Sunday, 09/11/2022, marked the comeback of one of the New Orleans Saints greatest players. Mike Thomas scored two touchdowns in a come from behind victory over the Falcons. Which allowed fans to say words we have not been able to utter in almost two seasons; “Can’t Guard Mike“. This is a look at the career, ups and downs of one of the greatest receivers of all time! Michael Thomas…
Mike Thomas Early Career:
Drafted in 2016 out of Ohio State University, Thomas made an immediate impact on the field for the Saints. His rookie season, fans watched a young Thomas catch 92 passes for 1,137 and 9 touchdowns with a 12.4 yard per catch average.
He became a fan favorite in the following 2 seasons, improving statistically every year, eventually reaching the top of the mountain in 2019. In 2017 he put up 104 catches for 1.245 yards, followed by 125 catches for 1,405 yards in 2018.
Each season as he got better, the accolades followed.
- 2017 First Pro Bowl
- 2018 First Team All Pro, Second Pro Bowl
- 2019 Offensive Player Of the Year, First Team All Pro, Third Pro Bowl
2019: The Pinnacle
Once 2019 hit, Michael Thomas took his game and this team to another level; GOAT status. After leading the league in receptions in 2018 with 125. He came out in 2019 and led the league in 3 categories, setting an all-time record in one. 149 receptions in 2019 leads the NFL all-time in catches in one season.
2019 also saw Thomas lead the league in yards with 1,725 and yards per game with 107.8 on average. He also only 4 full seasons into his career set the record for most receptions by a player in their first 5 seasons, ever, with 510.
Everything was on the table for Mike Thomas to take. He would have pushed his limitations and set the bar even higher statistically. He was being mentioned with Jerry Rice, and only Jerry Rice when it came to stats.
One game into the 2020 season, his 5th NFL season. Mike Thomas would suffer an ankle injury late in a blow out game the Saints already had in the bag. While attempting to run out the clock, Thomas was blocking in the slot when a defender fell onto his ankle from behind. The injury did not seem serious at first…
2020: The Downfall
Most of 2020, Thomas was expected to return any week. Headlines had him questionable, fans had no clue and still don’t as to what really happened.
After missing all of the regular season, he attempted a comeback in the playoffs. He was not the un-guard-able player we were used to. He looked, well he looked hurt!
After the 2020 season ended in disappointing fashion the off-season was filled with rumors around Thomas. Head Coach Sean Payton and him were going at it in public eye for all to see.
Thomas blamed team doctors, Payton blamed Thomas himself. Nobody really knew what was going on, however reading through the lines it appears everybody was a little bit off.
2021: The Collapse
As the season started, fans were still in the dark about Mike Thomas’ return. All they knew is that he was not on the field. Again Sean Payton blamed Mike Thomas for not getting surgery, that by now was obvious he needed early enough to start the season.
At the same time Thomas was blaming team doctors for telling him the surgery was not needed and the ankle could heal on its own, which it never did. Team doctors hinted at him injuring it severely more during that one playoff game he forced himself back for.
Before we knew it the season was over, Mike Thomas did not play in one game. It felt as if the whole world forgot how dominate he was from 2016-2019. Other players were now know as “the best receivers” in the league. Players that Mike Thomas had previously casted a shadow over.
Like I said, it was Mike Thomas and Jerry Rice, nobody else was mentioned. Thomas disappeared for a while as he got healthy, giving those other players 15 minutes of fame. The Saints had other injury problems and were not even close to competing like they had been since drafting Thomas.
2022: The King Is Back
I know it has only been one game. However after an entire first half of Thomas and Winston being off, timing wise. All of sudden in the 4th quarter when it mattered most, something clicked.
Mike Thomas and company led a 16 point comeback in dramatic fashion. After catching his first touchdown pass in nearly 2 full calendar years, Thomas let his emotion show. It was beautiful to watch.
He launched the ball into the stands with emphatic emotion, you could see on his face, he knew he was back! After getting a stop on defense and getting the ball back, Winston looked for Thomas a few more times, feeding him.
After scoring his second touchdown of the game and giving the Saints a chance to win, Thomas verbally reminded his team mates that he was the best in the league. High fives for everyone along with a little trash talk for the camera.
No matter who you are and what team you play for, it has been widely known across the league; you simply…
“Can’t Guard Mike”
Rowan Donaghey is a NFL, NCAAF, and Betting insider for Gridiron Heroics. Follow him on twitter for daily bets and content via @RowanDonaghey
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