"Zach Thomas was my nemesis," Mawae said about three-quarters into his 27-minute Hall of Fame speech. "My first year with the Jets before my first game we played against each other, (Coach) Bill Parcells told me in front of my entire team, 'If you don't block Thomas, we won't win the game,' and for the next 16 matchups I never forgot that.

"Zach was one of, if not the smartest player I ever faced. He loved the game, had fun when he played and brought the best out of me. When people ask me who's not in the Hall of Fame and that I think should be here, it's an easy one for me: number 54 from the Miami Dolphins."

Another endorsement of Thomas came after the list of semifinalist was released, and it came from NFL.com writer Adam Rank.

He ranked the 25 semifinalists and put Thomas at number 4, behind only former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, former Broncos safety Steve Atwater and former 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis.