JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Broncos third-year tight end Julius Thomas began the season with more NCAA tournament trips (two) on his resume than catches in the NFL (one).Now, the former power forward at Portland State and 2006 Tokay High (Lodi) graduate is the key to Denver’s record-shattering offense, freeing up Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Wes Welker, especially in the red zone.The 6-foot-5, 255-pound late-bloomer is also a bulls-eye for some of Manning’s biggest moments, like when he caught his 51st TD throw that broke Tom Brady’s single-season record, one of a dozen touchdown passes he caught this year, breaking Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe’s team record for tight ends.He was Manning’s main target in the AFC Championship, too, with eight receptions for 85 yards a week after his two clutch third-down catches helped ice Denver’s win over San Diego.“Sometimes I have to remind myself,” Manning said, “that he hasn’t played a ton of football.”A giant banner of Thomas hangs outside the media hotel in Times Square, an indication of just how far this relative football toddler has come.“Is my helmet on?” Thomas asked sheepishly Monday while aboard the Cornucopia Majesty ship, docked outside the team hotel across the Hudson River.Yes.“OK, that’s good. So, I won’t get recognized too much,” Thomas said.