Saints exploring possibilities for newly acquired Peterson
METAIRIE, LA. » Adrian Peterson is learning what it’s like to play in an offense that won’t feature him.
Then again, this is exactly what arguably the greatest running back of his generation signed up for when he agreed to play with the New Orleans Saints and prolific passer Drew Brees.
“I think he’s looking forward to that,” Saints fullback John Kuhn said after Thursday’s voluntary offseason practice, the first with veterans that has been open to media this offseason. “Not to put words in his mouth, but everybody in here, especially on the offensive side, realizes that the more weapons that we have, the more explosive we can be.
“It’s a situation, where we all look I think, around and say, ‘If we all have success as a group, we’ll all have success individually,”’ Kuhn continued. “That can prolong careers. That can create accolades. That can do all kinds of different things for everybody.”
Thomas eager to play big role in receiverfriendly offense
ENGLEWOOD, COLO. » Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has a little extra spring in his step in these offseason workouts.
That’s what a healthy hip will do. Same with having back his old offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, who will feature a more uptempo, receiverfriendly style in his second go-around with the Denver Broncos.
Thomas definitely likes the sound of that. He’s also playing a role in bringing rookie receivers Carlos Henderson and Isaiah McKenzie up to speed. At the moment, they’re sinking in all the terminology — a feeling Thomas knows all too well.
“I couldn’t even line up the first time running this offense,” Thomas said of his rookie season in 2010. “It will take some time, but they’re picking it up quick.”
When McCoy was around the first time, Thomas started to flourish. He caught 94 passes for 1,434 yards and 10 TDs in 2012 — McCoy’s last season, before he left to become the head coach with the now Los Angeles Chargers. Fired by the Chargers after last season, McCoy was brought back to revamp the offense under first-year Broncos coach Vance Joseph.
“Of course, I’m a receiver, so I want to catch the ball,” said Thomas, who had similar catches (90) in Gary Kubiak’s run-oriented offense last season, but only five TDs. “It was more run with the Kubiak offense. I’m excited about having our old offense back.”
That and being healthy. Thomas said he hurt his hip against Carolina in the season opener and wasn’t the same the rest of the year. Running certain routes was even difficult.
“It’s the best I’ve felt,” Thomas said after Thursday’s workout. “There’s more joy. I’m having a lot more fun.”