Chiefs Sign LB Zach Thomas
One of the most decorated inside linebackers in the NFL over the last decade is joining the Chiefs defense.
LB Zach Thomas (5-11, 242) has agreed to terms with the Chiefs.
A seven-time Pro Bowler, the 35-year old Thomas played the last season with the Dallas Cowboys. He spent the first 12 years of his career with the Miami Dolphins, who selected him in the fifth-round of the 1996 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech.
After the ‘07 season, Thomas considered free-agent contract offers from New Orleans and New England, but ended up signing a one-year contract with the Cowboys.
Last season in Dallas, he played in 15 games, starting 13 and was second on the team in tackles with 164. He also had a sack and he recovered a fumble.
Over his career, he has 1,076 tackles, 20.5 sacks, 17 interceptions.
cool!
This guy has a motor that does not quit! I have got to tell you this signing makes me very happy, what a leader. He leads by example, 164 tackles in 13 games @ 35 yrs. young!!? I am anxious to see where he fits into the grand scheme of all things good here in the Land of Oz. He will be one of the contributors on our TEAM.
It is all about the TEAM……….and……….
THE RIGHT 53 2009
In Pioli I trust!!
Z T part of the 3-4 and draft BJ Raji!!
So we have a real NT.
TR53 2009
It becomes more apparent with each signing the TYPE of players we are adding. Class guys that are football players first and everything else second. I think we have to listen to what these guys say when they do talk. They are doing exactly what they said they would. Devildog, you got it right. It is the right 53. Good signing.
It is VERY obvious that Pioli/Haley can smell how weak the West is right now and they are going for it. I see us being the ‘09 Dolphins going from last to first in the West. I also like the focus on conditioning. That has been lacking since Marty left. Go Chiefs!!!!
Well you can tell they are definately trying to get older than the Vermiel chiefs were. I thought the reason Donnie Edwards wasn’t brought back because of his age? I dont know what thomas has left in his tank, he didn’t make a lot of noise last year in Dallas…
Hate to agree with everything they do, at first, I thought, another aging linebacker, however, he brings another amazing locker room presence, and can really teach the 3-4 D…I think the staff feels they have a decent foundation, I think this includes Pollard/Page/Flowers/Carr…I think it may include DJ, Dorsey/Turk…I think its there, it just needed some leadership…worst case, its a 1 year stop gap that doesnt pan out, the great thing will be all the subs at LB this year.
I agree, they see a weak division, and are going for it. these aging vets were bargains…and lets not forget they are spending cap money in a smart way, saving money as much as possible, and spending on dumping/trading/making LJ Disappear…and Cassel’s one year tryout.
Pioli saw firsthand what having veterans in the locker room could accomplish…Seau, Harrison, etc. I haven’t seen any move yet that doesn’t suggest we’re on track for the right 53.
In Pioli we trust for:
“The Right 53″
Arrowhead 1978…Older than Vermeil’s team? I am not sure that I follow the reasoning of these people who are complaining that we are “getting too old”. With Pioli at the helm, we have signed a grand total of….are you ready for this…*drum roll*….four veteran players??? And yet we are now older? Go ahead and add Beisel if you wish (who really isn’t that old) and you got five. Vrabel, Thomas, Engram, and Goff. Add Beisel, DJ, LJ, Waters and Gonzalez and you have a grand total of around 9 veteran players out of a 53 man roster. I honestly don’t see where the “old” aspect comes in. Last year, a huge part of the problem was a lack of experience and leadership. That is what players like Vrabel and Thomas will bring to the table. It is a good signing. Anyone who has paid attention to how New England operated knows that this is par for the course with Pioli (see Seau, Moss, etc.).
Well with this signing it seems less likely that Curry will be the Chiefs pick at 3. This defense still doesn’t have a pass rusher. That’ll probably be the next focus of the right 53.
I’m ok with the signing. Chiefs are changing scheme’s, and can do it faster with vets.
If nothing else, the teams overall depth at LB just improved.
Crabtree is looking more and more appealing.
Here’s the real question. What number will he wear? Cause unless we trade Waters 54 is taken.
These are clearly short-term signings to add veteran leadership to the remaining young roster. With Zach Thomas, there are now 13 players who will be 30 or older at the end of this year (assuming we keep all of them):
Brian Waters (32)
Ron Edwards (30)
Alphonso Boone (33)
Larry Johnson (30)
Damion McIntosh (32)
Mike Goff (33)
Mike Vrabel (34)
Monty Beisel (31)
Zach Thomas (35)
Rodney Wright (30)
Bobby Engram (36)
Tony Gonzalez (33)
Jon McGraw (30)
Even so, the average age of the roster is still 26.5 and doesn’t count the 10-15 rookies/UFAs that will be picked up in and around the draft. Worst-case scenario - these guys contribute nothing - no big deal. We are only spending a relative pittance on them. More than likely, they provide some leadership and some decent contribution. If one or more of them actually gives a significant boost, then that’s just gravy.
This team has lacked veteran leadership for some time. That was apparent all last year. These are signings to address that and will help with the transition without costing too much. These guys have good character, are hard working and all good football players. It sure beats reading about our marquee players beating up or spitting on women or complaining about things and asking to be traded.
I think adding veteran leadership is a great thing last year everybody was so young it was the blind leading the blind, now we got some ppl the young guys can look 2 and learn from, thomas and vrabel will be able to teach curry alot when we draft him.
This is a great signing because at this point in free agency, it’s obvious we didn’t overpay the guy. Also, I agree with the sentiments of Pioli and Haley going for the AFC West crown this year. This division was weak last year and the teams (with the exception of us) have either gotten weaker, or have not moved up or down. With a strong draft, this team could finish around 9-7 which could realistically win the West.
Although he’s nearing the end of the road, Thomas is exactly the kind of player our young defenders need to have around to look up to and take after.
Bob, Thomas only had 94 tackles last year not 164. I didnt think he had that many tackles last year.
I like the signing. I don’t think it will affect our decision to draft Curry. We still only have potentially three starters at LB. On the remaining older veterans, I still think that there’s a strong possibility that Boone and McIntosh will be released after the draft. It depends if we can find another tackle in the later rounds or even go with Taylor. Boone could be in the same position if we find a DT or end who can play in our 3-4.
Blake is right Bob. Thomas had 94 tackles not 164. I don’t think that’s nitpicking either. Shoddy reporting Bob. You’re much, much better than that.
https://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/stats?playerId=985
It’s hard to argue with any signing after your team goes 2-14. What concerns me is that Thomas is one concussion away from being a veggie. He’s already lost a lot of speed. I get the leadership part but the rest is very “iffy.” Whatever…GO CHIEFS!
Thomas looked pretty done last year, and has suffered numerous concussions throughout his career. He’s probably one more away from retirement. This is more a coach on the field signing than a productive player signing, IMO.
Not to defend Carl and DV, but this is the type of signing we lambasted them for, and rightly so. Hopefully the difference is that this is a short term contract, rather than the ridicuous contracts Carl doled out to Donnie, Law, McIntosh, etc, and if Thomas shoes he’s done in camp, he’ll be an easy cut. As ancient and done as he is, he can’t be any worse than Harris and Thomas were at MLB. We’re still paying for Carl’s ridiculous decision to not resign Kawika Mitchell.
How many leaders on the field is too many? I thought that was why we got Vrabel. I think we already have some pretty good veteran leadership at the LB position. I would have preferred some old and done DB (as long as he had a familiar name). I don’t like this signing at all, it doesn’t make any sense to me. I would love to know the real motivation behind a signing like this. If you guys think that Zack Thomas is going to help us win the AFC West you are dreaming.
Colby you can point out Bob’s mistakes but it is a ridiculous notion to think that the Chiefs have any chance of winning their division. They will be lucky to finish one spot out of dead last. This division will be tougher all around next season.
And Brian, 1978 was being sarcastic. No way Zach Thomas is a better signing than Donnie Edwards or several older LBs that are sill on the street.
I have to disagree with those who think this signing means we won’t be taking a LB in the draft. On the contrary…I think it increases the chances. Here’s two guys, Vrabel and Thomas, who can show a young man what it takes to be a PRO…on and off the field.
Geez…you think that Haley and Pioli don’t know that these guys’ best years are behind them? But…that doesn’t mean they are DONE, by any means. I think they will both contribute BIG TIME this year…On the field, on the sideline, on the practice field, and in the locker room.
And the reason that Donnie Edwards was let go, was that he couldn’t stay healthy…and barely played last year. I don’t think it was a question of his leadership abilities or respect, at all. It was just a matter of him not being able to get onto the field on Sunday.
Chiefs signed Thomas to a 1yr / $2 million contract
https://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9447254/Source:-Chiefs-to-sign-LB-Thomas-this-week
I would bet its a longshot that he makes the team…but his influence will help in training camp. Its a 1 year deal no bonus.
WHO’S THE BEST PURE PASS RUSHER IN THIS DRAFT?
Curry is really good does that mean we pass him up now? I feel like all these linebackers we’ve been signing are really good on paper, but napoleion harris, that guy from pittsburgh (no longer on team) even DJ they all seem to get worse playing for KC
What are we going to do with picks of round 3-7
True Red & Gold says
“it is a ridiculous notion to think that the Chiefs have any chance of winning their division.”
Why is that? What a sour puss of an attitude! Perhaps you’re one of the remaining few who is still angry we canned Herm? Get over it and get on board! This is a weak as hell division. I’m not saying I expect a Super Bowl this year, but as bad as the West looks right now, there’s no reason to think that the Chiefs have “no chance.”
However, you also tend to disagree with me just for the sake of doing so.
PS - I love Bob’s site and I think he’s a great reporter, but with that comes some weight. I’m not jumping on Bob for typos or anything, but 164 and 94 are pretty different numbers. I don’t think Bob hit his “16″ key by mistake, he just didn’t check his numbers closely enough. Love the guy, but I’ll give him some ribbing for that. (Nothing personal Bob, of course)
Hey I might be wrong (I hope that I am). But this is a proud division and it won’t be as bad next season. Last season optimism was a bad word but now all of a sudden if you are not blindly optimistic you are the odd guy out. I am just not there yet. I remember when it irritated people that Herm always talked about what they accomplished in TB. So far I have heard a lot about what they accomplished in Arizona. Haley has a lot to prove and I wander how long you guys will give him.
Three years. If he is no better than Herm, then he hits the road. But if he flops like Herm, the Chiefs move on, as in CA. This “proud” franchise cannot survive here with producing the lack of success Carl/Herm gave us.
True Red and Gold is actually Herm Edwards’ mother.
Herm was a DB coach. Haley was an Offensive Co-ordinator, and recent. HUGE difference. One was directly responible for his team’s success. The other was a passanger on Dungy’s coat-tails. Herm was already a failed HC when we got stuck with him, losing a draft choice in the process. Haley hasn’t failed at anything yet.