Zach Thomas pulling a Bruschi

[WelshPat]

What you don't mention, and really is important, is that Thomas played his entire career in the 4-3 while Bruschi started in the 3-4, went to the 4-3, and then back to the 3-4.

This really calls for.....

YouTube - Dr Cox - Wrong Wrong Wrong Wrong

Zach Thomas played in both schemes too.

 

[JD10367]

IF you are going to post numbers, you should make sure that you have ALL of them..

Bruschi had over 680 Solo and 387 assisted.. Not just 735 tackles total.

Thomas had 1106 solo tackles and 627 assisted. But as some have pointed out, Tackle totals aren't a good judge of things because there are teams who give out, essentially, 2 tackles per play (ala the Colts).

NFL.COM only goes back to 2001 with their keeping of the stats because they haven't put all the information in yet.. Where as pro-football-reference.com goes all the way back.

Zach Thomas had 16 Forced fumbles, the same as Bruschi.

What you don't mention, and really is important, is that Thomas played his entire career in the 4-3 while Bruschi started in the 3-4, went to the 4-3, and then back to the 3-4.

Bruschi also has 3 rings and 5 SB appearances while Thomas has zero.

Doesn't matter. Thomas's numbers are still far better, more than can be accounted for by simply saying "4-3 vs. 3-4". And rings and SB appearances don't mean you're a better player or going into Canton; most of the Pats players from their three Super Bowls will NOT be going into Canton.

I'm not even really arguing that Thomas is better than Bruschi. I think they were about the same. I just also think that neither is Canton-bound, and it certainly would NOT be a "travesty" if Thomas did get in and Bruschi didn't.

I realize we're all homers, and we loved the guy, but it ain't happening. Like Troy Brown, Tedy will have to be happy with a seat in the Patriots' Hall of Fame.