The Miami Dolphins offensive line has taken a lot of criticism over the last three seasons because of a number of times starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been sacked (149). Dallas Thomas is probably the player on the Dolphins offensive line that has taken the most heat out of anyone.
Ever since been selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Thomas has struggled at both the tackle and guard position. Despite his troubles, Thomas finds himself first on the Dolphins recent depth chart at left guard.
That doesn’t sit well with a lot of Dolphins fans, who have gone to great lengths on Twitter to let him know about it. Thomas said he hasn’t been on his account since the start of training camp.
“I outgrew it,” Thomas said Sunday. “Social media is overrated.”
In Friday night’s preseason opener, Thomas allowed two hits on Tannehill on in the first two series of the game for the Dolphins offense. On one of the plays, Thomas was pushed so far back, he hit Tannehill.
With the Dolphins selecting Laremy Tunsil with the No.13 overall pick in this year’s draft, Thomas is in a fight to keep his starting job despite starting all 16 games for the team in 2015.
Thomas is just focusing on what his coaches and teammates tell him and is blocking everyone else out.
“It’s pointless. Social media gives people — what’s a good way to say it? — it gives people balls,” Thomas said. “They wouldn’t say it to your face.”
Miami head coach Adam Gase said he isn’t ready to make any changes to his depth chart after seven preseason snaps from his starting offense.
“I said this right when we started this thing – everybody has a fresh start with this crew,” Gase said. “Our job is to evaluate what we see. I’m not putting … Anything that happened in the past is irrelevant. It doesn’t matter to me. It does not matter. Every guy is going to get a true evaluation and we’ll make our final decision the first game of the season.”
Thomas will have his next opportunity to make a better impression on Friday as the Dolphins will travel to Arlington, Texas to play the Dallas Cowboys. If Sunday’s practice was any indication, you will likely see both Thomas and Tunsil at left guard with the first-team offense.
Dolphins sign DE Reed
Late Sunday afternoon, the Dolphins signed defensive end Cedric Reed, who spent most of the 2015 season on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad. Reed was signed as an undrafted college free agent with the Bills in May of 2015, but he was waived in July.
During his time at the University of Texas, Reed played in 46 games and started 32 consecutive games to He was named to the All-Big 12 team twice (2013-14) and posted career totals of 37 tackles for loss, 19.0 sacks and six forced fumbles.
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