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Thomas Howard | Linebacker

Team: Unsigned Free Agent
Age / DOB:  (29) / 7/14/1983
Ht / Wt:  6'3' / 240
College: UTEP
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Free agents LB Thomas Howard and OG Lance Louis visited the Dolphins on Thursday.
Miami is completely remaking its linebacker corps. If another linebacker like Howard is signed, there's speculation that SLB Koa Misi could be moved down to defensive end. Howard played in just one game last season before tearing his ACL. Louis also tore his ACL last season in Week 12. He'd be competition for John Jerry and Richie Incognito. Mar 14 - 6:22 PM

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According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the "conventional wisdom" is that the Bengals will re-sign free agent LB Thomas Howard.

Howard is recovering from a torn ACL, but says his knee is doing "absolutely fabulous," and that he's "right on pace" for 2013. Meanwhile, beat writer Joe Reedy reiterates it would be a "surprise" if MLB Rey Maualuga is re-signed. Vontaze Burfict is expected to take Maualuga's place in the middle.
Feb 18 - 8:57 AM

Impending free agent WLB Thomas Howard (torn ACL) says his knee is "doing absolutely fabulous," and that he's "right on pace" for 2013.

The Bengals' leading tackler in 2011, Howard went down in a Week 2 practice. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy is "very optimistic" Thomas will be back with the Bengals in 2013. Thomas turns 30 in July. Rey Maualuga's likely departure and Vontaze Burfict's probable shift to the middle would leave an opening on the outside for Howard. SLB Manny Lawson is also a free agent.
Feb 3 - 1:31 PM

Bengals WLB Thomas Howard is out for the season after tearing his ACL in Wednesday's practice.

It's a huge loss for Mike Zimmer's defense. Howard was the Bengals' leading tackler last season and their best defender at Baltimore in Week 1, playing all 62 snaps. Core special teamer Dan Skuta is top candidate to take over on the weak side. The 29-year-old Howard was in the final season of a two-year, $6.5 million contract.
Fri, Sep 14, 2012 12:47:00 PM

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis considers WLB Thomas Howard "one of the most athletic linebackers he's ever coached."

Howard led Cincinnati in tackles last season, and his starting spot was solidified when the Bengals traded away Keith Rivers. The 28-year-old Howard is entering a contract season, and may be a candidate for a summer or in-season extension. He's due a $2.4 million base salary in the final year of his deal.
Thu, Apr 12, 2012 11:03:00 AM

Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is projecting Thomas Howard as a weak-side linebacker who will play in nickel packages.

He isn't going to be a starter, then. Keith Rivers is locked in as the Bengals' starting Will 'backer, and Howard apparently isn't being considered as a possible answer at Sam. For now, Cincinnati's starting linebacker corps in camp reads like this: Will -- Rivers, Mike -- Rey Maualuga, Sam -- Dan Skuta. Howard will probably replace Skuta in obvious passing situations.
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 02:28:00 PM

Bengals agreed to terms with LB Thomas Howard on a two-year, $6.5 million contract.

Howard was a seldom-used reserve for the Raiders last year after being floated in trade rumors in the offseason. He'll try to rehab his image in Cincinnati, where he could push Dan Skuta for the starting strong-side job right away. Howard averaged 101 tackles per season during his first three years in the league.
Thu, Jul 28, 2011 06:16:00 PM

According to Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean, Raiders LB Thomas Howard is on the Titans' radar.

Howard would be a great fit for the team, as SLB David Thornton is on the PUP and LB Gerald McRath is suspended until Week 5. Wyatt also adds the the Raiders play the Titans Week 1, so if a trade were to happen it probably wouldn't be until after the opener.
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 12:53:00 PM

Raiders LB Thomas Howard has been demoted out of the second-team nickel defense in training camp.

Beat writer Jerry McDonald suggests Oakland is hoping for trade offers for Howard, who averaged over 100 tackles per game in 2006-2008, led all linebackers with six interceptions in '07, and is only 27 years old. He'd be a good fit at weak-side 'backer in a defense like Carolina's or Detroit's.
Mon, Aug 9, 2010 09:34:00 PM

Thomas Howard is running as a backup at weak-side linebacker during Raiders minicamp.

Oakland's starting Will 'backer in each of his first four seasons, Howard has suddenly fallen behind both Trevor Scott and Quentin Groves. The Raiders are seemingly valuing pass-rush ability first and foremost at the weak-side spot. Howard is going to be completely off the IDP radar this season.
Sun, May 2, 2010 01:18:00 PM

Raiders re-signed restricted free agent LB Thomas Howard to a one-year, $1.759 million contract.

Howard, 27 in July, racked up at least 95 tackles in each of his first three seasons before losing his starting job to Trevor Scott last year. Along with Kirk Morrison, Howard will be on the trade block during the draft. He'd be an excellent fit in a Tampa-2 scheme at weak-side linebacker.
Fri, Apr 16, 2010 03:46:00 PM

The Raiders have extended a second-round tender to restricted free agent OLB Thomas Howard.

The Raiders gave their top two linebackers sub-round one tenders, their likely starting quarterback a second-round tender, and their nickel back the highest tender possible. It makes no sense, unless you're Al Davis. Howard is slated to start on the strong side this season, opposite raw WLB Trevor Scott.
Wed, Mar 3, 2010 08:12:00 PM

Raiders WLB Thomas Howard was reportedly running "stride-for-stride" with Darren McFadden during one minicamp practice.

The fleet footed Howard ran 4.42 at the 2006 Combine. Apparently he's sped up, because D-Mac ran 4.33 in February. Howard, whose six INTs were the most by any LB since Ray Lewis in 2003, is a homerun threat after the pick.
Thu, Jul 24, 2008 11:55:00 AM

Raiders WLB Thomas Howard intercepted his sixth pass of the year Sunday.

It's the most by any linebacker since Ray Lewis picked off six in 2003. Howard has been somewhat inconsistent from a tackles standpoint in his second season, but is emerging as a major force in big play-heavy IDP leagues. He's also broken up nine passes and returned two of his picks for touchdowns.
Sun, Dec 16, 2007 10:48:00 PM

Weak-side linebacker Thomas Howard had one of the most outstanding training camps for the Raiders.

Contract-year cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha had the best, according to the Oakland Tribune, but that was expected. Howard, who quietly notched 110 tackles as a rookie, should take another big step forward as a sophomore.
Fri, Aug 17, 2007 03:55:00 PM

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