A Middle Linebacker is often considered the Quarterback of the defense. He’s the one in the middle that calls the plays and makes sure every defender on the defense is exactly where they need to be to make the best possible play on the football. I’ve been fortunate to see my share of some standout Middle Linebackers. Brian Urlacher was a force amongst those Chicago Bears defenses back in the 2000s, the late Junior Seau was a menace playing for the Chargers and of course, I can’t forget the man in Baltimore. Ray Lewis, who’s considered by many as the greatest ever to play the position. In the 90s and 2000s, there was a guy in Miami by the name of Zach Thomas. After 14 years of waiting, he finally got the knock and was informed that he’s finally going to Canton as a member of the upcoming Hall of Fame class!
Zach is one of the best Middle Linebackers of his generation. Whenever he comes to mind, I think of the tenacity he always played with. He was that one player that you hesitated to run on because he’d sniff the play out and then go to make his play on the ball. Zach is one of the best open field tacklers I’ve seen play this game. He knew how to patrol the middle and made people think twice about coming over the middle. I always saw a Linebacker with the mindset of a Safety and I say that because he was the hammer that I always describe amongst those Miami Dolphins’ defenses back in the 90s. As sharp as he was against the run, he was just as much of a force in pass defense. Zach always kept his eyes on the Quarterback and was that spy in the middle of the field. Whenever the opportunity presented itself to record an interception, he never thought twice. Talk about someone being a magnetic force to the ball, that describes him and his game perfectly. To play Middle Linebacker, you must always be instinctive and that’s exactly what he was.
He wasn’t the biggest guy as he was only 5’11, but he played with a ton of heart and intensity. That’s all you can ask of your guys. The Dolphins drafted Zach in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft, a class that consisted of Ray Lewis, Tedy Bruschi, Donnie Edwards and Zach Thomas. He had an immediate impact on that defense. Jimmy Johnson found himself a gem with this player. I always think of the longevity he had in Miami. Many Head Coaches came and went as did players, but Zach was always in the middle of those Miami defenses. This is a well-deserved honor for a great football player.
