Joe Thomas Makes John Clayton's All-Pro List

by Chris Pokorny on Jan 4, 2012 11:00 PM EST

ESPN's John Clayton unveiled his 2011 All-Pro team this afternoon, and with only one left tackle to choose, Clayton was wise to pick the Browns' Joe Thomas. His reasoning?

Injuries at the end of the season knocked out Jake Long and re-established Thomas as the top left tackle in football. He gave up only 3.5 sacks for a young quarterback and a struggling offense in a division that featured three playoff teams.

Three other players from the AFC North made Clayton's list: FB Vonta Leach, DT Haloti Ngata, OLB Terrell Suggs, DT Geno Atkins, and S Troy Polamalu. Looking at the list, it's amazing to think how good of a pass rusher guys like Jared Allen (22 sacks) and DeMarcus Ware (19.5 sacks) are. I'm crowing about Jabaal Sheard's season, but he's still well shy of even approaching those type of numbers.

Are there any positions on Clayton's list that you disagree with?

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Jake Long kinda sucked this year, but he was coming off injury and it completely affected his play. Joe was clearly the best LT in football(again)

I’m crowing about Jabaal Sheard’s season, but he’s still well shy of even approaching those type of numbers.

Which is why I called the pro-bowl talk absolutely crazy.

by The Licensed Pessimist on Jan 4, 2012 11:07 PM EST reply actions

It was as crazy as the Greg Little-ROY talk.

Dawgs By Nature - Where winning, apparently, did some bad things.

by Simmsinns on Jan 5, 2012 2:28 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t know. I’ve seen some well known guys throw in Sheard as a pro bowl possibility.

by C.b.I on Jan 5, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

I dunno. Pouncey made it the last two seasons. Based on that, skills and stats aren’t necessary to make it to the Pro Bowl.

Even Doug Dieken admits Joe Thomas is the real #73

by Doc's Kid on Jan 5, 2012 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

We haven’t won enough games.

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jan 5, 2012 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

well..both of those guys talked about ARE in the NFC.

I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
Follow @BRoss2013

by bross09 on Jan 5, 2012 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

He Better make everyone’s All-Pro list!

"There's a gleam men, there's a gleam!" Marty

by Red-Right-88 on Jan 5, 2012 7:40 AM EST reply actions

I felt like Joe gave up probably the most sacks of his career and was likely close to his personal high in penalties (no idea where to look for those numbers) but still easily won this.

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Jan 5, 2012 8:17 AM EST reply actions

I think he only had a few false starts and one holding call.

by Brownie's Year on Jan 5, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Really? My brother was lying when he said Joe was the highest penalized Browns OL then.

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Jan 5, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

I think that title goes to Pinkston.

by Brownie's Year on Jan 5, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

Lauvao. Pinston was pretty good on penalties. Just not assignments

XBL - TheRabbit087. Get at me.

by SpecialBrownie on Jan 5, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Heyo!

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jan 5, 2012 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

definitely lauvao

I teach good life choices. That's why I almost didn't graduate high school.
Follow @BRoss2013

by bross09 on Jan 5, 2012 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

Lauvao. It felt like he had more penalties this season (way too many on unsportsmanlike conduct) than JT has had in his career.

Even Doug Dieken admits Joe Thomas is the real #73

by Doc's Kid on Jan 5, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

Haha, probably true.

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Jan 5, 2012 11:34 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree with Polamalu. He’s highly overrated.

Resident Tim Couch Apologist.

by Dawg Nuts on Jan 5, 2012 12:21 PM EST reply actions

Who is a better safety right now?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jan 5, 2012 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

Ban yourself or I’ll flag you.

XBL - TheRabbit087. Get at me.

by SpecialBrownie on Jan 5, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

Someone already did. Seriously, who is better than Polamalu right now? Reed? Wilson?

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein

by rufio on Jan 5, 2012 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

I would go with Polamalu if only because he has the biggest impact on his defense. Without him in the line-up the Steelers D isn’t all that spectacular. The Ravens D can still function decently enough without Ed Reed. Although personally Reed scares me more as an opposing player.

Honor. Courage. Commitment.

by Brownsbacker488 on Jan 5, 2012 5:41 PM EST up reply actions