Lammey: A part of Broncos core, DT needs to sustain ‘inspired’ play
Dec 10, 2017, 10:38 PM | Updated: 10:39 pm
Against the New York Jets on Sunday, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas demonstrated what he can as a core player for the Denver Broncos moving forward.
One of the club’s two 2010 first-round picks (22nd overall), Thomas was not only a key piece of what the Broncos offense did Sunday but also in the future.
Against the Jets, Thomas led the team in receiving with eight catches for 93 yards and one touchdown. His eight receptions equal the second-most he’s had in a game this year, while the 93 yards is his third-highest single-game total in 2017.
Thomas’ totals Sunday also moved him past Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe for second-most receiving yards (8,475) and touchdowns (56) all-time in Broncos history.
After the game, head coach Vance Joseph said Thomas played “inspired football” in Week 14.
“I challenged those guys last night, all of our team leaders, to play better football. He came out and he played inspired football,” Joseph said.
It’s not been his best year, but Thomas still has the natural ability to be a leading receiver for this team. He may not be the player he used to be, and every player loses a step over time, but DT can be used effectively by utilizing his size to box out smaller defenders.
There are plenty of route combinations and situations where Thomas can — and should — get the ball.
Thomas said his performance Sunday boils down to taking advantage of the opportunities he got.
“I just got more opportunities and took advantage of them. We went out as a team today, and we came out with a win as a group,” Thomas said. “Like I said, I took advantage of my opportunities.”
Thomas said he and quarterback Trevor Siemian talked during practice last week about the two could connect Sunday to beat New York’s secondary, and it seemed like play-caller learned that even when DT’s covered he’s open and able to make contested catches.
“I think we just felt like the last couple of weeks we haven’t challenged people with the ball enough. Everything kind of goes along with that,” Siemian said after the game. “With these guys we knew there were going to be a lot of contested catches, tough catches and tough throws. But we had to get some big ones, and (Thomas) stepped up big time.”
Per Spotrac.com, Thomas has a cap number of $12 million in 2018 with $15.5 million remaining in dead money next year. With so much dead money remaining on his contract, the wide receiver’s likely to be here in 2018, even if he has to restructure his contract.
Multiple changes should happen to overhaul the Broncos roster, and the offensive side of the ball may get the most attention this offseason. But no matter the new faces that arrive to upgrade positions like quarterback, running back, tight end, or offensive line, it is Thomas who will be the mainstay.
DT is playing inspiring football, and Broncos fans may be getting a glimpse of how the veteran receiver can help the team in the future. It’s a future that should include plenty of changes, but one where Thomas still plays a huge role for the offense.
