New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Mark Ingram's success in leading role not lost on Sean Payton

Would have like one of the reporters to ask Payton if he is such a believer in Ingram now why he didn't believe in him enough to use to get 1st in OT? Visions of 4th & 1 in Green Bay must have appeared to him!

METAIRIE, La. -- Sean Payton has been asked the burning question about Mark Ingram's playing time repeatedly over the past three weeks, both directly and indirectly.

So when the New Orleans Saints coach started to hear the latest version of it Thursday, he cut off the reporter and cut to the chase:

"Look, it's the hot topic. Philosophically, when [all of the Saints' running] backs are healthy, 'Is he gonna go back to rotating all three runners or is he gonna keep giving Mark the ball?' I get it," Payton said -- though he wasn't as direct when it came to revealing his own hand.

"Look, each week we'll come up with the best plan. Obviously we pay close attention to what Mark's doing right now. And he's doing real well," Payton said of Ingram, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in three straight games since fellow backs Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson went down with injuries. "Shoot, a year ago there were a ton of people crying for [Ingram's] head -- a handful of you here [in the media]. So I think this, obviously it's good to see him playing well and healthy. He's been real important in light of some of the injuries we've had. And I think that's something that is real encouraging.

Mark Ingram has proven that he can be a consistent contributor over the past three weeks."We notice and pay attention to all that stuff. We're gonna make sure we try to do the best thing that helps us win that week."

Mark Ingram's success in leading role not lost on Sean Payton - ESPN