The Facts:
At times last season, Chris Ivory played the odd man out. So did Thomas. The inconsistency of who actually received carries likely played a factor into the Saints falling to 25th in rushing in the NFL last season after New Orleans ranked sixth in 2011. For someone accused of being way too pass-happy as a play-caller at times, HC Sean Payton has been more than adamant how the Saints' rushing attack must improve for the team to rediscover its success in 2013. "Sean talked about that when he came back," Thomas said Wednesday. "When we had our first team meeting, he talked about that. He said we definitely need to get back to that ground game."
Reported by the New Orleans Times-Picayune
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
One major change already occurred in the backfield as the team
traded Ivory to the Jets for a fourth-round pick during this year's draft. As Times-Picayune staffer x suggests, no more Ivory probably means more playing time for Thomas as he tallied 473 rushing yards on 105 carries and one touchdown in 2012. When asked if he felt the roles of the running backs are clearer without Ivory in the picture, Thomas said, "I think there's going to be a lot of guys used a lot more because it's a little shorter in our running back depth. We're going to be used a lot in different ways. I know I've heard we're going to change up a whole lot of things this year. Because Coach Payton has seen a lot from his point of view, and now that he's back in the show he wants things to change." While we might prefer Mark Ingram as a higher-end Fantasy prospect, if Payton makes good on his desire to improve the rushing attack, Thomas will benefit.
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