Michael Thomas 'betting on myself' to top breakout rookie season

08-01-2017, 01:20 PM

Michael Thomas 'betting on myself' to top breakout rookie season

Mike Triplett
ESPN Staff Writer

METAIRIE, La. -- Michael Thomas had one of the greatest rookie seasons of any receiver in NFL history last year. His 92 receptions were the second-most all time among first-year players.

But he missed his mark.

“I mean, honestly, I was going for all the rookie records. I was going for all the NFL records. I kind of hit a speed bump,” said Thomas, who played only 15 games for the New Orleans Saints because he was sidelined by a foot injury in a Week 14 loss at Tampa Bay.

“I was gonna get there for sure,” said Thomas -- which might sound like a little bravado, since the NFL rookie record was 101 catches, set by Anquan Boldin in 2003. But then again, Thomas did finish his rookie season with a 10-catch, 156-yard performance against the Atlanta Falcons.

Regardless, the point is clear. Thomas is not a guy who lacks confidence or a desire for greatness.

“I had to pause, regroup and figure out how I’m still gonna hit my numbers and still do what I do, because I’m a guy that sets goals and attacks ‘em,” said Thomas.

When asked what his plans are for an encore, Thomas said: “More. Find ways to get more -- 93, 100, 120 [receptions],” Thomas said. “Just get more yards, catches, missed tackles, touchdowns. In an unselfish way; I put my numbers to the side [compared to team goals]. But leaving my mark in this game is what I’m trying to do.

“Don’t be afraid to place a bet on yourself. I always tell Coach, 'Sometimes you might mess up, slip up ... but if you don’t bet back, you fold.' That’s how I treat this game, like gambling and betting on myself. That’s what’s gonna help the team, what they brought me in to do.”

Thomas, 24, is going to have to deal with much higher expectations and even more attention from opposing defenses after his breakout rookie season -- though some of that already started during the second half of last season.

More here ...

AsylumGuido · 08-01-2017, 01:22 PM

Thomas is a smart young man.

And he said that dating back to last year, he has really tried to emulate a lot of Brees’ practice habits, since it would be hard to find a better model if you’re striving for greatness.

“When I first got here, it was kind of like all new. Then I realized there’s a guy in the locker room that is one of the most consistent, if not the most consistent guy in the NFL at probably the hardest position in the NFL,” Thomas said. “So, immediately, I watched him. I watched him even when he didn’t know I was watching him.

Beastmode · 08-01-2017, 02:23 PM

I think this is the best group Brees has ever had. Ginn could seriously wind up as a 5th option and delegated to ST.

Thirty3 · 08-01-2017, 02:33 PM

Keep it up buddy!

jeanpierre · 08-01-2017, 04:37 PM

Don't know if y'all heard how hot Saints camp was yesterday, 31 July, then Nick Underhill tweets this...

He's got some great people advising, counseling him...

AsylumGuido · 08-01-2017, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

Don't know if y'all heard how hot Saints camp was yesterday, 31 July, then Nick Underhill tweets this...

https://twitter.com/nick_underhill/s...74777254518785

He's got some great people advising, counseling him...

Uncle Keyshawn is most likely one of them.

08-01-2017, 01:20 PM	#1
Threaded by AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,853 Rating: (0 votes - average) Michael Thomas 'betting on myself' to top breakout rookie season Mike Triplett ESPN Staff Writer METAIRIE, La. -- Michael Thomas had one of the greatest rookie seasons of any receiver in NFL history last year. His 92 receptions were the second-most all time among first-year players. But he missed his mark. “I mean, honestly, I was going for all the rookie records. I was going for all the NFL records. I kind of hit a speed bump,” said Thomas, who played only 15 games for the New Orleans Saints because he was sidelined by a foot injury in a Week 14 loss at Tampa Bay. “I was gonna get there for sure,” said Thomas -- which might sound like a little bravado, since the NFL rookie record was 101 catches, set by Anquan Boldin in 2003. But then again, Thomas did finish his rookie season with a 10-catch, 156-yard performance against the Atlanta Falcons. Regardless, the point is clear. Thomas is not a guy who lacks confidence or a desire for greatness. “I had to pause, regroup and figure out how I’m still gonna hit my numbers and still do what I do, because I’m a guy that sets goals and attacks ‘em,” said Thomas. When asked what his plans are for an encore, Thomas said: “More. Find ways to get more -- 93, 100, 120 [receptions],” Thomas said. “Just get more yards, catches, missed tackles, touchdowns. In an unselfish way; I put my numbers to the side [compared to team goals]. But leaving my mark in this game is what I’m trying to do. “Don’t be afraid to place a bet on yourself. I always tell Coach, 'Sometimes you might mess up, slip up ... but if you don’t bet back, you fold.' That’s how I treat this game, like gambling and betting on myself. That’s what’s gonna help the team, what they brought me in to do.” Thomas, 24, is going to have to deal with much higher expectations and even more attention from opposing defenses after his breakout rookie season -- though some of that already started during the second half of last season. More here ...
Views: 1519

08-01-2017, 01:22 PM	#2
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,853	Re: Michael Thomas 'betting on myself' to top breakout rookie season Thomas is a smart young man. And he said that dating back to last year, he has really tried to emulate a lot of Brees’ practice habits, since it would be hard to find a better model if you’re striving for greatness. “When I first got here, it was kind of like all new. Then I realized there’s a guy in the locker room that is one of the most consistent, if not the most consistent guy in the NFL at probably the hardest position in the NFL,” Thomas said. “So, immediately, I watched him. I watched him even when he didn’t know I was watching him. jnormand likes this.

08-01-2017, 02:23 PM	#3
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	Re: Michael Thomas 'betting on myself' to top breakout rookie season I think this is the best group Brees has ever had. Ginn could seriously wind up as a 5th option and delegated to ST.
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126

08-01-2017, 02:33 PM	#4
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255	Re: Michael Thomas 'betting on myself' to top breakout rookie season Keep it up buddy!
Thirty3 1000 Posts + Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 1,255

08-01-2017, 04:37 PM	#5
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Michael Thomas 'betting on myself' to top breakout rookie season Don't know if y'all heard how hot Saints camp was yesterday, 31 July, then Nick Underhill tweets this... Twitter He's got some great people advising, counseling him...

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08-01-2017, 04:40 PM	#6
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,853	Re: Michael Thomas 'betting on myself' to top breakout rookie season Originally Posted by jeanpierre Don't know if y'all heard how hot Saints camp was yesterday, 31 July, then Nick Underhill tweets this... https://twitter.com/nick_underhill/s...74777254518785 He's got some great people advising, counseling him... Uncle Keyshawn is most likely one of them.

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