Zach Thomas wants to sign a one day contract to retire as a Dolphin

[dolphins4life]

Just heard this on NFL network.

Goodbye Zach, you were a great Dolphin.

It sucks that we couldn't get you a ring.

The next years of his life are going to be painful.  He said is still feeling the effects of his concussions.  He had several in his career.  He played through ridiculous amounts of pain. 

[Brian Fein]

I would welcome it.  Dave says its a sham, but I think its an honor.

We could use someone at MLB, Zach, incase you wanna make it a 1 year deal...

[dolphins4life]

^^^^

No chance.

He says he's still feeling the effects of the concussion's he's suffered.

[Defense54]

Next to Dan he's my all time favorite Dolphin. The ultimate overachiever.  Always studying, always a step ahead. Never complained never whined. Always brought the "A" game. Gave 110% every game and now his body will pay for it.  Thank you for giving myself and my oldest son something to cheer about the last decade when there was nothing to cheer for.     (Chest thump)  serious respect. I want #54 retired.

[Dolphster]

Next to Dan he's my all time favorite Dolphin. The ultimate overachiever.  Always studying, always a step ahead. Never complained never whined. Always brought the "A" game. Gave 110% every game and now his body will pay for it.  Thank you for giving myself and my oldest son something to cheer about the last decade when there was nothing to cheer for.     (Chest thump)  serious respect. I want #54 retired.

Couldn't have said it better myself.  My sentiments exactly. 

[Dave Gray]

Because this is a standard in the NFL, of course you offer this to Zach.

I think that the entire process of signing one day contracts is a sham -- nothing specific to Thomas.  In his case, especially, I'm okay with it, though, because it's not like he left us to get more money as a mercenary.

[ethurst22a]

I would like to see him in the HOF. For a while, the standard for middle linebackers were Thomas and Ray Lewis. Urlacher is a chump that had two good seasons. He benefits from Chicago being a major media center.

The Dolphins should do the right thing, retire his number and put him immediately in the Ring of Fame next season.

[bsmooth]

Because this is a standard in the NFL, of course you offer this to Zach.

I think that the entire process of signing one day contracts is a sham -- nothing specific to Thomas.  In his case, especially, I'm okay with it, though, because it's not like he left us to get more money as a mercenary.

So if a beloved player who gave his heart to the team for the majority of his career leaves for a better shot, or a little more cash to payroll his retirement, how should they be allowed to come back to the team to retire if not for a one day contract?

[Dave Gray]

So if a beloved player who gave his heart to the team for the majority of his career leaves for a better shot, or a little more cash to payroll his retirement, how should they be allowed to come back to the team to retire if not for a one day contract?

In my opinion, they shouldn't.  If you want to retire with the team, do it for real.

It's fine that you chose to leave, but it doesn't change the fact that you left.  In my opinion, it diminishes the players that truly retire with the team.  Dan Marino could've gone to the Vikings, but he retired as a Dolphin.  He didn't go spend another season somewhere else and then pretend to retire as a Dolphin.

[Doc-phin]

In my opinion, they shouldn't.  If you want to retire with the team, do it for real.

It's fine that you chose to leave, but it doesn't change the fact that you left.  In my opinion, it diminishes the players that truly retire with the team.  Dan Marino could've gone to the Vikings, but he retired as a Dolphin.  He didn't go spend another season somewhere else and then pretend to retire as a Dolphin.

I can't totally disagree, but I think there is enough here to say that the guy was a Dolphin through and through.  If he hadn't of been forced out by the regime change after that horrible season, I might lean a little more your direction.  The guy deserves to retire a Dolphin, IMO.

[Brian Fein]

The important thing to note is that Zach didn't leave the Dolphins by choice.  He was cut.  I believe that, given the opportunity, Zach would have played his last game in aqua and orange.

[Dave Gray]

I'm not using this opportunity to crap on Zach.  He was a great player.  He's the ultimate Dolphin player.  I'm not trying to take anything away from him, and he's no less deserving of my gratitude or respect for what he did over his career to this team.

But he didn't retire as a Dolphin.  By setting up some sham ceremony, we're just lying to ourselves.

[Phishfan]

But he didn't retire as a Dolphin.  By setting up some sham ceremony, we're just lying to ourselves.

I get your point but sham or not if under contract, even for a day, he is indeed retiring as a Dolphin.

[Defense54]

Because this is a standard in the NFL, of course you offer this to Zach.

I think that the entire process of signing one day contracts is a sham -- nothing specific to Thomas.  In his case, especially, I'm okay with it, though, because it's not like he left us to get more money as a mercenary.

That is a GREAT point that needs to be pointed out. Good call. Zach did not ask to be released. No drama and moved on like a man when asked to vacate his Locker. The Man is class personified.

[doctord56]

Richmond Webb signed the one day ceremonial contract in 2005 after 2 years with the Bengals, and it was a good feeling thing to do for such a fine and noble player. Zach deserves the same after playing his heart out in aqua and orange for lo those many years, good and bad. Give him his retirement ceremony, and then a year later honor him again with the Ring of Honor. He deserves, in my not unbiased opinion, to go to Canton as well, but we'll see how that voting goes over the years.