New York: Demaryius Thomas, the top receiver in Denver’s record-setting passing attack, will stay quiet and let his performance speak volumes against trash-talking Seattle defensive back Richard Sherman in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Thomas caught 92 passes for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the Broncos in all categories, but being Peyton Manning’s favorite target sets up a marquee match-up against his friend Sherman, who led the NFL with eight interceptions.
“I’m not going to say ‘shut him up’, but I’m going go out to make some plays so I don’t have anybody coming at me saying I got shut down by Sherman,” Thomas said.
“I just go out and play. I don’t really talk.”
Sherman, whose screaming tirade against rival Michael Crabtree sparked controversy after the Seahawks’ semi-final play-off win, has nothing but praise for Thomas. The Seattle stopper was careful to avoid comments that could inspire his foes, who set NFL one-season records for passing yardage and touchdowns as well as total points.
“I definitely think he’s in the top five,” Sherman said. “He has put together a heck of a year. He has made the big catches. He has made a lot of runs after the catch and turned small plays into huge plays.
“He’s a great receiver and he’s a great competitor. It’s going to be a fun match-up between both of us, because we’re both intense competitors and good friends.”
And Thomas says he respects the challenge Sherman poses.
“He’s one of the best in the league,” Thomas said of Sherman. “He doesn’t always try to be physical because he doesn’t have to be.
“He’s just so patient. He takes his time and doesn’t try to do anything too fast. He’s most of the time in the right spot. He’s always around the ball.”
Catching passes in the first Super Bowl in a cold-weather outdoor stadium could be tricky as sub-freezing temperatures and snow are possible.
Both teams practiced indoors on Monday, the Seahawks finding their field frozen and likely to be forced inside all week, but on to a surface identical to the one that will be used on Sunday.
One way Seattle might try to contain Denver’s top receiving core, which also includes veteran Wes Welker, is to keep the pressure on Manning, who could become the first NFL quarterback to win the Super Bowl starting for two different teams.
“We would like to affect him,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “He has great presence in the pocket. He gets rid of the ball really quickly.”
One reason why is Broncos tight-end Julius Thomas, who expects a hard-hitting and intense defensive effort from Seattle, which had the NFL’s top-rated defense this season.
“The intensity is more, the speed is faster and it will be more physical,” tight-end Thomas said. “It’s going to be a physical game and we have to match their intensity and physicality.
“I’m ready for a physical game. I’m anticipating it. All those guys, they fly after the ball, they have good pursuit as a team. You’re just going to try to keep guys from hitting you with big shots. When you get your chance to be physical you have to make sure you are as physical as they are.”
Another key for Denver could be running back Knowshon Moreno, who has shaken off rib injuries suffered in the semi-finals to try and provide run support for Manning’s aerial attack.
“You want to stay as balanced as you can,” Moreno said. “The pass complements the run and vice versa. Whatever is working for you at the time, you’ve got to go with that.”
