Experience, film study put Thomas a cut above

ATVZ400 · Jul 1, 2008

With votes from six head coaches, Thomas beat out Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis for the top spot. Lewis was the second-leading vote-getter with four nominations. Coaches, encouraged not to vote for their own players, were granted anonymity for their candor. Thirty of the 32 coaches answered this specific question.
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The smartest defensive player in the NFL is Dallas Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas, according to ESPN.com's survey of head coaches. Thomas spent the past dozen years making his mark in the AFC with the Miami Dolphins before signing with the Cowboys as a free agent in February.

"There is a reason he's played for 12 years," former teammate and Browns guard Seth McKinney said. "He does a lot of film study and puts the time in. There are definitely guys that are faster and stronger, but Zach beats them to the play due to [intelligence]. He does a good job of that."
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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=walker_james&id=3463857

I know Zach is not part of the phins But he will always be a Dolphin to me thats why i posted this here in the main.

To me and my kids (who wear #54 during there own football games) your the best............

Larryfinfan · Jul 1, 2008

We're going to miss Zach, there's no doubt. But all good things must come to an end. J. J. done good with that draft pick no doubt. The Miami Dolphins throughout their history have had great middle/inside linebackers. Here's hoping that the next Zach Thomas is on its way.

Regan21286 · Jul 1, 2008

Zach is a Dolphin for life no matter what team he's on (except maybe an AFC East one). Honestly, I miss the guy and I'd take a healthy Zach over Torbor any day of the week.

HULKFish · Jul 1, 2008

ATVZ400 said:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=walker_james&id=3463857

I know Zach is not part of the phins But he will always be a Dolphin to me thats why i posted this here in the main.

To me and my kids (who wear #54 during there own football games) your the best............
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I'm still VERY resentful about that move... No excuse, he'll be a healthy Pro-Bowler for the Cowboys this year. And I'll be watching them now too!

BEST LB TO EVER PLAY THE GAME, HANDS DOWN... And I really don't care about anyone elses opinion on that. He just got it done.

MonstBlitz · Jul 1, 2008

Good to see Zach Thomas finally getting some respect from people besides us Dolphin fans. It's long overdue.

I hope Cowboy fans realize what a player they got. If they don't, they soon will.

brandon27 · Jul 1, 2008

Good to hear for Zach. His commitment to football is unbelievable. Thats really what it comes down to, what Mckinney said. He didnt have to be the biggest, strongest and fastest guy physically, because he always knew where the play was coming so he was always in position to make the tackle. No surprise he led the team in tackles all the time. Its going to be tough to see him playing in that Dallas jersey this year...

Kanye West · Jul 1, 2008

Good luck this year Zach Thomas

PhinsRock · Jul 1, 2008

Go win a SB this year Zach, then retire after signing a 1 day contract with the Dolphins so you can go into the HOF as a Miami Dolphin! We will ALWAYS love you Zach Thomas! :up:

gunn34 · Jul 1, 2008

Glad to see him at the top. Hard to not say MIAMI Dolphin Zach Thomas.

alen1 · Jul 2, 2008

I think its safe to say everyone will miss Zach. The guy is a hell of a player and will forever be in our hearts. Heres an article after he got released that I thought was very well written By Andy Cohen of the Miami Dolphins.

As I think about Thomas, I first think of the person that I was fortunate to get to know. I think of all the times he stood by his locker, putting football and life in perspective. I think about that firm handshake. That sheepish smile. The way he loved the Dolphins and wanted so much to be a part of a major success story in South Florida.

Thomas was not only the heart of the Dolphins. He was in so many ways the voice as well. He was the voice of reason, the voice of optimism, the voice of reality. “Hey, we’re a bad football team," Thomas said one late Sunday afternoon last season. "It’s hard for me to say that. It’s hard to accept. But right now it’s the truth."

No, he wasn’t into playing football politics. He was the quote everyone wanted to hear because we all knew Zach would tell it like it is. As violent as he was on the field, he was almost gentle off the field. He would seek you out and ask questions, genuinely wanting to know what you had to say. He never shied away from controversy, always attacking the truth the way he would an opposing runner. It was refreshing. It was vintage Zach.

But a wonderful personality isn’t why I believe he will land in Canton, Ohio, one day. No, he will be in the Hall of Fame because he is one of the most productive linebackers in the history the game. There was no need to pad his tackling numbers. The numbers were very accurate. In 12 seasons, there were more than 1,800 tackles. Think about that. In all but one season, Thomas had 100 tackles. I wonder how many of them made us wince because of the ferocity of the hit or made us searching for a replay to get further evidence of how Thomas made that tackle, how he ate up so much ground to get there.

I’ve never seen a quicker linebacker. Never seen a smarter one either. People wonder what if he was blessed with greater physical tools, what if instead of 220 pounds he was 260 like a Brian Urlacher.

You know, I wouldn’t change a thing about Zach Thomas. His short height and compact build, I believe, made him hungrier, made him study longer, made him appreciate every moment on the field a little bit more. Forget about the height and weight. This was a giant. Played like it every Sunday. Remember the somersault into the end zone against Tennessee? Remember all those times he read Peyton Manning’s eyes? Remember all those interceptions -- 17 in all – and how he took so much pride in his pass defense? So much to remember.

But the image that will always remain most vivid is Thomas running hard, gaining ground like few could and always making sure the tackle was hard and true. He loved to hit, loved to pound a running back or devour a quarterback. Nobody tackled quite like Zach Thomas.
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http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/news/andycohen.asp?contentID=5686

ATVZ400 · Jul 2, 2008

HULKFish said:

I'm still VERY resentful about that move... No excuse, he'll be a healthy Pro-Bowler for the Cowboys this year. And I'll be watching them now too!

BEST LB TO EVER PLAY THE GAME, HANDS DOWN... And I really don't care about anyone elses opinion on that. He just got it done.
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i agree 100%:up:

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