Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Mark Ingram's first carry of the 2014 preseason went around the left end for 5 yards. His next carry, also to the left, went for 19. Then his third carry, to the left again, went for 6.

To the left is where the New Orleans Saints have placed tackle Terron Armstead, an effective run-blocker who started the final two regular-season games and both playoff contests as a rookie in 2013.

The addition of Armstead to a line that returns three other starters -- along with a motivated and confident Ingram -- could provide a boost to a run game that has posted diminishing numbers over the past two seasons.

"Just being on the same page with them," Ingram said of the offensive linemen, makes him "comfortable with the system and ... comfortable with how the offense is going to run."

"Just knowing what I have to do to be successful on a particular play, I think that just comes with growing a lot and having years, and reps, into the league,."

Ingram is in the final season of a four-year rookie contract, which puts the first-round pick from the 2011 NFL draft in a make-or-break season after what many deem a disappointment for most of his three-year career.

He rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown in a playoff victory at Philadelphia as part of a strong finish to the 2013 season. That provided optimism the Saints could revive their running game to levels that helped them win 13 games in 2009 and 2011.

In those two seasons, the Saints rushed for more than 2,000 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry or better. Those results helped quarterback Drew Brees have two of his more productive passing seasons and helped the Saints to the Super Bowl XLIV title.

In 2013, the numbers dipped to 1,473 rushing yards and and a per-carry average of 3.8, both post-Super Bowl lows for the Saints.

Much like Ingram, the offensive line appears better positioned to produce an improved rushing attack.

"That's what we pride ourselves on -- rhythm," Armstead said. "Being able to work together cohesively, as a unit, that's the biggest thing for an offensive line."

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Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Genuinely excited to see our running game this year

The O line looks like they've completely jelled which should help us avoid a slow start like last year - drew was getting hit way too much and we had no running game to begin with

Ingram looks more decisive aswell, the O line picking up the ZBS seems to play into that because Ingram has been really effective on stretch running plays where he can find the gap, make one cut and head upfield

The fact we have 3 RB's that can catch and run the ball, means we'll be a lot less predictable on offense this year

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

I'll be the first to make a bold prediction: Ingram will be the first 1000+ yrd. back in a very long time.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

He has the talent to be, but will he get enough touches?

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Really want to see these guys do well. I don't care if we don't have a 1000 trod rusher but would love to collectively see the run for at least 2000

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

I think one of the unsung hero's from 2009 was RB Mike Bell.

We really need Ingram to fit that mold and be even better.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Exactly. I think it was you or another poster who quoted Parcells on Payton and his play calling... "at times Sean has the passing fever. Its ok to run it even if it doesn't always work".

Hopefully Roll tide gets a substantial amount of carries this year.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Saints Offense
7.9 yards per att in the air
3.7 yards per att on the ground

I just cannot find fault in wanting to pass.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

I do think he will.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Will he be healthy for enough games to get 250 touches if they are there for him?:lightsabres:

10 or 11 games isn't going to get it. We seem to ignore the possibility that he has yet to be deemed our workhorse RB because he has only played in more than 11 games 1 season.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Right but you need to run effectively to make the play action pass a viable option. The play action is where Brees are really effective with his deep throws. So if we run well and get that number to say 4.5 I bet the average er pass would go up too.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Agreed I bet our numbers are quite varied from defense to defense. What were the yards per play pass vs run vs Seattle?

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Never liked Cadet as a returner

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

1000 yards rushing? in our system?

he better start ripping of long runs in every game if he is even to come close to that with the number of carries he will probably get

i would rather he get that 1000+ in multi purpose yards. that would be huge in out system.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

December 2nd
2.5 yards / att Run
3.8 yards/ att passing

Jan 11
4.1 yards / att Run
7.1 yards/ att passing

3 plays to get a 1st down.. I know which odds I am going with.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

It's only 65 yards per game. With the extra carries he should be able to hit that. But as Oak mentioned, can he stay healthy enough?

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Ingram is finally running like the back I knew he could be............he looks a lot like Emmitt Smith.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Nevermind...

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

sorry for being pessimistic on Ingram, but I don't see him ever being that rb that can consistently get the first down on 3rd and 3.
Yeah, he's going to have some burst into the second level when he runs threw a hole in the line my grandmother could run through, but I don't ever see him being a "clutch" rb that can put a game away in the 4th quarter by moving the sticks with a lead. And maybe we don't need a rb like that with all the weapons at Drew's disposal. But I can't join the Ingram bandwagon and pretend that I believe he's going to be the greatly improved answer to our running game.
I hope I'm wrong, and it is true he did in fact get anointed with magic fairy dust during the off season.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

You do realize he averaged 4.9 yards per carry in the regular season, 5.3 in the playoffs, and 7.1 during this preseason... Statistically our best runner we had last year and this preseason... Oh and 9.7 average receiving;

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

at a five yard average that is 13 carrier a game on average he has never had more than 10 carries a game on average. healthy or not. thats why i said he needs to rip some long runs at least every other game to get 1000+ yards.

then you got Khiry Robinson this year.

he is running for a pay check so we will see

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Ingram has gotten a bad rap here. No one has found much running room in the last few years. He looked awesome in the preseason. I'm back on the Ingram bandwagon for now.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Take this for what it's worth..... For me it speaks at least 1 volume for Ingram at this stage in his career.

4th Qtr, Super Bowl on the line, down by 5... 4th and goal on the 3 yard line. I'm giving it to PT above all of our other RBs. All things considered, ball security, vision, breaking tackles, power.... It's Pierre Thomas.

All stats, bandwagon, hate, onions, and a bran muffin on the side.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

That drive vs MIN was all PT and his ball security. Some other back would have fumbled it.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

I don't know about you; but I'm leaving the ball in the hands of the greatest Quarterback ever! Either Graham or Colston on fade routes will be open

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Outside the box thinker.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Yeah, I'm also aware that even though he has Adrian Peterson numbers on paper, he's no Adrian Peterson.

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

Well neither is PT, your hate is unwarranted... I guess everyone needs a scapegoat :rolleyes:

Re: Mark Ingram, improved rushing attack could be key for New Orleans Saints
 

My point is, my opinion is, I don't think Ingram has somehow found a missing ingredient in his athleticism & ability that's going to produce anything head and shoulders above anything we've already seen.
Anybody that wants to join the New-Ingram bandwagon, fine. I'll hold your beer and help you climb up. And I'll be happy to eat crow if you come back in October and say "See, I toldja so. It was that darn kryptonite!".