Opposites attract for this Dallas Cowboys defense duo

OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas is the defensive player not named Adam Jones who is getting the bulk of the rave reviews and interviews in training camp.

And with good reason. The seven-time Pro Bowler has been all over the field, showing why owner Jerry Jones has him tabbed as the newcomer who will have the most impact in 2008.

But let’s be clear about one thing. Linebacker Bradie James remains the vocal and emotional leader on defense.

In other words, it’s still the James Gang.

"Zach is more of a quiet guy, and this is Bradie’s fifth or sixth year," linebacker Bobby Carpenter said. "Like Tony Romo and [Jason] Witten on offense, it’s basically his team."

Said linebacker Kevin Burnett: "When you get somebody that plays with the high energy that Bradie does, you can’t help but look up to somebody like that. It raises the play of everybody around you."

James, named defensive captain last season, has the respect of his teammates because of the sweat equity he has put in over the years and the plays he has made on the field.

"Bradie is the guy they look to," coach Wade Phillips said. "He is the [Mike] linebacker and makes all the calls."

Thomas was brought to the Cowboys because they weren’t getting the production they wanted from Akin Ayodele. The weakside inside linebacker is usually the tackles leader in Phillips’ 3-4 defense. Ayodele was fourth on the team last year, while James, the strongside inside linebacker, led the Cowboys in tackles for the third consecutive season.

Thomas, a virtual tackling machine, is expected to change that. He led the Miami Dolphins in tackles in 10 of the 12 years and topped the 100-tackle plateau in each of his first 11 seasons. He was on pace to do it last season until it was cut short due to injury.

James knows Thomas’ history as well as the history of Phillips’ 3-4 defense. Yet, he doesn’t expect anything to change. He plans to keep his title as the tackles leader.

"I changed the game," James said. "I am the most productive Mike linebacker he has ever had. I am going to keep doing what I am doing. I led the team in tackles the last three years in a row. It’s going to be four years in a row."

But while there is competition, there is also mutual respect. Thomas said James’ play is often overlooked because the Cowboys have so many stars on defense and calls him a Pro Bowler even if he has yet to make the trip to Hawaii.

James said Thomas has certainly increased the tempo in practice.

"He is one of the faster linebackers I have played with on the inside," James said. "He makes me practice harder. I am running around trying to keep up with him even though this is his 13th year in the league."

Phillips likes the idea of his inside linebackers competing for the tackles lead. If both are hustling to make the tackle, the Cowboys benefit.

Phillips also likes how the two players complement each other. James is the bruiser who takes on the offensive linemen and fullbacks while Thomas runs around and makes plays.

"Bradie is a physical guy on the strong side," Phillips said. "All the power stuff they try to run inside, Bradie is strong in that area. That gives Zach a chance to run to the ball and Bradie can be the hammer."

James chose to use a basketball analogy.

"If I am going to be the bruiser and bounce around, we’ve got a guy that can clean up everything. He is John Stockton and I am Karl Malone. I am the power. He is the finesse guy."

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