DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Joe Thomas Quickly Moving Among NFL's Elite

Worth every penny.
We drafted him... he signed on time for camp... he walked the walk and is a stud LT... and is now getting the coin.
Not a problem.

Good for JT! There are certain positions I'm willing to pay whatever it takes to solidify, and LT is one of them. To think that there are really only two rookies playing at a Pro Bowl level and we have one of them... he's one of the rare exceptions in the Top 5 each year that's worth every cent and then some.

I think we are also saving money because Quinn most likely won't hit his escalators. Anyone remember what they are?

Great to see JT on an All-Pro Team.

Not an all Rookie Team

Not an all AFC Team

This is an All-Pro Team...as in best LT. I'm not saying he plays better than Walter Jones...watch the Seattle game again watching just Jones and how he makes Wimbley look silly....it's fun to watch but sad at the same time...i think Wimbley is a Top 15 Pass Rush OLB/DE...and he gets just OWNED.

JT is the man though and as I said before......

The best draft pick since Clay Matthews.

Something is definetly wrong with this list...Not one Browns defender? We never get any love.


While I agree with Hester, and maybe even Washington, I think Cribbs should be asked to the Pro Bowl for his overall special teams play. He is a top kickoff return man, very adaquite punt returner, but more than anything else he is excellent when it comes to being a gunner. He is the ultimate special teams player.

Good for Joe and great for the Browns. No check Mr. Lerner writes this season is more important than this one.

He's the man, he deserves it.

I'll be very mad if no one gets me a Thomas jersey for christmas.

Congrats JT!!,...You deserve every penny

Worth every Penny, Congrates JT.....


Hopeing for a JT jersey for Christmas also....

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This probably goes in one of the Anderson threads, but let's look at this for a moment........

So Quinn can earn $11 million if he plays at least 55% of the snaps in EACH of the first two seasons or 70% in the 3rd. So if we give Anderson a big contract, we're not really costing ourselves much money in the longrun. Any big money given to Anderson is offset by Quinn's inability to meet that $11 mil.

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Yep. Wonder just how hard Quinn kicks himself each and every morning for holding out in trainign camp now? He very well could have been the 1st option instead of Anderson if .... and I repeat if he had been in camp from day 1 and had the opportunity to show a grasp of the offense.

Instead, he might lose all of that precious money he held out for .... plus the salary bumps that he probably figured were a given.

Funny how things work out.

if he doesnt allow any sacks against the Steelers..

THEN he earned it

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Thomas is playing at a Pro Bowl level for a Browns team that has a chance to earn a wild-card bid.

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Wildcard bid? WILDCARD BID? We're 1 freakin' game out of first place at the halfway point. Don't talk to me about no wildcard bid.

I agree.. I'm kind of getting tired of seeing 2 yard runs..

OPEN THE LANE!!

Nice little paraphrase!!!

Anyway great job Joe!

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This probably goes in one of the Anderson threads, but let's look at this for a moment........

So Quinn can earn $11 million if he plays at least 55% of the snaps in EACH of the first two seasons or 70% in the 3rd. So if we give Anderson a big contract, we're not really costing ourselves much money in the longrun. Any big money given to Anderson is offset by Quinn's inability to meet that $11 mil.

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Well that puts a whole new spin on thinking doesn't it? Nice catch Toadmiester!

TOAD...

maybe Lewis used to be fine in that type of system, but is not AS suited to it as he ages...most people agree that his initial decision and burst is not what it once was, and if that's the case, it would certainly be a PART of the problem, no?...

yeah... the old amphibian really jumped on that one, didn't he?

good for Thomas- better yet for the Browns.

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The interesting release was defensive tackle Amon Gordon.

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What about him, could he be useful???

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Yep. Wonder just how hard Quinn kicks himself each and every morning for holding out in trainign camp now? He very well could have been the 1st option

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Funny how greed works dosent it.....Hold out for a few extra million only to lose it in incentives......Not saying I wouldnt have done the same...


Question..Quinns agent....Does he get a cut of his base salary only and not a cut of incentives....Because if thats the case, His agent got more money for Quinns holdout, but unlike Quinn didnt lose anything in Quinn not meeting incentives, Quinn and only Quinn lost money on incentives, which he might have met if he was in camp on time,..follow

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Not really. The entire situation has never been about money...

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maybe,, maybe not,, but you can't tell me that you believe it doesn't play into the equation somehow.. Can you?

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The day we sign Anderson to a high priced long-term deal is the day Quinn (or Condon for that matter) goes to Savage and asks for a trade.

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If that happened, would you blame Quinn? I wouldn't..

That doesn't mean he's gonna be traded however..

I don't really see this as a problem. Look at Green Bay. Rodgers still sits behind Favre and probably wont play a game in his rookie contract. He still gets paid. I don't see him whining about a trade. What are the chances DA stays as healthy as Favre ? Can he mantain his consistancy long term ? We are a long way from worrying about this but if he continues to progress we give him the highest tender and let Brady take the job if he can next year. Keep em both if possible and enjoy the depth. Chances are.. Quinn see's 70% playing time in his third year no matter what.

Thomas turning into a sure thing for surprising Browns

By Tom Pedulla, USA TODAY
USA TODAY continues its Rookie Focus series that examines one of the NFL's most impactful first-year players — on and off the field — every Wednesday:

Left tackle Joe Thomas' solid play goes a long way toward explaining the resurgence of the Cleveland Browns, who take a 5-3 record into Sunday's road game against the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

POWER RANKINGS: Browns crack the top 10

Although Cleveland selected Thomas third overall out of the University of Wisconsin in last April's draft, he became yesterday's news that day when the Browns traded up to take high-profile Notre Dame passer Brady Quinn with the 22nd pick, with the team believing he can develop into a franchise quarterback after an unexpectedly large number of teams passed on him.

Well, media attention has shifted again. Thomas enjoyed a seamless transition to Cleveland's line and made an immediate impact. Despite expected growing pains, he has not allowed a sack for the Browns, whose three-game winning streak is their longest since 2001. They have already put last year's dismal 4-12 record far behind them.

Quinn, meanwhile, is learning by watching the dynamic play of the quarterback ahead of him, surprising third-year man Derek Anderson. A look at Joe Thomas:

— THE PLAYER

• Hometown: Brookfield, Wis.

• Ht.: 6-6 Wt.: 315

• College highlights: Became first Wisconsin player to win Outland Trophy, given to nation's outstanding lineman, and was a unanimous first-team All-American as a senior. Appeared in 47 games during Badgers career, earning 37 starts at left tackle. Made 311 knockdown blocks with 193 of those coming in run support. Credited with 69 blocks that resulted in touchdowns.

• Scouting report: Extremely talented athlete who tried out for the Olympics as a high school shotputter and entered the University of Wisconsin as a tight end. Was used as a defensive end before he entrenched himself at left tackle. Has good balance. Is light on his feet and possesses good speed for his size that allows him to get downfield to clear away defensive backs when the opportunity arises. Was criticized in college for not always finishing his opponent.

• Quotable quote: "Joe has come in, taken over the starting job at the left tackle spot — which is a tough one to play — and he's shown that he has enough moxie and enough ability to handle some of the better pass rushers in the league." –Browns coach Romeo Crennel

— THE PERSON

• I knew I was in the NFL when: "That moment for me came the first day of training camp. We were blocking one-on-one in the pass rush and I was blocking (linebacker) Kamerion Wimbley. He took it to me pretty good and our head coach got after me a little bit in the meeting room the next day."

• Biggest adjustment: "I would say the biggest adjustment is just the number of different defenses that you see. Week after week, you rarely see a team play the same way or play the same defensive front as far as philosophy and blitzes."

• Role model: "One guy who really helped me along was a guy named Joe Panos. He played at Wisconsin like I did and he played in the NFL for about seven years and coached me in high school. We've had a relationship since high school and he's helped me along the way with different things and what to expect. He's always been somebody I've been able to bounce things off."

• First purchase after signing: "I'm a real conservative guy who doesn't spend a lot of money. The only thing I really purchased was a (three-bedroom) house in the Cleveland area. It's a nice house with a big backyard and some woods back there."

• Favorite off-field activity: "It's always been fishing or hunting, depending on the season. I like to relax away from football and the best way for me is sitting on a boat or being away from everybody and being outdoors. It's a great escape from the hustle and bustle that we have."

• Life after football: "I was a business major at Wisconsin. I'll probably end up doing something in real estate development and management. I think it's a great investment."

• On Browns' future: "The future is bright. Obviously, we are playing very well and things are coming along nicely. The record right now is a lot better than it was at this point last year. We have to keep taking those steps."

• On Brady Quinn: "Brady and I are roommates on the road. We've become good friends. His time will come. He knows that. He's just trying to work and prepare and, if anything happens to Derek (Anderson), he'd be ready to pick up where he left off."

• On being overshadowed by Quinn: "That's just fine for me. Being an offensive lineman, I'm not as into the limelight as a skill player. It's been nice to have Brady deflect some of the attention and focus."

• NFL dream: "The NFL dream of everybody is to win the Super Bowl."

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• On Brady Quinn: "Brady and I are roommates on the road. We've become good friends. His time will come. He knows that. He's just trying to work and prepare and, if anything happens to Derek (Anderson), he'd be ready to pick up where he left off."

• On being overshadowed by Quinn: "That's just fine for me. Being an offensive lineman, I'm not as into the limelight as a skill player. It's been nice to have Brady deflect some of the attention and focus."

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This is definitely the right guy for the Cleveland type philosophy.

J/C.

Today I was on ESPN.com chat and asked Chris Mortenson, if he felt that Thomas was a strong candidate for the Pro Bowl and his comment was that Thomas should represent the AFC this year in the Pro Bowl.

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We really need a healthy Bentley back to get the run blocking on track.

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Bentley at RG next year, Steiny at LG..... us Running to the left all day long with Bentley pulling to give us him, Stein, Thomas all lead blocking and sealing with Fraley's downfield blocking..... and then still being able to pass block like there's no tomorrow.... I'm gettin all goosepimpley

It won't matter who the RB is, but it wouldn't hurt to add in a young buck from the Draft or just give more carries to Wright & Harrison


Chud has been great for us.
So has Steiny and the emergence of Winslow & Edwards and the arm of Anderson.

I'm downright grateful as hell for Joe Thomas.

Thomas was a great pick, as well as the additions of Steiny and McKinney....and yes...Fraley and Shaffer last year.

Speaking of McKinney....any word on his shoulder...I haven't seen anything, or maybe I missed it.

??

I know that you are just joking, but I don't think that Bents will be able to pull really well anymore with his knee all messed up. But, I like where your head is at. Thomas- Steinbach- Fraley- Bentley- Shaffer. I know a lot of you would rather Tuck be at RT but I don't see it with his age. But, dang that line will be good. Insert song Run, Run, Run, like your running a marathon.

ON GUARD: Right guard Seth McKinney left the game Sunday with a shoulder injury, and Crennel said he’ll be further evaluated this week. Lennie Friedman filled in Sunday and would be the likely replacement vs. the Steelers. “Lennie did a nice job while he was in there,” Crennel said. Ryan Tucker, who’s rotating with Kevin Shaffer at right tackle, played some guard in the preseason. “We have to see where McKinney is and what his situation is,” Crennel said. “Right now, Lennie is the guy who’s been the backup. If we need Tucker to play guard, he’ll play guard.”

http://wp2.medina-gazette.com/2007/11/06...lers/#more-3277

Thanks.....so I take it there is still no word.


Lenny and Tuck are up to the job.


Dang.....it is nice to have a few good players you can fill in here and there as needed!

ditto

although he won't have somebody head on against the 3-4 - so I see him not being as much a liability against the Steelers as he would be against the Ravens. But they list him at 295...I don't see him over 285, Not exactly the power you want at Right Guard regardless of our Zone blocking schemes. I'm sure his technique is good.

What I don't know is why have we practiced Tucker exclusively at RT. I sure wish he would be our RG.

JMHO