TheOak

With the departure of Sproles, there seems to be more questions than answers about our running game. I think there are more answers than most people are aware of, if you look a little deeper, at the bigger picture.

Mark Ingram - Not wanting to dig into this dead horse because everything has been said over and over. He will either be here or not and it will be what it will be.

Pierre Thomas - We lost our scat back.. or did we?
Definition of Scat back ~ A slang term in football that refers to a running back that is valued for speed and athletic ability over size and brute strength.

Pierre Thomas's 77 receptions in 2013 plus his ability to screen tells me he is a Scat Back. Traditional cookie cutter scat back? No, but Sean Payton ignored traditional definitions when he developed Jimmy Graham.

PT has never had a season with over 50 receptions until 2013... In 2013 he had 77.. That is a whopping 54% increase in receptions.
Which just so happened to also be the most receptions by a RB in the NFL last year. NFL - Statistics by Position - Yahoo Sports

Khiry Robinson - Many people are not "sold" or they have concerns. I will only use a small window of stats to make my case, this small window is very relevant to 2014.

When Sean Payton puts the ball in your hands 21 times in two playoff games and gives you the ball TWICE with in the 5 against Seattle in the 4th quarter, Sean Payton is sold and trusts you. If Sean Payton has that sort of trust it may be less worrisome to accept that he is a trusted back at this point.

Can he get it done when it counts? 5.63 yards per carry against the Eagles and 4.38 yards per carry against Seattle plus a TD n the 4th qtr is what I consider getting it done.

Travaris Cadet - Special Teams and 4th RB to fill in for injury if needed.

My interpretation of 2013 was Sean Payton preparing for the departure of Sproles and I see us as set for Running Backs. If we pick up a 5th it will be low in the draft or an undrafted player will earn his way on.

Pierre Thomas has become our Scat back and Robinson/Ingram will share a back field. Where is the gap?