With all this talk about Brady, I hope people haven't forgotten about big Joe, who I am deeply in love with.
I'm no scouting guru, but based on everything I had read about him (here and in other places) I really wanted to draft this guy, far more than Brady.
I keep thinking about how much better we could be out on the left side with JT and Steinie. I know it was college film but on draft day, they showed highlights of Big Joe getting to the second level and demolishing people. Oh my god, it was beautiful.
Anyways, how much impact can he have on our line as a rookie? Will we be able to run left or what?
Am I expecting too much for him to be better than average in his first year?
He will make mistake's!...But with mistake's comes the learning process, I truly believe we have found a LT that will hold his own for many years to come jmo.
Thomas will certainly perform above average compared to the usual rookie lineman, since he's not a huge developmental prospect. Whether or not he will be above average compared to an NFL tackle is tough though. I think he'll be an above average pass blocker but run blocking is something that he's still going to need to bulk up a bit before he can do at an above average level - that'll come with time.
Pretty much, this year, I'm expecting an above average pass blocker (a bit worse than D'Brickashaw Ferguson) and an average-to-slightly below average run blocker (better than D'Brick). Great tackles usually don't come on right away; it takes a year or two to truly develop. That said, my expectation of Thomas this year is leaps and bounds better than most anything we've had at LT in our history, so I can't say I'll be disappointed.
I think he will show flashes of greatness, but he will also have rookie moments. I think we will be able to run the ball. We're going to have 2 legitimate threats in J. Lewis and K2 and I think the offense will have a nice fast pace and it won't be boring.
I can't wait for the first game to see how it all unfolds. I guess we'll know who is "gettng" it and who isn't.
The Quinn thing will die down eventually. Once he's been in camp a couple of days the whole holdout thing will die down and people will start focusing on the preseason games and the season.
Thomas won't be forgotten completely, but as an OL he not be foremost on anyone's mind (outside of eotab).
I only wanted Quinn if Thomas was not available. Getting him after also getting Thomas was more than OK in my book. I met Brady's step-grandfather at the barber's not long after the draft, and he said Brady was pretty happy we got Thomas, too.
Thomas will make an impact this year. I do not doubt it.
I'm excited about having our (by far) best OL since the return. I'm excited about having a running game. I'm excited about converting some 3rd and 3's and keeping our D off the field for a few extra series. I'm excited that maybe now we have an OL and running game we'll be able to evaluate one of our QBs.
Joes to big to forget about....I['m looking forward to see how he plays and the Line as a unit...Best we've had from tackle to tackle in a long, long long, time....plus they hunt & fish...shows they are smart too
As has been said,though I'll carry it even further...............
You will see "flashes of greatness". But he,no matter his talent,ability and skill set,he is "an NFL rookie". So you will also see that.
Here's where I go further..............
But those "flashes of greatness" you WILL see,will be of the greatness and magnitude that has been seen by VERY FEW ROOKIE LT"S EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And this will become far more the rule than the acception as he gains experience. We WILL have one of the "top five LT's in the NFL" by his third season! (barring unforeseen long term injuries)
I don't give a damn what people are saying about his "need to bulk up for run blocking". That's BS!
The fact is,with the proper technique and leverage,there is NO need to overpower someone you can outplay. And that's what people saw and why they say this. He doesn't have to "overpower" people. He can take them out of plays with his technique without using "pancake blocks".
This kid is for real. There "are no questions" about that. He is the highest quality,highest character draft pick this FO has drafted to date. And yes,that includes Wimbley. And Wimbley is one hell of a talent in his own merrit.
This isn't opinion. This is fact.
And yes,unless we are so innept in passing that the oposing D is stacking eight and nine in the box,we will be able to run WELL with consistancy on the left side by week four. Nine in the box makes it VERY hard on a rookie LT. But even at that,we'll be able to run left pretty well much better than before at worse.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I sure hope so - she's one big girl. I can imagine all the little Brownies they will be making lol
But yes he got married...it was his statements after reporters asked when OTA's were over...What are you going to do? Get married was always his first statement. Honeymoon? nothing big or long was his statement - he said after the season was over they would have their real Honeymoon.
Hey at least the kid has his priorities right
Defense wins championships. Watson play your butt off! Go Browns! CHRIST HAS RISEN! GM Strong! & Stay safe everyone!
Quote: did we really need a thread asking if we remember/like our 1st round LT?...
This thread has virtually no substance to it at all.
Did you not see those pictures? That's all the substance I need.
[color:"yellow"]"Everybody has an opinion. And so whoever's opinion that is....that's his opinion" -Romeo- [color:"blue"]Boo fair weather fans!......Hooray Browns![/color]
,,,don't be gettin' your panties in a knot. Did you read all of the responses up to my first post? It turned into a fluff thread. I actually tried to bring it around to JT in my second post. (which was related to your questions)
I'm sorry if I hurt you. Gimme your address and I'll send flowers.
Browns top pick Thomas happy to cede spotlight to quarterback Quinn
Friday, August 17, 2007 3:37 AM By James Walker THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH BEREA, Ohio -- In the midst of Brady Quinn mania, No. 3 overall draft pick Joe Thomas is quietly smiling.
"I'm really happy that Brady is here," said Thomas, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive left tackle.
Thomas, the Cleveland Browns' first draft choice, signed a six-year, $42.5 million contract that carries heavy expectations. But the attention has been on Quinn.
That's fine with Thomas. When asked how he feels about sharing the spotlight now that the No. 22 pick has joined him in camp, Thomas was happy to talk -- about the quarterback.
"I'm glad he was able to pick up where he left off at the end of minicamp, and hopefully he'll get a chance to compete for the starting spot," Thomas said.
Thomas rose from backup to starter in only two weeks. His play in an exhibition game Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs went well, except for two plays.
Twice Thomas was called for holding penalties costing the team 20 yards.
"Joe competes, and he has athletic ability," coach Romeo Crennel said. "He got beat inside once (against the Chiefs), but he was able to watch the guy down. Another time, he probably got pushed a little too much on the pocket, but his guy didn't make the play.
"And there were some things in the running game that he has to shore up, but overall I thought he did a pretty good job."
Before the NFL draft, many scouts said they thought Thomas' only weakness was with speed rushers coming off the corner. Twice against Kansas City, he was caught out of position.
Thomas said he eventually will make the adjustment and aims to cut down on penalties.
"I thought I did pretty well," Thomas said. "It was a good steppingstone for me, and I have a lot of room to grow. But there are still three more games before (the regular season), when it really counts."
Practicing against second-year outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, who set a franchise rookie record last season with 11 sacks, has helped Thomas improve.
"It's a great test," Thomas said. "He's one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, and being able to go up against him every day is tremendously helpful. When I get to the game, sometimes it's easier than what you see in practice."
The pair of first-round picks have provided some of the most entertaining battles of training camp. Sometimes, Wimbley gets around Thomas. Other times, Thomas stops Wimbley in his tracks.
"He'll be around for a while," Wimbley said. "He's an impressive, strong guy with great feet, and he can move. … He's watching and learning some things, and I'm learning some things from him, as well. It's just a good battle out there and good competition."
Oh my god, it was beautiful.![[Linked Image from i28.photobucket.com]](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/shadedog/mcenroe2.jpg)
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