Saints’ David turns the corner, passes Thomas

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, August 10, 2007  |  Comments( 0 )

New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints gave former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jason David $15.6 million in the offseason to be a starter. On Thursday, that became official.

Of course, nothing in the National Football League is truly official. So while David moved onto the first unit at right cornerback, replacing Fred Thomas, he'll still have to perform to stay there.

Thomas, who will turn 34 next month, led the Saints with 16 passes defensed last season and made 72 tackles. Since 2000, when Thomas became a Saint, he's produced 13 interceptions, five sacks and seven forced fumbles. In 2002, Thomas played most of the season -- and posted five interceptions -- with a broken hand.

But Jason David is the next generation, a two-year starter for the Colts, which means he already has a Super Bowl ring and instant credibility. Such rings are a good thing for the Saints to see, considering they've been given a better than outside chance of making it to the final game themselves this year.

A restricted free agent entering the offseason, David had 53 tackles, 11 passes defensed and a pair of interceptions for Indianapolis last season. A product of Washington State, he's an inch shorter than Thomas (5-foot-8 to 5-9), but faster.

Thomas was burned badly for a fourth-quarter touchdown by Bernard Berrian of the Bears in the NFC title game last January. What he didn't say afterward was that he had been battling a hamstring injury.

Yet David isn't invincible, either -- Pittsburgh's Santonio Holmes demonstrated that when he blew by the newcomer for a 41-yard gain in the Hall of Game last Sunday.

Thomas took his demotion in stride.

"I'm here to help the team any way I can," Thomas said earlier this week.

Even if it's by stepping aside.
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