Our Running Game
 

First and foremost i'd like someone to educate me;

- Did we release Lynell Hamilton once he went on IR, or will he be back next season. i can still remember week 16 2009 vs bucs, Lynell ran all over all them and had a pretty decent game. If he is able to get back to full strength after recovering this season, i'd love to see that guy back.

- If Hamilton isn't returning who would you guys rather get, a Young workhorse out of the draft that can handle lets say 200 carries a season (in our offense, thats abit realistic i think)

Or

Go after Deangelo williams, i have often thought that this guy still has alot left and lets be real - He burns us every single time we play the panthers, this past season 60 yard TD, 2009 2nd play of the game 70 yard TD.

Obviously i would love to see both Pierre and Reggie come back, if the reports on reggie are honest then he is willing to take a pay cut to get an extension with us (wow you've grown up since 2006 draft reggie)

I think we have to keep Ivory, the guy has durability issues but i think that was just the impact going from very limited playing time at college to basically full time starter at the NFL, its a huge jump and it may have taken its toll.
He will most likely work on his durability during the offseason, if so the guy will be amazing.

Pierre is the complete back, i think he's vital to our Offense and i love to see that guy play, i don't think we can let him go. With all the stuff that went on between him and Coach payton, i don't know where he stands at the minute but i believe we need to be fair with him - Don't give him absurd money, but give him the money he deserves - I mean remember how he played all the way through 2009 and in the playoffs, he was electric.

Tell me what you think everyone!

I'd go after Williams, but I wouldn't break the bank for him.

I can't help but think how last year would have gone if we'd signed Tomlinson, who many claimed had nothing left in the tank.

Exactly Danno,

Brees vouched for Tomlinson, that should of been proof enough that the guy still had some left.
Look what he's done with the jets, the guy looked reborn in their running game.

I am a believer that we should keep a revolving door attitude on a lot of players...

Keep Fresh blood coming in and get them out the door just to keep excitment and the fire going.

PT is one of the players I think we need and should part ways with. I seriously don't see him in a Saints uniform next season.

For half a season. That said, he was healthy and could have definitely helped us in the playoffs. Highsight is 20/20... who knew we'd have so many health issues. Had he been here, who knew if we'd ever discover Ivory.

Our running game starts with Payton. He's got to be committed to running the ball 25 times a game no matter what. Every back in the league has some minimal or negative runs during a game but that is no reason to abandon the run and yes I know our swing passes are an extension of the run but you still need traditional handoffs to sell the play action passes. With the current issues with the CBA it will be hard to go after FA but we just might have the RB's already on the team. If we can resign PT and a restructured Bush (sounds strange), we will also have Hamilton, Hill, Ivory and the new pick up Bell. If all healthy we should have the backs to compete, we just need to be committed to the run. Also we need our OL to do a better job up front. I'm more into looking for an upgrade at tackles than running back.

Injuries killed the running game.

Lynell had a history of knee problems before coming to NO. Will he return?
Ivory was a small school back who Payton probably didn't plan on even using this season. He'll still be 3rd or 4th on the depth chart next year.
PT is a versatile back that excels in Payton's system. If he's healthy, why not have him return??
Still like to see Reggie back at a price that the team can live with.
PJ Hill.... Is he the guy?

Tough to commit to the run when your top two rushers are injured.
Tough for the O line to block for small school RB's, practice squad players and waiver wire "has beens" - unless your o line is incredible.

I don't buy that!
What do you consider a small school?
PT - Illinois same as Mendenhall
Ivory - was at WSU before going to Tiffin because of team violation
Jones - Notre Dame

There are lots of good RB's coming from so called small schools.
Michael Turner - N. Illinois
Chris Johnson - E. Carolina
Ahmad Bradshaw - Marshall
Ray Rice - Rutgers
Matt Forte - Tulane

Our line is not the best at knocking defenses off of the line, I didn't agree with the play called on the 4th and inches but no way should that tackle be made behind the line if your OL is doing it's job!

Williams would be a good pick up he has speed and him and Ivory on the same team that s*&t would be awesome but a big but I guess thomas will be gone just let everyone know Bush not going anywhere.

i don't think i ever heard of any o-line only blocking for big school rbs. you get paid to do a job and it should be carried out no-matter who's behind drew. i still believe we will go all out on defense in the draft. and depending on who stays or gos before we 'll draft rb. it just can't happen again no way.
hamilton--- knee
pj hill --- chest
ivory --- hammy, knee, ankle
p. t. --- ankle
bush --- bone
betts --- what-ever

I agree on this one. I really really like Stinchcomb because hes so good on the screens and a really good leader but I'd like to see a real roadgrader on the RT spot. Turly-like just big mean and with a nasty streak.

This! You go to work and you do your job irregardless. That's why you get paid. If you can't do your job, you get fired and they find someone to do your job better than you did.

My point is not that good RB's don't come from small schools.

It's that you can't expect much from a guy like Ivory who get's thrown into action all of a sudden - especially in Payton's system. Combine a rookie with guys like Deshawn Wynn, Joique Bell and Ladell Betts, your running game suffers.

And don't think for one second that every RB runs the same and that all the O line has to do is block the same way. Different runners, different styles, different vision, etc... your running game suffers.

So is your job ever affected by a new employee or boss? Or do things just run smoothly?

In regards to draft - not that you're asking - I think it's still too soon to know but either in FA or draft, the front seven will receive an upgrade or two before RB is addressed.

What running game? We've got Evans and Nicks and we don't run the ball because...we don't have running backs...

You're so right Injuries killed the running game.