Is Thomas really in the Hall of Fame?
By: Jake Rajala
Joe Thomas has had one of the best careers at the left tackle spot. Despite playing on a putrid Browns team, he found ways to have single accomplishments. Thomas and others (such as Tyron Smith) had to waste their All-Pro ability on a crummy squad.
Thomas made the Pro Bowl in every season, besides his last season (which was in 2017). Let it be known that he only played in several games in 2017. Hence, I will give him a pass for not being a Pro Bowler. He did manage to make six first-team All-Pro nods, too.
A grandiose question surrounds him: Did he make the Hall of Fame?
The answer is: absolutely!
Thomas is one of many legends in the Hall of Fame. He isn’t quite the best LT in the HOF. Jonathan Ogden, Walter Jones, and Anthony Munoz are in the HOF and are a step above him.
The best player that Thomas has played with is arguably a prime Josh Gordon. He even jokingly said they should just throw hail maries to Gordon. The best coach that Thomas has played with was arguably Gregg Williams, who was their interim HC.
It’s quite clear that Thomas hasn’t enjoyed the company from an All-Pro QB or an elite HC. If he had a Super Bowl ring to pair with his production in the regular season, he could have gone down as the best LT of all time. Yes, you read that correctly.
Thomas is an elite personality, as well. The guy that loves fishing and hunting is a super NFL analyst. It’s worth noting that another former prominent offensive lineman in Brian Baldinger made a nice switch to being an analyst, too.
Let it be known that he also made the Browns Ring of Honor, which shouldn’t come as an enormous surprise.
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