DMN Blog: 5-11 Thomas has to be smart

by Brian Davis

Now that I've read all of ESPN's rankings, what really stands out is what ESPN left out.

New Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas is praised for being voted the smartest defensive player in the NFL, according to the league coaches.

The piece talked about Thomas' seven Pro Bowls, his tackles, sacks and interceptions. But nowhere did it mention why Thomas has to be one of the smartest players on the field -- he stands just 5-11 and weighs 228. If he didn't put in all that extra time in the film room and the weight room and sharpened his brain, he probably would have been booted out of the league a long time ago.

"I've always been an action guy," Thomas said during the Cowboys mini camp in June. "I'm not the biggest guy and not the guy to give a rah-rah speech. But when it comes to playing in the game, that's when I want to get my respect."

I know Bradie James, Kevin Burnett and Greg Ellis are all veterans who have seen it all. But I'm really curious to see what tricks they can pick up this season from Thomas, a guy who probably knows every trick in the book.