After missing seven games this season as a result of continued symptoms from concussions, Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas has been placed on the injured reserve, sidelining him for the remainder of the year, two sources said Tuesday. The Dolphins activated tackle Julius Wilson and linebacker Kelvin Smith off the practice squad, filling the slots left void by Thomas and Cameron Worrell (torn ACL). http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/331800.html
shoot, I was hoping he'd be able to make it back, although how this season has gone that's not that big of a surprise...
I hope he hasn't played his last game as a Miami Dolphin, but if he has, what an amazing career for an undersized, underrated 5th round pick, who will eventually end up in the Hall of Fame.
good, we're letting the young guys come in...our season is over, may as well let Julius and Kelvin get some playing time to see if they can contribute anything
If he retires, I would love to see the front office offer him a job as our linebackers coach, put him on the fast track to becoming defensive coordinator, and scout for his own successor to run the defense on the field.
It's for the best. Theres no point in him risking further injury. He said a while back that he'd be back next year. I'm sure if the doctors give him the go ahead he'll be back for at least one more season.
Good????? How is this good? The guy is a Miami icon, having some medical problems and its good? Smith will not play Zach's spot, special teams maybe, Wilson??????
Cory Lekkerkerker took Chris Liwenski's spot on Sunday for the final quarter or two....it looks like Cam is letting our younger guys get a chance. Cory is 6'7, kinda big for a Guard, idk why u wouldnt work him at RT instead.
Five opening day starters out for the season. Has there been a worse year? I thought last year was bad. This is horrible. Check this out - Three of eight of our first game inactives are now starters. http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29204/WAS_Gamebook.pdf http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29375/MIA_Gamebook.pdf
It's amazing how many guys have gone down, were working on saftey # 24 I think. As for ZT I'm glad they shut him down, if he's having lingering effects he's better off not getting hit or hitting anyone else.
As you would expect ZT did not like the idea of going to IR. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-1204thomas,0,864994.story
I think it is great. I'm VERY pleased that someone stepped in to save Zach from himself. Anyone who doesn't see this as a good move is selfish and narrow thinking. Zach is one hit away from slobbering upon himself for the rest of his days.. do you love Zach Thomas ?? I do, and the LAST thing "I" want to see is him shaking and shuffling through life like Muhammad Ali.
I honestly wonder if we are going to set a record for number of starters placed on IR during a season.
The Gills haven't had that much luck in that department neither. I hate to say it but I like what the Gills have done under Levy/Jauron. Quietly, they are getting better. August 28 placed OL Aaron Merz on injured reserve September 1 placed DE Al Wallace on injured reserve September 11 placed S Ko Simpson on injured reserve September 13 placed TE Kevin Everett on injured reserve September 13 placed CB Jason Webster on injured reserve September 24 placed LB Paul Posluszny on injured reserve September 26 placed OL Jason Whittle on injured reserve October 5 placed LB Kevin Harrison on injured reserve October 19 placed WR Peerless Price on injured reserve November 8 placed TE Derek Schouman on injured reserve November 14 placed TE Matt Murphy on injured reserve November 14 placed CB Kiwaukee Thomas on injured reserve and then there is the injury report - http://www.buffalobills.com/team/injury.jsp
Great post Marty. I was just going to say, Zach is at a time in his career, that he has to think of his health after football.
Another sad day in Dolphin land. The hits keep coming. Looks like the hits that Zach has laid over the years have finally started to catch up with him. Hopefully we see him back next year... ONLY if he is cleared medically.
Dear Zach Take your Honor and run. You have been the heart, soul, leadership, and role model for, not only the defense, but the entire team. Your hits, work ethic, and class make you the best Linebacker in the NFL. We, Dolphin Nation, are honored and grateful for the heart, sweat, and blood you have poured into this team. Please, before you become a vegetable, retire and save the dignity and pride that every Dolphan has for you. Zach Thomas, Thank You. Dolphins Nation
I hate seeing him on the sidelines knowing how much he could help the defense but would rather that than him getting seriously hurt. Sure miss him out there though. He has the skills and experience and if he has the mind set for it I'd love to see Zach move into a coaching position with Miami. It might add a good bit of discipline and heart our D sometimes lacks these days.
It's a good thing he will stay out. To risk furthering his problems over a wasted season is not a good idea. The man needs to rest up and come back next year with a passion. Not unlike his recent years, but a passion you get when youre away from something you love for so long. You cant wait to get back and wreak havoc on rb's and qb's.
I think you may have seen the last game of him in a fins uniform. I would be willing to bet he retires at the end of the year
He's not talking like a guy who's ready to hang it up......he said that he wanted to, and expected to return this year. Maybe he has played his last game as a Phin...but I don't think that it will be because he walks away.
IDK maybe. But I would think a guy like him if he were to be delt to another team or released anything like that I would guess he would just wanna Retire as a Phin
I hope he plays one more year and has a banner year. It will also give Miami another year to figure out Crowder is NOT the man for MLB (gets caught up in trash, frequently gets beaten in coverage like a mule) and gives Miami another year before having to draft one as there are already a number of positions that need filling.
This being the most important feature. I can't give up on Crowder immediately. The man in the middle is totally different from any other position on the field. It's a learning curve for anybody SWITCHED to the role.
most def...The Jets have been pretty clueless this year when it comes to their defense. They have 4-3 personnel but elect to use a 3-4
ZT and JT will both be back for 1 more year in the TEAL and ORANGE in 2008. Neither one of them are going to throw in the towel just yet. Even if they are old, in the NFL perspective, they still have another year or two that they can put up some great numbers with the right DC and supporting cast. Do what you will with the rest of the defense... However, you lose ZT and JT, you have not only lost 2 great veteran leaders, you have lost idiols that the young personnel strive to be like and earn praise from the very same guys!!! Think about it... IF you are a rookie coming into the NFL as a defensive player and had the opportunity to be or work as a backup to either one of these 2 guys, how would you feel? Would you not drive to be as good, if not better than them knowing that they are a couple of the bes in the league? IF you didn't have that there, who would you want to beat next? How can you do that without the challenge staring you square in the face? IDK... Maybe I just love these 2 guys too much to see them go at such a low time for the team... If anyone on this team deserves rings, it is definitely ZT and JT...
I dont think JT has a choice, I dont think he stays. But I def. think Zach finishes his career a Phin.
Why would we get rid of JT now? IF we were going to do it, I think it would have been done before now... He has 8 sacks on the season right now and will probably finish with 11 or 12... And this is all based on his current assignments in a 4 - 3 defense or something that is supposed to resemble it... Even DOM has stated that he has made the defense "VANILLA" to ease the rookies into the line up. So toning down the "D" and JT is still having an impact, I just can't see us releasing an impact player and leader of his caliber... ZT and JT are the cornerstones of this defense... PERIOD!!!
Just thinking about Thomas. It's his decision and I have loved watching him play since he took one of my favorite players job in Del Rio; though i've said it in other posts head injuries are nothing to mess around with. Marino went out without as probably the most disgraceful game i've witnessed. Though I don't think individuals are going to be ridiculed for awful management.
I know most of you do not want to lose JT and ZT but to tell you the truth it would probably be better if they did leave or retire. Heck not many people thought the Bills would be ok with Losing Clements, Fletcher and Spikes. But this gave a young team the opertunity to grow together. And for a rebuilding team that is the best thing that could happen IMO