Zach Thomas Released

[cordscords]

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.

Read this article at:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7797 ... ler-Thomas

[DeathbyStat]

Does he have anything left in the tank or is it time to retire?

[Geo]

The correct link to Jay Glazer's story:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7...-Bowler-Thomas

[Billingsley26]

I think he may have another year or two. Like anyone in need of a LB to hold it down for a year or so. I think a team like the Lions may make a run at him, just to hold that spot until someone is ready to step up.

[hugegmenfan]

its probably a tough one for phins fans to swallow because of what he has meant to the organization over the years, but from an outsiders perspective its prob the right move

[Nitschke-Hawk]

The Patriots will go after him.

[DeathbyStat]

Originally Posted by Billingsley26

I think he may have another year or two. Like anyone in need of a LB to hold it down for a year or so. I think a team like the Lions may make a run at him, just to hold that spot until someone is ready to step up.

The Pats should grab him they like old linebackers

[Billingsley26]

Originally Posted by Nitschke-Hawk

The Patriots will go after him.

Originally Posted by DeathbyStat

The Pats should grab him they like old linebackers

I dont understand one bit. Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau havent ruled anything out yet. I know we will draft an LB to play inside. We do have Oscar Lua waiting as well, and I think he will get a shot at some PT next year. I dont see it all.

[Geo]

I've thought that too for a few months now, I know I mentioned that to toonster before.

I really think that Belichick isn't going to groom a high draft pick at inside linebacker, that he sees the league is favorable to offense anyways, so he'll take his chances and his lumps with veteran linebackers he'll continually plug in.

[Billingsley26]

Originally Posted by Geo

I've thought that too for a few months now, I know I mentioned that to toonster before.

I really think that Belichick isn't going to groom a draft pick at inside linebacker, that he sees the league is favorable to offense anyways, so he'll take his chances and his lumps with veteran linebackers he'll continually plug in.

But when we have Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau and Adalius Thomas all for two spots, why would we waste money on Thomas?

[SaintsFanForLife]

Thomas has at least 2 years left. His positioning is just amazing and he is a very smart LB. He would be great for a team with young LB that needs to learn the game.

[Xonraider]

Hmm... wouldn't be a bad a quisition for Oakland, we could move Kirk to SLB.

[Gay Ork Wang]

And Parcells reforming everything

[RAZERSAINTS]

Zach just know how to find the ball carrier. Great VET LB

[Geo]

Good point, I suppose. Although Thomas can play outside though like Vrabel, and might be more suited/valuable there. Colvin is signed through 2008 with a $7.6M cap charge this season, so he might be gone this offseason if not next as a free agent. I think outside linebacker is a bigger concern for Belichick.

Since we're discussing value according to Belichick, I don't think he values cornerback enough to take him with their first round pick either. I think he'll wait at least one round to pick up the first prospect to develop, like he did with Samuel, Hobbs, and Randall G.

But I expect mockers to keep giving them an inside linebacker or a cornerback, like they do a guard for the Colts early. Some people just don't understand that certain teams value positions differently.

[Jakey]

Originally Posted by Billingsley26

But when we have Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau and Adalius Thomas all for two spots, why would we waste money on Thomas?

Beacuse i believe at least one of them will retire...and they are all old. Hence they could do with a breather.

[bearsfan_51]

Thomas is too small to play ILB in a 3-4. I don't see it.

I like the Lions fit though, though I'm not sure how well he'd do dropping back into zone coverage, which is the primary responsibility.

Maybe the Saints. That would make some sense.

[Jughead10]

His playing days might be over. He'll catch on somewhere but I wouldn't doubt it if he got injured again early on in the seaosn and that is that. If I'm looking for a perfect fit for him, I look at Jacksonville. Not that Jacksonville really needs him at all, I just think he could still have a chance to excel in that defense.

[Billingsley26]

Originally Posted by Geo

Good point, I suppose. Although Thomas can play outside though like Vrabel, and might be more suited/valuable there. Colvin is signed through 2008 with a $7.6M cap charge this season, so he might be gone this offseason if not next as a free agent. I think outside linebacker is a bigger concern for Belichick.

Since we're discussing value according to Belichick, I don't think he values cornerback enough to take him with their first round pick either. I think he'll wait at least one round to pick up the first prospect to develop, like he did with Samuel, Hobbs, and Randall G.

But I expect mockers to keep giving them an inside linebacker or a cornerback, like they do a guard for the Colts early. Some people just don't understand that certain teams value positions differently.

Yea, we do need an OLB. Thats why I like the idea of Vernon Gholston falling to us. If he is there, its a no brainer that we take him.

Your definately right about how Bill values corners. People like to think that Bill will take a CB in the first round, but he wont, especially not at #7, where there could potentially be top DL, who Bill values, probably, the most on the whole defense.

[bigbluedefense]

one of my favorite players. he was what i love about linebackers. tough, consistent, durable, hard hitting, smart, instinctive, big time leader, i can go on and on.

loved that guy. but i guess its time to move on.

[Geo]

At least Thomas would give the Lions a stopgap until they could develop a middle linebacker to follow him. But they better not overspend on him, come on Millen.

Then again, they're checking out Al Wilson already, right? If fully healthy, he might be a better option as a veteran guy to help hold the fort until they bring in much-needed defensive talent in the next 2 or 3 years.

It's not the ideal way to run the defense, with a MIKE who isn't great in coverage and probably better as a thumper, but either guy might be better than what the Lions have now.

[Young Legend]

some how he will find his way to the Pats.

[CC.SD]

He'll be a Bronco.

[LonghornsLegend]

Trading him was out of the question? I thought he could garner a 5th at least.

[no love]

Originally Posted by bearsfan_51

Thomas is too small to play ILB in a 3-4. I don't see it.

I like the Lions fit though, though I'm not sure how well he'd do dropping back into zone coverage, which is the primary responsibility.

Maybe the Saints. That would make some sense.

He is not too small to play ILB in a 3-4. He actually has done it at a high level in 2006 and had 52 tackles in 5 games last season. I hate when people say such and such a player cannot play in a scheme just because he isn't an ideal fit.

Even if a player is small and undersized, he can be better than a big thumper if he understands leverage and pursuit angles. That is football.

I do however, also think that he would be a great fit in NO. I am betting that he wants to play for a team thats a contender so that would probably rule out teams like the Lions and Raiders who still are a few years away. Realistically the Saints just need some pieces on defense to compete, because their current lbs are terrible.