for the Dolphins. So why has he been given his walking papers? I'm all for cleaning house, but what's wrong with keeping core veterans in the fold as you begin the rebuilding process?

Because rebuilding the Dolphins is not a one year process; it will take 4 or 5. By then Thomas would be so far over the hill, he'd be grazing in the valley. So save the money, and develop some younger talent you can get at half the price.

 

[Mikey16x]

Dolphins don't need him anyway... the guy above me makes a great point with the fact that the dolphins won't be in contention for at least another 4 to 5 years.. but everybody within the organization already knew that crowder was going to eventually be the successor to the MLB spot.... he played pretty good last season... not zach thomas numbers but looked pretty impressive and he's young.

 

[Kirby]

I would like to remind everyone that it's 2008, not 2003. Zach Thomas is a shell of his former self and the Dolphins made the correct choice here. It may be wise for another team to sign him for next season, but expectations won't be high. There has been talks that he may retire if he doesn't land on a championship caliber. Generally speaking, he needs a team more than a team needs him. You couldn't say that in 2003.

Slinger

2/15/08

2007 Thomas had over 50 tackles in 5 games. That's more than some had in 16. Still a great leader, still a great linebacker.

 

[moleculo]

I would like to remind everyone that it's 2008, not 2003. Zach Thomas is a shell of his former self and the Dolphins made the correct choice here. It may be wise for another team to sign him for next season, but expectations won't be high. There has been talks that he may retire if he doesn't land on a championship caliber. Generally speaking, he needs a team more than a team needs him. You couldn't say that in 2003.

Slinger

2/15/08

2007 Thomas had over 50 tackles in 5 games. That's more than some had in 16. Still a great leader, still a great linebacker.

not to mention team leader and fan favorite. Zach and Taylor are pretty much the only tow bona fide stars in Miami, and Zach's stardom is debatable outside of south FL.

 

[corpcow]

Patriots will sign Zach Thomas just so they can derive inside info on a divisonal opponent. Its the Patriots, what do you expect?

Ahhh yes because the Dolphins of '08 will have the exact same coaching staff, front office and players from '07.

And because the Patriots, or even my Jets, are really worried about inside info on the '07 Dolphins

 

[Bri]

Thomas is visitting Saints and Cowboys

 

[Balco]

Dolphins don't need him anyway... the guy above me makes a great point with the fact that the dolphins won't be in contention for at least another 4 to 5 years.. but everybody within the organization already knew that crowder was going to eventually be the successor to the MLB spot.... he played pretty good last season... not zach thomas numbers but looked pretty impressive and he's young.

Definitely agree that the phins won't be in contention next year, but they certainly can build a playoff team within 2-3. With that said, cutting Thomas was the smart thing to do.They need to cut the aging vets with big cap numbers, cut the dead weight, cap hit or not, and concentrate on 2009. It looks like they are doing that.

 

[saintfool]

Thomas is visitting Saints and Cowboys

this thursday, if the times-pic is to be believed...

 

[Marc Levin]

I can't believe a fan of the Dolphins and/or a Zach Thomas fan finds this either a surprising or bad move. Win-win I say. As I said early in this process, this Dolphin team is gong to be looking for a winning record in '09 and hoping to jump into contention for the division crown in 2010.

I think we will see a 3-4 system put in place, which is not a system Thomas is suited for. Taylor, OTOH, with Porter behind him, are suited for that system.

 

[faux_bear]

Zach visited with the Patriots on Monday and was offered a contract. Apparently though he's going to continue with his free agency tour of New Orleans and Dallas before deciding what to do.

If he signs with New England, I will get depressed.