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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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