I'm more than likely in the minority on this but I think it is time to make some moves with the roster. If we were going to keep a veteran running back around it would have been Sproles. If the idea is to improve our running game, and move to a power running game then Ingram and Robinson are the guys to go with. As much as I like Thomas, and what he has done for the organization, 3.7 yards a rush is 3.7 yards a rush. It just won't cut it moving forward.

3.7 ypc behind an O-line that was always one snap away from getting Brees killed is good in my book.

Once the O-line is stabilized, PT will be back to cruisin'.

Not likely. Both Ingram and Robinson averaged a higher yards per carry on far fewer carries. I love Pierre but his time has come and gone. It happens to everyone.

Saying that Robinson and Ingram averaged more yards per carry on far fewer carries kind of works against your own opinion of Thomas. Because that's just it... Those two guys had far fewer carries. I do very much like what Robinson brings to the table, and Ingram finally had a few good moments (still need to see more consistency out of him) but you don't know how they would have done with more carries.

Those guys tended to get more carries when games were out of hand and we had worn down the opposition, whereas Thomas was the guy being counted on to do the aforementioned wearing down. Plus he's a great receiver as opposed to Ingram being very one dimensional, and I frankly don't know yet what kind of receiver Robinson is.

PT is still very valuable at a cheap cost, in my opinion.

Our running game only just got going when PT stopped getting the ball. i love PT just as much as the next guy but he lost a step this year. Some argue he had his best year but ill argue it was his worst. Lowest YPC and lowest YPR of his career.

Part of losing Sproles and possibly PT is a changing philosophy. I think Payton looked back on the year and realized he was too predictable and most of that centered around formations and the backs he used in them. We need to get back to a strong PA which means a strong running game which needs a back that can pound the rock. Sproles was always a key that it was a passing play and Ingram was always the key that it was a run and when PT was in you keep an eye out for the screen. Far to predictable because of the way we used our backs. Now that Sproles and PT (maybe) are gone what do you key in on?

My friend, if we have to get rid of every back we have because they make us predictable, then that sounds like a play calling problem. I agree that we got too predictable with Ingram and Sproles. But in Sproles' first season with us they used him in the running game very well, also, and he had an awesome all around season. They stopped doing that when our o-line starting struggling (which really is our biggest problem on offense). Even though our line was bad, it was still a mistake to call so many screen plays to him, because of the predictability. With Ingram, he just hasn't been any kind of factor in the passing game, and really doesn't fit this team because of that. Pierre has never been predictable. He's been a very good all around back.

I disagree that we started running better when we stopped giving Thomas the ball. When did we stop giving him the ball? It is my recollection that we started running the ball better when we started committing to the run game more and our line started to play better.

I don't think there is a change in philosophy going on. I think there is a youth movement going on that will hopefully allow us to better execute what Payton's philosophy has been all along. I just happen to believe that Pierre Thomas is still useful to this team.

I'm more than likely in the minority on this but I think it is time to make some moves with the roster. If we were going to keep a veteran running back around it would have been Sproles. If the idea is to improve our running game, and move to a power running game then Ingram and Robinson are the guys to go with. As much as I like Thomas, and what he has done for the organization, 3.7 yards a rush is 3.7 yards a rush. It just won't cut it moving forward.