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