NFL CAREER – A key part of the defensive line because of his run-stopping strength, Thomas enters his third year with the Saints after a pair of seasons that have proven to be among the best of his career. The 300-plus-pound defensive tackle makes the job around those around him easier by battling two blockers on a consistent basis. While anchoring the defensive front is his primary responsibility, Thomas has proven to be a force as a pass-rusher as well by crushing the pocket during his stint in New Orleans. After not posting a sack in his previous five seasons, Thomas has notched 6.5 sacks over the last two years with the Saints. He has started 121 of 154 games in his career – including 26 of 28 since arriving in New Orleans via a draft-day trade in 2006. During his career, he has recorded 658 stops, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to four-year contract by Saints, 2/27/07; Acquired in a trade with Philadelphia Eagles, with the Saints trading their fourth-round pick (99th overall) for Thomas and the Eagles' fourth-round pick (108th), 4/30/06; Placed on Injured Reserve by Philadelphia, 10/28/03; Placed on Injured Reserve by Philadelphia, 7/27/02; Placed on Injured Reserve by Philadelphia, 12/31/01; Re-signed by Philadelphia to five-year contract, 9/19/00; Placed on Injured Reserve by Philadelphia, 12/2/98; Signed by Philadelphia as undrafted free agent, 8/26/96.

HONORS – 1996: Football News All-Rookie team.

2007 – Played in all 16 games and started 14 at DT, recording a career-high 58 tackles (37 solo) and three sacks…Notched five games with five or more tackles…Served in a reserve role in the first two contests…First start came vs. Tennessee, Sept. 24 and had a season-high seven tackles, tying his highest total with the Saints…Posted five stops and a sack at Seattle, Oct. 14…Had two solo tackles vs. Jacksonville, Nov. 4, both for losses…Recorded a sack and two tackles vs. St. Louis, Nov. 11…Final sack of season came at Atlanta, Dec. 10. 2006 – Started all 12 games he appeared in at defensive tackle, recording 49 tackles (31 solo), 3.5 sacks for 24 yards in losses, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery…Sack total was the most he had posted since notching four with Philadelphia in 2000, and the first quarterback takedowns he had recorded since that season...Also opened both postseason contests and had eight tackles, including six (three solo) vs. Chicago in the NFC Championship…Placed on Suspended/Reserve list for final four games of regular season by NFL Commissioner…Notched half-sack and three tackles in opener vs. Cleveland, Sept. 10…Had a season-high seven stops vs. Green Bay, Sept. 17…Equaled that total with seven tackles (five solo) and a sack vs. Philadelphia, Oct. 15…Had a fumble recovery, a sack and five stops vs. Baltimore, Oct. 29…Recorded three tackles and a sack with an eight-yard loss vs. San Francisco, Dec. 3. 2005 – Appeared in 16 games at defensive tackle, starting 12, the first time he entered a season as a starter since 2001…Ranked second among defensive linemen in tackles with 65 stops…Logged a season-high eight tackles (six solo) at Dallas, Oct. 9…In his first game returning as a full-time starter, logged seven tackles (five solo) at Atlanta, Sept. 12. 2004 – Appeared in 13 games with two starts and all three playoff contests…Recorded 33 tackles (14 solo) and a fumble recovery…In the postseason had eight tackles (four solo) and a sack…Played in 100th NFL game vs. Detroit, Sept. 26…Started at DT at Washington, Dec. 12 before suffering a dislocated elbow…Inactive for the final three regular season games due to the elbow injury…Had a sack and four tackles in the NFC Championship Game vs. Atlanta, 1/23/05. 2003 – Started two of seven games he appeared in and credited with 30 tackles (19 solo)…Started for the first time since 2001 vs. New England, Sept. 14, and recorded eight tackles…Placed on injured reserve with biceps injury, Oct. 28. 2002 – Missed entire season with right foot injury…Had surgery to repair a broken bone in right foot suffered in training camp and placed on injured reserve, Aug. 27. 2001 – Started 14 games…Had 70 tackles (42 solo) with three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery…Missed final two games with right foot injury. 2000 – Started 16 games and both postseason contests at defensive tackle…Finished with 81 tackles (45 solo), four sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery…At New Orleans, Sept. 24, recorded a sack and seven tackles, two that forced fumbles…Posted a sack in Wild Card game victory over Tampa Bay, Dec. 31. 1999 – Started 16 games at DT…Recorded 72 tackles (39 solo), a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 1998 – Started and appeared in 12 games and posted 54 tackles (38 solo), five sacks and a fumble recovery…Recorded a career-high five sacks on the season, including a career-best two vs. Washington, Oct. 11…Had five tackles and a sack vs. Dallas, Nov. 2…Had a sack and a fumble recovery at Washington, Nov. 15…Placed on Injured Reserve after biceps surgery, Dec. 2. 1997 – Started all 16 games and tied for the club lead with a career-high 82 tackles. 1996 – After going undrafted, made the squad and went on to start the final five games and earn All-Rookie honors…Appeared in 16 games and had 64 tackles (45 solo) and a sack…Notched three tackles (two solo) and a sack vs. Carolina, Oct. 27.

COLLEGE – Completed his three-year career at Northern Illinois with 202 tackles, including 31 behind the line of scrimmage…Voted one of NIU's captains as a senior, when he was selected to the All-Big West Conference first team… Child development major.

PERSONAL – In offseason resides in Morton, Pa. and in Missouri, Texas…Home in Texas has a home theater on the second floor…Won a pair of 4A state championships in football at Sumner (Mo.) HS, although he attended and graduated from Academy of Math and Science in nearby St. Louis, which did not field a football team…Lettered in basketball, however, at Math & Science…Father is a chef, though Thomas also claims with at least some seriousness that his mother may be the better cook….Has a 10-year-old daughter, Hydeia…The Hollis Thomas Foundation is extremely active in the community, supporting a number of asthma-related causes, including awarding college scholarships each year to high school graduates with the affliction, which Thomas shares.