Dallas Cowboys sign Zach Thomas
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 11:53 AM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintThe Cowboys made their play for Zach Thomas and sealed the deal. Thomas is a Cowboy and here’s the contract info.
In case you're wondering, the deal breaks down like this: $1 million bonus; $1 million base; $1 million in easily reachable incentives.
That’s a pretty hefty sum for Thomas. Yes, he’s a quality player but he is 34-years old and coming off an injury-filled season. At that kind of money, could Akin Ayodele’s future here be in doubt? Will Zach assume a starter’s role? One would think so because $3 million is a lot to pay a backup.
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wow I'm shocked!
I didn't think we were real serious about him. I know I said it before, but this could really mean the release of Adoyele. They could still role with Carpenter and Burnett as the backups. Well see, I'm not sold on Zach yet because of his age and injury factor. If anything it gives us more veteran presense in the LB core.
by Cowboys81 on Feb 23, 2008 12:02 PM CST reply actions
Terrible move
I would have rather seen what our youngsters can do than overpay a 35 year old linebacker just because the coach likes his work ethic.
Color me underwhelmed
Shouldn't the Dolphins be picking up our castoffs and not the other way round?
Blargh.
by goodjobtimmyheresabluestar (46717) on Feb 23, 2008 12:25 PM CST reply actions
He's had ONE concussion, and he had complications
from a car accident.
Technically, EVERY player is one hit away from retirement.
by Brandon Worley on Feb 23, 2008 12:37 PM CST up reply actions
thank you Brandon....
couldn't have said it better...
Were you guy's whining after Aikman's eigth concussion ????
Prior to a knee to his skull last year...he had 56 tackles in 5 games....that's pretty damn productive at 34 years old...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 12:43 PM CST up reply actions
I agree with your enthusiasm over this move.
Our QB is incredibly talented, but Troy Aikman was twice the leader at 5 years Tony's junior.
Zack Thomas reminds me of Leroy Jordan entering his 30th years. This team needs that fire.
Romo is still learning to be a leader
by Brandon Worley on Feb 23, 2008 4:37 PM CST up reply actions
love the flash back..
Zack Thomas reminds me of Leroy Jordan entering his 30th years. This team needs that fire.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 4:39 PM CST up reply actions
He is old
by goodjobtimmyheresabluestar (46717) on Feb 23, 2008 12:47 PM CST up reply actions
He has yet to wear down
So nothing says that he will. Thomas is known as one of the most physically fit players in the league.
No one was saying that about Seau.
by Brandon Worley on Feb 23, 2008 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
BUT
Players that have concussion history are more prone to getting concussions from a mild hit...my question is whether he still has headaches?
He has passed a physical with three teams
by Brandon Worley on Feb 23, 2008 3:34 PM CST up reply actions
He had a complete check up from our Medical Staff
That was contigent on signing the deal.....Obviously he passed with flying colors...They poke, prod, prick, pull, squeeze, and MRI your azz to no end before they throw money at you...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
Once again
This is a good signing and here is why
Thomas will bring a feeling of "it" to the team, and the defense in particular. He has always been a tackling machine and is not as bad in coverage and some people might suggest. Dallas has needed this kind of player for a while, and have been missing it since Woodson left.
The 3 million (2 million guaranteed) contract is a little unsettling though and if Thomas fails to produce this could end up biting Jerry in the butt. It is a bold move and proves the Cowboys know they are lacking leadership in key positions.
I'm not worried about his concussion either.
Do you think Akin Ayodele is worried for his job now?
by Brandon Worley on Feb 23, 2008 12:36 PM CST reply actions
I agree brandon
I think its a great signing.As you said thomas brings the "IT" Factor with him,much like MBIII does on offense.
I like it,could have done without the $1Mil signing bonus...but,he's our now,no matter the price...Zack and brady james are going to shut down the middle of the field!
2nd paragraph, lines 1 & 2...
The 3 million (2 million guaranteed) contract is a little unsettling though and if Thomas fails to produce this could end up biting Jerry in the butt.
And that's my primary concern, Brandon.
This contract has a second year option....
which would put the signing bonus over two years...his cap figure will be 1.5 million per.with bonus will eventually make it 2.0 million...but won't be applied till after the season.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 10:56 PM CST up reply actions
booo hoooo..i like it...
Adoyele is as good as gone...mark that down now...
Zack's contract is much more cap friendly, and moves Carp into a more prominent backup role, as i'm sure he'd probably get a percentage of plays.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 12:39 PM CST reply actions
I like it
If they manage his pitch count, he'll upgrade this defense.
There's a reason that two pretty savvy coaches in NE and NO wanted him as well...
for comparison sake..Akin vs. Zack
Zack Thomas - Games played - 5
Total tackles- 52
Solo tackles- 42
Assist tackles- 10
Sacks - 1
2008 cap cost : no exact details but i'd imagine:
base: $ 1,000,000
bonus: $ 1,000,000 1 year or 2 ?
----------------------
Total '08: $ 2,000,000 or less ?
Akin Adoyele- Games played- 16
Total tackles- 57
Solo tackles- 36
Assist tackles- 21
Sacks - 0
2007 cap cost : $3,405,750
Not exactly sure of '08 cap figure...
Either way...Zack had as many tackles as Akin while playing at least 10 games less.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 1:18 PM CST up reply actions
Great post
Still, I am not on board with this move until I see visual evidence proving me wrong.
by goodjobtimmyheresabluestar (46717) on Feb 23, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions
Check out donnie edwards stats
He played for Wade at WILB - where zach will be playing. The dude was averaging 150 tackles a year in San Diego (100 in KC this year). Wade must know he can get more from that position. Donnie Stats at WILB Nothing against Akin, but when you see the production that is possible from that position, you see it as an opportunity for improvement. What does this say about our bench warmers not getting more time?
That's a great point
Donnie Edwards was older and considered small for an ILB in the 3-4. Zach Thomas is a better player than Edwards overall, so this might be worth it.
by APerfectStar on Feb 23, 2008 5:48 PM CST up reply actions
+1....It's a good sign...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 6:06 PM CST up reply actions
appropriate comparison, e
i never knew that... heck, i wonder how many of us did...
maybe you're on to something.
come on Terry..show a link...
I went to Dallas Cowboys official team page to get my info....where'd you go ?...DMN...or TMZ ?
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
The DMN and dc.com uses the stats the team makes
Thats why you two are coming up with seperate numbers.
by Brandon Worley on Feb 23, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions
Here you go BoyzRback07
Akin Ayodele was fourth on the team with 95 tackles...
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
LOL...Todd Archer ??..I knew you had a credible
I think Todd Archer said I had an illegit son down Costa Rica as well...
But I prefer to go to the official source of the NFL for my stats.....thank you. ....here:
http://www.nfl.com/teams/dallascowbo...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 3:50 PM CST up reply actions
Actually I trust the Cowboys stats
more than the NFL stats. That is what Archer is quoting, the stats that the Cowboys team and coaches keep internally. So stuff that in your credibility pipe and smoke it.
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 4:21 PM CST up reply actions
lol....gee..If I'm not mistaken...The NFL...has..
Official statistics guys in the booth at every game, and don't rely on the home team to call in their "homer" stats to become official league statistics....but if that's the way you wanna play it out..so be it...ok...so I need to ajust my stats again cuz of terry's nit pickin'...here you go:
Zack Thomas tackle stats : 10.4 tackles per game
Akin Adoyele tackle stats : 5.9 tackles per game
That shows even more of a glaring difference than my original post...thanks guys...
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 4:51 PM CST up reply actions
I have no problem with Zach
I know that he's one of the all-time tacklers and has done way more than Akin in this league. I'm just tired of you always trying to punk people on the board. Like when you called them clowns for saying DeSean Jackson only weighed 170 and then it turns out he weighs 167. Just stop with trying to make other guys look bad. That's my point.
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 4:55 PM CST up reply actions
Desperation move by the puppet master
This is a Jerry Jones panic move, jumping in and overpaying for an aging 35 year old veteran coming off a serious concussion where he had long term side effects and migraines, one hit and he'll be done for the year, I doubt he makes it through the year.
let's be clear...this was Wade's move...
If you asked Wade Phillips who's one of the best MLB's he's ever seen ??? answer: Zack Thomas...
He's expressed his fondness for Zack on several occasions...I'm sure there were medical records, evaluations, and referals by many...and I'm sure it was Wade who approached Jerry to take a look.
If medical complication come about during this season...oh well.it's the price you pay, it's the risk you take. injuries happen..ask Fergie, Glenn, Newman, Henry, Anderson, etc...As of now...he has a clean bill of health...get over it.
YOU may not like this move...but then again....who are YOU ?....If Wade requests an upgrade at the WMLB position...cuz Fat Tuna's project in Akin Adoyele isn't quite cuttin' the mustard, and doesn't fit WADE's 3-4 defense....
Jerry steps up...I respect Jerry...cuz he'll bring in anyone, or do anything and everything, to provide the best available talents and resources to be a champion....
To consider Zack Thomas, who is a sure fire, first ballot Hall of Famer over rated, or that we over paid is way off base.
He's barely getting over the league minimum for a 12 year veteran. This is about as business savvy a move as it gets.
He will be a great asset to our team, providing: leadership, production, and a severely strong will to win a championship.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 1:44 PM CST up reply actions
Enjoy It..
....this will be the biggest splash the Cowboys make this off-season in regards to signing FA's outside the organization.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 23, 2008 2:20 PM CST up reply actions
Optimistic
I think this could be a great move for us. Thomas brings a lot of veteran leadership and tackling ability to a position Ayodele didn't exactly play to perfection. I don't think Jerry would have done this if he thought it would impede any other personnel moves, cap wise. Jerry has a plan, and I'm liking what I'm hearing so far (Flozell close, talking numbers with Hall, etc).
How is this a panic move?
People are really overplaying the whole concussion issue...
Bottom line, Zach Thomas is a proven commodity, it's not a long-term deal, and he's a leader that makes this defense better.
Now go get DeAngelo Hall.
I don't even know what to think
seriously... If he pans out, fantastic. If not, that's an awful waste of money that we really don't have.
Spending money
I wonder if this is a sign that they aren't planning on paying Flozell? They don't have a bunch of money to sign guys if they're giving Flozell a contract, so this may be saying goodbye to Flozell.
I know this may be a little farfetched
But do you think the Cowboys might have signed him to not only improve the ILB position but also to prevent NE from signing him?
It is far fetched
But funny, none the less.
by APerfectStar on Feb 23, 2008 5:51 PM CST up reply actions
No Signs of Wearing Down...
As recent as 2006 this guy recorded a career high 165 tackles, and he was on pace to eclipse that last season if it wasn't for a concussion.
Contracts were flying around (Pats, Saints, etc.) so I'm not that concerned about the long-term effects of last years season ending injury. And remember, it's a one year deal.
by Fargo Cowboys on Feb 23, 2008 2:02 PM CST reply actions
this feels like jerry-palooza
lets hope it works out better than the eddie george signing.
sweet: we just got older!
ugh.
along with the likes of...
marcellus wiley, kevin hardy, and randall cunningham -- all of whom had their best playing days BEFORE the King signed them.
Cunningham was a great back up..
and probably one of the best athletes of all time in the NFL.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 10:58 PM CST up reply actions
I loved watching Randall w/ Philly & Minn, but...
That year -- Campo's first as HC -- Dallas went 5-11.
really bad move IMO
In his prime Thomas was a tackling machine, but I think paying an over the hill, undersized LB with concussion problems that kind of mony is really stupid.
First move in a while by Jerry that I'm not happy with at all.
The only positive is that Thomas will provide some much needed leadership for the team which was severely lacking, so even though I doubt he contributes much on the field, he will in the locker room.
I agree; bad move
I agree with you Terry, this is a bad move – or perhaps more disappointing than bad.
Inside linebacker, while important, is not a premium position in the 3-4. I think both outside linebackers, both corners and all three down linemen are more important. Yet over the last few years, we have allocated enormous resources to this position, including a significant free agent signing (Ayodele), a second round pick (Burnett) and a first round pick (Carpenter). And yet we still feel the need to sign a 34 yr old coming off an injury on the downside of his career? Where does it end? In a year or two when Carpenter and Burnett are free agents and Zach is collecting his NFL pension, do we allocate more draft picks and free agent money to inside linebacker? This is poor management in my opinion. I would have no problem cutting Ayodele and letting Carpenter and Burnett fight for the starting position or platoon in 2008 and see once and for all what we have with these guys.
I really wish we would let the young guys play, both at linebacker and left tackle. Too often, it seems like we draft guys and then let them sit on the bench. I know you don’t agree with me here on Flo, so no need to respond to that point.
Oh well - let’s hope Zach proves us wrong and plays in 2008 at the pro-bowl level that he did in the past.
by Cowboy Louie on Feb 23, 2008 7:11 PM CST up reply actions
Here's the reason...
Looks like a possible trade in the works with Atlanta....
The Falcons get:
Dallas 1st pick #22
Dallas 4th Rnd pick #122
Anthony Henry
Akin Ayodele
Dallas gets:
D'Angelo Hall
Two Atlanta 2nd round picks #'s 37 and 48
Trade makes sense because Dallas dumps two larger contracts and Zach moves into the starting lineup and we pick up Hall who is an upgrade over Henry (although I've always liked Henry). Essentially we trade down with our 1st pick and get two #2's.
Don't know if I like this trade or not yet till I think about it for a while.
makes some sense
but I don't know if I like it...
by CowboyBawler4 on Feb 23, 2008 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
Do you have a reputable source for this trade?
Or is it just another message board rumor?
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 3:34 PM CST up reply actions
wow...where'd you get that info ??
Personally...I'd do that trade in a HEARTBEAT !!!
Essentially we trade down with our 1st pick and get two #2's.
Rid ourselves of Henry's 5.6mm , and Adoyele's 3.4mm cap figures...
Pick up a 24year old Pro Bowl CB. That will be with us for at leat 8 years.
And leave us with a first round pick, and 3 second round picks ??????.....talk about a field day...Our first rounder and 1 second rounder would get us at least back into the 15-22 range...to pick up our RB.
and still leave us with 2 2nd rounders...and a 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th....I'm down with that.
Of course I need to read this myself.....Got Link ???????????????????????????????????????
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
That would be a great swap for Dallas
If that actually works out, then this Thomas signing makes more sense.
3 picks in the 2nd round plus keeping our #28, I'd say hell yeah.
by APerfectStar on Feb 23, 2008 5:56 PM CST up reply actions
Take it with a grain of salt...
It was supposedly mentioned on ESPN last night at 12:00 eastern...but I haven't been able to verify that. It would make sense though if Dallas is signing Zach because he's not getting $3 million to sit on the bench IMO.
Arggh...
pure rumor speculation. If someone actually mentioned that kind of deal on ESPN it would be all over the net by now from credible organizations. From ESPN, the DMN blog, Adam Schefter, but I don't see it anywhere. Sounds like another made up tale from the message boards.
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 4:23 PM CST up reply actions
Grizz, I'll bet you two raffle tickets for the
Tom Landry Open that the deal goes through.
You win,you get the tickets. You lose, you BUY the tickets.
It's for a special cause.
Why do you think this deal
is even being discussed? Because someone wrote it on a message board? I think we are talking to the Falcons about Hall, but until I see something credible, I'm a skeptic.
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, I don't have a clue whether it's factual
or not. I just have a bundle of raffle tickets to sell, and I'd rather have you upset with me than Coach Myers.
Now that's funny, what a salesman!
You should apply to Jerry for a job.
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 5:03 PM CST up reply actions
I don't I'd want to work for Jerry.
But thanks for the atta-boy.
we're talking to him
Grizz looks like we're talking to hall
I think we are talking to the Falcons about Hall, but until I see something credible, I'm a skeptic
Dallas has asked for permission to talk Contract Numbers with Hall
According to our main source in Indianapolis, Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall is being shopped league wide. Per the source, there are 7 teams interested in Hall, but the New York Giants have the best offer on the table, right now. Dallas is in it and
Jerry Jones has asked for permission to talk numbers. The Cowboys may offer their second first rounder.
Teams interested in Hall that our source has confirmed are: Dallas, New York Giants, Tennessee, Miami, Buffalo, New Orleans and Kansas City.
LINK:http://gryphononcowboys.blogspot.com/2008/02/dallas-has-asked-for-permission-to-talk.html
Yeah, I saw that earlier today on Draft Daddy's
blog. Just don't know how credible it is since Breerman and Co. are in Indy and haven't mentioned it at all. Some of these sites will post anything. I don't like to post things here unless I think there's some validity to them.
by Dave Halprin on Feb 23, 2008 6:04 PM CST up reply actions
It certainly smells good....
New Atlanta coach is former Jacksonville DC, and knows Akin Adoyele very well.(Zack is taking over Akin's spot) and LB is one of Atlanta's biggest needs. Henry would replace Hall & be alot cheaper for them.
And then they are getting a 1st and 4th for 2 2nd rounders...I am so hoping this happens.
It actually seems very doable, and an even trade in all accounts, and benificial to both teams...
I am praying this is in the works.
by BoyzRback07 on Feb 23, 2008 7:02 PM CST up reply actions
Me Too Boyz
This would be a great deal for both teams!
Something must be in works
because JJ is not committing that kind of $ for a backup. For those of you who think this is JJ making a splash just to have his name in the headlines must think Belichek and Peyton are fools too. Nobody has done more with supposedly "finished" LBs than the pats so if they wanted him, I have to believe he has something left.
Still looking...
Haven't found anyone or any news to back this up...maybe just thread rumors
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