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ENGLEWOOD, Colo.** – Seven days into training camp, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is gradually working his way back into the fold.
"I feel good to be back out there and to be able to run more than two or three routes at a time," Thomas said. "I feel good. I look forward to getting in better shape and being able to go longer."
After missing offseason training activities and minicamp due to contract negotiations, Thomas is playing catch-up with the Broncos' playbook. With the addition of new Head Coach Gary Kubiak and Offensive Coordinator Rick Dennison, the scheme has changed and now presents challenges for Thomas.
The Denver Broncos returned to the field at UCHealth Training Center after having a day off.
"[There are] a couple things we had in last year's offense—[it is] the same word and we still have it in this offense, but it's a different route," Thomas said. "That's the most difficult thing right now."
But now a week into camp, Thomas is getting caught up. Kubiak and his staff planned from the start of camp to limit Thomas the first few weeks. He's been involved in individual drills and walk-throughs from the beginning but Thursday was Thomas' first day of team repetitions.
"It's way better than it was Tuesday," said Thomas of his progression. "Actually, I was home [Wednesday]. I was looking over some stuff. [When] I came out today, I wasn't going up to the line thinking, 'Oh, what do I got here?' I kind of knew at the time. That's the most important thing since I could just start and go fast instead of thinking the whole time."
One thing that hasn't changed is his connection with quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning has been instrumental in Thomas' introduction to Kubiak and Dennison's offense.
"It's my fourth year with him. I don't think we can lose it that quick," said Thomas of his and Manning's timing. "When they're doing special teams, me and Peyton don't do special teams. We do our one-on-one thing. That kind of helps. The timing, it's good. It's just different routes. You have to of course run the reps and get that timing down because there's a lot of different throws than last year."
Take a look through Demaryius Thomas' career as a Denver Bronco, including his milestones.
Drafted in the first round at 22nd overall of the 2010 NFL Draft, Demaryius Thomas holds up his jersey.
Then a rookie, Demaryius Thomas scores his first career touchdown in his first NFL game. He totaled 97 receiving yards on eight receptions with the one touchdown in his debut, also a Broncos victory.
On Dec. 4, 2011, Demaryius Thomas notched his first career 100-yard receiving game with four catches for 144 yards. He also scored two touchdowns in the game, at the time a personal best.
Thomas snags a pass as a Bears defender dives for his feet. Thomas had seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in the week following his first 100-yard receiving game.
Thomas snags a pass as a Bears defender dives for his feet. Thomas had seven catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in the week following his first 100-yard receiving game.
Demaryius Thomas sprints to the end zone on a 71-yard catch-and-run. The touchdown was Peyton Manning's 400th career passing touchdown.
Thomas reaches up over two Patriots defenders to make a catch against New England. With 180 receiving yards, Thomas set his career-best mark to that point.
Multiple Saints defenders close in on Demaryius Thomas as they try to stop his progress. Thomas had seven receptions for 137 yards and one touchdown against New Orleans.
Thomas catches a pass over his shoulder against the Panthers in 2012. He would tie his personal best of nine receptions and total 135 receiving yards.
Beyond a leaping defender's outstretched arms, Demaryius Thomas makes a touchdown catch during a nine-reception, 102-yard game in 2012
Demaryius Thomas warms up before his first Pro Bowl game. Thomas recorded 1,434 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns and 94 receptions in 2012.
Demaryius Thomas strides to the end zone against the Chargers in 2013, scoring his third touchdown of the game, a personal record.
Two Raiders defenders try to stop Demaryius Thomas from reaching the goal line during a Sept. 2013 game. Thomas would make a career-best 10 receptions in the game.
Demaryius Thomas lands softly with the ball for a touchdown against the Patriots in the AFC Championship. The Broncos would win and Thomas would record 134 receiving yards on seven catches.
A Cardinals defender looks on after missing a tackle on Demaryius Thomas, who would sprint to an 86-yard touchdown, the longest reception he has had in his career.
Demaryius Thomas relaxes in the crowd with Broncos fans after scoring a long touchdown against the Cardinals. With 226 receiving yards on eight receptions, Thomas would set a personal and franchise record for receiving yards.
Demaryius Thomas is careful to keep both feet inbounds for a touchdown against the 49ers. The score was Peyton Manning's 509th career passing touchdown, establishing Manning as the NFL record holder in the category.
Multiple Chargers defenders pursue Demaryius Thomas during a game in October, 2014. With 105 receiving yards, Thomas recorded his fourth-straight game with at least 100 receiving yards, a Broncos record. Thomas would extend the record to seven consecutive games.
During this game against Oakland in November of 2014, Demaryius Thomas caught 11 passes, setting his career record for receptions.
In 2014, Demaryius Thomas recorded seven consecutive 100-yard receiving games, finishing with this 103-yard game against the Rams.
Demaryius Thomas broke the Broncos' single-season franchise record for 100-yard receiving games against the Bengals for his ninth of the year, and then he extended his lead for the record with another 100-yard game against the Raiders, his 10th of the season.
While Thomas is still learning the playbook, that doesn't mean he isn't thinking about goals for the team. His approach to achieving those goals are just like his approach to camp: a day a time, a game at a time.
"Basically, as any team, you want to win the Super Bowl," Thomas said. "I think our main thing is taking it a game at a time and making sure we handle the team that we have on our first game—Seattle—take care of them when we go down the road. Of course, we want to put ourselves in a great position to be able to make it to the playoffs and try to get home field advantage so we won't have to travel much to try to get back to the Super Bowl."
