A rejuvenated Michael Thomas is not taking anything for granted in his comeback tour

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There was Michael Thomas standing at a lectern after practice, smiling and laughing while fielding questions from reporters.

After two lost years in the prime of his career, there were questions coming into the season about what version of Thomas the New Orleans Saints were poised to see in 2022. If his play through the first couple of weeks of the preseason wasn’t a sufficient answer for those who still harbored doubts, the image of a happy Thomas should drive the point home.

The professional turmoil Thomas has endured since he suffered that ankle injury against the Buccaneers in Week 1 of the 2020 season is a thing of the past, and his immediate future looks bright.

“Everybody asks me about Mike Thomas all the time,” coach Dennis Allen said. “When the ball kicks off for real, Mike Thomas is going to be ready to go. And I’m excited about that.”

The Saints have handled Thomas with care during the lead up to the regular season. They eased him into competitive periods in practice, gradually increasing his workload during training camp practices. When the team traveled to Houston for its preseason opener, it allowed Thomas to stay behind in New Orleans for treatment.

The star receiver has rewarded the Saints’ faith and patience in him. Not only has he looked every bit the dominant part of pre-injury Michael Thomas in training camp but he also has looked personally rejuvenated.

Absence clearly had an effect on Thomas. He’s been especially engaged with his teammates and fans, staying late after practice to sign autographs. What once could have been seen as a routine act of being on the field for practice appears to have taken on new meaning for him after the experience of his previous two seasons.

“One hundred percent, you definitely appreciate it,” Thomas said. “You just want to encourage the younger guys to take care of your body, handle your business and make the most out of it. Play hard, don’t take a rep for granted and lead by example.”

That’s not to say Thomas did not take practice seriously before. He’s always run every single practice route like he’d never get the chance to do it again, his arms pumping vigorously behind him with maximum effort. Tenacity always has been Thomas’ trademark trait on the field.

That’s why he hesitated when speaking Wednesday to say he’s where he wants to be after returning from his injury. Thomas is one of those high achievers to whom perfection is unattainable, no matter how hard he tries. When asked what needs to be better for him to know he’s where he wants to be, Thomas said, “everything.”

“Fine-tuning everything,” Thomas said. “Mastering my craft. Attention to detail to the little things, those are the types of things that get you open in this league. I could just keep improving every day, and that’s the good thing about coming out here and having high intensity practices.

“I feel like I’m far from perfecting my craft.”

Needless to say, the Saints are excited about what this version of Thomas can bring to their offense. New Orleans sorely missed him last season, relying on a group of unheralded youngsters to fill the playmaking void.

But the problem wasn’t just making plays, it was that nobody was afraid of anyone the Saints lined up at receiver. Removing Thomas from the equation changed the offensive geometry.

“When you put a guy like that on the field, it takes two sets of eyes out of the defense because they have to key on him,” tight end Adam Trautman said. “He’s such a physical route runner and he knows how to get open, he’s been doing it for a very long time now. That opens up everything else for everyone.

“You can’t play certain coverages against us any more. Certain things teams were doing to us last year, you’re not going to be able to do that this year. Not just because Mike’s so damn good, but there’s also other guys on our offense now. We’ve got a lot of playmakers.”

When the Saints line up in 11 personnel — three receivers, a tight end and a running back — defenses will have to also contend with talented rookie Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry while also keeping tabs on the electric Alvin Kamara out of the backfield.

“I’ll tell you what, when we come out in 11 personnel this year you’re not going to be able to put eight (defenders) in the box like they were last year, just daring you to throw it,” Trautman said. “Good luck with that, honestly.”