Pierre Thomas Cruises Into New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame Running back

Pierre Thomas culminated a wonderful career as a member of the New Orleans Saints with the announcement on Thursday that he will be inducted into the franchise's Hall of Fame. Thomas joins wide receiver Lance Moore and Michael C. Hebert in the Class of 2018 inductees into the Saints Hall of Fame www.thesaintsfootballauthentic.com , which was founded in 1987. He is just the 5th New Orleans running back to be inducted.Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty ImagesPierre Thomas came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent rookie out of the University of Illinois in 2007. Despite leaving the Fighting Illini with the 2nd highest all-time mark in all purpose yardage, Thomas wasn't even invited to the NFL scouting combine. He made such an impression on 2nd year Saints coach Sean Payton however, that Thomas was kept on the roster over the team's 4th round draft pick that year, Antonio Pittman. He had limited offensive action during his first season with the team, finishing with 403 total yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. He was the team leader in kickoff return yardage, and averaged nearly 25 yards per return. Thomas would establish himself as an important weapon in Payton's explosive offense during the 2008 season. He led the Saints in rushing during the '08 and '09 seasons, while scoring a combined 20 touchdowns. Thomas was one of the most effective all-purpose running backs in the league during his 8-yr. career in New Orleans. He was nearly unstoppable on screen passes, and it became a staple in the Saints offensive arsenal. Thomas led all NFL running backs in receiving during the 2013 season, when he caught a career high 77 passes for 513 yards, and still led the Saints in rushing with 549 yards. Thomas' 2,608 career receiving yards and 327 total receptions are both the best in franchise history for a running back, and he ranks 6th among all receivers in catches. His 3,745 rushing yards is 5th best in franchise history, and his 28 rushing touchdowns is the fourth highest mark. Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty ImagesPierre Thomas was beloved by the Saints faithful for so much more than statistics. He wasn't the biggest back (listed at 5'11, 210-lbs.), and didn't possess breathtaking speed. Thomas was the type of player who was willing to do whatever he needed to on the field to help his team win. He was a trusted target of quarterback Drew Brees in clutch situations, and was a skilled special team player as well, often able to give the team a boost as a kick returner when needed. What set Thomas apart was his leadership, and his ability to make the clutch play in big games. He scored the first New Orleans touchdown in the Saints Super Bowl XLIV over Indianapolis, taking a screen pass and bolting 16-yds. for the go-ahead score early in the 3rd quarter of the Saints historic 31-17 victory. What sometimes gets forgotten is that Thomas was vital in just getting his team to the game's biggest stage. Duringthe Saints NFC Championship victory over the Minnesota Vikings, Thomas was the Saints leading rusher and second leading receiver on the afternoon, and scored 2 of the 3 New Orleans touchdowns. When regular returner Courtney Roby was injured late in the contest, Thomas stepped in and returned the opening kickoff of overtime 40 yards to give New Orleans key field position. Later in that same drive, Thomas was given the call on a 4th and 1 gamble by Payton. He fought furiously on a 2-yd. first down conversion that would put the Saints in position for the game winning field goal from Garrett Hartley and send New Orleans to the Super Bowl. That game was a microcosm of a Hall of Fame career, and an honor so very well deserved. Congratulations Pierre Thomas!Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesNew Orleans Saints meet the NFL 53 man roster deadline with some controversial decisions The New Orleans Saints made a flurry of moves to reduce their roster from 90 to 53 players by 4 p.m. eastern time Saturday afternoon. Some moves were viewed as head scratchers by the team's loyal fanbase, and some talented players had to be released on positions of solid depth. The Saints will undoubtedly make a number of additional moves in the upcoming weeks, some even before the team's season opener on September 9th against Tampa Bay. For now though, here is what the Saints initial roster looks like after some tough decisions by the coaching staff. * = Rookie QUARTERBACK (3)Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, Taysom Hill Chuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = Tom Savage, J.T. Barrett* This was set as soon as the Saints pulled off a trade with the New York Jets for Bridgewater on Wednesday. As usual, New Orleans' championship hopes are tied to the right arm of their Hall of Fame quarterback. The 25-yr old Bridgewater is under a one year contract, which would have to be renegotiated if the team views him as a longterm replacement for Brees. At the least, he provides a more reliable alternative if Brees were to miss any time with injury. Unable to take control of the backup reigns New Orleans Saints T-Shirt , Hill remains a developmental project who will be available for special teams, and perhaps a holder for placekicker Wil Lutz. Undrafted rookie J.T. Barrett will most likely be brought back to the practice squad. RUNNING BACK (4)Alvin Kamara, Boston Scott*, Zach Line, Trey Edmunds (Mark Ingram will not count towards the roster while he serves his four game league suspension)Chuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = Jonathan Williams One of a few surprising decisions that the team made was releasing Jonathan Williams, who looked like he had clinched the number three job behind Kamara and Ingram. Instead, the Saints went with the faster and more versatile rookie 6th round pick Scott, and the second year Edmunds, who can also play fullback. Line will again pave the way for Kamara and Ingram to form one of the top rushing attacks in the league. Williams, or perhaps another veteran back, may still be brought in while Ingram is out. Veteran Mike Gillislee, recently released by the Patriots, is visiting the team, and could be a solid addition if signed. WIDE RECEIVER (6)Michael Thomas, Tre'quan Smith*, Cameron Meredith, Ted Ginn Jr., Austin Carr, Tommylee Lewis Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = Brandon Tate, Keith Kirkwood*Another surprise was the fact that the Saints cut Tate in favor of Lewis, presumably to be the primary kick returner. Carr had an impressive training camp, and closed out the preseason strong to cement his spot. Ginn on the other hand, struggled throughout preseason, even being singled out by Sean Payton numerous times for poor route running. Meredith looks as if he can be an important part of the offense as he returns to form after missing all of last year. Smith, a rookie 3rd round pick, was the Saints most dangerous offensive player in four preseason games, and already has some talking that the team has gotten another third round steal, as they did with Kamara a year ago. He and Thomas may quickly form one of the most lethal 1-2 wideout combinations in the NFL. TIGHT END (3)Ben Watson, Josh Hill, Dan Arnold Chuck Cook-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = Michael Hoomanawanui , Deon Yelder*The Saints hope that the 37-yr. old Watson will be able to provide the receiving threat at tight end that he did in his previous stint with New Orleans from 2013-15. Hill returns as a known commodity as the number two tight end. Arnold turned in an impressive receiving performance, moving up the depth chart and overtaking Hoomanawanui after being converted from a wide receiver earlier in the summer. Yelder may return for the practice squad as a developmental project. OFFENSIVE LINE (8)Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat, Max Unger New Orleans Saints Hats , Larry Warford, Ryan Ramczyk, Will Clapp*, Cameron Tom, Jermon Bushrod Jake Roth-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = Josh LeRibeus, Rick Leonard*The Saints have one of the best starting five offensive lines in the league, but depth was a growing concern. The versatile Clapp was unexpectedly available in the 7th round when the Saints grabbed him in this spring's draft, and he would wind up being the most consistent of any of the reserve offensive linemen. Tom returns for his second year, and like Clapp can play any of the interior spots. Fourth round pick Leonard may be brought back on the practice squad after showing some improvement late in preseason. The 34-yr old Bushrod is better suited for guard than tackle at this stage of his career, and may still be a roster casualty if the team can find a capable tackle alternative. Leonard seems a good candidate to return as a member of the practice squad. DEFENSIVE TACKLE (4)Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata, Tyeler Davison, Taylor Stallworth*Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = Jay Bromley Traded = Devaroe Lawrence The trade of Lawrence to the Cleveland Browns for a conditional 7th round draft choice was surprising to some, but it may have come down to a toss-up at the position between he and the undrafted rookie Stallworth. Both had outstanding training camps and were disruptive throughout the preseason. Davison is a reliable run-stopper, and both Rankins and Onyemata are potential breakout stars. DEFENSIVE END (5)Cameron Jordan, Alex Okafor, Trey Hendrickson, Marcus Davenport*, Mitchell Loewen Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = George Johnson, Al-Quadin Muhammad Loewen had a solid camp, and his ability to play inside at tackle helped him earn his spot. Davenport missed much of preseason because of injury, but flashed disruptive potential in each of the team's final two games. Hendrickson had an outstanding training camp, and could be one of the breakout stars on defense. Okafor looks well on the way to full recovery from last year's Achilles injury, making the decision to move on from Muhammad and Johnson a bit easier after quiet training camps. LINEBACKER (6)Demario Davis, Alex Anzalone, Craig Robertson, A.J. Klein, Manti Te'o, Nate Stupar Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = Hau'oli Kikaha, Jayrone Elliott Elliott was unable to follow up on his 2.5 sack/2 forced fumble performance in the preseason opener against Jacksonville, but was still expected by some to stick around. The oft-injured Kikaha, a 2015 2nd round draft choice, just wasn't able to stand out well enough after being moved from defensive end, and wasn't able to provide significant versatility at the position. Robertson and Stupar cemented their roster positions with amazing performances over the last two weeks. Anzalone continues to flash tantalizing athleticism and potential New Orleans Saints Womens Hoodie , in hopes that he can stay healthy, while free agent addition Davis should solidify an improved linebacking corps that still struggled with consistency throughout the preseason. CORNERBACK (6)Marshon Lattimore, Ken Crawley,Patrick Robinson, Arthur Maulet, Justin Hardee, P.J. Williams Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts =Marcus Williams, Linden Stephens*, Kamrin Moore*It shocked some that P.J Williams remained a Saint at the roster deadline on Saturday. The team obviously feels comfortable in Williams' knowledge of the defense and his abilities, despite his previous inconsistency, because they made the decision to move on from some talented players. Rookies Moore and Stephens each seem like excellent candidates for the team's practice squad if they are not claimed by another team. Maulet and Hardee have good value on special teams, but cemented their roster spots with solid pass coverage in both practice and preseason games. SAFETY (5)Marcus Williams, Vonn Bell, Kurt Coleman, Chris Banjo, J.T. GrayDerick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportsNotable Cuts = Natrell Jamerson* (cb/s)THE Marcus Williams played like a potential All-Pro all summer, and he looks to be emerging into a leader on a young but very talented secondary. Bell had some struggles in coverage and positioning, and has yet to record an interception in his two year career, but will take on an increased role in the defense. He may be pushed for playing time by Coleman, a free agent acquisition from Carolina. Banjo is a special teams standout who gave the team some solid snaps at safety a year ago. A very puzzling move was the fact that the Saints kept Gray, who was mistake-prone throughout the preseason games, over the 5th round pick Jamerson, who can play both safety and corner. Especially after Sean Payton had singled out how impressed he was by Jamerson's play on more than one occasion. He looks to be a good candidate for the practice squad as well. SPECIALISTS (3)Wil Lutz (K), Thomas Morstead (P), Zach Wood (LS)The Saints are one of the deepest teams in the NFL, evidenced by the fact that so many talented players could not make their way onto the roster. Expect a number of the team's cuts to make their way back onto the practice squad, as well as more roster decisions to be made in the upcoming week. In the meantime, the initial roster is set, and the defending NFC South Champions now set their sites on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener, in a year that they hope will finish off with their second Super Bowl title.