10. Zach Thomas
To say that Zach Thomas was the Miami Dolphins' defense for over a decade almost seems like an understatement. Thomas was only drafted in the 5th Round in 1996, but the Linebacker from Texas Tech would become one of the elite Linebackers in the AFC. From 1998 to 2006, he would be chosen for five First Team All-Pro Selections and seven Pro Bowls, and in this time period, he proved himself to be a ferocious tackling machine. Thomas finished first in the NFL in Combined Tackles (2002 & 2006), and as of this writing, he is fifth all-time with 1,727. Thomas also accumulated 1,100 Solo Tackles over his career.
The Bullet Points
- Country of Origin: Pampa, Texas, U.S.A.
- Eligible Since: Wednesday, 01 January 2014
- Position: Linebacker
- Games Played: 184
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Notable Statistics: 17 Interceptions
170 Interception Return Yards
4 Interception Return Touchdowns
16 Forced Fumbles
8 Fumble Recoveries
29 Fumble Recovery Yards
20.5 Quarterback Sacks
1,734 Combined Tackles
1,107 Solo Tackles
627 Assisted Tackles
74 Tackles for Loss*
5 Quarterback Hits**
2 Kick Returns
32 Kick Return Yards
148 Approximate Value
8 Playoff Games
1 Fumble Revoery
1.0 Quarterback Sack
85 Combined Tackles
61 Solo Tackles
24 Assisted Tackles
3 Tackles for Loss*
*Tackles for Loss became an official statistic in 1999.
**Quarterback Hits became an official statistic in 2006. - Played For: Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins
- College: Texas Tech
- Drafted: 5th Round, 154th Overall in 1996
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Major Accolades and Awards:
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
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 & 2006)
Super Bowl Champion (None) -
Other Points of Note:
Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (2) (1998 & 2003)
Top Ten Finishes: Solo Tackles (5) (1996, 2001, 2002, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Combined Tackles (10) (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 & 2006)
Top Ten Finishes: Tackles for Loss (1) (2005)
Top Ten Finishes: Forced Fumbles (1) (2005) -
Notable All Time Rankings: 5. Combined Tackles: 1,727
5. Solo Tackles: 1,107
69. Approximate Value: 148 - Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: 2020, 2021 & 2022