Saints Most Important Running Back in 2012?
 

An interesting article is on Yahoo! Sports written by fan contributor Mike Patton. The article outlines the 2012 New Orleans Saints feature running backs and begs the question, which running back will be MOST IMPORTANT to the Saints in 2012?

Patton went deeper into the numbers comparing Pierre Thomas vs. Mark Ingram's average per carry. He also mentions Pierre Thomas as much more versatile contributing to the passing game beyond his running abilities.


Let's NOT Forget Darren Sproles and Chris Ivory

What do you think? Which running back will be MOST IMPORTANT to the Saints success in 2012? Please vote in our poll.

Linkback to Yahoo! Sports article

I think Ingram will improve, vision is something that RB's struggle with early in careers

Ingram did the exact same thing ivory did in his first season, took the handoff and ran 100mph into the back of the O lineman

Ingram just needs to work on his vision and sometimes he didn't get the blocking he needed

He's got all the tools to be a great running back, just needs to see where the play can extend when the play design is busted

That being said its between PT and sproles who is the key to our success, id lean further towards PT

Best RB - Pierre Thomas.
Most Important - Darren Sproles.

Darren is the x-factor that keeps the other team on their heels. He is what we'd all hoped we'd get about 5 or 6 years ago.

I voted Sproles. It was almost a toss up between Sproles and PT, but Sproles got the edge because he is such a serious passing threat, running threat, and blocking back for Drew Brees. He's the intangible player that makes our offense GO: pass, run, decoy, all-purpose.

Would love to see at the end of the season Ingram or Ivory surprise all of us and just add more power to our list of dangerous offensive players.

You just described PT too.

That's the problem.... a good problem to have I must say.

Not long ago we were scouring the waver-wire, before a playoff game, desperately seeking another core backup running back.

With a health Thomas, we won the Superbowl. No Thomas... no Superbowl.

With a health Thomas, we beat the 49ers. No Thomas... no Superbowl.

I am seeing a pattern there :clown:

Had to go with PT ... he's the guy I remember most from that wild-card and I think PT is just a tad more valuable then Sproles ... just a tad. :).

PT kept on the bench a certain other RB from Illinois when they both were at Illinois. This oft injured RB now plays with a certain team in the Pennsylvania area.

It is our complement of RB, however, that allows us to have the versatility and threats. Drew Brees ain't too shabby either at appropriately managing those RB.

Had to go with pt I think he is our best all around rb

I threw my rabid dog a bone.

Chris Ivory will stand out if he gets the carries.

Alaska

I went with Pierre because I think he's the best all round back on the roster.

But I think an argument could be made for each of them.

Sproles quickness can keep linebackers and safeties honest when they want to drift out to Graham in the slot or in for a blitz. And like PT he's always dangerous as a receiver.

Ingram provides that power runner that the Saints have been lacking since Deuce ruined his second knee. The 2007 and 2008 seasons were very frustrating because of the Saints inability to pick up 3rd and short.

And Ivory could prove to be the best insurance policy the Saints have if two of the above are ever sidelined at the same time.

Sproles will be mucho effective but the play of PT Cruiser is mega important because that opens up so many options for our offense.

If the question were who's the best pure RB, I'd say Ivory. If it asked who is the best AND most reliable pure back, I would have said Thomas.

But I voted for Sproles because he does everything, and is great at it all. He's not an every down back, but no one is in this offense. His matchup nightmare that he presents to all opposing defenses is a huge reason why the middle of the field stays open for everyone else to run through, and he consistently gives us good if not great field position with his returns. Without him we are still a very dangerous offense, but we've never seen anything like what we saw with him last year.

I'd say Pierre is a close second because he is a good receiver as well, but Sproles gets my vote for being the everything guy.

Even though I voted for Sproles because of his speed, explosiveness, and game-breaking ability, each of our rb's will play an integral part in the offense. When you combine their individual strengths, it makes for one of the League's most dangerous backfields. They are much like our receiving corps due to the fact that each player has a specific role to play and they all play it very well. If one is having an off game, one or two others are usually there to pick up the slack.

PT !

Voted Ingram as the most important because

a. the investment & return needed for the move made to draft him

b. the reasons for success given for PT - Ingram was to be that plus more

c. the last play in Green Bay in Week 1, ability to punch back in the San Fran Playoff game - those are opportunities for a guy like Ingram to be the difference and change a season...

Sproles is the most dangerous weapon in the NFL in this offense; he may have set a record or two last year...

PT can play on any down - but he's not an everydown player (durability); I think he's a difference maker getting a team to the Lombardi game...

This. Sproles is just too versatile.

Best multifaceted proven running back - Pierre Thomas

Best pure running back - Chris Ivory but he is fragile... If we are on the 3 ydline Ivory is the best chance to get into the endzone with pure force.

Best player that also plays running back - Darren Sproles (unquestionable)... He is just so important in all that he does and even just being on the field with Graham at the same time really gives Defenses fits.

Mark Ingram - Cant really say at this point. The guy has not had training camp one. A rookie season is usually a transition season for most players, and with out a training camp he gets a pass on last season... I want to see what he is capable of this season... Lots of potential but needs a fair shake before I start saying too much.

I am not voting because while some are more productive than others, missing one in the line up is missing a piece of a puzzle. They have all proven to have a valuable function and 'sweet spot" in the rotation, with the exception of Ingram.

We know what we get from our RB's. The only exception we need to have improve is Ingram.

He has to improve. He should get better...

The one who is healthy and on the field...

I like whichever one the other team's defense has kinda forgotten about late in the game or has not planned adequately for

What was so bad about Ingram? I mean he got hurt but before that he looked pretty darn good.

I'm just curious.

I think what most peoples concerns about Ingram are yes he looked pretty good.... But did he look 1st round draft pick good? Giving up a second rounder in 2011 and a 1st round pick in 2012 good?

I think its more of a ROI question.

I chose E All of the above...... oh never mind. These best things are silly. Too many variables.

RB would have to be PT. Really unfair to put Sproles as just a RB, he is more all purpose.

Sproles led the Saints in rushing yards. It's not like he just does things in spurts. So many people think there is some distinction between he and the other backs just because he returns punts and isn't an every down back. No one is an every down back for us. That's the system we run. And no one was better than Sproles, period.

He's a different style runner, and all the backs bring something different to the table, with the exception of Ingram who never established any type of niche last year... But it's hard to argue with a guy who broke an NFL record and say he isn't the most important of our backs.

OK, I'm reading and understanding the question different from everyone else.
The question is most important RB this season not best RB. To me the most important RB is Ingram because if he is having success there is no way any defense is going to stop our passing game. Now if the question is the best I'm going to have to say it is a tie between PT and Sproles.

PT and Darren are going to be solid.

The way I interpret the question; I think M.I. is the RB we are going to need to make a strong finish. C.I. will perform great, but I think M.I. is the player we are going to have to rely on going into the playoffs.

I am a PT fanatic. He has kept me on my feet for years during Saints games. The man delivers. Period. End of story.
Mighty Mouse is phenomenal and brings something that no one else in the NFL has.
PT is the heart of the Running backs and it looks like Sproles is the soul.
Ingram will develop into that back Alabama fans hope for. Ivory will get plenty of carries and will look good until he gets hurt.

Voted Pierre Thomas.
He, IMHO is the base from which everything else gets its go.
All of our backs bring great value to the table, but PT gives us stabilitiy.
Only PT has the versatility to "somewhat' mimic what the others do: Ingram/Ivory/Sproles.