Zach Thomas

[Hostile]

I have liked this guy ever since he came into the NFL. I have nothing but respect for him. You all know the line in the articles, "he has more career tackles than anyone in the Pro Football Hall of Fame." Well, that's a misleading stat because Tackles was not an NFL stat for a long, long time.

What is not misleading about Zach Thomas however is that he over achieves because he is a thorough professional.

Still, I wanted to get a look at Zach's production and it really is just amazing what this guy has accomplished in his career.

Here are some stats for his career, then I want to tell you about his 2007.

168 games
1642 tackles, 1240 solo tackles
That equates to 9.8 tackles per game for his career.

65 passes defensed
19.5 sacks
15 forced fumbles
17 INTs
4 touchdowns

Okay, so last year he only played 5 games after a car wreck. We all know that.

Did you know that in those 5 games he had 52 tackles? More than 10 per game. If you take his 5 game total for tackles and project it over 16 games he would have had 166 tackles, 1 more than his best season ever, which just happened to be 2006. That season just happened to top his previous best which was 162 in 2005. He did that in 14 games.

Yeah, we're rolling the dice that he is healthy and will be motivated to play for Wade Phillips, whom he respects, and for the Cowboys, whom he grew up loving. It's hard to argue that anyone will be better prepared since he already has broken down every Cowboys game of 2007.

I don't mind being alone on this if I have to be, but I am excited about him coming to Dallas. A consummate professional who can only impact this team in a positive way IMO.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I think it was a good pick up also Hostile, I wouldnt be surprised if he replaces Akin as starter at WILB.

 

[VCDefectors]

Great post Hostile. I have to admit that I wasn't a big fan of the signing at first, but I'm warming up to it. It can't possibly hurt to take a look at what he's got left.

 

[BBQ101]

I think it was a good pick up also Hostile, I wouldnt be surprised if he replaces Akin as starter at WILB.

Ya think? How many tackles did Akin have this season? I think it was 5 more than Zack had in 5 games.

I can't beleive we didn't give Carp a looksee last year with the lack of production that Akin showed. Get ready for more "Carp's a bust" threads, because unless Zack gets hurt again, or old age catches up to him, where is Carp going to play?

By the way, I like the signing...its peanuts the first year, and if he works out, then we have plugged a big whole in our D in my opinion.

BBQ

 

[Carlito]

Hostile, what a great post! I am also excited about having him on this team, maybe he can help by showing the rest of the team how to give 110%.....

 

[5Stars]

Although I don't watch much Dolphin football, I always liked to see Zach play! He is as intense as anyone that I have ever seen...

 

[Beast_from_East]

Ya think? How many tackles did Akin have this season? I think it was 5 more than Zack had in 5 games.

I can't beleive we didn't give Carp a looksee last year with the lack of production that Akin showed. Get ready for more "Carp's a bust" threads, because unless Zack gets hurt again, or old age catches up to him, where is Carp going to play?

By the way, I like the signing...its peanuts the first year, and if he works out, then we have plugged a big whole in our D in my opinion.

BBQ

I was not impressed with Akin last year, I rarely heard his name called during games. If Zach stays healthy, he will beat out Akin rather easily. With Ellis, Ware, James, and Zach we should have one of the top LB units in the NFL!!!

Carpenter is better suited for the 4-3, he is just in the wrong system here in Dallas. I still think he is a good player, he was a stud at Ohio State.

 

[NeonNinja]

Don't forget about Spencer, he will see more snaps this year. I agree 100% with you Hos, I've never been this excited for an older player to come to our team.

 

[Carlito]

I am hoping we trade Akin, maybe we can send him back with Parcells!!! Zach should definitely get his name called more often.

 

[DallasEast]

Thomas should also benefit from any additional improvement of Ratliff shoring up the middle of the defensive line. Although he's not a prototypical 3-4 noseguard, Ratliff's athleticism generates pressure up the gut, which should draw even more double-teams in '08. Should that happen, the interior linebackers will be even more effective against the run in particular. A guy like Thomas will have the opportunity to stuff a lot of inside and off-tackle runs.

 

[Carlito]

Thomas should also benefit from any additional improvement of Ratliff shoring up the middle of the defensive line. Although he's not a prototypical 3-4 noseguard, Ratliff's athleticism generates pressure up the gut, which should draw even more double-teams in '08. Should that happen, the interior linebackers will be even more effective against the run in particular. A guy like Thomas will have the opportunity to stuff a lot of inside and off-tackle runs.

Sounds great, let's hope you are right!

 

[sago1]

You definity aren't alone in being glad we signed Zach Thomas. When I first heard we signed him I was somewhat about his age/health. Went back and rewatched the Cowboy-Dolphin game & came away very impressed by Thomas' play, both in his pass coverage which limited Romo's middle of the field success, Thomas' tackling; heck Thomas even blitzed Romo once. Mostly I heard repeatedly Thomas named called by the announcers for his plays. Didn't recall Ayodele's name being called much at all during 07 season. Think Thomas could really be an upgrade at Ayodele's position, both in pass coverage & making tackles. Thomas may lack the size of Ayodele, but he makes plays cause he's studied his opponents enough to know what angles to take to make the most effective plays. Think Thomas' professionism, intensity, leadership & relentless film study of our opponents in 08 season will quickly win over his new teammates. Bet Romo will have some interesting discussions with Thomas as well.

 

[Sarge]

I'd feel a little more comfortable if he averaged 11 tackles per game.

 

[tunahelper]

I have liked this guy ever since he came into the NFL. I have nothing but respect for him. You all know the line in the articles, "he has more career tackles than anyone in the Pro Football Hall of Fame." Well, that's a misleading stat because Tackles was not an NFL stat for a long, long time.

What is not misleading about Zach Thomas however is that he over achieves because he is a thorough professional.

Still, I wanted to get a look at Zach's production and it really is just amazing what this guy has accomplished in his career.

Here are some stats for his career, then I want to tell you about his 2007.

168 games
1642 tackles, 1240 solo tackles
That equates to 9.8 tackles per game for his career.

65 passes defensed
19.5 sacks
15 forced fumbles
17 INTs
4 touchdowns

Okay, so last year he only played 5 games after a car wreck. We all know that.

Did you know that in those 5 games he had 52 tackles? More than 10 per game. If you take his 5 game total for tackles and project it over 16 games he would have had 166 tackles, 1 more than his best season ever, which just happened to be 2006. That season just happened to top his previous best which was 162 in 2005. He did that in 14 games.

Yeah, we're rolling the dice that he is healthy and will be motivated to play for Wade Phillips, whom he respects, and for the Cowboys, whom he grew up loving. It's hard to argue that anyone will be better prepared since he already has broken down every Cowboys game of 2007.

I don't mind being alone on this if I have to be, but I am excited about him coming to Dallas. A consummate professional who can only impact this team in a positive way IMO.

One can create an arguement for any free agent signng ever. Zach is low risk,high reward for Dallas.

The thought of Thomas making plays sideline to sideline and his blanket coverage, should add needed play to our LB's not seen since Dat was playing.

The defense should take another step next year.

 

[Typhus]

Thomas is a technician at his posistion..
I look for Wade to utilize Thomas much like the way he did with Donnie Edwards In SD in the later stage of his career. Keeping the OL off of him and enabling him to roam freely and make plays.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'd feel a little more comfortable if he averaged 11 tackles per game.

I was going to go with 12 but 11 is alright I guess.

 

[roy31]

I'm happy to have him on Dallas too ,but I am concerned about his cuncussion issues.

 

[justbob]

Thanks for the research Hos. I have been a fan of Zachs for a long time ---if his head is OK -he will be a big upgrade

 

[dooomsday]

Thomas should also benefit from any additional improvement of Ratliff shoring up the middle of the defensive line. Although he's not a prototypical 3-4 noseguard, Ratliff's athleticism generates pressure up the gut, which should draw even more double-teams in '08. Should that happen, the interior linebackers will be even more effective against the run in particular. A guy like Thomas will have the opportunity to stuff a lot of inside and off-tackle runs.

It would be even more effective if Ratliff could take on multiple blockers. His push wasnt tremendous during the year, tho he has that potential.

 

[Nav22]

Nice post Hos. I'm very excited about Zach Thomas... he should be a MAJOR upgrade over Ayodele. Bradie and Zach inside should be a terrific ILB duo.