Marcus Thomas Sounds Convincing. Again.

I just can't get my head straight about Marcus Thomas. After he was thrown off the Gators for good last year, I thought he was a lost cause. Then I read his open apology letter and read all the things he was saying and thought he deserved another shot and even lobbied for the Bucs to select him in the third round. But then he showed up for his pro day out of shape and slow and I took that as a sign that he wasn't serious. Now, again, he's saying all the right things.

"Who knows? If everything worked out and I would've played and went on and been the No. 3 pick in the draft, I'd still probably think nothing can touch me and messed up in the NFL," Thomas said. "I'd rather have it happen now than later. My mind is focused. I'm ready to get on that field and show that character issue is not me. You won't hear nothing but positive stuff out of Marcus Thomas."

"I feel like I'm already on 2.9 strikes. Anything else I'm out," Thomas said.

Is this what abused wives feel like? "No, he really means it this time." With the Buccaneers currently acting as the St. Jude of the NFL, it would be a big let down if the team passed on Thomas only for him to turn his whole life around and become a long-time fixture on the defensive line for Denver, especially if Tanard Jackson (the player selected where they would have had to take Thomas) doesn't work out.