Pierre Thomas/Mike Bell Fantasy News 2009-2010

HacheMan · Oct 13, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Thomas, Bell to split carries going forward? </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas - RB - NO - Oct. 13

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>With Mike Bell now healthy, beat writer Jeff Duncan expects him to start splitting carries with Pierre Thomas.
We'll see. Duncan has been in Bell's corner since camp, but Thomas has a clear edge in talent and versatility. Thomas is averaging 6.4 yards per attempt while carrying the offense against the Bills and Jets. Coach Sean Payton has vaguely implied that Thomas could wear down easily, so it makes sense for the Saints to use the more physical Bell in some short-yardage situations.
Source: Jeff Duncan on Twitter
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 13, 2009

So much for the once "Gonna Be Great" Reggie Bush......

OnWisconsin · Oct 13, 2009

good. i have bell on my fantasy team and have been struggling in the flex position since he's been off

HacheMan · Oct 14, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Saints RB Thomas 'limited' with injured ankle </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas - RB - NO - Oct. 14

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas was limited in Saints practice Wednesday with an ankle injury.
This is a new injury with the Saints coming off a bye, and won't help convince coach Sean Payton that Thomas is reliable enough physically to be a full-time featured back. We fully expect Thomas to keep those duties if the injury isn't significant, but the situation is worth tracking closely all week. Meanwhile, Mike Bell (knee) returned to practice Wednesday on a complete basis.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 15, 2009

Pierre Thomas - RB - Saints Pierre Thomas limited again on Thursday
We expect Thomas to play, but we'd feel much better about his workload if he's upgraded to full participation on Friday. Thomas owners need to grab Mike Bell as insurance this week. October 15
Source: Jeff Duncan on Twitter

HacheMan · Oct 16, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas limited, but listed as probable </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas - RB - NO - Oct. 16

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas (hamstring) was limited in Saints practice again Friday, but is listed as probable for Week 6.
Mike Bell (knee) is also listed as probable, but it's hard to imagine the Saints using him more extensively than the red-hot Thomas. Thomas has simply carried the team on his back in the last two games. Still, this is a situation to consider avoiding for fantasy owners that are deep at running back. New Orleans is facing the Giants and may go pass-heavy in the Superdome.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 22, 2009

Mike Bell - RB - Saints </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Beat writer Jeff Duncan says it looks like Mike Bell will be the Saints' "closer."</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Bell was used as a short-yardage/goal-line back last week while Pierre Thomas got most of the work when the game was in question. The carry count ended up at 15 each for Bell and Thomas. These two are cutting into each other's values, making neither a great play this week against Miami.
Oct. 22 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 29, 2009

Mike Bell - RB - Saints </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mike Bell played 19 snaps against the Dolphins Sunday, with 18 coming in the second half.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Coach Sean Payton continues to use Bell as a "closer." Pierre Thomas was the main back in the first half, but it's clear Payton wants to use Bell as defenses get worn down. It's hard to recommend Thomas or Bell as anything more than a flex play for now.
Oct. 29 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Oct 31, 2009

Pierre Thomas - RB - Saints </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Saints coach Sean Payton said he has no plans to stop rotating his running backs.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Since both backs have been healthy over the last two weeks, Pierre Thomas has 23 carries and Mike Bell has 27. "We feel like we have depth (at running back), so we want to utilize those guys. It's hard to just have one guy carry the load anymore," Payton said.
Oct. 31</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Nov 22, 2009

Mike Bell - RB - Saints </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mike Bell limped off the field in the second quarter Sunday with an apparent knee injury.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Bell appeared to be injured at the end of a five-yard reception. The Saints activated usual No. 4 back Lynell Hamilton for Sunday's game, but he hasn't been involved on offense. Pierre Thomas should close out the game as New Orleans' featured back with Reggie Bush (knee) inactive.
Nov. 22</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 10, 2009

Pierre Thomas - RB - Saints </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Pierre Thomas (quadriceps) was limited again in Thursday's practice.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Thomas has been limited with various minor injuries over the past month, but he's never been in danger of missing game action. With Mike Bell's (knee) status in doubt, Thomas could be in line for a big fantasy day at Atlanta Sunday.
Dec. 10 - 3:24 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>

Mike Bell - RB - Saints </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mike Bell (knee) was held out of Thursday's practice after being limited Wednesday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>This is a concern for Bell as it's a downgrade. The Saints haven't disclosed the severity of Bell's injury, but it appears to be affecting his play of late. Pierre Thomas would be a must-start RB1 if Bell misses Sunday's favorable matchup against the Falcons.
Dec. 10 - 3:20 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 11, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Mike Bell out of practice again, questionable </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Mike Bell - RB - NO - Dec. 11</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Mike Bell (knee, questionable) missed Saints practice in its entirety again on Friday.
Coach Sean Payton blamed Bell's absence on routine soreness in his knee, but players that miss practice on both Thursday and Friday are never good bets to play on Sundays. Look for Pierre Thomas to dominate the Saints' backfield at Atlanta. Reggie Bush isn't over his knee woes and is in Payton's doghouse, and special teamer/backup Lynell Hamilton has a shoulder injury.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 13, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Saints' backfield will be without Mike Bell </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Mike Bell - RB - NO - Dec. 13 - 11:47 a.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Mike Bell (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
This is big for Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. Both will see increased workloads against a very leaky Falcons' defense. Thomas is a solid RB1 now and Bush becomes an option, especially in PPR leagues.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 15, 2009

Mike Bell - RB - Saints Mike Bell (knee) is expected to return to game action this week.
Between Reggie Bush's resurgence and Bell's return, Pierre Thomas is going to be a shaky start against the Cowboys Saturday night. The Saints backfield is a situation to avoid in Week 15. December 15 - 4:01 p.m. ET
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

HacheMan · Dec 16, 2009

Mike Bell - RB - Saints Mike Bell (knee) has resumed practicing in full for the Saints.
Bell will be back in the lineup Saturday night against the Cowboys after sitting out Week 14. With Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush spearheading the Saints' backfield of late, however, Bell's role is completely up in the air. December 16 - 5:07 p.m. ET
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

HacheMan · Dec 17, 2009

Mike Bell - RB - Saints </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Mike Bell (knee) practiced in full for the second straight day Thursday.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Bell had been struggling before he missed last week's game with a knee injury, so he's not a viable fantasy option while splitting time with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush.
Dec. 17 - 3:37 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD>

Pierre Thomas - RB - Saints </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Pierre Thomas (hip) was limited again in Thursday's practice.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Thomas will play Saturday night, but he's more of a flex option with Reggie Bush improving and Mike Bell healthy. We still like Thomas the best of the bunch if forced to choose between the three.
Dec. 17 - 3:35 p.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 28, 2009

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>X-rays are negative on Pierre Thomas' ribs </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas - RB - NO - Dec. 28 - 2:02 p.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>X-rays came back negative on Pierre Thomas' ribs Monday, though he remains questionable for Week 17 at Carolina.
Thomas suffered the injury just before the half on Sunday and didn't come back for the third or fourth quarters. While we're guessing P.T. won't play in the regular season finale, it's good news that the Saints should have him for their playoff run. New Orleans' best all-around running back is averaging 5.4 yards per carry with eight all-purpose TDs and 1,095 total yards.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Dec 31, 2009

Pierre Thomas - RB - Saints Pierre Thomas (ribs) missed practice again Thursday.
Now that the Saints have the No. 1 seed in the NFC locked up, Thomas is unlikely to play in the season finale. Coach Sean Payton is obsessed with keeping his lead back healthy for the playoffs. The Carolina game will be an opportunity to get Mike Bell back on track. December 31 - 4:28 p.m. ET
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

HacheMan · Jan 1, 2010

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Saints rule out Pierre Thomas versus Carolina </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas - RB - NO - Jan. 1</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas (ribs) has been ruled out for Week 17.
Reggie Bush will likely start against the Panthers, though Mike Bell is a better bet for carries and touchdowns. Thomas' ribs are only bruised, so he's likely just being sat for precautionary reasons. He shouldn't have trouble getting ready for the playoffs, especially with a first-round bye.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Jan 4, 2010

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas: I'll play with 3 broken ribs </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas - RB - NO - Jan. 4 - 12:37 p.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Pierre Thomas revealed Monday that he has three fractured ribs, but plans to play through the injury in the postseason.
Thomas did get Week 17 off, and the Saints' first-round bye certainly won't hurt his chances. His plan is to wear a flak jacket to cover the ribs. The Saints will push Thomas to play because Mike Bell is struggling badly, and Lynell Hamilton and Reggie Bush aren't carry-the-load options. Still, opponents will be gunning for Thomas' abdomen after he let this cat out of the bag.
Source: Jeff Duncan on Twitter
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>