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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

TheOak

As predicted... Change is a coming.

lynwood

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

saintsfan1976

Ingram and Sproles will depend on the defensive matchup.

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

Danno

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.

saintsfan1976

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

Rugby Saint II

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.

B_Dub_Saint

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

homerj07

Interesting predicament we find ourselves in

alleycat_126

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.