Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison is charged with installing a new offense to new players.
Teaching a grizzled vet like Peyton Manning new tricks has its advantages, but one place Dennison admitted some difficulty is in installing an offense when one central piece is missing: Demaryius Thomas.
"In one regard it is (difficult) and in another regard, you say 'Hey, we're only getting that much better' because he's a great player. We're coaching the guys that are here," Dennison said Wednesday, per The Denver Post. "He's got to deal with what he's got to deal with and everybody understands that. As far as where we're going, we're coaching the guys and those guys -- the wideouts -- have done a good job. When he gets here, I know he'll do a good job. Just watching him on tape, he's a fantastic player and I think he'll pick it up. Everybody will help him and we'll move on from there."
Thomas didn't report to minicamp this week and hasn't signed his franchise-tag tender, so he isn't subject to fines for missing mandatory work. The deadline to get a long-term deal done is July 15.
Not having the biggest receiving weapon available is troublesome when installing new terminology, route combinations and timing patterns.
Dennison, however, isn't worried about a stud like Thomas picking it up next month at training camp.
"I think there is enough flexibility formations and what not," Dennison said. "Certainly, everybody is expected to run their pass pattern, whether they're the primary receiver or not, and we'll figure out how to get him the ball with formations, no problem."
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