Antsy Thomas 'lied to' doctors

Headaches' severity was downplayed

 

By Omar Kelly | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

November 16, 2007

 

 

DAVIE -

 

Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas said his recent injury layoff not only has him on the verge of going "insane," but confessed his impatience led him to lie to his doctors.

 

 

 

Thomas admitted Thursday that last week he misled team physicians and his specialist about the severity of his migraines, which were brought on by a Oct. 21 car accident, in which he was rear-ended leaving Dolphin Stadium after the Patriots loss. Thomas hasn't played since the accident and hasn't practiced this week.

 

"I lied to them ? it's like lying to myself ? trying to get back in the mix and be involved and part of the team, but I've got to be smart about it," Thomas said.

 

 

 

He said the car accident triggered a reoccurrence of the same side effects he suffered after his initial concussion Sept. 16 against Dallas. That injury in the home opener forced him to miss two games.

 

 

 

Thomas was trying to rush his way back onto the field in recent weeks, but now he's being more patient. While he said the migraines are no longer an issue, Thomas has been told he needs to go an entire week without feeling light-headed before he will be allowed to return to action.

 

 

 

"Whenever the symptoms go away, I'll be in there," Thomas said. "As you know, I'm not a patient person. I've learned I can lie about a knee, but I can't lie about a head."

 

 

 

A new NFL rule subjects players who have suffered a head injury to neurological tests each week. Doctors compare those results to a baseline test the player took during the opening of training camp.

 

 

 

"It's tough when you look around the league, and there [are] concussions and everybody shows how to manage it," said Thomas, whose 52 tackles lead the Dolphins. "I'm trying to go by the doctors' decision, and I'm trying to be honest with them."

 

 

 

Despite his struggles, Thomas reiterated that he has no intentions of shutting it down for the year. Channing Crowder will continue to play middle linebacker until Thomas is cleared to play, and Derrick Pope is expected to make his fifth start of the season at weakside linebacker.

 

 

 

Thomas said he has been impressed with the defense's improvement the past two games without him, particularly the front line.

 

 

 

Now all that's missing him, but he's finally starting to think long-term, which means patience.

 

 

 

"Maybe in the future I could look back and say, 'Hey, that was smart,' because a lot of times I don't do that with other injuries. I've gone out there way too early but that's not my head," he said. "I hate to see when they're out there having fun and I'm not part of it. But I'd rather in 10 years look back and say [sitting out] was the smart thing to do."

 

 

 

 

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/footbal...,0,909861.story

 

 

 

 

 

 

It breaks my heart that this man's dedication, work ethic, abilities and just hustle have been wasted upon this organization over the last 5-6 years. If there is one person in the NFL that really personifies the "give it all" type of attitude it is Zach Thomas.

I think he is easily the best LB we have ever had over the killer Bs or even Nick in the no names or Offerdahl (sp).

 

All of that said, I think if he is really getting into this much pain, troubles and issues with concussions that I think it is time for him to retire.

I dont know a single person in the NFL that deserves a ring more then him but I think Zach needs to find a coaching job instead after this year. I dont want to see him end up an injury story.

There's no need to mess with his well being in order to come back to an 0-9 team.

I don't think he has to retire yet, he still has a lil sumn sumn left in the tank. However, he does need to chill and take it easy, don't rush anything, its not like we're going to the playoffs or anything.

Sit out the year like the rest of the team, Zach