Erron Kinney, and returned it for a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The following week, he collected a career-high 18 combined tackles (nine solo) during an 18–15 victory against the Oakland Raiders in Week 2. In Week 5, he recorded nine combined tackles and made a season-high 1.5 sacks as the Dolphins lost 21–17 at the New York Jets. Thomas finished the 2001 season with 154 combined tackles (94 solo), three sacks, two pass deflections, two interceptions, and a touchdown in 15 games and 15 starts. Head coach Dave Wannstedt chose to rest Thomas during the Dolphins' Week 17 win against the Buffalo Bills as they had already clinched a playoff berth. Thomas was also selected to play in the 2002 Pro Bowl. The Miami Dolphins finished second in the AFC East in 2001 with an 11–5 record. On January 13, 2002, Thomas recorded 22 combined tackles (14 solo) during the Dolphins' 20–3 loss against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wildcard Game. 2002 Thomas returned as the starting middle linebacker under head coach Dave Wannstedt and started alongside outside linebackers Derrick Rodgers and Morlon Greenwood. On December 29, 2002, Thomas collected a season-high 16 combined tackles (11 solo) in the Dolphins' 27-24 loss at the New England Patriots in Week 17. He started in all 16 games in 2002 and recorded 156 combined tackles (101 solo), two pass deflections, an interception, and was credited with half a sack. 2003 On March 27, 2003, the Miami Dolphins signed Thomas to a five-year, $33.75 million contract extension that included a signing bonus of $10.50 million. The agreement kept him under contract with Miami through 2008. On November 2, 2003, Thomas collected a season-high 19 combined tackles (12 solo) in the Dolphins' 23–17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. He was inactive for the Dolphins' Week 10 loss at the Tennessee Titans due to a groin injury. On November 27, 2003, Thomas made six combined tackles, a pass deflection, a sack, and an interception during a 40–21 victory at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13. Thomas intercepted a pass by Cowboys' quarterback Quincy Carter, that was intended for wide receiver Terry Glenn, in the fourth quarter. He finished the 2002 season with 152 combined tackles (84 solo), six pass deflections, three interceptions, and a sack in 15 games and 15 starts. Thomas was selected to play in the 2004