Michael Thomas is back doing Michael Thomas things while leading the New Orleans Saints offense.
‘I believe in always being truthful with men. Tough love, but being truthful’
The important issue about Michael Thomas’ presence and availability for the New Orleans Saints this season is that it no longer appears to be a huge deal.
With each passing day and repetition of Thomas performing what Thomas has done, newspaper articles from the recent past yellow somewhat more, photos become slightly more out of date, and the eye test advances to the present.
Early concerns about his ability to stay healthy have faded as Thomas has simply gone about his daily business, competing for every pass in his vicinity, rarely if ever missing practice, let alone a rep, working as hard when there are no cameras as he does when the lights are on and the videos can show him from almost every conceivable angle.
“I’m feeling good,” Thomas stated. “I’m pleased with my progress. I feel like being a part of an offense like this with guys like A.K. (running back Alvin Kamara), Chris (Olave), and Rashid (Shaheed) is exciting for any player.
“When you have opportunities to come out there and play with that group every Sunday, it’s fun. So whatever it takes to be out there, I’m all in.”
It definitely took a lot for Thomas to be back out there, participating in his eighth NFL season. The Saints (4-4) will play Chicago (2-6) on Sunday in the Caesars Superdome.
From 2020-22, due to ankle and toe injuries, Thomas played in 10 games. He missed all of 2021, and in the abbreviated time he caught 56 passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns.
But months of rehab after multiple surgeries put Thomas on track not only to return, but to return to form. So far that has been the case: 38 catches for 439 yards and a touchdown in eight games, with the trademark traffic catches and the willingness to deliver and absorb a level of contact that might interrupt participation for others. His career totals now stand at 564 catches (second in franchise history to Marques Colston’s 711) for 6,560 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Thomas never doubted that he’d be back, playing at a high level.
“That’s what it’s all about, keeping that confidence, keeping that belief in yourself, your ability, your craft and your preparation,” he said. “The days that you took to get to this point, that’s really what it’s all about. You can’t lose that. If you lose that, that’s kind of like the fire.
That’s similar to what keeps you going. That seemed to me to be the most crucial thing I couldn’t afford to lose. At the end of the day, I had to stay positive and keep pushing forward.”
When Thomas is on track, the Saints’ offense is on track as well. New Orleans has totaled 430, 407, and 511 yards in the last three games, the first time the offense has gained 400 or more yards in three consecutive games since the 2018 season.
“I think Mike’s had an important part in our offense, and hopefully as we continue to go throughout the season he’ll continue to be that,” Coach Dennis Allen said. “I think probably as much as anything, his competitiveness, his toughness, his grit, his willingness to battle through and compete has been awesome. He’s been a great teammate and been a really vocal force amongst our offense.”
“I think he’s shown what we saw in training camp,” quarterback Derek Carrsaid. “He was coming back off the injuries and the rehabs and all that. We’ve all been so happy with Mike, and what he’s brought – his mind-set that he’s brought in the building, everyone is just super pleased with Mike and the mentality that he has.
“Me and Mike talk for sure after every game. There’s things, we think the same way: ‘We’ve got to do this, this and this in practice this week.’ The communication with me and Mike has been great. Like everyone in the building has said, they’re just been so happy with the way he has come in and approached things. He has been super productive for us.”
Too, Thomas has taken on more of a leadership role for the Saints. Likely, only Kamara and offensive linemen Ryan Ramczyk and Andrus Peat can claim to have as many reps in the Saints’ offense as Thomas, the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
So in addition to the tough catch, he also has been willing to dispense the tough love when necessary.
“If it works, I’m going to do a lot of it,” he said. “Whatever it takes. At the end of the day, it’s all about winning. If they see me speaking to the guys and being honest and Coach gives me the green light to lead and do those types of things, I accept the challenge and I know that’s all contributing in to the role to make better plays, make this a better team.
“To bring a sense of urgency, keep guys alert – to whom much is given, much is expected. So I’ve got to be that guy every day and if that’s what they need me to do and that helps us win games and get our ultimate goal, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to contribute in any way I can.
“That’s pretty cool, too, because a lot of guys can talk, but that doesn’t mean the guys are going to follow them or rally behind him or you see a change, spark, or sense of urgency.” So, in order to be in that situation, I believe in always being truthful with guys. Tough love, but being truthful. We are all in this together, at the end of the day. We all come to work and contribute to the success of this team and organization.
“I think some guys are afraid to give tough love because they don’t want to discourage or make someone feel uncomfortable.” But once you realize that we’re all in this together, that we’re all here to achieve one goal, there’s no ego, no nothing. That’s my entire approach – just being honest, staying in the moment, and encouraging guys. It’s rather powerful how it works, and I’m very proud of it, but I don’t want to overdo it. I simply want to do what is best for this squad.”
Michael Thomas being Michael Thomas is what this squad needs.
And, as a result, even now, vacation days are taken reluctantly. Thomas was sick the day before the Saints’ game against the Colts last Saturday, but he still participated and caught four catches for 68 yards. He missed Wednesday’s practice due to illness and rest, but he returned as a full participant on Thursday.
“It’s like where we’re at as a team, where we’re at as a unit, Coach talks about communication and the details,” the coach stated. “As an offensive leader, I have to lead by example all the time, and I have to be able to go out there and sometimes get things going.” I appreciate my role, and to be able to come in here and be a focal point or contributor to this attack, you don’t want to miss days. Because it’s a fun offense once you get everyone clicking and on the same page.”
