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Zach Thomas: Cowboys' Veteran Linebacker Returns to His Texas Roots
When the Cowboys signed free agent linebacker Zach Thomas to a one year contract in February, the native Texan was finally able to return home and play professionally in front of friends & family in the Lone Star State. After an All-American career at Texas Tech, the prep star from Pampa, Texas spent the first 12 years of his NFL career in Miami before the Dolphins released him following the 2007 season. In Miami, Thomas led the Dolphins in tackles for 10 of his 12 seasons and recorded at least 100 tackles in his first 11 professional seasons. He's been selected to 7 Pro Bowls and has already recorded more career tackles than any linebacker in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now that he's in Dallas, Thomas will add a veteran presence to the Cowboys defense. He will play inside linebacker in Wade Phillips' 3-4 defensive scheme. His contract included a million dollar signing bonus, a million dollar base salary, and incentives which could push the value of the one-year deal to $3 million. Cowboys officials are thrilled with the signing
"Let's just talk about what he brings -- His intensity, his quickness, his pass coverage abilities," said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. "He doesn't get screwed up on crossing routes. The way he wraps up, he's a big-time wrapper-upper. Size has always been a question for him, but he's made up for it through explosion. He's not necessarily fast, with straight-away speed, but he's inordinately quick. And when you're inside, that's a big part of it. He is going to be playing on a defense that gives him the opportunity to be the best he can be, and that's gonna be hard to beat out. It really complements his ability. And that's good, that'll make everybody else better, too."
Thomas' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was thrilled to reunite his client with the team Thomas idolized while growing up in Texas. "Zach's family, they're Texans and so for him to have an opportunity to be there is awesome for his family as well," said Rosenhaus. "And that's big as well. Zach married his wife there, she wanted to be there as well. His parents live there, his grandparents live there, his brother lives there, nieces and nephews. They're all ecstatic. When he told them, I heard people screaming in the background. It was almost like draft day. I'm very happy for Zach. We wanted a team that was a winner. We wanted to get the right defensive scheme. We wanted those two ingredients, and being on a winning team. The Bills called, Houston called, the Jets called. They were all interested. But we were able to narrow it down to those three clubs (Cowboys, Patriots, Saints) because they fit that criteria. Scheme, winning, that's big for Zach. Now to go to his hometown team (Cowboys), where he was born and raised, is unbelievable. He grew up as a lifetime Cowboys fan. This is a dream come true for him, to be a Cowboy. I think it's great for him off the field, I think it's great for the Cowboys. We're fired up. He's the greatest guy you could ever work with. And his dream just came true. It's awesome to see. It was like a birthday for him." "I’m really enjoying myself and it’s good to be with a team that’s established and just trying to get over the top," Thomas says of his new team, coaches, and group of teammates. "There’s a lot of talent on this team and there are a lot of high-character guys around here. I really know why they win here. Guys work hard and they play hard and they’re trying to get better." Even though he's entering his 13th NFL season, Thomas admits that he's had to "hit the books" to learn the Cowboys' defense. He's also spent extra time watching film of the Cowboys defense. "It just takes a little bit of time, but not as much time as it would for a rookie," Thomas says of the learning curve. "You’ve seen every play that you’ll ever see, but you’ve just got to know where everybody else is going to be on the defensive side. You need to know where your help is. I’ve been watching a lot of tape, plus I’ve been watching Wade Phillips’ scheme for years, ever since he was in San Diego. I’ve even watched some San Diego tape of Donnie Edwards (former Chargers linebacker) because he plays the scheme at 'Mo', the position I’m at, real well. But I love the scheme and I think it’s going to be fun. And you’re protected a lot in this scheme. Everybody thinks that you’re not as protected in a 3-4, but there really are 5 guys on the line of scrimmage (3 defensive linemen and two outside linebackers). My best years have been in a 3-4 in the last 3 years in Miami. I feel like this is the best scheme for me. Not too many fullbacks can really take straight shots at you in this scheme because of the way the d-line in stunting. That helps the 'Mo' a lot. You can read the quarterback in the passing game. You can get more interceptions doing that; we always matched-up (on route runners) in Miami." The extra hours spent during the offseason are just par for the course, according to Thomas. "That’s the way I’ve always done it, that’s just me," he shrugs. "I’m trying to learn. I’m trying to get out there where you’re running around without even thinking. Right now I’m still having to think a little bit. That’s what the (offseason) practices are for, and by the time I get through camp, I’m ready to go. I’ve been up here (at Valley Ranch, watching film) quite a bit, but what surprises me is that there are a lot of guys up here staying extra hours." Thomas has also spent extra hours in the Cowboys weight room and has added up to 15 pounds of muscle. Thomas worked with Cowboys strength and conditioning coach Joe Juraszek when both were at Texas Tech.
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