DENVER BRONCOS QUOTES (9/3/14)
TIGHT END JULIUS THOMAS
On WR Wes Welker missing the first four games of the season
“He’s a leader. He’s a guy that first off, means a lot to us as a teammate. We have his back. We’re here for him. We know it’s a tough time, but we’ve all got to pull together. We always say it’s ‘next man up’ and that’s just the reality of this business. We’re going to depend on everybody to do a little bit more anxiously await him getting back.”
On if it was surprising to hear that Welker had been suspended
“I think it’s kind of hard to be surprised in this business. Everybody goes through things in life and we always say we’re family here. You’re not surprised when your family falls on tough times—you’re just there for them and you give them as much support as you can.”
On if he’s taken it upon himself to step up even more
“Absolutely. Like I said, we treat everybody like brothers. When your brother is going through something, everybody else in the family has to do a little bit more, put a little bit more on their plates. As a guy—as a veteran, and hopefully a leader on this team—I’m going to look to do all I can to help fill that void.”
On guys being ready to step up and step in when Welker was out with a concussion
“That’s what it’s all about. We know we have a very talented team and we know we’re deep at a lot of positions. We know that we’ll still find guys to throw the ball to; we’ll still find a way to be a great offense. Everybody is going to have to do just a little bit extra and step up.”
On Welker addressing the team in their meeting this morning
“Wes just wanted us to all know how important this team is to him, how much we mean to him, and what he’s doing to do when he gets back. There is nothing he can to do change where he is at right now, but we know that when he comes back he’ll be a man on a mission and we’re looking forward to embracing him when that day comes.”
On if he’s expecting to see a physical Colts defense
“Absolutely. I think that last year they created a lot of pressure and that’s something that we have clean up. That’s something that we cannot allow. We want [QB Peyton Manning] ‘18’ to stand back there and have a clear view of all those guys out there to throw the ball to. As a member, as somebody who helps protect Peyton, I know that we’re taking it upon ourselves to go out there and make sure we keep a clean pocket for him.”
On how much having Welker out changes the game plan for Sunday
“The great part about our offense is every guy has to know every position. We don’t get to just learn ‘X’ or ‘Y’ or ‘F’ or ‘Z.’ We all have to go out there and know every spot. It’s not too hard to ask somebody else, ‘Hey, you take this spot on this play, or you take this spot on this play.’ I think we’re going to continue to do the things that we want to do as an offense, and that we expect out of ourselves.”
On if Manning was more intense at practice today
“I think I’ve said it a lot of times before—I don’t think he gets more intense (laughing). It’s not a switch that he dials up and dials down. It’s all the way to the max. He was just as intense as he always is.”
On if he will use a situation where he potentially lines up as a slot receiver in contract negotiations
“I didn’t think about that. I’m sure that somebody will have something to say about that. But for me, I’m not really thinking about that right now. I think that the business side of football is the business side, and that will be addressed when it comes time. Right now, I’m excited for the first week of football. It’s kickoff weekend, so that’s all my mind is on now.”
On if it’s like Christmas Eve anticipating the start of football season
“Absolutely. For the fans they’re like, ‘Man, football has been gone for so long.’ But for us, we’ve been doing it. We’ve been standing out here in the sun for months and months working, growing as a team. So we’re looking forward to getting out there and getting the games that count.”
On if it’s disappointing to have some off-field challenges right before the season starts
“I don’t know. I think in life, [Head Coach John Fox] ‘Foxy’ always tells us, ‘You’re dealing with two things: you’re either dealing with prosperity or adversity.’ It may not always make it outside of this locker room, but I’m not unaccustomed to having to deal with a little adversity in my life. It’s something that is always going to come up, it’s going to happen. And when it does, that’s what makes us professional athletes. It wasn’t always and easy road, it wasn’t always just wake up and roll the balls out there and be great. A lot of us had to fight through trials and tribulations and none of that is going to change and it’s not foreign for us.”
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