Patrick Smyth, Executive Director of Media Relations ([email protected] / 303‐264‐5536) Rebecca Villanueva, Media Services Manager ([email protected] / 303‐264‐5598) Erich Schubert, Media Relations Coordinator ([email protected] / 303‐264‐5503)
DENVER BRONCOS OTA QUOTES (5/23/12)
WIDE RECEIVER DEMARYIUS THOMAS
On whether he feels like a leader in the receiving corps “I do a little. I’m still learning, but it’s good to have [WR Brandon] Stokley back. Me and Decker were here when [Stokley] was first here—we’re still here, plus [WR] Matt [Willis]—we’ve been here for a while. I’m looking forward to him helping us out to get better as a group of receivers, also.”
On whether QB Peyton Manning helps correct receivers on the field “Yeah, you get him telling that to everybody. I guess it’s just something he always does with his receivers, and he’s doing the same for us.”
On hearing corrections from a quarterback as opposed to a coach “I do what the coach wants, but also what the quarterback wants, because the quarterback is throwing me the ball. They both want the best for us.”
On when he could catch passes after getting pins removed from his thumb “When I actually got my pins removed I was back in Georgia. I was still working out maybe a week later, and I started catching a week or two later. I just waited until they told me I was able to run routes. When I started sweating, it was probably about two or three weeks [later].”
On not being able to practice with Manning right away in the offseason “I was basically just wanting to come in healthy. Whenever I started, I started.”
On when he could start running routes “Probably a month or a month and a half [ago].”
On if it is fair to be labeled as injury‐prone “That’s my question mark. I came in hurt and I’ve been hurt since I’ve been in the league.”
On what he can do to stay healthy “I guess just take care of my body better. It’s a different league than college. I never was hurt in college, then once I got here it’s just different. More games—it’s just different.”
On whether this is the healthiest he’s been as a professional “Yes sir.”
On his expectations “My expectation is to stay healthy, just go out every week and help my team whenever I have to.”
©2012 Denver Broncos Football Club. All rights reserved. The individual quotes cited in this document may be used for the purpose of news reporting and other fair uses as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. Duplication or posting of this quote sheet, in its entirety, or any other use of this material which is not a fair use as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of the Denver Broncos Football Club. On whether he has set goals in terms of statistics “I haven’t set any goals.”
On what he’s doing off the field to stay healthy “I do more yoga, do more massages—get my body work done by different types of chiropractors and stuff.”
On running a full route tree “I’m comfortable. This offseason I was healthy and there was a group of receivers at Georgia Tech, Calvin [Johnson] and a couple other guys. I learned some things from them to help me out in that part of my game. I feel very comfortable.”
On whether working with Calvin Johnson and Cam Newton helped him “Yeah. Cam Newton, there were a couple receivers, just to get somebody to throw you the ball that’s in the league and run some routes and learn some new things that you haven’t had in your game helped me out a lot.”
On what he learned from Calvin Johnson “The main thing he told me is just to go out and work hard. He sees me run a route and he’ll tell me what I’m doing wrong and just correct it.”
On safety Mike Adams thinking he was a tight end at first “A lot of people say that (laughing). I’m not a tight end at all.”
On his size “I actually trimmed down a little [to] 228 [pounds]. I played 232 last year. I want to play at 222.”
On whether he is confident “Yeah, I am. The main thing about it is just being healthy. Being healthy brings your confidence even higher.”
On what he needs to do when playing with Peyton Manning “Basically just beat the guy in front of you, knowing what you’ve got to do when you’ve got a slot adjustment or you need to read the defense. Just being precise and doing what you’ve got to do. Know what you’ve got to do when you get on the field.”
On whether Manning’s advice comes on the field or in the film room “If he sees you do something on the field, he’ll correct you. But most of the time it’s in the film room.”
On how OTAs will help him “I think it’ll be a big impact just to come in healthy, go through OTAs and be able to go through minicamp. Just to see stuff and get the reps. I was here, I saw it, but I never got the reps. I think that will help me out.”
On what Manning brings to the team “I think it’s probably the talent and him knowing the game. He knows a lot that I haven’t seen. He knows when to change the play. He knows when to put on a run. He’s just a talent.”
On whether he’s seen replays of his touchdown catch against Pittsburgh “I’ve replayed it a couple times myself (laughing). I actually replayed it last night. I was in my bed on my computer and I typed my name in.”
On watching the catch “It puts chills in my body.”
©2012 Denver Broncos Football Club. All rights reserved. The individual quotes cited in this document may be used for the purpose of news reporting and other fair uses as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act. Duplication or posting of this quote sheet, in its entirety, or any other use of this material which is not a fair use as defined by Section 107 of the Copyright Act is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of the Denver Broncos Football Club.