Khalen Saunders proud of his front flip, downplays comparisons to infamous Saints UDFA

Big-time DT Khalen Saunders is proud of his front flip, but he downplays comparisons to an infamous New Orleans Saints free agent bust:

Khalen Saunders can move. The New Orleans Saints’ latest free agent acquisition has gone viral for his agility training before, having shared videos of him backflipping his way across the practice field while training for the 2019 NFL draft. It’s really impressive to see someone listed at 324 pounds move around as easily as he does (and throwing in a front flip, to mix it up).

But it’s prompted some unfortunate comparisons to one of the Saints’ past flops of yesteryear. Walter Thomas was a fan-favorite way back in 2007, having been signed as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State and Northwest Mississippi Community College — and the big defensive tackle could front-flip, too. But he was let go after just a single practice in New Orleans’ rookie minicamp.

Credit to Saunders for laughing off the comparison on Twitter. He says this was the first he’s heard of Thomas, asking fans “with all due respect” to “stop mentioning bro in the same sentence as me.”

For what it’s worth, Thomas has enjoyed a successful career in the Indoor Football League, most recently signing up to play for the Carolina Cobras in 2022. Good on him for finding a way to keep playing professionally and chase his dreams. But as Saunders pointed out, the comparison doesn’t stretch very far. He’s preparing to be a big player for New Orleans this year.

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