Daily Madden: Former Stanford Star Makes His Mark In NFL
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Fresh off the 49ers practice squad, Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas was named the AFC Defensive Player of the week after two huge plays secured the Dolphins' victory over the Patriots Sunday.
"He really didn't have any snaps as a defensive player, he had no reps, he had no practice," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew.
The former Stanford star was claimed by the Dolphins after two seasons as a 49ers practice player.
"You have 53 active players on an NFL roster," Madden said. "Then you have a practice squad, I think of seven. The practice squad guys are not protected if someone from another team in the NFL wants to activate him.... So that's how that happened."
With Sunday's victory, the Dolphins are in contention for a playoff spot.
"Their coach (Joe) Philbin has done a heck of a job," Madden said. "He has players going in and out, he has investigations going on, they're sending lawyers in to talk to all the players. They have to go through all that...and then to play like this? I think he's a heck of a guy, Philbin is, but he's (also) a heck of a coach."
Madden said the other surprising team in the AFC is the Kansas City Chiefs.
"Maybe when you knew Andy Reid went there, you knew they'd turn it around. But not that big. You remember just a year ago? Kansas City had the worst record in the AFC... Then they hire Andy Reid, and now they have one of the best records in the NFL." (5:45)
Daily Madden
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM. And catch John's extra report at 9:15 am Mondays and Fridays on KCBS during the NFL season.
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