ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is on the wrong side of history in the team's first three games.
At least his history anyway.
"I know I can be better, I know I can play better, I know I can do things better than I've done them so far,'' Thomas said just before the Broncos adjourned for their bye weekend. "I haven't done the things I know I can do.''
Thomas, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has had a stretch of games the likes of which he's not had since Peyton Manning signed to be the Broncos quarterback in 2012. His 48, 62 and 31 yards receiving in the Broncos' three games represent the first time he has fewer than 65 yards receiving in three consecutive games since Manning's arrival.
He has one touchdown catch, and what he called "the thing I have to fix'' is the most glaring number of all: his dropped-pass total. Thomas has already dropped four passes this season.
He dropped five all of last season, and the first catchable ball Manning threw his way in 2013 that Thomas didn't reel in wasn't until November. Two of Thomas' drops last season came on a frigid seven-drop night for the Broncos' pass-catchers against the New England Patriots, and another of last year's drops came on an 18-degree day against the Tennessee Titans.
So these drops are different.
"I just haven't been consistent, and it bothers me,'' Thomas said. "I think about it, I keep practicing hard, doing the things I need to do. I want to make it right.''
Thomas, whose original rookie deal is up following this season, has consistently said his contract status "will get worked out, that's business, and the business takes care of itself.'' The Broncos made a five-year proposal before the season started as Thomas' representatives and Broncos officials have had discussions since.
But the Broncos are looking at a busy time on the contract front as Demaryius Thomas, tight end Julius Thomas, wide receiver Wes Welker, tackle Orlando Franklin and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton are among the players whose contracts are up following this season.
Broncos trainers have worked on Thomas' left foot at times this season, including on the sideline during the Broncos' win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, and he appears to limp slightly at times. But he hasn't missed practice time and has played 93 percent of the team's offensive snaps this season.
Asked earlier this week if Thomas needed more consistency, Broncos coach John Fox said:
"That's part of what you try to do, not just Demaryius. I think it's our whole football team. Like I said, making the step from good to great. I think a big part of that is consistency, and we have a lot of work to do.''
"Just keeping working, working with Peyton, working on the offense, that's what I do,'' Thomas said. " ... When we come back [from the bye], we have a lot of the season still to go and a lot of things we want to do as a team. We'll be ready.''