Sports

  The Miami Dolphins on Thursday terminated the contract of linebacker Zach Thomas ending a 12 year career with the organization.

According to a source, Thomas, 34, was told by the Dolphins' new management that he no longer fits into the team's long-term plans. 

"Zach Thomas has been a great player on this team for many years, and because of the type of player and the kind of person that Zach is, this was not an easy decision," said Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland.  "In addition to his numerous accomplishments on the field, he was a leader off of it as well.  We want to thank Zach for everything he has done for the Dolphins organization and the South Florida community.  We all wish him the best of luck in the future."  

"I want to thank the entire organization, especially Mr. Huizenga, for making my 12 seasons with the Dolphins as memorable as they were," Thomas said.  "I also want to thank all the coaches and teammates that I've had during my career for helping me to grow both on and off the field.  I have a tremendous appreciation and admiration not only for the Dolphins organization, but for the fans as well, for all of the support that they have given me.  I can't thank Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland and the rest of Dolphins management enough for handling this situation in a first-class manner.  I am healthy and look forward to playing in 2008, but will always consider myself a Miami Dolphin."     

Thomas, who was a fifth-round draft pick in 1996, made seven Pro Bowls in his 12 seasons and is considered one of the best players in Dolphins history.

The popular player was sidelined much of the Dolphins dismal 1-15 season due to a concussion during a game against Dallas and then migraines followed an October car accident. Many speculated that he might retire but sources say he may shop for a new team and continue playing if it's a team that has a shot at making it to the Super Bowl.

Earlier this week, the Dolphins released nine other players including four starters as the new management team reworks the roster and creates salary cap space.

Miami trimmed about $9 million in 2008 base salary on Monday, when it parted ways with quarterback Trent Green, wide receiver Marty Booker and seven other players. Thomas was slated to make just over $5.6 million in base salary this coming season.

Thomas was the 154th player chosen in the 1996 draft, and many observers didn't give the 5-foot-11 player from Texas Tech much chance of making the Miami roster.

From there, he only wound up one of the best linebackers in Dolphins history.

Thomas led the Dolphins in tackles 10 times, is the franchise's all-time leader in that category by a wide margin, and his 168 games is the most by any Miami defensive player.

He was remarkably durable in his first 11 seasons, missing only 13 games, and recorded a career-best 165 tackles in 2006 -- an indication he wasn't exactly slowing down.

But Thomas missed two games in September this season because of a concussion, and on Oct. 21, he took another hard shot off the field. Thomas had eight tackles in Miami's 49-28 loss to the New England Patriots, and as he and his wife drove home that day, their vehicle was rear-ended on Florida's Turnpike.

Originally, the Dolphins said Thomas was uninjured in that crash. But he experienced numerous migraines following that wreck, and never got back on the field in 2007.

He was inactive for the next seven games before the Dolphins put him on injured reserve, officially ending his season and sparking widespread speculation that his time with Miami could be drawing to a close.

A week ago, new Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said no decisions had been made about Thomas' status for 2008.

"We're doing what we have to do," Sparano said on Feb. 7 when asked about Thomas' future.