Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

I hope PT & Colston retire as Saints players!

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- It’s still too early in New Orleans Saints training camp to judge exactly how they plan to split the workload among their deep running back corps.

ThomasMy best guess is that Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson will split carries pretty evenly in base packages and early downs, while Pierre Thomas lines up more with the nickel offenses (sort of the old Darren Sproles role). That would make sense, since Thomas is both the best pass-catcher and the best pass-protector of all the Saints’ running backs.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees offered some lofty praise of Thomas’ versatility Tuesday when asked if throwing the screen pass to Thomas is one of his favorite plays.

“Yes. He’s one of the best screen runners there is, ever,” Brees said. “He does such a great job of timing, setting up his blocks, just hitting those seams and hitting the sidewalk. He does a phenomenal job at it.

“You see these young guys (Ingram, Robinson and Travaris Cadet) starting to pick up on a little bit of those traits, too. Sproles was great at it. But Pierre can do everything. He’s the best all-purpose back in the league in my opinion. Run, pass, screen game, pass protection ... you name it, he can do it.”

Drew Brees: Pierre Thomas is NFLs best all-purpose back - ESPN

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

The only RB in recent memory that set up his blockers as well as PT does was Shaun Alexander. Patience, patience, then accelerate.
Basically everything our Mark Ingram isn't yet.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

Sure....sure..... :roflmao:

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

I wouldn't say best, but Thomas is woefully underrated. Always has been.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

front office never showed PT the love

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

Say what?

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

PT is my favorite Saint. you never have to worry what kind of game he is going to give you. Solid on the field and quiet off. Hope he retires a Saint,

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

I never got the feeling his worth to this team and his performance were rewarded as other players on the team were.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

Thanks for the link WhoDat.
He's a Ninja. They should let him play with a black mask on. Such a perfect fit for Brees. He's Drew's life boat, those two always know where the other one is.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

I know what you mean. It seems they're always looking for his replacement, yet he's the #1 back year after year.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

PT, has been the best.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

PT will always be one of my very favorite players. I have never seen that dude give up on a play. I still feel like every time he touches the ball something amazing is just about to happen.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

My favorite RB in Saints history. :bng:
We would have never won the Superbowl with out him and we were taken out the playoffs when he was hurt on a play in the playoffs against the 49ers.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

He is the screen king. No one does it better.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

With the exception of Barry Sanders, I've never seen anyone run the screen better; timing, burst, instincts, feel...and just watching the yards peel away, destroying the opposition's pass rush...just incredible text book screen work...

http://blackandgold.com/u/5271-albums105-picture651.jpg

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

His vision after the catch, acceleration and ability to slip arm tackles is just amazing to me.
His extra effort plays in SB 3rd quarter changed the whole momentum of that game.
I still say the 49er playoff game would have unfolded much differently had he not gotten
his bell rung so early in the game.
All of his talk is on the field - I like that.
A quiet storm.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

Not just arm tackles either, somehow PT manages to shrug off full on tackles and keep his legs moving
That was evident in the Superbowl when he caught a pass in the right flat, 3 colts defenders hit him and he managed to bounce of it and still get another 10 yards for a first down

PT is the man and will always be beloved by the fans, the guy is nothing but heart and my respect for him grew ten fold when I found out he played the NFCCG with broken ribs

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

I love me some PT, but Sproles deserves his due. Single-Season All-Purpose Yards Leader. He was insane in 2011.

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

Re: Brees: Thomas NFL's best all-purpose back
 

I agree with this article and its prediction that PT will be the third down back. I don't anticipate Payton putting a RB in the backfield who is not a threat to run between the tackles effectively very often ever again. We became predictable with Sproles in the backfield last year.