Saints Nation: Time to Move on From Pierre Thomas?
I have been a Pierre Thomas supporter since his break out game in 2007, but I believe itis best for the Saints to break free from him soon. Although he is coming off a very productive year last season, there are many factors that scare me going into the future with Pierre Thomas.The biggest and scariest was the concussion he sustained during the 49ers game. After one concussion, it is very easy to get another and this is what scares me. Thomas was knocked out cold after a hit by Donta Whitner, and that’s not a good sign at all. I know it was last season, but concussions are no joke. He is in the prime of his career, but I believe this year will be different. I have a strong feeling that he will sustain another concussion this season, and he won’t be as effective as in the past. By living in the Philadelphia area, I watched the same thing happen to Brian Westbrook. Westbrook and Thomas have extremely similar roles on offense, and Thomas is just about the same age when Westbrook sustained his first concussion.Then another happened. Where’s he now? Sitting at home, doing the same thing I am, watching games on Sunday.
Why not trade Thomas while the opportunity is available? Thomas’ is also getting older. Even though he is only 27, the golden age for a running back’s downfall is 30. As each day passes, his value on the trade market is decreasing and I strongly think the Saints should move him now while they can. He has shown that he can handle being a primary back, and can take a leadership role in an offense. I don’t think his departure would affect the Saints backfield dramatically in the long run. The Saints have a nice young backfield consisting of Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, and Chris Ivory. I know that Sproles is a year older than Thomas, but he doesn’t get hit as often, or as hard. Thomas is used in almost every situation, and that includes pounding the hole. It just scares me that he won’t be effective very soon and change needs to happen.
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Uh, what happened to Thomas didn't happen in a vacuum. If the Saint's have fears about concussion side effects, then the other 31 teams in the NFL are aware of what happened to Thomas also. It's not a secret. The Saints won't get any more for him than his perceived value including the fact that he may have recurring side effects from impacts.
@setex Everyone is saying PT is 100% and fully recovered from the injury. I think the concern is less about what happened and more about what happens if he has another serious concussion. If he can show he's fully recovered from that hit, which I believe he can, someone would invest a 3rd round pick and take that risk. The question is whether the Saints value PT or a 3rd round pick higher. I think PT means more to the team than a 3rd/4th round pick, but that's just me.
Personally, I've always thought that PT was one of the most underrated players on the Team. I'd hate to see his career over and I'd hate to see him go, but unfortunately that's life in teh NFL.
Wang mentioned the following and I'm inclined to agree with it: Pierre Thomas shouldn't be traded because whatever the Saints would get in return would never equate to the value he's worth to the team. It's a good thought though Zac, and I do agree with you that PT's trade value will never be higher again in his career than it is now.
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Why don't you let the professionals (aka doctors) decide what the New Orleans Saints should do with their players. If PT is damaged goods, then I am certain Benson is paying someone to tell him so. It's all well and good that you think they should move PT. However, your opinion is nowhere near article worthy!
@njsaintsfan thanks for your comment. I don't think he's saying PT can't play, he's saying we should trade him now before he can't play anymore. Get a high return...
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Sproles turned 29 today.
Thomas is such a slippery runner that he doesn't take many bone crushing hits. I think trading him now is jumping the gun. He's locked up with a very manageable contract and his production outweighs his injury risk. All of this is my opinion.
@insidej0b I think Zac's point is the time to trade him is now BECAUSE he has a manageable contract and his production outweighs injury risk. He's saying the Saints will get the highest return now.
