Saints Most Important Running Back in 2012?

Attached Thumbnails · 07-22-2012, 11:14 AM

An interesting article is on Yahoo! Sports written by fan contributor Mike Patton. The article outlines the 2012 New Orleans Saints feature running backs and begs the question, which running back will be MOST IMPORTANT to the Saints in 2012?

Rookie Mark Ingram was given many chances early in 2011. While he led the team in rushing yards in eight of the first 12 games, he also received more carries than Thomas in all eight of those contests. However, Thomas ended the year with better numbers, despite being given fewer rushing attempts.

Patton went deeper into the numbers comparing Pierre Thomas vs. Mark Ingram's average per carry. He also mentions Pierre Thomas as much more versatile contributing to the passing game beyond his running abilities.

Thomas averaged 5.1 yards per carry, more than a yard better than Ingram's 3.9 average. Of course, Thomas also excels in the Saints' passing game. In 2011, Thomas caught 50 passes for another 425 yards. By comparison, Ingram had only 11 receptions and 46 receiving yards.

Let's NOT Forget Darren Sproles and Chris Ivory

Darren Sproles led the team with 603 rushing yards while rushing only 87 times, maintaining an average of 6.9 yards per carry. However, Sproles' attempts will always be limited, and he likely could not be a featured back who carries the ball twenty times a game. On the other hand, Christopher Ivory does have feature-back potential and has done well in his brief career when given a chance. He will first have to remain healthy and find a way to crack into the rotation of a crowded and talented backfield.

What do you think? Which running back will be MOST IMPORTANT to the Saints success in 2012? Please vote in our poll.

Linkback to Yahoo! Sports article

dizzle88 · 07-22-2012, 11:38 AM

I think Ingram will improve, vision is something that RB's struggle with early in careers

Ingram did the exact same thing ivory did in his first season, took the handoff and ran 100mph into the back of the O lineman

Ingram just needs to work on his vision and sometimes he didn't get the blocking he needed

He's got all the tools to be a great running back, just needs to see where the play can extend when the play design is busted

That being said its between PT and sproles who is the key to our success, id lean further towards PT

Danno · 07-22-2012, 11:40 AM

Best RB - Pierre Thomas.
Most Important - Darren Sproles.

Darren is the x-factor that keeps the other team on their heels. He is what we'd all hoped we'd get about 5 or 6 years ago.

Halo · 07-22-2012, 11:47 AM

I voted Sproles. It was almost a toss up between Sproles and PT, but Sproles got the edge because he is such a serious passing threat, running threat, and blocking back for Drew Brees. He's the intangible player that makes our offense GO: pass, run, decoy, all-purpose.

Would love to see at the end of the season Ingram or Ivory surprise all of us and just add more power to our list of dangerous offensive players.

papz · 07-22-2012, 12:04 PM

You just described PT too.

Halo · 07-22-2012, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by papz

You just described PT too.

That's the problem.... a good problem to have I must say.

Not long ago we were scouring the waver-wire, before a playoff game, desperately seeking another core backup running back.

foreverfan · 07-22-2012, 12:21 PM

With a health Thomas, we won the Superbowl. No Thomas... no Superbowl.

With a health Thomas, we beat the 49ers. No Thomas... no Superbowl.

CharityMike · 07-22-2012, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by foreverfan

With a health Thomas, we won the Superbowl. No Thomas... no Superbowl.

With a health Thomas, we beat the 49ers. No Thomas... no Superbowl.

I am seeing a pattern there

SloMotion · 07-22-2012, 12:38 PM

Had to go with PT ... he's the guy I remember most from that wild-card and I think PT is just a tad more valuable then Sproles ... just a tad.

.

SmashMouth · 07-22-2012, 01:07 PM

PT kept on the bench a certain other RB from Illinois when they both were at Illinois. This oft injured RB now plays with a certain team in the Pennsylvania area.

It is our complement of RB, however, that allows us to have the versatility and threats. Drew Brees ain't too shabby either at appropriately managing those RB.

View Poll Results: Which Running Back will be MOST IMPORTANT to the Saints Success in 2012?
Mark Ingram	9	15.00%
Chris Ivory	2	3.33%
Darren Sproles	30	50.00%
Pierre Thomas	19	31.67%
Voters: 60. You may not vote on this poll

07-22-2012, 11:14 AM	#1
Threaded by Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,717 Blog Entries: 45 Rating: (0 votes - average) An interesting article is on Yahoo! Sports written by fan contributor Mike Patton. The article outlines the 2012 New Orleans Saints feature running backs and begs the question, which running back will be MOST IMPORTANT to the Saints in 2012? Rookie Mark Ingram was given many chances early in 2011. While he led the team in rushing yards in eight of the first 12 games, he also received more carries than Thomas in all eight of those contests. However, Thomas ended the year with better numbers, despite being given fewer rushing attempts. Patton went deeper into the numbers comparing Pierre Thomas vs. Mark Ingram's average per carry. He also mentions Pierre Thomas as much more versatile contributing to the passing game beyond his running abilities. Thomas averaged 5.1 yards per carry, more than a yard better than Ingram's 3.9 average. Of course, Thomas also excels in the Saints' passing game. In 2011, Thomas caught 50 passes for another 425 yards. By comparison, Ingram had only 11 receptions and 46 receiving yards. Let's NOT Forget Darren Sproles and Chris Ivory Darren Sproles led the team with 603 rushing yards while rushing only 87 times, maintaining an average of 6.9 yards per carry. However, Sproles' attempts will always be limited, and he likely could not be a featured back who carries the ball twenty times a game. On the other hand, Christopher Ivory does have feature-back potential and has done well in his brief career when given a chance. He will first have to remain healthy and find a way to crack into the rotation of a crowded and talented backfield. What do you think? Which running back will be MOST IMPORTANT to the Saints success in 2012? Please vote in our poll. Linkback to Yahoo! Sports article Attached Thumbnails
Views: 18480

07-22-2012, 11:38 AM	#2
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,357	I think Ingram will improve, vision is something that RB's struggle with early in careers Ingram did the exact same thing ivory did in his first season, took the handoff and ran 100mph into the back of the O lineman Ingram just needs to work on his vision and sometimes he didn't get the blocking he needed He's got all the tools to be a great running back, just needs to see where the play can extend when the play design is busted That being said its between PT and sproles who is the key to our success, id lean further towards PT Halo likes this.
	Your bonehead creator picked a fine chapter to omit from your memory bank....let me ask you, does a machine like yourself ever experience fear? - Vegeta, DBZ

07-22-2012, 11:40 AM	#3
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,723	Best RB - Pierre Thomas. Most Important - Darren Sproles. Darren is the x-factor that keeps the other team on their heels. He is what we'd all hoped we'd get about 5 or 6 years ago. Halo, saintfan, D_it_up and 6 others like this.

07-22-2012, 11:47 AM	#4
Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,717 Blog Entries: 45	I voted Sproles. It was almost a toss up between Sproles and PT, but Sproles got the edge because he is such a serious passing threat, running threat, and blocking back for Drew Brees. He's the intangible player that makes our offense GO: pass, run, decoy, all-purpose. Would love to see at the end of the season Ingram or Ivory surprise all of us and just add more power to our list of dangerous offensive players. sharke likes this.

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07-22-2012, 12:04 PM	#5
papz Problem? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New Orleans Posts: 11,753	You just described PT too. darstep likes this.

07-22-2012, 12:07 PM	#6
Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,717 Blog Entries: 45	Originally Posted by papz You just described PT too. That's the problem.... a good problem to have I must say. Not long ago we were scouring the waver-wire, before a playoff game, desperately seeking another core backup running back.

07-22-2012, 12:21 PM	#7
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	With a health Thomas, we won the Superbowl. No Thomas... no Superbowl. With a health Thomas, we beat the 49ers. No Thomas... no Superbowl. Halo, darstep and AlaskaSaints like this.
	Last edited by foreverfan; 07-22-2012 at 04:25 PM..

07-22-2012, 12:35 PM	#8
CharityMike Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mid City, New Orleans Posts: 3,556	Originally Posted by foreverfan With a health Thomas, we won the Superbowl. No Thomas... no Superbowl. With a health Thomas, we beat the 49ers. No Thomas... no Superbowl. I am seeing a pattern there Halo likes this.

07-22-2012, 12:38 PM	#9
SloMotion 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 6,776 Blog Entries: 15	Had to go with PT ... he's the guy I remember most from that wild-card and I think PT is just a tad more valuable then Sproles ... just a tad. . darstep likes this.

07-22-2012, 01:07 PM	#10
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,200 Blog Entries: 29	PT kept on the bench a certain other RB from Illinois when they both were at Illinois. This oft injured RB now plays with a certain team in the Pennsylvania area. It is our complement of RB, however, that allows us to have the versatility and threats. Drew Brees ain't too shabby either at appropriately managing those RB.

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