Zach Thomas: A Hometown Hero's Return to Texas

The Dallas Cowboys took a step at improving an already phenomenal team on Thursday by signing free agent Zach Thomas.

Thomas signed a one year, 3 million-dollar contract after meeting with team officials at the scouting combine in Indianapolis on Saturday.

Thomas also had offers from New England and New Orleans.

But what role will Thomas play in the upcoming season?

The Cowboys already have a talented linebacking corps that includes the likes of Demarcus Ware, Akin Ayodele, Kevin Burnett, Bradie James, and Greg Ellis, most of which have been to Pro Bowl.

Not to mention the promising talent in the young Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Spencer. 

This is not to say that Zach Thomas will not fit in at Dallas, he also has an impressive resume that includes seven Pro Bowls and over 1,800 tackles.

But where will he go?

Sorry to disappoint you Zach Thomas fans, but it is unlikely he will be wearing the number 54, that number belongs to Bobby Carpenter on the Cowboys roster.

Another interesting question would be what role does this play in the quite apparent Cowboy-Dolphins relationship?

Even though this did not involve direct negotiations, it is quite evident that these days if you leave Dallas, you go to Miami, and vice versa.

Many may wonder why he chose Dallas.

He had expressed interest in going to a winning team, and Dallas fits the bill, but one would think he would jump at an offer to go to New England. Perhaps, even though he is no longer a Dolphin, there is still bitterness due to the division rivalry.

Maybe it's just a country boy wanting to go home.

Either way, it would be a good idea for any football fan to keep an eye on Dallas next season, particularly the defense, with this new addition.