papz

Yesterday I wrote about how tight end Jimmy Graham's potential to bounce back from a "down year" in 2012 might be the greatest reason for optimism surrounding the New Orleans Saints this season. I'd put tailback Darren Sproles in the same boat.

Sproles also fell back down to earth last year after an other-worldly 2011 performance -- in part because of increased attention from opposing defenses, in part because the Saints struggled to give enough touches to all of their talented tailbacks and in part because of a hand injury that sidelined Sproles for three games.

Getting Sproles more involved this year will certainly rank as one of Coach Sean Payton's top priorities as he tries to revive his dominant offense this season.

All three of the Saints' top tailbacks -- Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram -- should have more productive seasons now that fellow tailback Chris Ivory has been traded to the New York Jets and the team is so focused on improving the run game.

"We knew last year, that wasn't the kind of year that we wanted. So we'll try to get better this year," Sproles said of himself and the Saints' offense. "And it helps that (Payton) is here."

Read more: New Orleans Saints know they need to do a better job of exploiting Darren Sproles' dynamic skill set | NOLA.com

Attached Thumbnails

 

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.