N.O. TE Thomas proving to be valuable commodity

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 5, 2009 - Page: 1C

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METAIRIE — After seven weeks of the 2009 NFL season, it’s business as usual for New Orleans Saints tight end David Thomas.

Thomas is again playing for an undefeated team and is working every day with one of the game’s premier quarterbacks — just as he did when he was with the 2007 New England Patriots before landing on injured reserve.

Other than wearing new colors, the only difference is Thomas, a four-year veteran from Texas, is catching passes from Drew Brees rather than Tom Brady.

That’s not a bad tradeoff, which is how Thomas came to the Saints — in exchange for a 2011 seventh-round draft pick.

While many players might have had some misgivings about being traded away by the Patriots, especially if they go to a losing team, Thomas doesn’t think his deal ended up so bad.

“It all happened really fast, but I’m happy to be here,” Thomas said. “I’m excited to be a part of this team. These guys have really embraced me and helped me fit in. I’m just trying to work hard and get better every day.

“I’m just happy to be part of a team that’s winning games,” Thomas said of the 7-0 Saints, who are just one of two remaining undefeated teams going into Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers.

That he’s part of it is more than he can say about the 2007 season when the Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season and won two playoff games before falling to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII.

Thomas played in only two games that season before ending up on injured reserve with a foot injury, which meant he had to watch the Patriots’ historic march through the regular season from the sideline.

Thomas has played a key role as a receiver and run blocker since the Saints got him from the Patriots on Sept. 5. He didn’t participate in his first practice with his new team until Sept. 7, then started the season opener six days later in a double tight end set with Jeremy Shockey.

While Shockey is one of Brees’ primary targets, Thomas has quickly and quietly settled into his role as the No. 2 tight end. He has seven catches for 78 yards and has helped the Saints’ running game, which ranks fourth in the NFL with 153.3 yards per game, as an extra blocker.

In his first three seasons, Thomas, a third-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2006, caught 21 passes for 261 yards and a TD while starting 13 games. His rookie season was his best when he had 11 receptions for 159 yards.

“Yeah, I’ve gotten more opportunities,” he said of his brief time with the Saints, “and I’m happy that I’ve been able to step in and gain some confidence with Drew and the coaches that put me out there.”