Pat Angerer has been a Zach Thomas-like presence for the Hawkeyes

CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 05: Linebacker Zach Thomas #54 of the Miami Dolphins runs in pursuit against the Chicago Bears on November 5, 2006...

INDIANAPOLIS - DECEMBER 31: Jason Taylor #99 and Zach Thomas #54 of the Miami Dolphins get ready to move at the snap during the game against...

...DC, USA; Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis (26) carries the ball as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas (55) defends in the first quarter at FedEx Field

NFL WEEK 7

...MO, USA; St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) breaks away from Dallas Cowboys linebacker Zach Thomas (55) in the first half at the Edward Jones Dome

ST. LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 19: Zach Thomas #55 of the Dallas Cowboys watches his team lose to the St. Louis Rams at the...

...Redskins running back Clinton Portis (26) outruns against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bradie James (56) and linebacker Zach Thomas (55) at Texas Stadium. The Redskins beat the Cowboys 26-24. Mandatory Credit

...Redskins running back Clinton Portis (26) outruns against Dallas Cowboys linebacker Bradie James (56) and linebacker Zach Thomas (55) at Texas Stadium. The Redskins beat the Cowboys 26-24

16 August 2008 - Zach Thomas (55) of the Dallas Cowboys during the Denver Broncos 23-13 preseason win over the Cowboys...

Sept 9, 2007; Landover, MD, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas (54) before the start of the game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover...

Linebacker Zach Thomas #54 of the Miami Dolphins lines up against the New England Patriots at Dolphin Stadium on...

Dallas Cowboys v Miami Dolphins MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 16: Linebackers Channing Crowder #52, Zach Thomas #54 and Joey Porter # 55 of the Miami Dolphins bring down running back Marion Barber #24...

Zach Thomas #54 and Jason Taylor #99 during pregame introductions as the AFC and NFC All-Stars compete...

Zach Thomas

Zach Thomas heard he was too small coming out of Texas Tech