I just don't get the Zach Thomas signing.

[YosemiteSam]

Wade mentioned at the end of the year that he now knows where he needed to upgrade to run his defense the way he wanted. Zach Thomas, one of his favorite players, replacing Ayodele at wilb was one of those upgrades. Face it, Thomas is the best ILB on this team.

I think we had arguably the best overall linebacker core last year with James, Ware, Ellis, and Spencer. If Thomas returns to form with no effects from his issues last year, without question, we will have the best linebackers in the league.

 

[AsthmaField]

Think back to the rotation we had at WILB last year. Ayodele on running downs and Burnett on passing downs.

I think that's what we'll have again this year, only Zach will be in instead of Akin. I think Burnett is going to grow into the spot a little more under a vet who is saavy as they come (ZT).

Burnett will be very good in coverage (probably better than last year even) and Zach will have his fire, work ethic and instincts on display to the whole defense for them to follow and learn from. I don't see how this can be anything but good... particularly considering how Akin was one of the weaker spots on our defense last year.

We will be better in '08 because of this nifty little offseason acquisition.

JM $0.02

 

[khiladi]

2007      Games   Solo     Assists     Sacks
James      16      64        37          3
Ayodele    16      36        21          0
Thomas      5      42        10          1

Wow..

And they are projecting a Donnie Edwards type role for Zack, and Edwards numbers with San Diego were around 140 plus tackles. That is 50 more than Bradie, who was playing pretty well this year.

Zach may have one of his best years yet... He is going to be the guy Wade is going to rely on heavily, because Wade is going to want to turn up the heat on the QB.

 

[speedkilz88]

Thomas will be trying to fit in with Dallas anyone thinks he steps in and takes over leadership is kidding themselves. If what people mean is leading by example I would agree but I doubt players will look to the newest member of the team as the leader of the defense.

Who are you kidding? Zach Thomas is a 7 time pro bowler and a certain HOFamer. That brings respect right there, but he takes it even further with his film study and ability to diagnose plays before the snap.

 

[YosemiteSam]

If this is the case, and he earns that bonus by staying healthy isn't that a good thing? If healthy, there is no doubt he helps us. If not, he doesn't get the higher money?

As I just posted, if he returns to form. The Cowboys have the best linebacking core in the entire NFL and it's not even close.

 

[khiladi]

Thomas will be trying to fit in with Dallas anyone thinks he steps in and takes over leadership is kidding themselves. If what people mean is leading by example I would agree but I doubt players will look to the newest member of the team as the leader of the defense.

They did with Hamlin...

 

[Doomsday101]

Who are you kidding? Zach Thomas is a 7 time pro bowler and a certain HOFamer. That brings respect right there, but he takes it even further with his film study and ability to diagnose plays before the snap.

And yet he comes to a team where they don't know him and he does not know them. No you don't walk in off the streets and take over a team, it does not work that way. Thomas will have the learn the Cowboys system not the rest of the player they know the defense. He will look to them for help not the other way around. No one cares about what you did else where. If you think the new guy on the team just walks in and takes command you are kidding yourself.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

If he can stay healthy (and this is a HUGE if for me right now) and return to the form of just as little ago as the 2006 season (where he lead the league in tackles with something like 167) then this will turn out to be a steal of a deal and it will GLADLY make me eat my words of worry.

I'm just not convinced, in the least, that the guy, who I am a HUGE fan of, is going to cut it at 34 years old coming off a season with major head issues.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Z Thomas was on the Mike Irvin show and said he was already studying film, this is the kind off player the boys need, someone that is dedicated to football and will bring leadership to the defense, cause lord knows they need it

Yep... hold players around him accountable.... just by a look.

If Zach makes the tackles before Roy trips over someone and misses it - then this was a good signing

 

[Doomsday101]

They did with Hamlin...

Hamlin calls the secondary because of his position that does not make him a team leader. He is liked by the other players and I'm sure Thomas will be liked as well but when you enter a team as the newest member you have to prove yourself no one follows you based on what you did some where else.

 

[thewireman]

Aren't Ellis, Ware, Ferg, Roy, Bradie all leaders? We've got guys that have been around and can lead, adding another classy sportsmanship type guy won't provide us much in that department IMO.

He might still perform, we'll have to see about that.

Roy I don't view as a leader, and Ellis who knows But Zach Thomas will add what Ayodele could not

 

[Dallyjake]

There is not one man in the hall of fame with more tackles than ZT. wE WILL LOVE THIS GUY IN 08.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Wade mentioned at the end of the year that he now knows where he needed to upgrade to run his defense the way he wanted. Zach Thomas, one of his favorite players, replacing Ayodele at wilb was one of those upgrades. Face it, Thomas is the best ILB on this team.

Exactly.

And he's not just the best ILB on the team, he's the best ILB we've had on this team in many, many years.

People who don't understand this move are overthinking the whole thing. Guys like Ayodele, Burnett, and Carpenter aren't even a pimple on Zach Thomas' butt.

It's that simple.

 

[Future]

Roy I don't view as a leader, and Ellis who knows But Zach Thomas will add what Ayodele could not

Which is? Leadership? Thats far too abstract. Unless you are talking about production.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Exactly.

People who don't understand this trade are overthinking the whole thing. Guys like Ayodele, Burnett, and Carpenter aren't even a pimple on Zach Thomas' butt.

It's that simple.

They also don't carry with them, at this time, the potential baggage of a concussion problem he suffered with all year last year.

Talent wise, for their careers, no one is saying Thomas isn't head and shoulders better. At this point, however, at 34 and coming off of head issues that caused him to miss 12 games it's a very touch and go issue.

If he comes in and returns to form, awesome. It's a steal of a deal. If he comes in and gives us a season like he gave Miami last year, cause of his head injury, then it's not much of a deal at all.

It's pretty much that simple.

 

[alancdc]

As I just posted, if he returns to form. The Cowboys have the best linebacking core in the entire NFL and it's not even close.

I agree with you, and let's hope he does.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Hamlin calls the secondary because of his position that does not make him a team leader. He is liked by the other players and I'm sure Thomas will be liked as well but when you enter a team as the newest member you have to prove yourself no one follows you based on what you did some where else.

yes, and still no. Wade said all summer long last year that Hamlin came in and became the QB of the secondary, not only by calling the secondary but also by making sure people lined up properly.

That's not going to happen just because people 'like you'. They are only going to listen to things like that if they respect you and see you as a leader.

I'm not saying that will for sure happen for Zach but it's also not impossible.

 

[thewireman]

Which is? Leadership? Thats far too abstract. Unless you are talking about production.

Production yes

 

[Doomsday101]

They also don't carry with them, at this time, the potential baggage of a concussion problem he suffered with all year last year.

Talent wise, for their careers, no one is saying Thomas isn't head and shoulders better. At this point, however, at 34 and coming off of head issues that caused him to miss 12 games it's a very touch and go issue.

If he comes in and returns to form, awesome. It's a steal of a deal. If he comes in and gives us a season like he gave Miami last year, cause of his head injury, then it's not much of a deal at all.

It's pretty much that simple.

I agree. I hope Thomas comes and in and can play at the high level he has shown in the past. But as you I do worry about a vet LB who has missed most of a season due to a concussion even more so with the NFL strict rules regarding this injury

 

[speedkilz88]

And yet he comes to a team where they don't know him and he does not know them. No you don't walk in off the streets and take over a team, it does not work that way. Thomas will have the learn the Cowboys system not the rest of the player they know the defense. He will look to them for help not the other way around. No one cares about what you did else where. If you think the new guy on the team just walks in and takes command you are kidding yourself.

Of course they know who Zach Thomas is, he isn't coming off the streets either. Hamlin became the leader of the secondary last season.