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The New England Patriots have offered                a contract to Dolphins Linebacker Zach Thomas on Monday. Thomas along with his agent Drew Rosenhaus visited New England on Monday and will continue negotiating with the team. He is also supposed to visit the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday. The Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets are also showing interests in Thomas’ visits. 

Thomas who is a seven-time Pro Bown Linebacker and one of the most productive and popular players to have ever played for the Miami Dolphins was released on Thursday becoming the biggest move in the Dolphin’s massive rebuilding project. He missed the majority of the last season because of concussions and migraines and was placed on the injured reserved results in spite of his own protests. His migraines were an effect of a car crash that he was a part of on the 21^st of October. This move is the second major salary cut the Dolphins who had a poor last season with 1-15 and so brought in Bill Parcels to rebuild the side.

They reduced $ 9 million in base salary payments when they released quarterback Trent Green, wide receiver Marty Brooker and seven other players.  Thomas was supposed to make over $ 5.6 million in base salary alone in the coming season.  Thomas has led the Dolphins in tackles 10 times, and becomes the franchise’s all-time leader in that category by a wide margin. His 168 games is also the most by any Miami defensive player. What remains to be seen is whether this team rebuilding by the Miami Dolphins brings it any luck, in terms of wins in the coming season.

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Bill Belichick the coach of the New England Patriots finally ended his silence on the twin taping controversies that affected his team and denied that he had told anyone to tape the St. Louis Rams’ walkthrough before the XXXVIst Super Bowl and apologized for all the attention which had been generated by Spygate.  He also said he couldn’t pick Matt Walsh out of a lineup and said that he had never seen another team’s practice filming film before playing that team and further added that the Patriots do not film their own practice sessions.  Walsh is the person who is reportedly taped the practice session and also happens to be a former employee of the Patriots.

Scott Pioli, the vice president of player personnel for the Patriots also told the Boston Globe that Walsh was fired in early 2003 because he recorded a conversation between himself and Pioli without the latter’s knowledge.

Walsh’s attorney, Michael Levy on the other hand said that Pioli’s story is a complete fabrication and an attempt to smear Walsh’s character.  Levy has also said that Walsh is in possession of certain tapes and is willing to turn them over if the NFL guarantees that he will be protected from lawsuits or any other legal action. Commissioner Roger Goodell said that offered Walsh a deal that required him to tell the truth and return anything that he got by methods that were not proper in return for indemnity but Walsh was unwilling.

Belichick apologized saying that he had misinterpreted the rule as prohibiting taping which could be used during the same game. He apologized for the trouble caused and for not contacting the league and clarifying the practice with them.

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The Washington Redskins have been making their coaching staff which is headed by Jim Zorn stronger with a few more additions.  Sherman Smith who makes the move from the Tennessee Titans has been hired as offensive coordinator for the Redskins.  Smith had been the running backs coach to the Titans since 1995 and had also been assistant coach for the last two seasons.  Smith said that the make reason behind making the move was the opportunity to be reunited with Zorn. Zorn and Smith had played together for the Seattle Seahawks in the late 70s and the early 80s.

Smith had received the offer when he visited Washington on Tuesday and then went back to Tennessee to consider his options. He will join the Redskins at the NFL combine next week.

Stump Mitchell is the other addition to the new coaching staff.  He follows Jim Zorn from the Seahawks where he has been running back coach since 1999 and has worked with Zorn since 2001 with the Seahawks.  He will also have the title of assistant head coach at the Redskins.

Zorn expressed happiness at his inclusion and said that he was aware of his teaching methods and believed him to be an excellent teacher.  The deal with Mitchell took place before Smith joined the Redskins and together they complete a very solid looking coaching staff.

After talks with many coaches which didn’t quite reach anywhere, the Redskins were still looking a week ago when Steve Spagnuolo of the New York Giants withdrew from the race for coach. After many offers to many top names in the business, it appears that the Redskins have finally put together a combination which knows each other and has respect for each other’s game and methods.

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