TE Thomas brings a high football IQ
Veteran counts pre-snap reads among the skills he brings to the Dolphins
DAVIE— If the Miami Dolphins get the Julius Thomas they think they’re getting, he could be the best tight end they’ve had in years— better than Charles Clay, Dion Sims, Jordan Cameron, Anthony Fasano, the brief and injury-shortened stay of Dustin Keller, and perhaps even Randy McMichael.
The reason for that thinking goes beyond Thomas’ above-average physical gifts, it’s his football IQ. Thomas, according to future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, a teammate in Denver, succeeds largely because he studies the game. Thomas uses that knowledge to make wise pre-snap reads, a skill he learned from Manning.
“I think that’s one of the most underrated parts of the game,” Thomas said on the second day of the Dolphins’ organized team activities Wednesday.
Thomas, a 28-year-old, seventh-year
player, was a field-stretching, two-time Pro Bowl selection in Denver when Dolphins coach Adam Gase was his offensive coordinator.
His success, Manning told Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen this offseason, is because Thomas “figured it out.”
But that’s getting a bit ahead of things.
Firstly, Thomas, the former college basketball player, must stay healthy, something he didn’t do in his two seasons with Jacksonville. After recording 108 receptions for 1,277 yards and 24 touchdowns in two years (2013-14) with the Broncos, Thomas had 76 receptions for 736 yards and nine touchdowns in two years (2015-16) with the Jaguars.
The entire Jacksonville experience — poor quarterback play and winning only eight games in two seasons — might have been part of the reason for the dip in production. But Thomas didn’t want to pontificate on that.
“Sometimes things just don’t work out,” he said about his time with the Jaguars.
Injuries were also a part of the dip in production. None of the injuries were career-threatening or anything that seems to be lingering. However, injuries to his hand, ankle and back led to Thomas missing 11 games the past two years. Thomas said he feels better now.
“I think this is the best I’ve ever felt,” he said.
The Dolphins look at Thomas as someone who not only knows how to get open, he knows why he gets open. He’s someone who loves the process of getting better.
Christensen was Manning’s offensive coordinator for two years in Indianapolis (2009-11), and Manning was Thomas’ quarterback for three years in Denver (2012-14).
So Christensen asked Manning about Thomas.
“[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?’ ” Christensen said this offseason.
“And he still does the same thing. I’ll see him in coach Gase’s office and his questions are right … which as a coach, [is what] you’re looking for.”
Even Fasano, who didn’t know Thomas before they recently became teammates, gave a similar review. He said he was impressed by Thomas’ “football IQ” and added Thomas “knows the playbook in and out, asks all the right questions, and is super engaged.”
In Denver, Thomas manipulated defenses to the point his presence benefited the running game. Thomas won lots of one on-battles with linebackers and safeties for Manning. That forced defenses to change their coverage.
“The next thing you know they’re playing Cover 2 or some kind of quarters, and then we start running the ball,” Gase said this offseason. “The next thing you know, you’ve got a 1,100-yard back that nobody thinks can run the ball.”
While that prospect is enticing to Gase, the Thomas-Gase reunion might be even more enticing to Thomas.
“Not only is he a guy that I think is one of the best football minds,” Thomas said of Gase, “he’s really good at teaching and instructing. He’s also somebody that I consider a friend and somebody I trust in this game.
“So to have that marriage is pretty good.”