Fantasy football - Mark Ingram's role with New Orleans Saints
 

ESPN.com's terrific fantasy football analyst Eric Karabell wrote an excellent breakdown of the New Orleans Saints' running back position, reminding readers that rookie tailback Mark Ingram will be sharing carries in a crowded backfield.

Unfortunately, you need "Insider" access to read the article. But if you're unable to read it, the gist is that Coach Sean Payton likes to spread the ball around to his tailbacks; the Saints haven't even had an 800-yard rusher since 2006; and the team is loaded with proven options like Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory and Darren Sproles.

Karabell is right about all of those things, and I would have given the exact same advice a month ago or even a week ago.

But I'm starting to wonder if Ingram might indeed make a run at a 1,000-yard season. Ingram has been turning heads throughout his first NFL training camp, showing a combination of power, shiftiness and breakaway ability. Plus Ivory remains sidelined, now with a sports hernia in addition to his recovery from foot surgery.

This backfield is still crowded. Thomas is an underrated factor who has the potential to be a 1,000-yard rusher himself in the right situation. And Sproles is an explosive playmaker who will get his share of carries.

Read the rest at NOLA.com

For fantasy purposes Drew Brees is the only sure thing

His role....I'd say whole wheat!

if all those rbs don't get ur blood flowing. go check urself in. lol

Ingram get get 1000 yards in a season.

He may only have about 30 carries to do it in so he better make them count.

If we use 2009 rushes as a base figure, that equates to 30 runs per game.

I'd estimate PT and Ingram share 50-50, with Ivory/Bell/Sproles getting about 10 per game.

So you're right, Ingram will probably only see about 10-12 carries per game. If he averages a very good 4.5/carry thats only about 800 yards rushing.

Unless PT gets hurt, I can't see ingram getting 1,000 yards rushing, simply because of the RBBC approach. His success should be measured by his YPA.

Naw, I think if Ingram starts going out there and burning it up, he will get more carries. I don't see Payton saying "Damn, Ingram is running over everyone out there! Lets get PT23 in the game, quick!"

Coach will want to keep the rookie's legs fresh so as to avoid the proverbial Rookie Wall...