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Julius Thomas
- Thread starter forestgreen
- Start date
Sounds like he may be headed to Jacksonville at 9m per year.
Former Portland State star Julius Thomas predicted as a top player during 2015 NFL season
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2015/06/former_portland_state_star_jul.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Julius Thomas won't be catching passes from quarterback Peyton Manning in 2015, but he remains confident that he'll produce the same type of statistics with Blake Bortles throwing the football.
The NFL Network possess that same confidence, selecting the former Portland State star tight end as one of the league's top 100 players for the upcoming 2015 season. Thomas was ranked 45th.
Thomas has 108 receptions for 1,282 yards and 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons despite missing five games. The third-year player racked up those numbers while playing with a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Manning in Denver. He won't have that luxury in 2015.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Thomas signed a five-year, $46 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March.
Goodbye Peyton Manning. Hello Blake Bortles.
Thomas has heard the critics, who say his numbers are a product of a system in Denver and are predicting he won't produce similar numbers with the second-year Bortles at quarterback in Jacksonville, a team that posted a 3-13 record in 2014.
"I'm hoping that five or six years from now they are saying, 'You still aren't any good,' " Thomas told the Florida Times-Union. "You caught passes from Peyton and now you caught passes from Blake. Those guys did all the work. You're 6-5, put your hands out and the ball just stuck to it."
Thomas was a big reason why Manning was successful in 2014. Manning's numbers dropped off considerably once Thomas injured his ankle midway through the season. Before Thomas sustained the injury, Manning threw 29 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. Manning threw 10 touchdown passes and eight interceptions after Thomas' injury.
Even without Manning throwing the passes, Thomas is likely to catch plenty of passes, if he remains healthy. With a young receiving corps Marquis Lee, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns - each entering their second season - Bortles will look for Thomas often.
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2015/06/former_portland_state_star_jul.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Julius Thomas won't be catching passes from quarterback Peyton Manning in 2015, but he remains confident that he'll produce the same type of statistics with Blake Bortles throwing the football.
The NFL Network possess that same confidence, selecting the former Portland State star tight end as one of the league's top 100 players for the upcoming 2015 season. Thomas was ranked 45th.
Thomas has 108 receptions for 1,282 yards and 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons despite missing five games. The third-year player racked up those numbers while playing with a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Manning in Denver. He won't have that luxury in 2015.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Thomas signed a five-year, $46 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars in March.
Goodbye Peyton Manning. Hello Blake Bortles.
Thomas has heard the critics, who say his numbers are a product of a system in Denver and are predicting he won't produce similar numbers with the second-year Bortles at quarterback in Jacksonville, a team that posted a 3-13 record in 2014.
"I'm hoping that five or six years from now they are saying, 'You still aren't any good,' " Thomas told the Florida Times-Union. "You caught passes from Peyton and now you caught passes from Blake. Those guys did all the work. You're 6-5, put your hands out and the ball just stuck to it."
Thomas was a big reason why Manning was successful in 2014. Manning's numbers dropped off considerably once Thomas injured his ankle midway through the season. Before Thomas sustained the injury, Manning threw 29 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. Manning threw 10 touchdown passes and eight interceptions after Thomas' injury.
Even without Manning throwing the passes, Thomas is likely to catch plenty of passes, if he remains healthy. With a young receiving corps Marquis Lee, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns - each entering their second season - Bortles will look for Thomas often.
BroadwayVik
Active member
The Oregonian shows itself getting the headline wrong again, the correct version being, of course,
Star Portland State Alum Julius Thomas predicted as a Top NFL Player for 2015 season
Keep trying, Oregonian. Do your best.
Star Portland State Alum Julius Thomas predicted as a Top NFL Player for 2015 season
Keep trying, Oregonian. Do your best.
CaseyOrourke
Active member
Great story about how Julius started out in basketball and moved to football.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0-vz5_uRaY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0-vz5_uRaY
Ex-Portland State Vikings star Julius Thomas looks to rebound from subpar 2015
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2016/06/ex-portland_state_vikings_star.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2016/06/ex-portland_state_vikings_star.html
BroadwayVik
Active member
________________________________________
Again, the hapless Oregonian creates an inaccurate headline:
Ex-Portland State Vikings star Julius Thomas looks to rebound from subpar 2015
They may have money, but they're not all that bright; a rather mediocre lot in both intellect and spirit. What the dumb-dumbs should have written is:
Star Portland State Alum Julius Thomas Looking to Rebound as Jaguar
and left the negative garbage out by the curbside. They're a virulent lot.
Again, the hapless Oregonian creates an inaccurate headline:
Ex-Portland State Vikings star Julius Thomas looks to rebound from subpar 2015
They may have money, but they're not all that bright; a rather mediocre lot in both intellect and spirit. What the dumb-dumbs should have written is:
Star Portland State Alum Julius Thomas Looking to Rebound as Jaguar
and left the negative garbage out by the curbside. They're a virulent lot.
Ex-Portland State star Julius Thomas 'nearly unstoppable' during OTAs: Report
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2016/07/ex-portland_state_star_julius.html
Julius Thomas is approaching the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp with a sense of urgency.
The numbers for the former Portland State University star tight end did not meet expectations during the 2015 season and expectations have increased regarding his potential contributions in 2016.
According to a report, Thomas looks to be more than ready to produce a big season. The combination of Thomas and Blake Bortles was "nearly unstoppable" during OTAs and mini-camp, leading to the hope that Thomas' production in 2016 will exceed his statistics in 2015.
Thomas finished the 2015 season with 46 catches for 455 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games. Those numbers were a disappointment for Thomas, who signed a five-year, $46 million contract with the Jaguars in 2015.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Thomas was developing a rapport with Bortles last season before he suffered a broken bone in his hand during the first preseason game, forcing him to miss the remainder of the preseason and the first four games of the regular season. When he returned to the field, Thomas started slowly and never found a rhythm.
What the Jaguars are hoping to see in 2016 is the Thomas who caught a combined 108 passes for 1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2013 and 2014 seasons in Denver. If Thomas can contribute numbers close to what he posted in either the 2013 or 2014 seasons, he would add another option on offense to go along with wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson.
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2016/07/ex-portland_state_star_julius.html
Julius Thomas is approaching the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp with a sense of urgency.
The numbers for the former Portland State University star tight end did not meet expectations during the 2015 season and expectations have increased regarding his potential contributions in 2016.
According to a report, Thomas looks to be more than ready to produce a big season. The combination of Thomas and Blake Bortles was "nearly unstoppable" during OTAs and mini-camp, leading to the hope that Thomas' production in 2016 will exceed his statistics in 2015.
Thomas finished the 2015 season with 46 catches for 455 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games. Those numbers were a disappointment for Thomas, who signed a five-year, $46 million contract with the Jaguars in 2015.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Thomas was developing a rapport with Bortles last season before he suffered a broken bone in his hand during the first preseason game, forcing him to miss the remainder of the preseason and the first four games of the regular season. When he returned to the field, Thomas started slowly and never found a rhythm.
What the Jaguars are hoping to see in 2016 is the Thomas who caught a combined 108 passes for 1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2013 and 2014 seasons in Denver. If Thomas can contribute numbers close to what he posted in either the 2013 or 2014 seasons, he would add another option on offense to go along with wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson.
Looks like JT is probably headed south to Miami.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18727495/jacksonville-jaguars-trade-tight-end-julius-thomas-miami-dolphins
Probably good for him. Jacksonville seems like a hot mess.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18727495/jacksonville-jaguars-trade-tight-end-julius-thomas-miami-dolphins
Probably good for him. Jacksonville seems like a hot mess.
BroadwayVik
Active member
___________________________
Very good news for him and, by extension, Portland State. More favorable visibility in a better run organization. Good motivational incentive to see if his career there can excel that of Joey Harrington of Oregon. This way, both of them will be Miami Dolphin "alums."
Very good news for him and, by extension, Portland State. More favorable visibility in a better run organization. Good motivational incentive to see if his career there can excel that of Joey Harrington of Oregon. This way, both of them will be Miami Dolphin "alums."
bigskyconf
Active member
BroadwayVik said:
Successful businessmen reward their school's business department. Successful doctors reward their school's medical department. Just saying it would be nice if some of our own successful athletes would "reward" the athletic department in some way. :twocents:
BroadwayVik
Active member
He's going to look great as a Miami Dolphin. Don't you think? And I believe donations to universities are tax deductible. Go, Julius!!
Julius Thomas says he's healthy, excited to reunite with Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase
Former Portland State star tight end Julius Thomas says he is excited to play for Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase, who was the offensive coordinator in Denver when Thomas caught a combined 24 touchdown passes during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded Thomas to the Dolphins
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2017/03/julius_thomas_says_hes_healthy.html
Julius Thomas is ready to regain his position as one of the NFL's elite tight ends in 2017.
The former Portland State star was traded to the Miami Dolphins, reuniting him with coach Adam Gase. Gase the offensive coordinator in Denver when Thomas caught a combined 24 touchdown passes during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
"Gase is a guy that I trust. He's a guy that I've had a relationship with for a long time in this business," Thomas told reporters. "I really believe in his philosophy for offense and his approach to coaching, so it was definitely exciting, definitely something that I'm really looking for to."
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded Thomas to the Dolphins March 9 for a seventh-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
The trade ended two highly disappointing seasons for Thomas in Jacksonville. Thomas signed a five-year, $46 million free agent deal with the Jaguars in 2015 after catching a combined 108 passes for 1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Thomas' time in Jacksonville got on to an ominous start when he suffered a broken bone in his right hand during the first preseason game and missed the remainder of the preseason and the first four regular season games. The injury prevented Thomas from learning Jaguars offense and quarterback Blake Bortles' style of play. A back injury limited Thomas to nine games in 2016.
Thomas finished his time in Jacksonville with 76 catches for 736 yards and nine touchdowns.
Part of the reason for the diminished production with the Jaguars was the inconsistency of Bortles, the emergence of wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson and the failure of the team's coaching staff to design plays to maximize Thomas' skill set.
However, Thomas has been plagued with injuries during his first six seasons in the NFL. Injuries to his ankles, knees, fingers, hands, chest, abdomen, elbow and back have limited him to playing in 49 games since the 2103 season and he has missed a total of 36 games during his career.
Thomas passed a physical before the Dolphins finalized the trade. He says he's healthy and ready to play at a high level.
"I can tell you that it's fortunate for me that I don't have any lingering deficiencies from the injuries. At different times you'll have injuries that really affect you and make it hard," Thomas said. "I don't have any handicap injuries that will hold me back. They've all been able to heal up. The fortunate part is it's always something new. It's not chronic."
Former Portland State star tight end Julius Thomas says he is excited to play for Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase, who was the offensive coordinator in Denver when Thomas caught a combined 24 touchdown passes during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded Thomas to the Dolphins
http://www.oregonlive.com/nfl/index.ssf/2017/03/julius_thomas_says_hes_healthy.html
Julius Thomas is ready to regain his position as one of the NFL's elite tight ends in 2017.
The former Portland State star was traded to the Miami Dolphins, reuniting him with coach Adam Gase. Gase the offensive coordinator in Denver when Thomas caught a combined 24 touchdown passes during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
"Gase is a guy that I trust. He's a guy that I've had a relationship with for a long time in this business," Thomas told reporters. "I really believe in his philosophy for offense and his approach to coaching, so it was definitely exciting, definitely something that I'm really looking for to."
The Jacksonville Jaguars traded Thomas to the Dolphins March 9 for a seventh-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
The trade ended two highly disappointing seasons for Thomas in Jacksonville. Thomas signed a five-year, $46 million free agent deal with the Jaguars in 2015 after catching a combined 108 passes for 1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Thomas' time in Jacksonville got on to an ominous start when he suffered a broken bone in his right hand during the first preseason game and missed the remainder of the preseason and the first four regular season games. The injury prevented Thomas from learning Jaguars offense and quarterback Blake Bortles' style of play. A back injury limited Thomas to nine games in 2016.
Thomas finished his time in Jacksonville with 76 catches for 736 yards and nine touchdowns.
Part of the reason for the diminished production with the Jaguars was the inconsistency of Bortles, the emergence of wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson and the failure of the team's coaching staff to design plays to maximize Thomas' skill set.
However, Thomas has been plagued with injuries during his first six seasons in the NFL. Injuries to his ankles, knees, fingers, hands, chest, abdomen, elbow and back have limited him to playing in 49 games since the 2103 season and he has missed a total of 36 games during his career.
Thomas passed a physical before the Dolphins finalized the trade. He says he's healthy and ready to play at a high level.
"I can tell you that it's fortunate for me that I don't have any lingering deficiencies from the injuries. At different times you'll have injuries that really affect you and make it hard," Thomas said. "I don't have any handicap injuries that will hold me back. They've all been able to heal up. The fortunate part is it's always something new. It's not chronic."
BroadwayVik
Active member
So long as Julius stays healthy, he can become one of the great ones.
Go Julius! Donations to PSU Vikings FB tax deductible. Divert some of your tax money to us!!
Who else? Deshawn Shead, Cornelius Edison, Patrick Onwuasor
Go Julius! Donations to PSU Vikings FB tax deductible. Divert some of your tax money to us!!
Who else? Deshawn Shead, Cornelius Edison, Patrick Onwuasor
Julius Thomas Inspires The Community With An Investment In Education
http://uproxx.com/sports/julius-thompson-my-post-season-boost-mobile/
http://uproxx.com/sports/julius-thompson-my-post-season-boost-mobile/
BroadwayVik
Active member
Julius Thomas Inspires The Community With An Investment In Education
By: Brad Rowland
Julius Thomas is just 28 years old and, from a football perspective, the talented tight end has plenty left in the tank to accomplish quite a bit over the final years of his NFL career. However, Thomas is not waiting until retirement to make an impact off the field – and the Miami Dolphins tight end is practicing what he preaches in the form of real community investment.
Thomas is the co-founder, along with his mother, of Reading Equates To Success, a non-profit with the stated mission to “spread inspiration and create a desire for learning.” Recently, Thomas put his words into action during a visit to the Juanita Tate Academy Charter School in south Los Angeles, and his actions were captured on video as he spoke to and interacted with various students and staff at the facility.
“I don’t know if I’m going to reach every kid,” Thomas said, “but if I could reach a couple every single team, how great of a feeling would that be? To be laying 90 years old in a bed somewhere thinking my time is coming to an end, but I’ve helped so many people. That’s really what is going to matter at the end of the day. That’s lasting.”
Those are the sentiments he expresses in his desire to improve and widen the educational landscape and it is an inspiring notion for a professional athlete before reaching the age of 30. Too often, both athletes and everyday people live in the now to the point where investment in the future is simply an afterthought. In the case of Thomas, it is utterly clear that he sees the future as a priority even now. And the leaders of both the country and individual communities will rise with intelligence and acumen as a result.
Thomas refers to Reading Equates To Success as a “grass-roots non-profit” in that it is not a sprawling operation. In practice, the organization exists to bring reading to schools and young people in a personal, on-the-ground fashion, and Thomas lays out the fact that the non-profit includes partnerships with schools for book drop-offs and big-picture donations from outside groups.
It is quite clear from both the video and his individual actions that helping to present education through reading and learning is vastly important to Thomas and that he takes it quite personally. Given the way the he ascended professionally from the relative obscurity provided by playing football at Portland State University, Thomas is a success story in a number of ways, but he also received a college education that can be put into practice well beyond the point of his retirement from the NFL as an active player.
Thomas indicates that his goal is to simply help the most people that he is able to and that message is both uplifting and coherent. One of the children interviewed on site during his Los Angeles visit shed light in saying, “I never knew that an athlete, or a football player, could be that interested in reading. I usually just see them play, so I never knew that. It just inspired me to work harder.”
The simple practice of showing up and investing on the ground level, without fanfare, isn’t lost on Thomas or Reading Equates To Success. The NFL tight end’s message to youth that they should not be scared to fail is also important, largely because of the sentiment he expresses that learning is often not considered to be a “cool” action as children process through the educational system.
With relatively simple actions like providing books, encouragement and a shining example, Julius Thomas is making a difference on a regular basis in schools across the country. His latest professional foray includes a trade that will send him to the Miami Dolphins and to a new community. Given his track record, it is safe to assume that Thomas will hit the ground running and the youth of South Florida will be motivated and galvanized as a result.
By: Brad Rowland
Julius Thomas is just 28 years old and, from a football perspective, the talented tight end has plenty left in the tank to accomplish quite a bit over the final years of his NFL career. However, Thomas is not waiting until retirement to make an impact off the field – and the Miami Dolphins tight end is practicing what he preaches in the form of real community investment.
Thomas is the co-founder, along with his mother, of Reading Equates To Success, a non-profit with the stated mission to “spread inspiration and create a desire for learning.” Recently, Thomas put his words into action during a visit to the Juanita Tate Academy Charter School in south Los Angeles, and his actions were captured on video as he spoke to and interacted with various students and staff at the facility.
“I don’t know if I’m going to reach every kid,” Thomas said, “but if I could reach a couple every single team, how great of a feeling would that be? To be laying 90 years old in a bed somewhere thinking my time is coming to an end, but I’ve helped so many people. That’s really what is going to matter at the end of the day. That’s lasting.”
Those are the sentiments he expresses in his desire to improve and widen the educational landscape and it is an inspiring notion for a professional athlete before reaching the age of 30. Too often, both athletes and everyday people live in the now to the point where investment in the future is simply an afterthought. In the case of Thomas, it is utterly clear that he sees the future as a priority even now. And the leaders of both the country and individual communities will rise with intelligence and acumen as a result.
Thomas refers to Reading Equates To Success as a “grass-roots non-profit” in that it is not a sprawling operation. In practice, the organization exists to bring reading to schools and young people in a personal, on-the-ground fashion, and Thomas lays out the fact that the non-profit includes partnerships with schools for book drop-offs and big-picture donations from outside groups.
It is quite clear from both the video and his individual actions that helping to present education through reading and learning is vastly important to Thomas and that he takes it quite personally. Given the way the he ascended professionally from the relative obscurity provided by playing football at Portland State University, Thomas is a success story in a number of ways, but he also received a college education that can be put into practice well beyond the point of his retirement from the NFL as an active player.
Thomas indicates that his goal is to simply help the most people that he is able to and that message is both uplifting and coherent. One of the children interviewed on site during his Los Angeles visit shed light in saying, “I never knew that an athlete, or a football player, could be that interested in reading. I usually just see them play, so I never knew that. It just inspired me to work harder.”
The simple practice of showing up and investing on the ground level, without fanfare, isn’t lost on Thomas or Reading Equates To Success. The NFL tight end’s message to youth that they should not be scared to fail is also important, largely because of the sentiment he expresses that learning is often not considered to be a “cool” action as children process through the educational system.
With relatively simple actions like providing books, encouragement and a shining example, Julius Thomas is making a difference on a regular basis in schools across the country. His latest professional foray includes a trade that will send him to the Miami Dolphins and to a new community. Given his track record, it is safe to assume that Thomas will hit the ground running and the youth of South Florida will be motivated and galvanized as a result.
Peyton Manning helped sell Miami Dolphins on Julius Thomas
http://dailydolphin.blog.mypalmbeachpost.com/2017/05/07/peyton-manning-helped-sell-miami-dolphins-on-julius-thomas/
When the Miami Dolphins were considering acquiring tight end Julius Thomas, offensive coordinator Clyde Christiansen reached out to a former pupil, retired quarterback Peyton Manning.
Christensen was Manning’s offensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts in 2009 and 2010. And Thomas caught 24 touchdowns from Manning when they played together for the Denver Broncos in 2013 and 2014.
So Christensen trusts Manning’s evaluation, and it was overwhelmingly positive.
“That (Thomas) figured it out,” Christensen explained of Manning’s report. “(Thomas’) figure-it-out factor was high. That’s what you look for. There’s a guy who came in and probably didn’t know a whole bunch about football, or played very little. His experience was very minimal, and then (he) came in and figured it out and then worked. (Manning) talked a lot about (Thomas asking), ‘Would you stay out and help me with this? Take me through this. Would you watch a little tape with me? Would you explain what you want on this?’ And he still does the same thing. I’ll see him in (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase’s office and his questions are right. His questions and his process are right, which as a coach, (is what) you’re looking for.”
Manning helped Thomas reach unforeseen heights after the tight end was a fourth-round draft choice out of Portland State.
After signing a big contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, though, Thomas had only nine touchdowns in two injury-marred seasons.
Christensen believes Miami is more likely to see the Broncos version of Thomas in 2017.
“There’s no guarantee on any of them,” Christensen said. “It’s on film. I’ve seen it. Hearing Peyton (Manning) talk about him and what he meant to the offense. (Head Coach Adam) Gase knows him inside out. Gase knows exactly what he’s getting and knows how to use him. (Gase) used him extremely well out there in Denver. I have great confidence that we will get that. It’s not a speculation. There’s some – as you like to say – empirical data. There’s data we can see, see him do it (and) see the things we need him to do. That always is encouraging,"
Gase was quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in Denver, so he too was involved in Thomas’ previous success. The Dolphins were in no way flying blind as to what they were getting with Thomas.
“He knows the system,” Christensen said. “He came up through the ranks. He has a great story. You guys will hear it when you talk to him, but (he is) a guy that hadn’t played a ton of football and (was) learning how to be a pro, learning how to practice, learning how detailed this thing is and figuring it out. So, his story and what he’ll bring to that locker room I think is really good. He’s a pleasant guy. He’s a pro. He asks the right questions. He stays with it until he knows the answer. He’s going to come in, in the evening if he has questions. He’s going to do whatever it takes to find a way to play good football. That’s what we’re looking for. That’s what we need throughout the thing – a detailed, professional guy.”
After the trade, Thomas downplayed the long-term effect of injuries to his back, ankle and finger, and explained how important it was for him to re-unite with .
“I definitely have high expectations for myself,” Thomas said. “As far as numbers, that fluctuates and I don’t really know how that’s going to go; but I definitely expect to go out there and help make big plays for this offense. Whatever aspect that I have to do – whether that’s picking up an extra block in the run game, pull someone on the back side, coming out of a speed route or making sure that I’m there open in the middle of the field for Ryan (Tannehill) – I really take pride in what I do and going out there and playing football and helping my team win. That’s probably the biggest thing that I expect to do is to just be an asset to the offense and do what I can to make this an explosive unit.”
Gase has pointed out several times that he expects Thomas to create mismatch problems for opposing defenses.
“I think any time you have a tight end that can really cause issues in the passing game, especially down the middle of the field, it benefits the run game and the other players on the field,” Gase said. “Any time you can single a guy up and there’s a matchup problem there, whether it’s a safety or linebacker on him, now you’ve got man-to-man and if he can win, there are some big-time issues. We had a lot of success doing that and teams quit doing it against us. The next thing you know they’re playing Cover 2 or some kind of quarters and then we start running the ball and then the next thing you know, you’ve got a 1,100-yard back that nobody thinks can run the ball.”
By all accounts, Thomas has committed himself to improving his physical conditioning and has a desire to show his accomplishments in Denver were not a fluke. And were not simply a product of playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback.
It just so happens that Manning is still in Thomas’ corner.
“I would speak of Peyton as almost coach-ish, especially at that point in his career,” Christensen said. “He goes to people (and asks), ‘How do we want to do this? How do I do this? Is this exactly what you want, or is it different?’ Those are the right questions to be asking. (Thomas) has been terrific in the short time he has been here, and it doesn’t take long to see he enjoys football, he likes football, which is the other attribute we’ve been looking for, and guys that enjoy being in the building. He’s a pleasant guy. He has a good demeanor. He has got a smile on his face when he comes to work. That’s good stuff. A lot of times when you go get a free agent – a high-profile free agent – you don’t know what you’re going to get. It’s a reach, and all you can go on is second hand. This one, we had the advantage of Coach Gase (and) people knew him, and he has been exactly that."
http://dailydolphin.blog.mypalmbeachpost.com/2017/05/07/peyton-manning-helped-sell-miami-dolphins-on-julius-thomas/
When the Miami Dolphins were considering acquiring tight end Julius Thomas, offensive coordinator Clyde Christiansen reached out to a former pupil, retired quarterback Peyton Manning.
Christensen was Manning’s offensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts in 2009 and 2010. And Thomas caught 24 touchdowns from Manning when they played together for the Denver Broncos in 2013 and 2014.
So Christensen trusts Manning’s evaluation, and it was overwhelmingly positive.
“That (Thomas) figured it out,” Christensen explained of Manning’s report. “(Thomas’) figure-it-out factor was high. That’s what you look for. There’s a guy who came in and probably didn’t know a whole bunch about football, or played very little. His experience was very minimal, and then (he) came in and figured it out and then worked. (Manning) talked a lot about (Thomas asking), ‘Would you stay out and help me with this? Take me through this. Would you watch a little tape with me? Would you explain what you want on this?’ And he still does the same thing. I’ll see him in (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase’s office and his questions are right. His questions and his process are right, which as a coach, (is what) you’re looking for.”
Manning helped Thomas reach unforeseen heights after the tight end was a fourth-round draft choice out of Portland State.
After signing a big contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, though, Thomas had only nine touchdowns in two injury-marred seasons.
Christensen believes Miami is more likely to see the Broncos version of Thomas in 2017.
“There’s no guarantee on any of them,” Christensen said. “It’s on film. I’ve seen it. Hearing Peyton (Manning) talk about him and what he meant to the offense. (Head Coach Adam) Gase knows him inside out. Gase knows exactly what he’s getting and knows how to use him. (Gase) used him extremely well out there in Denver. I have great confidence that we will get that. It’s not a speculation. There’s some – as you like to say – empirical data. There’s data we can see, see him do it (and) see the things we need him to do. That always is encouraging,"
Gase was quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator in Denver, so he too was involved in Thomas’ previous success. The Dolphins were in no way flying blind as to what they were getting with Thomas.
“He knows the system,” Christensen said. “He came up through the ranks. He has a great story. You guys will hear it when you talk to him, but (he is) a guy that hadn’t played a ton of football and (was) learning how to be a pro, learning how to practice, learning how detailed this thing is and figuring it out. So, his story and what he’ll bring to that locker room I think is really good. He’s a pleasant guy. He’s a pro. He asks the right questions. He stays with it until he knows the answer. He’s going to come in, in the evening if he has questions. He’s going to do whatever it takes to find a way to play good football. That’s what we’re looking for. That’s what we need throughout the thing – a detailed, professional guy.”
After the trade, Thomas downplayed the long-term effect of injuries to his back, ankle and finger, and explained how important it was for him to re-unite with .
“I definitely have high expectations for myself,” Thomas said. “As far as numbers, that fluctuates and I don’t really know how that’s going to go; but I definitely expect to go out there and help make big plays for this offense. Whatever aspect that I have to do – whether that’s picking up an extra block in the run game, pull someone on the back side, coming out of a speed route or making sure that I’m there open in the middle of the field for Ryan (Tannehill) – I really take pride in what I do and going out there and playing football and helping my team win. That’s probably the biggest thing that I expect to do is to just be an asset to the offense and do what I can to make this an explosive unit.”
Gase has pointed out several times that he expects Thomas to create mismatch problems for opposing defenses.
“I think any time you have a tight end that can really cause issues in the passing game, especially down the middle of the field, it benefits the run game and the other players on the field,” Gase said. “Any time you can single a guy up and there’s a matchup problem there, whether it’s a safety or linebacker on him, now you’ve got man-to-man and if he can win, there are some big-time issues. We had a lot of success doing that and teams quit doing it against us. The next thing you know they’re playing Cover 2 or some kind of quarters and then we start running the ball and then the next thing you know, you’ve got a 1,100-yard back that nobody thinks can run the ball.”
By all accounts, Thomas has committed himself to improving his physical conditioning and has a desire to show his accomplishments in Denver were not a fluke. And were not simply a product of playing with a Hall of Fame quarterback.
It just so happens that Manning is still in Thomas’ corner.
“I would speak of Peyton as almost coach-ish, especially at that point in his career,” Christensen said. “He goes to people (and asks), ‘How do we want to do this? How do I do this? Is this exactly what you want, or is it different?’ Those are the right questions to be asking. (Thomas) has been terrific in the short time he has been here, and it doesn’t take long to see he enjoys football, he likes football, which is the other attribute we’ve been looking for, and guys that enjoy being in the building. He’s a pleasant guy. He has a good demeanor. He has got a smile on his face when he comes to work. That’s good stuff. A lot of times when you go get a free agent – a high-profile free agent – you don’t know what you’re going to get. It’s a reach, and all you can go on is second hand. This one, we had the advantage of Coach Gase (and) people knew him, and he has been exactly that."
