NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Zach Thomas came back to the Dolphins for one day, joining the team with the idea of signing a one-day contract with the Dolphins to retire. The one-day contract, officially worth $1—but in actuality, worth so much more to Thomas, who was not happy with the way things ended with Miami when he left the team two seasons ago.

"I'm a little bit nervous right now," Thomas said at the team's training facility in Davie, Fla. "More nervous than any game I ever played."

Only a fifth-round draft pick out of Texas Tech in 1996, Thomas became a star during 12 seasons with the Dolphins. He was one of the faces of the franchise along with the likes of Dan Marino and Jason Taylor, who became Thomas' brother-in-law.

"I am both sad and happy that after 28 years of football, I am finally calling it quits," Thomas said. "The game has been good to me. I am happy for the Miami Dolphins organization and this regime right now … they have a lot of more things on their plate that is bigger than the retirement of Zach Thomas. For them to go out of their way and have this day for me, I am very grateful."

Thomas had 1,038 tackles, 19 1/2 sacks and 17 interceptions in 168 games for the Dolphins, and he was chosen for seven Pro Bowls.

"As the team's owner, I want to welcome him back to the Dolphins and I certainly hope he continues to make his presence felt," Stephen Ross said. "He's a great role model for our players and we're proud of everything he has done throughout his career to represent this franchise. He gave his heart and soul to this team, and we all were better for it."

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported that Texans RB Steve Slaton believes that the root to his 2009 fumble problem was his prolonged neck injury.

"If you can't feel you're hand in there, you can't squeeze (the ball) as hard as you want to. I tried to downplay it, but it came to a point where I had to get surgery."

Slaton had seven fumbles in 2009. The fumbles led to more bench time during the season and the drafting of Auburn RB Ben Tate with the 58th overall pick. Currently, Slaton's practicing with the red "hands off" jersey during 11-on-11 drills; however, Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison believes Slaton can bounce back after the disappointing 2009 season.

"I think he got hurt a little bit, but he's proven to be a good back," Dennison said.

There's little reason to doubt Slaton's honesty concerning his injury. First, the speedy running back never fumbled for the West Virginia Mountaineers on 732 total touches. More importantly, Slaton only fumbled twice in his rookie season on 494 touches. Although the seven fumbles in 2009 are daunting, he should still be in the hunt for the starting job. Slaton was originally drafted to be a third down back.

Santonio Holmes was held up with security at Pittsburgh International Airport. A flight attendant accused Holmes of “failing to follow regulations by not turning off his IPod as the plane was landing”. Now come on, are you serious, having to get security away from and possibly more important issues, just for not turning off your IPod, is a little ridiculous.

Everyone knows you have to turn your electronics off but for what reason do we need to involve security. There could be more to this story or it could just be accusations.

Holmes says “she was definitely trying to make a name for herself ” and says he felt he was “scrutinized just for who I am”. In my opinion I think its just childish to single someone out for not turning off their IPod and calling security on them. What exactly is security going to do after landing anyway? They let him go, he was not arrested or charged, my point exactly!

If electronics are such a huge security problem then they wouldn’t allow them on airplanes PERIOD.

Just when you thought 15 wide receivers would be enough for the Seahawks, T.O.’s name pops up.

Yup, you read that right, Terrell Owens.

According to Steve Wyche of NFL.com, Seattle is one of “several” teams that have expressed “preliminary interest” in the veteran receiver at some point this offseason.

Wyche notes that it’s unclear when or how often the Seahawks have called Owens’ camp and if anything will come of the previously made contact.

Coach Pete Carroll loves to create competition.

No matter where you look at Seattle’s roster, you see starters, returners, newcomers and busts all fighting it out to just make the opening roster, let alone to earn playing time in the 2010 regular season.  The latest position to be shaken up is quarterback.

Yesterday the Seahawks signed J.P. Losman to a one-year contract and, with his acquisition, Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times reports that the team’s waived third-string signal caller Mike Teel.

Teel was a sixth-round draft choice by the Seahawks in 2009 after playing for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights out of the Big East Conference.

Neither the league’s official Web site or Seattle’s official team Web site reflect the transaction regarding Teel yet.