Joe Thomas starting, 7 other Browns alternates in the Pro Bowl

[Jax Dawg]

Cleveland Browns' Joe Thomas is team's only Pro Bowl player






View full sizeLisa DeJong / The Plain DealerJoe Thomas is the first Brown to make four consecutive Pro Bowls since cornerback Frank Minnifield in the late 1980s.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Reputation goes a long way in Pro Bowl voting and it certainly didn't hurt Joe Thomas.

The Browns' left tackle was voted to his fourth Pro Bowl in four years. He was named a starter along with Jake Long of Miami.

"I'm really excited," Thomas said. "It's a great honor to be able to represent the Cleveland Browns in my fourth straight Pro Bowl. It never gets old."

It was a mild surprise because some believed that Thomas was not playing up to his usual high standard in pass protection. But Thomas maintained he improved on his whole game, plus as a run-blocker this year, evidenced by the breakout season turned in by running back Peyton Hillis.

Hillis, third in the NFL with 13 touchdowns and ninth with 1,164 yards rushing, was not among the three backs chosen for the AFC team. The winners were Maurice Jones-Drew of Jacksonville, Arian Foster of Houston and Jamaal Charles of Kansas City.

Two Browns who won the fan vote in online balloting -- left guard Eric Steinbach and kick returner Josh Cribbs -- did not make the final cut. The vote among fans, players and coaches comprise the total vote.

Hillis, Steinbach and center Alex Mack were named second alternates. Cribbs, special teamer Ray Ventrone and fullback Lawrence Vickers were named third alternates. Rookie cornerback Joe Haden was named a fourth alternate.

Any or all could go to the Pro Bowl in Honolulu on Jan. 30 if others selected ahead of them drop out because of injury or otherwise cannot attend. The Pro Bowl will be played one week ahead of the Super Bowl. That will open up other spots because players on the Super Bowl teams will not play in the Pro Bowl.

Thomas is one of 19 Browns to earn Pro Bowl honors four or more times. The last to earn four consecutive Pro Bowls was cornerback Frank Minnifield following the 1986 through '89 seasons.

Thomas was the third overall pick of the 2007 draft. He has not missed an offensive snap since joining the Browns.

[Crow]

is derek anderson going too

[OconRecon]

I'm glad he's going, but I'm a little surprised. He got handled a couple of times this year, as did Mack.

And speaking of O-line, every QB has to be green with envy when they watch Tom Brady stand comfortably in a pocket and pick apart defenses. Man does he have protection. That entire line ought to be in the pro bowl.

But back to Thomas, it sure it nice to see a high first round draft pick pan out.

[Greythan]

How many fullbacks DIDN'T get named ahead of Vickers? Man, I have to scratch my head at that one. With our anemic passing game, Vickers had his work cut out for him blazing the trail for Hillis. I find it hard to believe there are multiple guys in the AFC who did it better.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by OconRecon

I'm glad he's going, but I'm a little surprised. He got handled a couple of times this year, as did Mack.

And speaking of O-line, every QB has to be green with envy when they watch Tom Brady stand comfortably in a pocket and pick apart defenses. Man does he have protection. That entire line ought to be in the pro bowl.

But back to Thomas, it sure it nice to see a high first round draft pick pan out.

Being that the players that played against Thomas voted him in along with the coaches that had to prepare for him, I'm fine with the selection.

[OconRecon]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

Being that the players that played against Thomas voted him in along with the coaches that had to prepare for him, I'm fine with the selection.

Oh, I'm stoked on the selection. No doubt. I'm just saying there were articles this year about his worst game as a pro (I forget which game it was), so I was surprised. But like you said, he must have impressed everyone that matters.

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by OconRecon

Oh, I'm stoked on the selection. No doubt. I'm just saying there were articles this year about his worst game as a pro (I forget which game it was), so I was surprised. But like you said, he must have impressed everyone that matters.

It was the Atlanta game, I think, against Abraham. Long and D'Brick have had it happen to them also and Oher has way too many of those games. He's deserving. Discounting him because he gave up a few sacks in a game would be like throwing out Manning because he had a 3 Int. game. You got to look at the whole body of work. I'm glad his peers recognized him.

[Greythan]

It was the Atlanta game. Got his ass handed to him by Abraham who, notably, is starting for the NFC.

[Riffer X]

People forget that other players aren't perfect at their positions all year, either. JT had a couple rough spots here and there, but he is still probably one of the best players in football altogether.

Let him go up against Abraham again and I guarantee he gets the best of him.

[Danamal]

JT, the only bright spot on what is surely the worst resume in all of professional sports for Phil(quit calling me Opie)Savage.

[Masters]

Originally Posted by Danamal

JT, the only bright spot on what is surely the worst resume in all of professional sports for Phil(quit calling me Opie)Savage.

Rubin isn't a bright spot? Vickers?

[Neo]

The NFL is a joke just like Pro Bowl is becoming.........wait, did i say that right?