Last year Joe Thomas was universally heralded as an elite LT. He was also credited with helping the Browns' turnaround and the development of Derek Anderson. Does anyone know how he's playing this year? The Browns really suck. Derek Anderson got benched. Has Thomas regressed? I haven't watched many Browns games. Anyone watch a lot of Browns games? How's he doing?
Thomas is playing extremely well. He has improved his technique, he moves very well and he's not giving up sacks (one so far in 2008). I have little doubt that two years from now he will be credited with being the best pure LT in the league and deservedly so. There are many reasons the Browns suck this year and none of them has to do with Thomas. They completely lack a pass rush (Rogers is having a monster season as nose tackle there but the fact that he's basically a one man rush at NT tells all you need to know about their LBs), the right side of their offensive line with Hadnot and Shaffer is crap (want to know why Parcells made no move to keep Rex? Watch a Browns game) and Edwards drops balls like hot potatoes. Plus, they've been really hit by the injury bug and are coached very badly.
Excellent, prompt response. Thanks. One correction: In a few years Joe Thomas will be second best LT in the league!
Sorry to spoil your enthusiasm but there's positively no way Jake Long will ever become a better pure LT than Thomas. None. He looks to become a great all around LT all by himself and has a shot to become a top 5 LT in the league (a great feat - a lot of teams would kill for a top 5 LT) but he'll never be the pass blocking monster that Joe Thomas is. The guy's insanely good. Maybe the best tackle to come out of college in the last ten years.
Is the guy capable of being a mirror to the DE. Can he keep his balance. Bends at the knees, good, loose hips and quick feet. It isn't always about power. Jake can't mirror like Joe, but Jake doesn't let you move as easy as Joe does. Jake uses his punch to help keep the DE in front of him, whereas Joe will ride the guy all over the place. I state the difference as finesse vs engulfing LT's - and that is by means any where near a clinical definition.
