According to his agent, C. Lamont Smith, negotiations between the New Orleans Saints and restricted free agent running back Pierre Thomas on a long-term contract have reached an impasse, Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune reports.

"He's 25-year-old and in the prime of his career, " Smith told Duncan. "He's been the team's leading rusher the last couple of years. He's done everything the right way; he's made no money in his career. He could have very easily made a big deal about it at this time last year, but he was adamant about not doing that.

"We're not asking for Steven Jackson money, " Smith said. "We just want a fair deal."

Duncan adds that the Saints have offered Thomas a four-year, $11 million dollar deal, and have not moved from that number. The Saints will also reduce the amount of Thomas' one-year restricted free agent tender if it's not signed by June 15.

Such a reduction would cost Thomas $1.178 million dollars in 2010, as it would drop his base salary from $1.684 million dollars to $506,000.

An undrafted free agent out of the University of Illinois in 2007, Thomas has led the Saints in rushing in each of the last two seasons, totaling 1,418 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 5-11, 210-pound Thomas has 1,670 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground during his 41 regular season games with the Saints, and has added 87 receptions for 737 yards and 6 touchdowns as a receiver.

Thomas also returned kicks his first two seasons in New Orleans, averaging 24.7 yards on 67 kick returns.

The Saints did not match an offer sheet that Mike Bell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. P.J. Hill was re-signed, and rookies Chris Ivory (Tiffin) and Christian Ducre (Mississippi State) were added after the 2010 NFL Draft, but if Thomas matches the hardball-style the Saints are handling this contract situation, New Orleans will be scrambling for someone with experience to do the heavy-lifting in their ground game.