FanHouse HollisThomas

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is right around the corner, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Drew Brees is, to me, the third best quarterback in the league. And that's not just because I have a giant man-crush on him. Say what you will about your Tony Romos and Carson Palmers, but I'd take Brees over those two, especially as he appears to be in the prime of his career. All he's done since arriving in New Orleans is put up gaudy numbers through the air, but he plays a heady game based on quick (and good) decisions. He's also a good guy off the field and the unquestioned leader of the team. Mark Brunell was brought in as Brees' backup while project Tyler Palko continues to develop, and while you don't want to see the old lefty play at all, his arm looks good enough in camp to sustain for a couple of weeks if need be. Anything more than that, though, and the Saints are in trouble. Heat Index: 9

Running Back: Running back committees are a bitch for fantasy owners, but none have encountered a mess like this, where four backs are going to get a fair share of touches. Exactly how the carries shake out depends on Deuce McAllister's health; ditto for the productivity of the group. All four backs -- McAllister, Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, and Aaron Stecker -- are talented, but Deuce is the only pounder that can keep the running game glued together. If he's in the lineup, expect Bush to flourish, with Thomas making a solid impact as well. If he's not, Thomas takes on a larger role and, though he rolled up Chicago for over 200 yards from scrimmage in Week 17 last year, it remains to be seen whether he can be a full-time NFL back. Luckily, Deuce has looked healthy so far. Heat Index: 7

I say this not because the Saints, or Hollis Thomas, have indicated it. I say this not because I hope it's the case. I say it only because I believe it to be true -- the torn triceps that will sideline Thomas for two months will ultimately cost him his career.

The injury, which was "scooped" by a poster at Saints Report (take that, MSM!), is expected to keep Thomas out for the first six games of the season. And that's counting on a perfect recovery. But even if Thomas winds up recovering on schedule, he's going to eat a roster spot that the team may not afford to lose. If the team decides they need the spot, they'll probably put Thomas on the IR and end his season. At 34 years old and 335 lbs., with snaps declining annually, this could eventually serve as Thomas' going-away campaign.

Thomas was expected to back up Sedrick Ellis at nose tackle, but his role in the team's line rotation was still important. Add in the fact that he's had a great camp -- meeting his weight requirements for the first time in three years as a Saint, looking more mobile -- and the injury will hurt the Saints. Thomas has been a solid contributor and is well-liked in the locker room for his jovial nature (yes, he is wearing a Spongebob get-up in that picture; no, I have no idea why).

The onus now falls on Ellis and Kendrick Clancy to fill the void, for this season and perhaps beyond.

You could see the frustration build up within the Saints organization with each passing day of Sedrick Ellis' holdout. After a couple of days Mickey Loomis declared it could be a lengthy holdout. Then Sean Payton remarked that Ellis needed to get into camp because he was only hurting himself. Even today, with the two sides finally agreeing on a contract, Loomis remarked that, "It's about time," and that it "took a little longer than it should have."

But, regardless, the deal is done. Ellis will get $19.5 million guaranteed for five years. The rest of the money totals $49 million, but reportedly includes some hard-to-reach incentives that bring its value closer to $32 million. By comparison, sixth-overall pick Vernon Gholston, who went one pick ahead of Ellis, got a total of $50 million over five years, with $21 million guaranteed.

The Saints traded up from 10th overall to the Patriots' spot at seven to select Ellis, who will start at nose tackle. He's expected to be the anchor of a revamped defense and will be responsible for clearing traffic for Jonathan Vilma.

Missing seven days of training camp is not advantageous for Ellis, who is joining a team already well-accustomed to the 100-degree heat and humidity that blankets Jackson, Mississippi. If Ellis isn't adequately prepared he risks injury, much like fellow rookie Tracy Porter (who hurt a hamstring after missing two days of camp). Add on top of that the presence of last year's starter Hollis Thomas, who is slimmer and healthier, and Ellis has his work cut out for him.

NFL Offseason Roadmap is a series focused on the needs of NFL teams as they begin the offseason.

1. Defensive Tackle/Linebacker/Cornerback. I know this reeks of a cop-out, and I guess you're right. But every time I think that the Saints need one of these positions over the others, I change my mind. On one hand you've got defensive tackle, where Hollis Thomas, the only true nose tackle, is 34 and playing year-to-year. He's consistent against the run and pass, but can't play a full game anymore. The rest of the tackles are just adequate, and starting 3-tech Brian Young's a free agent who probably won't be back. Then there's linebacker, which features just two players, because middle linebacker Mark Simoneau has no impact whatsoever. Scott Shanle ain't no prize, neither. Finally, there's cornerback. The crew, outside of Mike McKenzie, is terrible (admittedly, with faint hints of promise). And McKenzie's torn ACL should keep him out until October at earliest. So you decide which is worse off.

I don't expect the Saints to go after any of the marquee free agents at these positions, but I wouldn't be surprised to see under-the-radar signings like Corey Williams or Drayton Florence. Most of the improvement will come in the draft. I'm all for Sedrick Ellis in the first, even if the Saints have to move up a few spots from 10 to get him. This is a deep draft for linebackers, which is helpful, and good young corners like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will be available after the first round.

With the Saints on tap to play the Eagles for the third time in two years, let's take a trip in the way-back machine to September, and revisit a quote from Eagles guard Shawn Andrews:

"It's one game at a time, but I definitely have that one on my calendar," Andrews said of this year's Dec. 23 rematch with the Saints. "There were just some things that went on with the opposing team. There was one player in particular that did some things that I didn't appreciate. . . . I won't say any names, but hopefully you'll get a chance to see when we get that far down the schedule."

Andrews is referring to the second-round playoff game between the two teams back in January. The Saints won that one, and the one before, both 27-24. But that's not what bugs Andrews (well, it probably does, but it's not the sole reason for his violent revenge fantasies). What's got Andrews twisted is the neck injury he suffered in that playoff loss, which required him to spend the second half in a hospital.

His words, though more veiled than Terence Newman's desire to decapitate Jon Kitna, are clearly a threat nonetheless. Who knows what player he's referring to -- my guess is either Hollis Thomas or Will Smith -- but the point might be moot anyway; Andrews is questionable and missed practice today. This injury is not the Saints' doing.

To get you ready for week 9, FanHouse is previewing all 14 NFL games. Here is the Jacksonville Jaguars/New Orleans Saints preview.

2007 Records:
Jacksonville Jaguars: 5-2 (3rd in AFC South)
New Orleans Saints: 3-4 (3rd in NFC South)

Last Week:
Jaguars 24, Bucs 23
Saints 31, 49ers 10

When the Jaguars have the ball: This will be the most enticing matchup of the day. Jack Del Rio has never tried to really fool anyone with his gameplanning -- he's going to run, and then run, and then run some more. This holds especially true now that Quinn Gray -- he of a record-low seven completions last week -- is under center for his second NFL start. The Jaguars will rely on Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew, who've piled up 146.3 yards per game for the NFL's fourth-best rush attack, to soften up the Saints' defense. That defense, meanwhile, has held six straight opponents to under 100 yards, a marked improvement over a terrible group last year. Their rush defense is only allowing 98.1 yards per game on the ground, good for 10th in the league. Without having to obsess over Gray, New Orleans can stack eight in the box and make things difficult for the Jags' backs. This is the unstoppable force meeting the immovable object.

Five sacks and a number of pressures, including one that forced Matt Hasselbeck into a crucial interception. By watching the Saints last night, you'd have thought that this team had one of the best pairs of ends (Charles Grant and Will Smith) in the league, a stout defensive tackle (Hollis Thomas) capable of getting a push, and a do-it-all safety (Roman Harper) that resembles a poor-man's Polamalu.

Oh, wait. They do. So why did the team only have one sack entering last night's 28-17 win over Seattle?

They've simply refused to blitz. For most of the season, the Saints have run the most vanilla defenses possible. Defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs has been afraid to go all out because it might leave an already suspect secondary exposed. But a miraculous thing happened when Gibbs turned the defense loose -- they produced big plays. And the secondary actually held up. (Until the fourth quarter).

This defense has actually been making strides over the last three games. If they can continue to bring the heat as they did last night, they might make things easier on everybody.

That's the question a lot of pundits are asking today in trying to figure out how the Saints, preseason NFC favorites, are 0-2. But the magic they're referring to is that annoying, mythical "Katrina magic" that people invented last year. That's not what I'm referring to. Last year was based on a lot of really good personnel decisions, good coaching, and inspired play. We know that good coaching and inspired play have so far been nowhere to be found. But what of the personnel decisions?

Last year, the Saints had a magic touch shaping their roster. They got four starters in the draft (Roman Harper, Jahri Evans, Marques Colston, and Reggie Bush), six if you include draft-day trades for Jeff Faine and Hollis Thomas. They also made smart moves in free agency; besides Drew Brees, the team also got outsized contributions from Scott Shanle, Terrance Copper, and Scott Fujita. Almost every move they made turned to gold.

This year? Meh. Only four picks (Usama Young, Jermon Bushrod, Andy Alleman, and Robert Meachem) have made the team, all but Young have been deactivated for both games, and he only plays sparingly. Their dabble in free agency has been worse. Eric Johnson has been average at tight end, but at least he's doing something; it goes downhill from there. Kendrick Clancy won a starting job at defensive tackle but has been blah. Jason David's exploits are well documented. Kevin Kaesviharn has looked lost at nickel safety. And linebacker Brian Simmons can't beat out Mark Simoneau, who couldn't shed a block by Holly Mangold.

There's a lot of problems that need to be fixed with this team, and it's unfair to attack the new guys when so many of the holdovers have been so, so awful. Still, the Saints added a lot of players in the offseason, and counted on those players to improve the team. They haven't.

A lot of the Saints' success last year came from a massive overhaul of new blood and true competition; if you weren't Drew Brees, your job was up for grabs. The offense did well enough, and returned enough players, that the Saints were allowed to focus the majority of their free agent money on defense. All of last year's starters are back, as well, meaning competition has again been inspired. With training camp over and two preseason games left, there's still lots of room for movement.

Jason David - Rehashing Fred Thomas' 2006 troubles is just beating Barbaro, so I'll just say that Jason David, despite arriving in Indianapolis in the middle of the depth chart, didn't have much standing in the way of a starting job. So far, David has transitioned from the Cover 2 well. He excelled in camp and had a great game against the Bengals last Saturday. He has, officially, taken Thomas' spot in the starting lineup, meaning he'll be lining up against former teammate Marvin Harrison in the season opener.

Brian Simmons - As far as middle linebackers go, Mark Simoneau had trouble getting to and bringing down the ballcarrier last year, which is pretty much what a middle linebacker is counted on to do. So the Saints brought in former Bengal Brian Simmons, a frequent 100+-tackle guy. But Simmons has dealt with nagging injuries and didn't catch onto the playbook as quickly as some anticipated. In the meantime, the addition has lit a fire under Simoneau, whose had one of the best offseasons on the team. He's still the starter, and he's earned it so far, but Simmons will at least be a one- or two-down 'backer, if he doesn't supplant Simoneau entirely.

In the bleak and disparaging time known as the NFL offseason, I've done the best I can to fill as much time with football as possible. It began with me downloading the entire 2006 Saints season and analyzing every game (thank you, BitTorrent!), and, in this final wait between rookie minicamps and last week's start of training camp, saw me combing through the 2007 Saints player photos. Which brings me to Hollis Thomas.

I don't know why tales of Thomas' hilarious personality never reached me until he arrived in New Orleans, but I'm thankful he's here now. Look above. Player photos usually have about as many smiles as the photo album from my trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, but Thomas' message is clear: ladies....

Thomas broke out some of that trademark amicability when asked about his weight, which he admitted was over his target.

He said his target weight was 335 pounds, but he wouldn't reveal the actual weight.

"It's called nunya," he said. "Nunya business. ... That's like me asking what size pants you wear."

Hey, ask away Hollis. This guy wears 34x32s.