Cleveland Browns LT Joe Thomas Selected to Fifth Straight Pro Bowl
There are currently two things you can count on when it comes to the Cleveland Browns:
1) They will search high and low for a new and inexplicable way to lose a game they likely should have won
2) Left tackle Joe Thomas will be selected to the Pro Bowl
Thomas was selected to his fifth straight Pro Bowl on Tuesday, one for every year that he has been in the league. He has been the definition of stability at left tackle for the Browns, something that often feels overlooked until Pro Bowl selections are unveiled each year and fans remember that the team does in fact have a potential Hall of Fame player on its roster.
This Pro Bowl selection is especially significant for Thomas, as he now joins running back Jim Brown as the only other player in Browns history to be selected to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons. This also comes in what has likely been Thomas’ most challenging season, as he had to adjust to losing left guard Eric Steinbach before the season even started and working with rookie Jason Pinkston.
Surprisingly, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson was not selected to the Pro Bowl, despite being second in the NFL in tackles (145) with four sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. However, he was selected as a first alternate, and with the way players drop out of this game, it’s likely that Jackson will be going to Hawaii in the end.
Kick returner/wide receiver Josh Cribbs was selected as a second alternate as a kick returner and a third alternate as a special teamer.