Zach Overrated: People starting to take notice.

[Whitedolphin54]

I've said this before--Some people can just play football--and zach is one of them--No, he isn't blessed with JT's athleticism, or Dupers speed--But he does read a game well and has an uncanny knack of being on the end of a play--yes I would have doubts in a 3-4 D, but we will still play a lot of 4-3, in which he will be effective--Put another way--if Zach was released who do you think would want to sign him- answer-about 80 % of the league

 

[Dolphin North]

Zach Thomas hasn't done anything to win playoffs games or games in December. As of matter of fact he somehow forgets how to tackle in December (see Eagles games in 2004) and homer fin fans give him too much slack. I wouldn't mind seeing some new blood out there. I'm tired of seeing Zach's deer in the headlights look whenever is a big game in December. Props to Saban for trying to change old regime.

I think thw whole team sometimes forgot to tackle by season's end during the slack Wanny era. Yes I'm blaming him again. This year anyone who can't tackle will not play and they will know it by Saban's approach from what I read, you'll see. Discipline people, discipline.

Thomas is still a great contributor. I would not say he's superman or indispensable, but I would only want him replaced by new blood if the new blood were also pro bowl calibre. Otherwise keep him until he cannot play as effectively. He's still very good. We have much bigger liabilities. He will be replaced in a few years for sure due to age.

Often, people are as enthusiastic to be the first to pronounce a great athlete's career is over, as they were to be the first to pronounce that he was great in the first place.

 

[Dolphin North]

Zach is getting old He will be retireing.. what are you nostradomus?

:rofl3:

 

[JUSTWINFINS]

Often, people are as enthusiastic to be the first to pronounce a great athlete's career is over, as they were to be the first to pronounce that he was great in the first place.:yeahthat: [/QUOTE]

 

[Justasportsfan]

Zach has been solid and reliable his entire career. An overachiever. He's a great tackler but never a gamebreaker. Those who think he's a dominating lb'er are the ones who are overrating him.

 

[LarryFinFan]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/8622837



Zach is on his way out, he's good but not great. In Zach's tenure here the Dolphins never drafted any one at the position with any legit talent; the players barely could stay on Special Teams. I commend Saban for actually bringing in some competition. When Morlon was drafted out of 'Cuse, he played MLB, before he even hit the Miami Beaches he was permanently moved to OLB. This lends to the idea that Miami’s leadership was always cool with the statue quo, 10 wins, 1 playoff win and a playoff lose, push mediocre players into superstar/playmaker roles that anyone could fill. Jimmy and Dave dogged W.H. (a good man) and left this team high and dry.

While there is no doubt that ZT would not have been as successful in just any other defenses, JJ and Wanny knew that if they set the D up so that ZT was allowed to flow to the play, that it suited his particular talents. To say that he was good and not great is wrong. He was great for this style of D and this group of players that he has had around him. The same argument you use could be applied to Kurt Warner, who when he played for the Rams in Vermeils offense was great, but when he got out of that element, he has not been as successful. Timing and situations are everything in the NFL... Morlon would NOT have been as successful as ZT was in the middle, that was obvious to anyone who has watched him at the OLB position...he has the physical talent, but not the instincts and heart. He is mediocre at best as instincts go. That is what seperates the good players from the great players in almost every case. In any case, it is true also that ZT is an overachiever, but then most great players are. You should not dismiss heart, instinct, drive and fire as not being in the equation of a "great" player.

Yes, he is also at the cusp of his career. He certainly does not fit in with Saban's D. Saban wants the bigger guys who can take on blocks from the OL, TEs and FBs. Guys on our team like Pope and Moore will not be around long. ZT will be here until he proves that he no longer has the edge to maintain his high level of play. Saban is also a master at taking the talent he has and reshaping his D to match that talent, so don't be surprised if ZT has another great year or two here. I might add that ZT probably won't have his normal 175-200 tackles this year, but that will more likely be because of scheme, not lack of/tailing off of Zach's talent. I think we owe more to Zach than your original statement...

 

[pwn3dyo]

Zach is still a great MLB. If you made all the players in the NFL do 40's/bench press reps/vertical jumps etc.... the difference between the best/worst team wouldnt be much. Everyone in the NFL is blessed with talent, some more than others. Zach might not be the biggest, or fastest LB, but he plays with the most heart and is really smart. I dont want to lose him.

 

[Roman529]

How can you say Zach is not great???? :confused: He regularly is among the NFL leaders year after year in tackles...maybe if he did a pre-game dance or murdered a couple people like this one linebacker he would get more pub....You Zach haters dont know football. :yell: :fire:

 

[Dol-Fan Dupree]

Zach has been solid and reliable his entire career. An overachiever. He's a great tackler but never a gamebreaker. Those who think he's a dominating lb'er are the ones who are overrating him.

I have to disagree about never a gamebreaker. Zach is a player that when he was out Miami's defense suffered. Last year it wasn't as noticable since Pope played really well in his absense.

I will also have to say that over rated does not mean bad. It does not even mean ok. It is just people tend to think the person is better than he is. You can still be great and over rated. Look at Joe Montana.

 

[Slappa]

Let's get something straight, Zach is an overacheiver, not overrated. People have been saying he's too small, he's too soft, or he doesn't have the physical tools for years. And what has he done? He's consistantly been one of the most consistant mlb's in the league for the past few years. Yes, he benefits from the system we run. If he had to take on big bodies every down people argue he wouldn't even be considered as a good linebacker in the game today, much less one of the best. However, One thing Zach has showed me over the years is not to doubt him.

Every year, players come out of college with all the potential in the world but without the heart and drive to achieve it. I would rather have a zach thomas whose heart is bigger than his stautre should allow than visca versa. Can I get a hell yeah from the dolfans who have actually watched him play and know what I'm talking about?

Hell Yeah!!! what rubbish..

 

[Mike13]

Agreed, Zach has been a very good LB in the 4-3 that the Dolphins have been playing. With that said, can Zach play in the 3-4?? I really don't think so. I can see Zach being moved if coach Saban wants to play a 3-4, but for now, he's the best LB that we've got.
JJ and Dave were not happy with 10 wins and such, whoever says that is nuts. Both are very good coaches and it just didn't work out for them here.

Yeah Wanny was a good coach no wonder everyone was calling for his head we loved the guy!

 

[phinsfan4life1]

I've been saying for a long time, that vick is highly over rated. I'm finally glad to see some other people actually see the same thing I see in Vick..

yes he's good at running the ball, but I wanna see him pass it.

 

[PassRush]

I agree, I am sure any old player could only play just thirteen games and come in second in total tackles. God, he is so overated. How stupid must the players, coaches and fans be to vote him to all those probowls

I will admit I am in a terrible mood tonight but this post makes me want to punch a sleeping baby in the face:fire:

 

[Zeke0123]

the only thing overrated about Zach is his ability to do a front-flip.

 

[Muck]

Hey, if ZT can rack up 145 tackles (more than any Bill) and be 4th in the league in tackles while being "overrated," that's fine with me.

Zach overachieves given his size/athleticism. As said above, he is a student of the game with the best instincts of any MLB. Look at what Ray Lewis is working with physically... interesting they were only a few tackles apart.

"Ratings" speak of public opinion. I'll take statistics.

It's noteworthy that Zach did it in only 13 games last year.

Ray Lewis is consistently called the best MLB in the game. And yet he's complained about having to take on blockers the last two seasons. Urlacher can't take on blockers either. And he's nearly 260 pounds.

MLB's generally aren't supposed to be taking on blockers. At least in the 4-3.