There is no greater way to learn anything than to watch someone who really knows what they’re doing.  Working alongside someone who knows what’s what is an even faster way to get better at anything. It’s possible that Joe Thomas was the best left tackle in the league while he was playing. He’s a physical freak, of course, like all NFL players must be to even get in the league. But it’s obvious that he didn’t rely solely on his size, speed, and strength to make a living as an offensive lineman. He understood the techniques used by his opponents, and developed techniques of his own to counter them.

And all that talent, and all that preparation, and all that analysis and hard work, was used to keep Brandon Weeden et. al. upright long enough to throw a pass into the ground five feet in front of the receiver. No one ever said life was fair.