I just don't get the Zach Thomas signing.

[AsthmaField]

Arizona Wildcats. Check him out on youtube. The guy is always around the ball.

Will do Hos.

Thanks for the info, bro.

 

[Doomsday101]

You do realize Ken Hamlin came in and took over the leadership of this defense last year? I think that it was also his 1st year in Dallas?


Just saying.

Over time he did and Thomas may as well. Hamlin is not that old, Thomas is a bit older so how many years will he be in Dallas 1? So he will be a team leader this year and gone the next? Also Hamlin calling the defense comes with the position he plays. The safeties job is to call the secondary coverage’s. I’m not opposed to Thomas but right now he has a lot to prove he comes in with certain question marks after all Jones in not having to spend big bucks to get him there is a reason why.

 

[ctrous25]

I guarantee you that Z Thomas will outplay and win the starting spot soon to be vacated by Ayodele. Zack Thomas is your new WILB.

Also don't forget that this is a 1 year deal. You will get much more from ZT than you do right now w/ Ayodele. Why not upgrade the spot?

Wade has already said that ZT will not be taking Brady's spot. That leaves Ayodele, and I am very ok with that.


My money is ZT beating out Ayodele in TC and starting game 1.

I think your money is right on...Id be very surprised if ZT aint starting the 1st game of the season

 

[Doomsday101]

He is refering to Hamlin last year in reference to the fact that Thomas could do it also.

I'm not saying Thomas can't or will not earn that but it is never a given, players expect guys to prove themselves and in Dallas, Zack has proven nothing. He is a guy coming off injuries who Miami did not feel was worth keeping. That is not a major endorsement. If Thomas can come in and play to his past level he will earn the respect of teammates but if not he will be seen as a old guy who once was great. It is all about getting the job done if you don't do that then you will not be looked at as a leader.

 

[shooterware94]

Akin is awful thats why. Zack bradie ware and ellis is such a dirty lb core. If zach stays healthy hes still one of the best run stoppers in the game, also good in pass coverage.

 

[dallasfaniac]

Hamlin didn't have a glowing endorsement from Seattle and signed only a year contract with Dallas. He turned out ok and wasn't a leader because of his position, otherwise Davis or Watkins would have been considered leaders during their tenure.

Whether Thomas will/won't become a leader from the get go is debateable, but judging by Thomas' past history I would say it is a foregone conclusion. Now he just has to stay healthy.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I think whats really important here is that Zach gets a SB ring - - before he retires

 

[Doomsday101]

Hamlin didn't have a glowing endorsement from Seattle and signed only a year contract with Dallas. He turned out ok and wasn't a leader because of his position, otherwise Davis or Watkins would have been considered leaders during their tenure.

Whether Thomas will/won't become a leader from the get go is debateable, but judging by Thomas' past history I would say it is a foregone conclusion. Now he just has to stay healthy.

Hamlin went out and earned it by his play, he did not assume the leadership role from day 1. Thomas has to come in and perform if he can't do that at a high level then no guys will not look to him as their leader. I also said as a safety he called the secondary he did that because that was his job at safety he earned respect and leadership by his play. Irvin was a leader because he could preach it and delivered as a player. What is funny is your last statement he has to stay healthy if he can do that and can play to a level close to what he has in the past then yes he can become the leader of this team then the question will be for more than 1 year?

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think whats really important here is that Zach gets a SB ring - - before he retires

Whats really important is 140+ tackles pre season, 5+ sacks per season, and at least two superbowl rings.

 

[Dallas]

I'm not saying Thomas can't or will not earn that but it is never a given, players expect guys to prove themselves and in Dallas, Zack has proven nothing. He is a guy coming off injuries who Miami did not feel was worth keeping. That is not a major endorsement. If Thomas can come in and play to his past level he will earn the respect of teammates but if not he will be seen as a old guy who once was great. It is all about getting the job done if you don't do that then you will not be looked at as a leader.

So basically your argument isn't ZT at all. It's anyone who is paid to come to Dallas and play. They haven't showed you anything. That's what you are saying. They must earn and prove. I am ok with that. Little soft in the pants for debat sake, but Im ok w/ it.

You can use this same agrument w/ Owens/Glenn and even any of our rookies who came to play for Dallas.

Let's just wait and see what ZT brings to Big-D. My money is on him making a much larger contribution to this club than Ayodele has in the past.

 

[Doomsday101]

So basically your argument isn't ZT at all. It's anyone who is paid to come to Dallas and play. They haven't showed you anything. That's what you are saying. They must earn and prove. I am ok with that. Little soft in the pants for debat sake, but Im ok w/ it.

You can use this same agrument w/ Owens/Glenn and even any of our rookies who came to play for Dallas.

Let's just wait and see what ZT brings to Big-D. My money is on him making a much larger contribution to this club than Ayodele has in the past.

What I'm saying is Thomas comes to Dallas with some question marks. He will be entering his 13th season and is coming off a season where he has missed 12 games due to a major concussion. If what doctors say is true and they become more common down the road then yes this is a risk by Dallas. Trent Green took a major hit 2 years ago and the next one even though it was a lot less violent than the 1st it knocked him out for the rest of the season last year.

Thomas plays a position where sticking your head in their is just part of the job so yes that is a concern for him and the Cowboys. I'm not opposed to getting Thomas but while some are hollering about him being the defensive leader I would argue that 1st thing 1st can he play the game to the level that he has shown in the past? Can he make it through the year without another major concussion?

One thing about this move is if the figures about his contract are as reported then the risk for Dallas is not great.

 

[YosemiteSam]

1. He past three different teams physicals.
2. He is an enormous talent at ILB.
3. He wasn't back-breaking expensive.

To me, this was an easy choice providing it didn't cost them in resigning Flozell.

If that is in fact the case, then the jury is out until we see how left tackle pans out next season.

 

[Doomsday101]

1. He past three different teams physicals.
2. He is an enormous talent at ILB.
3. He wasn't back-breaking expensive.

To me, this was an easy choice providing it didn't cost them in resigning Flozell.

If that is in fact the case, then the jury is out until we see how left tackle pans out next season.

At the price we paid I have little problem with it but come on Troy Aikman was passing Cowboy yearly physicals as well yet had concussion problems and a major back problem. Only thing that scares me is once players sustain a major concussion the problem tends to come back. I agree when he is on his game the guy is a very good player and that is why I think Dallas brought him here but I do think the risk is real just based on many different players who have gone through this and how the league now reacts to these types of injuries.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Whats really important is 140+ tackles pre season, 5+ sacks per season, and at least two superbowl rings.

Cant argue with that


But...


Whats really, really, really important is.... that we win the last 3 SB's of the decade.... supplanting the Pats for team of decade

First organization to have a dynasty in back to back decades

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Galloway is talking right now about his conversation with Jimmy after the signing. Galloway said this defense needs a vocal leader the players will rally around, and Jimmy said oh, that's Zach exactly. He has to be healthy, of course, but that's him.

Galloway then said that Bradie James was the vocal leader right now, and Jimmy said -- and I quote -- "But a leader has to be able to play, and Bradie James can't play!"

Now it's all relative... We think Bradie is pretty good, especially compared to what he was in 2006. But compared to seven pro bowls and leaguewide admiration for going on a decade? In that context, what Jimmy said makes sense.

 

[Doomsday101]

Galloway is talking right now about his conversation with Jimmy after the signing. Galloway said this defense needs a vocal leader the players will rally around, and Jimmy said oh, that's Zach exactly. He has to be healthy, of course, but that's him.

Galloway then said that Bradie James was the vocal leader right now, and Jimmy said -- and I quote -- "But a leader has to be able to play, and Bradie James can't play!"

Now it's all relative... We think Bradie is pretty good, especially compared to what he was in 2006. But compared to seven pro bowls and leaguewide admiration for going on a decade? In that context, what Jimmy said makes sense.

If Zack can come in and play to a high level. Evidently this keeps being missed. Thomas has to come in a prove himself as a Dallas Cowboy, if he can stay healthy then he has a chance but given the nature of his injury and how these injuries tend to continue I don't see anything as a given with Thomas. 1st thing he has to do is prove he can still go out there and do the job. 7 Pro Bowls is great his career play has been great but it still comes down to can you do it today. I hope so but I just don't see this as a given. Had Thomas been sideline with a broken leg I would feel better about his return than I do over the concussion issue. No doubt he has been cleared and he wants to play, I don't question his heart and desire nor did I question Aikman heart and desire or Trent Green as well as a number of other players who continued when it may have been in their best interest not to.

 

[CM Duck]

Aren't Ellis, Ware, Ferg, Roy, Bradie all leaders? .

NO, YES, HURT last season, NO, and TALKS TOO MUCH....

MR Thomas is what this defense has been miss since Woody retired.....a true leader. on and off the field. It was posted that he is already watching film, hopefully he has at least tried to get all the other LBs on the current roster together to do this as well.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I think it was a dumb signing.
but some sacks and key tackles next season might not make it so dumb.
Since it's a dumb, um, i mean, done deal, I guess it can't hurt to be an optometrist.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

For what it's worth, at around 5:20 (CT), GAC is going to re-air the interview Thomas did on Irvin's show this morning. It might be podcasted on the site already -- I haven't looked -- but sometimes it takes a few days for them to put the podcasts up.