Go Back   New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com > Main > Saints

Great article on Morstead

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; New Orleans Saints punter Morstead looks to improve in second season Thomas Morstead became property of the New Orleans Saints when the Black and Gold relinquished the rights to a 2010 draft pick in order to grab the talented punter ...

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-07-2010, 01:18 AM   #1
Resident Swede
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Märsta, Sweden
Posts: 7,982
Great article on Morstead

New Orleans Saints punter Morstead looks to improve in second season

Thomas Morstead became property of the New Orleans Saints when the Black and Gold relinquished the rights to a 2010 draft pick in order to grab the talented punter in the 5th round (164th overall) in the 2009 NFL Draft.

But soccer was provided Morstead's first allure to sports.

"My family being from England, I loved playing (soccer)," Morstead explained. "Growing up I was one of the better guys on the team." But when he broke both bones in his left ankle while in 9th grade, his soccer career was put on hold.

In the meantime, the healing process allowed a growth spurt. Morestead added 15 inches on his 5 foot frame.

Thomas' dad, John, was a superb athlete. He competed in England as a pro cyclist in the National championships on 11 occasions and had an opportunity in the Olympic trials. "He was successful but stopped to raise his family," Thomas said.

Both of his parents are ambitious and instilled a fiery work ethic into young Thomas, who was always dedicated to the task at hand evidenced by the fact that he missed only one day of school (due to surgery) from pre-school to 12th grade.

Morstead wasn't recruited following graduation from Pearland High School in Houston, Texas, but chose to walk on the SMU football program since he already had a partial academic scholarship to the Dallas institution. "Football was not in my plans," he recalled.

But plans change, and Morstead usually produced the best results when he faced the toughest challenge. Late in his SMU career, his final opportunity to kick was a prelude for things to come.

"It was windy and cold," he remembers. "I had to punt into a 20 mile per hour wind with gusts. Every one of my punts was over 50 yards, directional punting. My coach was so happy. He said 'You'll make it.'"

Those words of praise were just the encouragement that gave Morstead the fuel that he needed. The special teams coach for the Mustangs at the time was 25-year NFL veteran coach Frank Gansz. an NFL guru who had come out of retirement to assist head coach June Jones, a long-time friend, at SMU.

Tragically, Frank Gansz would not get to see his prized pupil perform on the biggest stage in the sportsworld. He died while doctors performed knee surgery following the 2008 football season.

---

When the call came on the 2nd day of the 2009 NFL Draft that he would be a member of the Saints, Thomas was ecstatic.

"All the teams that worked me out were from the north. The Saints were close to home (Houston). There was a fit there 5 hours from home - great atmosphere, super coach, Sean Payton."

Read the rest:

New Orleans Saints punter Morstead looks to improve in second season

Really enjoyed this article, gives an interesting insight on how it is to be a kicker/punter in the leauge. Really glad we traded to get him.

W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.
Crusader is offline  
Old 07-07-2010, 10:58 AM   #2
Site Donor 2014
Truth Addict
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R)
Posts: 24,635
Re: Great article on Morstead

He's my 2nd favorite non-football player, right behind Hartley.
Danno is offline  
Old 07-07-2010, 11:08 AM   #3
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: "Little Ole Town in Tejas"
Posts: 7,586
Re: Great article on Morstead

Originally Posted by Danno View Post
He's my 2nd favorite non-football player, right behind Hartley.
LOL...Danno just let it go
strato is offline  
Old 07-07-2010, 11:23 AM   #4
Moderator
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: New Haven Ct
Posts: 23,982
Re: Great article on Morstead

Kickers and punter are people football player too.
QBREES9 is offline  
Old 07-07-2010, 11:31 AM   #5
Site Donor 2018
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: lafayette
Posts: 7,753
Re: Great article on Morstead

nice write -up
st thomas is offline  
Old 07-07-2010, 12:57 PM   #6
Site Donor 2014
Truth Addict
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R)
Posts: 24,635
Re: Great article on Morstead

Originally Posted by strato View Post
LOL...Danno just let it go
I didn't put it on a tee, I just drove it down the fairway.
Danno is offline  
Old 07-07-2010, 01:37 PM   #7
Bounty Money $$$
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA.
Posts: 23,691
Re: Great article on Morstead

Well, Morestead turned out to be a good recruit for the Saints. The kick offs were a bonus.(just not enough for Danno)lol I love our punter and not just because he played rugby....but mostly for that reason. jk
Rugby Saint II is offline  
Closed Thread

Tags
kicking, punting, thomas morstead

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:18 PM.


Copyright 1997 - 2020 - BlackandGold.com
no new posts