gold star for USAHOF

3. Zach Thomas

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3. Zach Thomas

Zach Thomas came to the Miami Dolphins as a fifth round pick from Texas Tech, and he would prove to be the most dynamic defensive player that Miami ever had. 

Playing at Linebacker, Thomas was an All-Rookie in 1996 who had 156 Tackles.  Playing in the middle, Thomas built upon that rookie campaign as a tackling phenom, where from 1996 to 2006, he was always in the top ten in Combined Tackles, never having less than 128 in a year.  He would finish first in that vital statistic in 2002 and 2006 and was in second place twice.  Thomas also finished in the top ten in Approximate Value twice.

In terms of independent awards, Thomas filled his trophy case.  A seven-time Pro Bowl Selection, the former Texas A&M Aggie would be a five-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Second Team All-Pro while also winning NFL Alumni Linebacker of the Year twice and was selected to the 2000s All-Decade Team.

Thomas was with the Dolphins until 2007 when he was released, and he played another year in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys.  He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009 but did not make the team after suffering a concussion.

While Thomas's professional football end was not spectacular, his career with Miami certainly was.  He tallied 17 Interceptions, 19.5 Sacks, and 1,640 Tackles as a Dolphin.  The Dolphins inducted him into their Honor Roll in 2012.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Linebacker
  • Acquired: Selected in the 5th Round, 154th Overall in the NFL Draft 4/21/96.
  • Departed: Released 2/14/08.
  • Games Played: 168
  • Notable Statistics:

    168 Games Started
    17 Interceptions
    170 Interception Return Yards
    4 Interception Return Touchdowns
    16 Forced Fumbles
    7 Fumble Recoveries
    29 Fumble Recovery Yards
    19.5 Quarterback Sacks
    1,640 Combined Tackles
    1,042 Solo Tackles
    598 Assisted Tackles
    70 Tackles for Loss*
    2 Kick Returns
    32 Kick Return Yards
    6 Quarterback Hits**
    141 Approximate Value

    8 Playoff Games
    1 Fumble Recovery
    0 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1.0 Quarterback Sacks
    85 Combined Tackles
    61 Solo Tackles
    24 Assisted Tackles
    3 Tackles for Loss*

    *Tackles for Loss Became a statistic in 1999.
    **Quarterback Hits became a statistic in 2006
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    First Team All-Pro (1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 & 2006)
    Second Team All-Pro (2001 & 2005)
    Pro Bowl (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 & 2006)
    All-Rookie (1996)
    Most Combined Tackles (2002 & 2005)

Last modified on Friday, 26 August 2022 19:09

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