Zach Thomas to be cut from the Dolphins

Big news out of Davie, as 7 time Pro Bowler and fan favorite Zach Thomas will be released by the Dolphins as soon as today. I hope Zach takes this in stride and decides to retire for his health's sake, but according to the Sun-Sentinel he wants to continue playing. I bet he goes to the Patriots and re-joins buddy Larry Izzo and can be a role player for their linebacker corps, perhaps even replacing former teammate Junior Seau.

Here is the Sun-Sentinel article.

sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-zachgone021408,0,5168447.story
South
Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Dolphins to release fan favorite Zach Thomas
By
Omar Kelly
Sun-Sentinel.com
1:04 PM EST, February 14, 2008

Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas has
been informed that his tenure as a Miami Dolphin has come to an end.According to
a source, Thomas, 34, was told by the Dolphin's new management that he no longer
fits into the team's long-term plans, and will be released today.Instead of
playing out the final year of his contract, which was set to pay him just under
$6 million, the seven-time Pro Bowl selection will be shopping for a new team
because he plans to continue playing.Thomas, a fifth-round pick in 1996 who has
led the Dolphins in tackles 10 of his 12 seasons, had the 2007 season shortened
because of a concussion he suffered in the second game of the season against
Dallas. He came back and played three games after a two-week hiatus but was
sidelined again due to concussion-like symptoms, stemming from an October car
accident he was involved while leaving Dolphin Stadium after a loss to the
Patriots.Thomas contributed 52 tackles in the five games he played last
season.New General Manager Jeff Ireland admitted that as a fellow Texan, he's a
fan of Thomas, going all the way back to Thomas' college days at Texas Tech. But
following a 1-15 season the Dolphins are working feverishly to retool the
roster, and are creating salary cap space to do so. Earlier this week the
Dolphins released nine players, which included four starters.Thomas' departure
means Channing Crowder, who led the team with 78 tackles in an injury-shortened
season, will likely fill in as the team's middle linebacker unless the Dolphins
address that position when free agency starts at the end of the month, or in
April's draft.