Zach Thomas was allowed to sign a one day contract on Thursday with the Miami Dolphins and then retired a Miami Dolphin. To Zach it was an honor to retire with the team that he poured his heart into for 12 years, but we fans consider the honor all ours. He is that beloved and we appreciate the excitement and hard work that he gave our Dolphins each and every day that he wore aqua and orange.

Zach was the third 5th round draft pick of Jimmy Johnson back in 1996, and you better believe that we fans hope each year that we can find another Zach Thomas in each draft.

You can go all over the blogs and media reports and read a good article honoring Zach. What I want to do is quickly tell you what impressed me the most about the greatest linebacker to ever play for the Dolphins … and I have seen every one since 1970.

Zach Stats

Great instincts. Zach always took the right angle to the ball. Compared to other linebackers they say that he wasn’t the most athletically gifted, but Zach had great intelligence. He knew exactly where the running back was going to run and he knew how to get there as fast as he could. Not only did he study the game more than anyone on the team, but he took what he learned and combined it with his impeccable instincts … and this will more than likely put him into the Hall of Fame.

Great tackler. Do you have any memory of Zach whiffing on a tackle? I cannnot remember any, If he could get his hands on a ball carrier, they were both going to the ground. He must have had magnets in those hands of his.

Never quit on a play. Zach’s lack of size was definitely over-rated during his career and he did not get the respect he deserved because of the NFL’s fascination over big linebackers. Whenever Zach would get blocked out of a play, and it did not happen a lot, many times he would be the person who would recover, run down the field, and make the tackle. The play was never over until the whisle blew.

Hit like a muthah. Zach had many concussions over his career, but he gave out more of them. He wasn’t proud of it, but he was proud of the hits he laid on a back or receiver.

Wouldn’t play for a divisional rival. Most of us were happy when Zach was cut from the Dolphins after Parcells got here. It was not that we did not want him on the team, but we all felt that he needed to retire due to all the concussions that he had. We did not want him ending up a vegetable by the time he hit 50. What made Zach great also made him stubborn as he admitted to lying to coaches and doctors about his concussions so that he could continue to play the game. After Parcells cut him, Patriots Coach Bill Belichick courted Zach and wanted him to play for the Patriots. They had just come off of losing in the Super Bowl and were everyone’s favorite to return. Zach said that despite the red carpet treatment that he received from them, he just could not play for a divisional rival. Dan Marino did the same thing when the Vikings begged him to play for them. Football is more than a business to Zach. Some things are more important than getting your ego stroked at the of your career. I think we need another statue at the stadium.

The turnovers. Zach wasn’t the best cover linebacker, but he had a nose for the ball. If he could get his hands on the ball it turned into an interception. I do not think I can remember him dropping a catchable ball. When he hit someone with the ball you always knew that Zach would put his whole body into it, and the ball had a chance of popping out.

Post-season excitement. When the season was sadly over for us, you could always count on being able to see Zach in the Pro Bowl. He would be there with a huge smile on his face because he loved the game of football.

Great role model. There are many stories of Zack helping out a sick fan or child. He was just like that. He had a great sense of humor and always gave a good interview. And, he never tarnished the name of the Dolphins with steroids, drugs, or other crimes.

The TD Flip. He got in trouble for it, but it is the play that defines Zach for me. The team was so excited about the play that they dog-piled on him in the end zone. Sweet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcbXWVT5ii4

Here is a highlight film that I hope you enjoy. Turn the volume down because the song sucks.

Thanks for all the memories, Zach!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQU8YFebpsU

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