With the addition of Adam Jones and the golf outings of Tony Romo, one of the most intriguing acquisitions made by the Dallas Cowboys has not been getting a lot of publicity as of late. It was covered in great detail while contract offers were being thrown around by the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, and Dallas Cowboys, but for some reason the importance of this linebacker has taken a back seat to the shenanigans being performed by those loveable Cowboys.

HSO Warning: Zach Thomas will make this defense the best defense in

the NFC East.

Sure, Zach Thomas has won more awards and been named to more All-Anything lists than Tony Romo has had “lady friends” (and that is saying something), but Thomas will not be bringing the same physical intensity and presence that he once could. You see, he earned his Rookie of the Year, Unsung Hero (1996), Linebacker of the Year, All-Madden Team, Team MVP, and SI All-Pro awards (along with his seven Pro Bowl selections) by being smart.

Thomas has made a career out of being the smartest man on the other side of the ball. Really, he has made a career out of being the smartest man on both sides of the ball.

FACT: Zach Thomas has recorded more tackles than any linebacker currently in the NFL Hall of Fame.

You don’t set records by being the most athletic player on the field. Having the best measurables won’t make a tackle for you. You have to know how to predict what every player on the field is going to do and how they will react to what defense you are in. You set those records and make those tackles and lead that defense because you know without a doubt everything that is about to happen faster than anyone else and therefore can control the outcome rather than react to what you have been dealt. And to stand only at 5 feet, 11 inches and still have 1,642 tackles (over 1,200 solo) you know that brains have something to do with it.

The Dallas Cowboys have some real talent on defense. Obviously DeMarcus Ware and Greg Ellis are beasts and impose their will on anyone that gets in their way. But once they have pinned their ears back and are heading for the backfield, what happens when the offense has guessed right and drew up the perfect play? Brian Westbrook can tell you.

According to an ESPN.com survey, NFL coaches named Zach Thomas the smartest defensive player in the NFL and that is why the Cowboys defense will be exponentially more effective this season. He will be able to make reads, call audibles, and lead our athletes to be more intelligent football players.

All Zach Thomas does is make plays. From Pampa, to Lubbock, to Miami, and now to Dallas, he has been proving that his knowledge of the game is what makes him a dangerous defensive weapon.