The Miami Dolphins will release seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas, who plans to continue his career with another team.
The word is that the linebacker wants to keep playing, but only in the "right situation.'' What's the right situation? Thomas wants to play for a team that he believes has a shot at the Super Bowl. He expects to be healthy after missing much of last season after concussion problems following a car accident. Thomas may take some time to ponder his future, but wouldn't it suck if AFC East rival New England made a play for Thomas? Patriots are very old at Linebacker and it is anticipated that Both Junior Seau and T.Bruschi could be gone, Thomas is buddys with special teamer and former roomate Izzo. This fit makes sense but God I hope not.
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.
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.
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
Initially I hate this move, but Parcells is a master at turning programs around, so in Parcells I trust.
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