Glacier:

Big_D:

Devil_Dog:

Zach Thomas does not fit. We got rid of Akin Ayodele (who was solid) for an older and smaller LB who is also a medical qustion mark. I thought the idea was to make a roster younger and better.

Sometimes you get older and better! Like Owens for example. Zach thomas is a huge upgrade over Ayodele..

 

 

This might be true, except, I am Zach's age.  I know how the body doesn't feel the same.  That stinger on your neck, all of a sudden becomes a REAL issue and you can't look side to side because your muscles are so much slower to heal.   That ding on your shin takes a little longer to heal.  That tightness in your quad turns into a pull or tear.  Limbs start to be a little less vascular...

Aging and mortality are VERY real things.   It is absolutely irresponsible to not recognize that football is THE most physical game where you play against the BEST athletes in the world - most of whom are in their 20s.

All I know is, when I lift weights now, it takes 4 to 5 days for that soreness to go away, where as just 4 or 5 years ago, it would take maybe two days for the soreness to go away.

Now, he may be mentally strong enough to push through all that pain and keep lifting; however, as the hormone levels drop in his blood - a naturally occurring process, he simply will not have the ability to rebuild muscle tissue or even, grow more muscle tissue as he was able to just a few years ago.    We aren't talking about a 30 something guy trying to keep himself in shape to chase some skirt here....we are talking about a 30 something guy, with a head issue, who is trying to compete, at the absolutely highest level, under extreme duress and intense pain, against men who are younger, faster, stronger and above all in OUR defense.....BIGGER.

Horrible move.  I hated it despite the fact that I respect the hell out of Zach Thomas.  I fear for his safety. 

 

 

Horrible move?? He had migraines. There is nothing physically wrong with him! He'll be better than what we had there... that makes it a good move!!! I'm in my late 30s and know exactly what you're talking about. But at the same time, I'm not a professional athlete that works out all year round! Zach Thomas will be very good in Wades D. Getting rid of Ayodele was a no brainer and someone has to man the spot until they find a long term solution!!

Hell, he was still averaging about 10 tackles a game before he got hurt. On a full seaon thats 160+/- and even tho he only played 5 games last season, he still had almost as many tackles as Ayodele did the ENTIRE season.  It is an upgrade.   Does 52 tackles in 5 games sound good to you? Ayodele only had about 65 all of last season.

I saw this guy play at Texas Tech and let me tell you he doesn't stop.  I am not concerned about his age.  I also think that If the Cowboys move Carpenter in behind him we will have a much better INside Linebacking Corps.  Carpenter should probably be much better off by playing one position for a change and then be ready to take it over next year when Zach retires.  Look at Junior Seau at NE  he was a hell of a contributor even at his age..

Ok I admit I didnt read all 17 pages of this thread so if this has already been said, I will just reiterate the statement.  Bringing in Zach will help us in alot of ways.  Leadership being one of the strongest.  I think he is a motivator, too.  I like the idea of having a good depth at the LB position, because of the rotation options you have.  Keep fresh legs in after some long drives.  That could definitely be the difference between holding the opposing O to a field goal rather than giving up a TD. 

BigDaddyBodine:

Ok I admit I didnt read all 17 pages of this thread so if this has already been said, I will just reiterate the statement.  Bringing in Zach will help us in alot of ways.  Leadership being one of the strongest.  I think he is a motivator, too.  I like the idea of having a good depth at the LB position, because of the rotation options you have.  Keep fresh legs in after some long drives.  That could definitely be the difference between holding the opposing O to a field goal rather than giving up a TD. 

I agree with every point but one , the rotation keeping fresh legs in on long drives ,  there wont be any long drives to worry about the " D " is going to be stout and make more stop's this year ,  the biggest key i think he is going to have is the teaching Carpenter what it is to be the leader of the front 7...... Bobby is going to learn a lot from Zach 

Yeah, Bobby C should attach himself to Zachs hip and learn all he can from a REAL Pro-bowler.

Everone needs to stop focusing on Zack's measuments. Mike Singletary was small too. Yet did his job in any front they wanted to put him in. Stop acting like you understand what we need at LB. Leave it to the Pros.

If any of the doubters of the impact of Zach “Da Man” Thomas are still not understanding what a great move this was, I just would like to invite them to look at our game last year with Miami & Zach.

www.thesilverandblue.com

Even Romo admitted that he had to avoid the middle because of a certain player. Translation: He was intimidated by the presence and ability of Zach, and Romo had Zach in his head. :D

Zach will bring back the glory days of the 90's Cowboys!

I think he could have his best year of his fine career.He will definately become a leader on our defense.I don't know about bringing back the 90's....Were a "TOTALLY" different team,a new breed.We have the oppunity to really accomplish some special thinngs.We just need a few things to come together!Our will make history...the ravens who???

I'm hoping he does have a great year but being old and fitting in with a new team is never an easy position to be in and it may or may not work. It will show almost instantly as soon as the real season begins. The bottom line is all of these new experienced players on defense may gel very well together. But, I've also seen outstanding individual talent in business, when put together as a team, cancel each other out, and other teams balanced with both experience and young talent that out performed them. Parcels believed that vertrans were always better (probably because he had a better personal relationship with them). I think that there's untested talent sitting on the bench for every team in the NFL, that if given the chance, would do better than some of the true vets. Jerry has definitely pulled out his check book to make sure that our Super Bowl chances are higher this year, but until we start getting through the regular season no one really knows for sure. We still need to overcome the Superbowl Champs and Eagles in our own division just to get back to the point where we were last year.

Like a custome made drivers glove

WOW did you see Zach last night, what an upgrade from Akin - the anti-playmaker

Like the pro bowler that he is.  The diff between him and Akin is huge.