New RB Coach Joel Thomas May Bolster Saints Run Game

What is Sean Payton up to with a new running backs coach? Are the Saints now committing to a heavier ground attack to relieve pressure on Drew Brees? Will the Saints field a featured running back with over 1,000 yards rushing this year?

Earlier this month, Sean Payton announced the addition of several new assistant coaches for the 2015 New Orleans Saints. For one of the new hires, former University of Arkansas running backs coach Joel Thomas, this will be his first outing as an NFL coach.

Thomas, a former running back, has a lengthy resume of coaching experience within top conferences.

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Here is a summary of his football experience timeline:

• 1995 – 1998 Idaho Vandals, Letterman at running back. Holds school records: 3,929 rush yards on 765 attempts and 51 rushing touchdowns.
• 2000 – 2001 Purdue Boilermakers, graduate assistant: Tight Ends. Notable players: QB Drew Brees who averaged 349 yards in total offense. TE Jim Stratton, the inaugural recipient of the John Mackey award to the nation’s best tight end.
• 2002 – 2003 Louisville Cardinals, running backs coach. In that span, the Cardinals averaged 228.2 yards rushing per game with an average of 5.7 yards per carry.
• 2004 – 2005 Idaho Vandals, running backs coach/Co-offensive coordinator. In 2005, the Vandals squad achieved a 28^th national rank in passing yards per game.
• 2006 – 2008 Purdue Boilermakers, running backs coach. The Boilermakers led all 2007 Big Ten teams in scoring offense and total offense. 2008 saw RB Kory Sheets tie the school record of 16 rushing touchdowns for a season and set a school career record 48 rushing touchdowns.
• 2009 – 2011 Washington Huskies, running backs coach. Key coaching point – Ball Security: 2010-11 RBs lost only 3 fumbles.
• 2012 Washington Huskies, Associate Head Coach – Offense/running backs coach. Notable player: Bishop Sankey who tallied 1,439 rushing yards in 2012 and now plays professionally for the Tennessee Titans
• 2013 – 2014 Arkansas Razorbacks, running backs coach. 2014 saw the Razorbacks field a pair of 1,000 yard + rushers in Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, both of who were nearly as productive in 2013.

We can distill from his experience that Thomas is a good coaching fit for a run-heavy offense. It seems that he can gain the confidence of young players and guide them into productivity.

Two minor red flags to note: Though productive at his schools, Thomas does not stay in one spot very long. It may be that he is ambitious, always seeking to improve his position through opportunity, which is not always a bad thing.

Nor does he bring any NFL coaching experience to the Saints. I do not think that will be an issue, given that he excels within his craft.

Oct 12, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema and runningbacks coach Joel Thomas react to a call during a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. South Carolina defeated Arkansas 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

It remains to be seen how Payton plans to leverage Thomas’ coaching skills. It’s no secret that the Saints are a pass-first team on offense.

That has not changed in nine years of Payton’s tenure and will not likely change this year. Unless Sean Payton comes out run-heavy with a feature back this year…OK, I snapped out of it and am fully awake now.

It bears scrutiny that Payton might be changing to a more run-oriented scheme so that aging Drew Brees has less pressure to over-perform. The Saints must absolutely, without question, run the ball more effectively in 2015, but don’t expect a complete overhaul.

I am speculating that Payton and the Saints plan to use Thomas to make the running attack more efficient in an overall team commitment to reduce giveaways, thereby increasing the ratio of scores-per-possession. One of the things Thomas has taught his runners is how to take care of the football. His runners are not known for chronic fumbling.

The Saints must absolutely, without question, run the ball more effectively in 2015, but don’t expect a complete overhaul.

Can the Saints field a 1,000-yard rusher in 2015? Absolutely. Will they? The arrows may be pointing that way, but so many variables remain uncertain.

Mark Ingram sufficiently proved he can move the ball last year. It is a debatable point that any back’s success with the Saints is simply a product of their system.

It is uncertain of Ingram’s return to the Saints for 2015, but the stable of running backs is deep.

The Tim Hightower signing adds to the uncertainty for Ingram, but Sean Payton will never again be without enough running backs.

No matter who is in the mix, Joel Thomas should bring a measure of sanity to it all and help to provide a capable group.