New Orleans Saints are laying it on the line to get the running game going
 

Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune


Obviously, the New Orleans Saints' 31st-ranked rushing attack has been missing injured tailbacks Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush in recent weeks.

Guard Carl Nicks doesn't consider that an excuse for the team's anemic 3.3 yards per carry and 75.6 yards per game this season. He said the improvement has to start up front.

"As long as there's a hole, it doesn't matter who's running, " Nicks said. "You know, I can run through a hole as long as there's a hole."

Chances are, the Saints won't be handing the ball off to Nicks anytime soon -- although Nicks, 6 feet 5, 343 pounds, would certainly be tough to bring down.

However, the Saints do need to find a way to get their running game off the ground, starting with an improved performance from an offensive line that was lauded as the best unit in the NFL last year and sent three of its members to the Pro Bowl.

"It's definitely not up to our standard. We realize that up front, " said All-Pro right guard Jahri Evans, who has been off to an inconsistent start this season after becoming the highest-paid interior lineman in NFL history this past offseason with a seven-year, $56.7 million deal. "We know that we've got to play better. And we're working at it. We're just hitting this tough patch right now where we're not playing as well as we expect to play."

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New Orleans Saints are laying it on the line to get the running game going | NOLA.com

Hell yeah Carl. You tell them. You see the hole get your butt through it.

The entire team has hit a "rough patch".