Latest news with #OmariThomas
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 74
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 74 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. We now sit 74 days away from the 2025 regular season opener for the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans will host the Arizona Cardinals to kick off their first year under new head coach Kellen Moore and 59th season in the NFL. Advertisement One of the newcomers to this year's team is Omari Thomas. An undrafted rookie defensive tackle out of Tennessee, Thomas will be wearing number 74 through training camp. If he makes the roster and maintains that number, Thomas will become the 13th New Orleans player to wear that jersey during the regular season. Saints History of 74 New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Derland Moore (74). Credit: Crescent City Sports • Mike Tilleman, DT (1967-70) • Doug Mooers, DT (1971-72) • Derland Moore, DT (1973-85) • Bill Leach, OT (1987) • Ted Gregory, DT (1988) • Kevin Haverdink, OT (1990-91) • Herman Carroll, DE (1994) • Clarence Jones, OT (1996-98) • Scott Sanderson, OT (2002) • Jermon Bushrod, OT (2007-12, 2018) • James Hurst, G/T (2020-23) Advertisement • Oli Udoh, T/G (2024) • Omari Thomas, DT (present) New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Derland Moore (74) tackles a runner against the Atlanta Falcons. Credit: Crescent City Sports Mike Tilleman was the first to suit up in 74 for New Orleans, doing so for the first four years of franchise existence. Tilleman played in 56 games over that span, recording 17 (unofficial) sacks in the process. Derland Moore was the first number 74 to be drafted by the Saints, getting selected in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. Moore would go on to play 13 of his 14 NFL seasons in New Orleans. His 170 games in a Saints uniform are by far the most by any New Orleans player to wear the number 74. Often one of the few standouts on bad teams and porous defenses, Moore's talents were often overlooked throughout the league. Moore recorded 48 sacks during his time with the Saints, which stood as the most in team history at the time of his retirement. Advertisement Former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Mike Tilleman at the team's 50th anniversary celebration in 2016. Credit: Derland Moore earned a spot on the Saints 40th and 50th Anniversary squads and in 1991 was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame, becoming the first defensive lineman to receive such an honor. Bill Leach was the first offensive player to wear 74 for the Saints, playing in one game as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL player strike. The first regular offensive player to wear the number was Kevin Haverdink, who played 25 games at left tackle in 74 from 1990 to 1991. Before Haverdink, Ted Gregory wore 74 for all of three games at defensive tackle during the 1988 campaign. The noteworthy thing about the fragile Gregory is that he was a first round choice of the Denver Broncos in 1988. He was traded to New Orleans before the season even started in exchange for Shawn Knight, a failed New Orleans first round pick in 1987. Gregory injured his knee in his third game with New Orleans and never played again. Advertisement Oct. 10, 2010; New Orleans Saints tackle (74) Jermon Bushrod blocks against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Clarence Jones quietly started 45 of a possible 48 games at right tackle for the Saints between 1996 and 1998. Those teams had a combined record of 15-33 and never ranked better than 28th in total offense. In the 2007 NFL Draft, New Orleans used a fourth-round choice on a little-known offensive lineman named Jermon Bushrod. He came from Towson University, but within three years, he would become one of the NFL's top left tackles. Bushrod played in 66 regular season games with 62 starts between 2007 and 2012, making two Pro Bowls. He was the second longest-tenured player behind Derland Moore to wear 74 for the Saints. Advertisement November 27, 2022; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle James Hurst (74) blocks San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97). Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images After leaving in free agency, Bushrod returned to New Orleans for his final NFL season in 2018. He was also a key part of a dominant offensive line that fueled the Saints Super Bowl XLIV championship team. Linemen James Hurst wore 74 for four seasons between 2020 and 2023. A versatile blocker, Hurst was able to play several spots on the line with the Saints. He appeared in 60 games with the team, making 51 starts. Related: Star UFL Cornerback Added By Saints Among Friday Moves Related: Saints Make Roster Move At Running Back On Friday Related: Saints Sign Another Player To Their Tight End Position Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 77 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 78 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 79 Related: Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 80 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Omari Thomas is the Saints Player of Day 74
Thomas must turn coaches' heads to grab a roster spot this summer The New Orleans Saints are just 74 days away from their 2025 season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. New head coach Kellen Moore will guide the Saints into their 59th NFL season after the team stumbled to a 5-12 record in 2024. Rookie defensive tackle Omari Thomas is wearing No. 74 for New Orleans at the moment. If the undrafted Thomas makes the team and keeps the same number, he'll become the 13th player in franchise history to wear that jersey during the regular season. Here's a closer look at Thomas' background as our Saints Player of the Day. Thomas stayed in state with his commitment to the University of Tennessee. He played sparingly his first year in 2020, though still appearing in 10 games. By the end of his 2021 campaign, Thomas was a regular member of the defensive line rotation and would make 41 starts in his Volunteers career. Over his time with Tennessee, Thomas had 5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, and either tipped or batted down 13 passes. After not being selected in this spring's draft, Thomas was signed by the New Orleans Saints. The Saints also used a third round choice on Texas defensive tackle Vernon Broughton before adding Thomas to their undrafted class. While listed at 6-foot-4 and over 320 pounds, Thomas was a better pass rusher than run stopper with the Tennessee Volunteers. There will be plenty of competition for defensive line spots with the Saints in training camp. New Orleans returns linemen Bryan Bresee, Cam Jordan, Nathan Shepherd, and Khalen Saunders along with 2024 sixth round pick Khristian Boyd. The Saints also added Broughton through the draft and traded for nose tackle Davon Godchaux. Omari Thomas has good quickness for his size and could turn some heads with his ability to rush the quarterback. However, it will likely come down to how effective Thomas is against the run that will determine whether he sticks on New Orleans' 2025 roster.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Suspensions, NFL draft news about 49ers for Cardinals fans
It is the weekend before the 2025 NFL draft and it is time to check in the rest of the NFC West to see what is going on with the Arizona Cardinals' division rivals. What is new with the San Francisco 49ers? Advertisement Below are some stories from the last week about the Niners that Cardinals fans should know. Pre-draft visits with prospects after Day 1 The Niners held pre-draft visits with Tennessee DT Omari Thomas and Toledo DT Darius Alexander. Josh Simmons pre-draft visit The Cardinals hosted Ohio State OT Josh Simmons, but they weren't the only team to host him. Before his visit with the Cardinals, he also had a pre-draft meeting with the Niners. OL suspended OL Isaac Alarcon had a chance to make the final roster this season but that might have been thwarted. He was suspended for six games for PED use. Former 1st-round pick to announce Day 2 picks The NFL announced the "legends" that will announce Day 2 draft picks for the 32 NFL teams. The Cardinals will have recently retired cornerback Patrick Peterson. Who will do it for the Niners? It will be former linebacker Julian Peterson, their first-round pick in 2000. He is one of a few players who were drafted in the first round 25 years ago to make a draft pick announcement. Duke WR Eli Pancol met with Niners Pancol had a virtual meeting with the 49ers. Advertisement Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts. This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: 49ers news: Pre-draft visits, suspensions and more for Cardinals fans
USA Today
20-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Suspensions, NFL draft news about 49ers for Cardinals fans
Suspensions, NFL draft news about 49ers for Cardinals fans A few stories from the last week that Cardinals fans need to know about the NFC West rivals. It is the weekend before the 2025 NFL draft and it is time to check in the rest of the NFC West to see what is going on with the Arizona Cardinals' division rivals. What is new with the San Francisco 49ers? Below are some stories from the last week about the Niners that Cardinals fans should know. Pre-draft visits with prospects after Day 1 The Niners held pre-draft visits with Tennessee DT Omari Thomas and Toledo DT Darius Alexander. Josh Simmons pre-draft visit The Cardinals hosted Ohio State OT Josh Simmons, but they weren't the only team to host him. Before his visit with the Cardinals, he also had a pre-draft meeting with the Niners. OL suspended OL Isaac Alarcon had a chance to make the final roster this season but that might have been thwarted. He was suspended for six games for PED use. Former 1st-round pick to announce Day 2 picks The NFL announced the "legends" that will announce Day 2 draft picks for the 32 NFL teams. The Cardinals will have recently retired cornerback Patrick Peterson. Who will do it for the Niners? It will be former linebacker Julian Peterson, their first-round pick in 2000. He is one of a few players who were drafted in the first round 25 years ago to make a draft pick announcement. Duke WR Eli Pancol met with Niners Pancol had a virtual meeting with the 49ers. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks meet with 2025 NFL draft run-stopping prospect
Seahawks meet with 2025 NFL draft run-stopping prospect .@Vol_Football DT Omari Thomas is a violent and physical defender in the 2025 NFL Draft. Thomas recently met virtually with the #Seahawks, #Bills, and #49ers.@901_sxvxge x @TheDraftNetwork: — Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 13, 2025 The Seattle Seahawks were inconsistent against the run last season, finishing 16th in the NFL, allowing 120.8 rushing yards per contest. First-year head coach Mike Macdonald saw his unit improve as the campaign progressed forward, but the overall results displeased the defensive-minded coach. Improving the run defense is a point of emphasis this offseason. The Seahawks could use the 2025 NFL draft to acquire strong run defenders. Don't be surprised if general manager John Schneider uses a late-round selection on an interior defender to play behind veteran Jarran Reed. Perhaps the Seahawks already have a target in mind, having met with Tennessee Volunteers defensive tackle Omari Thomas for a virtual pre-draft visit. Thomas was a five-year contributor for the Volunteers. In 2024, the Memphis native recorded 23 tackles and one sack. Thomas was more productive in 2023, totaling a career-high 35 tackles then. He's a run-stopping prospect who offers little as a pass rusher. Interestingly enough, Thomas also participated in offensive line drills at Tennessee's Pro Day, according to the Volunteers. Perhaps the Seahawks view Thomas as a project offensive lineman capable of switching positions at the pro level. Either way, he qualifies as a potential target for Seattle via the draft or undrafted free agency.
