Where's David Thomas?

by Dave Cariello on Aug 30, 2011 11:00 AM CDT

Anybody notice tight end David Thomas? Me neither.

The Saints have completed training camp and have three preseason games under their belt yet I can't remember ever hearing anything about The Baconator since the Saints re-signed him to a 3-year $5.5 million contract in the early part of August.

He shows up nowhere on the preseason stat sheet and I'm not sure he's even been targeted in a game. He's rarely ever mentioned in media practice reports. There has been no injury reported and he's been practicing regularly. Yet he's pretty much disappeared without going anywhere. So what's the deal?

Is it just a result of the media focusing on other players who are actually fighting for a roster spot? That wouldn't explain his zero production in preseason games. Has Jimmy Graham simply become that huge a part of the offense that there isn't even room for Thomas anymore? Tory Humphrey has gotten opportunities. Is he just playing poorly? We'd probably hear about that. Perhaps he's a big part of the game plan for Green Bay or Chicago and Payton doesn't want to reveal anything or risk injury? This one's my favorite scenario.

Really, I'm thinking the fact we haven't heard anything just means he's been coming to work, doing his job well and the coaches know what he's capable of. End of story. He's the Scott Shanle of the offense.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this or am I the only one?

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Shhhhhhh

You’re ruining Payton’s Packer game plan. No one will be paying attention to him in Green Bay, so the Baconator will then explode with all of his greasy, artery-clogging deliciousness and totally stun the Packers D.

"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!

by David "Satch" Kelly on Aug 30, 2011 11:05 AM CDT reply actions

I think for what it's worth

Sean already knows what he has in the Baconator, and is more concerned with seeing other players. Agree with the saving him for real game situations premise. No real reason to risk injury with him at this point. Also think Sean is pushing the O-line to stop depending on the TE position to bail them out. You hear me Bushrod.

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Aug 30, 2011 11:08 AM CDT reply actions

^^^This

“Sean already knows what he has in the Baconator”

But, it is kinda weird that he hasn’t been in AT ALL.

Besides the scrubs, is there a non-injured starter that hasn’t played a snap in the first three pre-season games?

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Aug 30, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

He HAS played. Check the Gamebooks.

You can toga party, but you can't toga fish.

by coldpizza on Aug 30, 2011 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

oh...

so… "Sean already knows what he has in the Baconator"

No worries.

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Aug 30, 2011 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions

He’s workin on an all-new all-bacon patty to be released just in time for the 2011 NFL season.

by BlackandGold4ever on Aug 30, 2011 11:22 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

He played in the first two games, just not against the Raiders. Was/is he nicked up? There’s no official inactive game list in the preseason, but he’s not listed among the players who didn’t participate in the official Gamebook.

You can toga party, but you can't toga fish.

by coldpizza on Aug 30, 2011 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

NBC listed him as the starter at the beginning of the Raiders game.

I thought I did see him start and then he went into the witness protection program after that. Not worried though cuz the guys just comes to work, does what they ask him to do and how they ask him to do it, then he goes home as quietly as he came in.

by Saint for life on Aug 30, 2011 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

You’re right, he did start. So, two subs, one start, played in all three.

You can toga party, but you can't toga fish.

by coldpizza on Aug 30, 2011 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Think they know what they're getting with Thomas

and are instead focusing on bringing Graham along and seeing what he’s really capable of.

by Jimbo03 on Aug 30, 2011 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

I agree with the above and add that

Payton wants a third TE to emerge and was giving Humphrey a big chance. Additionally, I think he figures the more plays Graham gets, the more improvement he will make.

If Pro is the opposite of Con, what is the opposite of Progress? Congress!
-Men's Restroom - House of Representatives, Washington, DC

by Philinwood on Aug 30, 2011 12:07 PM CDT reply actions

Better question is where the hell is Cam Jordan?

He hasn’t looked that good at all to me and I really have high hopes for this guy to come in and bench alex brown. Now it looks like he may be 1 or 2 seasons away at best.

by Saint for life on Aug 30, 2011 1:24 PM CDT reply actions

Really didn't expect him to start right off.

They will take their time with him and expect more from him next year. Rookie year I see him more as a backup.

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Aug 30, 2011 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions

He’s a rookie! Most rookies (80%+) suck their first year.

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Aug 30, 2011 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Rookies are for next year or two years down the road.

Free agents are to fix immediate problems.

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Aug 30, 2011 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

jeffduncantp Jeff Duncan

With the release of Alex Brown, look for Cam Jordan to get the 1st crack at the #Saints’ starting LDE spot. He’s been playing well recently.

Deal me another hand Lord, this one's very hard

by stujo4 on Aug 30, 2011 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions

this I have to see

In Breesus' name we play

by Breesus Christ Superstar on Aug 30, 2011 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I would think Jeff Charleston has the inside track at the starting position.

You can toga party, but you can't toga fish.

by coldpizza on Aug 31, 2011 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Yep

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Aug 31, 2011 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

nope

see fanshot

Deal me another hand Lord, this one's very hard

by stujo4 on Aug 31, 2011 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

How do you do that with a link? This is what it looks like when I try it.
http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2011/8/31/2396319/turk-mcbride-starts-at-lde

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Aug 31, 2011 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

1. Copy the link to your clipboard (you already know this – Control+C)

2. Type is some text.

3. Highlight the text.

4. Click the LINK icon (looks like a chain) right above the comment box.

5. Paste in your link.

6. (optional, but should be automatic) Select “open in new window”.

7. Click SUBMIT botton.

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Aug 31, 2011 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

see fanshot

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 1, 2011 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions

HA! It worked. Thanks, Dan.

This comment was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

by cscmember on Sep 1, 2011 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions

my pleasure

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Sep 1, 2011 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions

is this how

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Sep 1, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions

you got it… except for the ‘new window’ thing. ;-)

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Sep 1, 2011 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

whats the new window thing

and here’s that link you was asking for Saints/Packers Commercial

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Sep 1, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

you did it that time. :-)

And, THANKS!!

"It ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and KEEP MOVING FORWARD. That's how winning is done!" - Rocky

by Dan Kelly on Sep 1, 2011 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions

oh I see

INGRAMANIA equals LOMBARDI 2012

by cajuncommando58 on Sep 1, 2011 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

No worries, he's blocking

and Graham should get more looks in pre-season as a 2nd yr. guy, having Brees and Graham on the same page says a lot for what SP’s plans are for him(Graham). I can see 7/8 o/u TD’s for Graham this yr.

You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever, will.-Jim Mora Sr.
I understand ....nothing.-Michael Scott
The Future is Unwritten.-Joe Strummer
The last thing I want to deal with at work is people-Creed Bratton

by metryman on Aug 30, 2011 9:03 PM CDT reply actions