METAIRIE, La. (AP) -Pierre Thomas put on more than 10 pounds during the offseason, hoping that would make him more in the mold of former Saints power runner Deuce McAllister.

Maintaining the added bulk proved harder than Thomas anticipated, first because of a right knee sprain and then because of a virus two weeks ago that made it hard for him to keep food down.

Based on the way he's led New Orleans' offense in the last two games, he'll be cautious about rushing to put the weight back on.

``I'm just trying to maybe get (the weight) back slowly and see at practice how it feels,'' Thomas said. ``I'm not really thinking about the weight right now. I'm just thinking about doing what I have to do out there on the field.''

Thomas, who came into training camp weighing at a little more than 220 pounds, sat out the Saints' season-opener against Detroit because of the lingering effects of his mid-August knee injury and seldom got on the field against Philadelphia in Week 2.

The Saints did not make Thomas a regular part of the offense until the second half of their victory at Buffalo, one night after he was vomiting in his hotel room. He took the field at about 210 pounds, which was his playing weight last season, and ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns in the span of a mere two quarters.

In the Saints' 24-10 victory over the New York Jets last Sunday, with Drew Brees held under 200 yards passing, Thomas again emerged as one of the Saints' most important offensive players. He had 86 yards rushing and 46 yards receiving. His 36-yard gain on a screen pass gave the Saints a first-down at the Jets' 1-yard line in the first half.

The play typified Thomas' strengths as a runner. He accelerated quickly into open spaces and broke several tackles, his feet constantly churning until he was finally brought down.

``His yards after contact and just him making something out of nothing almost every time'' make him special, Saints offensive guard Carl Nicks said. ``You think you have him in the backfield, he's going to squirm and get 2 or 3 extra yards. It's ridiculous.''

Although the Saints failed to score from there on their next four plays - including passing attempts - Thomas big gain still led to New Orleans' second defensive touchdown of the game. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez was sacked and fumbled in his own end zone after New York regained possession.

Thomas also scored New Orleans' only offensive touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. He has now scored the Saints' last three offensive TDs this season, all while wearing a knee brace, which he believes he'll no longer need next time he plays.

``I feel good, I felt good the last game, so I believe I'm going to take it off completely,'' he said.

His 212 yards and three touchdowns rushing in effectively the past game-and-a-half came at a good time. During the first two games, Mike Bell had 229 yards and a score, potentially establishing himself as the club's primary power runner, but he sprained his right knee late in the victory over Philadelphia.

The Saints have a bye this week, and Bell said he'll be back on the field when New Orleans hosts the New York Giants on Oct. 18.

Thomas said he believes the Saints will be well served by having Bell back, even if it reduces his workload. Reggie Bush, who often lines up as a receiver or catches passes out of the backfield, is not likely to be affected as much.

``It's going to be electrifying because we're going to keep pounding and pounding and pounding,'' Thomas said. ``We've also got Reggie, who can do just about anything out there on the field so it's going to be crazy. We're probably going to mix it up a lot and do a lot of different things.''

Thomas said he never worried about losing his job to Bell.

``If I had to show everybody what I could do again, I was going to show them,'' Thomas said.

Thomas added that he was happy that Bell did well and was sorry to see him hurt, ``because I see it as they can use both of us.''

Brees agreed.

``Both of those guys have shown that they can carry the load,'' Brees said. ``God willing we keep them both healthy, they can be a special tandem.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.