It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

This year could be different, however. Unlike years past, they Saints have a top 5 defense to go with their top 5 offense. Besides that, one player, who is right under the Saints’ nose, could hold the key to road success in this playoff run—Mark Ingram.

Believe it or not, this year the offense has been the problem in many of the road losses. They put up 20 Mark Ingram 4points or less against the Rams, Panthers, Jets, and Seahawks (even though everyone played bad in the Seattle game). Against the Patriots, they were not able to gain one first down while the defense came up with 2 three and outs in the final three minutes against Tom Brady. In most of these games, there have not been enough rushing attempts and Drew Brees has thrown it over 40 times. This imbalance doesn’t win games.

This is where Mark Ingram comes in. The much-maligned first rounder has been running the ball with purpose since the Seattle loss. In 3 of the past 4 games he has averaged over 5 yards a touch. This includes a great performance in the Carolina loss where he averaged 6.4 yards per carry on 13 carries.

For the first time since he has been drafted, Ingram looks completely healthy. He seems more trim and elusive. And most importantly, he has shown exceptional patience and vision in his running, rather than the customary 3-yard runs where he is pushing his own blockers out of the way. For the Saints to have a chance against the Philadelphia Eagles and beyond, they will need to run the ball, and Ingram is the best option.

He is the freshest back, since he has missed quite a few games this season. Also, his downhill running style is best for the cold weather and sloppy turf conditions. If Sean Payton doesn’t run Ingram into the ground I don’t know what he is waiting for. Isn’t this why the organization traded back into the first round to acquire him? For this type of game? And if his future in New Orleans is uncertain, wouldn’t you want to showcase him to gain some value on the trade market?

New Orleans Saints: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Ingram and Robinson should get the bulk of the carries Saturday and a screen every now and then to keep the Iggles guessing

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

sproules in the flat

Ingram comes in, the opponent knows to load the box

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Not if you throw him a screen or two, or play-action off him... We did both in the Bucs game

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Give to Khiry. (Just my opinion)

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Somebody better run north south.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

I hope Payton runs the ball with one player more than 10 times this game.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

What's most encouraging about Ingram is his burst. He's hitting the gaps and making great cuts. Toe is definitely better...

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

If its the MI we saw in Carolina then by all means run it. I hope PT is ok.. hes the most consistent rb IMO

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

What this man said give it to khiry, but id love to feed them both funny thing is when we finally IF ever do commit to the run thats prolly the time ingram gets 1 yard a carry knowing r luck, but i love khiry's vison as a ball carrier and he is always moving those legs

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Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

everytime khiry runs, i cringe. so scared this dudes fumbleitis will come back at the worst time (in the playoffs) and cost us the game. i trust his running ability, certainly, but, i still want ingram toting the rock behind pierre (if he plays) and sproles.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

I really don't care who we give it to but if we're going to play out in the elements, we need to establish a run game. It's crucial that we're able to run the ball in the playoffs.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Line Ingram and Robinson up together and run it down their throat. As long as the O-line does their job it should work, then everything opens up for Brees. I would like to see Payton smash mouth at least 1 team before I die although the excitement might kill me.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Like what I've seen from Ingram in the latter part of the season, but he's not been so consistently good that he should be the center of the game plan. I'm all for giving him 12-15 carries if possible but against that pass defense we are going to be slinging the rock.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

"Fumbleitis".... When and where? Seriously..... Who are you watching?

Brees 2 fumbles lost
Sproles 2 fumbles lost
PT 1 fumble lost
Moore 1 fumble lost
Corey White 1 fumble lost
Khiry Robinson 0 fumbles lost, 0 fumbles recorded.


Somehow Khiry Robinson with the ball makes you cringe?

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Are you watching the New Orleans Saints in this universe?!? Don't geaux jinxking things are the Mod Police will get you!!!

Not just your opinion, my friend; but running the ball successfully (period) is what many fans want to see...

No more excuses or bama apologists - time to get'r done...

True, but we've got to get the running backs going early in these playoffs if we're to survive and be successful on this daunting road task we've created...

And that's on Coach Payton; but Ingram and the Offensive Line has to build confidence in the run game early...

Now that's really the recipe for this post season - not what we're putting in the Beefy Mac nor what Al left behind in his Chicken Mix...

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Its hard for him to be consistently good when he's not consistently in the game.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Yup, didn't he get 20 yards on 3 carries last week?

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

JUST WIN BABY

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Past time.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

The Eagles rank dead last in the NFL against the pass and we wanna run the ball?

Sorry, I wouldn't complain if Drew throws it 70 times.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

But they know they suck at covering a pass so they will compensate more and force us to run. Or we throw it until they show us they can stop it.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Going to be interesting to see how they manage Graham and Sproles...

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Of course that is true, but when you have a HOF quarterback who just threw for 5,000 yards for the fourth time in his career, facing one of the worst pass defenses in the league, you air it out. Despite our road struggles, you don't take the ball out of Drew's hands to go ground and pound when you haven't done that successfully all year.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Take 'em deep if it's there, but I'd be happy to dink and dunk all the way down the field. In fact I'd prefer it, especially early on. Let's wear out an already suspect defense and put the hammer down in the second half.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

He's going to have to step it up...PT is OUT.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

IMO its time for Robinson to step up as well.

Sproles/Ingram can't do it all.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Ok brother..... Now I'm going to need you to splain me how that works.

They suck at covering the pass and will "force us to run".... ?

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Wow, no mention of Cadet? Go Robinson.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

he fumbled twice in one game when he saw his most carries in the preseason.

what team are you watching you f'ing chimp?

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Reaching with the "preseason" game mention...

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

There, their, they're; Mr. Potty mouth.

I watch the team where Ingram also had 1 lost fumble in the preseason. Ironically he does not worry you with the same # of lost fumbles.

PT is our only RB that didn't put it on the ground in preseason..... and Robinson & Ingram are the only two that haven't lost fumbles in regular season.

NASA sends Chimps into space, what's your claim to fame?

BTW, it's fumblitis and having had 2 fumbles does not constitute the disease.

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Good call!!

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

Lol

Re: It is time to unleash Mark Ingram
 

I'm just glad he is running healthy and productive. If he can keep it up then it makes us that much more difficult to stop.