Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas credits his offseason workouts at Georgia Tech with refining his skills.
“It’s me Calvin (Johnson and) A.J. Green, and we have some defensive guys like (former Georgia player) Justin Houston and a lot of other (NFL players),” Thomas said. “It’s always competitive. It’s like some of the best players in the league. We always compete against each other and are trying to get better.”
The wide receivers share tips about the art of route-running in the NFL.
Johnson, who also played at Tech, plays for the Detroit Lions. A.J. Green, who also played at Georgia, is a star for the Cincinnati Bengals.
“My first year training up there with them, I wasn’t the best route runner,” Thomas said. “Just being around Calvin and watching him run routes helped. Some people think big guys can’t run routes, so being around him and A.J. and seeing the things that they do, helped my game out as well.”
Thomas on Sherman: Thomas and Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman became friends off the field after working a football camp in Oregon together.
There appears to be a mutual respect that would prevent the game from turning into a similar Sherman-and-Michael Crabtree slap-fest. Sherman has called Thomas a top-five receiver.
“I respect it,” Thomas said. “Coming from him, he’s one of the best in the league. So coming from him, that’s good.”
He’s not sure if Sherman is the most physical defensive back in the league.
“I think I’ve faced more physical, but he is physical,” Thomas said. “He’ll switch it up. He doesn’t always try to be physical because he doesn’t have to. He’ll switch up stuff. That’s why I feel like he’s one of the best at what he does.”
Thomas tries to downplay the possible matchup with Sherman.
“I don’t even know if there’s going to be a matchup,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to playing the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.”
Signal stealing: Denver coach John Fox doesn't like that the NFL has allowed its broadcast partners to let the viewing audience hear their signals.
He’s not big of everyone knowing their “Omaha” call.
“I won’t get into the exact specifics (of “Omaha”), and really, we’ve never been real thrilled that the league kind of makes us put on these microphones on players,” Fox said. “It’s not real fun for us. I know we have to change a lot, and all of those kinds of things.”
He believes there’s an increased use of audibles in the league, even on special teams.
“You’ll see hand signals, you’ll see different things, even in the kicking game,” Fox said. “When you give people 18 hours a day to think of stuff, this is what we do. We are very blessed. He (Manning) is very sharp. He’s done it a very long time in his career, and he is as good — I am not going to say he is the best — but he is as good that I have ever been around of doing it.”
Lynch stiffs media again: Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch had another short media session.
“I really don’t have too much to say, boss,” Lynch said. “I really don’t. I appreciate it, but I don’t get it. I’m just here so I won’t get fined, boss. That’s the only reason I’m here.”
Beast-mode fan: Denver running back Knowshon Moreno is a Lynch fan.
“I guess it depends on what you like in a running back,” Moreno said. “He’s physical; he runs hard; he gets those tough yards that you need to get, and at the end of the day, he makes plays. This league is about making plays and showing production. He does that for sure.”
