Dolphins have released Zach Thomas

[TellerMorrow34]

It is when you have a player who's one hit away from his brain being mashed potatoes. I'd rather not go for a guy coming off a major head injury...

And to be very clear, if Ayodele is to be replaced, just draft one and go younger vs older.

Agreed. i don't see, at this point, Thomas being head and shoulders better than Akin to where you'd risk it.

 

[Bach]

Funny how everytime some oldtimer gets released someone inevitably wants us to sign him.

The guy brings nothing to the table at this point in his career. No thanks.

 

[superpunk]

It is when you have a player who's one hit away from his brain being mashed potatoes. I'd rather not go for a guy coming off a major head injury...

And to be very clear, if Ayodele is to be replaced, just draft one and go younger vs older.

A drafted LB doesn't provide the leadership, example, and competitive burn that a guy like Thomas does. We've got plenty of talent. We need something else. And that is something a guy like Thomas (whether it is Thomas or not) can bring to the team that a rookie struggling to adjust to the NFL could not.

 

[TheCount]

FWIW, Thomas and Donnie Edwards weight the same, although Zach is about 3 inches shorter.

I just feel like his influence, and the improvement he would make in pass defense from our LB group would be invaluable. He'll probably be more inclined to seek a 4-3 team, but I'd love to have him.

Nice stat actually, and yeah, the knock on Zach has always been his height. But wasn't Wade part of the Chargers when they let Donnie go too?

I don't think Zach will end up on the Cowboys, but a team like the Saints or Bengals might take a look at him.

 

[Stash]

It is when you have a player who's one hit away from his brain being mashed potatoes. I'd rather not go for a guy coming off a major head injury...

And to be very clear, if Ayodele is to be replaced, just draft one and go younger vs older.

I can see your point, he may be too injury prone to continue playing.

But if I was replacing Ayodele, I would go with experience, rather than using a draft pick on a rookie who'll need to learn the NFL game.

I think Thomas could bring experience, intensity, and leadership to a defense which sometimes lacks it.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

BP is really cleaning house....wow

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Well if you listen to folks on here, an on-field cheerleader with passion and fire is exactly what this team needs. Doesn't matter if he misses the tackle as long as he gets up and yells "aaaggghhhh!!!"

EXACTLY....

 

[WoodysGirl]

A drafted LB doesn't provide the leadership, example, and competitive burn that a guy like Thomas does. We've got plenty of talent. We need something else. And that is something a guy like Thomas (whether it is Thomas or not) can bring to the team that a rookie struggling to adjust to the NFL could not.

you forgot to add...on the field. Folks just wanna see it to know that it exists.

This team has leaders. But we don't have the on-field rah rah guys. This is the same argument people gave during the coaching search last year. Need a guy with fire in his belly who'll give this team life. Whatever.

This team went 13-3 and came up small when it mattered. The onus is on the players...the CURRENT players...to get it done.

 

[Cowboy Junkie]

i always thought he was a good player but just as over rated.

He made tackles but nothing special

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Oh, gee.
Let's go get an elderly "big name" who has been released.

Where have I heard this before?

A cardinal rule of acquiring players is: Go after them if they are talented and young.

If Thomas is so great, why don't even the lowly Dolls appreciate him?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. the 3-4 vs. the 4-3 but the end result is he is a castoff from one of the worst teams in the NFL.

I will pass on such an elderly player.

 

[Doomsday101]

BP is really cleaning house....wow

Dolphins really needed to. I think Jason Taylor will remain as the vet leader of the defense but I think he is one of the few who is safe.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I can see your point, he may be too injury prone to continue playing.

But if I was replacing Ayodele, I would go with experience, rather than using a draft pick on a rookie who'll need to learn the NFL game.

I think Thomas could bring experience, intensity, and leadership to a defense which sometimes lacks it.

Thomas can't bring any of it if he's not on the field...and that would be my concern. I'd rather draft a guy who may very well have those qualities once he learns how to play in the NFL and get some field-cred.

 

[YosemiteSam]

i always thought he was a good player but just as over rated.

He made tackles but nothing special

For a MLB, thats what his jobs was to do. There are MLBers out there that have difficulty doing that.

 

[Clove]

When are people going to stop telling this guy he can't do something? They already said he can't play in the NFL cause he's too small, well oops.

 

[hendog]

Dolphins really needed to. I think Jason Taylor will remain as the vet leader of the defense but I think he is one of the few who is safe.

I think BP would trade him. I'd offer spears and a 5th. I'd bet he'd do it. He has no loyalty to taylor, he's old and he thinks he can find another Ratliff with that pick.

 

[hendog]

Thomas can't bring any of it if he's not on the field...and that would be my concern. I'd rather draft a guy who may very well have those qualities once he learns how to play in the NFL and get some field-cred.

Me too but how long is our window open?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I think BP would trade him. I'd offer spears and a 5th. I'd bet he'd do it. He has no loyalty to taylor, he's old and he thinks he can find another Ratliff with that pick.

Why would we trade a player whose 26 for a guy whose 35 along with another pick?

I have nothing against upgrading Spears but if you think Taylor, at 35, is going to come in here and record 10 sacks in our 3-4 scheme then you're dreaming.

Why does everyone want to suddenly get way older?

 

[superpunk]

you forgot to add...on the field. Folks just wanna see it to know that it exists.

This team has leaders. But we don't have the on-field rah rah guys. This is the same argument people gave during the coaching search last year. Need a guy with fire in his belly who'll give this team life. Whatever.

This team went 13-3 and came up small when it mattered. The onus is on the players...the CURRENT players...to get it done.

I've heard all about who our off-the-field leaders are for the LB corp. Then, I watched him ***** about his standing with the organization less than 24 hours after the team lost another playoff game. Not quite impressed that this current group of LBs looks up to a whiny player who's been trying to get off this team for three years, now.

Thomas is a guy who can really show these guys how to work, study, and prepare - and he's got the skins on the wall to set that example, unlike our current estrogen-riddled veteran "leader".

I don't give a flying **** if I "see" it or not. You can see by the results on the field that it's not getting it done.

You seem to be under the impression that acquiring Thomas would represent some plan for the future. He doesn't. He provides a service we need. Bellichick has been acquiring players to fill specific roles for years now, and has built a defense that can be had a little bit, but rises to the occasion at the urging of a smart, clutch group of LBs. We can do that, and not have it represent a move away from a youth movement and planning for the future.

 

[junk]

This team went 13-3 and came up small when it mattered. The onus is on the players...the CURRENT players...to get it done.

And they haven't proven the ability to do so.

Maybe improvements will come by subtraction. You can't tell me that when the team has insecure "leaders" like Greg Ellis it doesn't translate directly on to the field of play when the chips are down. I think the December/playoff performance of the Cowboys is a pretty clear indicator of that. Combine that with a coach whose intensity is questionable and you get a playoff collapse.

Doesn't have to be a "rah rah" guy. Darren Woodson wasn't that type of player. Neither was Charles Haley. Just someone that will hold their teammates accountable and has historically show they know how to win in this league.

Most people discussing this are looking for guys that can provide that vet leadership and still contribute at a high level. Starter to replace Akin, nickel corner, nickel/dime safety, etc.

 

[DCfaninDC]

Maybe improvements will come by subtraction. You can't tell me that when the team has insecure "leaders" like Greg Ellis it doesn't translate directly on to the field of play when the chips are down. I think the December/playoff performance of the Cowboys is a pretty clear indicator of that. Combine that with a coach whose intensity is questionable and you get a playoff collapse.

Now now, I am with that players need to get it done and have heart and all, but the coaches have been fine so far. You have Bill Bellicheck who is not as animated as many coaches yet he won 3 SB (how he did is another debate). Now we just the firey always yelling Tom win his first SB.

Last year, almost everyone was saying that Coughlin lost his team when got tough on their candy a$$es. This year, everyone raved abot the new atmosphere the more laxed Wade brought to Dallas.

Hindsight is always 20/20.