Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Thomas finds himself in a familiar spot against Pats
DAVIE — It is impossible for Michael Thomas to forget his first NFL game because it also happens to be the best game he’s ever played.
Four days after claiming him off the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, the Dolphins were forced to put Thomas into the game after two defensive backs suffered injuries against the New England Patriots.
Not only did Thomas hold his own while being picked on by quarterback Tom Brady, but he also pulled down an interception in the end zone that sealed the 24-20 win on Dec. 15, 2013. It earned him the the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week award.
“It was almost like a dream. Not only do you get in, but you make some movie script type play?” Thomas recalls. “You dream about it, but it never happens.”
Thomas hardly knew any of the Dolphins’ defensive plays and was simply doing what safety Reshad Jones instructed him to do before each snap. Brady kept challenging Thomas, and in the game’s most critical moment the Stanford graduate delivered.
“That play is going to live with me for the rest of my life,” Thomas said. “To this day I still have people coming up and talking to me about that one play.”
Fast forward three seasons and Thomas will start his 22nd NFL game against the Patriots on Sunday, doing battle with Brady again.
This time he’ll be replacing Isa Abdul-Quddus as Miami’s starting free safety. Abdul-Quddus suffered a season-ending neck injury in last week’s 34-31 overtime win over Buffalo.
Thomas finished last Saturday’s game with a career-high 11 tackles, and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said it was the best performance of the season.
“He’s a veteran player. He’s a smart player. It’s been that way all year, so I expect Michael to fill in and play well,” Joseph said.
Joseph was referring to Thomas’ tackling, but the Dolphins will also need him to serve as the quarterback of the secondary, putting everyone in the right position and making sure the back-end of the defense is on the same page.
“If you can’t get lined up, communicate what our adjustments are, and what everybody’s job is on any give play, you don’t have a chance,” said Thomas, who has 54 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles this season. “You know that they are going to motion. You know they are just looking for that one favorable matchup. I know that on every single play the initial look they give us is not going to be the final look.”
Trails Beckham
Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry and New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr., former LSU teammates, are competing to see who will own the NFL record for most receptions over the first three years of an NFL career.
Landry set the record in Week 13, passing Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, but Beckham got past him last week. Beckham has 283 receptions heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Redskins. Landry has 279.
Injury updates
Linebacker Jelani Jenkins (knee) and cornerback Byron Maxwell (ankle) have been declared doubtful for Sunday’s game on the official injury report, though Joseph said Thursday that they won’t play. Neville Hewitt will replace Jenkins as the starting weakside linebacker, and rookie Xavien Howard will start in place of Maxwell.
Linebacker Spencer Paysinger (knee) practiced without limitation for the first time all week Friday. He’s listed as questionable.
Defensive end Mario Williams (ankle) practiced all week without limitation but is listed as questionable. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill (knee) has been ruled out.