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Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

Sproles is a different utilization that PT/Ingram/Ivory.. I do not see a direct correlation.

Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

Sproles is one of the best offensive weapons in the whole league, so any team would be lucky to have him in the active roster as far as I'm concerned.

Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoDat!656 (Post 456278)

Obviously I am joking with the title of this post.

Sort of.

I love me some Darren Sproles. He's absolutely amazing to watch and he's arguable the Saints most powerful offensive weapon. But the Saints running back has missed the past two games with a hand injury and there's no denying in those two games, the Saints offense has finally found a successful running game and a balanced offense.

So excuse me if I'm not in a rush to see him return to the field. Just take a look at these offensive statistical comparisons, with and without Sproles in the lineup:

Average rushing yards the first 7 games (with Sproles) - 72.8 yards

Average rushing yards the last 2 games (without Sproles) - 144 yards

Average run/pass ratio the first 7 games - 30%/70%

Average run/pass ratio the last 2 games - 47%/53%

Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back - Canal Street Chronicles

You are leaving out other changes that happened in the same time period.

Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 456420)

Sproles is a different utilization that PT/Ingram/Ivory.. I do not see a direct correlation.

We're not better off without Sproles, but we had become incredibly predictable. We weren't running worth a crap, so Sproles was being used far too often in the passing game to compensate, and teams were sitting on that.

Now that he's been away, it's forced the Saints to really re-focus on getting their backs going, and most importantly, it gave Ivory a chance to remind this coaching staff what he can do. So now when Sproles comes back I believe he'll be much more effective and compliment those guys, much like he did last year.

Definitely not an indictment on Darren, but could prove to have been a positive thing.

Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

If the Saints power running game gets going like it has over the last two games, then the play action screen passes that Thomas and Sproles are so good at, will open up. If the other team brings up their safeties to cover Sproles and Thomas out of the backfield, then Graham will eat them up over the middle.

Or at least that's the way it's supposed to come together.

Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

The difference is a 17% increase in rushing attempts

Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 456458)

You are leaving out other changes that happened in the same time period.

That happens quite a bit around here.

Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

What's amazing is that Sproles is out, but PT had less than 5 touches

Re: Dear Darren Sproles: Please Don't Come Back

First, we need Darren Sproles. Second, we're not in the business of getting rid of great players. Third, wait till SP comes back and unveils a 5 RB set. I can see it now, backs are good at protecting the QB, they can chip and go out into their routes, they have good hands and can catch and then they are great in the open field, even better than most WR's. We'd have Sproles, PT and Cadet split out with Ingram and Ivory in the backfield. It would totally blow other teams minds.