Broncos rookie Thomas knows he can't screw up
Far from his old influences in Jacksonville, Denver Broncos rookie defensive tackle Marcus Thomas is trying to live a quiet existence.
He said his normal routine is work out, study the playbook, maybe hang out with some teammates. He isn’t a hermit, but he knows he has no room for error after ruining his senior year of college.
“I’ll occasionally go out, but it’s not a big deal for me, nothing I look forward to,” Thomas said. “I’m just looking forward to the season, and playing football.”
The Broncos selected Thomas in the fourth round of April’s draft. Denver knew the risk. Thomas failed two drug tests at the University of Florida, then was kicked off the team for violating rules. Instead of following a contract with the coaching staff, in which he had a 7 p.m. curfew, could not leave town and had to attend rehabilitation class six times a week, Thomas stopped going to rehabilitation classes and went back to Jacksonville. That led to his dismissal.
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan sent a message to Thomas: one more slip-up and he would be cut. Thomas, who might have been a first-round pick if it weren’t for his problems, said he took that to heart.
“Just basically, I’m letting people know who I am,” Thomas said. “The things in Florida are in the past. Right now I’m trying to show I’m not that type of guy.”
Richard Burnoski was Thomas’ coach in high school, has known him since Thomas was in eighth grade, and is now his agent. He said he thinks he knows what went wrong for Thomas in college.
First, Burnoski said he felt Thomas got a big head and didn’t think the rules applied to him because he was one of the best players. Also, he attributed some of Thomas’ problems to being young and immature. But most of all, being near Jacksonville was ruining him, and he had to get away.
“When the draft came, he said and I said: ‘Where do you want to get drafted?’” Burnoski said. “We said ‘As far from Jacksonville as possible.’ When we got drafted by Denver, we were very happy.
“He’s got a lot of guys in Jacksonville that aren’t the best guys who he grew up with, and they’re trying to latch onto him.”
Since moving to Denver shortly after the draft, Burnoski said Thomas returned to Florida once to take care of some personal business, and he doesn’t plan on going back often. Thomas plans to live in Colorado full time.
“Basically I’m putting myself in the right position,” Thomas said. “I’m watching who I’m hanging out with.”
Thomas tried to show his commitment to the Broncos with his contract. He was Denver’s first draft pick to sign, avoiding any hint of a holdout.
Thomas made two concessions in the contract. He signed a four-year deal, although many second-day picks get three-year contracts. He also deferred part of his signing bonus, which is the only guaranteed part of most NFL contracts. If Thomas screws up, the Broncos can cut him and won’t have to pay the remaining portion of his signing bonus.
Thomas said he’s not worried about waiting for the rest of his signing bonus, because he’s not going to screw up.
“I told them, I’ll structure it however you want it,” Thomas said. “I feel comfortable I’m not going to mess up. If that makes them feel any better, that’s fine. I’m just letting people know I’m here for football.”
