The Zach Thomas blog offers the latest on Zach
OK, here's the scoop on Zach Thomas and his visit to New England today:
It was a "great" visit according to agent Drew Rosenhaus and that must be the case considering the Patriots offered the linebacker a contract.
Thomas has not taken the deal and will visit the New Orleans Saints tomorrow as scheduled.
Meanwhile, the more I think about this, the harder it is to get my brain around the fact that the 1-15 Dolphins can simply discard Thomas but half a dozen other teams think enough of the player to try to sign him.
And ALL of those teams -- particularly New England -- have been a lot more proficient at making personnel decisions in recent years than the Dolphins. So what did the Dolphins know that New England, Buffalo, the New York Jets, New Orleans and Dallas not know?
I would say nothing.
It was a "great" visit according to agent Drew Rosenhaus and that must be the case considering the Patriots offered the linebacker a contract.
Thomas has not taken the deal and will visit the New Orleans Saints tomorrow as scheduled.
Meanwhile, the more I think about this, the harder it is to get my brain around the fact that the 1-15 Dolphins can simply discard Thomas but half a dozen other teams think enough of the player to try to sign him.
And ALL of those teams -- particularly New England -- have been a lot more proficient at making personnel decisions in recent years than the Dolphins. So what did the Dolphins know that New England, Buffalo, the New York Jets, New Orleans and Dallas not know?
I would say nothing.
posted by Armando Salguero at 6:35 PM
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59 Comments:
Does this really surprise anyone? I got money on him signing with the Pats and winning defensive player of the year next season.
Nothing? The fact that Zach's played here gives the Fins a distinct advantage - primarily because he's been hurt a LOT the last couple of years and the our doctors/trainers know more than the other teams. The facts that A) he's been dinged up for the last 2 years, B) releasing him freed up a LOT of cash for bringing in BADLY needed new, young, players, and C) He's not suited for the roster that we have/hope to have. We don't have stud defensive lineman that can free him to make the plays that he USED to make as a younger player.
Don't get me wrong, ZT has been my FAVORITE player for a long time. He played smart, played hurt, was a ballhawk, and was a class act.
It all comes down to risk assessment. We can't afford to have someone on the roster with that big of contract with the likelihood that he won't be able to go 16 games. I hate seeing him go, but this was a prudent move.
defensive player of the year? You're high.
It's not about what the Dolphins know that the contenders don't know. Teams that are "close" can mortgage a little bit of the future for a player that can have enough impact to take them a little further. Zach doesn't have three good years left to await rebuilding success. So for us, it is a waste of $6M, but for a team like NE or Dallas, it is good value to get a solid veteran in there to fortify a weaker area to get them to the promised land. We would have no use for NE's LB corps, but they are just trying to reload and plug to make another run this year. Value is relative to each person. McFadden may be worth $35M to Dallas but he isn't worth $20M to us.
Armando please tell me you are either drunk or joking. Please read Ron from Charlottes blog so that you can better understand the NFL. Seriously Mando, are you okay? NYScott
armando again you show us why you shouldnt be a sports writer....i dont know how the editors at the MH keep you around. If you were to be released from the MH i doubt any other paper would show any interest in signing YOU.
Clearly the Pats didn't offer a lot of $$$$.
I hope Zach goes and plays for the Colts. I think he would do good there. They after all have a great coach and great players!
Trust me Zach WILL NOT sign with the Patriots. He went there just to lead them on as a way of saying fuck you dirty cockaroaches! He will sign with the Colts or the Cowboys, inside info at its best,
your welcome.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
35 years old, sorry.
I agree with you Mando about giving up a player that has 6 teams already set-up for interviews. It's only been 1 weekend too.
I have a few issues with this whole mess.
1. Sparano stated that he is building a team to fit the players, not the other way around. They released Zach because he doesn't fit the scheme anymore???????
2. Yes he did command a big salary and rightly so. People payed good money to come to Dolphins Stadium just to see him play, myself included. He was/is a draw and still is.
3. I respect Zach enough to take him at his word when he say's he is healthy and ready to play again. Yes, he is older and has been banged up, but if he say's he is ready nobody should have any reason to doubt him. I truly believe that Zach would say so if he wasn't healthy.
4. You yourself said, Mando, that the Dolphins must have a plan to "upgrade" his position with someone younger. (Excuse the paraphrase.) There is no gaurantee that anyone will ever be able to fill those cleats. They had a sure thing for at least another 2 years in #54. His experience and leadership alone was worth every penny he earned.
5. Now here is a thought. If there are 6 Superbowl contention teams so interested that they all booked interviews within 2 days of his release, He say's he is healthy and ready to go, the Dolphins never said another word about why they released him other than "because of the type of person and kind of player that Zach is, this is not an easy decision". I honestly can't justify this move, except....If Zach Thomas requested the release himself.
SWFLA Fan
Armondo, are you serious? He's 35, making 8 million a year, the Dolphins are rebuilding and Parcells said he wanted to let Zach pick a team that fit him, that's why they cut him. Plus Zach himself said he was expecting this. He could have 200 tackles next year and Miami still wouldn't win the east or a Super bowl. Give it a rest, don't be so negative. It was a smart move that 31 other teams would have made, except Detroit because millen's an idiot
Jake, while you were busy ripping Armando, your parole officer called and was very upset you've been trying to tear off that ankle bracelet.
You're an idot.
By the way, Miami has $38 million in cap room and needs a new linebacker. Lance Briggs anyone? On the outside of course, moving Crowder inside. BTW is Jeff Darlington still alive? This guy is a JOKE! He answeres 1 line questions with a paragraph and a story, and only answeres questions once every 3 months. Want readers to like you more Armondo? Take over the Q&A and answere them at least twice a week
Wes Welker. Sam Madison. Patrick Surtain. Junior Seau. Kevin Carter. Zach Thomas.
All former Dolphins that went on to play well with new teams after the Dolphins said they were no longer any good.
JON, Where have you seen Bill Parcells quoted as saying he wanted to let Zach pick his own team. You are just making this stuff up.
Please stick to the facts. They are better than fiction.
KFFL reports the Pats offered Zach a contract today.....GREAT,,,,the worst possible senario!
Who cares if he signs with the Pats....Zach is a one hit wonder...one hit and he'll be wondering what truck hit him...and that truck could be Ronnie Brown.
You Dolphins don't need to worry as I type he is on his way to New Orleans as of 2100 Hrs. Central Time. The Pats offered him a contract but he wants to see what New Orleans has to offer. The Saints will sign him tomorrow because "MONEY TALKS AND BULLSHIT WALKS" and bullshit is all the worthless pats can offer. The Saints have more money under the cap and will pay him accordingly. So Dolphin fans don't you frett!!!
thanks for breaking this story Armando. Great job, as always
OK RON, YOU'RE SO SMART? ULTIMATELY, THE DOLPHINS HAVE TO FIELD A TEAM IN 2008 WHETHER THEY ARE COMPETING FOR A TITLE OR NOT. THEY WILL CHARGE TICKETS PRICES IN 2008 WHETHER THEY ARE A TITLE TEAM OR NOT.
SO IF THEY HAVE A FINE PLAYER IN ZACH THOMAS, WHY DOES IT MAKE SENSE TO LET HIM GO FOR NOTHING? ANSWER: IT DOES NOT.
YOU THINK WHATEVER SLAPPY THEY PUT IN THERE WILL BE BETTER THAN ZACH? NO WAY. ISN'T THE IDEA TO KEEP THE GOOD PLAYERS? THE DOLPHINS CLEARLY DIDN'T DO THIS IN THIS CASE, SMARTALEC.
Zach is the best, he deserves the right to go get his ring or at least try other options since there is NO WAY he will be around when Miami finally gets back on top. Thanks for the memories Zach, we all know he won't go to NE, so don't even try it Mondo!
ArrdumbDOUGH... Wake up man, your posts just confirm the fraud that you are and stop bustin the chops of the FINS new order. Zach is a TRUE BALLER and it sucks 2 c him go but get with the NEW PHINS NATION, let the past rest so we can MOVE TO YOUTH, SPEED and MANY NEW WINS! Best of Luck to you Zach, your the MAN, thanx for playin lights out for the FINS!
Seriously,
It's writers like Armando that fuel fires. Every loyal Dolphins fan knew Zach had no business sticking around with another rebuilding year despite our passion for his greatness. The Fins organization did the classy thing and let Zach walk so he can choose a winning team to play for. It's not about not keeping talent; it's about doing what's right for this new regime. Even if we did keep him, he wouldn't make a difference in '08. So, Armando, stop being a little punk and hold back your anti-Dolphins rant. Perhaps go to New England and write for the Herald. You won't be missed. I promise...
FLPD aka Armandohhh!!!
Yeah I've never even gotten a speeding ticket. Let alone been arrested and put on parole.
So...your the idiot. Jackass.
dolphins fans are a bunch of tools. takes ignorance to root for the worst franchise in all of sports. you guys are ignorant if you think it's $$ zt is looking for. he will sign with the pats, cowboys, or colts. most likely the pats once seau, welker, izzo, etc explain to him the difference between playing for a professional team in ne vs a pop warner team in miami that is going nowhere fast. you guys are a joke!! so are the marlins!! so are the heat!! just a bunch of greasy spics!!
What I don't like is Armando seems to hold the current NEW regime responsible for the mistakes of past ones. Statements like "And ALL of those teams -- particularly New England -- have been a lot more proficient at making personnel decisions in recent years than the Dolphins," show this point. This applies ONLY to prior administrations.
Armando - these are DIFFERENT people now. They haven't made the mistakes that past Dolphin administrators have. Let them build a record and judge them on THEIR record. Don't judge them on Wannstedt/Spielman or Cameron/Mueller.
With new people always comes new hope. As a Dolphin fan over the last few years, you make sure that you don't build false hope. Certainly, we don't hold the new people responsible for the prior ones.
BTW, glad to see MOST bloggers holding Armando to a higher standard. KEEP IT UP!
OHFinFan
why do i ever bother to read this garbage. You don't know what's going on. Maybe Thomas didnt want to restructure his contract. he says he wanted to stay but at what price? Maybe miami did make the same offer as New England. The leagure minimum but thomas said he wants to shop it around. You have no idea. You just spew garbage when you sit at your computer. Dude are you sure being a sports writer is what you want to do. I can sit here and put out one speculation after another. But I'm not a reporter you are. THEN report. Go out and get the story. don't speculate. Journalism 101.
Armando - Cheap shot saddling the current football staff with the boneheaded decisions of coaches past. Dave W. wouldn't know a football player if he tripped on hom and Cameron was never able to put a stamp on the team. Thoomas was a tackling machine as someone else pointed out. Unfortunately, the tackles were down field, rarely in the backfield or even at the line of scrimmage. In my view, and I go back to the very first training camp, he is the most overrated linebacker in team history. Let him go. The Patriot offer is probably as much Bellicheat thumbing his nose at Parcells as anything.
I'm dissapointing with your question, is it suppouse you cover the dolphins and now this is a team in REBUILDING phase. Zach Thomas is a great player and the dolphins know that but how can they afford 5.6M in salary cap and waste the last 2 years of a great player trying to win with young new teammates.
Here's what the Dolphins know - and so does the rest of the league. Zach Thomas would cost the Dolphins $5.6 million against the cap; he won't cost his new team much more than 1 million. The Dolphins need new players by the boat load - $5.6 million more in cap space won't cure all the ills, but it will help.
Two common threads that I see on here that are pretty stupid are:
1. That Zach made a bunch of tackles but all of them were way downfield. That's not true.
2. That Zach wouldn't take a pay cut so the Dolphins were right to let him go. Armando has written, even on this blog, and I heard Zach say on radio that he was not offered a pay cut or a salary adjustment. So it is ignorant to say he wouldn't do it for the Dolphins.
Thanks for the great blog Mando. I don't know how you put up with the retards on here that think they can give journalism lessons when they didn't graduate eighth grade.
The Dolphins could have asked Zach Thomas to take a paycut and kept him. That they didn't do that speaks to a mistake Parcells and Ireland have already made.
Jake AKA JACKASS!!!!
Blow it out your hole punk.
You idiots are hoping Zach doesn't sign with us and saying he's washed up, but everyone knows he's going to be a Patriot and he's going to lead the league in tackles and you guys will have a giant hole at that position this year.
Thanks Dolphins for being such gigantic losers. Thanks for Wes Welker and Sammy Morris. Thanks for Heath Evans. Thanks for the two victories every year. Thanks for that leaky secondary that can't cover itself with a blanket at night.
Thanks for bringing up the rear of the standings, you make a great bookend for us. And thanks for our next great linebacker acquisition!!!
pats fan said...
Thanks for going 18-1! It really took the sting out of going 1-15. Biggest chokers in NFL history.
I would just like to make one comment on the 18-1 1-15 wow dolphins win 1 football game and try to use that as a dig against the Pats. Try to shoot down Bill B. well lets talk about Murcury M powder in my nose piece of jailbate. Wow what a guy to have as your spokeman.He is one guy to admire. How many of you Pats haters out there have actually read the rule and what it states about taping what it said and what it means is two different things.So before all you Pats haters shoot your uneducated mouths off read the dam rule and tell me what it says. You just can't get ot through your Dolphins losing heads and try to attract attention elsewhere. So stand by your man Murcury Morris as your spokesman and I will stick with Bill B.
It really is sad when you jump on the Pats look at the Yankees and tell me who cheated they had a Drug store in the locker room so get over it and hope you and Parcells have a great year. you think you have something great in this guy his ego cannot fit in that stadium you own and mark my words he will in the next 2 years get you over .500 and then he will quit just like he has with all other teams he coached.
Murcury? It's okay to spell his name correctly. Personal attacks? When did the third graders join this blog? I'm sure you are a Patriots fan and that you have never exercised poor judgement in your life at any time. Just keep throwing stones - it makes you look incredibly righteous (or self-righteous is more like it). Your coach is not under a personal attack, he is simply having to answer for cheating, lying and changing his story. The NFL tried to sweep it under the rug with a slap on the wrist, but things keep coming out. Bill was a loser before he began cheating in Foxboro and Brady sat behind Bob Griese's little boy at Michigan. Then suddenly, they both become unbeatable champions. Win at any cost, right? How pathetic. I feel bad for the great players the Patriots do have, who work hard and honestly. No one will ever look at them as true champions now - all because of Bill. What a class act; walking off the field before the game had ended. Yet you have the nerve to find fault with one of our players who retired almost 30 years ago. Is that how far you have to reach? At least Mercury Morris admits his past mistakes when he speaks nationally to young people about the dangers of drug abuse. Will your Coach ever admit to being a cheat? I doubt it. Finally, enjoy the off season knowing you won as many championships as the Dolphins did this year.
For all of you who think Thomas was a great linebacker, and for that matter, Taylor is a great player too, give us the last time either made a critical stop to preserve a win. I can't think of one time since the most revered Jimmy Johnson took control and started this nosedive. A good tackler down field is all that the guy was and may be for another year or two. Time to get on with someone building a winner in Miami again.
Zach was released because the Dolphins are looking to be great in 3 years. Zach Thomas (one of the classiest men in the NFL and one of the most under rated linebackers in the games history) will be pushing 40 by then. Cameron and his boys tried to make the Dolphins contenders in a year. Saban did the same thing. Parcells and crew are approaching this correctly, it's just too bad that Zach won't be part of it. Jason Taylor may not be in Miami when they contend either. I doubt Dolphin fans will be upset when free agency starts with 40 mil available to sign the right kinds of free agents. The draft WILL be productive this year as well. It's amazing what can happen when you take the idiots out of the war room. Best of luck Zach, Parcells and crew and go Fins!!!
all the sum dolphins fans want to jump on the spygate issue to deflect how sorry their franchise is and nobody talks about them except to discuss how pathetic they are. what about jimmy johnson fessing up to how he cheated while coaching the dolphins?? and they still sucked. nice franchise. can't even cheat well. but it did get you into the playoffs in 1999. what was that??? 64-7 to the lame jaguars?? your team and city are one big greasy cuban joke!!!!!!!!!
Wasn't there another player who they clear and said was %100 healthy after a concussion... I think his name was Trent Green, Look how well that turned out... It's not easy to come back from that kind of injury... we'll see what happens
I welcome the changes. We have had good defenses but not great defenses. Let`s bring in young hungry players. We have misssed the playoffs long enough. Too many people bash our management decisions, with-out giving them a fair shot. How about some positive blogs. Parcell`s & company are proven winners, give the NEGATIVE crap a rest.
Armando,
I bet you were a big hit on the 3rd grade playground -- hard to imagine any one better at being equally tasteless and stupid. But then, if your "life work" -- very loosely speaking -- is to follow a 1 -15 team intent on shipping out / giving away its talent, I guess you don't the intelligence or imagination to do anything else.
Pats Fan
Dolphins Suck,
Please come down to Miami and repeat your words where you can't hide behind your computer. People like you deserve to get shot in the head. Act like a sports fan, not a piece of sh*t racist. I'm not hispanic but I would have no problem spending a few nights in jail just to put a dent in your worthless skull.
Hey Pat's Fan, how does it feel to go 18-0 and then choke in the Super Bowl? I've been a fins fan my entire life and I must say seeing the Patriots lose in the Super Bowl was the next best thing to the fins winning. After that embarrassment I think you should keep your idiotic comments to yourself. Get ready for the big decline jackass.
Frank Rizzo
That picture is phenomenal
Bleep the Patirots
i repeat the words every day to the sumbag dolphins fans i know down in that godforsaken city of yours. it's a dirty, crime infested, shit place to visit...nevermind live. i live in palm beach pal and am sick and tired of the same old shit every year from dolphins fans..."this is our year, this is our year, this is our year". shut the f*ck up!! your organization is the biggest joke in all of sports! new england rules the sports universe right now. chew on that. since you are soooooo educated, i guess you would rather have a 1-15 team than an 18-1 team?? retard. come to palm beach to put that dent in my skull tough guy. speaking of hiding behind a computer...in liberty city no doubt.
yea...bleep the patriots!!! all the way to the superbowl again in 2009.
i know 1 team that will not be there. they have a gay fish on their helmet.
1...2...3...1st down...GAY!!! didn't get to shout out that faggot cheer too much this year did you.
how 'bout this one...1...2...fumble or...1...interception???maybe 1...punt might have been a better option...lololol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1....2....3....Still living in PERFECTVILLE! 1....2....3.....PATS STILL CHEATIN! 1....2...3...FREEZIN UR ASS OFF UP NORTH FOR A CHOKE JOB WHILE WE ARE LIVIN IN PERFECT WEATHER IN PERFECTVILLE!
Why would Zach go play for the pats? He doesnt need the money... go to the Colts or Cowboys anyone but the dreadful Cheatriots.. It was bad enough watching Wes lead the NFL in catches... Please Zach keep your head.. Dont go to the Pats.... you will never be forgiven in Miami....
Should this surprise anyone that he visited the Patriots. The writers in South Florida are just ttripping over themselves to say nice things and I imagine he is a good guy. However, let us not get carried away and wish him the best and move on. Furthermore, a middle linebacker with a history of concussions is a disaster waiting to happen.
how about this for a LB core
porter, lance briggs , crowder
would not mind seeing that.
"And ALL of those teams -- particularly New England -- have been a lot more proficient at making personnel decisions in recent years than the Dolphins."
Ummm, this is completely true but is also a completely useless point. The Dolphins staff making these personnel decisions NOW are COMPLETELY different than the ones making them in recent years.
1...2...3...1-15 and the biggest joke in professional sports.
when it comes right down to it, all you've got is the weather...hurricanes and all. oh yea...and the best pop warner team $$ can buy.
i must admit, the golfins (as in 1st on the course every year) lead the nfl in something...#1 in head coach turnover.
let me guess...next year is your year. like last year, the year before, the year before that, the year before that.
'nuff said.
DOLPHINS DO SUCK!!!!!!!!
maybe if the pats had a weak ass schedule like the dolphins they would be undefeated too.
oh wait, they were 18-0 so they 1 upped the golfins. and the golfins sure were strong that year beating all of 4 teams with winning records. oooooooooo wowwwwwwwwww!!!
lucky for the golfins that the nfl extended the season 2 more games.
at least the spokesperson for our team isn't a convicted crack head felon.
i would also imagine you're bringing back ricky "the bong" williams for his 4th tour of duty.
yup...what a class organization.
it's comical that the asshole herald writers put a box of "cheaties" on their site with an "hgh inside" comment on it.
what about a box of pot brownies for ricky "the bong" williams. maybe 3 boxes to represent his 3 tours of duty with the dolphins.
yea...the dolphins are a model organization. go ahead and make fun of the pats. pot calling the kettle black you bunch of greasy spics!!!!!!!!!!!!!
funnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnny...
even huizenga can't stand his own team selling 1/2 of it.
further evidence of which franchise is the biggest joke in all of professional sports!!!!!!!!!!!!
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