Drew Brees calls Pierre Thomas 'best all-purpose back in the league'

Pierre Thomas is entering his eighth season with the Saints, and Drew Brees certainly likes having him around. Speaking with reporters at Saints camp Tuesday, Brees had high praise for his running back.

Pierre Thomas is entering his eighth season with the Saints, and Drew Brees certainly likes having him around. Speaking with reporters at Saints camp Tuesday, Brees had high praise for his running back. 

Drew Brees calls Pierre Thomas "the best all-purpose back in the league." .. "You name it, he can do it."

— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) July 29, 2014

Though the Saints used several running backs last season, Thomas was the team's leading rusher. He played in all 16 games and made nine starts, carrying the ball 147 times for 549 yards, a 3.7 yards per carry average. 

Thomas was also second on the team in receptions and yards from scrimmage, behind just Jimmy Graham.

Thomas could get more opportunities to catch the ball out of the backfield this season. Darren Sproles, the prolific pass-catching running back, left New Orleans for the Philadelphia Eagles via free agency this offseason.

More: Saints' offseason report card

- Dan Gartland