Peyton Manning has never played with a receiver like Demaryius Thomas before.
Don’t take my word for it. Take Manning’s. The Broncos quarterback played with some good receivers during his years with the Colts (and made a lot of average ones look better), but he told Thomas that this is a new experience. At 6'3" and 236 pounds, Thomas bears little physical resemblance to those receivers.
Thomas told Bill Williamson of ESPN.com that he knows Peyton is looking forward to it and that he’s also excited about the opportunity to play with Manning.
“That’s all I think about; just making sure I take advantage of this,” Thomas said. “Every time I make a mistake, I get mad at myself because I know Peyton is counting on me. I have to be good. Peyton picked the Broncos, and I have to make him know he made the right choice.”
Thomas has flashed serious ability in his first two years despite injuries and poor quarterback play limiting his chances to put up big numbers. He’ll have to make adjustments to playing with Manning, but he sounds more than willing to make them this summer. Manning has looked healthy thus far and thoughts of this partnership likely make for some happy thoughts at Broncos headquarters.