Friday, Danny Kanell and Matt Barrie welcome ESPNs Field Yates (1:30 p.
[b]Josh James Jersey[/b]
.m. ET), ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth (2:15) and former Wake Forest
QB Riley Skinner (3:15).Todays main topics:? Seahawks defeat Rams?
Minnesota football players boycottText us at 73776 (msg&data rates
may apply) or tweet us at twitter.com/RussilloShow -- well be with you
from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio and ESPNRadio.com.
[b]Don Larsen Jersey[/b] .
The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club.
[b]Billy Wagner Jersey[/b]
.J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to
football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his
final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week.
[b]http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom-michael-brantley-jersey-large-1476y.html[/b]
. Breaking three of his own world records on his way to winning in
Paris, Chan silenced the critics and left the audiences standing in
appreciation and awe.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The most intriguing new face
turning heads at the Denver Broncos off-season workouts isnt Montee Ball
or Sylvester Williams. Its third-year tight end Julius Thomas.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound former power forward is finally healthy after
spending the bulk of his first two seasons with the Denver Broncos
dealing with a bum right ankle.
Treating every practice like its game day, Thomas is finally flashing
the skills that made him an attractive prospect coming out of Portland
State in 2011 even though he had played just one season of college
football.
Last week, he outraced the safeties and hauled in a 50-yard TD pass from
Peyton Manning. This week, he stretched out his long, lean body for a
one-handed grab in the flat before weaving his way into the end zone.
"It feels great. I mean, just being able to go out there, and run
around, and feel healthy," Thomas said. "For so long, I feel like I was
dragging a leg around. Just to go out there and feel like Im playing at a
high level, its really encouraging and I feel blessed."
Cornerback Champ Bailey said hes not surprised Thomas performance.
"Hes been doing that for the last two years, it is just getting that
opportunity to do it with the first team and getting some reps there,"
he said. "That is great because he has the talent. Its just all about
learning how to play this game and the mental part of it. Weve seen him
mature a lot over the past two years."
Thomas was a power forward at Portland State who was a bully in the
blocks, swatting 62 shots and pulling down 520 rebounds while leading
the Vikings to two NCAA tournament appearances.
But basketball wasnt really in his blood. He said he never quite felt
like the hardwood was really his canvas, figuring hed be more at home
pulling down passes than rebounds, blocking linebackers instead of
shots.
So, once he exhausted his basketball eligibility, and with one
scholarship season left, he contacted Vikings football coach Nigel
Burton about stepping onto the football field for the first time.
Thomas was a quick study, catching 29 passes for 453 yards and earning
All-Big Sky Conference first-team honours. His stock soared at the
East-West Shrine Game, where he captured the attention of scouts with
his athleticism and grabbed a 5-yard TD pass.
That was enough to entice the Broncos into selecting him in the fourth
round that year, hoping theyd discovered in Thomas the next Antonio
Gates, who made a smooth transition from the basketball court at Kent
State to the football field and became a perennial Pro Bowler for the
San Diego Chargers.
Thomas said his basketball background helped him navigate the crash
course of NFL football.
[b]Brad Lidge Jersey[/b].
He makes split-second decisions, deciphers defences, anticipates the
action, adjusts on the fly just like he did on the basketball floor. He
said shielding a defensive back to give the quarterback an opening is
just like posting up a player under the basket to give the point guard a
clear passing lane.
But Thomas injured his right ankle on his first -- and so far only --
reception of his pro career, and after working out with Manning after
the quarterbacks arrival in Denver in March 2012, he discovered he
needed an operation that sidelined him again.
Hes played just nine games in his NFL career.
In this era of ever bigger tight ends like New Englands Rob Gronkowski
and offensive mainstays like Gates, Thomas said he can fit right in.
"In my mind, I can do the same kinds of things they can," he said.
If he can stay healthy, hell get the chance to prove it this season.
Thomas is getting more work than he expected this off-season, especially
in the passing game, because Joel Dreessen recently underwent
arthroscopic knee surgery and wont be back until training camp in late
July.
"Its been a good deal for Julius in the sense that he gets more
opportunities and more reps," coach John Fox said. "Hes a guy that we
have a good feeling about his abilities. Now its just a matter of
getting him in there, and this gives him a good opportunity."
Hes making the most of it, compiling his own highlight reel of
jaw-dropping plays.
"Im proud for him because he came in and when he first started,
everybody thought he was going to be a great player and then he got
injured and had his ups and downs, but I knew he was going to be good,
because he was a basketball player and most of the basketball players
that play football can play," wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said. "To
see him out here doing the things hes doing is amazing."
Manning loves having another big receiver lining up with him.
"Hes a great athlete. A big target. If you cant complete a ball to
Julius as a quarterback, something is wrong with you," Manning said. "He
has a great wingspan and great size and jumping ability. I think hes
just continuing to get better for us."
Thomas made the most of his late start in college football and he aims
to do the same in the NFL now that his right ankle is mended.
"Its been a frustrating experience but I try not to focus on that,"
Thomas said. "Its just about making it to the next day, the next play
and coming out here and trying to improve, and really, thats where all
my focus is now. Im doing what I can to get better."
'
'
'
Friday, Danny Kanell and Matt Barrie welcome ESPNs Field Yates (1:30 p. [b]Josh James Jersey[/b]