Body of work taking shape for Broncos' Thomas

[DukeWoody]

Body of work taking shape for Broncos' Thomas
Defensive tackle more fit, ready for bigger things in Year 2
By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Monday, August 4, 2008

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...ams-first-dep/

ENGLEWOOD — Marcus Thomas has seen the light.

This was no moment of clarity.

It was more like one of those cartoon bonks to the head, when dancing stars or birds chirping spin continuously around a mountain of swelling.

Out of playing shape but still playing significant downs as a rookie defensive tackle with the Broncos, Thomas couldn't see straight last season.

It was like experiencing fireworks without the lawn chair on July 4.

"Last year, I thought I was about to die," Thomas said Monday after ascending to the top of the depth chart for the first time this summer. "I'd see lights and sparkles only on two plays."

The altitude was the killer.

A college suspension that began a free-fall out of playing shape in spring 2007 did him no favors, either. But the Broncos were counting on him, so Thomas gave it his all, which wasn't much to offer even though he took part in 46 percent of the defensive snaps and started five games.

Only Alvin McKinley (47 percent) played more at the position in 2007 for the Broncos.

"To be honest, I didn't even like playing at home because I couldn't breathe right," Thomas said. "I started panicking out there. . . . In practices, it was the same way. I don't feel like that no more."

Thomas still wonders how he was able to put up 27 repetitions at the scouting combine in April 2007. Banished from his college team for off-field missteps, he occasionally would do 20 to 30 minutes of exercise once he left the University of Florida and prepped for an uncertain future.

Then, suddenly, Broncos strength coach Rich Tuten got a hold of him. So did the thin air.

But with the rookie symposium, scheduling restrictions and minicamps standing in Thomas' way, there wasn't enough time to whip him quickly into condition.

"I was probably in some high school shape," Thomas said candidly.

A year later, after 100 percent participation in the offseason conditioning program, it has the Broncos seeing flashes of Thomas' enormous potential.

It already has become clear in the weight room, where last year Thomas might be able to bench 315 pounds twice and now does so a dozen times or more.

"I knew he had the potential and talent level to get there, but conditioning was a huge factor for him," Tuten said. "It wasn't the ability or God-given talent. It was the fact he needed to put the time and effort into conditioning, and he did that. It's paying dividends. He took care of his weak part of the game and, hopefully, he'll continue to grow from that. "

Thomas is looking forward to home games this time around.

"From the weight room to everything, it's like a 180," he said. "I'm 10 times stronger than I was last year. And I'm able to breathe out there."

Thomas did have to hold his breath during the offseason, after an arrest in Clay County, Fla., in March nearly placed his feel-good story in jeopardy.

He hitched a ride with a high school buddy after drinking at a hometown bar. But police pulled over the vehicle and cocaine was found in a baggie in the passenger well.

And for Thomas, who has worked hard to rehabilitate his image since turning pro, it nearly was a career dagger. But he professed his innocence and drug charges against him later were dropped.

The Broncos stuck behind him publicly through the ordeal, which included Thomas immediately taking blood and urine tests to demonstrate he was clean.

"I knew everything would be straight with what happened and I wouldn't get in trouble with that, but I wondered how people would look at me," Thomas said.

Now, he merely is being viewed as a key cog on the defensive line, finally moving past Kenny Peterson, aligned alongside Dewayne Robertson.

"It makes me feel really good knowing they're still behind me and haven't given up on me," Thomas said.

When Thomas was drafted in the fourth round in 2007, coach Mike Shanahan talked about Thomas being a first-round talent. Because of the player's lack of conditioning, it remained largely hidden, even if he did continue to get plenty of on-field work.

"I was surprised he played that much," Tuten said. "But surprised he got through it? Not really. I do know it wasn't for him. . . . It just shows he had it in him to be a great one, and I think he can be."

Not only is Thomas better prepared physically, the year's experience was a teaching tool. He also is benefiting from a switch in defensive philosophy to a more attacking front that suits his skills.

"The way the coaches have the scheme set up, I think Marcus and his style of play is actually a better fit than probably I am," said Robertson, who came to Denver in an offseason trade. "He's explosive. He can get into the backfield and disrupt plays. He's perfect for this system."

The attacking style is reminiscent of Thomas' college days, when he was responsible for a single gap and instructed to let nothing get by him. And it's a departure from last season in Jim Bates' system, when "we didn't really know what we were" but now are given "a little freedom to attack, make some plays, get off the ball and hit blocks."

As Thomas was surrounded by reporters after Monday's practice, Peterson unwittingly hovered over his shoulder.

Thomas is more aware that will continue to be the case during the next few weeks while trying to hold on to his new-found starter's status.

The hope from Thomas and the league is the defensive tackle's play will continue to sparkle, not his eyes.

"I'm more comfortable out there. I pretty much know the plays and what's going on and trying to be more of a student of the game out there," Thomas said. "So I feel good."

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Marcus my man, this IS your time to step up and shine...nothing fancy, just go out there , kick a$$ and dominate the line, with your anchor man DeWayne the destroyer on your side!!

1. . .2. . .3. . .DOMINATE!!!

[hambone13]

Classic example of talent not meeting capacity. This guy didn't know how to be in shape and he was dominating in the SEC? His talent is obviously high. When an athlete is in truly great shape, altitude plays a marginal role. It can be an advantage but anyone who's getting "dizzy" because of it, is flat not in "good" not to mention "great" shape.

Hopefully someone's got a handle on gett'n his head right. Let's see if he's got the drive to make it happen.

[backup qb]

[QUOTE=hambone13;2027500]Classic example of talent not meeting capacity. This guy didn't know how to be in shape and he was dominating in the SEC? His talent is obviously high. When an athlete is in truly great shape, altitude plays a marginal role. It can be an advantage but anyone who's getting "dizzy" because of it, is flat not in "good" not to mention "great" shape.

Hopefully someone's got a handle on gett'n his head right. Let's see if he's got the drive to make it happen.[/QUO

sounds like he has the drive witness him increasing his reps at 315 from 2 to 12. Another key to the season.

[maher_tyler]

He really needs to step up this year as do the other 2 d linemen we drafted last year...he needs to stay healthy and stay on the field more...at least play 60% of the defensive snaps.

[Dedhed]

I think Thomas has the potential to be the best DL we've had on the roster in a long time.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by hambone13

Classic example of talent not meeting capacity. This guy didn't know how to be in shape and he was dominating in the SEC? His talent is obviously high. When an athlete is in truly great shape, altitude plays a marginal role. It can be an advantage but anyone who's getting "dizzy" because of it, is flat not in "good" not to mention "great" shape.

Hopefully someone's got a handle on gett'n his head right. Let's see if he's got the drive to make it happen.

Very few people have the physical training knowledge to self-train up to a collegiate level, let alone the NFL level.

He also probably only had marginal access to training equipment capable of the kinds of workloads a 300 pound DT would require to actually strain himself.

He's done the 180 needed now though, and his 100% attendance in voluntary workouts is a good sign that he's got the determination to be great, he just needs to be shown what to do to get there. That is where our coaching staff comes in.

[no-pseudo-fan]

Thomas is going to really going to be a monster for us this year. The guy was easily the most talented defensive member on that Florida team that had 2 1st round guys last year and 1 this year.

I really think we are putting things together(unity and talent). My biggest concern is the DE position. Moss and Crowder need to take a huge step forward to sure up that position.

[lex]

Originally Posted by no-pseudo-fan

Thomas is going to really going to be a monster for us this year. The guy was easily the most talented defensive member on that Florida team that had 2 1st round guys last year and 1 this year.

I really think we are putting things together(unity and talent). My biggest concern is the DE position. Moss and Crowder need to take a huge step forward to sure up that position.

Agreed. Although, since Moss was coming off his staph infection, he may have had the greater upside. Still though, that was an amazing defensive line that practically won the NC game...and won the NC for that matter. And youre right, as good as it was, it was even better when Thomas was in there. He was so amazingly disruptive, even moreso than I remember Gerard Warren being. If he can raise his game and do that for us, you might as well pencil us in for the playoffs barring injuries. I actually thought his bigger problem was upper body strength. Im glad to see he has worked on that as well.

[Kaylore]

Another good piece by Rasizer. And no, it's not a man-crush, TheRev. It's just that after reading loony tunes Woody, whiny Kizla and vanilla Williamson, it's nice to have some columnists that do a little digging and write more than 200 words of their crap opinion. Bronco fans like to complain about the bad columnists and say nothing abut the good ones. Lee always picks subjects that are of insterest to the Broncos. When he's gone, it will be Adam Schefter 2 as we are all pining for the day while we're forced to read about Tuten's sled.

/end rant

[jsco70]

I'm excited to watch Marcus Thomas play this year. Sounds like a Shanahan risk might actually turn out right this time. Same with the safety Barrett. Hopefully both will become long term fixtures for Denver.

[TheReverend]

If he was able to play on the level he did last season (not a world beater but certainly at a pro level) while panicking and out of breath, then its a very good omen of things to come this season.

[Beantown Bronco]

How long before they wake up and realize he has asthma?

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by jsco70

I'm excited to watch Marcus Thomas play this year. Sounds like a Shanahan risk might actually turn out right this time. Same with the safety Barrett. Hopefully both will become long term fixtures for Denver.

What was the barrett risk?

[Drek]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

What was the barrett risk?

He had some character questions coming out of school, largely because they changed coaching staffs and the new regime used him in many ways contrary to his skill set, and by many insider's takes singled him out as a person to make an example of in order to set a tone of control over the program.

[DenverBrit]

One thing is standing out.
The draft choices have improved the last 3 years.

[SonOfLe-loLang]

Originally Posted by Drek

He had some character questions coming out of school, largely because they changed coaching staffs and the new regime used him in many ways contrary to his skill set, and by many insider's takes singled him out as a person to make an example of in order to set a tone of control over the program.

I wouldnt call taking a guy in the 7th round a risk.

[Br0nc0Buster]

Originally Posted by DenverBrit

One thing is standing out.
The draft choices have improved the last 3 years.

I loved our 06 draft and I liked this one

I am still a little unsure about last year's though
Thomas and Young were good picks(I count rookie free agents because we still scouted him)

But I am hoping to see more from Moss, Crowder, and Harris this year

[jsco70]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

I wouldnt call taking a guy in the 7th round a risk.

Fair comment. My point is because Barrett, similar to Thomas, has talent that is not representative by his place in the draft. He should have gone higher but didn't due to reputation, etc. Does that make more sense?

[Popps]

Originally Posted by jsco70

Fair comment. My point is because Barrett, similar to Thomas, has talent that is not representative by his place in the draft. He should have gone higher but didn't due to reputation, etc. Does that make more sense?

I think most of us do see Thomas as a first round type pick. There was almost no debate among people that his talent level was that of a first rounder. He seems to have gotten out of his recent brush with the law O.K..

High hopes for this kid. What a difference-maker he and Robertson can be for this team. A big year out of both and I think we're literally a different team than last year. So much stemmed from trouble in the center of our line last season. (And the ends were even worse.)

[Drek]

Originally Posted by SonOfLe-loLang

I wouldnt call taking a guy in the 7th round a risk.

Goodell has talked about fining teams future picks if they have too many guys who violate the league conduct policy, so anyone we add to the roster who might be a character concern carries some risk.

[BroncoMan4ever]

Thomas will have 5 sacks by the end of the season if Robertson can play the whole year.