New Orleans Saints Bolster Their Run Game; Sign Joe Banyard
 

The New Orleans Saints have added running back Joe Banyard to their roster after his strong showing at the team’s mini-camp. Banyard has obviously made a strong impression on the Saints because they signed him to a three-year contract. Banyard joins the running back corps made up of Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram, and Chris Ivory. The Saints are plenty stacked at the running back position but that does not mean the rookie will not get a chance to play. Ingram has been battling injuries as of late and the coaching staff might elect to give their running game different looks.

New Orleans Saints Bolster Their Run Game; Sign Joe Banyard

Very puzzling. Are we looking to move someone?
I see Sproles as untouchable, Thomas and Ivory with cap-friendly contracts, and Ingram as 'the future'.

If all the main backs stay healthy, he is nothing more than practice squad material. Insurance for if someone catches an injury during the season...

It's ivory they probably want to move on from, awesome runner but injury prone. If Banyard has impressed that much they may move on from ivory for someone who can stay in better health.

I agree that Ivory may be the odd man out due to injury; plus he isn't used in screen plays, so that limits his usefulness also.

We are too predictable when ivory is in the game, it's always 100% run when he's lined up

All our other backs make the D second guess because they do multiple stuff well, ivory is a beast don't get me wrong but if this kid is as good as they think, I don't think ivory Will be Round for much longer

The future is now.

I don't care who they get if he comes in and makes the team and is better than everyone is expendable even Ingram.

Ivory had a press conference to discuss the Banyard addition but sprained his tongue while rehearsing his speech.

We'll have to wait 4 to 6 weeks to hear his reaction.

Ivory has always been the odd man out.

Banyard was originally drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in this year’s draft, but it was the Saints that locked him in for three years.

Huh?

3 year deal doesn't usually equate to practice squad

Banyard
 

He wasn't drafted, Jacksonville signed him after the draft:

I think we signed Ivory to a three year contract. He may be getting ready to move on now.

Don't think you can ever have too many RB's, especially given how the Saints like to rotate.

And heck, it's not as if Ivory is our only injury-prone RB. Unless I'm mistaken, Sproles is the only RB on our roster who played all 16 games last season.

Ivory can't stay health to save his life.

I love the guy but just can't keep carrying him. Rather give a roster spot to someone who can stay more health.

This guy reminds me of Joique Bell.

I can't single out Ivory since every RB on our entire roster for the last 10 flippin' years seems to be injury prone.

Well we drafted a RB in the 4th a couple of yeas ago but Thomas beat him out as an UDFA. The best man will play.

Yes.... BUT..... nearly always a 1st down or 2nd and 2.

Signed a 3 year 1.22 Million dollar contract in 2010. In 2013 he is an RFA.

That's a cheap contract, my guess is if Ingram doesnt stay healthy and produce it will be him on the block. With cap being a big focus in the next few years considering Drew/Jimmy.... Cheap players are going to be held on to.

Ingram is due 1m in 2013 and 1.4m in 2014.. Ivory is playing for 400k/year roughly.

Not when the 49ers figured out everytime ivory was in the game it was run, as soon as Thomas was knocked out the game we were screwed for balance on the O side of the ball

Once the 9ers figured out that ivorys never in for a pass play it showed, he could even get 5 yards against them

Highlights:

49ers had the number 1 rushing defense in the league.... They shut everyone down.

Totally agree that they shut everyone down, i just think that if Ivory was a little more versatile and was used in passing plays aswell the niners wouldnt have been able to stop so easily, but ivory is one dimensional and the 9ers knew this

Maybe we could work him into that... if he stayed healthy long enough ..LOL

Its hard to practice when all you do is rehab.:shock:

If anyone leaves it would be Ivroy or Thomas. Thomas is the highest paid on the team and "middle aged" for a rb. Ivroy would be because of his injuries but he is so cheap. Maybe no FB? Use a TE on blacking situations?

I also think it is the Ingram situation that brought this about. This injury may be worst than thought. They are not going to tell us everything

Ingram has been a bust (to date). He reminds of early Bush in the way that we are always waiting to see something great. Thomas and Sproles are perfect in our system, Ivory would be good IF he could stay healthy. We are still looking for that great back.

I just don't see us carrying 5 RB's, especially since we have to hold roster spots for suspended players.
It's not a money issue- all four backs have reasonable contracts.