National Football League

Thomas eager to help Dolphins right away

Published Jul. 30, 2011 10:54 p.m. ET

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Rookie running back Daniel Thomas was born in Florida and moved back to the state this spring after being drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Even so, he found the sweltering subtropical summer weather the biggest challenge on his first day of training camp.

''That's the toughest part,'' said Thomas, beads of perspiration dotting his face after a midday practice Saturday. ''The heat just messes you all up.''

By comparison, the former Kansas State star anticipates the NFL will be no sweat. The Dolphins plan to pair him with newly acquired Reggie Bush, and Thomas envisions a one-two punch reminiscent of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, a pair of 1,000-yard rushers for the Carolina Panthers in 2009.

''It's going to be a great combination,'' Thomas said.

That would be a big upgrade for the Dolphins, who ranked third-worst in the league last year in rushing touchdowns, yards per carry and runs of 10 yards or more. Leading rushers Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams became free agents, and it's possible neither will return to Dolphins. They traded Thursday for Bush, and on Friday they signed Thomas, a second-round pick in the April draft.

Bush can't suit up for practice until Thursday because of post-lockout rules pertaining to veterans who sign new contracts. But Thomas is already heeding the advice of the former Heisman Trophy winner from Southern California.

''I was in high school watching him run over the Pac-10,'' Thomas said. ''He was one of my idols growing up.''

Thomas missed only one practice but realizes he's playing catch-up after the 4 1/2-month NFL lockout, like every other rookie.

''We missed a lot of time with the coaches and the playbook,'' he said. ''I could have been much farther ahead than I am right now.''

Even so, the Dolphins expect him to carry a significant load from the outset. He was a workhorse at Kansas State, rushing 545 times in two seasons, which is one of the things the Dolphins liked about him.

''The biggest thing is the amount of times the guy carried the ball in college, and the level of production,'' coach Tony Sparano said. ''He was a big producer.''

The 230-pound Thomas led the Big 12 Conference in rushing in 2009 and 2010, totaling 2,850 yards. While Bush figures to be the Dolphins' breakaway back, Thomas was fast enough to rush for 30 touchdowns in two seasons at Kansas State, and Sparano saw a burst during the rookie's first practice.

''People talk about home-run speed - this guy has finished some runs,'' Sparano said. ''I was excited today on a couple of early carries to see some of the bounce he had in his legs for a big man.''

The Dolphins also like Thomas' pass-catching skills - he had 52 receptions at Kansas State. And because he played quarterback in high school and junior college, he's a candidate to succeed Brown as triggerman in the wildcat.

The Dolphins won't give the rookie that responsibility right away, though. He's already feeling enough heat as it is.

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