AsylumGuido

AsylumGuido

SmashMouth

So it was a non-called penalty ...

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AsylumGuido

What fueled New Orleans Saints' Michael Thomas after 20-month absence

Mike Triplett
ESPN Staff Writer



METAIRIE, La. -- One of Dennis Allen's first acts as head coach of the New Orleans Saints was to fly to Los Angeles this offseason and get to know receiver Michael Thomas a little better.

Thomas had dinner with Allen and his wife. And they spent time learning about each other's mindsets and expectations and what makes them "tick," according to Thomas, who called it a "great bonding experience."

Allen , who previously served as Saints defensive coordinator, said it was important because he simply hadn't been around Thomas as much as other players in recent years because he was rehabbing the left ankle injury that wiped out his entire 2021 season.

Allen also identified that a healthy relationship with his enigmatic and electrifying superstar would be as important as Thomas' healthy return to the field.

Sure enough, Thomas delivered in a huge way during Allen's first win Sunday, catching two touchdown passes in the second half while New Orleans rallied for a 27-26 victory over the division-rival Atlanta Falcons . And Thomas' first words after the game were, "I love this organization, I love these teammates, I love my team."

This offseason was a far cry from last summer, when the Saints and Thomas were at odds over his decision to delay ankle surgery until June. There has been an unmistakable change in Thomas' mentality.

Thomas said he "100%" feels a greater appreciation after an absence of nearly 20 months between games.

"You can't take it for granted," Thomas told ESPN. "Once the Saints offered me my second deal [before the 2019 season], that was an agreement to be out here, to add value to this team, to keep the Saints hanging banners and competing for championships. And I have a big role on this team.

"So, to not be out there and add that value, whenever you get that second chance I always told myself to take full advantage of it and find a way to always give back."

You can see that approach in Thomas' media interviews, social media usage and interaction with teammates. Those close to him say it has been evident behind the scenes as well.

"He's in a great space," Saints quarterbacks coach Ronald Curry, who previously served as Thomas' position coach, said. "I think he appreciates the game a little bit more. Not that he didn't at first, but I think the game just means a hell of a lot to him. You know, he missed playing. You could tell that with his energy, his focus, when he's out here competing."

Allen said Thomas has "done everything that we've asked him to do."

"Mike's been great," Allen said. "... He just wants to win. And he's hyper focused on being the best he can be for this football team."

NOT MANY DOUBTED Thomas would come back with a vengeance. He has attacked his entire football career that way, earning a reputation as one of the NFL's most intense competitors, fueled by every perceived slight.
But that competitive fire is both legendary and notorious.

Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees once compared Thomas to Darren Sproles as rare teammates who treated every practice rep like it was the Super Bowl. Former coach Sean Payton once joked he felt like he got hit by a car when he made the mistake of standing in as the defensive back across from Thomas during a walk-through session.

It's the mindset that led him to an NFL-record 149 catches and the Offensive Player of the Year award in 2019 -- helping the 6-foot-3, 212-pounder live up to the "Can't Guard Mike" Twitter handle he created for himself at Ohio State.

Read the rest here ...

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” — Winston Churchill

Boston Saint

I would have thought a 96 Million dollar contract to play football pretty good fuel. But hey, that’s just me.

AsylumGuido

I wouldn't want a player that is fueled by the money. But, hey, that's just me. Or is it? I would hope that money is the least driving force for the players on my team.

Boston Saint

So, you don’t believe in honoring a contract. Not surprising.

AsylumGuido

Now where the hell did I say that?



I want every player on my team to be fueled by the desire to win. I want them to be driven by the desire to be great. I want them to want to be a great teammate. I don't want them to be in it for the money. Apparently you disagree. You think the money should be their most important motivation? More so than all the other more noble motivations?

Okay.

SaintFanInATLHELL

Honoring contracts in the NFL is bunk. NFL teams sign contracts all the time that they have no intention of honoring. Teams will cut players in a hot minute as long as its expedient and doesn't damage their salary cap.

As such, I have no problem with NFL players demanding more guarantees, and bogarting their way into better situations when teams balk. It's a business and a livelihood for players, not just a slavish devotion to a team like we fans have.

And exactly where did MT13 not honor his contract. The player was injured and the recommended course of action for recovery didn't work as expected. That's not breaking a contract.

While I understand fans want to see their favorite players, the fact that they are unavailable doesn't make those players horrible people and contract breakers.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

Boston Saint

No, it’s called work ethic. You agree to do a job you are paid to do then you do it. None of these players play for free. They don’t play if they are not under contract. They hold out if they feel underpaid. But he is hardly underpaid. I NEVER said it was the most important factor. It’s a matter of integrity
in doing your best.