Hyde: Time To Put Zach Thomas In Hall Of Fame Conversation | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Hyde: Time To Put Zach Thomas In Hall Of Fame Conversation

DKphin

DKphin

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Now that the emotion has faded and Ray Lewis’ speech actually ended, it’s time to consider the next cycle of Pro Football Hall of Fame candidates for professional worth and historical merit.

And you know what?

It’s time to wonder why former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas isn’t mentioned. It’s time to note former Dolphins guard Bob Kuechenberg is the only eight-time finalist not to be voted in the Hall. But he’s property of the behind-the-curtain Senior Committee now.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-hyde-zach-thomas-hall-20180807-story.html
 
Yep to both. Kuch deserves it more than Zach at the moment for what he was as a player and person. A crime he has not been inducted before now. Let's get both players in next year.
 
He should have been a first ballot... Just an example how team success or lack of largely determines peoples overall perception of players. Kinda like a certain #17 QB we have... the majority of people perception is so off on the guy its not even funny, but I digress. Thomas was the number 1 player at his position (or in the conversation at least) for 10 years! That is what a first ballot HOF'er is, Period! Coaches, GM, and Owners get into the hall of team success not players, or thats how it should be...
 
I don't know if he's a 1st ballot HOF'mer, but I 100% believe he is a HOF'mer and will eventually get in. I could see him waiting 5-10 years though to be honest. Hopefully not but I wouldn't be surprised. Maybe if he had won a DPOY award in lieu of a SB ring it would have boosted his resume enough to be a 1st ballot player.
 
In my opinion, Zach was an equal to Urlacher. Shame that he didn't get in on the first ballot but they could only pick five so he was the odd man out. Like everything else, it comes down to a popularity contest.
 
I understand the HoF process is difficult and based on the perception of sports writers...just look what happened to Art Monk who retired as 2nd or 3rd in every receiving category imaginable. I’m a huge JT fan like all of us are but was surprised he got in Year One. That said, the fact Zach has not been a finalist even once is ridiculous. He is arguably the 2nd best MLB of his generation along with Urlacher, behind Ray Lewis, and he got in on the first try. He has the stats, the longevity and the awards to back up that claim. I want to ask every single voter why they are keeping him out. I don’t understand it.
 
To me Zach Thomas embodies what an NFL Hall Of Famer should be. Late round draft pick, over achiever and someone who beat all the odds to be one of the best midle linebackers ever. He did it with heart, determination, and class. I feel privlledged to have seen him live many times.
 
WCUPUNK said:
I understand the HoF process is difficult and based on the perception of sports writers...just look what happened to Art Monk who retired as 2nd or 3rd in every receiving category imaginable. I’m a huge JT fan like all of us are but was surprised he got in Year One. That said, the fact Zach has not been a finalist even once is ridiculous. He is arguably the 2nd best MLB of his generation along with Urlacher, behind Ray Lewis, and he got in on the first try. He has the stats, the longevity and the awards to back up that claim. I want to ask every single voter why they are keeping him out. I don’t understand it.
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I've never understood why you have writers putting these guys in HOF. Most don't even watch the guys they vote on. I would say a lot of them don't even have a fundamental understanding of the game. They get their knowledge from other guys that are more worried about if the story will make a good headline and will I get viewers. The whole process is maddening.:wall
 
Find me another guy who has a 5x first team All-Pro and an All-Decade team selection on his resume who isn't in the Hall of Fame. Well, one who isn't a kicker.

Find me a guy who did this during the same years as two other Hall of Famers playing his position.

I don't even think it is debateable. Zach Thomas has a Hall of Fame resume and belongs in Canton.
 
J. David Wannyheimer said:
Find me another guy who has a 5x first team All-Pro and an All-Decade team selection on his resume who isn't in the Hall of Fame. Well, one who isn't a kicker.

Find me a guy who did this during the same years as two other Hall of Famers playing his position.

I don't even think it is debateable. Zach Thomas has a Hall of Fame resume and belongs in Canton.
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Agreed. I do think Lewis was a level above Thomas and Urlacher - one of the best ever - and it may be overshadowing how great these other guys were in their own right. I don’t begrudge Urlacher of his induction. He was great. But so was Zach and he belongs in there. Period.
 
I mean, to be perfectly blunt: Jason Taylor is in the Hall of Fame and doesn't have the accolades that Zach Thomas has.

One of these men is good at marketing himself, and the other one... is Zach Thomas.
 
J. David Wannyheimer said:
I mean, to be perfectly blunt: Jason Taylor is in the Hall of Fame and doesn't have the accolades that Zach Thomas has.

One of these men is good at marketing himself, and the other one... is Zach Thomas.
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IDK - I have to disagree here. JT was far more disruptive a player - all those turnovers he caused, TDs, sacks. I have to disagree on this one.
 
That Ray Lucas year killed us. When something like that happens, no one remembers or cares. But, I would have liked to have seen that team take a high seed with a bye into the playoffs. I think they were likely the best team in the league, and our whole perception of players, the franchise, our history —everything, really— would have been different. Zach would have been in by now.

That was a team with a dominant rushing attack, defense at its peak, solid but unspectacular passing game, and even good kicking.

Lucas literally went out of his way to lose games when he subbed in for Jay. Hell, if we had an ok game manager who was neutral, we’d likely still have made the playoffs. if Jay could have just stayed healthy, lights out. Look at his career record. He knew how to win games with that group.

As for Zach, I wonder if Peyton could lobby for him. I believe Peyton was quoted as saying Zach was the smartest guy he had to deal with. From what I understand of the HOF process, you sort of need a sponsor. I’m looking at you, Armando. Get to work on this, and do what’s right. Point out the info we have done here. Collect testimonials from Manning and others. It’s do-able.
 
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