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METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints have put up some historical, astronomical passing numbers since coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees arrived in 2006. But one of the most surprising statistics over that 12-year span is that they have never produced a Pro Bowl wide receiver. That should change this year with second-year pro Michael Thomas, who is on pace for a franchise-record 105 catches for 1,221 yards and five touchdowns. Thomas needs five more catches to become just the second receiver in NFL history with 90 catches in each of his first two seasons, according to the NFL, joining the New York Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. There is still no guarantee that Thomas will land one of the four wide-receiver spots on the NFC Pro Bowl roster, since Adam Thielen, Julio Jones and Larry Fitzgerald feel like virtual locks as well. But Thomas really does deserve one of those top four spots ahead of the next tier of candidates, which includes Davante Adams and others. Thomas’ low touchdown total -- and his low-key profile -- could hurt him a little bit. But he ranks second in the NFC in receptions and third in receiving yards. And it helps that the Saints are winning and back in the spotlight. “Certainly Mike is very deserving. I hope it happens. But we’ll see,” said Brees, who admitted that it is surprising that none of his other receivers in New Orleans ever made the Pro Bowl. Marques Colston certainly came close several times, and Brandin Cooks had a shot once or twice. But the Saints have always spread the ball around to a variety of receivers, tight ends and running backs -- especially when Jimmy Graham was on the roster.  And Brees laughed when asked about how their guys haven’t been as flashy as bigger stars like Beckham over the years.
“That’s you guys' job (in the media) to make sure everyone knows (about them), right?” Brees said. “Maybe our guys are just a little more low-key, and so maybe they don’t get the respect or attention that they deserve based upon that. But when you look at the numbers, they’re right up there with a lot of the guys that are making Pro Bowls. “No there’s not (anything flashy about Thomas’ game). But, man, there’s consistency and there’s dependability, and there’s a lot to be said for that.” Colston deserved at least one or two Pro Bowls (he always seemed to finish fifth behind guys with bigger names or breakout seasons). And Thomas’ game is reminiscent of Colston’s. They’re both big targets (Thomas at 6-foot-3, 212 pounds; Colston at 6-4, 225) with terrific hands and range to catch balls high, low or behind them when needed. Thomas also has a good deal of speed and athleticism to go with that size. Colston’s best season also came in his second year, when he had 98 catches for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2007. That 2007 season was also the last time the Saints had such a true, No. 1, go-to guy in their passing corps like they have with Thomas this year. From 2008 to 2016, the Saints either had at least two top guys (like Thomas/Cooks or Colston/Graham) or a deeper receiver/TE corps that included guys like Lance Moore, Willie Snead, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Kenny Stills, Jeremy Shockey and Benjamin Watson, among others. Obviously the Saints have always spread the ball around to multiple running backs in the passing game, as well. But Thomas has clearly established himself as the top target in New Orleans’ passing game this year -- which is why defenses have been so intent on swarming him in the red zone. Thomas’ 121 targets are nearly 50 more than anyone else on the Saints (running back Alvin Kamara has 76) and more than double any other wide receiver (Ted Ginn Jr. has 58). The disparity is just as big on third downs (Thomas has 39 targets, Kamara 19, Ginn 18). Both Brees and Payton said Thomas’ repertoire has grown this year, along with his maturity. Although it was hard to tell last year when he burst onto the scene as a second-round draft pick out of Ohio State with 92 catches for 1,137 yards and nine touchdowns, Thomas was still a rookie. “Just formationally, where he goes, I would say has expanded. And then I would say the volume, with regards to what he does when he goes there,” Payton said. “In his first year, we tried to get him set at one position and move him around some, but he’s someone that I think has gotten better in that area, and we have to keep finding ways to target him. He’s been real productive not only with the catch and the catch point, but after the catch.” “I think (he’s) more polished in a lot of ways,” Brees said. “He came in really raw, and there are certain innate traits that he has that you just don’t find. He is extremely competitive. His work ethic is second to none. His focus and intensity during practice -- I mean, every rep is like a game rep to him and that’s really rare. “Listen, when it comes to playing the wide-receiver position, especially as you learn the offense and begin to understand the nuances and some of the adjustments that you have to be able to do on the fly, those are all things that just take time. So (he went) from last year, when he was just really raw, to now being a guy who understands the bigger picture, understands what’s happening around him, understands ways to get open, understands slight variations to routes based upon a look or leverage or coverage or whatever it might be.”
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