Zach Thomas makes HOF semi-final list in crowded group
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins may see another member of their team make the Hall of Fame but it likely won’t be this year despite Zach Thomas making the semi-final group.
The NFL announced the reduction of eligible players from 100 to 25 on Tuesday and former Miami Dolphins standout linebacker Zach Thomas is one of them. It’s a great accomplishment and very well deserved but it doesn’t mean he has a clear shot to get there.
After watching Chicago Bear linebacker Brian Urlacher get into the HOF people have been marketing a big push to get Thomas included given the two players almost identical statistics through their careers.
Making the final 25 is the first step but it is a crowded group that may push Thomas off for another year when the HOF cuts the group again to 15 and then on February 2nd that list will voted on and the elected players will become Hall of Fame players.
Thomas is facing stiff competition this year.
Steve Atwater – safety Champ Bailey – CB Ronde Barber – CB Tony Boselli – T
Isaac Bruce – WR LeRoy Butler – S Don Coryell – Coach Alan Faneca – G
Tom Flores – Coach Tony Gonzalez – TE Torry Holt – WR Steve Hutchinson – G
Edgerrin James – RB Jimmy Johnson – Coach Ty Law – CB John Lynch – S
Clay Matthews – LB Karl Mecklenberg – LB Kevin Mawae – C/G Sam Mills – LB
Ed Reed – S Richard Seymour DE/DT HInes Ward – WR Darren Woodson – S
This will be Zach Thomas’ first time as a semifinalist since becoming eligible. The other linebackers on the “waiting list” such as Mecklenberg, 8 time semi-finalist, Clay Matthews, 3rd time semifinalist, and Sam Mills, 2nd time semi-finalist may have enough pull to get in ahead of Thomas this year.
There is no question that Thomas is deserving of a HOF bust especially given the similarities of the aforementioned Urlacher but can he finally break through? If I were a betting man I would say not this year but then again, if not this year then when? He should be in the HOF.