Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

I wouldn't say Ingram is wasting away with the Saints, but he definitely could be a starting RB for several teams. I would rather the Saints trade Ingram than any of the other RBs we have; I hope we can get either a decent defensive player or high draft picks for him!

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A boisterous talent is being wasted with the likes of the New Orleans Saints organization. His dynamic and youthful aptness have seen better days -coming from a National Championship team in Alabama and being the Heisman Trophy recipient during his college years, to finding himself splitting carries and game time in the NFL with three other rushers on the New Orleans Saints depth chart. Unfortunately, because the Saints have such power, speed, and awareness stacked in the backfield, Mark Ingram, one of the team’s elite running backs, could be wasting his time down in the bayou.

Ingram was a rising star at Alabama…one of the primetime running backs in not only the SEC, but all over college football. His game was praised by many and his talent was unheard of. He was essentially a steal in the 2011 NFL Draft…being selected 28th overall. By this time however, Ingram came to a team that already had a slew of great rushers in Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, and Chris Ivory. It wasn’t before long that Ingram managed to find his spot on the team, but was responsible for splitting carries with his teammates during games, a duty no running back relishes in. Now, Ingram is being outshined by his teammates. Is it time for Ingram to find a new home?

Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Ingram was starting to look good in the second half of the season (or to put it more accurately, when Ivory started playing better than him and lit a fire under Ingram's a$$.) But more to the topic, there was no reason for us to draft him in the first round... He is kind of wasting away.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

As much praise as the author of that article gave him, you'd think he was Eric Dickerson coming out of college. I myself hoped he would be the 2nd coming of Deuce, but he just hasn't worked out that way. I'm on the fence with him, trade him if you can get a good deal otherwise keep him.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

I'm going to say next year will be his year.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

My belief is he is more suited for a program where running the ball is emphasized more. Maybe the Jets, or possibly behind MJD in Jacksonville. And he deserves an opportunity to either sink or swim. I think we need to have one feature back (PT) and a 3rd down guy (Sproles) and then move both Ingram and Ivory if possible. We have too many cooks in the kitchen at RB. If Ingram should fail as a feature guy with either us or another team at least he was given every opportunity, and if he should succeed, then good for him.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Sean Payton doesn't want to lose one more game because his running back is hurt. We do have too many running backs and we need to move one. Unfortunately, Payton prefers to run multiple backs and that doesn't help Ingram get into a rhythm.
I like him a lot and wish he could be utilized here better. I doubt that Payton goes to a one back system which is where Ingram would shine.

Man..... These columnists really know how to keep it positive.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Trent Richardson is better.

Eddie Lacey could be as well.

Let's face it - Ingram was an emotional pick for Sean Payton. Anyone remember Payton's son clamoring for his Dad to pick Ingram in the draft??

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

PTs days are numbered as a Saint, just my thinking... Ingram will take over his role next year

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

If the Saints keep Ingram over Pierre Thomas, I will have to re-consider my favorable opinion of the Saints!

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Wow, horrible article. Ingram went off the later part of the season and continues to grow.

What, is he going to become the new Reggie Bush around here?

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Hey all! I have follwed blackandgold for 3 years now and have finally joined. Ive been a huge who dat fan ever since the Aaron Brooks era. We should definitely trade away ingram for a ball hawk safety haven't seen anyone intimidating since Sharper!

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

First, wasn't Ingram injured for the first season and a half of his 2 year pro career? Can that be considered "wasting"?

Second, his pass catching and pass protection have been suspect, and therefore his utility across situations has been limited. The modern offense requires more than competence in all facets. Can that be considered "wasting" if any other team would have the same issues?

I'm not hating, I have high regard for him. But real is real.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

He's not going anywhere. I'm not sure what happened mid season but he sure did begin to run with some passion when Ivory started busting free that's for sure. I do think the exspectations were too high. He did well in college but against stout defenses...not so much. LSU stopped him cold. Just can't have him runnning the same play over and over. I think that's what really frustrated him.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

I had no idea Mark Ingram's mom was a sports writer.

I'd trade Ingram to get a second rounder or maybe a early third rounder depending on who is left on the board.

I like Ingram(and would be gapoy to see him stay acSaint)but I think he is one if those players that needs to get his grove going to be at his best.He doesn't get enough carries to do that here.It hasn't helped that we run the sane play over and over with him either.Let him catch out the backfield from time to time,mix things up and he won't get stuffed going up the gut every play.
Let him go,re-sign Ivory.My only concern would be Ivory stating healthy.
The other option would be to let both go and get a power back in FA or late in the draft

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

I love having such depth at RB. Brees thrives on the scare of us using running backs. If we got rid of Ingram, then PT and Ivory got hurt...eh over.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Ingram is solid. Not elite but a very good dependable RB.

Ivory is an elite runner, but its Russian Roulette with his injuries.

Thomas is an excellent all-around back, but needs a compliment.

Sproles is nothing more than an elite scatback so I don't include him in the traditional Running Back debate.

I'm curious to see what happens next year with Ivory when Sean designs the gameplans.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

It will be interesting to see what happens
I think with Ivory being prone to constant injuries he will be the odd man out
Ingram may not make the runs like ivory did vs the falcons but you can depend on Ingram more because he's durable
Agreed with the comments about PT and sproles

I think ingram will still see an increased role, I gotta think that when SP is back, he will get ingram involved in the passing game more

I think our backs will be ingram, PT and sproles

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Maybe? Who knows none of our backs gets a chance to show off

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

He promised his son he would draft Ingram and then he traded for the pick after we already used our first rounder.
I don't remember who we drafted ahead of him. Cam Jordan is the only first round player that ha panned out.:brood:

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Ivory's hamstrings suffer from going from NO work to OVER work. If we played him consistently he may not me so lame. Seriously.

It's not like he's breaking his collarbone crushing tacklers, he's going from squatting for weeks at a time to adrenalin-fueled explosiveness. His hams aren't conditioned for that.

Play da man until he BREAKS. Then you will have injury to complain about.

Explosive back, but like a race horse, he needs to be RUN.

Alaska

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Except that its not always his hamstrings. Its knee one week, ankle the next, then hamstring, then back to ankle, then shoulder, then foot, etc...

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

I think so too

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

PT is a proven back and our work horse, he'll be staying.

Sproles is a matchup nightmare, you can't cover him with a LB and to cover him with a DB means opening up Graham or Colston.

When Ingram got healthy in the last half of the season, looked real good. I doubt they will get rid of him after essentially half a season of production.

Ivory hasn't been able to stay healthy, nor does he have the pedigree that Ingram does...but I still wouldn't be surprised if Payton keeps them all...I mean he's been sitting around for an entire season scheming and plotting his revenge.

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Yeah, that 2.35 yards per carry sure does wow me. :rolleyes:

Re: Is Mark Ingram Wasting Away in the Bayou?
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobdog86 (Post 471693) My belief is he is more suited for a program where running the ball is emphasized more. Maybe the Jets, or possibly behind MJD in Jacksonville. And he deserves an opportunity to either sink or swim. I think we need to have one feature back (PT) and a 3rd down guy (Sproles) and then move both Ingram and Ivory if possible. We have too many cooks in the kitchen at RB. If Ingram should fail as a feature guy with either us or another team at least he was given every opportunity, and if he should succeed, then good for him.

agree 100%

I think the saints want to run more than they but they are a few players on the OL away from doing that. RT and a True blocking TE would go a long way to solving the issue.
OC is an area of concern in my book but so far i have to believe we need to wait to address that if the play there does not improve.

Quote:

Originally Posted by saintsfan403 (Post 471906) PT is a proven back and our work horse, he'll be staying. Sproles is a matchup nightmare, you can't cover him with a LB and to cover him with a DB means opening up Graham or Colston. When Ingram got healthy in the last half of the season, looked real good. I doubt they will get rid of him after essentially half a season of production. Ivory hasn't been able to stay healthy, nor does he have the pedigree that Ingram does...but I still wouldn't be surprised if Payton keeps them all...I mean he's been sitting around for an entire season scheming and plotting his revenge.

PT is the true heart and soul of the saints running game and may i reach here?, the team at RB. He has the ability to multi cut before hitting the line and sneaking through gaps Ingram could only dream off getting through. PT is sneaky quick

Mark is more of a north south. smash mouth, one cut wonder. He needs holes to be opened for him.

Sproles is a matchup nightmare


Ivory hasn't been able to stay healthy - end of story

Cadet seems to have a lot of promise. I want to see him work more with jug machine and become a threat at WR as well as RB.

All that said the saints running game would benefit from some new blood on the OL and at TE for blocking.