James is 6’0, 219. Pierre Thomas is 5’11, 215. James is nothing more than an older version of Pierre Thomas.

Secondly, James went from the Colts—where he averaged 4.2 yards per carry—to pass-happy Arizona, where his average immediately plunged to 3.4 ypc. In the two years since, he’s pulled his average all the way up to 3.6 ypc. How would he fare any better as a part-time rusher in New Orleans’ pass-happy offense?

Thomas, by contrast, has consistently averaged 4.8! Even his reception average is better than James’—9.1 compared to 6.8. What more does Pierre Thomas have to do? Grow antlers?

We need to stay the course, give Pierre the chance he’s earned, and quit thinking that the grass is always greener growing under the shoes of a free agent.