Joey Thomas

Regarded as one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the NCAA I-AA ranks before joining the NFL, Joey Thomas will likely make life miserable for NFL wide receivers for the foreseeable future.

The fiercely competitive Thomas, who excels when facing top-level competition, played four years at Montana State, intercepting 11 passes and earning two All-American and Big Conference selections.

Selected by the Packers in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Thomas spent a season and a half in Green Bay before joining the New Orleans Saints halfway through the 2005 season.

Thomas is known for his outstanding quickness and leaping ability, along with a willingness to take well to tough coaching and help less-experienced teammates.

• Born August 29, 1980 in Seattle, Washington
• Originally enrolled at the University of Washington, but left program when the coaching staff reneged on its promise to play him and cornerback and instead tried to convert him to a fullback and safety
• Recorded 122 tackles (84 solo) and two sacks while starting 39 of 42 games at Montana State (2000-2003)
• Has 29 tackles and four passes deflected in 29 NFL games
• Two-time all-state and all-area selection as quarterback at John F. Kennedy High School in Burien, Washington