Tag: Zach Thomas

Instant analysis of Bears’ 186th overall pick OL Zach Thomas

The Bears added another offensive lineman in Zach Thomas with the 186th overall pick. Here’s our breakdown.

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The Chicago Bears continued to address the offensive line on Day 3 of the NFL draft. After adding Southern Utah’s Braxton Jones, the Bears selected San Diego State’s Zach Thomas with the 186th overall pick.

Thomas has 31 career starts for the Aztecs, where he’s played three different positions along the offensive line. He’s started 17 games at right tackle, 12 at left tackle and two at right guard.

A four-year starter, Thomas has displayed great athleticism in San Diego State’s zone-run scheme. The Bears will likely move him to guard, and there’s currently a vacant right guard starting job up for grabs.

At 6’4, 308 pounds and 33.9” arms, he’s the typical zone blocking lineman – lighter than the average with shorter arms than the average. Nevertheless, Thomas wins quickness and explosion out of his stance, allowing him to cut off defenders and get to the second level on linebackers.

He’ll need to improve his pass protection, but he adds much-needed depth to the offensive line.

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Bears select OT Zach Thomas with 186th overall pick in NFL draft

The Bears have now selected two offensive linemen on Day 3 of the NFL draft with San Diego State’s Zachary Thomas at 186th overall.

The Chicago Bears selected San Diego State offensive tackle Zach Thomas with the 186th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

Chicago has plenty of questions at offensive line, including a vacant right guard position. While Thomas has played mostly right tackle and left tackle during his collegiate career, the Bears will likely kick him over to guard, where it just so happens there’s currently a starting right guard job up for grabs.

General manager Ryan Poles has used two of his last three selections between the fifth and sixth round to add offensive linemen to the roster in Thomas and Braxton Jones.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had to say about Thomas:

Tackle-to-guard prospect with run-blocking talent to work with, Thomas is a fit for zone-scheme teams as a sticky move blocker with the ability to shift and stay connected while continuing to keep his feet moving. He lacks the desired mass and power to generate much downhill push, but improved hand placement could help. His play strength, in general, needs an upgrade, as does his protection posture, to prevent defenders from exploiting certain flaws. Thomas has late-round potential and could find a place on an NFL roster as a guard with emergency tackle flexibility.

It took the Bears over three hours to make their first selection on Day 3 of the draft after general manager Ryan Poles made several trades to turn three Day 3 picks into eight selections.

Chicago still has five picks left on Saturday, including two more sixth-round picks (203rd and 207th) and three seventh-rounders (226th, 254th and 255th).

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Jaelan Phillips’ interview shows again that ‘The Fish Tank’ has become a must-listen for Dolphins fans

Jaelan Phillips joined the show on Tuesday to discuss his path to the NFL and his time with the organization.

Fans of the Miami Dolphins have had a very enjoyable offseason, with a slew of transactions that have sent shock waves across the NFL.  Not only has Miami given fans hope for a bright 2022 season and beyond, but there are also aspects of Dolphins football that nobody can take away – the history and the hope.

Luckily, and almost as if it’s a spoiling of riches, there’s a show on the Miami Dolphins Podcast Network called The Fish Tank. The dynamic duo of two-time Dolphins team MVP O.J. McDuffie and former media department and public relations guru Seth Levit have reeled in former Dolphins Hall of Famers and provide fans with access to it all. From stories referencing the inaugural season of 1966, through Don Shula’s arrival and eventual Perfect Season, the Dan Marino years and everything up until the present time, the podcast is a must-listen.

“The Tank” hit the podcast waves in July 2018, and immediately, there were inside stories from players like Channing Crowder, Oronde Gadsden, Nat Moore, Terry Kirby and Zach Thomas to kick things off.

Levit and McDuffie’s rapport and timing, mixed with their friendships and familiarity with the guests, lead to hidden treasures of golden anecdotes from the Dolphins fandom coupled with straight hilarity. Just tune in to any episode that Crowder appears on.

Whether it’s former players or even behind the scenes guys like a decades-long head of security or a sports public relations legend immortalized in the board game Trivial Pursuit, each and every episode of “The Fish Tank” comes with equal parts laughter, information and, most importantly, life lessons.

Episodes that go a bit deeper than the field, such as Davone Bess, Dwight Hollier and Irving Fryar, to name a few, help in tremendous ways. More often than not, there seems to be a humanistic side that comes out of the players when in “the Tank,” and inspiration is the common denominator.

While it’s always great to hear “tales from the deep” of this franchise steeped in tradition, moments and memories, current Miami players are now joining the guys.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa dove in recently, and, on Tuesday morning, second-year pass-rusher, Jaelan Phillips’ episode was released for Dolphins fans’ viewing pleasure.

Phillips, Miami’s first-round pick from 2021 had an outstanding rookie campaign for the Dolphins. As he jokingly chats with the hosts about his first year, he’s happy to no longer have that “rookie” tag to his name, but, for some reason, there may be three 2022 games until it’s officially lifted.

There are numerous inspirational aspects to Phillips’ appearance on the show, which he details. The path to the NFL wasn’t a smooth and easy road, and a left turn in life other than a right turn may have just taken Phillips out of football altogether.

What “The Fish Tank” does so well is connecting the fan base to the team in ways like never before, especially prior to social media. McDuffie, who was the NFL’s 1998 receptions leader, proudly wears the hat of lead Dolphins fan. The life-long Dolphin has become a friend to so many fans across the great base, and Levit continues to do amazing work, integrating football and community.

The latter runs the Jason Taylor Foundation, which specializes in philanthropy and educational resources for young people in South Florida, in addition to his work with the organization.

McDuffie and Levit have more current Dolphins on the docket for interviews, and with legends such as Taylor, Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris and Dwight Stephenson already taking the dip, all of “The Fish Tank” faithful are waiting for the big fish – Dan Marino.

At the moment, there’s no confirmation on No. 13 joining his former favorite target and one of his favorite PR men, yet there’s a strong assumption that, like all else in McDuffie’s and Levit’s careers, it’s a good bet they’ll deliver.

“The Fish Tank” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google. The Phillips episode is a great place to start.

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Former Dolphins LB Zach Thomas kept out of Pro Football Hall of Fame once again

The linebacker will have to wait at least another year.

During the 2022 NFL Honors, the inductees to the 2022 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were announced, and there was a very familiar name to Dolphins fans that was once again missing from that list.

Over 13 years after his retirement, and after being a finalist the last three years, former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas still did not receive the call from Canton to send him to football immortality.

Tony Boselli, Cliff Branch, Leroy Butler, Art McNally, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Dick Vermeil, and Bryant Young were this year’s inductees.

Thomas played 12 of his 13 NFL seasons with the Dolphins. In his career, he totaled 1,734 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, and 16 forced fumbles. He was named to seven Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro selection five times.

After an incredible career that was certainly worthy of ending in a gold jacket, Thomas has yet to be recognized as one of the best the game has seen.

Thomas put out a statement through the Dolphins that congratulated the inductees and thanked the fans for their support.

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Zach Thomas named a finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame 2022 class

Dolphins legend Zach Thomas has been voted one of 15 finalists for the 2022 Hall of Fame class

Zach Thomas was one of the best linebackers in the NFL during his time with the Dolphins and he’s being rightfully recognized for his greatness. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 15 finalists for the Class of 2022 and Thomas was among them.

Thomas spent 12 years with the Dolphins before finishing his career with the Cowboys for one season in 2008. With Miami, Thomas made the Pro Bowl seven times and was voted a first-team All-Pro five times. He was also part of the Hall of Fame’s All-2000s team.

In his career, Thomas made 1,734 total tackles, picked off 17 passes and forced 16 fumbles. He also had 20.5 sacks and twice led the NFL in combined tackles.

This is Thomas’ third straight year being voted a finalist, putting him on the doorstep of Canton once again. With the resume he put together, he’s certainly deserving of a gold jacket.

Former Dolphins LB Zach Thomas named a semifinalist for 2022 Hall of Fame Class

Will this finally be the year for the Dolphins legend?

For the fourth consecutive year, linebacker Zach Thomas is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On social media Tuesday, the Hall of Fame announced their 25 modern-era semifinalists for the 2022 class. Thomas has been a finalist each of the last two years, so this move shouldn’t be much of a surprise.

Thomas is the only member of this year’s semifinalist list that was a former Dolphins, but it’s a class full of great players like linebacker Patrick Willis, defensive end DeMarcus Ware, gunner Steve Tasker, and more.

The linebacker joins offensive tackle Tony Boselli, defensive back LeRoy Butler, wide receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Sam Mills, defensive tackle Richard Seymour, and defensive lineman Bryant Young as players who have been on the list the last three years.

Thomas played 13 seasons in the NFL, 12 of them with the Dolphins. In his career, he totaled 1,734 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions, and 16 forced fumbles. He was named to seven Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro selection five times.

With such a talented group of individuals being named semifinalists along with him, there’s no guarantee that he gets in, but he has as good of a shot as any of the other 24.

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Numerous former Dolphins included among HOF modern era candidates

Numerous former Dolphins included among HOF modern era candidates

The next round of Pro Football Hall of Fame modern-era inductees won’t be known for approximately six months or so — but we’ve seen the whittling of the field begin. And for fans on the Miami Dolphins, there are going to be a number of familiar faces that have their names included in this year’s initial round of nominees. There are five former Miami Dolphins who have made the shortlist for 2022:

  • Offensive tackle Jake Long (2008-12)
  • Linebacker Zach Thomas (1996-2007)
  • Cornerback Troy Vincent (1992-95)
  • Offensive tackle Richmond Webb (1990-2000)
  • Wide receiver Wes Welker (2004-06)

The opportunity to get a former Miami Dolphin into the Hall of Fame still feels most likely with former linebacker Zach Thomas; who has come painfully close over each of the last two years as he’s flirted with Canton. Thomas has been a finalist for each of the last two rounds of voting but did not make the cut into the final-five on either try.

Among other former Dolphins, it feels unlikely that Richmond Webb or Troy Vincent will garner the needed support to make the leap as a modern era candidate — although both were tremendous pros and Webb in particular is endeared to the Dolphins’ fanbase for a decade of blocking Dan Marino’s blind side.

And while Jake Long’s tenure in Miami was brilliant; he isn’t likely to have played long enough to garner serious consideration for the Hall.

Once again, the hopes of Miami making an appearance in Canton appear to be rooted in underdog Zach Thomas; perhaps the third time will be the charm.

What new competition does Zach Thomas face for 2022 HOF induction?

What new competition does Zach Thomas face for 2022 HOF induction?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has officially welcomed two classes of talent into their ranks. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the 2020 class induction, and so this weekend in Canton featured a double dip of stars getting their due. But the former Miami Dolphins star who has been kept on hold by the voters of the Hall of Fame, Zach Thomas, was not among them. Despite being a finalist in each of the last two years, Thomas hasn’t gotten the necessary votes to break through and become immortalized in Canton.

Thomas did get a vote of confidence from former coach Jimmy Johnson, who went into the Hall of Saturday. And while all of the vocal support for Thomas’ case will be welcomed, his eligibility and ability to break through is likely going to be tied to what the competition looks like in any given year.

So what new eligible players will enter into the picture for the Class of 2022?

DeMarcus Ware feels like a shoo-in as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But amid the others, there seem to be enough questions that Thomas may get the crack he needs to help alleviate the HOF’s bottleneck of several long-time finalists who haven’t quite been able to break through. Wide receivers typically are forced to wait. And despite Calvin Johnson’s induction this year as a first-ballot player, none of the receivers eligible for 2022 displayed that same level of dominance.

Devin Hester may get some serious consideration for the impact he brought to the field as a returner; he’s the unquestioned best of all time there. But does that warrant first ballot induction? If not, there may be four spaces open for veterans of the process like Thomas.

Thomas never stood a chance in a class that had Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson and Calvin Johnson, which was the group that was inducted for 2021. But 2022 doesn’t have all-time GOATs in multiple spots; so consider Thomas’ window more open now than it was a year ago.

Kevin Mawae isn’t ready to let you forget about Zach Thomas

Kevin Mawae isn’t ready to let you forget about Zach Thomas

Miami Dolphins fans have been campaigning for years now in a bid to increase the awareness of former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas’ eligibility and candidacy for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So far, however, there’s been no luck on that front. Thomas’ support system runs much deeper than just the fanbase, too — standout opponents from the past such as Peyton Manning and Kevin Mawae have been quick to talk about how challenging Thomas was to play against.

And Mawae, unsolicited, is back in Thomas’ corner and championing his greatness as a mind of the game. The NFL posted some highlights of Carolina Panthers great Luke Kuechly calling out opposing plays with the caption:

“Nobody could anticipate a play like Luke Kuechly.”

A statement that Mawae, clearly, took exception to:

Mawae, of course, is no stranger to championing for Thomas; even going as far as to praise Thomas by name during Mawae’s own induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as one of his all-time great opponents and rivals on the gridiron. And while the younger generation of football fans may know Kuechly as the face of calling out opponent plays on a weekly basis, Mawae is here to remind you that Zach Thomas was every bit as sharp before the play back in his day, too.

Which Miami Dolphin is most likely to join ranks of All-Pro for first time in 2021?

Which Miami Dolphin is most likely to be an All-Pro for first time?

The 2020 season brought plenty of good fortune for the Miami Dolphins as a team, although the year ended with the most anti-climatic ending you could possibly dream up. Yet as the dust settled and it became easier to digest the full body of work for the Miami Dolphins in 2020, it became clear that there was plenty to take pride in. The Dolphins have long been a team lacking in individual accolades — and yet the Dolphins finished the season with two first-team All-Pro players in 2020:

  • CB Xavien Howard
  • K Jason Sanders

The duo became Miami’s first pair of All-Pro teammates on the same year since 2006, when two guys named Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor were named first-team All-Pro under the watch of Nick Saban on defense. Between 2006 and 2020, only Cameron Wake (2012) and Jake Long (2010) received All-Pro recognition in any season.

Think about that. Miami has played one game this decade and equalled the number of All-Pro honors the team collected in the entirety of the 2010s all together.

That’s progress, even if one of them is a special teamer. And if the pair are able to repeat in 2021, then the question becomes who is most likely to join them? Miami hasn’t had three or more All-Pro players on a single team since 2002, when Ricky Williams, Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Patrick Surtain all brought home All-Pro recognition. That Dolphins team somehow finished 9-7, 3rd in the AFC East and missed the playoffs.

Miami nearly missed three All-Pros this past year, believe it or not. Punt returner Jakeem Grant finished with second-team All-Pro honors; missing out to New England’s Gunner Olszewski.

So which member of the 2021 Miami Dolphins has the best chance to make the leap? It is difficult to see an offensive player with any threat to make that kind of a leap other than maybe Mike Gesicki — and even then he’s need an offensive explosion and down years from Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and Las Vegas’ Darren Waller. A big breakthrough will be needed on defense. Perhaps LB Jerome Baker can continue to fill up the stat sheet and make the improvements against the run that he’s said he’s hoping for. That feels like the most likely choice. Nose tackle Raekwon Davis is trending towards being a top option in the NFL for such a role but he likely won’t fill up the stat sheet in a manner that will tempt voters to place him in over penetration-style 3-technique defensive tackles.

Finding another elite player that can lay claim to the top of the mountain in the entire NFL won’t be easy. Perhaps another special teams contender (Noah Igbinoghene, Jaylen Waddle or someone else?) can emerge this season.

Miami would trade it all for team success; you can say that for certain given the type of players Brian Flores has gravitated towards. But having their cake and eating it too for once would sure be nice for the Dolphins.