September 9, 2008 The Dolphins placed starting right guard Donald Thomas on injured reserve on Tuesday. He injured his left foot in Week 1, SI.com reports. Guard Evan Mathis was signed to fill the roster spot.
Our View:Thomas had made a swift move into a starting job after being a sixth-round pick in April. The Dolphins may opt to move fellow rookie Shawn Murphy from backup left guard to the right side. Ikechuku Ndukwe, Andy Alleman, and Matt Spanos could also get a look, as well as the newly-signed Mathis.
September 8, 2008 The Miami Herald reports that starting rookie right guard, Donald Thomas , is limping with crutches and a protective boot after injuring his foot on Sunday. He is still hoping to practice on Wednesday and be able to play in Week 2, but that may be wishful thinking.
Our View:There's not much experience behind Thomas and the offense could suffer. Listed behind him on the depth chart at right guard is Matt Spanos, an undrafted rookie free agent. Left guard Justin Smiley did some time in San Francisco at right guard after the 49ers signed probable future Hall of Famer Larry Allen late in his career, but prefers to stay on the left.
August 19, 2008 Rookie Donald Thomas continues to have a hold on the starting job at right guard. "I think it's Donald's job to lose at that position right now and I say that in all honesty," head coach Tony Sparano tells the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "Donald is a young player that is showing great progress. I like what he does in there and he's continuing to get better and as long as that happens I think he's going to stay there." Thomas was a sixth-round pick out of Connecticut.
Our View:Chad Pennington is only about a half-step faster than Dan Marino (current version), and it could get tough for the quarterback with two rookies (Jake Long is the other) on the new offensive line.
July 31, 2008 Rookie offensive lineman Donald Thomas is going on his third day as the starting right guard, and he's beginning to excel in the role, according to the Sun-Sentinel. "He moved people and played physical," coach Tony Sparano said of Thomas.
Our View:Ok, so now we have a former walk-on at Connecticut who was selected in the sixth round starting on a line that will protect Josh McCown. I would like to give Sparano the benefit of the doubt due to his tremendous work with the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line. However, things appear to be getting uglier in Miami.
May 23, 2008 The Dolphins signed guard Donald Thomas to a multi-year contract on Friday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Our View:Thomas is a long-shot to earn the starting left guard spot, but the Dolphins should enter the summer with an open mind about their linemen jobs.
