This is the final installment of my three-part Thud series. The first was Johnny Manziel, and the second was Josh Gordon. Well, let's get on to the next J: Justin Gilbert. For the record, I would like to give an honorable mention to Ben Tate, who I really thought was going to be the running back that I thought Trent Richardson was going to be. Ahhh, thus the life of a Browns fan. Moving on.

But Gilbert was going to be a shutdown! Right?! He and Joe Haden were going to bring back those glory days of Dixon and Minnifield. The offense, which had 6 straight seasons of pinpoint ineptitude, wasn't going to get any help - this was before the juggernaut Manziel was chosen, Mr. Part One of the Thud series - but at least we could slow down Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger.
Well, Haden held up his end of the bargain, though it took two or three games to get there. Gilbert? Sometimes he couldn't even get on the field.

I can't see this guy being a starter. I know that he only just finished his rookie season, but his defense should not be that bad. Yes, wiley veterans will use tricks to get open, but it seemed apparent that running in a straight line could get you open against Gilbert.

As far as being a letdown, definitely Manziel was the biggest Thud of the year, with Gordon pulling a close second for the same reason: Hype. Except at least Gordon had actually done something in the NFL. Gilbert had very little expectation - besides where he was drafted - to live up to.

Can he do it? Can Gilbert get back on track? Wait, not "back"....just "on track"? I don't know. I'm certainly not hopeful. Joe Haden was not like this as a rookie. Nowhere close. Joe Haden is a shutdown corner. Justin Gilbert is not. He's a Thud.
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