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Countdown to Kickoff Profile: Cleveland Browns No. 73 Joe Thomas

By Russell S. Baxter

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Countdown to Kickoff series continues on with a profile on highly reliable left tackle Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns.

There are exactly 73 days until the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers open up the 2016 NFL regular season with a Super Bowl rematch. In the meantime, we at NFL Spin Zone are going to profile a player each day as we countdown the days to kickoff.

Related Story: Predicting 5 Surprise Starters for the Cleveland Browns

We began by previewing the rookie defensive end of the San Diego Chargers in Joey Bosa (No. 99) and gave our thoughts on New York Giants defensive tackle Damon Harrison, No. 98 with his brand new club. On Sunday, it was New York Jets’ star center Nick Mangold at No. 74. You can check out all of the posts right here.

The list of No. 73s both now and today is pretty impressive. From versatile defensive lineman of the Jets to Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive linemen John Hannah, Ron Yary and Larry Allen. These days, there’s also five-time Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda of the Baltimore Ravens.

Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) jogs onto the field during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) jogs onto the field during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

But as good as Yanda has been, it’s hard to top what Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas has accomplished since becoming the third overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. The University of Wisconsin product has never missed a game or a start in nine seasons.

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Thomas has also been named to the Pro Bowl following each of his nine campaigns and have also earned First-Team All-Pro honors six times.

The fine folks at Pro Football Focus also hold the 6’7”, 311-pound blocker in high regard. Twice in his career he’s graded out as the best tackle in the league and he’s never ranked lower than seventh in any of his nine seasons in the NFL. In 2015, only Dallas Cowboys’ left tackle Tyron Smith earned a higher grade than the reliable Thomas.

Unfortunately for the talented tackle, his best efforts haven’t resulted in the Browns reaching the playoffs. During his rookie year in 2007 and led by then-quarterback Derek Anderson, Cleveland finished 10-6. In the eight seasons since then, the Browns are a horrid 37-91 dating back to ’08 and Thomas has blocked for his share of different starting quarterbacks.

More nfl spin zone: Countdown to Kickoff: New York Jets No. 74 Nick Mangold

You could make a strong case that the addition of the nine-time Pro Bowler has been the best thing the Browns have done since returning to the NFL as an expansion club in 1999.

An extremely strong case.

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