The Denver Bengals

[-Slap-]

Keep making us proud, Mike. I know you're probably still kicking yourself for missing out on Meriweather in round two, but trading away all of day two, plus a third rounder next year, for a guy who was kicked off the eventual National Champion was a great recovery.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4548/prisonst0.jpg

[BroncoInferno]

He smoked weed, Slap. He didn't assault an old lady or get caught with an arsenal of assault weapons. Big deal.

[Barry Ramey]

He smoked weed, Slap. He didn't assault an old lady or get caught with an arsenal of assault weapons. Big deal.

Exactly? I don't get the overreaction by some people. I guess they'd feel better the Broncos stayed in the 6th and 7th round and took a couple guys with little chance of making the team, much less ever doing anything.

[Kaylore]

I agree with BI. You're really overreacting to this. He's not a thug or a gang banger. He hasn't been arrested for anything. He was a college kid who smoked weed in college like a lot of kids in college. He also made some mistakes, but there are many times when guys like that are watching their careers dissolve in front of them, when someone reaches down and offers them a chance they appreciate it more. It's not like we're giving him first round money.

[Atlas]

I smoked some weed in school and I recovered. Of course I threw away my NFL career in the process.

[Odysseus]

All hail the Denver Bengals!

Don't worry -Slap-. The Broncos plan on a day down in Canon City for a scared straight weekend. Of course that could backfire they might like it.

I like the picks. Thomas and Moss are going to be fine. Foxworth is being sent to their rooms with a charged up cattle prod, ankle bracelets, and lots of music from Guy Lombardo.

Golly Gee. Isn't our new defensive line going to be swell?

[maven]

Omfg!!!! T3h 3vil Weeed3r!!!!! 3hanne Suckhorz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[loborugger]

I am with you, Slap.

Dude had more than just pot issues. Dude had to do his pro day off campus. Dude had teammate issues.

Besides, it was only pot. Its not like people who come into lots of money and already have pot issues dont go on to bigger and harder drugs. Never happens.

Time will tell - maybe he gets the Clarret treatment. Maybe he goes Rod Smith and cleans up. But I aint holding my breath.

[bpc]

Yep. Don't jail the guy. He made a mistake. The reason I'm hearing is that he got kicked off of UF wasn't about the weed, it was about a contact with an agent during the season and UF had no choice.

Something for you guys to read: I found this when I drafted Thomas in my mock draft for St. Louis.


Alright, let the Marijuana jokes begin however let me say that Marcus Thomas played in five games, posted 4 sacks and 26 tackles against Tennessee,LSU, Auburn, UCF and Georgia.

To explain a little bit more into my insight I equate the situation to that of one Warren Sapp coming out. He also had a couple of Marijuana accusations against him as a senior and it caused him to slide. He ended up being a huge steal for the Bucs which help lead to his resurgance.

That info alone didn't motivate me to make this move. I had him graded as a 4th rounder if he happened to slide that far. The more I thought about it though and the more I researched him I came across this letter shortly after the suspension which he wrote to gator country off of rivals.com:

An Open Letter To Gators From Marcus Thomas

By Marcus Thomas
GatorCountry.com
Posted Nov 6, 2006

Monday evening, senior defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, who has been permanently dismissed from the Florida Gators football team, reached out to Gator Country, asking us to print an open letter to Gator Nation on his behalf.

Dear Gator Nation:
First off, I would like to thank the Gator fans for making the last 3-1/2 years of my life very memorable. Gator fans are the best in the world, and are a main reason why I chose Florida over all other colleges that recruited me. There is no better feeling than running out the tunnel in The Swamp or getting a sack in front of 90,000 fans. Secondly, I'd like to thank the coaching staff, especially Coach Mattison and Coach Strong, who are not only great coaches but great people.

I would like to take this time to apologize to the fans, coaches, and my teammates for letting them down. I loved being a Gator and I love playing football, even through pain and never missing a start due to injury. I made a bad decision at a party this past off-season. It was the first time I had been in any kind of trouble in my life and I deserved to be suspended the first game of the season. It was difficult for me to watch the opening game from the sidelines, but I was excited to help my team beat Tennessee in Knoxville, which was a first for us seniors.

When I thought my bad decision was behind me, I was given a longer suspension. It was frustrating to be told I was going to miss that many games of the season. It was not the way I saw my senior year going down when I chose to come back. Many people passed judgment on me and it was hard going from seeing your name in the paper and on the news for three years for great things, then suddenly everyone's talking about how bad you are. One of the disadvantages of being a football player in the spotlight is that one mistake is seen by everyone.

I apologize most of all to the kids who look up to me and promise to be a better role model in the future. Soon after, my name was cleared and my suspension was lifted. At drug rehab, I felt like I didn't belong. I knew my mistake was months behind me so I didn't see the point. I realize now that I was wrong and I should have done everything the coaches asked me to do no matter what I thought. That's what a good football player does. I'm also aware that I've affected my draft status but me and "Scoop" will work even harder at the next level to make up for it. Once again I am truly sorry for what has happened and I blame no one but myself. I'm now the #1 Gator fan in the world and hope my boys can ride out of Atlanta with a ring.

Sincerely,
Marcus Thomas



I feel he is truly sorry for his actions and he is ready to move forward in his football career.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Seriously, its not a big deal. Hopefully he'll get the **** straightened out. But smoking weed doesnt make someone a bad person. Id much rather be around someone who is high rather than someone who is drunk

[AboveAverage]

Who here went to college and didn't smoke weed?

[BroncoInferno]

What is particularly odd to me is the Slap enthusiastically endorsed the idea of trading for Ricky Williams, who also had issues with weed, but hates this guy. What is the difference?

[Barry Ramey]

I guess some people were happy with the DL as it was and/or hoping to find that hidden gem in the 6th and 7th round, which is so usual for potentially great DL to reside.

[eddie mac]

We used 8 draft picks on 4 players. At least 3 better pan out or this will be another turd draft.

[maven]

Who here went to college and didn'tsmoke weed?

Obviously Slap.

[WABronco]

Ohhh WAHHHHHHHHHH!

Meriweather was drafted by Belichick, in case you missed that.

We gave up two late rounders and next year's third (we'll have two 4ths) for a top 15 talent. The only way that's a bad deal is if he ****s up, and if he does, he's gone.

BIG ****ING DEAL

[DenverBrit]

The kid smokes a joint and now he's the second coming of Satan....
Shanny is a POS, the Broncos have been corrupted and now rival the Bengals as the NFL disgrace?? Unbelievable!! :kiddingme

[Rohirrim]

Smoking weed does not make you a bad person. It does get you kicked out of the NFL.

[BroncoSoja]

What is particularly odd to me is the Slap enthusiastically endorsed the idea of trading for Ricky Williams, who also had issues with weed, but hates this guy. What is the difference?

Typical -Slap-, what else is new.

[BroncoSoja]

Smoking weed does not make you a bad person. It does get you kicked out of the NFL.


Yeah testing positive twice in a one month period in 3 1/2 years shows that he will have problems in the NFL....

[DenverBrit]

What is particularly odd to me is the Slap enthusiastically endorsed the idea of trading for Ricky Williams, who also had issues with weed, but hates this guy. What is the difference?

You've nicely defined hypocrisy.

[Kaylore]

Who here went to college and didn't smoke weed?

Me, but I'm Mormon and went to BYU. ;D

The more I read about this guy, the more I think it was no big deal. He didn't have teammate issues, he has never been arrested, and his inability to play in the pro-day was because of issues with his agent - who is putting language in the contract that would protect whoever he plays for from loss of too much money in the event that his "hobby" shows up again.

Remember this is a first round talent. He was a better prospect physically than guys like Tank Tyler, Quinn Pittcock, or Paul Soliali. He's a good player. Our front four is going to be awesome.

[Dagmar]

Slap, this thread is retarded. Mock retarded.

[GonzoLays]

This thread is teh gey.

[bpc]

People can say what they want... Marcus Thomas, if he had played all of last year would have been the first DT taken, bar none.

Higher than Okoye (who also smoked weed by the way!)

WAY higher than Branch.

This is going to be a steal.

With this draft we have replenished our DE position with talent, and given ourselves a starter at DT.

Big win IMO.

[DenverBrit]

I am with you, Slap.

Dude had more than just pot issues. Dude had to do his pro day off campus. Dude had teammate issues.



You sound stoned, Dude! ;D

[sirhcyennek81]

I dont get this. We needed linemen, and we got them, 3 of the 4 played for a school that became a national champion, and the 4th is a prototypical Bronco O-lineman. Our issues last season boiled down to the play of both lines, which noticeably collapsed as the season progressed. I am honestly shocked the offensive output improved with Jay behind center the way it did. I like what I am seeing on the defensive line, you have experience in Lang, Ekuban and Engleberger, and youth and explosive talent in Dumerville and Moss. In Crowder you get a solid all around defensive end who can play the run. The only issue I see is the lack of a solid 4th DT to rotate in.

:Broncos:

[Clockwork Orange]

Let's just see if Shanahan's latest low character selection can actually make it through training camp. That would give him a leg up on the last one.

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/img/08-05/0830clarett.jpg

[Killericon]

-Slap-'s just bitter we didn't draft any linebackers.

Of course, so am I...

[mhgaffney]

I admire Shanahan for cutting through the hype and giving the kid another chance.

What the hell is character, anyway?

It's about learning from your mistakes. Let he who never made one cast the first stone. As someone once said...

If Thomas is really a first round talent who fell because of "character issues", one year hence we may look back on this pick as one of the steals of the 07 draft.

[55CrushEm]

Kind of funny that Slap started this thread....and at the same time in the other "Marcus Thomas" thread stated in one of the latest posts that he was willing to give everyone who came into Denver a clean slate.

So which is it?

Talk about an overreaction......as many have stated....HE'S NEVER BEEN ARRESTED !! This is not Pacman Jones we're talking about here......jeeeesh.

[Odysseus]

We used 8 draft picks on 4 players. At least 3 better pan out or this will be another turd draft.

You are SOOOO right...if it goes down that way. That would be harsh.

I wish there was a way I could pull the doubters into a pile and take on all comers. I think I could clean up.

It IS a risk but I think it's a good one.

Right now I would not mind seeing us steal a linebacker from somewhere.

[Nuggets4]

ESPN just mentioned the dude got busted with GHB. That's the date rape drug. There's a HUGE red flag there. This is more than just weed...

[WABronco]

ESPN just mentioned the dude got busted with GHB. That's the date rape drug. There's a HUGE red flag there. This is more than just weed...

It's a party drug. He wasn't going to rape someone...

[GonzoLays]

So much freaking bitching going on. Booo freaking hooo, Shanahan drafted a guy who smoked weed. WHHHAAAA.

Who freaking cares. Can he make a tackle? Can he penetrate the backfield and disrupt the offense? That's all the ****ing matters.

The only problem I see is that posters like Slap put these athletes on pedestals and worship them. All you need to worry about Slap is whether this guy performs on the field. His private life should not get you this worked up, you know. Get a grip.

[Barry Ramey]

ESPN just reported that Thomas and his agent have been sending drug tests he's taken since his suspension to all the teams showing he's clean and changing his ways, so we'll see.

[cutthemdown]

Broncos had a great draft. The dline is totally solved people. This dude is the best player out of all the ones we drafted.

[-Slap-]

I think marijuana is great and I think its retarded that its illegal. Its far less harmful than alcohol and many prescription drugs. I'm fully aware most of the players in the League smoke pot from time to time and I don't begrudge them a bit.

The issue isn't smoking a little Uncle Mike, its the string of bad decisions Thomas made after the first time he got into trouble. For him to have alienated the people in Gainesville to the point where they didn't even want him on their campus for pro day says a lot.

Like I said, as far as I'm concerned, the young man comes in with a clean slate. I won't rip him until he gives me a reason and I'll root for him to square his life away. I'm just tired of Shanahan gambling on high risk characters. It hasn't paid off, except for a couple decent seasons from McGlockton, and its had a negative effect on the franchise.

[-Slap-]

So much freaking b****ing going on. Booo freaking hooo, Shanahan drafted a guy who smoked weed. WHHHAAAA.

Who freaking cares. Can he make a tackle? Can he penetrate the backfield and disrupt the offense? That's all the ****ing matters.

The only problem I see is that posters like Slap put these athletes on pedestals and worship them. All you need to worry about Slap is whether this guy performs on the field. His private life should not get you this worked up, you know. Get a grip.

Personally, I couldn't care less if he's one in the long line of guys who've cornholed you, Gonzo. I have a problem with people who violate team rules to point of getting kicked off their team and banned from their campus. Anybody with any sense would have concerns about that.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Personally, I couldn't care less if he's one in the long line of guys who've cornholed you, Gonzo. I have a problem with people who violate team rules to point of getting kicked off their team and banned from their campus. Anybody with any sense would have concerns about that.

I have to agree with Gonzo on this one. Why is everyone gettin bent out of shape, its not like we have to deal with them on a personal level. There are a lot o interesting charactetrs in the NFL...and as Thomas said himself in his combine interview...he got caught in with the wrong crowd. It's worth the risk and its not like he's going to upset the balance of the locker room.

everyone needs to relax. It was a nice, solid draft

[eddie mac]

Seems the actual drug taking isn't the major issue it's the fact this idiot wasted chance after chance to redeem himself. He is totally ****ed if he comes into this league with that same stinking attitude.

[fontaine]

The issue is with the guy's character.

I'm willing to give him a chance (We gave MoClo a chance) but that doesn't change the fact that he made some very questionable decisions at a crucial time in his life leading up to the draft that got him suspended from the team.

Whats the point in trying to make light of what he did? Enough teams thought badly of him to let him drop to the 2nd day so the signs were clearly there, so let's not argue with that.

He's an ass clown, but he's our ass clown but one strike and you're out.

[-Slap-]

Seems the actual drug taking isn't the major issue it's the fact this idiot wasted chance after chance to redeem himself. He is totally ****ed if he comes into this league with that same stinking attitude.

Exactly, but people want to put their fingers in their ears and sing "lalalalala" when you try and explain that to them.

[TDmvp]

lamesass thread of the day

[Rock Chalk]

Personally, I couldn't care less if he's one in the long line of guys who've cornholed you, Gonzo. I have a problem with people who violate team rules to point of getting kicked off their team and banned from their campus. Anybody with any sense would have concerns about that.

Thats a fair point Jim.

And if he does it in the NFL he will get released. The weed thing isnt a big deal IMO. The string of bad decisions may be a big deal, but only time will tell.

Most every adult here knows people under the age of 25 (and some older than that) are morons. Every one of them. They think they got the world figured out when in reality, all they know is that they think they know something.

We all made bad decisions in our lives, particularly when we were younger. The question is, has he learned from it? None of us know. But what I saw in his interview was a man who was hurt and embarrassed and hungry for a chance to prove he isnt a ****head. The man was respectful, and answered all the questions asked of him politely even though were it me I would have went off on those vultures.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for being a dumbass in college. Everyone is college is a dumbass. It takes the real world to learn how to not be a dumbass afterall.

[Bronco Yoda]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v30/netizen/Bronco%20Avs/yodadown_20_26_20out.jpg

I got a DT like I was wanting (ok maybe not THE guy..... but this could be a steal if we can keep him on the field)

now let's party!!!!!

oYoduuua apffrovess off thhhhhis ppppppppppppppick.

[CBF1]

Slappy.... get that 2 x 4 out of your a$$ already. Get over us not trading up for Willis. You know as well as the rest of us that DLine was our greatest need and Shanny and Co have gone a long way into fixing it.

Hugs and kisses,
CBF1 :)

[-Slap-]

Thats a fair point Jim.

And if he does it in the NFL he will get released. The weed thing isnt a big deal IMO. The string of bad decisions may be a big deal, but only time will tell.

Most every adult here knows people under the age of 25 (and some older than that) are morons. Every one of them. They think they got the world figured out when in reality, all they know is that they think they know something.

We all made bad decisions in our lives, particularly when we were younger. The question is, has he learned from it? None of us know. But what I saw in his interview was a man who was hurt and embarrassed and hungry for a chance to prove he isnt a ****head. The man was respectful, and answered all the questions asked of him politely even though were it me I would have went off on those vultures.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for being a dumbass in college. Everyone is college is a dumbass. It takes the real world to learn how to not be a dumbass afterall.

I'm hoping that's the case.

We all make mistakes. We've all done things we regret. That's part of being human. Its how we react after we fall that's important. When Marcus was punished, he responded with indifference and defiance. Hopefully, he's learned that an attitude like that will get him nowhere in the long run. He's saying all the right things now and its quite possible he believes what he's saying.

[Triplelefthook]

so long as he isnt getting his goose on in training camp i'll be happy

[bendog]

Who here went to college and didn't smoke weed?

Old Dude. He graduated in 1961, when only the black guys had weed. (only kidding)

[-Slap-]

Slappy.... get that 2 x 4 out of your a$$ already. Get over us not trading up for Willis. You know as well as the rest of us that DLine was our greatest need and Shanny and Co have gone a long way into fixing it.

Hugs and kisses,
CBF1 :)

You know the old cliche about a guy not being able to help the team from the trainer's table?

He can't help you from the suspended list, either.

:kiss:



Please don't mention the Grand Canyonesque hole #56's departure has left in our linebacking corps. It reminds me traded away any chance of addressing that glaring need by condensing eight draft picks into four players.

[ward63]

Who here went to college and didn't smoke weed?

Me!

[-Slap-]

Old Dude. He graduated in 1961, when only the black guys had weed. (only kidding)

Who do you think was selling the weed to the black guys?

[bronco610]

Me, but I'm Mormon and went to BYU. ;D

The more I read about this guy, the more I think it was no big deal. He didn't have teammate issues, he has never been arrested, and his inability to play in the pro-day was because of issues with his agent - who is putting language in the contract that would protect whoever he plays for from loss of too much money in the event that his "hobby" shows up again.

Remember this is a first round talent. He was a better prospect physically than guys like Tank Tyler, Quinn Pittcock, or Paul Soliali. He's a good player. Our front four is going to be awesome.

Mormon?:pray:

[Odysseus]

Exactly, but people want to put their fingers in their ears and sing "lalalalala" when you try and explain that to them.

I don't think most of the posters are blind to this guy. We've all been burned backing horses that never got out of the barn. As long as this guy doesn't hook up with Deon Sanders, Terrell Owen or start acting like Floyd Mayweather I am not going to be concerned about him.

[theAPAOps5]

He didn't get busted with GHB he busted with GHB in him. You never know how that happens. My best friend at CU got roofied by who we have no clue but he did. It was probably meant for someone else but he got it. Its easy to assume but when you don't have all the details you shouldn't rush to judge.

[GonzoLays]

Personally, I couldn't care less if he's one in the long line of guys who've cornholed you, Gonzo. I have a problem with people who violate team rules to point of getting kicked off their team and banned from their campus. Anybody with any sense would have concerns about that.

That is Shanahan's job, fool. Did you do a background check on him? Did you talk to sources familiar with his situation? The Broncos did and they felt comfortable trading a third round pick for the guy. Get it? They know more about the guy than you ever will and they feel satisfied enough with what they found out to invest in him.

Think about it, if Happy Trailers Inc. found out about the time you got caught taking horse tranquilizers and smoking crack in the back of a rented Winnebago with three call-boy midgets, then you never would have gotten your "25 year anniversary Happy Trailer INC" pin for being the best front desk clerk they ever had. You turned out alright, didn't you?

Everybody has a checkered past, so don't judge, fooool.

[BroncoBuff]

I agree with BI. You're really overreacting to this. He's not a thug or a gang banger. He hasn't been arrested for anything. He was a college kid who smoked weed in college like a lot of kids in college. He also made some mistakes, but there are many times when guys like that are watching their careers dissolve in front of them, when someone reaches down and offers them a chance they appreciate it more. It's not like we're giving him first round money.

Exactly.

And remember - Shanahan is close friends with Gator AD Jeremy Foley. Plus the staff had a chance to talk to Jarvis Moss - who was at Dove Valley before the pick was made. Armed with the inside "dope" from those two - Shanahan actually traded UP.

And the semi-hysteria about 'character' in the league lately also caused Thomas to drop even lower than he would have in other years.


He's not Amobi Okoye ... but he IS Justin Harrell, and the value on this pick is through the roof.

[BroncoBuff]

I still want Jenkins too, though ...

[boltaneer]

He didn't get busted with GHB he busted with GHB in him. You never know how that happens. My best friend at CU got roofied by who we have no clue but he did. It was probably meant for someone else but he got it. Its easy to assume but when you don't have all the details you shouldn't rush to judge.

Ahh, kind of like a tainted supplement. :)

[bendog]

Thats a fair point Jim.

And if he does it in the NFL he will get released. The weed thing isnt a big deal IMO. The string of bad decisions may be a big deal, but only time will tell.

Most every adult here knows people under the age of 25 (and some older than that) are morons. Every one of them. They think they got the world figured out when in reality, all they know is that they think they know something.

We all made bad decisions in our lives, particularly when we were younger. The question is, has he learned from it? None of us know. But what I saw in his interview was a man who was hurt and embarrassed and hungry for a chance to prove he isnt a ****head. The man was respectful, and answered all the questions asked of him politely even though were it me I would have went off on those vultures.

I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for being a dumbass in college. Everyone is college is a dumbass. It takes the real world to learn how to not be a dumbass afterall.

Also, he got into it with a coach who hadn't recuited him. A new guy who got huge bucks coming into a high profile program. Not to excuse the kid, but a new coach has to establish his authority. Kid just lost the biggest payday of his life. If he gets it together, he gets another shot in 4 years.

[Popps]

Smoking weed does not make you a bad person.

Definitely not.

But, while I admittedly don't smoke.... I will say that the large majority of regular weed smokers I've run into suffer from a lack of motivation ranging from minor to severe.

Of course, it's hard to tell what you're looking at in situations like this. Is the guy a regular smoker, or a typical young kid... trying something a couple of times?

On top of that, it sounds like there are deeper issues. I don't know much about the kid. Time to do some research.

[Odysseus]

Please don't mention the Grand Canyonesque hole #56's departure has left in our linebacking corps. It reminds me traded away any chance of addressing that glaring need by condensing eight draft picks into four players.

I sincerely feel your pain. I don't think D.J. is our answer at MLB. I don't see Ian coming back next year. Broncos are going to have address LB high next year and Safety if one of public relations players are more myth than magic.

[AboveAverage]

so long as he isnt getting his goose on in training camp i'll be happy

Who here has started a new job and not got their goose on?

:~ohyah!:

[SonOfLe-loLang]

I sincerely feel your pain. I don't think D.J. is our answer at MLB. I don't see Ian coming back next year. Broncos are going to have address LB high next year and Safety if one of public relations players are more myth than magic.

Shanny was ready to unload 56 for a 3rd or 4th round draft pick BEFORE he was considered injured. I dont think there was a canyon sized hole in the linebacking core

[Rock Chalk]

Definitely not.

But, while I admittedly don't smoke.... I will say that the large majority of regular weed smokers I've run into suffer from a lack of motivation ranging from minor to severe.

Of course, it's hard to tell what you're looking at in situations like this. Is the guy a regular smoker, or a typical young kid... trying something a couple of times?

On top of that, it sounds like there are deeper issues. I don't know much about the kid. Time to do some research.

I'll tell you what happened Popps. Ive been able to read between the lines and, like Marcus, I was young and stupid once too. (I know, with all my brilliance, its hard to believe huh?).

Look, he got popped for smokin the doobage. Urban Meyer suspended him for a game then basically put him on probation where he had to follow some strict rules. Thinking this was too unfair for someone who just smoked once, and believing he was above football, he failed to live up to the conditions of reinstatement. Thats when he realized he was a dumbass, but by then it was too late.

Same thing happened to me the first time I was on probation. Sadly, I didnt get to go on to make a few hundred K a year after I served my sentence :(

[Odysseus]

Shanny was ready to unload 56 for a 3rd or 4th round draft pick BEFORE he was considered injured. I dont think there was a canyon sized hole in the linebacking core

Al Wilson is going to be missed.

[Killericon]

Shanny was ready to unload 56 for a 3rd or 4th round draft pick BEFORE he was considered injured. I dont think there was a canyon sized hole in the linebacking core

Really? How do you know when Shanahan knew he was injured? How do you get this insider info, and why don't you let us in on it more often?

[Requiem]

Almost as lame as you go telling me to **** my mother like I always do after the selection happened.

Get over it.

[DeusExManning]

6 and 7 historically has little effect on the draft, there are exceptions but in terms of DT, Marcus Thomas can play the role of Warren Sapp. Lynch will be a great influence, Shanny knows right away. Watch Shanny's presser and you will be convinced as well. Shanny stated that there are several huge players in Bronco's history that nobody knows about. Thomas fits into that category. 5 games 4 sacks and several tackles last season. When I watched him play I just said what a beast. Years of experienced decisionmaking is at work here. Trust it. Go Broncos!

[theAPAOps5]

Ahh, kind of like a tainted supplement. :)

No not at all like that cheater you guys have. First he didn't try to get people to believe he too something accidentially, at least from what I have read. Second GHB is not performance enhancing like Cheaters "supplements" were.

Now I said I don't know how it happened but gave a very plausible scenario. Blaming a positive test on tainted steroids when no one else got those is completely bunk. Come on Bolt you are better than that.

[ØrangeÇrush]

Keep making us proud, Mike. I know you're probably still kicking yourself for missing out on Meriweather in round two, but trading away all of day two, plus a third rounder next year, for a guy who was kicked off the eventual National Champion was a great recovery.



We are out raidering the raiders....

[cmhargrove]

Let's just see if Shanahan's latest low character selection can actually make it through training camp. That would give him a leg up on the last one.

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/img/08-05/0830clarett.jpg

A) Let's be honest here, the problem wasn't his (Maurice's) criminal side, it was that he was soft and didn't want to compete. If he ran like his freshman year at Ohio State, we'd all be kissin' his butt right now.

B) I posed the question on another thread - "what did you think of Mike Anderson after he smoked pot?" Give him another chance, or burn him?

C) What about our new star, Travis Henry?

D) A lot of people around here would have been happy with Jamal Lewis or Ricky Williams taking an incentive laden contract and competing for a spot.

E) What about our new starting MLB DJ Williams. Does he get another shot after his DUI?

F) People around here still want Jenkins after his alcohol problems.

G) What is the big deal about GHB, I don't like it either but it's certainly no worse than pot if he learned his lesson. What was he going to do, rape himself? Damn masturbator!!!

Give short rope, give chance to succeed, incentive laden contract, give the best players a chance to compete. Shanahan will take chances, but he will also kick some a$$ if they cross the line. Look at Sauerbrun. Might have cost us a trip to the playoffs by cutting him, that wasn't easy.

[sirhcyennek81]

A) Let's be honest here, the problem wasn't his (Maurice's) criminal side, it was that he was soft and didn't want to compete. If he ran like his freshman year at Ohio State, we'd all be kissin' his butt right now.

B) I posed the question on another thread - "what did you think of Mike Anderson after he smoked pot?" Give him another chance, or burn him?

C) What about our new star, Travis Henry?

D) A lot of people around here would have been happy with Jamal Lewis or Ricky Williams taking an incentive laden contract and competing for a spot.

E) What about our new starting MLB DJ Williams. Does he get another shot after his DUI?

F) People around here still want Jenkins after his alcohol problems.

G) What is the big deal about GHB, I don't like it either but it's certainly no worse than pot if he learned his lesson. What was he going to do, rape himself? Damn masturbator!!!

Give short rope, give chance to succeed, incentive laden contract, give the best players a chance to compete. Shanahan will take chances, but he will also kick some a$$ if they cross the line. Look at Sauerbrun. Might have cost us a trip to the playoffs by cutting him, that wasn't easy.


I was with you until G. That is the only thing that really bothers me about Thomas, is that he attempted to use it in the first place. Pot is a who cares deal...GHB...thats incredibly serious and its kind of juvenile to make light of it.


:Broncos:

[Wes Mantooth]

1. This guy will be cheap
2. If he works out he will be great
3. If he doesn't work out he's gone.

What is the problem?

[FloridaResident]

its confirmed... slap the worst poster ever

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

He smoked weed, Slap. He didn't assault an old lady or get caught with an arsenal of assault weapons. Big deal.

He quit on his team by being to lazy to show up for counceling sessions after four positive tests in 8 weeks. How does that speak to his ability to accept coaching? I have a friend whose father is a prof at UF and he is an alumni and they both say this guy had no business even being on the UF team from the beginning. If Meyer had been his coach from the beginning he would have been shipped off to some no name community college his first year. If he is son damn good, why wouldn't he show up for personal workouts in at least some type of shape? Why did the Florida defense play better in the games this year when he was off the team? Thomas = Clarett.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I have to agree with Gonzo on this one. Why is everyone gettin bent out of shape, its not like we have to deal with them on a personal level. There are a lot o interesting charactetrs in the NFL...and as Thomas said himself in his combine interview...he got caught in with the wrong crowd. It's worth the risk and its not like he's going to upset the balance of the locker room.

everyone needs to relax. It was a nice, solid draft

What people fail to understand is that if this guy gets suspended, the Broncos have lost the chance to add a productive player and with the new conduct rules the team will be penalized. That can be cash, salary cap reduction or loss of a draft choice based solely upon the commissioner's discretion.

[Dedhed]

You know the old cliche about a guy not being able to help the team from the trainer's table?

He can't help you from the suspended list, either.


Is Thomas ineligible for the NFL?

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

He's not Amobi Okoye ... but he IS Justin Harrell, and the value on this pick is through the roof.

BS - He will never be Harrell. Harrell gave 100% all of the time. Thomas couldn't get his lazy ass out of bed to go to a counceling session.

[Dedhed]

What people fail to understand is that if this guy gets suspended, the Broncos have lost the chance to add a prductive player and with the new condust rules the team will be penalized. that can be cahs, salary cap reduction or loss of a draft choice based solely upon the commissioner's discrection.

Given the Broncos track record as a franchise it would take multiple offenses by more than one player before Goodell gave any cap/cash/draft pick penalties to the Broncos. At least we've gotten the over reaction of the year out of the way before camp started.

Slappy is just laying down the rhetoric in the hopes that Thomas will mess up and he can temporarily placate his insatiable ego with a giant -SLAP- on his own back, and an "I told you I was right, as I always am".

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

[QUOTE=Dedhed;1570740]Given the Broncos track record as a franchise it would take multiple offenses by more than one player before Goodell gave any cap/cash/draft pick penalties to the Broncos. At least we've gotten the over reaction of the year out of the way before camp started.

QUOTE]

No that is not what the new code of conduct says. The penalties can be enforced for any player drafted by any team in this draft.

[wolverine]

Love the pick.
The marijuana is no big deal for me. Mike Anderson had a similar problem. Did this make him a low-character guy? You don't win a Superbowl without taking a few risks.

[BombsOverBaghdad]

Given the Broncos track record as a franchise it would take multiple offenses by more than one player before Goodell gave any cap/cash/draft pick penalties to the Broncos. At least we've gotten the over reaction of the year out of the way before camp started.

Slappy is just laying down the rhetoric in the hopes that Thomas will mess up and he can temporarily placate his insatiable ego with a giant -SLAP- on his own back, and an "I told you I was right, as I always am".

Hopefully, Slap is above that kind of juvenile respose.

[houghtam]

Uffk.

People b**** all offseason "we need Dline help we need Dline help" and then they complain about the manner in which the front office does it.

You have every right to complain if you're a fan of the team. But the majority of us will exercise our right to think you're ridiculous for thinking that the FO can't do anything right.

[azbroncfan]

Keep making us proud, Mike. I know you're probably still kicking yourself for missing out on Meriweather in round two, but trading away all of day two, plus a third rounder next year, for a guy who was kicked off the eventual National Champion was a great recovery.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4548/prisonst0.jpg

But you were a big pusher of Travis Henry who has had his fair share of issues. Pick one side or the other. Great Draft in my opinion and Thomas is worth the fourth round risk.

[Bronco LB 59]

One can only imagine the scene as Gerard Warren rolls down Colfax in his tricked out Escalade and he's passes a blunt to his new Gator pals Marcus Thomas and Jarvis Moss, while bumping beats. Who wouldn't want to be in that rotation?

[Atlas]

ESPN just mentioned the dude got busted with GHB. That's the date rape drug. There's a HUGE red flag there. This is more than just weed...

That doesn't mean anything. I take GHB all the time. Then I jut sit on the couch and fondle myself until I go to sleep. It's a wonderful drug. I wake up all confused and think my wife actually might have put out.

[Broncoman13]

I agree with BI. You're really overreacting to this. He's not a thug or a gang banger. He hasn't been arrested for anything. He was a college kid who smoked weed in college like a lot of kids in college. He also made some mistakes, but there are many times when guys like that are watching their careers dissolve in front of them, when someone reaches down and offers them a chance they appreciate it more. It's not like we're giving him first round money.


I agree 100% but I also believe there is more to the story. He was their best DLineman. Urb wouldn't have cut him and not Jarvis Moss for doing the exact same thing. There was a lot more to the story I'm sure. That's about the only thing that concerns me with this pick. Other than that I love the pick. Yeah, it kind of stinks that we could have had both Brandon Siler and John Wendling but that's about all I could complain about. Not like we would've used our 3rd round pick next year!!!

In all honesty, I thought adding Marcus Thomas on day two pushed us into solid B territory and if Marcus Thomas comes in a plays with the talent he has... it will jump to an A in a hurry. Marcus Thomas and Justin Harrell are the two DT's I wanted most in this draft. Okoye as well, but I didn't think he was really a possibility. GREAT JOB SHANNY...errrr BATES!

[Atlas]

ESPN just mentioned the dude got busted with GHB. That's the date rape drug. There's a HUGE red flag there. This is more than just weed...

That doesn't mean anything. I take GHB all the time. Then I just sit on the couch and fondle myself until I go to sleep. It's a wonderful drug. I wake up all confused and think my wife actually might have put out.

[elsid13]

That doesn't mean anything. I take GHB all the time. Then I just sit on the couch and fondle myself until I go to sleep. It's a wonderful drug. I wake up all confused and think my wife actually might have put out.

Sounds like you and your wife are both winners

[Atlas]

He quit on his team by being to lazy to show up for counceling sessions after four positive tests in 8 weeks. How does that speak to his ability to accept coaching? I have a friend whose father is a prof at UF and he is an alumni and they both say this guy had no business even being on the UF team from the beginning. If Meyer had been his coach from the beginning he would have been shipped off to some no name community college his first year. If he is son damn good, why wouldn't he show up for personal workouts in at least some type of shape? Why did the Florida defense play better in the games this year when he was off the team? Thomas = Clarett.

Thomas=Pro Bowler in 5 years.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

I agree 100% but I also believe there is more to the story. He was their best DLineman. BATES!

The why did their defense play better after he was kicked off the team????

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Thomas=Pro Bowler in 5 years.

BS. At best Thoams = Kennison. They both quit on their team. Thomas did it by being to lazy to get off his fat ass and go to a counceling session he knew was manditory for remaining on the team.

[Tredici]

In his presser Jarvis Moss stated Marcus was the best player on their team. The best. Also said if he wouldn't have screwed up he more than likely would've been a top five pick.

Shanny said there are plenty of guys on the team past and present who were damn glad to have a second chance but the media doesn't know who they are.

I guess I don't either. So after seeing the way Clarett was unceremoniously dumped, this kid better have a brain.

I liked the way Crowder talked, too. He said the thing he is most proud of is his work ethic. Bring it!

Oh yeah, Kubes drafted Dave Studdard's kid. Studdard said the kid will make more in a couple years than he did in seven or eight. He said the first two years he was paid 30K - and never missed a down.

[Kaylore]

In his presser Jarvis Moss stated Marcus was the best player on their team. The best. Also said if he wouldn't have screwed up he more than likely would've been a top five pick.

Shanny said there are plenty of guys on the team past and present who were damn glad to have a second chance but the media doesn't know who they are.

I guess I don't either. So after seeing the way Clarett was unceremoniously dumped, this kid better have a brain.

I liked the way Crowder talked, too. He said the thing he is most proud of is his work ethic. Bring it!

Oh yeah, Kubes drafted Dave Studdard's kid. Studdard said the kid will make more in a couple years than he did in seven or eight. He said the first two years he was paid 30K - and never missed a down.

Great post Tredici. My brother in law (lifelong Gator fan) confirmed that he was the best DT on the line and felt their season was over when he got suspended. He is going to be very good.

I'm glad you're looking more positively on this a sI know Slap values your opinion. I think when you live here in town you hear things so you know a lot of these guys aren't saints and some of this stuff is no big deal. Time will tell, but if things work out, our front four could be sick.

[Jason in LA]

Who here went to college and didn't smoke weed?


I didn't, but a surely did drink a lot. ;D

[Jason in LA]

Lets not get carried away with what ever issue this kid had. It's time we butted out of these players lives and stop holding them up to a higher standard than we'd hold normal people up to.

[BroncoBuff]

HELLO?


Florida AD Jeremy Foley is a close personal friend of Shanahan, and Jarvis Moss was in the building at Dove Valley before the pick was made ... isn't that enough?

It damn well oughtta be.

[Atlas]

BS. At best Thomas =enison. They both quit on their team. Thomas did it by being to lazy to get off his fat ass and go to a counceling session he knew was manditory for remaining on the team.Thomas = SB MVP

[Odysseus]

That doesn't mean anything. I take GHB all the time. Then I jut sit on the couch and fondle myself until I go to sleep. It's a wonderful drug. I wake up all confused and think my wife actually might have put out.

Hmm.

Does that mean you've switched loyalty for Lord Shanahan to Master Bates?

[BroncoBuff]

Atlas' post .... AND tiger's reply .... both very funny! LOL ROFL!

[-Slap-]

Hopefully, Slap is above that kind of juvenile respose.

To be honest, I've never noticed this poster Dedhed before tonight.

Oh wait, he's the guy who practically burst into tears when Kaylore criticized his mock draft, isn't he? That was comical. He's fun to have around.

[-Slap-]

Great post Tredici. My brother in law (lifelong Gator fan) confirmed that he was the best DT on the line and felt their season was over when he got suspended. He is going to be very good.

I'm glad you're looking more positively on this a sI know Slap values your opinion. I think when you live here in town you hear things so you know a lot of these guys aren't saints and some of this stuff is no big deal. Time will tell, but if things work out, our front four could be sick.

Kaylore, I knew a guy who went to school at Southern with Gerald Perry before you were born. My all time favorite athlete is Babe Ruth. I read Ball Four when I was nine years old. Do you honestly think I don't know athletes live wild lifestyles?

For the millionth time, half the NFL smokes pot. Its not about the Uncle Mike, its about how he reacted afterward. He had several chances to turn things around, way more than any less talented player would have been given, and he kept making terrible decisions.

[-Slap-]

Lets not get carried away with what ever issue this kid had. It's time we butted out of these players lives and stop holding them up to a higher standard than we'd hold normal people up to.

I think you have to pass a piss test to work at McDonald's, but tell us again about the high standards athletes have to meet.

Two dozen NFL players arrested in a calendar year. Not one of them loses their job, as happens to many people in the real world, and only two of them are suspended. Tank Johnson was held to such a high standard, he was let out of jail to play in the Super Bowl.

[fontaine]

We spent 6 picks on two players and ended up with Cheech and Chong!

Ha!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

We spent 6 picks on two players and ended up with Cheech and Chong!

Ha!Yeah, but can they play D. Looks like a weak draft to me but time will tell.

[LostPines]

Id much rather be around someone who is high rather than someone who is drunk


Any more discussion on that quote? There are tons of players in NFL who are drinking and drunk! Those ones that are not forgiving Thomas are foolish!

[fatcard]

I'd smoke with him :)

[Hogan11]

Id much rather be around someone who is high rather than someone who is drunk

Guess I never have to worry about being in the presence of the Son at one of these tailgate parties then.

1. This guy will be cheap
2. If he works out he will be great
3. If he doesn't work out he's gone.

What is the problem?

This is about my take on the situation. The Broncos are ruled with an iron fist, this is the Pros...the big time, the full bore and if they screw up one iota, they'll be shown the door so fast their head's will spin.....it's one of the things I love most about the Broncos Organization, that being Aholes, clowns and malcontents of any stripe are not tolerated for very long and I'm more than sure that each of these guys were given the memo on that before the selection was made.

[Sassy]

I liked the way Crowder talked, too. He said the thing he is most proud of is his work ethic. Bring it!

Woohoo! Another Rod Smith workout type?

Shanny said there are plenty of guys on the team past and present who were damn glad to have a second chance but the media doesn't know who they are.

I'm sure there are...we just need to wait and see how they turn out...whether they stick to the rules or not...Denny Green was on the draft show yesterday and he didn't think that it was too much of a risk to take Marcus in the 4th...and it would be something that Mike Shanahan could risk more so than other coaches.

[Rohirrim]

We spent 6 picks on two players and ended up with Cheech and Chong!

Ha!

Everybody sing!

Don't bogart that joint, my friend
pass it over to me...
Rollllllllllll another one
just like, the other one....

[Rohirrim]

That doesn't mean anything. I take GHB all the time. Then I just sit on the couch and fondle myself until I go to sleep. It's a wonderful drug. I wake up all confused and think my wife actually might have put out.

LOL Hilarious! :rofl: Post of the draft! Classic.

[55CrushEm]

That doesn't mean anything. I take GHB all the time. Then I jut sit on the couch and fondle myself until I go to sleep. It's a wonderful drug. I wake up all confused and think my wife actually might have put out.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Jason in LA]

I think you have to pass a piss test to work at McDonald's, but tell us again about the high standards athletes have to meet.

Two dozen NFL players arrested in a calendar year. Not one of them loses their job, as happens to many people in the real world, and only two of them are suspended. Tank Johnson was held to such a high standard, he was let out of jail to play in the Super Bowl.


The higher standard is being heavily critized over minor incidents.

Two percent of the NFL gets arrested and it's called a league of thugs. That doesn't make any sense.

If I got arrested, which I never have, I wouldn't worry about losing my job. I'd worry if I was going to be locked up for a while, but a simple arrest, I wouldn't worry.

[-Slap-]

The higher standard is being heavily critized over minor incidents.

Two percent of the NFL gets arrested and it's called a league of thugs. That doesn't make any sense.

If I got arrested, which I never have, I wouldn't worry about losing my job. I'd worry if I was going to be locked up for a while, but a simple arrest, I wouldn't worry.

Jeff Benedict, who wrote Pros and Cons: The Criminals Who Play in the NFL (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0446524034/ref=cm_cr_dp_pt/002-3691275-3129656?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books)claims that in the 1996 and 97 seasons, 21% of the players in the NFL had been arrested or indicted for serious crimes, ranging from fraud to homocide.

One of you has to be way off in your numbers. This gentlemen, who researched a published a book on the subject claims the problem is ten times more serious than you believe. Even if you meet in the middle, you're talking about 10% of the League.

[Crowpointer]

Keep making us proud, Mike. I know you're probably still kicking yourself for missing out on Meriweather in round two, but trading away all of day two, plus a third rounder next year, for a guy who was kicked off the eventual National Champion was a great recovery.

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/4548/prisonst0.jpg

That picture of the jail cell had me laughing my arse off . Keep em coming Slap. My Pats would never take guys like that.

[RkyMtnThunder]

That picture of the jail cell had me laughing my arse off . Keep em coming Slap. My Pats would never take guys like that.





Oh really?!?! You guys just got one yesterday!


Both of them (Thomas & Randy Moss) have been known to enjoy a spliff now and then..but one of them is also known for taking plays off and being a bonafide team distraction if not a team cancer outright.

Oh but it wont happen in NE right?

Lets see - at least, lets see before one goes talking about how the Pats never bring in questionable character guys!

[BroncoInferno]

That picture of the jail cell had me laughing my arse off . Keep em coming Slap. My Pats would never take guys like that.

Neither would we. Neither Thomas nor Moss have ever been arrested.

[elsid13]

That picture of the jail cell had me laughing my arse off . Keep em coming Slap. My Pats would never take guys like that.

http://www.travelgolf.com/images/editorials/randy-moss-vegas.jpg

"One of the Miami players, Brandon Merriweather, can be seen kicking — repeatedly kicking — a downed Florida International player. Another player is shown swinging his helmet and smashing it into the back of another FIU player. The helmet swinger, Anthony Reddick, was suspended indefinitely. "

http://www.connpost.com/elsberry/ci_4532380

[Malcontent]

There's been bad guys playing in the NFL for eons. Read Bozworths book from 89?... and see how it was almost 20 yrs ago. Nothing has changed...nothing ever will. By Denver not drafting Thomas, would that have changed the world?

[RkyMtnThunder]

There's been bad guys playing in the NFL for eons. Read Bozworths book from 89?... and see how it was almost 20 yrs ago. Nothing has changed...nothing ever will. By Denver not drafting Thomas, would that have changed the world?

Further - the Broncos trading 6th and 7th and 2008 3rd to get Thomas indicates they felt he would be gone sometime in rounds 4-5 anyway. So if not Broncos, it would have been another team taking a flier on him. Personally I think he is going to work out nicely.

BTW Malcontent - awesome avatar pic! My black lab loves the water too but wont sit still for a raft to save her life! lol

[Malcontent]

Rocky is a 145lb Rotti, that was sulking at the time this pic was taken...I wouldnt throw him a treat until he laid his huge noggin down on the raft.

[theAPAOps5]

That picture of the jail cell had me laughing my arse off . Keep em coming Slap. My Pats would never take guys like that.

Please edit this as I know you aren't an idiot. Does the name Randy Moss ring a bell?

[freak6]

Break it, Scape it, Lick it, Dump it, Roll it, Smoke it...

LETS GO BRONCOS!!!!!

[Pendejo]

Please edit this as I know you aren't an idiot. Does the name Randy Moss ring a bell?

I know that this will be a very unpopular sentiment amongst the orangemane's moral elite, but the time that Randy Moss got in trouble for driving down the street of Minneapolis with a Meter Maid on the hood of his car still makes me laugh like a bastard.

[Crowpointer]

Some people need to understand the word Facetious. The Boston press (which is negative to begin with) is having a field day with Moss and Merriweather. The Moss signing knocked the Red Sox Yankees series to the second tier story. That's hard to do in this town.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Slap's right on. It's not about smoking weed, which itself is illegal. It's about someone KNOWING it's illegal and KNOWING the consequences of doing it, and then letting yourself and your teammates down anyway. That's a character issue, not the legal thing, per se. Given the new discipline policy, his next screw up will cost the Broncos dearly. This is not rocket science, it's plain as the weed in Thomas' pipe. He's got to show me not tell me.

[BroncoInferno]

Slap's right on. It's not about smoking weed, which itself is illegal. It's about someone KNOWING it's illegal and KNOWING the consequences of doing it, and then letting yourself and your teammates down anyway. That's a character issue, not the legal thing, per se. Given the new discipline policy, his next screw up will cost the Broncos dearly. This is not rocket science, it's plain as the weed in Thomas' pipe. He's got to show me not tell me.

Actually, if his next screw up were again smoking pot, he would still have two more chances after that as under the NFLs drug testing policy a player is not suspended until the 3rd failure (this is for recreational drugs...performance enhancers results in an immediate suspension for any failure). And I think the first two failures remain confidential. This is not something that Goodell can touch, as it was negotiatiated as part of the CBA. Not that I want him to fail two tests, but just thought I'd point that out.

[fontaine]

Actually, if his next screw up were again smoking pot, he would still have two more chances after that as under the NFLs drug testing policy a player is not suspended until the 3rd failure (this is for recreational drugs...performance enhancers results in an immediate suspension for any failure). And I think the first two failures remain confidential. This is not something that Goodell can touch, as it was negotiatiated as part of the CBA. Not that I want him to fail two tests, but just thought I'd point that out.

He tested positive for GHB in his last test. Does the NFL view that as recreational or performance enhancer because I can't imagine he date raped himself.

[BroncoInferno]

He tested positive for GHB in his last test. Does the NFL view that as recreational or performance enhancer because I can't imagine he date raped himself.

First off, it is rumored from an unnamed source that he failed a test for GHB. Federal law prohibits any disclosure that could verify that, so it may not even be true. Even if true, though, it happened at Florida, so that test would be irrelevant to his status under the NFL testing policy. He has a clean slate once he gets to the NFL.

EDIT: As far as how the NFL would view a failure for GHB, I'm not sure. I would suspect as a performance enhancer as it is sometimes used for that purpose, but I'm not sure.

[bendog]

performance enhancer unless you're the polish field goal kicker from Oakland who is buttuglier than Otis Sistrunk