Zach Thomas' Injury Grievance With The Chiefs Still Unresolved
by Joel Thorman on Feb 14, 2010 11:05 AM CST
in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season
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PrintWay back in September, the Kansas City Chiefs were preparing for their final cuts before the commencement of the 2009 season. A report came out that Zach Thomas, then a member of the Chiefs, would be retiring. That was quickly refuted by Thomas' agent and he returned to practice.
A few days later, however, the Chiefs released him, which led to Thomas reportedly filing an injury grievance with the club.
Basically, teams can't release injured players without an injury settlement. Thomas obviously contended he was injured (likely as a result of concussions) while the Chiefs claimed team doctors cleared him to play.
Thomas recently told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that his grievance with the Chiefs is still unresolved and he has concussion symptoms "including fuzziness when it gets cold."
Thomas had a $1 million base salary with the Chiefs.
He also told the Herald he has played his last NFL game and would like to sign a ceremonial contract in Miami because "I'm a Dolphin for life."
For a more detailed explanation of Thomas' grievance, check out this article we did in September.
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So In Other Words
Thomas (who’d had severe concussions before joining the Chiefs) is claiming that one preseason with the Chiefs, where he sat out much of the time, gave him these problems? Maybe he should have considered filing an injury grievance with the teams he actually played for instead of gouging a different team for his pre-existing conditions. Oh right…he wants to retire as a Dolphin so he can’t burn that bridge, why not burn a bunch of total strangers instead, especially when you’ve got uber-scumbag agent Drew Rosenhaus (who has no desire whatsoever to poison the waters for himself in Florida, where he gets a large portion of his pro and college clients).
Really stellar signing, that one.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Basically
I suspect that the Chiefs signing was Rosenhaus’ idea more than Thomas’. Dude had injury issues with the Dolphins, didn’t get hurt with the Cowboys to a degree that would merit an injury settlement so in order to get him one last payday they decided to stick it to a small-market team that didn’t have a history of shelling out big bucks for free agents so the future blowback to Rosenhaus for sticking them with the check would be minimal.
Looks like our GM got played…should have done his homework on Thomas’ injury history and physical a little better. But kudos to him for cutting ties immediately when he recognized what was going on. Better than how he handled the Larry Johnson debacle.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
I dont think he got played
he took a chance, it didnt work out
by badassz1987 on Feb 14, 2010 12:03 PM CST up reply actions
Interesting angle
was thinking maybe we could weasel a 7th out of Miami for him.
Since technically he must be a Chief since he can’t sign his one-day deal with Miami cause of it.
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
by Steve_Chiefs on Feb 14, 2010 1:43 PM CST up reply actions
He's Not A Chief
At least not currently. He got cut. The injury grievance is just about whether or not the cut was justified or if the Chiefs cut him to avoid paying injury money. Even if he wins, he’ll still not be on the roster…he’ll just get a payout. Plus, nobody’s trading a 7th rounder for a guy to sign a one day contract to retire, which is what Thomas wants to do with Miami. There’s no chance of Miami getting any value out of that, whereas there’s a chance of getting a player with a 7th rounder who could contribute (case in point, Ryan Succop).
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Oh, And Per His Wikipedia Entry
Other Rosenhaus clients who’ve played for the Chiefs.
Eddie Drummond
Quinn Gray
Greg Wesley
Wesley was drafted by the Chiefs, Gray and Drummond were both fringe players who signed free agent contracts for little money. No real relationship between Rosenhaus and the Chiefs, so why not screw them over to get your client an injury payday. Frankly, I liked the signing at first until (in my opinion) Thomas half-assed his way through the preseason and missed every exhibition game. In retrospect, I honestly doubt he ever planned to play for the Chiefs.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
I meant your take was interesting
The pick was me being me :)
"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli
by Steve_Chiefs on Feb 14, 2010 3:15 PM CST up reply actions
I Understood
I kind of blurred your comments together in my response, but I got what you were saying. :)
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Screw him
He was never a Chief.
Besides…how bad do you have to suck not to make the 2009 Chiefs roster? (No disrespect to our team, just being realistic)
What an assclown
Both him and Drew Rosenhaus
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!
yep....too bad, I think a lot of us expected some class from thomas
Vince Wilfork will be Scott Pioli's top offseason priority and will be a Chief.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson=
Yes indeedy
Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes; after that, who cares?! He's a mile away and you've got his shoes!
by SuperTurtle on Feb 14, 2010 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
Well...
I expected SOMETHING from him. Like maybe being able to still play, perhaps?
Is he basically claiming this "medical issue" came from his time in KC? that would be an interesting argument considering josh looney saw as much time on the field this year
Vince Wilfork will be Scott Pioli's top offseason priority and will be a Chief.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson=
frustrated..and I shouldnt be...
I know, I know…Off topic, and Whitlock related…but I just read his article on waters…just REALLY pissed me off…I am sick of this waters/haley beef that whitlock created, and I REALLY hate when he tries to speak for the KC fan base about haley, and pioli….Haley evidently has this horrible one sided reputation, and fans are worried pioli isnt the guy for the job….YEAAAAAAAH…I am REAAAAALLY upset over Pioli running this franchise that hadn’t one a playoff game in 10 years….Whitlock needs to be slapped….Also, Just give the guy credit, why bring controversy…I know hes paid for it, but cmon…he won man of the year and it had NOTHING to do with how he handled the Haley “situation”…I think he did a great job AFTER the season in killing rumors…
so Zach Thomas, please don’t return to KC, and take jason whitlock with you.
Vince Wilfork will be Scott Pioli's top offseason priority and will be a Chief.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson=
Don't go there anymore
That whole site is pretty much a waste anyways.
consider it done
Vince Wilfork will be Scott Pioli's top offseason priority and will be a Chief.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson=
btw PFT has a story up, Dansby has a 4 team wish list
Giants/Chargers/Dolphins/Redskins…..Bummer, ok.
Vince Wilfork will be Scott Pioli's top offseason priority and will be a Chief.
KC Will Trade Derrick Johnson=
Why didnt Pioli fatherinlaw warn him
It looks like bill would have said something to Scott maybe not .
CHIEFS fan 4 life
by Charles # 1 chiefs fan on Feb 14, 2010 11:56 AM CST reply actions
It's unresolved for a reason.
Pioli isn’t going to bend over for Thomas and Rosenhaus. He knows their claims are pretty much unfounded. It’s too bad this happened. I use to respect ZT alot.
Yeah...but we beat the donkeys like a rented mule.
what an ass
Force him to take it to court and maintain a straight face while explaining himself.
Air Cassel - approved for takeoff
Always in motion is the future.
-- Yoda
Here's irony of irony.
The college in the news this season because of a player’s concussion, – Texas Tech.
Where did Zach Thomas play college ball? – Texas Tech
by BCRavenJHawkfan on Feb 14, 2010 2:32 PM CST reply actions
Zach Thomas is the poster child for the type of Free agent that Scott Pioli must avoid at all costs this year(done, mid 30’s). Hopefully he learned his lesson, and any Chief fans that actually want Joey Porter should learn it also.
To Pioli's Credit
He didn’t sign Thomas for much money or to a lot of years. He just needs to be a little smarter about why a 34 year old LB with a fairly severe concussion history who is represented by Drew Rosenhaus is interested in signing for a rebuilding team under a rookie GM and head coach.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
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