Security Earl Thomas returns to strength in Seattle Seahawks return

DENVER – Earl Thomas needed three practices and two defensive possessions to remind everyone of what was missing.

Playing for the first time since the Pro Bowl in January, Thomas experienced an interception and a break that almost led to another choice in the first quarter of the 27-24 Seattle Seahawks against the Broncos in Denver.

The free All-Pro safety missed the off-season program, training camp and preseason while offering a new contract or exchange to a team that would give one.

"It was great to find him," said Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. "He is a great football player, he managed the return and the players managed the return perfectly, he worked very hard and they accepted him."

"We knew we could not play with him throughout the match, but we wanted to give him a great chance to contribute, and he did it right away, and he really handled the problem, just like our players." . "

In his first comments to reporters since returning to the team on Wednesday, Thomas said he did not want to continue his late-season routine and miss his $ 500,000 play checks each.

"My agent and I talked about it, and we realized that I had a lot of money at stake," he said. "I just could not throw it away, so I decided to come back in. I'm glad I did."

Thomas's retention was one of the main stories of Seattle's inter-season, as well as the significant changes to their list in general and to their defense in particular, who bid farewell to the pillars Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett.

Thomas is making $ 8.5 million this season, the last season of a $ 40 million extension over four years that he signed in 2014. This transaction has made Thomas the NFL the safest security paid in annual average. There has been no sign that the Seahawks are working on an extension for Thomas, but Carroll has indicated that one is not out of the question when he said on Wednesday that the ## 147 ## The organization wanted Thomas to be a Seahawk for the rest of his career. .

Thomas, who said in a memorable manner to Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, after a game last season to "pick me up" if he became available, was invited to stay in Seattle.

"They want me," he says emphatically.

To the question of whether he could end his contractual dispute and simply play, Thomas said, "I will try to do my best to try to progress.I have an excellent team behind me. "

Thomas said his teammates welcomed him "with open arms".

"It was a smooth process," he said. "The coaching staff gave me the opportunity to get through – it was just a time of learning trying to get things back."

The Seahawks tried to limit Thomas's clichés, since he was playing so fast after missing so much time. They spelled it for some possessions with Tedric Thompson, but Carroll later admitted that Thomas ended up playing more than expected.

"I think I had about 65 pieces," Thomas said. "I felt good, I wanted to train with my brother and my team at home was great and worked well.The only thing right now is that my big toe hurts me and my feet hurt me. "

Thomas delivered the first of three Seattle interceptions Case Keenum when he jumped past a pass meant for Demaryius Thomas and brought him back to 25 yards. This set up the first Seattle touchdown.

"I stayed with, I read the QB, he fixed the target down, I jumped in front and I thought I had a choice of six," did he declare.

Thomas was asked when he felt "backward" at that time.

"Oh yes, I felt good," he says. "I did not get that in a minute."