Joe Thomas: Indispensable

While we continue to read up on training camp coverage, ESPN has put together their annual list of the most indispensable players in the NFL. Last season's list featured a few great names like Michael Vick and Larry Johnson - two guys that have undoubtedly not made the 2008 version. While I never thought I would see the day that a Cleveland Brown would be considered indispensable, our day has arrived. 8. Joe Thomas Thomas makes this list because you can't talk about indispensable players without mentioning at least one offensive lineman. And while there are bigger names at the position ? such as Seattle's Walter Jones and St. Louis' Orlando Pace ? no lineman meant more to his team's success last season than Thomas. His mere presence stabilized a Browns offensive line that had been historically lousy and he made Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson feel much better about what was happening on Anderson's blind side. It's rare for a rookie to have...