Dave Gettleman and the New York Giants add another piece to the defense and special teams by signing former Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas.
The New York Giants began their week by resuming their defensive makeover.
Safety Michael Thomas is the latest to don blue, as revealed by ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, who revealed that Thomas was inked to a two-year deal.
The Giants are signing veteran safety Mike Thomas to a two-year deal, according to a source. Solid player and character. Team captain for the Dolphins. Can play both safety spots and his 55 special teams tackles is tied for the league lead the past four years.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 26, 2018
A Houston native, Thomas entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2012 with San Francisco. Playing under 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, whom he also worked with in college at Stanford University, Thomas spent nearly two years on the practice squad before being picked up by the Miami Dolphins in December 2013.
Thomas’s Dolphins debut, the first regular-season action of his NFL career, was one to remember. With Miami clinging to a 24-20 lead against New England in a crucial Week 15 game, Thomas came up huge on the final defensive drive.
With the Patriots deep in Miami territory, Thomas deflected Tom Brady‘s would-be go-ahead touchdown pass intended for Danny Amendola. Three plays later, Thomas sealed the win by intercepting another potential game-winning throw, sending Florida into hysterics.
In five seasons with the Dolphins, Thomas, 28, played 56 games, starting 24. In addition to his duties at safety, Thomas made a name for himself as a special teams defender and even earned special teams captaincy duties.
In 2016, Thomas was second in the league in special teams tackles with 19, tied with his teammate Mike Hull. He tallied double figures in the category in each of his four full seasons in Miami, including 11 last season. He played in 13 games, though he was placed on injured reserve late in the year due to a knee injury.
With his New York signing, Thomas reunites with fellow former Dolphin Olivier Vernon. The defensive lineman worked alongside Thomas from 2013-15.
Thomas was also known for keeping active off the field in Miami. He served as the team’s NFL Players Association representative and was known for his charitable endeavors in the area as well.
Financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.
