Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas believes some younger players in the NFL have a tough time of getting through losses. The 32-year-old thinks it could especially be tougher for those players who have been on the better college teams. Though one of the best in the league at his position, 10-time Pro Bowl Thomas remained loyal to the Browns -- one of the most struggling franchises in the league in recent years.
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is the most recent case of taking it hard to accept a loss. The 22-year-old didn't seem to be giving his best at the end of the game between his side and the Denver Broncos.
The Broncos dominated the Cowboys 42-17 to open up a 2-0 record on the season. Thomas said "the problem" for the younger players is that they "have to learn how
Thomas said "the problem" for the younger players is that they "have to learn how to lose'' as these guys are coming off from college ''where they didn't lose a lot, and so as soon as things are going poorly it’s easy for those guys to just throw in the towel,'' per Larry Brown Sports. The offensive tackle opinioned exactly that was the case with Elliott in Week 2.
Elliott adjusted to winning
Elliott has been much about winning so far in his life. Elliott claimed the NCAA college football championships in 2014 with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The 22-year-old's college success also included the 2014 Big Ten champion and 2015 Big Ten MVP honors. Elliott shined during his rookie season with Dallas last year. The fourth overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft led the league in rushing yards during his rookie season. He was a big factor in Cowboys locking down the No. 1 seed for the playoffs following their 13-3 regular season record.
Thomas noted Dallas had a ''tremendous'' campaign a year ago, before adding: ''He came from an organization in college at Ohio State that hardly ever lost.''
Thomas then added sometimes those guys don't "know how to handle it and understand" they have to play at the "highest level" and give their all no matter what the situation is.
Learning on the hard way
Elliott has been criticized since the conclusion of the Cowboys and a Broncos game. The running back has often been criticized for his controversial off-court behavior so far in his career. However, his on-court dedication and passion have always been high as his performances speak for itself.
Thomas opinioned that "sometimes it takes public shaming" to learn that you can't quit if you are losing. The Browns veteran also acknowledged to Elliott that type of behavior is ''not acceptable'' in the league and you don't play the game that way. The 32-year-old, in the end, expressed his hope that Elliott will ''learn from that situation.''
