I'll go back further than that and raise you one Anthony Munoz. Regardless, the LT position has been the premium and high-paying position on the OL long before anyone ever heard of Michael Oher. The insinuation is just laughable.
Right but the direct escalation of pay in the modern era is tied to Walter Jones being franchised like 3 times in a row. From 2002 to 2004 by being tagged over and over, he raises the pay from $4.9 to $7 mil a year.
Just like Flacco getting a deal bigger than Brees, the water raised by the lead man raises all boats, Walter Jones single handily raised LT pay but over 50% in 4 years when he finally signed a long-term deal.