Pierre Thomas leading Saints into Super Bowl

Pierre Thomas might only be 5-11 but he has made big plays time and time again for the New Orleans Saints this season. And this Sunday’s Super Bowl is a fitting reward.

Thomas, who alongside Reggie Bush gives the Saints a major rushing threat, arrives in Miami in fine form and will be a key man as New Orleans attempt to clear the final hurdle – Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts.

He rushed for 793 yards during the regular season, with six touchdowns, and backed that up with impressive playoff outings against Arizona and Minnesota, against whom he made it into the end zone twice. With so much attention – on the field and in the media – directed at Bush and quarterback Drew Brees, Thomas can sometimes slip by unnoticed but that is just fine with him so long as the team keeps winning.

Facing a ferocious defensive line, you might expect Thomas to have some doubts out on the field but what he lacks in height he makes up for with heart and star talent. NFL defenses seem to possess no end of 275-pound monsters these days but Thomas is not easily intimidated. In fact, he has handled every challenge so capably that it is now hard to believe that he was undrafted in 2007 before signing with New Orleans.

Staying low to the ground is the secret for Thomas, who grew up as a Chicago Bears fan but is loving life with the Saints. The feeling is mutual, with the 25-year-old’s popularity increasing with every explosive run. One thing is for sure, the Colts will be doing their homework on Thomas.

While the passing game has had a rebirth this season in the NFL, look for the rush to be an important area on Sunday. The defenses will be focused on stopping Brees and Manning picking out their receivers but the run might be a chance for both teams to spring a surprise.

And so the running back battle will be well worth watching. If Thomas and Bush outperform the Colts’ Joseph Addai, the Saints could be celebrating the perfect end to an outstanding year.

Article written by Thomas Oldfield

Tags: Joseph Addai, New Orleans Saints, Pierre Thomas, Super Bowl