They did let him play LSU\AU\GA, go figure............ www.tbo.com/sports/gators/MGBBVDZT4UE.html NASHVILLE, TENN. - With a 13-word statement passed out during the third quarter of Florida's 25-19 win against Vanderbilt, Gators coach Urban Meyer confirmed the rumors that had flown across Internet message boards and through tailgate parties for much of Saturday. Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas is no longer a Florida Gator. Thomas had already been suspended on two occasions after testing positive twice for marijuana, and now Thomas has been dismissed after failing to meet the conditions placed on him following the second suspension. "Marcus did not meet his responsibilities and obligations to remain on the team," the statement read. Thomas did not return a message left on his cell phone, and his teammates weren't able to shed any light on what caused him to be permanently dismissed. "I'm not too sure, I don't really know," senior defensive tackle Steven Harris said. "I wasn't really informed with anything that happened with him. I just know that it happened and he's not here now." After the game, Meyer was understandably cagey when discussing the issues, referring multiple times that a statement had already been released and declining to discuss a timetable of how Thomas' dismissal came about. According to Florida players, however, they learned about Thomas' dismissal Friday. When he was on the field this season, Thomas was a force, piling up 26 total tackles and four sacks. His departure creates a gaping hole in the middle of Florida's defensive line that will have to be plugged by several players. Ray McDonald slid inside, allowing Derrick Harvey to start at defensive end, and freshman Brandon Antwine will see increased time at defensive tackle. "We need to get more out of our other inside guys," Florida co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "Our other inside guys - Clint [McMillan], Joe [Cohen] and Steve - they kind of go unnoticed in there. If they're pushing the pocket, you'll see Jarvis [Moss] and Derrick making sacks." While Florida will clearly miss Thomas on the field, Thomas may miss Florida even more. He passed up an opportunity to enter the NFL Draft after last season, and he played in only five games this season. While the obligations that he didn't live up to have not been made public, Thomas' teammates are concerned for their former teammate. Harris would know better than most, having spent the last three-plus years as Thomas' friend and teammate. Harris said he hasn't spoken to Thomas over the past few days, but the player his teammates called "Trap" is never far from his mind. "I worry about his well-being and making sure he's in the right state of mind, making sure he's still focused on what he wants to do in life," Harris said.
