Demaryius Thomas: Route tree is back in vogue

Douglas Lee Jun 28, 2012 12:15 PM

For Demaryius Thomas, the Arrival of Peyton Manning Means it’s Time to Run Routes Again
sportsradiointerviews.com

On having to run more routes with Manning at quarterback:

“You’re gonna have to run the whole route tree now. The comebacks, the slants, the posts, the ins. And I didn’t have to do that much when I was my first couple of years in the league.”

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Douglas Lee Collapse
Again, . I didn't say you were racist. I said your writing is.

Your constant labeling of black players as lazy/dumb/stupid/morons/douchebags has grown beyond old.

Rarely use the word douche bag but that not standing..

I'm very equal opportunity when it comes to commenting on players, just so happens right now there have not been many if any White players to comment on.. Since most pro sports are predominately Black.. Broncos included..

I can assure you that if Decker does not get his act together I will comment on his "lack".
This is coming from a guy that hailed his selection as great and have compered his College play as the next Eddie Mac.. catching everything that came his way.. If I do not see some improvement in the past few years productivity Well I'll be on his case like stink on ..

Well I do not have the skill level nor time to spend on the evals that Y'all do very well. I do feel after playing the game some time ago and being in the stands from day one for the Broncos, Being an Old Buff fan.I've watched UCLA, Syracuse and USC when living in those areas. So I do feel I have some ability to see and think and even more so comment on what I see wrong..

Please tell me that DJ is not one of or more of the following " lazy/dumb/stupid/moron"

As for DT I feel he has been lazy in learning and perfecting his job he is making millions doing.. Probably Dumb for making the statement in the first place.. Do not think I have used the word moron fro him yet.

I'm sorry that Y'all have perceived that my commentary is racist as it is not meant that way.. Merely pointing out facts as I see them..

I comment more here than elsewhere because I find most of the "members here to be above average in knowledge and enjoy the interaction..

I had always thought that message boards were for Ideas and have merely expressed mine..

I appreciate the ability to read and comment and will try hard be MORE equal opportunity.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-30 16:28:10

Again, Lonestar47 . I didn't say you were racist. I said your writing is.

Your constant labeling of black players as lazy/dumb/stupid/morons/douchebags has grown beyond old.

The only people who ever use the term "PC" are those entitled members of the majority who are mad that society has evolved beyond their marginalizing ways, and they wish to still be able to treat others as poorly as they had been previously accustomed to.

Perhaps this young whippersnapper can remind you that back in the 40s and 50s, black people lacked civil rights and lived segregated lives. Also, people like you called them Negroes or worse. Well, guess what? Times have changed.

Our society has evolved, and is still evolving. Things that were okay when you were younger are no longer acceptable.

You don't get to use whatever language you want here, because this is not an expression of your free speech. Rather, this is our website and you are here as a visitor. You can choose to write in a manner more respectful of current society, or you can take it elsewhere. Your choice.

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2012-06-30 07:42:18

Douglas Lee
You're right, - we don't know you. But we know your writing, and your writing is racist.

Doug I doubt that your old enough to know but the time frame I grew up in and the neighbor hood I lived in had Negro and Mexicans and frankly they were proud of those names.. for the most part there families were integrating into American society the Mexicans in particular used to force their kids to learn English and nto allow them to speak Spanish so they would have the eduction necessary to get other than mid to heavy labor jobs when they finished school.. Saw a few of my buddies get their asses kicked when their old man heard them using Spanish street slang.. Via school reunions I am in contact with a few of them that participate.. I still call them my friends and vice versa.. As I said it is to PC in teh world today to understand that not everything has been over the past century what it is today..Perhaps some of old timers can teach you young whipper snappers that in DEN in the 40-50s black, where not African Americans, black but what they were Negros. So the few times I have used the terminology that offends you so much is hilarious to here you call me a racist.. As I said you do not know me or the live I have lead....So how about you get off your righteous high horse and we can let this sleeping dog lie..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-29 17:17:50

You're right, Lonestar47 - we don't know you. But we know your writing, and your writing is racist.

That some of your best friends were black, but you still refer to them today as "Negros," tells me that your friends needed better friends. I hope they've since found them.

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2012-06-29 05:27:38

Doc says..If
this 'some of my best friends are black' reason is accurate, then why
not stop insulting the people you do? That would stop the problem. I'm
hardly the only person who's noticed this pattern from you.

I guess that would make Y'all know me better than I do..

Ahahahahahahahaha

The only UNPC comments I make are about about Blacks, must not have looked deeply at my posting history here and else where.

I have always told it like I see it.. If a comment about some being lazy or dumb is true then it is not an insult, but a fact.. Prove me wrong agrue the facts and not play the race card.. Seems easy to me..

I have been on Tanahan for years so I guess he must be black.. He has been on my hit list for years.. and DJ hit it this year.. Not because he is Black but because he is dumber than a post.. Being Black has zero to do with my dislike for him..

For many years I supported him, but dumb is as dumb does.. and he seems to have made that leap to being really stupid with his antics over the past couple of years..
If you look back at my Posting you would see I was a very vocal supporter of him..

Frankly I do not look at skin color when commenting.. Sorry Y'all are so up tight to see it, but PC does that to this generation..

Some of y'all rag on Tebow, does that make you a racist? No because for the most part it was about his play, because he was unconventional and for some it was because he is a Christian..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-29 01:30:22

Lonestar47 If this 'some of my best friends are black' reason is accurate, then why not stop insulting the people you do? That would stop the problem. I'm hardly the only person who's noticed this pattern from you. What I know is the consistency of racist and insulting tendencies in your comments. If they don't reflect your perspective, great - you're the only person who can change that.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2012-06-28 21:44:16

That route tree brings back memories. Does anybody know if those are the standard numbers affiliated with the routes in the NFL?

When I played, 8 was a post, 7 was a flag and 9 was a fly. Our flat was 1, 2 was a hitch, 3 was a fade, 4 was a slant, 5 was a comeback and 6 was a curl. Of course, 1-6 changed several times and we also had routes like "dig" and "wheel out" which were not numbered.

Anyway, like I mentioned, that tree brought back memories. As a WR and TE, slants and quick outs were always my favorite (and most effective) routes.

Posted by Jon on 2012-06-28 21:39:54

Doc Bear
It's interesting that your list of options doesn't include any that
might be less than insulting. But, hey - he's black, and we all know
your feelings on that.

Frankly you do not have a clue to my feelings on race.. You can only guess.. and your guessing is all wrong..

I grew up in very diverse neighbor hood where frankly my family was one of the few that was white.
Best friend were Mexican and a few Negros because at that time that is what they were named and few were in the area I lived in.. My mom re-married a Black man and we never had an issue, I was in the Navy for 6 years and my Boat was fully integrated.. White, Black, Brown, US, Filipino, Samoan and Asian, New Yorkers..Throughout my career I worked along side of, for and managed may years all races, genders and transgenders..

So please spare me the I'm a racist commentary.. Because YOU do not have a clue..

That said and I hope that clears thing up once and for all.

I happen to feel much the same way about Decker.. Although IIRC the scouting report on him was it was a passing offense and he caught everything thrown at him.. But it was reported that his route running lacked precision. But if it was close he had it, much like Eddie Mac..

I have been concerned that the Broncos lately going back to after Rod seem to be lacking in precision route running..

The past few years IIRC it was reported that it was not a strong point.. Now whether that was by folks defending QB's not all that sure..

Since I'm not in DEN do not go to TC, nor see all the games I'm just taking it from folks that have been.. or what I do get to see on TV in the limited games I have seen each year..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 20:03:42

Lonestar47 It's interesting that your list of options doesn't include any that might be less than insulting. But, hey - he's black, and we all know your feelings on that. The reality is that Manning has spoken well of him as a receiver. Somehow, I suspect he knows more than we do.

Reality is that he came from a college offense that didn't emphasize route running and then experienced several injuries. The other reality is that he's big, fast, has excellent hands and is learning route running. Many college receivers don't learn the route tree if their offense doesn't require it and the coaches don't teach it. If that's dumb, lazy or 'doesn't get it' - see second sentence above. I wonder when you'll figure it out that the only players you like to attack have certain things in common - like melanin.

I agree with you that someone doesn't get it. We just disagree on who.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2012-06-28 19:23:32

I think its his affect that make people assume he is dumb. He's a little country and very camera shy. He could use better grammar. But none of that makes him remotely dumb. My father in-law vibes as the biggest hayseed in the known universe at first glance, but he has also worked his way from bottom to very top in his field, and, as it turns out, is one of the truly brightest and insightful guys I know.

People come from different environments with different values. They usually outwardly reflect the circumstances of their upbringing. But environment doesn't dampen an agile mind, it just imprints certain things a little different. It instills different values and different focuses. Grammar, as one example, loses out to moxie or work ethic.

DT is going to be a bonafide friggin' Superstar by this time next year.

Posted by drewthorn on 2012-06-28 18:42:02

A R

In 2010, before the draft, DT was recovering from a broken foot, one
that required surgery. Also in 2012, Thomas had a high ankle sprain.
Feb 2011 Thomas ruptured his Achilles tendon. That kind of injury can
take up to a year to heal.

In order to practice running routes, you kinda have to be able to run.Frankly it sounds like you are making excuses for it.. and I understand .

My line of thought is, Prior to coming to DEN he had never worked real hard on it.. Perhaps had he we would not be having this conversation since that was a HUGE red flag on him. If he was a great route runner maybe he does not go to GA and winds up at a place that actually is a passing offense.. and he would have been drafted much higher than we could..Old habits are hard to break and it sounds like a lazy gifted athlete that thought he could get by on talent alone, NOW he has to learn or he does not get passes.I'm hoping he does because SO FAR he is not a HEAD case like our last big tall WR.. Would love to see him getting 80+ passes this year.. If for no other reason he opens up the field for all the other passing game.. I have no axe to grind with him, but I'm also do not have a man crush on him.. I'm waiting to see if he develops into a STUD WR and hopefully not a great one with a HUGE headcase issue.. Time will tell.. Till then the jury is out and frankly Manning is the MAN that will make or break him.. He tolerates little if any failure..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 18:15:12

"But I know that as some one stated he did not work on route running till now.. Because he has to NOW with Manning..
That my friend is being lazy at your job.. Or he is too dumb to get that in order to get better at your job it is something you have to do.."

In 2010, before the draft, DT was recovering from a broken foot, one that required surgery. Also in 2012, Thomas had a high ankle sprain. Feb 2011 Thomas ruptured his achiles tendon. That kind of injury can take up to a year to heal.

In order to practice running routes, you kinda have to be able to run.

Posted by A R on 2012-06-28 18:00:32

drewthorn Collapse
Top 10 Wonderlic in his draft class.

Thanks for sharing.. BUT
We have seen dumb folks with top scores on that and vice versa..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 17:27:49

Top 10 Wonderlic in his draft class.

Posted by drewthorn on 2012-06-28 17:08:08

AR I've seen nothing in DT that indicates lazyness and can't imagine what
indicates that posiblity to you, other than he's an athlete.

Now I do not see the day to day stuff that some in DEN do.. Being in cowgirls ocuntry I rarely see anything other than their stuff.

But I know that as some one stated he did not work on route running till now.. Because he has to NOW with Manning..

That my friend is being lazy at your job.. Or he is to dumb to get that in order to get better at your job it is something you have to do..

I doubt seriously that the DEN coaching these past two years has told him do not worry about learning how to run precise routes.. That becasue he is big and reasonably fast he will never need to do so.. Anyone want to make book on that?

as for last year being a running team with Tebow, might have been passing more IF they could run routes.. but who knows really what happened..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 16:03:08

IIRC he does not have elite speed for a WR, and while he beat several CB's last year not so sure that will continue as the book is written on him.. DC's will take away what he has done so far.. Or at least try to do so..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 15:44:15

There is no doubt that Manning is a mover and shaker, as would other QB's may have been if their daddy would have been a son of a NFL Star QB..

During the daft Like many others I thought Leaf would be the better of the two, mostly because of the opponents he played vs PM, but once again being talented in College did not transfer into the pros where everyone is great..

In that area he was already ahead of his peers in college and going into teh pros..
Like many I thought he got to where he was in college and initially in the NFL because of his name.. Then I flat disliked the guy because his teams kicked our asses in the playoffs each year for what seemed was a decade..

Then I started really looking at the guy like I have Brady and his crew and became an admirer of their hard work, attention to absolute detail and absorbing everything in front of the and almost getting to the point of at least in Manning case knowing as much as your OC does..

While I did not like the guy because he was in the path to us going to the playoffs, I started watching his game when I could to watch the master..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 15:42:17

"If you think I feel that way about black players only your absolutely incorrect thinking that."
Well, based on your posts, that's the conclusion I've drawn. Apparently others have too. The problem is either with how you write, or how the readers interpet it. Think about it.

It's not that I don't generalize and stereiotype (well, I'm human, so sometimes I do but I do my best to keep it at a minimum) because it's not PC. Rather, because it's not right, and it's not a useful way to view the world.

Yes, some athletes are lazy (get by on talent), and some feel entitled. But not all. And I think those are the minority, not the norm. So, the crazy thing I do about it, is to judge each indivudual. I've seen nothing in DT that indicates lazyness and can't imagine what indicates that posiblity to you, other than he's an athlete.

Posted by A R on 2012-06-28 15:32:27

Rollston Frangopoulos
Also on the grounds that it is revealing too much of the Broncos playbook.

you may also get fined under the DJ rule..

great post..

ahahahaaha

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 15:27:03

I really enjoyed DT being in the role of the deep threat, and probably a lot of that has to do with his size (and speed). Hopefully, we will be seeing plenty of 20+ receptions by DT this year.

Posted by DavidInLA on 2012-06-28 14:56:27

Also on the grounds that it is revealing too much of the Broncos playbook.

GOBRONCOS!!!

Posted by Rollston Frangopoulos on 2012-06-28 14:43:00

The facts will come out about which one, both or none down the line..
If you think I feel that way about black players only your absolutely incorrect thinking that..

Most IMO athletes at one time in their career feel entitled and those that are really gifted rarely work at their craft UNTIL they are forced to by getting into a League or college that levels the playing field.. Some are black some are white..

Some feel special because they are high draft choices, therefore think they are uber special.

But by the time they get to the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS everyone is as good or better than they have competed against, so now they really have to put in the work.. to either get better or fail..

It is a shame that folks get touchy when someone states what some are afraid to talk about because it is to PC..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 14:32:32

Doug, are you saying a player can't be lazy and dumb because he's black? Jamarcus Russell would challenge you on that.

Posted by John Tomasik on 2012-06-28 14:22:03

No Lonestar47 I don't think anyone is being "touchy." Rather, it had been over 48 hours since you last suggested a black player was lazy and or dumb, so perhaps they thought you weren't flinging that garbage anymore, and are disappointed to learn otherwise.

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2012-06-28 14:06:39

touchy folks today..
There is little doubt that DT has talent.. But talent alone will not make it in the NFL..

We used to have Ashely and he admitted in his second year IIRC that he never had to work in college because he was so much better than the CB's in his conference.

He said that he now had to work and LEARN because all the CB's now were as good or better than the few in college he played against. That he could no longer get by on talent alone..

Yes I know that DT was run first in college probably why he lasted as long as he did in the draft..

But he does have to get better or he we fail, because the BOOK has been written about him and DC's will take that away from him.. Sure as Wild Black Bears sleep in the woods..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 13:39:43

From the article: "...On what Peyton Manning brings to the table:
“The thing that gets me is how well he knows the game, and he’s a
leader. It ain’t just him talking to the offense. He talks to the whole
team as a group, so I feel like that’s something big, because I never
saw a quarterback that does that. And even when we’re in the weight
room, he’s just a leader. You got something like that on your team, it
can take you big places...."

Good lord I have wood....again.

Posted by John Tomasik on 2012-06-28 13:15:46

The guy overcame multiple significant injuries and having a running back throwing the ball to him and became the team's playoff hero. I'll give him a pass.

Posted by ohiobronco on 2012-06-28 13:03:11

I'm going to have to ask you to take that picture down, on account of it's not conducive to Demaryius Thomas's image.

Sincerely,
DT PR Team

Posted by A R on 2012-06-28 12:45:34

Both Georgia Tech and the Broncos 2011 were run-first teams. So no, he wasn't asked to run percices routes in college. And given the QB situation 2011, it didn't matter if he ran percices routes or not.

His rookie year, he didn't work very hard on routes. Is that proof that he's lazy? Or are you willing to give him a pass, since he was down with a very serious ankle injury and all?

Posted by A R on 2012-06-28 12:44:40

Let's hope he can run precise routes and does not blow them because if he does not be is not in the game plan for Manning. Which means someone else will be on his side of the field.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2012-06-28 12:34:07

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