BEREA: When Browns eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas lines up across from Oakland Raiders defensive end Khalil Mack on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, Thomas will face the player he considers the modern-day version of Lawrence Taylor.
Thomas marvels at Mack after encountering him during his rookie season last year when the Browns defeated the Raiders 23-13 at home. He knows protecting quarterback Josh McCown from Mack will be vital when the Browns (1-1) meet the Raiders (1-1) again.
But comparisons to Taylor raise eyebrows because the legendary pass rusher enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 redefined the way the outside linebacker position was played.