Pierre Thomas

                         RUSHING                            RECEIVING                            FANTASY

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. That's one way to describe Pierre Thomas' season in 2009. It wasn’t quite the year fantasy owners were hoping for when they drafted Thomas, but it wasn’t all that bad either.  He did the most he could with the opportunities presented to him, which accumulated to 8 total TDs, 1,095 total yards, and 20^th among running backs in fantasy points (basic scoring system) with 155.5.  Things didn’t start off too well with Pierre as he sprained his MCL in the pre-season and ended up having to fight Mike Bell for carries throughout the year because of it.  Add to that a Saints system that spread the ball around more than any other team in the league and it was plain as day that Thomas wasn’t going to turn into the Ray Rice-type sleeper people were hoping for.

~  Set career highs in every major statistical rushing an receiving category

It’s tough to predict what Pierre will do in 2010, but there’s no doubt his fantasy numbers will increase (if he stays healthy, of course).  Mike Bell and his 172 carries in 2009 have moved on to the green pastures of Philadelphia, so more touches out of the backfield figure to be coming Thomas’ way.  However, the Saints liked what they saw out of Reggie Bush last year, especially in the playoffs, and Lynell Hamilton shouldn’t be ignored as a guy who can take over Bell’s role, so Pierre’s numbers may not increase to the level one might think.  He’s still a highly versatile back who can do most anything the team asks of him, so don’t be afraid to give him the RB2 role on your fantasy team this year.

~ Mike Bell is gone, so Pierre should take on a larger role

~ Thomas’ production depends a lot on the role coach Sean Payton sees Reggie Bush and Lynell Hamilton taking on, so pay close attention

~ As much as it seems like the Saints are a pass-first team, they ranked 15^th in the league in passing attempts and 7^th in rushing attempts in 2009

Pierre Thomas (@Pierre_Thomas) can be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Pierre_Thomas

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Pierre Thomas is no secret, but he's not a star either.  In fact, he fits right in with the New Orleans offense.  On a team where seemingly any running back or receiver can put up a 100-yard game on any given Sunday, Thomas thrives.  He's not pressured into carrying the load of the team by putting up huge numbers day-in and day-out, but he's expected to contribute a meaningful amount, and if he happens to be the top performer, good for him.  However, that's exactly what makes him so scary for fantasy owners.  Thomas has the talent to explode and put up over 1,200 yards in a year, but he plays in a system that doesn't really allow him to do that.  He's got Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Jeremy Shockey, Robert Meachem and Lance Moore as his supporting cast, so that plus the fact that Drew Brees is tossing the ball means the Saints are far from a team built for a star fantasy RB.  Thomas has talent to be sure, but it won't be evident every game as long as he's with the Saints. 

Pierre was offered a second-round tender by the Saints during the offseason, to which Pierre responded by signing a one-year, $1.684 million contract.  He’s playing for the big one, so we expect nothing less than his all-out effort this year:

2010 - $1.684 million

2011 – Free Agent

Reggie Bush is the obvious handcuff to Thomas, but Lynell Hamilton could come into play with the departure of Mike Bell in the offseason

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• Major Off-Season Moves


• 2010 NFL Draft

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