The Caste System in a nutshell. Julius Thomas has had over 500 receiving yards just once in his career. But he did have back-to-back seasons in Denver with 12 TDs. Peyton Manning was throwing to him. He was a classic example of a mediocre talent benefiting from a great quarterback, but the media only classified Eric Decker that way among Broncos receivers and tight ends. But Decker continued to thrive with the bottom feeding Jets no matter who the quarterback was, and there were some terrible ones like Geno Smiff. Meanwhile, Thomas' receiving yards in three seasons with Jax and Miami since leaving Denver are 455, 281 and 388, with 5, 4, and 3 TD catches. Yet even into this season he still got the hype treatment as if he's some kind of superstar with unlimited "upside" to be tapped. From Weenieworld:
Dolphins place TE Julius Thomas on injured reserve with a foot injury, ending his season. Acquired from the Jaguars in a salary dump by Jacksonville in the spring, Thomas was a huge flop in Miami. A summer hype-piece All Star via the Miami media, Thomas caught 41 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns after multiple members of the media had been guaranteeing Thomas double-digit touchdowns and fantasy superstar status in training camp. Thomas is just about done and will be 30 next summer. He's a lock to be released by the Dolphins after the season.