Denver Broncos Free Agent Review: Marcus Thomas

by KaptainKirk on Feb 17, 2012 1:00 PM MST in 2012 Denver Broncos Offseason

As we continue our review of Denver Broncos Free Agents, it's time to look at Defensive Tackle Marcus Thomas, who has forever been linked to Mike Shanahan's furious run of Defensive lineman draft picks in the 2007 draft.

Marcus was selected in the 4th round with the 121st pick by the Broncos out of Florida. He has played in 76 games (34 starts) for the Broncos and in 2010, joined Rubin Carter (1975-78) as the only interior defensive linemen in Broncos history to play every game during their first four professional seasons. With the exception of 2009, when the team ran a 2-5 front with Elvis Dumervil having his hand on the ground, Marcus has increased his Tackle numbers (and playing time) each year. He recorded his second highest Tackle total (35) in 2010, including his first career Sack against the New York Jets in Week 6. Thomas is tied for second in team history among defensive linemen with two career interceptions.

Marcus Thomas

#79 / Defensive Tackle / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-3

Weight: 316

Born: Sep 23, 1985 (Age: 26)

College: Florida

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2011 - Marcus Thomas	12	0	0	0	0	0	29	14	43

Marcus also had one pass defensed, one Quarterback Hit and 4 Tackles For Loss

2011 Season:

Marcus beat out Kevin Vickerson for the starting job in Training Camp. Big Vick was awarded a new contract during the offseason shed 25 pounds, dropping from 310 pounds down to 285 and then got injured.

In Week 5 against San Diego, Thomas had 8 Tackles. At Miami (Week 7) he recorded two Tackles in his first start of the 2011 season.

Against Chicago in Week 14, Marcus had six Tackles including two for a loss.

In the New England game during Week 15, his nine total tackles tied Chris Harris as the leading Tacklers for the game.

He had another 4 Tackles in the divisional playoff game against the Patriots.

Scouting Report

Thomas has excellent power, size and athleticism. He is a ball-hawk defender who excels at stuffing the run but also has the ability to explode and make plays into the backfield. He has had off-field problems in the past (in College) and has a big challenge in proving he can stay focused on football. The motivation is not always there and he can be inconsistent at times. He is an adequate starting Defensive Lineman.

In 2011, Marcus made $1 Million. He has stated he wants to stay in Denver, but is sure to want a raise. The minimum he could receive in 2012 would be $700,000. I don't see him signing for that. Thomas and the Broncos could nor agree to an extension last season and that may have mainly been a cause of the Lockout. Many teams refused to sign long term deals because of the uncertain future. Now that has been resolved and maybe they can come to terms. Marcus has definitely improved each season and i believe he has earned a new deal.

There are a few options in the Free Agency pool as well as the draft. The Broncos also have to make a decision on whether to sign Brodrick Bunkley as well. Ty Warren, Kevin Vickerson, Ryan McBean, Mitch Unrein, Jeremy Jarmon and Sealver Siliga are the others at hand.

Go Broncos!

Follow Me on Twitter!

Like Me on FaceBook!

Poll

Should Marcus Thomas be re-signed by the Denver Broncos?

Yes

220 votes

No

13 votes

233 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Is it me or...

…will the MHR vote “yes” to every Bronco free agent?

by ConradA on Feb 17, 2012 1:21 PM MST reply actions

I almost always vote yes

But in my mind I add the stipulation, as long as the price is right.

I mean even the worst player if signed to the lowest contract might be good tackling dummy in camp.

by trumanj on Feb 17, 2012 1:33 PM MST up reply actions

I am about 50/50

Prater, Bunkley and Thomas were easy yes choices. I think Thomas will be in that “If the price is right” range. Woodyard was a yes because I personally want him back so I can cheer for him. So far I am no on Hochstein, Haggan, Ramirez and Fells even with the likely low price tags on the linemen and the TE.

Ok, Von Doom is a way better nickname than what I liked. So cool to be excited about a pass rush in Denver again!

I want to say how awesome a particular Rockies player is and that he will be the MVP, but the last time I mentioned it in my sig he went out with an injury, so, GO PLAYER WHO IS SO AWESOME!

by Arimaris on Feb 17, 2012 3:45 PM MST up reply actions

^lol, I have chosen exactly the same way

by broncos7life on Feb 17, 2012 4:19 PM MST up reply actions

I voted yes

on Prater, Wood Hunter, Bunk and Thomas

Davis and Smith to the Hall!

"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown

by Jon Tollerud on Feb 17, 2012 6:52 PM MST up reply actions

I like Thomas...

He’s been a lone bright spot on the Denver D-line for many years… I like him better than Big Vick, McBean, and basically everyone else on D-line besides Bunkley.

That said, he probably will get a deal worth 2mil+ from someone this year, and I’m not sure if his production above McBean is enough to justify the bigger contract (particularly since McBean seems a betetr passrusher, which is really what we need inside).

So where does that leave us… bring him back if its at value, but he may walk if others offer him too much. I’d pay him $2mill as depth, as Thomas is one of our better all-around DTs (better passrusher than Bunk, better run stuffer than McBean)… if it starts to get to the $3mill range, he’s probably replaceable for that.

As for why MHR thinks all these folks should come back, like Trumanj, my “yes” votes are alll stipulated based on getting them for value (or at least what I expect their value to be)… for many of the guys we’ve looked at so far, I’m guessing vet minimum is probably what they’ll sign for. If you’re looking at our 90-man camp roster, I do think just about everyone of our 53 last year are worth bringing back for that, and particularly if it is at/near the league minimum.

I’m also very happy to let many of these guys walk if it would require much above minimum (exceptions being Prater, Colquitt, Bunkley for sure, and maybe WW and Mays if reasonable).

by cjfarls on Feb 17, 2012 1:53 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Yep...

…I couldn’t agree more, particulary about money value related to player.

I do expect anyhow that some of our guys will be gone because another team will overpay them (Marcus Thomas) and other players will be seeking for a starting spot (WW and Royal).

I do think that Denver should invest in Bunkley, Prater and Colquitt…..and I’m sure I’n not alone in this.

by sergiosax on Feb 18, 2012 5:51 AM MST up reply actions

Thomas

The problem with Thomas is that he’s the worst pass-rusher of our DL, at least last season. He’s the sort of player that you want to keep if you’re a bad team. You’d also like to see your team get good enough that you don’t need him, though.

by tunesmith on Feb 17, 2012 3:17 PM MST reply actions

Who is plan B?

Until we have more depth that is better than him, we should keep him around for the right price. I would stick with 1-2 year contract though.

by FtCoNative on Feb 17, 2012 3:27 PM MST up reply actions

yeah, I was surprised he didn't get more reps rushing the passer

Historically, he’s had a great first step for shooting the gap, which you’d think would translate into pass-rush ability… in previous years, he was relatively successful pushing the pocket, if not finishing.

But yeah, this year… not so much.

by cjfarls on Feb 18, 2012 12:58 PM MST up reply actions

I'd like to keep him as a backup. But I wouldn't pay him starting DT money.

by SethGrandpa on Feb 17, 2012 5:41 PM MST reply actions

D success formula:

A pocket collapsing DT opens up the doors for Thomas (), which opens the door for Ayers (), which makes it nearly impossible to double Doom () and Miller () = a suddenly vastly improved secondary = freedom for our speed LB’s = a top 10 D. Oh Yea! I can see it all now! Another division title in our sights!

"Peace, a journey without distance to a place we have never left."

by BroncoCUbuffs on Feb 17, 2012 8:32 PM MST reply actions

For some reason my plus signs with in the bracketts aren't showing...just use your imagination :O)

"Peace, a journey without distance to a place we have never left."

by BroncoCUbuffs on Feb 17, 2012 8:34 PM MST up reply actions

He played out of position last year

IMO. If playing the NT position he is adequate. A long term deal if he will. 4yrs/8 mil with a signing bonus is fine by me .

"I am not better than anyone else just because I play football."
Tim Tebow

by Digger24 on Feb 17, 2012 8:58 PM MST reply actions

We need to draft a pass rushing DT if our front 4 is going to be successful, EFX know that.

Our faiulures on defense last year were like a domino effect starting up front. Fox can’t really believe using a light SAM as a DE, something has to give and finding a stud DE is very important to challenge the opponents backfield and make at least hurries on the quarterback. That would make or 2nd and 3rd tier player look much better than they were perceived. Dontari Poe could be that guy on the line and sign a stud DE in free agency, not keep signing these wantabes…

"You hate to think you have to censor your language to meet other people's lack of understanding" -Julian Bond
Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Feb 17, 2012 9:18 PM MST reply actions 1 recs