Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

(Triplett)

Current depth chart:

Darren Sproles. Age 30, signed through. 2014 salary and bonuses: $3.5 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $4.25 million.

Pierre Thomas. Age 29, signed through 2014. 2014 salary and bonuses: $2.9 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $2.9 million.

Mark Ingram. Age 24, signed through 2014, with team option for 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $1.39 million. 2014 salary-cap number: $2.36 million.

Khiry Robinson. Age 24, scheduled to become restricted free agent in 2016. 2014 salary and bonuses: $495,000. 2014 salary-cap number: $495,333.

Travaris Cadet. Turns 25 on Saturday, scheduled to become restricted free agent in 2015. 2014 salary and bonuses: $570,000. 2014 salary-cap number: $571,668.

Analysis:

The Saints' run game was hit or miss in 2013 (what's new?). But their depth certainly wasn't the problem. If they could get the blocking and play design down consistently, I think they have more than enough talent to be a successful rushing team. … In fact, the bigger issue the Saints will face this offseason is whether it makes fiscal sense to keep all five of the guys they already have.

Nobody in this group is making outrageous money, so there are no obvious salary-cap casualties. Sproles is the most expensive, and he had a relatively-quiet year with 824 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. But I think he's safe because he causes such unique matchup problems as a receiver out of the backfield.

I'd hate to think that Thomas is a potential cap casualty since he arguably just had his best season as a do-everything runner/receiver/pass-protector. Thomas ran for 549 yards, caught a career-high 77 passes for 513 yards and scored five touchdowns. But the Saints need to pinch every penny this offseason, and they could save $2.9 million by releasing Thomas, so it's an option they have to consider.

That would mean turning the reins over to less-proven backs Ingram and Robinson. And Ingram, especially, has been hot and cold during his three-year career. But both young backs were outstanding in the playoffs while Thomas was out with a chest injury -- and there's no reason to doubt their abilities to build off that success.

Read more
Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Thomas- keep
Sproles- trade or package
Ingram- keep
Robinson-keep
Cadet-drop- I have seen nothing to keep on roster.
Unsure that the FO will keep Thomas but I think he could spell out Ingram and Robinson and stay healthy doing this
Might keep a back on the training squad for insurance.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

$570,000 is basically vet minimum. He is a scat back who can play special teams. He'd be a good dirt cheap backup to keep if we lose Sproles and/or Thomas.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

We have to keep PT if we want to stay in the game with our screens. Robinson is a definite keeper and probably the back of the future. Neither Cadet or Ingram run a screen very well.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Keeper - Roll tide
Keeper - KRob
PT - I have a feeling he won't be wearing black and gold in 2014.
Sproles - some say the injury bug but I say he is just a year older and a step slower. I'm still on the fence with this one.
Cadet - like others have said.. he is cheap to keep and gives depth at RB and on kick offs.

Tough decisions.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

I don't think PT will go anywhere. He shows up when his number is called.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Robinson.... Keep for new backfield
Ingram....... Trade What if he does blow up... You will have to decide between him and Cam as far as who's getting paid, and Cam ain't losing and you get nothing for him...... trade now!!!
Pierre...... Trade
Sproles Keep
Cadet.... Don't bring him back.


New Blood!!!!!!!! Jeremy Hill.... Fourth or Fifth round selection....

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

What about Jones Drew?


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Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

I really think Ingram is the odd man out. Robinson is pretty much a cheaper, younger version of him with more of an upside. Ingram has just been too hot and cold and has killed too many drives. He can't get tough yards when there are no holes and turn nothing into something and I think Robinson can. Ingram seemed to do better when Armstead was in I think our line blocked a little better and opened a few more holes during the playoffs. Any back can run through a wide open hole but creating a play is a different story.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

age age age. not one of the young guns has proven they can produce game in and game out with our 30 year old wonders.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

If I had to let 1 of the high priced ones go, I'd let Sproles go.

I think scat backs are easier and cheaper to find than the do everything backs.

I love Robinson's potential. He looks like a cross between PT and Ivory. He's only going to get better.

I'd like to keep PT for another season. He might have lost a step but its hard to tell. If we're desperate for cap space I could see both PT and Sproles replaced or forced to restructure, although I think thats unlikely.

I'm currently obsessed with Austin Johnson. I keep remebering how well he ran in pre-season. He runs like a RB, not a FB. I've been dying for a RB/FB hybrid.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

What if we kept PT, Robinson, Ingram, Collins and Austin Johnson, 3rb.'s 1 fullback and a hybrid. It seems to me that with Johnson playing a duel role at times we have a set backfield that would actually be fairly cheap not to mention stout, possibly really stout, maybe potent.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Yea Jones Drew is a relic.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Not sure if relic applies, but at 29 years old and from what we witnessed in 2013 I'd agree with JP that its certainly questionable how much he has left in the tank.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

One problem he had in 2013 is that his tank got too big.

Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Au contraire mon frair. Robinson either kept up or exceeded.

Robinson didn't start getting consistent touches until the end of the season and playoffs, when he did, he was rock solid against some very good defenses.

Week 16 Tampa 4.16 YPC
WCR 1PL Philly 5.63 YPC
DIV 2PL Seattle 4.38 YPC

Week 6 Patriots 7.57 YPC


In some games he ran better than PT

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

I just had a fleeting thought. With the abnormally high amount of receptions PT had this season, was he being vetted as the Sproles roll replacement in our offense.

Different running styles yes but the utilization was the same.

Sproles may be the odd man out.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

1 year means nothing. he will get his shot. but as a unit age is becoming an issue.

Who can do what PT and Sproils do? so far none of the young guns have proven themselves as all around backs. that's my point

our war horses excel as third down back the ponies do not. yet

Sproils is a specialty player, a toy, much like Bush, players that mess with defenders heads by just being on the field.

PT does not have that skill set. he is solid and dependable in all facets of his game.

Now that is hard to find also. thats why PT and Darrin are so dangerous on the field together. they compliment each other

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

1 game means nothing, a year does. And none of your "war horses" excelled at 3rd down this season. 3rd down success is directly tied to 1st
Down success and we pass first.

Next I should expect 1 contract means nothing?

We don't need all around backs that do 10 things well. We need 1 that runs through people and holes very well.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

well there goes the screen game and picking up the blitz as a need to make this as a running back.

to many one year wonders in pro ball to hang your hat on any player. proof is with time.

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Deuce faired well :)

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

OK??? who did duce share the back field with?

Re: Ranking Saints needs: No. 11 Running back
 

Deuces last healthy season when he was running like Deuce.
2006 attempts
Deuce - 244
Bush - 155
Stecker - 4
McAfee - 0
Branch -0

In 2007 Deuce was injured. (No RB was healthy enough to start all 16 games but Stecker and he wasnt getting it done)
Bush 157 ran more hash to hash then endzone to endzone
Stecker 115
Thomas 52
Deuce 24

2008 Deuces last season he was done (No RB was healthy for all 16 games)
Thomas 129
Deuce 107
Bush 106
Stecker 8
Bell -13


2009 Deuce was gone (no RB stayed healthy all season)
Eckel - 2
Hamilton - 35
Thomas 147
Bell - 172
Bush - 70


When Sean Payton had a Deuce that ran like a Deuce he got the 250 carries a season. Since then we have yet to have the freight train that could get it done and stay healthy. I do believe Sean thought that Ingram was going to be that man which is why he spent a 1st rounder on him. He wasnt.