Saints will face familiar foe in Panthers defensive tackle Hollis Thomas

[SaintsFanatic]

New Orleans Saints will face familiar foe in Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Hollis Thomas

by Mike Triplett - TP

The Saints will see a familiar face across the line when they meet up the Carolina Panthers and defensive tackle Hollis Thomas on Sunday.

Actually, they'll probably hear him first.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure he'll have plenty to say," Saints center Jonathan Goodwin said of Thomas, who served as both a run stuffer and class clown in New Orleans from 2006-2008. "He was always a comedian, so I'm sure he'll have some silly things to say."

Thomas, 35, was released after last season, in part because the Saints were concerned about his ability to remain in shape - something that was a constant battle for the 14-year veteran, who is listed at 340 pounds.

But Thomas clearly still had something left in the tank. After originally catching on with the St. Louis Rams, then being released in late September, he was picked up by the Panthers. And he has been credited with helping to stabilize their defense while they've won three of their last four games.

"He's a good nose guard," Goodwin said. "Hopefully we can control him a little bit. He's a bigger guy that plays low, and he's hard to move. He's giving them size up there that they were missing and he's clogging up the middle."

I've always liked HT. Good football player and very fun loving.

Too bad he plays for the Panthers now.

[Cajn43]

Yea....short of his struggles with staying in shape HT was good against the run. Hopefully we won't concentrate on running up the middle.