Zach Thomas recently appeared on a Mike and Kevin’s talk radio show in Dallas and had the following to say regarding his decision to go to Dallas.
Question: You were looking to join a SuperBowl contender, and the Patriots offered you a contract. Why didn’t you take their offer.
Thomas: I played against New England twice a year every year my whole career. I learned to not like that team. I wasn’t going to join them.
The podcast is archived on ESPN or listen below.
No more excuses. No more trade rumors. No more blown games in the 3rd period up 2 goals. Tonight starts the rest of the season. Time to man up and make the push.
Panthers at Flyers tonight, 7:00 PM.
(Above video was aired 02/13/08 at the BankAtlantic Center, Pre-Game)
Anyone else find it disturbing teams are lining up to visit with Zach Thomas? Is there a rule where all front office personel for any South Florida team has to suck at evaluating talent?
Just thinking out loud.
The Panther’s found a way to blow a 2 goal lead last night for the second straight game, meanwhile the Carolina Divers managed to steal a point from the Bruins in a shootout loss. This team is soft, has no depth and has no balls when it comes to locking down the opponent in the third period. I was getting rather excited for the prospect of ONE South Florida team to finally have success this year, but that looks like it’s going down the toilet. Jacques Martin needs to be fired. Plain and simple. The old adage of the Florida Panthers is defense. The problem is trying to play just defense without mounting any kind of offensive attack in the third period spells doom when your playing the high octane Penguins. Comments like this coming from Panther players post game is a true sign this team is not being coached right…
“We stuck to our game plan early and often and were doing the little things correctly,” Florida defenseman Bryan Allen said. “But for whatever reason, we’re kind of almost scared out there to play confident and stick to the system, and we turned the puck over and missed assignments and then the puck is in the net a few times.”
Scared up 2-0 in the third? This team is soft.
We need some more depth on this team and an enforcer. I am not counting this team out yet b/c of the weak Southeast Division, but if they managed to slip into the playoffs they will not be ready for what will hit them.
Catch the highlights of the game above. Check out Steve Gorten’s view of the game on his Panthers blog.
Hrmmmm.
Small update coming out of Buffalo on the condition of Richard Zednik. The Buffalo News reports…
Florida Panthers winger Richard Zednik, recovering from a severed artery suffered Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres, has been upgraded to good condition and will likely be placed in a private room sometime today.
“They want to watch it carefully to make sure there are no complications,” Schatia said by telephone today. “He’s going to be in a private room for a couple days. By Thursday, they’ll be able to determine if he can travel. He won’t be able to travel until Saturday.”
The Panthers returned to practice today and tried to get things back to normal. The Caps visit Florida Wednesday night, and forward Rob Globke was summoned from the Panthers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester to fill Zednik’s roster spot.
Post practice video interviews: Jaques Martin, Olli Jokinen, Jassen Cullimore, Tomas Vokoun
Last Modified: 02/12/08 @ 7:39pm
I remember catching one of the new ESPN segments where Bill Walton and Screamin A Smith talk back and forth about the current state of the NBA and sometimes actually agree with one another. It’s no secret among my friends, I’m a huge Bill Walton fan. Face it, the guy is a character still stuck in the 60’s. He speaks his mind, makes up words and always seems to be in the best mood. I’m pretty sure you can take a crap in his lunch and he still will smile, making light of the situation. Most recently, Walton called out Shaq exclaiming that if this works out in Phoenix, it’s a huge indictment of Shaq and how he has been dogging it all season in Miami. Essentially he calls it a lose-lose situation with the Big Fella, and I kinda agree. Shaq had the chance to respond to Walton and of course left plenty of quotes for you to chew on. From the East Valley Tribune…
“If I’m faking an injury, then (Walton’s) whole injury-plagued career is a fake,” O’Neal said. “We’re talking about someone who only played one or two seasons injury-free. One thing I really hate is a hypocrite.
“Mr. Walton has broken the big man’s ordinance code 225.27 — no big man under should talk about a big man above. It’s just not right and it’s disrespectful.”
I’m a huge Shaq fan but something isn’t sitting well with me and the way he left town. I’m sure more will unfold as the season goes on. Oh yeah, if you didn’t catch Shaq “trying” to practice with his new team, it’s quite humorous. Check it here.
There was a brief press conference from Buffalo regarding the recovery of Panthers forward Richard Zednik. Bits and pieces were grabbed from the Florida Panthers Messageboard. Here is what was said…
The artery was almost completely torn in half. If it was, it would of been much difficult for the doctor to locate and repair.
His blood pressure never fell, and his pulse was about normal. He is stable, able to speak, is coherent, has no other significant damage.
He will be in intensive care for another day, moved to a regular room in the next few days, and can be released once he is able to walk and keep his food down.
The total process took about an hour. Because the artery wasnt completely cut, it was put together without any foreign objects being used.
He was in shock from the blood loss.
Transfused with 5 pints of blood.
No injury to the trachea or larynx
Cut 1″ - 1 1/2″ and at last that deep
Discharge and time in Buffalo unknown
On antibiotics, can swallow and talk
No brain injury
Jugular was missed.
He asked the doctor when he can get back to training. He should be able to get back to the normal activities within 6-8 weeks. So unless we make the playoffs, we wont see him on the ice until next season.
This was a remarkable job done by the Buffalo medical staff. The Florida Panthers are taking messages from fans to relay to Richard. You can drop yours right here.
Now all the Cats need to do is get into the playoffs for Zed!
The Miami Dolphins today terminated the contracts of wide receiver Marty Booker, quarterback Trent Green, tackle L.J. Shelton and defensive tackle Keith Traylor, the team announced. In addition, the team waived tackle Anthony Alabi, defensive tackle Anthony Bryant, tackle Marion Dukes, defensive tackle Marquay Love and tackle Joe Toledo.
I’m actually surprised by some of the players released today. I actually though Shelton had shown some improvement last season and may be up for a spot in training camp. New GM Jeff Ireland released the following statement regarding the recently released Phins…
“This is never easy, especially since all of these players worked hard during their tenure here,” Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said. “In particular, in the case of each of the veterans, it’s especially difficult to release players who have been productive and valued members of the organization. However, we feel these decisions are in the best interest of the team.
“I want to thank all of them for their contributions to the Dolphins and wish them good luck.”
I’ve maintained the thought that I will not complain about any move this new regime makes this offseason b/c frankly they were brought here for a reason, to fix this mess. Who am I to say Bill Parcells are Jeff Ireland are making the WRONG moves. Only time will tell.
If you weren’t watching the Cats in action last night, shame on you b/c they are making the push to capture the division and playing great hockey. You did miss a horrific accident involving Richard Zednik and Captain Olli Jokinen. Zed took Olli Jokinen’s skate to the neck on a freak play which cause a massive amount of blood to squirt from Zed’s neck. This injury reminds us of the Clint Malarchuk incident back in 1989.
If you didn’t see the injury during last nights 5-3 loss in Buffalo you can check it in the YouTube video below. Warning it is very graphic.
Zed underwent surgery last night and is resting comfortably in a Buffalo hospital. SporTech Matter sends warm wishes to him and his family.
The Panthers are planning a press conference for later today.
Update 2:00 PM - Richard Zednik remains in stable condition this afternoon at Buffalo General Hospital. Sonya Noor, M.D., the attending surgeon for Zednik, said the injured player would remain in the intensive care unit and will be evaluated throughout the day.
Important Links - Florida Panthers Messageboard, George Richards Blog, Florida Panthers Official Site
Last Modified: 02/11/08 @ 2:35pm