New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Article 6 Plays from Sunday: Pierre Thomas reminds us he's special

NEW ORLEANS -- We sometimes forget how much we appreciate old things we used to love.

We see the bright, shiny newness of a toy and think it must be better because, you know, it’s new.

It’s not always.

Sometimes the old item provides the perfect complement to the new one.

That’s Pierre Thomas.

Say what you will about Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles. Both are matchup nightmares – Graham the tall, athletic train running roughshod through the secondary and Sproles the short, cat-quick dynamo sprinting past defenders underneath.

But Thomas is a player who isn’t always utilized in the Saints thick offensive playbook. We remember how important he was in previous seasons but forget how good he still is and can be.

Sunday against the Bears, he reminded us. Though his final game stats weren’t gaudy, they were substantial. He finished with 36 yards on 19 carries and caught nine passes for 55 yards. And he scored both of New Orleans’ touchdowns.

Sean Payton seems to know when best to use Thomas, who played 48 snaps, or 73 percent of the Saints’ offensive plays, Sunday. Sproles was in on only 15 plays. Graham got only 36.

He showed once again that he’s the only player who can see the field the way he does on the play that went for a touchdown (dissected below). He’s the only player who can wiggle his way and contort his body such to claim an important first down on a short-yardage play (dissected below).

“…Pierre’s played well on that field,” Payton said. “Obviously he’s from there (Chicago) but he’s someone that gets to the cavity in the defense the right way.” He kind of finds the crease. He had the two scores. The screen play was a big play for us before the half.”

He’s certainly not the key to the Saints offense; there are too many players who share that responsibility. What he is, however, is the savvy veteran who understands his role and his usage and his place on New Orleans’ roster.

“When my name is called, I go out there, do the job and do my best,” Thomas said. “That’s all I can ask for. When my name is called, I go out there and perform.”

Read more: 6 Plays from Sunday: Pierre Thomas reminds us he's special | wwltv.com New Orleans