DMN Blog: Zach Thomas' definition of leadership

by Tim MacMahon

There's been a lot of talk about the leadership qualities that LB Zach Thomas will provide the Cowboys, so I asked the Pampa, Texas, native what that meant to him.

It's safe to say that we won't see Thomas beating his chest in a rah-rah manner during the OTAs and minicamps.

"Leadership is shown by actions," Thomas said. "If you're making plays and doing everything the right way - doing what they're telling you to do in the weight room, showing up for everything, being consistent and being accountable - that's leadership. It's not giving a great pep talk. If you give a great pep talk and do all the right things and don't play well, there really isn't much leadership there. My leadership is coming in and playing well and getting the respect of my teammates."

Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart has little doubt that Thomas will take care of business.

"Zach Thomas gives us a guy that's been a leader, so he's going to go in there and be confident," Stewart said. "Because he's been a leader before, he's going to make sure he does whatever he can to stay ahead of the curve, know what's going on and understand our defense so he can maintain leadership qualities."