Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

The Saints are an offensive juggernaunt and have the skill players to run or at pass and be tremendously effective doing so. With Chris Ivory in NY, the backfield is a little less crowded and will give more opprtunites to Ingram and Thomas. Sproles seems like his role was carved out and Mark Ingram has flashed his potential form time to time. Thomas is a very smooth runner that can run and receive equally as good. It remains to be seen how Payton will use these guys, but I would draft them in this order Sproles, PT, and Ingram. If Ingram gets the green light and the goaline carries, he could be a nice fantasy option. Here is what PT Cruiser had to say about the Saints’ backfield:

“Sean talked about that when he came back,” Thomas said Wednesday before the Black and Gold Hoops Challenge at Rummel High School in Metairie. “When we had our first team meeting, he talked about that. He said we definitely need to get back to that ground game.”

“There’s going to be more focus this year on that ground game than any year. He said we’ve got to get back to running the ball, having 100-yard games non-stop. I can’t wait. I’m excited and I know everybody else is excited.”

Thomas: “I think there’s going to be a lot of guys used a lot more because it’s a little shorter in our running back depth. We’re going to be used a lot in different ways. I know I’ve heard we’re going to change up a whole lot of things this year. Because Coach Payton has seen a lot from his point of view, and now that he’s back in the show he wants things to change.”

“It’s a little less crowded now, but we was all weapons and used in different ways. Now, we’re still doing the same thing and having that nice little rotation (with Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles) and having that same tempo. We’re happy in our room and happy to get everything back going.”

Read more at Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles | Juan Elway

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

As predicted... Change is a coming.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

I'd draft in this order, PT, Sproles, Ingram

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

Ingram and Sproles will depend on the defensive matchup.

PT has the skill set of both, so he should see more reps.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

True, Sproles is a scat back who's role is unique, and PT is one of the most balanced RB's in the league.

In my view its PT then Ingram for traditional sets, then Sproles and Cadet for the scat back plays.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

PT is on the field with either Sproles or Ingram - you still won't know what's coming.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

I believe that Ingram will get the majority of the carries.........if for no other reason than he is young and he can handle the wear and tear. PT and Sproles are getting older and can be saved for the long run.
I can see PT being used by Payton a lot more in the back field as decoys while Ingram takes the swing pass. PT is the man who could carry this franchise on his back again, but I don't think we'll force that role on him.
I would like to see Sproles used on kickoffs and punts where he shines, along with his regular rotation with the backs.

I don't want to see Cadet after preseason. He's strictly insurance in case one of our backs goes down.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

We have all of the talent in the world at RB, if we are not balanced there is no sense in knowing your roll if your number isn't called enough times.
Remember when we were balanced and had a "decent" defense we won the Superbowl.
FYI, the Falcons can suck my balls

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

Interesting predicament we find ourselves in

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

Ingram is the question mark yet again.....

I don't think we have enough carries to go around.... And how long does Shawn Payton run the ball, before Shawn says to hell with this s#$% and starts letting the ball fly.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

How come no one is talking bout that other guy with dreads...?

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

Who will be the bruiser now that Ivory is gone?

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

Insurance. I guarantee at least one of our backs will go down at some point this season.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

I just hope we don't stay so darn predictable with the RBs. Last year the D only had to look at who was in the backfield to know if a pass, run or screen was coming.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

Coupled with the fact that it took us until week 3 vs Chiefs to give Sproles his first Carry of the season!!
Which he promptly took 50 yards, how it took us that long to give him the ball is beyond me

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

Sorry guys, I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade, but this is all a lot of smoke prior to TC and the preseason. I'll have to go back and find the article to put up a link, but there's an article about the reducing Ingrams role on the team that I completely agree with.

The notion that all of a sudden the backfield isn't so crowded is mularkey. It didn't matter that we had 4 or 5 RB's because we only used 3 at a time anyway, and we could have used them much better than we did. You're gonna see the same ole 3.9 yards per carry from Ingram and if he doesn't get hurt (crossing my fingers) PT will be the workhorse with Sproles doing what he does. If PT gets hurt, we're SOL cause Ivory's gone. Unless we've got another undrafted gem at the RB position we won't make the playoffs with a tandem of Ingram and Sproles, and if we somehow do, it'll be 1 and done. Not trying to be a downer but we've seen this before.

Ok, here's the link: New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram Shouldn't Lead Team in Carries in 2013

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

We haven't seen this before. What are you talking about?

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

If what you say was true at all, how did we win the superbowl with mike bell, reggie bush and PT as our running backs?
Not buying it at all, Ingrams carries will increase if anything, Payton has said we are running the ball more and Ingram really started making strides in the final 10 games
The article is pure speculation, Payton will have us running the ball more, expect between 150-180 carries for both PT and Ingram, mixing in sproles

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

I believe he's referring to the year that we went to Seattle without a good running game due to injuries.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

Ingram and Sproles weren't even on the team yet.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

I was referring to the comment " We've seen this before", not the people playing the RB position. Which you're absolutely right those two guys weren't on the team. Lack of quality depth at RB position cost us in that game played in Seattle Jan. 8th, 2011 regardless of who was playing the position or should I say not playing due to injury.

Re: Pierre Thomas Says The Saints’ RBs Will Have Defined Roles
 

He's now wearing the wrong colors.