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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-zach042208,0,5363848.story

Agent: Zach Thomas spurned Patriots because of loyalty to Dolphins

By Keven Lerner
Sun-Sentinel.com

12:10 PM EDT, April 22, 2008

Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas didn't sign with AFC East rival New Engalnd this offseason because of loyalty to the franchise he played for the last 12 seasons, according to his agent.

Thomas, a Pampa, Texas, native and Texas Tech grad, signed a one-year, $3 million deal in February to play for the Dallas Cowboys, the team he grew up rooting for. He turned down comparable offers from the Patriots and Saints.

"Dallas was a very good fit for him because, like New England, they're a winning team," Drew Rosenhaus told 560-AM (WQAM) Tuesday morning. "They're in his home state, close to his family, and he grew up as a Cowboys fan. But also being a loyal Dolphin, and he'll always be a Dolphin, it would have been very difficult for him [to play for New England]. He did not want to alienate his fans, and really, I don't think, he wanted to compete against the Dolphins."

Dallas will pay ThFormer Miami omas $1 million in base salary, $1 million in signing bonus, and potentially $1 million in incentives based on playing time.

By releasing Thomas, the Dolphins allowed the seven-time Pro Bowl selection to sign a deal before the free-agency signing period began. Thomas immediately shot to the top of a weak free-agent class of interior linebackers, but his concussion-shortened season diminished the possibility he would sign a long-term deal.

Thomas, who will be 35 by the season-opener, has played in both the 4-3 and 3-4 defenses, and had no preference. The Cowboys use the 3-4 alignment, which incorporates two inside linebackers. Thomas led the Dolphins in tackles 10 of his 12 seasons, and contributed 52 tackles in the five games he played this past season.

Last year the Patriots traded with the Dolphins to acquire Wes Welker, who went on to have a career year as one of the top receivers in the league. He was one of seven former Dolphins on the Patriots' roster last year.

I would love to think this is true, but I have a feeling that it's scumbag Rosenhaus trying to maintain his player's popularity in his old market.

I don't doubt that it would be hard to jump ship to the rival, and I believe that Zach is loyal, but I think that Drew is probably laying it on pretty thick for the media down here.

Zach Thomas is my Favorite Miami Dolphin. That said this is an attempt to Keep Zach Popular so when he retires he can get his name up on the Ring of honor  and he can continue to make money off of him through endorsements ect.

On the other hand maybe playing for the enemy might have been just a bit too wierd for him.

I will hold ZT  with the up most respect  unlike that bastard Junior Seau.   ::)

^^^
Agree!

I couldn't believe Seau did that to us.

Seau was only a Fin for two seasons. It wasn't a big deal for him to go to the Pats.

Agree.....I love Zach and he is definitely one of my all-time favorite Dolphins.  best of luck to him, just a shame he couldn't have stayed here and finished out his career.

I don't believe this for a second.  Players don't have the same rivalries that fans do. 

Did Junior Seau have a problem going to New England after playing in Miami?  Did Wes Welker?  Larry Izzo?  Sammy Morris?

Bryan cox did the same thing to Miami when he went to the Jets  ;D   Many players know about conference Rivalries. 

Remember when the Patricheats won their first SB.  Who were  the former Dolphins giving Miami the Bird--

Terell Buckley
Damon Huard
Larry izzo
and I forgot who else.


Best believe If  the Patricheats had won the SB.  Seau , Welker, and maybe Morris would have shoved it in Miami faces  ::)

Um, you can't compare those players to Zach.

Seau is a Charger and will always be one, no matter where he goes.  His equivalent of "going to the enemy" would be signing with the Raiders, not the Patriots.

Wes Welker, Larry Izzo, and Sammy Morris were free-agent pickups that only spent a few years here.  Welker and Morris, in particular, had to spend every offseason wondering if an anvil was going to fall on their head.  They don't owe the Dolphins anything.

Zach was drafted by MIA and spent over a decade as a Dolphin, making 7 Pro Bowls.  I think he's slightly more invested in this franchise.

Grey Ruegamer was the fourth person.  What's interesting is that all four of those guys played backup roles in that Super Bowl Win Cheat

I don't think you can lump all player together. 

For some players money is the most important thing and they will go to what ever team offer the most money. 

But there are other player who will take a huge pay cut to play for a winning team (Randy Moss).

ZT may very well feel uncomfortable being a Patriot (or Jet or Bill) after playing for the Fins. 

But he is also for Texas, and rooted for the Cowboys as a kid, so that was part to the reason too.

Security, please confine Hoodrat to the stockade!!!!