Browns sign LT Thomas for 7 years

By Mary Kay Cabot

Cleveland Plain Dealer

BEREA

Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas signed a seven-year contract extension on Monday worth up to $84 million.

The extension includes about $44 million guaranteed.

Thomas, who’s made the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons, has made it clear this training camp that he loves playing for the Browns and wanted to remain here.

The feeling is mutual.

“Joe is obviously one of the finer left tackles in the business,’’ said coach Pat Shurmur. “He’s a very, very good pass protector. I guess what’s impressed me is that he’s a fine run-blocker as well. Typically, you find a guy that’s good at one and average at the others, but I think Joe is good in both phases, extremely good.

“He’s big, has good feet, balance and body control. He has pretty good power for a guy that’s a tackle. And he has a feel for the game.

“Usually what makes a player good is kind of a combination and he’s blessed with a lot of those things.’’

Thomas has started all 64 games at left tackle for the Browns and has not missed a snap.

Elsewhere, Josh Cribbs sat out Monday with a hamstring injury sustained late in practice on Sunday. Earlier in camp, he missed a few days with a leg strain.

“I’m feeling pretty good and I’ll be out on the field whenever they say I can do it,” Cribbs said. “All injuries are frustrating, but the most important thing for me is to be ready for the season.”

The star kick returner has been used more at wide receiver in camp and wants to be part of a West Coast offense that Shurmur intends to use to upgrade scoring. Cleveland was last in the NFL with 271 points a year ago.

“Coach is going to give us chances,” Cribbs said. “He’s opening up the playbook. I like that.”

Cribbs said second-year quarterback Colt McCoy is running the offense well. McCoy threw three touchdown passes to give Cleveland an early lead Friday night in a game the Browns eventually lost to Detroit 30-28.

“Colt surprises me every day,” Cribbs said. “He’s smart and getting the playbook down pat.”

Also, tight end Evan Moore, who had two TD catches against Detroit, sat out with a concussion sustained later in the game against the Lions. Tackle Eric Steinbach and running back Brandon Jackson were not even on the field. Steinbach has been out with back tightness and Jackson is rehabbing a toe injury.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.