Merged: 1x Donald Thomas Ready To Resume His Rise\Article on Thomas

[DKphin]

Sounds like Thomas is itching for the season to start. I hope he is as healed as he thinks he is.

The key to another magic carpet ride is in the ignition. And Donald Thomas, the former UConn and current Miami Dolphins guard, is ready to turn it over.

"I plan on being ready to go this year," Thomas said by phone from Miami this week.

A foot injury at the beginning of last season forced the ride to stall, abruptly ending his rookie season and what had become an almost fairy-tale ascension in his short football career.

"The big story isn't what I did to get to this point," Thomas said. "I know it's a crazy story, a great story, but I don't even think about it anymore. I think about: Where do I go from here? I don't want people to count me out."

Given the 6-foot-4, 310-pound West Haven High graduate's background, the latter isn't likely to happen. Thomas walked on at UConn and worked his tail off to become a starter in 2007 and an All- Big East first-team pick. His strength and high learning curve made him a sixth-round pick of the Dolphins. General manager Bill Parcells called him a godsend because of the raw tools he possessed, and the rookie was named a starter at right guard on the third day of training camp.

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-football/hc-thomas0712jul11,0,5795067.story

 

[gofins]

I'd love to see him start the whole season

 

[j-off-her-doll]

The health of the of our O-line - especially our interior O-line, since they have the big question marks - should be worth 2 to 3 games.

 

[MDFINFAN]

The health of the of our O-line - especially our interior O-line, since they have the big question marks - should be worth 2 to 3 games.

This is one of the hopeful spots for us in mho, it's the only spot where we upgraded from the end of last year, 3 new starters basically, with just one brand new. That may make a big difference in our O.. Our D may have 3 new starters as well, that's 6 new people who may make a difference for us, plus the depth of Taylor, Wade, Walton on OLB and last years starters at the end of the season at guard on O being depth this year.. this is a totally different team..now add additional potential in Sean and Clemons and Soliari on D, and possible Turner and Armstrong(fantasy pick as of right now), possible successful conversion of Wilford to TE and H back for a different look, and the throwing and running of White if successful, and we may have the makings of an explosive O, especially if the new OL coach can get these guys to play as well as the OL of the Giants..

 

[richied06]

Our record may not surprise compared to last year, but this team is going to dominate the field surpassing any expectation.

 

[Pandarilla 72]

Suffering the guarantee of mediocre success over the Marino years has only made it all too clear to me about the importance of a great offensive line (see Timmy Smith and Redskins).

I like our starting five, and how we're developing our depth, but I just know they'll be growing pains to come against the Houston Texans of the NFL.

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

I think the telling line of the article was in the last paragraph, "

Train camp opens Aug 2. Thomas says he doesn't know if he will be ready but that is the goal.

That is a little more realistic than some of the things I have heard him say in the past few weeks. A pec injury is no small thing especially for a offensive guard. He won't be to full strength until later in preseason IMO.

 

[SnakeoilSeller]

Article On Donald Thomas

Short article on Donald Thomas. I hope he can come back quickly and we get to see what Parcells & Company was raving about last year.



http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-football/hc-thomas0712jul11,0,5795067.story

 

[paskerbrandon]

" Thomas, 23, says he doesn't know if he'll be ready, but that's the goal. "

I really hope so.

I'm not very versed on Thomas's play but from what I have been hearing from the coaching staff and many people among finheaven who have viewed his tapes he's legit.

Kudos to Parcells and Co. to pick up a guy like this in the 6th round. I'm beginning to think Bill really has an eye for late round gems at DT and OL.

 

[Geforce]

Thanks for the article it was good reading.

Although he couldn't participate in the OTAs, he attended and studied them to help refresh his memory on certain plays. He couldn't compete, but he grilled the coaches and veterans to become more knowledgeable about his place in the game.