Thomas proving to be valuable commodity

turbo_dog · 11-06-2009, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by QBREES9

Thomas has played a key role as a receiver and run blocker since the Saints got him from the Patriots on Sept. 5. He didn't participate in his first practice with his new team until Sept. 7, then started the season opener six days later in a double tight end set with Jeremy Shockey.

While Shockey is one of Brees' primary targets, Thomas has quickly and quietly settled into his role as the No. 2 tight end. He has seven catches for 78 yards and has helped the Saints' running game, which ranks fourth in the NFL with 153.3 yards per game, as an extra blocker.

"Every offense is complicated and every offense has things that are more complicated than others," Thomas said. "This is definitely a tough system, but the guys have helped me learn it. (Tight ends) Coach (Terry) Malone did a great job with the way he taught it to me.

"All of those guys - Jeremy and Darnell (Dinkins) and Billy - they were all there giving me tips and pointers, so they get a lot of credit with that. Drew and those guys helped me a lot, too."

"Dave is smart and versatile, and I think he's athletic," Saints coach Sean Payton said of plugging Thomas in at fullback. "He's been versatile - that would be a good way to describe his skill set in both the passing game, in (pass) protections and in the running game.

Our Saints are the complete package this season. By that I mean from the top down in the organization. Good personel moves, good coaching, and good leadership in the lockerroom. When teams like the Steelers or Pats in the last few years had injuries or traded players, it seemed they could just plug the next guy in and not lose a step. That was because they had good systems in place and good coaching and the right players to plug in. I think we are now very close to being in that position. Thomas is just another good example.

WHODAT?!

11-06-2009, 08:27 AM	#2
turbo_dog 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,649	Re: Thomas proving to be valuable commodity Originally Posted by QBREES9 Thomas has played a key role as a receiver and run blocker since the Saints got him from the Patriots on Sept. 5. He didn't participate in his first practice with his new team until Sept. 7, then started the season opener six days later in a double tight end set with Jeremy Shockey. While Shockey is one of Brees' primary targets, Thomas has quickly and quietly settled into his role as the No. 2 tight end. He has seven catches for 78 yards and has helped the Saints' running game, which ranks fourth in the NFL with 153.3 yards per game, as an extra blocker. "Every offense is complicated and every offense has things that are more complicated than others," Thomas said. "This is definitely a tough system, but the guys have helped me learn it. (Tight ends) Coach (Terry) Malone did a great job with the way he taught it to me. "All of those guys - Jeremy and Darnell (Dinkins) and Billy - they were all there giving me tips and pointers, so they get a lot of credit with that. Drew and those guys helped me a lot, too." "Dave is smart and versatile, and I think he's athletic," Saints coach Sean Payton said of plugging Thomas in at fullback. "He's been versatile - that would be a good way to describe his skill set in both the passing game, in (pass) protections and in the running game. Our Saints are the complete package this season. By that I mean from the top down in the organization. Good personel moves, good coaching, and good leadership in the lockerroom. When teams like the Steelers or Pats in the last few years had injuries or traded players, it seemed they could just plug the next guy in and not lose a step. That was because they had good systems in place and good coaching and the right players to plug in. I think we are now very close to being in that position. Thomas is just another good example. WHODAT?!

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