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Seemingly every season Pierre Thomas hears another runner is going take over the main duties in the New Orleans Saints' backfield. But each year the 29-year-old ends up carrying the load.

After starting the preseason slotted a surprising No. 3 on the first depth chart and watching Mark Ingram burst out in the preseason, Thomas admitted he expects his role to be adjusted in 2014.

"I know my role is going to change a whole lot this year," Thomas said Wednesday, per The Times-Picayune. "I'm going to do more pass protection and route running. I'm improving my route-running game. I'm still going to be running the ball too. I've got a few changes here and there."

Having said that, Thomas isn't just going to hand over the keys to the every-down duties.

"The coaches are not just going to put me down and sit me down on the side," Thomas said. "Like I said, these guys are my friends and my teammates but they're going to have to outwork me. They're going to have to put me on the bench and that's going to be hard to do."

So far in preseason action, Ingram has displayed burst and looks like an early down back. We also expect big things from Making the Leap candidate Khiry Robinson.

Saints coach Sean Payton acknowledged that every time he tries to adjust Thomas' role, the vet forces his way back to being the primary carrier.

"Every year we describe his role and then in some point of the season, it shifts," Payton said. "He is someone that knows our protections well and handles the sub offense well whether we're in third down or we're in shotgun passing formations.

"He's also someone that's an exceptionally smart player. Each year there's been a game or two where all of a sudden he's doing more than just that. I don't feel that this season will be an exception."
Pierre Thomas: My Saints role will change 'a whole lot' - NFL.com

dizzle88

PT will still get his

SP likes to feed the ball to the hot hand, just like he did with Ingram vs cowboys last season

If PT is having a good game, Payton is likely to keep him out there

He's still our best receiving back and will command most of the snaps on 3rd down though

Danno

His role is Clutch. I don't see that changing.

SaintsBro

Payton definitely feeds the hot hand, but he also does the thing where he makes the other team forget about somebody. There was a Carolina game a couple of years ago, where Sproles ran wild early, and the Panthers were so keyed in on stopping Sproles...then the last drive of the game was like Pierre, Pierre, screen to Pierre, more Pierre....all the way down the field. Payton totally faked the Panthers out, into under-estimating Pierre Thomas and forgetting about him....I expect more of the same clutch type of plays.

Halo

Pierre Thomas will always bumble and stumble his way to 10 yards. He runs like his legs are broken and knifes his way for yards.

Trust me, Mark Ingram stepping up his game only makes Pierre that much more versatile and effective.

Beastmode

He's not a general purpose RB, he's a master in a couple of skills. I'm pretty sure he does not mind either sharing the workload, it added some longevity to his career. I would not be surprised to see him on the roster again next year.

halloween 65

I don't agree with Payton feeding the hot hand. There has been plenty of times the hot hand has been sat to watch another back come in and be much less effective. I really would like to see Payton stick with the hot hand, maybe he will this season. PT will be seeing his # called on to do damage. As Danno pointed out clutch.

hagan714

this is not the first time he is not the #1 RB as a matter of fact i am having trouble remembering when he was the #1 depth chart back. the saints have been trying to get this set up since drafting Ingram.

if the others fail of the bench he will come and lift the team yet again this year. his ego has nothing to do with rankings

off season hoopla over a much to do about nothing

Danno

He's been number 1 on the depth chart for most of his New Orleans career, and he's currently listed now as the starter at RB.

New Orleans Saints 2014 Depth Chart - Offense - ESPN

But thats irrelevant, nowadays it depends on what formation you start the game in. He'll still get more snaps than any other RB, in my opinion.

darstep

PT has been Mr. Versatile Consistency since he has been a Saint.
Always one of the best in every area.
Running the rock, vision, yards after touch, ball protection, pass protection,
catching out of the backfield, screen execution, reading blocks.
Not to mention HEART! and doing it all in a quiet numbers speaking kind of way.
Barring injury, he will still inspire with his great balance and extra effort plays
just when it seems we need it most.