Zach Thomas Released

[Gtown81]

http://www.wral.com/sports/football/nfl/story/2438208/

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins will release seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas, who plans to continue his career with another team.

Thomas was told of the team's decision Thursday, a person close to the player said on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins have not announced anything.

The decision was first reported on local newspaper Web sites. The Dolphins declined comment.

The 34-year-old Thomas missed most of last season because of concussions and migraines and was placed on injured reserve against his wishes in December because of nagging migraines, an aftereffect of an October 21 car crash.

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.

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 165 tackles 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 October 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 February 7 when asked about Thomas' future.

 

[kdogg]

Parcells is really cleaning up everything lol...

 

[.GR]

Wow. I wonder where he will go.

 

[Gtown81]

ya, in a way i'm really dissapointed he did this, because now Zach Thomas will never really have that much success again, and Miami was the only team that would probably give him the starters position no other team really needs him

 

[Yankees2772]

Thomas is a good player, he knows the league well and how offenses run... But he is a sick stat padder... You don't understand how often he lays on top of the pile and gets credit for a tackle...

 

[RipCity32]

Come to Detroit

 

[jarrod2323]

I'm surprised Parcells did this knowing how he loves crazy MLBs like him... I can see him heading to Dallas or Houston (went to school in Texas), or maybe even Tampa Bay..

remember when San Diego let Seau go? what happened? he now has a SuperBowl ring - San Diego doesn't

 

[kdogg]

remember when San Diego let Seau go? what happened? he now has a SuperBowl ring - San Diego doesn't

Actually no he doesn't lol

 

[jarrod2323]

my bad - i forgot he went to Miami first

 

[bulls12]

the Cardinals need someone like him for their LB core.

 

[Gtown81]

Seau was in a different situation, Seau still had talent and he also went to the best team in the league, Thomas right now is slowly getting worse and is really old, I also have a feeling that he might go to a not so great team, but Zach still brings great leadership and I hope his career doesnt go down the drain cause I love the guy

 

[DC4]

~_~ do you know how I feel? I'm a hardcore Miami fan..but man Parcells and Tony are cleaning the plate..atleast we have some xtra $$$$....

 

[Pugz]

Come to Detroit

Thats what I was thinking lol.

 

[ZigZag]

LOL It's like the Dolphins want to go 0-16.

 

[Gtown81]

LOL It's like the Dolphins want to go 0-16.

there rebuilding