papz

The New Orleans Saints have a stable of running back ready to contribute once more in 2013, even after the loss of Chris Ivory.

Sean Payton and the coaching staff have stated more than once that the team is looking to get back to the running game more in 2013 rather than relying on the passing game so much.

Meaning Mark Ingram’s time is now.

The “Bust” label has been thrown around a lot in regards to Ingram, but it’s hard for any back to put up ridiculous statistics when he rarely sees handoffs because the offense is in love with the passing game.

Last year, Ingram carried the ball just 156 times and gained 602 yards, scoring five times. Not horrendous numbers by any means, but more has been expected of him at this point.

More is what you’ll get in 2013. Ingram is going to receive the majority of the carries, and if the coaching staff is smart, it’ll be by a wide margin. Ingram is the type of runner who gets better as you keep feeding him the ball.

While Darren Sproles is a nice change of pace and Pierre Thomas has handled the load well thanks to his versatility, 2013 has to go to Ingram. If the coaching staff ups his carry total from 2012 by 50 or more touches he’s a candidate to burst through the 1,000 yard mark.

There’s no excuse for Ingram to have a down year. He plays in a vertical passing offense where defense cannot afford to commit a lot of resources to stop him. The Saints need his bruising running style to carry the load and keep the defense off the field.

Ingram is the most important running back for the Saints in 2013.

Mark Ingram is Most Important Saints RB to Saints 2013 Success - Who Dat Dish - A New Orleans Saints Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Important? Yes.

Most important? I don't think so. He's equally if not less important than Thomas and Sproles imo. While I think he'll have a better season than Thomas and slightly less Sproles, I think he's the most replaceable of the bunch. That's not an insult to Ingram but a compliment towards the effectiveness of Thomas and Sproles in our offense.

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

All little common sense goes a long way.

Danno

We don't have a most important player on offense other than #9.

AsylumGuido

Graham is a strong second.

lee909

I really hope Ingram gets to catch out the backfield this year.Its too obvious its a running play when he takes the field.
In his last two years at Bama his stats
G 25, 54 Receptions for 617 yards and 4TDs.
Don't get me wrong he isn't Sproles but change thingd up a little and he will produce.

spkb25

Well this is it, truthfully. I mean when you have backs that can do everything like Sproles and PT and the D is unsure how they'll be used it benefits them. When all you primarily do is hand the ball to MI the defense isn't all that confused.

I don't know if he is a bust or not, but they have to give him a full opportunity to be successful, in my opin. Then if he fails it is what it is.

TheOak

More "needs more carries to get rhythm to be good" BS.

"If the coaching staff is smart"? WTF? You mean if they have a Football IQ above Chris Roling?

Seer1

If I worked down to this guy's level in my job, I'd be unemployed.

TheOak

I believe, at his level, motor functions are sketchy.

Seer1

A "writer" in an iron lung? Damn that speech to text software!

Euphoria

If he would live up to the hype then everything will work itself out.

He'd get on the field more, more carries, more passes, more plays using him as a decoy.

He has earned 3rd string...