Fresh off the bye week, the Broncos welcomed wide receiver Demaryius Thomas back to practice on Monday. Thomas, who had been out since the opening week of the season with a broken finger, will give the receiving corps a boost with his rare combination of size, speed and strength.
“(Demaryius has) size, speed, strength, all the things you look for,” Head Coach John Fox said after practice on Monday. “I think that’s probably why he was selected as high as he was. We’re looking forward to getting him back.”
The team’s top pick a year ago, Thomas caught 22 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns in 10 appearances as a rookie. He made a splash in his career debut, finishing with the second-highest reception total for a player’s NFL debut in Broncos history after posting eight catches for 97 yards against the Seahawks in a Week 2 victory last season.
His teammates are excited to see No. 88 back on the practice field, knowing that he will present problems for opposing defenses and create opportunities for the offense to move the ball.
“It was good (to get him back),” fellow wideout Eric Decker said. “I’m happy to see him healthy and get his chance because he’s one heck of a guy and he’s very athletic.”
Cornerback Champ Bailey knows the type of weapon that Thomas can be when healthy.
“He’s a good player. He’s going to be a good player for a while,” Bailey said. “It’s just staying healthy and getting back into shape, and he’ll do good things for us.”
Thomas, who battled back from an offseason Achilles tendon injury before breaking his finger is anxious to get back on the field and put the injuries behind him.
“I feel like I’m probably the healthiest I’ve been since I’ve been in the league,” Thomas said.
He knows that he’ll have plenty of opportunities waiting for him when he returns to game action.
“Basically I’m just going to come out and do my best and try to help the team and leave everything on the field,” Thomas said. “Hopefully it will be good and positive. It’s just a matter of going out there and not being timid or scared. I think I’m fine, but it’s just going out and playing.”
Below are some photos from a rainy practice on Monday.
Tags: Demaryius Thomas
Oh thanks bomber. I was thinking we had a spot open anyway, you beat me to it.
My prediction
BRONCOS-31
FINS-13
With Marshall scoring their only TD, while being covered by Andre Mediocreman
@bomber66 lol, I think Bailey is our ONLY corner. And without Dawkins, two rookie safeties (though they could be good with more experience).
LOL… Mediocreman
I also predict two sacks from Miller and one from Doom.
A lot of people were unhappy with how Quinten Carter played last week but I thought he actually played pretty well for his first significant action. I remember he completely whiffed on a tackle that turned into a big run in the first half. But after that he looked pretty decent. With time he and Moore are gonna be a lethal combo, just have to go through some growing pains first like all young players.
Broncos-28
Miami-7
Tebow throws a TD, runs for a TD, McGahee runs for a TD, and Bailey returns an INT for a TD. Miami scores on the drive after Bailey’s INT because Bailey is on the sidelines and Goodman gets burned by Marshall (who will not get ejected for trying to fight Bailey).
mhm88-yeah, they are learning on the go, just like Miller, and all of them are going through growing pains, but if they make it they can be special.
713 – I like the way you think but you are too conservative. DEN. 45 – we now have an offense! MIA – 10, our defense will be firing on all cylinders.
Yeah samurai, Miller as well. Some media people made a big deal out of him getting benched but I don’t see it as him being benched. I think the coaching staff just realized that Haggan’s experience and toughness were a better match for San Diego’s run power run game. Miller still excelled as a pass rusher in that game. By the end of the year he’ll be solid against the run.
Hey … Only way for Carter to get good is too start … i said the same for TT … it doesn’t just apply to TT … it applies to all players … the best way to learn is through experience … Vaughn may be struggling but at least he is learning and he might develop into something special … he might not … but at least he is better than he was. Carter will do fine in my opinion … I think we should just leave him in the box and tell him to tackle. Cox really screwed us (no pun intended) … cuz clearly he likes to screw alot of things and his name is cox … he had such a great preseason last year … there were some high hopes … he was even a good returner in college and then BAM … the bonehead gene took over.
I Predict the broncos win 24 – 16
… what what? Miller got benched? I musta missed that part of the game lol … I didn’t even realize.
TRB
Also why do all these young players look like grown men … Decker is just like 1 year older than me and he got himself a full wolfman … same goes for guys like TT … heck even VM looks older. Man … either just the genes or its something they eat or something. I remember when Lebron James came into the league … kid was like 18 and looke dlik he could be my father lol. TRB
Yep, there was an article bout the Miller benching, I didn’t hear much about it after that.
Tebow rolls out of the pocket… hope it is an indicator of naked bootlegs, misdirections and roll outs! That would be EXCELLENT!
I like to think the wolfman look is because they’re focused on footbal, not worrying about looking pretty. We have some young players that if can gel, can learn this game…man, we have one heck of a nucleus moving forward.
I think a Shotgun/West Coast offense would suit Tebow’s skill set, his mobility. Fox really likes to run it though, so it’ll be interesting to see what they unveil, the offense will look different for sure.
How about a shotgun power spread? TT ran the spread in college so you know it suits him. Remember that game against the Jets last year when Timmy played about 15 snaps running a power version of the wildcat? I think we should use something like that as our base offense for a while until he gets more comfortable. It basically looked like a goal line formation only with Tim in the shotgun, LOL.
It was kind of funny looking but it was pretty effective. I think something like that would be especially effective this time around since Timmy will be allowed to pass not just run and handoff
I noticed that Miller was taken out of the base defense the second it happened. But like I said I wouldn’t call it a benching. Haggan was just a better fit at the time on running downs.
Broncos 27
Dolphins 23
Tebow gets an ugly win… be ready for some turnovers, and don’t be surprised if we get scored on by another quarterback draw (my biggest pet peeve)…
I’m very excited to see both Demarius and Julius back… I didn’t realize how big Julius is until seeing him standing with DMT…
Good Luck Lloyd, it was fun to watch you bring the deep ball back to Denver!!!
713 – I think you are going to be disappointed. Both Fox and Mccoy have said repeatedly – “same playbook” – “no changes.” McCoy gave the qualifier that Tebow does things that Orton couldn’t so there will be plays being called with Tebow that weren’t called for Orton.
I’ll be surprised if Broncos change much. Same positions – same look – same man in motion – new players.
I think they said since the beginning Miller was a pass rusher, not necessarily a full time starter. He has done well so far the way they’ve used him, he has what 4 sacks. I think he’ll be used like this, like you said, until he’s a more complete player. I agree they’ll do the same with Tebow, I’m just saying I think he could grow well into a Shotgun Spread/West Coast hybrid type offense.
oh daddybronc, yeah, it probably won’t change too much in the middle of the season, maybe beyond this year, idk. It depends on the coaches and Tebow.
Miller has 5 sacks… he got the fifth last week while only playing passing downs after midway through the first half
trading Lloyd!!!???? OK good for everyone involved. denver lost its #1 WR and picks up a 5/6 round pick, maybe as high as 135. but the Rams get a #1 wr for the rest of the year and if they DONOT re-sign him they might get a 3rd round comp. pick, somewhere around 100 even if the comp pick is in the 4th it is still below 135
the last WR probowler we gave away -becouse he wanted out- the fans were irate. now with efx in charge we are just fine with whatever happens. I just can’t figure it out. As for me I really don’t give a rats tail. but we lost 35 spots in the draft.
Do you guys remember that power spread from last year in the Jets game that I was mentioning? Cuz I actually thought it was pretty cool. Maybe they’ll call some plays from that. It was basically the Tebow goal line package they just used it between the 20s a lot in that Jets game, which I think caught the Jets D off guard at first. Probably one of McD’s only good offensive game plans while he was here.
5 sack, so 1 per game, that’s really good. The Power spread package will be used I’m sure. McD was an offensive genius in some regards, but terrible at everything else. You’ll see a lot of variations of the Shotgun formation no doubt, but they still need to work out of others as well.
I think we need to steal some of Chan Gailey’s shotgun concepts that he’s using with the Bills this year. I noticed them when I was watching the Bills/Giants game yesterday. It looks like a normal shotgun with the FB lined up next to the QB. The RB starts in the slot and then goes in motion and lines up behind the QB. Once the ball is snapped the QB turns and hands off to the RB and he has more time to find the open hole. It seemed to work really well for the Bills. I’d like to see some creative stuff like that.
Are we going to activate Eron Riley?!?
samurai713 actually the main point for getting Miller was hes a 4 down player vs Darius who was mainly a run stopper . Agreed about the nucleus tho young o line ( assuming they dont replace zane for a pure power G)will be together a long time. Young WRs,TE and young QB could be great LONG TERM.Short term as well BL wasn’t doing much of anything this season good call to move on and get what we can . If they are really trading Royal I’m thinking we need to get MSW after he clears waivers on a short term way less $$$ deal hes no #1 but could be good as a 3/4 WR.I know its not happening just a thought .
new blog
I can respect that. I wish we had more of a d-line (Doom and Ayers). It’s gonna be fun none-the-less to watch the rest of this season unfold, it’s like we’re 0-0, at least that’s how I’m gonna look at it.
papapete,
Lloyd wanted out. He asked for a trade. He did not want to be a Bronco anymore. He did not like the run firsT and pass later offense. Blame lloyd, not Elway..jomho….
ILMSDB!!!
Keep giving away probowl players and wonder why no playoffs since 2005
People need to realize with Tim starting Clady maybe expendable. Tim is left handed and Clady is staying on the leftside. If tim pans out. Clady won’t get that blindside LT money. He gonna get that RT money here.
A quick rundown of our 5th round history- (assuming that’s what this trade gets us)
2011; 07; 05; 01 and 97 no pick.
2010-Perrish Cox
2009- Kenny McKinley
2008- Ryan Torain/ Carlton Powell
2006- Chris Kuper
2004- Jeff Shoate
2003- Ben Claxton/Adrian Madise
2002- Herb Haygood
2000- Muneer Moore
1999- David Bowens/Darwin Brown
1998- Chris Howard
1996- Patrick Jeffers.
With the exception of Kuper, you’d have to go all the way back to 1981- Ken Lanier and 1982- Sammy Winder to find a 5th rounder that made a meaningful impact.
Work is cut out for our scouting department…
If it stays as a 6th round pick…
Well only one sixth rounder comes to mind!!!
orange crusher, right, Lloyd wanted out, cutler wanted out Marshall wanted out, blame cutler, marshall and Lloyd not the top brass. BUT we as fans did. and now we are not. go figure! That is my point.
Just watched MNF, and if we can’t beat the Sparano-coached, Moore-Q’d Dolphins, I’ll be VERY surprised. And sad. I bet some of our cheerleaders could coach better than Tony.
I think Clady is one of the best tackles in the league regardless if he is blindside, frontside, pass protecting or run blocking. I’m not entirely sure how contracts work out maybe you do get paid more to for blocking the blindside of the QB, I don’t know. Being one of the best tackles in the league will hopefully help us lock him in for a long future as a Denver Bronco.
Hello Bronco fans,
Greatness007,
I think you bring up a good conversation piece. Brian_schneider I agree with you too! He’s one of the best!
I have a quesiton though…From time to time you’ll hear of a coaching staff playing with a player that might be a true “guard” and moving him to tackle or vise versus…From a player’s stand point, could Clady go to right tackle with very little confusion? I guess I didn’t really think of it, but is that in itself a decent obstacle to overcome? Could we move Clady to Tim’s blind side? I would think that it would be some what seamless, but I truely don’t know….what do you all think?
Can’t wait for Sunday!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
How long will D. Thomas play before he gets hurt again. Want to wish Brandon Lloyd the best with the Rams. He made some great catches for us over the last three years. I have a question for anyone who can answer. I have never none what they meant when they say a conditional draft pick. What is a conditional draft pick?
broncofan9137,
For example: Loyd was traded for a 6th round draft pick…bar none! 6th round it is.
However, depending on how he performs with the Rams, the pick could move to a 5th round pick. In this case, the “condition” of the trade is if Brandon Loyd catches at least 30 passes during the remainder of the year with St. Louis they will have to surrender their 5th round pick instead of the 6th round because the “conditions” of the trade were met when he caught the 30 passes. If for some reason, Brandon does not catch 30 passes, the pick remains a 6th round selection.
Conditions are a way to protect the original team trading the player from just “giving away” due to a break out performance. It creates somewhat of a safety net. NOW….however as Baylin has stated and others….the “negotiations” of those conditions are what were being debated. Most of us feel that we could have gotten a little more for Brandon…
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Wow…a post that actually begins to talk X’s and O’s?….whew whee! Didn’t the Bronco Bunch Deep originate in Denver? (3 wide outs lined up, running deep patterns, two of them which criss cross). That and the WR Streaks are deep pass plays which I’d like to see (re)-introduced. Otherwise, I would stay away from routes requiring time to develop, such as split backs out of the backfield. I agree with run base offense, and feel that offense needs to determine early their comparative success outside and inside. QB sneak should be considered a viable test of middle gaps. If a defense is stout on run, wheel routes should be used — Half back running laterally, and turning the route upfield, but with the option of passing to other receivers depending on how coverage re-acts. Some plays will only be successful under certain conditions, particularly short yardage pass plays, (TE Drag Routes), while others can actually be risky, if not used discriminatingly, (Comebacks). Passing game should correlate to running game, in my opinion. The more successful the run game, then the more freely one can open the passing game. Defense must play well enough at all times, to allow the offense freedom to take field goals, whenever the opportunity provides itself. They will need to play within themselves, and in each game establish the rhythm so that, not for the whole game, but for a certain stretch of the game, they can be disruptive and aggressive.
Thanks Broncfalls for explaintion. I agree with the rest of you guys. We should have gotten aleast a 3rd round pick for Brandon, he is worth it.
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