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
Trade Option #1 — Pull out all the stops for Joe Thomas, OT, Cleveland Browns
As I was saying before, I don’t think the Broncos planned on placing Ty Sambrailo on season-ending injured reserve. Let’s look at a quick little timeline of events here, which may or may not be related…
- The Broncos go through a full week of practice with Sambrailo, though limited at times. Looks on pace to possibly play vs. Green Bay.
- Sambrailo is listed as ‘Doubtful’ at the last minute (Friday)
- Rumors emerge on Sunday that Joe Thomas (OT) and Alex Mack (C) are on the block in Cleveland.
- Rumors emerge that Joe Staley (OT, 49ers) can be had in a trade.
- Rumors of Russell Okung (OT, Seahawks) being traded emerge.
- The Broncos announce Sambrailo will miss the rest of the season (Monday)
- John Elway trades for Vernon Davis, doesn’t rule out further moves
If you are a trade deadline conspirator, you might think the Broncos were up to something.
A trade for Joe Thomas makes a ton of sense from a football standpoint. The Broncos need someone to replace Sambrailo over the course of a long season, and there are reports the Browns are willing to listen to a deal. The trade doesn’t make a lot of sense in terms of the fact that the Broncos don’t necessarily have the draft pick real estate to facilitate a move with Cleveland, so they might have to get creative.
Perhaps the inclusion of a guy like Cody Latimer, a wide receiver with a ton of upside, or even a Brock Osweiler (?!?!) would get a deal done. Still, all of that seems like a long shot and something that might only happen in a franchise mode of a Madden video game, but then again, look at the Broncos’ roster…
Next: Trade Option #2