New Orleans Saints 2014 Player Ranks: No. 13, Pierre Thomas
By John Hendrix
Aug 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) runs against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
We’re now thirteen days away from the return of New Orleans Saints football, Who Dat Nation! We’ll soon be able to wake up on Sundays and plan our days accordingly to revolve around the black and gold. We continue our two-week series that focuses on the Top 15 players heading into the 2014 Saints’ season, which will help take you into the regular season opener with Atlanta. Today’s selection: Pierre Thomas.
Quick Bio & Resume
Birthday: 12/18/1984 (30 years old)
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 215 pounds
Twitter: @Pierre_Thomas
Foundation: ICAN
College: Illinois
NFL Experience: 8th Season
Position: Running Back
Number: 23
2013 Highlights & Notes
- Played in all 16 Games
- 147 rush attempts, 549 yards, 3.7 rush yard average, 2 touchdowns
- 77 receptions, 513 yards, 6.7 receiving yard average, 3 touchdowns
- Signed a 3-year contract worth $6.9 million on 3/12
- USA Today All-Joe
- Saints Man of the Year (Walter Payton Man of the Year club nominee)
- Led all running backs with 50% of team’s offensive snaps (564 of 1,127)
Overview
Pierre Thomas is one the best undrafted rookie free agent finds in existence. finished with the most total yards since his 2009 season with 1,062 total yards. Did you know that PT finished third in the NFL in YAC, or yards after catch? His 667 YAC was right behind Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles (669) and Denver’s Demaryius Thomas (704). Thomas is certainly a Who Dat Nation fan favorite, and we were more than happy to learn that he re-signed with the team after rumors of a possible trade. When someone ever says, ‘Do Your Job’, Pierre Thomas is the complete definition of it.
"“Whenever my name is called, I’m going to go out there and do my job, I don’t complain my reps. I don’t complain about anything. I know I’m going to get the ball. I know I’m going to go out there and put myself out there on that field and help my team out. I know my name will be called.”"
2014 Outlook
Pierre Thomas clearly knows his role this season, and is completely okay with it. ‘PT Cruiser’ will be fill the Darren Sproles role this season, and should easily see the amount of touches from a season ago and then some. Pierre Thomas simply does not go down after first contact, and has a natural ability to keep things alive. Look for Thomas to continue with his excellent pass blocking in addition to his versatility as a runner and pass catcher.
Previous Rankings
- New Orleans Saints 2014 Player Ranks: No. 15, Zach Strief
- New Orleans Saints 2014 Player Ranks: No. 14, Ben Grubbs