I remember the year before Joe got drafted, everyone on this board wanted Robert Gallery desperately. We didn't get him, and he ended up getting moved to guard his rookie year because he couldn't keep up.
The following year, "look what happened with Gallery" became the refrain. Lot of people wanted Quinn.
Joe is the second guy the Browns ever took that I wanted. The other was Braylon.
Hell of a run, Joe.
IIRC, it was Romeo that wanted JT; Savage wanted someone else...
When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers...Socrates
Joe Thomas was an easy choice for former Browns GM Phil Savage
Updated Mar 14, 3:52 PM; Posted Mar 14, 3:52 PM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Browns GM Phil Savage couldn't have realistically envisioned a Hall-of-Fame career for Joe Thomas when he picked him No. 3 overall in 2007. He even had a fall back plan in case starting him at left tackle didn't work out.
"Honestly, we thought, OK, we'll start him off at left tackle and if it doesn't go well, we'll move him over to right tackle," Savage told cleveland.com in a phone interview last week. "If it doesn't go well over there, we can slide him into guard, so that was one of the reasons why you take a left tackle so high in the draft because you have some fallback insurance in case it doesn't go particularly well."
Needless to say, it went pretty well at left tackle.
"I would absolutely say that Joe exceeded whatever expectation we could have had. We had really good grades on him. We thought he'd be a very solid player, a dependable anchor for us, but to go play 10,000 snaps in a row and make the Pro Bowl virtually every year?" Savage said. "No one predicted that."
Savage really fell for Thomas on what he called the easiest scouting trip he's ever had. Thomas' Wisconsin Badgers played Bowling Green at Cleveland Browns Stadium in 2006. As the process played out, Thomas' performance at the combine and during interviews helped cement what Savage was starting to figure out -- he was the pick.
Of course, by picking a left tackle at No. 3, Savage was putting himself out there. Many Browns fans were convinced that Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson should have been the pick. Savage, though, had locked in on Thomas, recalling a conversation he had with his wife about two weeks before draft day.
"I said, 'You know, unless something crazy happens in these meetings, this is the player we should pick,'" Savage recalled, "and she said, 'Who is it?' I said, 'Joe Thomas from Wisconsin.' She said, 'Who's he?'"
That, as well as any healthy debate within the building, left him undeterred. In fact, his biggest concern come draft day was just making sure Thomas, who declined to attend the draft and instead went fishing, made it to Cleveland in one piece.
"I remember saying, hey, let's make sure we get him on the phone and he's on dry land because I think you know with Browns luck, he's liable to fall overboard and drown," Savage said. "So let's make sure he's on dry land."
Savage didn't get to be directly involved with Thomas' career for long. The Browns went 10-6 in that 2007 season, but following a disappointing 4-12 campaign in 2008 and a now infamous email exchange with a fan, Savage was fired.
He's watched from afar, though, and, thanks to his Sirius XM gig that has sent him to Berea for Browns training camp over the last few years, he's had chances to reconnect. Savage lauded Thomas for his ability to play at a high level, even when the team around him wasn't.
"When you're part of a winning team and you've got a quarterback like a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady and you know you're going to be in it every year, that's one level of motivation," Savage said. "But when you've been in a situation or circumstance where Joe has been and he's continued to stay motivated and continued to stay true to that team and organization and continued to try to get better throughout his career, I think what he's done is a lot harder than what people realize."
Savage said that he was impressed with Thomas' ability to grasp what he can control and to perform to the best of his ability, even in less than ideal circumstances.
"I think it's pretty apparent he'll be a Hall-of-Famer," he said, "and deservedly so and, again, to wake up every day and, again, from season to season have things go downhill like they have at different times, it's an amazing tribute to what he represents as a person and a player."
It's why, in a first round peppered with potential Hall-of-Famers, a left tackle from Wisconsin who played on one team that finished above .500 in his career managed to stand out. It's why Savage's easiest scouting trip turned into a no-brainer seven months later.
I wished it showed one with him in his stance/set before snap. It was such a strange looking stance but the way he was able to break out of it and etc was amazing.
I want one that sows him, Annie, and the kids,because that's what's important
PatMcManamon Verified account @PatMcManamon Shon Coleman will move from right tackle to left tackle this season, GM John Dorsey said. Dorsey said he was excited to see just retired Joe Thomas in the team’s training facility working with Coleman on techniques at left tackle. “You can see that... http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-40017726-4 …
The city of Cleveland proclaimed July 3 as Joe Thomas Day to honor the 10-time Pro Bowler.
The Cleveland Browns left tackle announced his retirement on Wednesday, citing knee and back injuries preventing him from playing at the required level.
On Thursday, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson signed the proclamation making 7-3 a day to celebrate No. 73.
“Mr. Thomas has remained tirelessly committed to the people of Cleveland and his hard work is to be commended. He was integral part of the Cleveland Browns organization. His many contributions to the Cleveland community are appreciated and his retirement is well-deserved,” the mayor wrote in the resolution.
Thomas played in seven games last season before tearing his left triceps on Oct. 22. Until then, he never missed a snap in his NFL career, playing 10,363 consecutive snaps, which is believed to be the longest in league history.
“From the moment I was drafted, the city embraced me in a way that I could never fully describe. I am proud to call Cleveland home. The loyalty and passion of the fans is unmatched and it was an honor to play in front of them from the past 11 years,” Thomas said in a news release on the Browns website.
I once said that a part of me would die when Joe Thomas hangs them up. I feel that was an accurate prediction. While I have absolutely no issue w/Joe retiring, I am saddened that he will no longer be part of my favorite team.
I have thought about this for a few days and I have concluded that Joe Thomas is my all-time favorite Brown. I remember championing him before the draft. Most of the board wanted Peterson and others wanted BQ. I was all about Joe Thomas early on. Pit and I used to fight like crazy back then, but I PMed him w/a few scouting reports because Pit always had a keen eye for offensive linemen. He and I championed Joe being drafted by the Browns.
The day Savage chose Joe w/the 3rd overall pick was one of the happiest days I have ever experienced as a Browns fan. I used to get on Savage, who was given the title of "genius" by most of the board all the time, but the day he drafted Joe........I said "Phis Savage is a genius." LOL I remember Toad saying he never saw that side of me before.
Enough of the backdrop. Here is what I will always remember about Joe. He might not have been the most physically imposing player, but he was a true technician. I don't think there is a LT in the history of the NFL who displayed better technique than Joe. He always kept his chest over his thighs. He had great spacing w/his feet. Both of those gave him great balance and that is crucial in pass blocking. Joe wasn't the guy who would get the jaw-dropping pancakes. Joe was the guy who used a great edge rusher's speed against him and ride him well beyond the pocket. Joe was the guy who used superior footwork to mirror the defender. Joe was the guy who was an incredible gap [some call it angle] blocker in the run game. Joe beat you w/his brains, his attention to detail, his obsession w/great technique, his dedication to professionalism, and his work ethic.
All of that is great in and of itself. However, Joe earned more respect because of the type of person he was. He was never a "me" person. Instead, he was a "we" person. Consider this. He embraced the city of Cleveland even though many scorned the pick because they wanted AD or BQ. He was always willing to help his teammates. He always put the team before himself. He was as loyal as any player I have ever witnessed in the modern era.
Stop and think about that for a moment. Loyalty. Who displays that character trait in professional sports anymore? Joe consistently stated that he didn't want to leave Cleveland. He didn't chase the money. He didn't ask to be traded. In fact, he said he did not want to be traded. He said he wanted to finish his career in Cleveland. He said he wanted to bring the city a championship. Who the hell does that these days? I believe that loyalty is very high on the character trait totem pole and no one was more loyal than Joe!
I do have a couple of regrets. The first is that I really wish that Joe could have experienced winning. I so wanted him to be part of a playoff team. A championship team. I wanted it more for him than myself as a fan. I also hate to see his last play in the NFL be a play in which he was injured. This iron man's last play was an injury. That is so cosmically unfair. If anyone deserved to go out on top, it was Joe "Freaking" Thomas!
I don't want to end on that note. Instead, I will end with Joe saying that the NFL took a toll on his body and he couldn't compete on the level he wants to. LOL Joe. Even when you weren't at your best, you were still the best in the damn game. Joe, you were/are the ultimate professional. I'm glad that you are able to step away from the game on your [and your wife's] terms. I'm glad that you will still be in the public eye and I am certain that you will bring the same level of expertise and professionalism to your new career as you did to your football career.
A career that cemented you as the greatest LT in the history of the NFL and in my mind, the greatest Brown of all-time.
The day Savage chose Joe w/the 3rd overall pick was one of the happiest days I have ever experienced as a Browns fan. I used to get on Savage, who was given the title of "genius" by most of the board all the time, but the day he drafted Joe........I said "Phis Savage is a genius." LOL I remember Toad saying he never saw that side of me before.
lol, the day we drafted Joe Thomas I was in my buddies room in college (roommates: Jimbo & Klug), drinking busch light and smoking something i can't anymore, and I remember falling to my knees and saying "Thank God!!!!". It was the party weeekend (weekend before the week before finals)
We needed a LT so badly. We thought that was the key to all our success.
Unfortunatley it wasn't. It was just a part of it.
But Joe Thomas was great. He held up his end of the deal. Unfortunately, we couldn't hold up ours
PatMcManamon Verified account @PatMcManamon Shon Coleman will move from right tackle to left tackle this season, GM John Dorsey said. Dorsey said he was excited to see just retired Joe Thomas in the team’s training facility working with Coleman on techniques at left tackle. “You can see that... http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-40017726-4 …
This is awesome. I really like Shon Coleman, so it'll be interesting to watch his development moving forward. Last year was his first year as a starter - he only had one game under his belt prior - so I think it's easy to overlook that he's another of our young players who'll be better for his experience.
I'm guessing this means Chris Hubbard is a lock for the RT spot, although I won't be surprised if Dorsey adds some development depth in the draft behind both.
Nice words, vers. Before our last game in Houston in 2006, I wanted to lose in Houston because I wanted to draft Joe Thomas. I remember telling a friend of mine: he's no ordinary Joe. Christ, the only Senor Bowl I've ever watched was his. He, Garrett and Rosen are the only playes I wanted at the top.
I love that he still has a locker, a FOB and a seat on the plane. We are clearly trying to get him to remain engaged here. Plus as said, he's already helping Coleman.
JT is just great. There's no other way of putting it.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Seems odd. He's already retired. Everyone knows why he retired. What's the point of a press conference?
When you're the only bright light an organization has had in years, years and more years - you'll get the royal treatment. a "podcast" isn't really an "official" event either. I'm sure Tony Grossi and Mary Kay have their last bit of beyond idiotic questions their dying to ask.
Last edited by Dawg_LB; 03/19/1802:03 PM. Reason: additional info
Seems odd. He's already retired. Everyone knows why he retired. What's the point of a press conference?
When you're the only bright light an organization has had in years, years and more years - you'll get the royal treatment. a "podcast" isn't really an "official" event either. I'm sure Tony Grossi and Mary Kay have their last bit of beyond idiotic questions their dying to ask.
I'm not sure subjecting yourself to Mary Kay and Grossi qualify as "the royal treatment", I'd bet his arm injury was less painful than their questions.
“I know I have definitely always looked up to you. You’re an incredible player and even better person. Seeing even at a young age, you were always the super professional guy, always doing the right work, really helped me become a great player,” said Alex Mack, Browns center from 2009 to 2015.
“It’s easy to be a leader with words, but Joe’s the type of guy that went out on the field and led with his actions,” said Cribbs, who recently returned to the Browns as a special teams intern.
“Playing with Joe Thomas was great because every time you came onto the field, you knew two things were going to happen. You knew you were going to have fun. Joe was always smiling. And he’s going to be at the top of his game,” said McCown, former Cleveland quarterback. “My favorite memories of Joe are watching him work with young guys, taking a younger lineman aside and working on the details of playing the position.”
“Joe, playing with you was an absolute honor. ” Dawson said. Dawson played for the Browns from 1999 to 2012 and went to a Pro Bowl with Thomas. “You’re one of those guys I take pride in telling my children I got to play with you.
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