Quiet giant: Browns LT Thomas' actions, not words, say it all

[BernietheKid]

Quiet giant: Browns LT Thomas' actions, not words, say it all

By Vic Carucci NFL.com

Senior Columnist

Published: June 5, 2011 at 08:50 p.m.

Updated: June 6, 2011 at 12:27 p.m.
Joe Thomas picked a fishing trip over a trip to Manhattan for the 2007 NFL Draft.
He picked the quiet of floating on a boat over the bright-lights, big-city atmosphere that annually greets highly-rated prospects as they wait to learn whose colors they'll wear at the next level.

Thomas was content to keep his distance from all of the hype when he found out the Cleveland Browns had made him the third overall pick. It told you everything you needed to know about the man.

Since then, Thomas has continued to allow his performance to do most of the talking. And that's likely the main reason for the injustice he received in the form of a No. 43 ranking on NFL Network's "The Top 100 Players of 2011" list, as voted by players.

Thomas easily should be ranked much higher -- at least 15 or 20 spots higher -- because in four seasons he has proven to be so much more than a top-notch NFL player. He has, in the opinion of many coaches and player personnel evaluators, established himself as arguably the best left tackle in the game.

Offensive linemen understandably don't receive the same amount of love as players at high-profile positions. But there should be an exception here. The voters should have recognized that Thomas' remarkable consistency in both pass protection and run blocking, which has earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl every year he has been in the league, warrants him a better ranking among the best of the best.

However, because of his quiet and unassuming nature, Thomas was easy to overlook -- easier, that is, than normally is the case for someone who makes his living in the trenches.

Yet ask anyone connected with the Browns, and they'll tell you how vital Thomas is to their offense. They'll tell you how strong a leader he is, showing the way mostly through example but speaking up when necessary. Thomas' powerful presence, both on and off the field, was particularly important last season as the Browns broke in rookie quarterback Colt McCoy.

Thomas was one of the veterans who noted it was genuine confidence, not arrogance or bravado, that McCoy displayed the night before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in his first NFL start when he stood up before the entire team and announced, "You can count on me." McCoy made good on the promise with a solid performance in a loss, then added to his credibility by leading the Browns to back-to-back victories over the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.

When Thomas said McCoy had made "incredible strides" since his very shaky training-camp showings, it wasn't merely a politically correct offering to help his younger teammate feel good about himself. It was an observation from one of the most respected voices in the locker room.

But because the man behind that voice always has preferred to distance himself from the spotlight, he doesn't quite receive all of the respect he truly deserves.

NFL.com news: Quiet giant: Browns LT Thomas' actions, not words, say it all

[BernietheKid]

Top 100: Joe Thomas Published: June 5, 2011 at 08:02 p.m. | 8,908 Views |

03:14 – Josh Cribbs presents the 43rd-best player in the NFL as voted on by the players, Browns OT Joe Thomas.


NFL Videos: Top 100: Joe Thomas

[Brown Warrior]

"When Thomas said McCoy had made "incredible strides" since his very shaky training-camp showings, it wasn't merely a politically correct offering to help his younger teammate feel good about himself. It was an observation from one of the most respected voices in the locker room."

Oh, man. I need to call Joe and tell him how much shit he's gonna take on this board!!!

[nickers]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

"When Thomas said McCoy had made "incredible strides" since his very shaky training-camp showings, it wasn't merely a politically correct offering to help his younger teammate feel good about himself. It was an observation from one of the most respected voices in the locker room."

Oh, man. I need to call Joe and tell him how much shit he's gonna take on this board!!!

Tell Ghoolie and rich too...According to them...JT is the reason the Browns suck.

[Brown Warrior]

My lame joke: I said McCoy looked like a different guy in his first start compared to preseason... and took a lot of bullshit. Joe Thomas, however, agrees with me.

Nyah. Nyah. A-nyah!

[Vegasdogg]

I think you said his arm got stronger or something like that, which is why you caught shit. In fact Colt admitted weakness in his arm because of the nerve. So there.

[Brown Warrior]

I want the love, Veg!! He definitely looked better throwing the ball. Whether you call it throwing with more authority or arm strength, he was spinning it with confidence (bite me, Eddie Haskell). If we did a split screen, it would be glaring.

Some of it's confidence, knowing where to go with the ball. Some of it's coaching, tweaks to the mechanics and footwork (he definitely need the latter), and the beginnings of figuring out how to max the arm god gave him when going a little further downfield. That has to continue to progress.

[Vegasdogg]

I agree. We don't know his ceiling yet. Heck we've not been given the chance to see how bad he sucks, wherein we take him to task. Playing QB comes with a lot of stress early in a career and I'm just as interested in how he reacts to that as I am his field performance.

Back to the OP - I don't doubt Joe Thomas is a priority for this team to ink a long term deal. He is a cornerstone for the organization and should never wear any other colored jersey. Four ProBowls to start a career? For this franchise? That is far and away the best pick we've made. Thanks Opie.

[Brown Warrior]

Thomas is a cornerstone at a cornerstone position. Haden could be another (don't start). Maybe McCoy and Sheard complete the "prime positions." If you have those four things, everything else should be a little easier to find.

[Vegasdogg]

Steel on target dude.

And LOL @ "don't start."

[BernietheKid]

McCoy's development

Published: June 7, 2011 at 07:58 p.m.
02:57 – Did Colt McCoy do enough last season to prove himself in Cleveland? Former Browns head coach Eric Mangini discusses Colt McCoy's development as an NFL quarterback.

NFL Videos: McCoy's development

[Vegasdogg]

Nice video. Coach Mangini all class once again.