Well, well, well.  Broncos defensive tackle Marcus Thomas has been arrested.  For cocaine possession.

Thomas was busted on Saturday in Florida.

Is anyone really surprised?

Thomas had first-round talent but his history of off-field issues caused him to drop to the fourth round of the 2007 draft.  But Coach Kevlar, the man who burned a third-rounder on Maurice Clarett, was willing to take a chance. 

Why shouldn’t he?  Kevlar, more commonly known as Mike Shanahan, has by all appearances a lifetime contract in Denver, and thus can take chances that others might fear could get them fired.

But Shanahan would have been wise to heed our old friend Dante Aligherei’s creed — “Once a turd, always a turd.”  (It would be a fitting possibility for Dante’s autobiography.)

Thomas was dismissed from the Florida Gators football team in November 2006 after violating the terms of his reinstatement from a drug suspension. 

His lawyer contends that he is innocent, and we suspect that the next step for Thomas will be a visit with the official team polygraph machine.