In all the NFL, there aren’t three defensive players more physically intimidating than Broncos linebacker . When the Denver offense needs a big play, the best athlete to count on is receiver .
Isn’t that enough?
No.
If the Broncos want to get back to the playoffs, the team must ask even more of Miller and Thomas.
“I’ve always been kind of the people’s champ in the locker room,” Miller said Tuesday. While paid the big bucks to make NFL quarterbacks miserable, the Vonster is a carefree, 28-year-old prankster who dances with stars, hangs with Drake and messes with April fools by spreading an unfounded trade rumor.
Thomas has earned a ring and five well-deserved invitations to the Pro Bowl. Although 29 years old, Thomas sometimes seems as bashful as a child to exert his will in the locker room or on the field. And now you know why new Broncos coach recently challenged Thomas “to be a dominant player all the time. I don’t want him to ease into games. I want him to be a guy to step out.”
In consecutive years, the Broncos have said goodbye to quarterback and linebacker . The team misses the authoritative voices of those two veterans as much as they miss their Hall of Fame talent.
As the defending NFL champ’s season disintegrated after a 4-0 start in 2016, with Manning in retirement and Ware shelved by injury, there was nobody strong enough in the locker room to quell the growing disappointment and discontent.
“We definitely have a lot of strong personalities, from the (defensive backs), down to the defensive lineman, all the way to the offensive linemen and the quarterbacks,” Miller said. “Itap a unique locker room, and it takes unique coaching and unique leadership to send these guys in the right direction. We have a culture here. We’re just trying to mold that into a championship culture again.”
Two years ago, Broncos general manager gave Thomas a five-year, $70 million contract. After protracted negotiations dragged into last summer, Elway came to terms with Miller on a six-year, $114.5 million deal.
For superstar money, itap fair to expect more than sacks or receptions. Miller and Thomas need to take ownership of the entire team’s success. Can they evolve into mentors?
“The main thing is getting with the quarterbacks in the meeting rooms and getting with them on the field, and giving them the confidence,” Thomas said.
Making spectacular plays comes naturally to Miller and Thomas.
Neither Miller nor Thomas is a natural-born leader. Miller is too busy being the life of the party. Thomas would rather keep his head down and grind than open his mouth and preach.
At the halfway point of their NFL careers, Miller and Thomas have flashed the immense talent from which Hall of Fame dreams are born.
If they want to make it to Canton, the next big step for both Miller and Thomas is to step up and lead in Denver.
