Cleveland Browns avoid PR disaster, don’t trade Joe Thomas
By Thomas Moore
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas (73) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos came calling, but the NFL trading deadline came and went Tuesday afternoon and Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas is still a member of the Cleveland Browns.
“I didn’t shop anyone but I definitely listened.” – General manager Ray Farmer
The Browns reportedly listened to the Broncos, but being in a position where they did not have to do anything, general manager Ray Farmer did not budge as the Broncos were unwilling to meet the price to acquire a future Hall of Famer who is still in his prime.
According to Troy Renck at The Denver Post:
"In the end, the deal fizzled over the amount of compensation Cleveland wanted, not because of the 2 p.m. deadline or money. The Broncos were poised to restructure contracts, meaning the salary cap would not have been an issue in taking on Thomas’ remaining $4.15 million this season, according to an NFL source. The Browns’ asking price was deemed too high. While there were different mutations, Cleveland sought Denver’s first and second-round picks in the 2016 draft at different points in the discussions."
“You talk about the Cleveland Browns and (Joe’s) is usually the first name you think of,” head coach Mike Pettine said in his Tuesday press conference. “He is one of the best players I have ever coached. From a personal standpoint, one of my favorite guys I have been around. On the field, off the field, he has been outstanding for us.”
If the Browns had actually pulled the trigger on a deal it would have been the worst trade by the franchise since sending Paul Warfield to the Miami Dolphins in 1970, and would resulted in the biggest public relations nightmare since cutting Bernie Kosar in 1993.
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Despite more than 48 hours of rumors that the Browns were holding a fire sale – something that NFL teams never do at the trading deadline – for Alex Mack, Paul Kruger and Barkevious Mingo, no deals were made.
“The stuff that’s out there, how it gets out – it was unfortunate that the stuff would get put out when it got put out on gameday. All that does is just add to the adversity that you have to deal with as a team, the equivalent of throwing a grenade in the locker room,” Pettine said of the unfounded rumors. “You have guys that are focused trying to get ready for a game and somebody is going to put out a report about players potentially being shopped and how that spread. It’s disappointing that it happens, but I get it that it’s a part of the business.
“We talk about when things aren’t going the way you want them to go – I addressed this after the Rams game – it adds up to it’s the adversity that we deal with, and it’s something that we don’t have control over. It’s a good test of mental toughness and professionalism and all that. It’s not easy when you talk to those guys and know that or you see a comment like Joe Thomas – he’s a Brown; wants to stay a Brown. Alex Mack, the feeling is mutual with Alex. We love having him here and don’t want to see him go.”
Now that the trading deadline has come and gone, the Browns can get back to work on trying to figure out how to turn around a 2-6 season, starting with Thursday’s primetime game against the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.