Tag: Joe Thomas

Jedrick Wills’ business decision even draws ire from Browns Hall of Famer

Browns Hall of Famer Joe Thomas weighed in on Jedrick Wills’ “business decision”

It is no longer news that the Cleveland Browns have benched left tackle and former first round pick Jedrick Wills in favor of Dawand Jones, but what he recently said has even caused Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas to raise an eyebrow.

Speaking to the media in the locker room about his benching, Wills stated that he was shocked about his benching, but that he “made a business decision” not to play in the win against the Baltimore Ravens. He was benched for Jones the following Monday.

However, now that more of the story has been revealed from Wills’ perspective, it looks uglier for him. It takes quite a bit to draw a reaction from Thomas, the left tackle Wills was supposed to follow in the footsteps of, but his comments did just that:

Yeah, this is the end of the Wills era in Cleveland as he is a free agent after the season.

Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas shares his opinion of Badgers’ current ‘Air Raid’ offense

What Joe Thomas thinks of Wisconsin’s ‘Air Raid’ offense

The Wisconsin Badgers football team has started the year 2-1, but many are growing to be impatient with the team’s offensive approach. Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas, however, is not one of those jumping ship on Phil Longo’s offense.

Thomas is a member of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, spending 2003-2006 with the Badgers before an 11-year professional career with the Cleveland Browns.

He joined ESPN Madison’s “Jump Around” program Thursday, explaining what he thinks of the air raid offense from an offensive lineman’s perspective.

“If you have aspirations of being an NFL offensive lineman, the air raid doesn’t bother me the way that Wisconsin is running. They’re still teaching pro-style techniques,” Thomas explained.

In terms of where the offense is at so far on the season, Wisconsin ranks 96th in the FBS, averaging 356.3 yards per game on offense. Thomas outlined what the team needs to do moving forward.

“It’s just a matter of putting together what’s our identity on offense. If it is air raid and short passes, then we have to complete a lot of them. If we’re not good at that, maybe we have to pivot a little,” Thomas described.

Wisconsin will return to action on Sept. 28, squaring off with No. 11 USC in Los Angeles.

ESPN ranks Browns legend Joe Thomas in top 25 NFL players of the century

Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame tackle Joe Thomas was ranked as one of the top 25 players of the last century by ESPN.

The Cleveland Browns legend Joe Thomas was recently honored by ESPN. The publication released its rankings of the top 25 NFL players of the century. The Hall of Fame tackle was ranked 23rd. Thomas was the highest-ranked offensive lineman on the list. The Hall of Fame tackles Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace were listed in the first five left out.

Thomas was the lone bright spot during the Browns’ first two decades back in the NFL. The left tackle never saw much team success while playing, but he became a foundation of the team. Thomas played at an elite level for 10,363 consecutive snaps (unofficial NFL record). He never publicly complained and continued to perform, no matter how poorly the Browns were doing.

Thomas took on the blue-collar attitude of the city, and the city couldnā€™t be prouder of the Hall of Fame tackle who only wore one jersey. Thomas is one of a few players this century who played their entire career with only one team.Ā 

In an era where players of all skill levels are traded and moved like stocks and commodities, itā€™s rewarding for a fanbase to have a player claim solely their own. Thomas will forever be appreciated for his time in Cleveland.

ESPN: Two Wisconsin Badgers among college football’s greatest players since 2000

Thoughts on ESPN’s recent list?

Wisconsin legendsĀ offensive tackle Joe Thomas and running back Jonathan Taylor both made ESPN’s Bill Connelly’s recent list of the top 25 college football players since 2000

Thomas made the list at No. 12, while Taylor snuck in at No. 25. They fell far from the list’s headliners of Nebraska DT Ndamukong Suh, Texas Tech and Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield, Florida and Auburn QB Cam Newton, Texas QB Vince Young and Miami S Ed Reed.

Related: Position battles to follow as Wisconsin Badgers begin 2024 fall training camp

Connelly writes that Thomas ‘stands out’ among Wisconsin’s storied history of offensive linemen. The NFL Hall of Fame left tackle won the Outland Trophy in 2006, was named a unanimous All-American that year, was a two-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection and had his entire career honored by a recent induction into theĀ College Football Hall of Fame.

He was impressively listed ahead of Buffalo LB Khalil Mack, Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald and Georgia DE David Pollack.

Taylor, meanwhile, rightfully made the list despite only playing three collegiate seasons. His three years included totals of 6,174 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns, plus 407 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. The all-time great running back left for the NFL after boasting two Doak Walker Awards (2018, 2019), two first-team All-America selections (2018-2019) and three first-team All-Big Ten selections (2017, 2018, 2019).

Both legendary Badgers have backed up their collegiate performance at the NFL level, a further indication of their greatness at their respective positions.

 

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2024 Preseason Previews

Big Ten Team Previews:Ā Indiana HoosiersĀ ā€”Ā Purdue BoilermakersĀ ā€”Ā Illinois Fighting IlliniĀ ā€”Ā Northwestern WildcatsĀ ā€”Ā Minnesota Golden GophersĀ ā€”Ā Nebraska CornhuskersĀ ā€”Ā Iowa HawkeyesĀ ā€”Ā Rutgers Scarlet KnightsĀ ā€”Ā Maryland TerrapinsĀ ā€”Ā Michigan State SpartansĀ ā€”Ā USC TrojansĀ ā€”Ā UCLA BruinsĀ ā€”Ā Washington HuskiesĀ ā€”Ā Michigan WolverinesĀ ā€”Ā Penn State Nittany LionsĀ ā€”Ā Ohio State BuckeyesĀ ā€”Ā Oregon DucksĀ ā€”Ā Wisconsin Badgers

Big TenĀ Position Previews:Ā QuarterbacksĀ ā€”Ā Running BacksĀ ā€”Ā Wide ReceiversĀ ā€”Ā Offensive LinesĀ ā€”Ā Tight EndsĀ ā€”Ā Defensive LineĀ ā€”Ā LinebackersĀ ā€”Ā CornerbacksĀ ā€”Ā Safeties

Wisconsin Position Previews:Ā QuarterbackĀ ā€”Ā Running Back

Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas reacts to Hardy Watts’ commitment

Wisconsin legend Joe Thomas reacts to Hardy Watts’ commitment

Former Wisconsin football legend Joe Thomas reacted to the Badgers landing a commitment from top-ranked class of 2025 offensive tackle Hardy Watts’ on Monday.

Itā€™s safe to say Thomas was excited about his alma mater landing the four-star lineman ā€” who becomes the programā€™s 22nd overall commitment, fifth offensive lineman and first iOL in the class. “Now we go!!!” Thomas wrote in his post on X.

Watts joins the Badgers’ class as 247Sports’ No. 222 player in the class of 2025, No. 12 interior offensive lineman and No. 1 recruit from the state of Massachusetts. He instantly becomes the program’s highest-rated commit in the class.

The Brookline, Massachusetts native, who committed to the Badgers over both Clemson and Michigan, will join one of college football’s most prolific landing spots for offensive linemen — headlined by Thomas’ collegiate and professional career.

Most notably, with 11 active linemen in the pros, Wisconsin football is second among NCAA Division I college football programs with the most active offensive lineman in the NFL. The Badgers are tied for second in the nation with Oklahoma, LSU and Notre Dame; only Michigan produced more active athletes with 14.

UW also helped develop 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Thomas, former Dallas Cowboy Travis Frederick and Super Bowl champion Mark Tauscher into professional-ready linemen during their time in Madison. These success stories serve as a blueprint for what Watts could become during and after his collegiate tenure.

 

Thomas, the most revered of all former Badger offensive lineman,Ā was a first-team All-American team member in 2005 and 2006, recognized as the nationā€™s most outstanding interior lineman with the 2006 Outland Trophy and was a team captain and co-MVP as a senior in 2006.

He finished his collegiate tenure as the 2007 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient and with back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten selections before declaring for the 2007 NFL draft.

Former Wisconsin star offensive lineman makes NFL’s Cleveland Browns Mount Rushmore

Former Wisconsin star offensive lineman makes NFL’s Cleveland Browns Mount Rushmore

Former Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas was included in the NFLā€™s Mount Rushmore for all-time Cleveland Browns last week.

The 11-year Cleveland Brown and 2023 NFL Hall of Fame inductee earned a spot alongside Hall of Famers Otto Graham (QB), Jim Brown (RB) and Lou Groza (OT, C, DT, K). Thomas, one of the greatest offensive tackles of all time, is cemented among three of the most respected athletes in Cleveland sports history.

With the Badgers, Thomas was a first-team All-American team member in 2005 and 2006, recognized as the nationā€™s most outstanding interior lineman with the 2006 Outland Trophy and was a team captain and co-MVP as a senior in 2006.

He finished his collegiate tenure as the 2007 Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient and with back-to-back first-team All-Big Ten selections before declaring for the 2007 NFL draft.

Thomas played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns and was named to 10 Pro Bowls, six First-Team All-Pro honors and amassed an NFL record streak of 10,363 consecutive snaps.

The Brookfield, Wisconsin native retired in 2017, was named to UW’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 and earned a spot in the Cleveland Browns’ Ring of Honor in 2023.

Wisconsin football ranks second in most players at significant NFL position group

Wisconsin football ranks second in most players at significant NFL position group

Wisconsin football is second among NCAA Division I college football programs with the most active offensive lineman in the NFL.

With 11 active linemen in the pros, the Badgers are tied for second in the nation with Oklahoma, LSU and Notre Dame. Only Michigan produced more active athletes with 14.

Following the Indianapolis Coltsā€™ decision to draft former Badger Tanor Bortolini with the No. 117 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, Wisconsin further solidified itself as one of the nationā€™s best in molding collegiate offensive linemen into future professionals.

In addition to Bortolini, Buffalo Billsā€™ offensive guard David Edwards, Jacksonville Jaguarsā€™ tackle Cole Van Lanen, New York Jetsā€™ center Joe Tippman and Pittsburgh Steelersā€™ lineman Tyler Beach represent the Badgers in the NFLā€™s AFC.Ā 

Detroit Lions offensive guard Kevin Zeitler and New Orleansā€™ Saints tackle Ryan Ramczyk are representatives for the NFC. The Los Angeles Ramsā€™ duo of Rob Havenstein and Logan Bruss, alongside Washington Commandersā€™ center Tyler Biadasz and guard Michael Deiter, are UWā€™s final four OL alumni in the NFC.Ā 

2023 Hall of Fame inductee Joe Thomas, former Dallas Cowboy Travis Frederick and Super Bowl champion Mark Tauscher are some of the most famous offensive lineman to play at UW.

Former Browns OT Joe Thomas ranked as the best player from the 2007 NFL draft Class

Former Cleveland Browns Left Tackle and Hall of Famer Joe Thomas was ranked as the best player from the 2007 NFL draft class according to PFF.

Pro Football Focus announced that former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas was the greatest player from the 2007 NFL draft.

The rankings are based on the playerā€™s career PFF grades. Joe Thomasā€™s career PFF grade was 95.1. It is a testament to how refined and technical he was as a player. Thomas was a craftsman who perfected his technique over a ten-year career. While his contemporaries may have been stronger or faster, no one could match Thomasā€™s down-to-down consistency. He was the cornerstone of a franchise that was anything but consistent.Ā 

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Thomasā€™s consistency is highlighted best by his PFF grades compared to his peers. Thomas scores well ahead of the other three Hall of Fame players from the 2007 NFL draft. The 2007 NFL draft may go down as one of the best drafts in the history of the NFL. It could potentially see four more class members in the Hall of Fame. Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, Marshal Yanda, and Eric Weddle could all be enshrined in Canton by the end of the decade.

No matter how many players get into the Hall of Fame, Joe Thomas was the best player. There was a lot of debate in 2007 about whether the Browns should draft Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, or Joe Thomas. While all of them wouldā€™ve helped, the Browns made the right choice choosing Joe Thomas. He brought respectability to an unrespectable franchise.Ā 

Hall of Famer Joe Thomas not interested in Browns’ OL coaching job

The Browns will look elsewhere.

Despite their opening at offensive line coach, Joe Thomas is not interested in returning to the Cleveland Browns.

Many have clamored for the Browns to reach out to their 10-year left tackle and first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer after the departure of Bill Callahan. However, now six years removed from the game, Thomas is not rushing to get back into it.

Thomas told Cleveland dot com:

ā€œI wonā€™t be interested in NFL or college jobs until my kid are in college. Maybe not even then, but certainly not until then.ā€

The Browns currently have one candidate in-house in assistant offensive line coach Scott Peters. They also interviewed former Seattle offensive line coach Andy Dickerson for their offensive coordinator gig. Could they get him to come to town as the offensive line coach instead? Mike Munchak, who has been out of coaching since the 2021 season, could also be a candidate to return to coaching.

The offensive staffing overhaul continues, but it will not include the Hall of Fame left tackle.

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WATCH: Browns drop playoff hype video featuring Joe Thomas

As the Browns get set to take on the Texans, they have released a new hype video with the help of a familiar face.

For the first time since 2020, the Cleveland Browns are heading to the playoffs. Ahead of the matchup with the Houston Texans, the Browns have dropped a playoff hype video featuring an old friend in Pro Football Hall of Fame left tackle Joe Thomas.

And the buzz surrounding this team, led by the emergence of quarterback Joe Flacco, is deafening. As they get set to take on rookie sensation quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, the Browns are doing their best to get the fans ready for this Wild Card matchup as well.

They are favored in this game over the Texans, a team they dismantled just four weeks ago. Can they do it again for the second time in a month inside of NRG Stadium?

Tune into the hype video here, as we only have five days until Flacco and the Browns look to take down the Texans and continue their march toward a Super Bowl.

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