March 30
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Tight end Jimmy Graham and running back Pierre Thomas were judges for a dunk contest at Fogelman Arena on Thursday. Neither would comment on the bounty suspensions, but Thomas did discuss the possibility of Bill Parcells replacing Sean Payton in the interim. "I heard a lot about (Parcells) since Payton got there," Thomas said. "Since I got with the Saints, (Payton) talks a whole lot about him. He sounds like a great guy, somebody Payton learned from, and I don't think a whole lot would change if he comes.""
March 30
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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There weren't anywhere near the 74,400 fans that will pack the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for the Final Four this weekend, but the atmosphere at Fogelman Arena on Thursday night for the State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships was electric. The event, which for the 24th time visited the host city of the Final Four, brings together future NBA and WNBA hopefuls who recently completed their final year of college eligibility. For the first time, fans were able to judge the contest online and vote for their favorite dunks on Twitter. During the final round, "#collegeslam" was trending No. 2 worldwide on Twitter, and five participants also were trending in the top 10."
January 15
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The most glaring injury the New Orleans Saints suffered Saturday came in the game's opening drive when running back Pierre Thomas took a shot to the helmet from 49ers safety Donte Whitner. The Saints had driven from their own 20-yard line to the San Francisco 7 when quarterback Drew Brees flicked a pass to Thomas in the right flat and he headed toward the goal line. He and Whitner collided at the 2-yard line and Thomas crumpled to the ground, the ball jarred loose in a fumble linebacker Patrick Willis would recover as the first of the Saints' five turnovers. Thomas did not appear in the locker room after the game and thus it was unclear if he was knocked unconscious on the play, as it"
January 9
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Pierre Thomas isn't exactly a secret weapon, and New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton insisted Sunday that he wasn't saving Thomas during the season to keep him fresh for a playoff run. It sure felt like someone had removed the restrictor plate from Thomas' engine Saturday night, though, when the fifth-year tailback made his biggest impact of the season in a 45-28 victory over the Detroit Lions in an NFC wild-card playoff game. "Man, did you see those runs?" guard Carl Nicks said Saturday night, after Thomas ran for 66 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and caught six passes for 55 yards. "I couldn't believe he stayed up. I mean, that guy's an animal, right?""
August 24
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Pierre Thomas' surgically-repaired ankle has been a non-issue so far during New Orleans Saints training camp. He hasn't missed a day of practice, and he's been running strong - as evidenced by his 13-yard run to open Saturday night's preseason game at Houston. Thomas also gained 15 yards on a pass from quarterback Drew Brees against the Texans and finished the game with six carries for 33 yards."
July 29
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas fully participated in the team's first training camp practice Friday, though he labeled himself at just "85 percent" recovered from offseason ankle surgery and beat himself up for fumbling twice. Thomas admitted he was rusty after spending the entire summer working to get healthy. He said this was the first time he had really done any work with the ball in his hands. But he vowed to get better in that department, saying, "I'll probably sleep with the ball tonight." Other than the fumbling, Thomas said he felt good and was able to cut and run at full speed. He said the extra 15 percent he needs to improve is just his strength in the left ankle."
March 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints have reached a four-year deal with running back Pierre Thomas, according to a report on neworleans.com. Thomas was an undrafted free agent when he signed with the Saints as an out of Illinois in 2007. He had ankle injuries that held him in check last season and had surgery after the season ended. He has rushed for 1,939 yards and 18 touchdowns in four seasons."
January 25
New Orleans Times-Picayune
(scroll down)
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Payton also confirmed that running back Pierre Thomas had an extensive scope on his ankle and his rehabilitation should last into the offseason. Wide receiver Marques Colston is expected to have scopes performed on his knee and wrist, which could make him miss time during organized team activities. Chris Ivory's post-operation report was positive. Payton said he needed one screw inserted into his ankle."
January 12
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints tailback Pierre Thomas described his injury-plagued season as a roller-coaster ride. But the pending free agent said Tuesday that won't keep him from returning to New Orleans in 2011 if he and the Saints can work out a deal. Thomas' season was marred by a lingering ankle injury and conflicting diagnoses from various doctors. Though Thomas said he doesn't blame anyone for the way his injury was handled, he said if he could go back in time, he would have rested the ankle for longer after injuring it in Week 3. "In the beginning, if I would've stayed off my feet right after the injury, earlier in the season, I think I would've been back" to full strength, Thomas said. "I would've"
January 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints placed tailback Pierre Thomas on injured reserve with an ankle injury Wednesday. They've now lost both of their leading rushers for the remainder of the season, having placed rookie tailback Chris Ivory on I.R. with a foot injury Tuesday. The Saints signed rookie Joique Bell from the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad to replace Thomas on the roster. They also signed veteran DeShawn Wynn on Tuesday to serve as a backup behind Reggie Bush and Julius Jones."
January 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas didn't practice Saturday during the team's final tune-up for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Coach Sean Payton said, "The big thing now is just keeping his weight off it and getting the treatment, and we'll see where he's at tomorrow." Thomas, who appeared to tweak the ankle during Friday's practice, was not available for comment."
January 1
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints running back Pierre Thomas appeared to tweak his right ankle at practice Friday, and was listed as limited in his participation and questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay by Coach Sean Payton. Thomas severely twisted the same ankle against Atlanta on Sept. 26 and missed nine weeks, but he came back with a vengeance in Monday night's 17-14 victory over the Falcons, accounting for 101 yards. He suffered no visible setback in that game and did not appear on the injury report Wednesday or Thursday. But Payton brusquely included Thomas at the end of his list Friday, chalking it up to the ankle and saying, "he's questionable." Payton insisted the characterization was based"
January 1
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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When running back Pierre Thomas turned in a gritty performance against the Atlanta Falcons last Monday night, the Saints come-from-behind victory offered him a measure of revenge. "I felt happy, it was a big relief because Atlanta was the team that put me out, that put me out for a while," Thomas said Thursday. "So for me it was just a payback thing. I wanted to get back at that team because they really hurt me in the beginning of the season. They put me out for a long period of time, but I got my opportunities to come back and show them what I can do. For them to remember me, like, 'hey, you might have put me out in the beginning, but I'm back.'" The severe ankle twist Thomas suffered"
December 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Reggie Bush was injured. Nobody had heard of Chris Ivory. And Pierre Thomas carried the ball just nine times before leaving with an ankle injury that would keep him out eight weeks. That was the state of the New Orleans Saints' running game when Atlanta first traveled to New Orleans for the NFC South showdown in late September. Thirteen weeks later, Bush and Thomas are healthy again. And Ivory, an undrafted rookie from Tiffin University, is the team's leading rusher with 683 yards. His first career carry came in the first matchup with the Falcons. Atlanta's run defense has been one potential soft spot -- it ranks 12th in the NFL -- and it's yet to be seen whether New Orleans has the"
December 11
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Saints tailback Pierre Thomas officially is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams after practicing fully all week. And Coach Sean Payton said he expects Thomas to return from the ankle injury he had in Week 3. "He's had a good week of practice," Payton said. "He's really in his second week (of practicing), and he's ready. He'll be up and part of the plan." Thomas likely won't be a big part of that plan, though, with so many other healthy options at the tailback position with Chris Ivory, Reggie Bush and Julius Jones. "We'll be smart and try to package the plays accordingly like we do, and we'll see how the game unfolds in regards to his snaps," Payton said."
December 7
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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A week after he said he was "guarded" about the return of running back Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton said Monday he is "cautiously optimistic" Thomas will return on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. Thomas hasn't played since injuring his left ankle in Week 3 against Atlanta. But after practicing all of last week on a limited basis and then traveling with the team and working out before Sunday's 34-30 win at Cincinnati, it appears Thomas is ready. "I think he is going to play," Payton said. "I do. What I don't want to do is say he is playing next Sunday and then not be right if it doesn't feel well this week. But I would say based on the way he practiced last week"
December 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas won't be active for today's game against the Cincinnati Bengals as he continues to recover from a lingering ankle injury."
October 30
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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As it has been for weeks, the chief topic around the Saints on Thursday involved injuries to key players. Coach Sean Payton reiterated the team is not using injuries as an excuse for the defending Super Bowl champions' sluggish start, although he acknowledged the Saints injuries have come in clusters at key positions, namely running back and cornerback. Neither Pierre Thomas nor Reggie Bush practiced Thursday. Thomas appeared in the locker room Thursday afternoon on crutches, a development he attributed to doctors' orders. He was walking without them some time ago. The ankle injury he suffered in week three against Atlanta has proved a mysteriously prolonged one, given the team has"
October 28
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints tailbacks Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas and cornerbacks Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter were all present for Wednesday's practice with jerseys on. But all four of them remained out of team drills, according to Coach Sean Payton. Of the four, Greer and Bush appear to be the most likely to return Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers."
October 26
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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If the absence of a denial by Sean Payton is the equivalent of an admission of what was reported Sunday by Fox Sports, then Payton should be embarassed. If the New Orleans Saints' coach is bothered that running back Pierre Thomas hasn't yet recovered from his ankle sprain - high or low, depending on who's giving the prognosis, apparently - and shared that displeasure with Fox Sports rather than with Thomas, who genuinely appeared to be surprised by the assertion, then Payton should ask himself what he'd think of a player who did something similar. On Monday, when asked about the report, Payton could've called it a lie and the reporter a liar. He could've said that, while the team obviously"
October 26
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With questions about New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas' relationship with Coach Sean Payton swirling since Sunday, Thomas' agent said Monday the notion Thomas isn't champing at the bit to return to action is absurd. In a phone interview, Lamont Smith said he has no inside information about whether Thomas and Payton are at odds, as was reported Sunday on Fox Sports. He characterized the whole matter as an unwelcome and counter-productive diversion from the Saints necessary focus on football. Under normal circumstances, Smith insisted, he would not insert himself into a team matter but in this case he is bothered by the idea Thomas, who he said has played with a variety of"
October 25
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Prior to kickoff, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported that New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton has lost patience with running back Pierre Thomas, who hasn't played since hurting an ankle against Atlanta in week 3. Thomas insisted that was news to him, and said his slow recovery is attributable solely to the injury. "I'm still hurt; my ankle still bothers me," Thomas said. "I'm taking it day by day." There has been no indication Payton or the organization is dissatisfied with his effort, "I don't even know what to say about that," Thomas said. "I haven't felt ... nothing. Everything seems cool around here.""
October 14
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints running backs Reggie Bush (fibula) and Pierre Thomas (ankle) remained sidelined with injuries Wednesday. Coach Sean Payton did not indicate whether either back is close to returning. Also missing practice Wednesday were safety Roman Harper (hamstring) and cornerbacks Randall Gay (headaches) and Tracy Porter (knee). Defensive end Will Smith (groin) was limited."
October 13
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints running backs Reggie Bush (fibula) and Pierre Thomas (ankle) remained sidelined with injuries Wednesday. Coach Sean Payton did not indicate whether either back is close to returning. Also missing practice Wednesday were safety Roman Harper (hamstring) and cornerbacks Randall Gay (headaches) and Tracy Porter (knee). Defensive end Will Smith (groin) was limited."
October 8
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton delivered his final injury report Friday prior to Sunday's game with the Arizona Cardinals and while it contained few surprises Payton confirmed running back Pierre Thomas will not be active. Thomas, who suffered an ankle sprain late in the game against Atlanta, has not practiced the past two weeks, While he said his ankle is noticably better, he has not yet run hard on it and his exercises on it thus far have been only on a treadmill or underwater. Were Sunday a playoff game Thomas said he would try to play, but the smart move now is for him to hold off and prepare for Tampa Bay."
October 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
columnist Jeff Duncan
"
New Orleans Saints running backs occupy one of the most conspicuous corners in the team's locker room. The first five cubicles on the left side near the main entrance and exit are reserved for halfbacks and fullbacks - Reggie Bush, Lynell Hamilton, Chris Ivory, Pierre Thomas and Heath Evans. Because of the star power and popularity of the athletes, it's always been one of the most popular gathering places for reporters during the daily media sessions. This week, though, the area has been vacant."
October 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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The New Orleans Saints promoted running back DeShawn Wynn from their practice squad to their active roster, according to Wynn's agent Christina Phillips. There was no immediate word on whom the Saints released to make room for Wynn. Clearly, the Saints are preparing for the possibility that starting tailback Pierre Thomas won't be able to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Thomas hasn't been ruled out yet with an ankle injury that sidelined him for most of the week. Coach Sean Payton said Friday that he will be a game-time decision."
October 2
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With the number one question surrounding the Saints being whether top running back Pierre Thomas will play Sunday, the team underlined the question mark Friday by listing Thomas as questionable. Officially that status puts Thomas in the 50/50 category for Sunday's game at the Superdome against NFC South opponent Carolina. A decision will not be made until game day, Coach Sean Payton said, but he also gave a strong indication the team will make some roster moves beforehand, in case Thomas is scratched. Specifically, today the team might activate DeShawn Wynn, a fourth-year running back from Florida who has appeared on special teams in two games this season. In that case Wynn would be"
September 30
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is not listed on the team's injury report this week, though he was wearing a brace on his left knee during practice. He has "soreness" in the knee, according to Coach Sean Payton. But Payton said Brees, "functioned fine." Tailback Pierre Thomas, meanwhile, did not practice with a left ankle injury. But Thomas has not been ruled out of Sunday's game at Carolina. Payton wants to see how he progresses as the week goes on. Backup Chris Ivory fully practiced on Wednesday as he continues to recover from a knee injury. He and veteran Ladell Betts could pick up extra carries if Thomas can't play. DeShawn Wynn could also be activated from the practice"
August 5
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton said this morning running back Pierre Thomas would be back in about a couple of days. (Watch the video with Thomas after practice). That estimate turned into a matter of hours as Thomas returned to the field at training camp in the team's afternoon practice indoors today. Thomas said he and the Saints staff wanted to be cautious, especially since his left wrist he injured yesterday was the same wrist on which he previously had surgery. He attributed his earlier-than-expected return to his fiery attitude. "It was just a nice hit; one of the guys got me good," Thomas said. "Coach Payton said it might be a couple of days. I said, 'Nah, I just need a few"
August 3
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas left the practice field Tuesday morning after apparently injuring his left hand/wrist on a red zone run during which he was tackled to the ground."
June 15
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas announced via Twitter that he has signed his one-year, $1.684 million tender offer, though he is still hoping to work out a long-term deal before the start of training camp. "I'm back for another year Saints fans! signed my tender today...hopefully we can get a long term deal done before the season," wrote Thomas, who had been holding out from the Saints' OTAs the last three weeks while hoping to get a long-term deal done. Thomas was motivated to sign his one-year offer by the end of the day, however, because the Saints had the option to lower their offer to $500,000 after midnight. Expect safety Roman Harper to sign his one-year, $2.521 million"
June 10
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With contract negotiations between his client, Pierre Thomas, and the New Orleans Saints at an impasse, agent Lamont Smith went on the offensive Wednesday. Smith said reports he and Thomas have sought a deal similar to the six-year, $44.8 million contract Steven Jackson received from the St. Louis Rams two years ago are inaccurate. "We're not asking for Steven Jackson money, " Smith said by telephone from his Denver, Colo., office. "We just want a fair deal." Negotiations have stalled since the sides exchanged offers in mid-May. The Saints' initial offer was a four-year, $11 million deal, according to an NFL source. They have not budged from that offer, even after receiving a counter"
May 27
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Tailback Pierre Thomas and offensive tackle Jammal Brown have not been participating in the Saints' first week of organized team activities, General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed Wednesday. Fellow unsigned restricted free agents Roman Harper and Lance Moore, meanwhile, have been taking part in the voluntary practice sessions. All four players have yet to sign their one-year qualifying offers from the Saints while hoping to work out long-term contracts instead. But none of the players is free to sign with another team. As long as the Saints have those one-year offers on the table, they maintain exclusive rights to their restricted free agents, much like the rights they hold to their"
May 27
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Unsigned New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas and unsigned offensive tackle Jammal Brown have not been participating during the first week of organized team activities (OTAs), while safety Roman Harper and receiver Lance Moore have been participating, General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed. All four restricted free agents have not signed their one-year qualifying offers from the Saints while hoping to work out long-term contracts. Brown has not been participating in any of the team's offseason conditioning program, which began April 19, while Thomas, Moore and Harper signed injury protection clauses to join the team for conditioning workouts. It's not clear how long Thomas and Brown"
March 26
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Pierre Thomas described the loss of fellow tailback Mike Bell as a "tough one" for the New Orleans Saints. But just like he vowed last year at this time, after the Saints parted ways with beloved power runner Deuce McAllister, Thomas insisted he's ready to bulk up and fill whatever void the Saints ask him to fill. "You know, one thing I really want to work on this season is trying to get more leg power. That's my biggest goal. Leg power, leg power, leg power, so I can keep fighting for extra yards, and try to be that guy when they have that third-and-1 or fourth-and-1, " said Thomas, a 5-foot-11, 215-pounder, who did just that on the biggest fourth-and-1 conversion in Saints history in"
February 6
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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Pierre Thomas has a mean streak in him. The New Orleans Saints' tailback talks about how he wanted to kick down doors to break into the NFL, and he says all the time that he likes to run over defenders and break their will on his way into the end zone. But when he does those things, he does it with a smile on his face. That familiar smile has been plastered across Thomas' face from the day the Saints picked him up as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois in 2007 to the night he emerged as the go-to guy in their NFC championship game victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He's been grinning from ear to ear throughout Super Bowl week, just like he does every time he's pulling practical jokes"
January 25
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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With a vicious Minnesota Vikings' pass rush keeping Drew Brees back on his heels through much of Sunday night's NFC championship game, running back Pierre Thomas provided the crucial difference in a razor-close game. With Courtney Roby injured in the fourth quarter, Thomas took the opening kickoff of overtime 40 yards, giving a sputtering offense decent field position for the final drive before Garrett Hartley booted the winning field goal in the Saints' 31-28 victory over the Vikings. And four plays before the kick, he kept the Saints alive with an aerial dive for a 1-yard gain on fourth-and-1 from the Minnesota 43. "For the coaches to call my name for that fourth-and-1, it really showed"