While the Cleveland Browns are headed towards football purgatory, left tackle Joe Thomas is still widely recognized as the best offensive tackle in football. The future Hall of Famer was voted in by fans, coaches and his football peers to his tenth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance on Tuesday night.
Thomas joined elite company with his selection:
Throughout all the Browns hard times over the last decade, the one constant has been Thomas. Since being drafted 3rd overall in the 2007 NFL Draft, Joe hasn’t missed a game or a single snap for the Browns.
Despite all the losing (47-111 overall record since beginning of 2007 season) and the number of quarterbacks (18 starting quarterbacks since 2007) he’s had to block for, he’s stayed loyal to the organization and the city.
Even through all the trade rumors and numerous regime changes, he’s stuck through it all with his goal to be here when the team finally turns into a winner. He may not be the vocal leader who stands out like on other teams in the NFL but he’s the kind of player you want in your organization. And he’s arguably the best left tackle to ever play the game.
Of course, Thomas has only been on one winning team during his ten year career but if you watch the tape, you see just how great he truly is. And when your fans and peers continuously vote you in to the NFL’s All Star game, it just goes to show how great you are at your position.
Haden listed as Pro Bowl alternate
Browns cornerback Joe Haden was listed as a Pro Bowl alternate as well on Tuesday night, the only other Browns player besides Thomas to be mentioned for the Pro Bowl discussion.
Haden made the Pro Bowl in both 2013 and 2014. So far this season he has 46 total tackles and three interceptions coming off an injury plagued 2015 season.
As they go back to the traditional AFC vs NFC matchup, right now looks unlikely that Haden will make it but with injuries and people not electing to play, anything is possible.
The current cornerbacks on the AFC roster are Chris Harris and Aqib Talib from the Denver Broncos, Marcus Peters from the Kansas City Chiefs and Casey Heyward from the San Diego Chargers.