A note on rule breaking…

The Denver media sure is going overboard with the coverage of Marcus Thomas’ past off-field issues. I’ve gotten almost sick of it — and it’s only been 24 hours!

It’s time to recall a time last year when two of our Denver Broncos broke a team rule (which also had to do with curfew) and paid for it with a one game suspension. I am, of course, talking about the preseason punishment of Al Wilson and Champ Bailey last year.

Now, many in Bronco Country will begin siting differences in the these cases. Yes, Yes. I know neither Al Wilson or Champ Bailey has broken team rules before — let alone failed a drug test. And I know that this was a preseason game. But that’s not why I’m bringing this up.

The point I’m making is that Mike Shanahan felt he had to serve two of his defensive captains with sitting out a game (preseason or not) in order to show the team that his rules applied to everyone.

In that way, Urban Meyer did the same thing. Thomas was a defensive captain and many of the team’s players saw him as a role model. So, if Meyer would have allowed Thomas to continue to thumb his noses at team rules he would have had a locker room meltdown. On championship teams, leaders pay a severe price when they fail to set a good example.

Mark my words: If Meyer didn’t suspend Thomas the Florida Gators would NOT have gone on to win the championship.

Thomas would be wise to take a look at the responses Wilson and Champ gave when asked about their punishment. Both of them stood in front of the media and explained both their error and their respect for the coaches rules. That is what makes those two leaders on our team. And with the help and guidance of these leaders, Thomas can learn a lot.

Who knows, if Thomas grows into a leader like Wilson, Champ, Smith and Lynch one day his story will be the example we use for draftees that come into the league with past issues.