Dolphins to release 7-time Pro Bowler Thomas

[Pittsburghfan]

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.

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.



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 195 tackles in 2002, and 165 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 Oct. 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 Feb. 7 when asked about Thomas' future.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Sorry if i missed anything.

[The Duke]

wow, this one's a shocker

but it means......... parcells is all about business right now, good for him, thomas is a great player and a future hall of famer, but with that team 1-15 there's no time for sentimentalism,thomas just doesn't fit their plans anymore, and that team definitely has to think about the future, not their past

good decision by the dolphins, but I bet their fans are gonna miss him

[Dino 6 Rings]

Saw this coming with Parcells taking over. Watching for Porter or Jason Taylor to find themselves involved in draft day trades as well. Not sure about their "cap hits" or what not, but Parcells is all about cleaning house and starting over young.

[tony hipchest]

thomas will be bunking with seau next season.

the patriots will love him. especially when he plays for a fraction of what he was making.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

thomas will be bunking with seau next season.

the patriots will love him. especially when he plays for a fraction of what he was making.

i don't know tony.....the cheaters might just try to bring in youth here and cut seau altogether in favor of thomas....

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by MasterOfPuppets

i don't know tony.....the cheaters might just try to bring in youth here and cut seau altogether in favor of thomas....

true...

[SteelCityMan786]

I'm not stunned by this move. Last year he started showing A LOT of rust. But he was truely a great player.

[GoFins11]

My favorite player outside of Dan Marino. He will be missed.

Good move by the Dolphins. Zach is up in age and his health has come into question since last season when he only played 4 games due to concussions and migraines. He also has a big salary.

[Steeler in Carolina]

Parcells has no ties to any of these players, so let the cutting continue.

[RoethlisBURGHer]

Oh, the purge isn't over. I don't see Porter and/or Taylor on the Dolphins next year either. One, if not both, are gonna be gone via trade. Either for draft picks, player(s), or a combination.

I think it's more likley to see Porter and his large salary gone. If Parcells is going to move this team to a 3-4 defense like what he's run his entire career, Taylor would make an excellent OLB in the 3-4. Plus he'd keep a strong veteran presence in the locker room and on the defense.