Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas
No Demaryius, No Worries
The Raiders aren't the only AFC West team holding Mandatory Mini-Camp this week, as the Denver Broncos have been participating in the final piece of the offseason program as well.
However, they're doing it without the presence of Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
Thomas, who started all 16 games for the Broncos and hauled in 11 touchdowns in 2014, was given the franchise tag by the organization this offseason as the sides continue to work to secure a long-term deal.
Even though Thomas has been absent from the team's offseason program, Head Coach Gary Kubiak is confident that his starting wide out will be back to work come training camp.
"I'm very confident, yeah, I am," Coach Kubiak told Jeff Legwold of ESPN after Tuesday's practice session. "John [Elway] and I talk about it all the time, but I just try to stay focused on what we're doing right now. Going to continue to talk to, have some conversations through [wide receivers coach] Tyke [Tolbert] or somebody to Demaryius on exactly where he's at with our stuff. He's been studying our stuff, he's got all our cut-ups and that type of thing. Peyton and he are visiting consistently."
During his five years in Denver, Thomas has blossomed into a legitimate No. 1 receiver, appearing in 59 games, and catching 351 passes for 5,317 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Manning Feeling Fine
Over the past several months, much has been made about Peyton Manning's arm strength as he heads into his 18th NFL season, but his former college coach David Cutcliffe isn’t concerned in the least about Manning’s health.
Cutcliffe has trained with Manning during the offseason and told the Denver Post that, "He [Manning] looks good and he's strong where he needs to be strong… He didn't show anything at all from the quad."
Chargers Lock Up Corey Liuget
The San Diego Chargers agreed to terms on a multi-year extension with defensive tackle Corey Liuget earlier this week.
Liuget started all 16 games for the Chargers last year, recovering two fumbles and scoring one touchdown.
During his four seasons in San Diego, he has appeared in 63 games, making 61 starts.
"This is a dream come true," Liuget told the team website. "The Chargers are the only team I've ever wanted to play for since they drafted me and my number-one goal now as it has always been is just to continue to prepare and play at a high level to show them how much I appreciate their confidence in me."
Tomlinson Enters the Hall
LaDainian Tomlinson is set to add another accolade to his already impressive list of accomplishments this November when his number is retired and he enters the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame.
Tomlinson played nine seasons in San Diego, making 141 starts, rushing for 13,684 yards and 138 touchdowns. He's the NFL's fifth all-time leading rusher.
Jamaal Charles 2.0?
During his career, Jamaal Charles has established himself as one of the most versatile running backs in the NFL.
The former Texas Longhorn has made four Pro Bowls, been named an All-Pro twice and rushed for over 1,000 yards five times.
However, his backup, Knile Davis, doesn't think that there's much of a drop off from Davis to him.
"I don't feel like there's a gap," Davis told ESPN’s Adam Teicher. "Be available and stay healthy and when Jamaal needs a blow, I'll go. When it's my turn, I'll turn it on."
During his two games against the Raiders last year, Davis rushed the ball 11 times for 13 yards and one touchdown, and added one reception for 70 yards and one touchdown.
