Demaryius Thomas didn’t arrive at the Jets’ complex until a mid-September trade from New England, but the 10-year veteran receiver clearly has made an impact on his new teammates in a short time.
Enough of one, that is, that Gang Green’s existing captains recommended last week that Thomas officially be designated for inclusion in their exclusive group following recent season-ending injuries to safety Rontez Miles and center Ryan Kalil. Thomas served as a captain for the first time during last Sunday’s win over Washington, and he will continue to do so this week against the Raiders, according to coach Adam Gase.
“It means a lot,” Thomas said after Friday’s practice in Florham Park. “I try to take myself as a leader, as a captain. I’m going to try to help the lead the team and teach them some of the stuff I learned in my career being around Tom [Brady], Peyton Manning, Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey … and just try to adapt it here, some of those things.
“I think that’s one of the reasons why they voted me in. I appreciate it. I respect it. It meant a lot.”
Thomas, 31, became the 49th player in NFL history to amass at least 700 career receptions on Oct. 21 against the Patriots, nearly six weeks after they dealt him to the Jets, on Sept. 11, in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round draft pick.
After he posted the best performance of his eight appearances with the Jets — six catches for 84 yards — two weeks ago against the Giants, Thomas joined Jamal Adams, Kelvin Beachum, Sam Darnold and Steve McLendon as captains against the Redskins, upon their request to Gase. (Another captain, linebacker C.J. Mosley, was inactive due to a groin injury.)
“It’s because everybody respects the man, the young guys and the older guys,” McLendon said. “Demaryius is a man of few words, but when he does say something, you take it to heart. Plus, he has gone and been to where we all desire to go and be.”
Thomas, a four-time Pro Bowler, averaged 98 catches, 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns per season for Denver between 2012 and 2016, including the 2015 Super Bowl-winning campaign. Gase was the Broncos’ receivers coach from 2009-12 and their offensive coordinator the following two seasons.
“That was an easy choice for me, obviously being around him as long as I have, just knowing the kind of person he is,” Gase said of the captaincy designation. “He’s one of those guys that leads by example, but at the same time he does a lot behind the scenes that nobody ever sees.
“For me, personally just him being in this offense, him being able to explain to guys how it should look, how you should operate, how you should practice, all those types of things, it’s helpful, and it’s with guys who are looking to be here for a while. I think it’s been beneficial to the wide receiver room, and I think it’s been beneficial to obviously Sam, just kind of hearing him talk about how things have operated in the past…. I think him being here has really helped us.”
Thomas believes he’s primed to help Darnold and the Jets’ offense even more over the final six games, beyond the 29 receptions he has posted over eight appearances. The Georgia Tech product excitedly added that he finally started to regain his explosiveness “like two weeks ago” after suffering an Achilles injury late last season with Houston.
Either way, his teammates say his impact already has been undeniable.
“He’s always willing to help and share what he’s experienced in the game and that’s amazing to have,” McLendon said. “It’s always important for a veteran guy who’s done it and seen a lot of football. The biggest thing honestly is how much the guys are learning from him, not just the receivers, but everybody on the team. He’s a guy everybody can learn something from.”
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