TheOak

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

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