Already boasting the NFL's premier wide-receiver trio, the Denver Broncos appear to be on the verge of adding another weapon to their first-string offense. Former Portland State hoops star Julius Thomas has been running as the first-team "F" or "receiving" tight end in training camp, according to The Denver Post, while Joel Dreessen battles a setback to his surgically repaired knee.
A far more dynamic athlete than Dreessen, Thomas will be a handful for defenses to cover with Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker drawing coverage away.
"He continues to make plays in practice, and he made some nice catches (against the 49ers,)" Peyton Manning said this weekend. "So I think he'll just continue to improve and I think he can be a big part of the offense this year."
If Thomas wants to hang onto the job once Dreessen returns, he's going to have to clean up the errors he made in both the running game and the passing game in the preseason opener.
More training-camp buzz:
»Chris Johnson's 58-yard touchdown run in the preseason opener came as no surprise to Tennessee Titans beat writers. Johnson has been the most impressive player in camp, according to the Tennessean, looking "fresher and more explosive" than last season.
» A streamlinedKendall Wright has backed up a strong offseason by catching everything in his direction at Titans camp. He looks more "acrobatic" this year, which is a relief after losing his dynamic playmaking ability as a rookie.
» Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman insists the competition between Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas for the Miami Dolphins' starting running back job is "pretty close." Don't believe the Thomas hype. Miller is a much better player.
» After an impressive showing in Houston's preseason opener, Case Keenum is giving T.J. Yates a run for the Texans' backup quarterback job.
» I'm shocked, shocked to discover there's a minority faction within the New York Jets organization that believes Santonio Holmes might be milking his Lisfranc injury, as ESPNNewYork.com reported Sunday.
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