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CLEVELAND — Ever since television cameras caught Saints running back Mark Ingram throwing what appeared to be a temper tantrum on the sideline during a 37-34 Saints defeat in Atlanta on Sept. 7, the public has been trying to figure out what may have gotten the New Orleans running back so heated.

When asked Sunday if it was about how much his team has been playing him, Ingram — who had just recorded 11 carries for 83 yards and scored his third rushing touchdown of the season in another loss Sunday for the Saints (0-2), this one 26-24 while visiting the Browns (1-1) — replied, “(I’m) just a competitor. I want to win. ... I just want to win games.”

To a question about how things were between him and Saints coach Sean Payton, who prefers to split touches up among New Orleans’ various running backs, Ingram said, “We’re great. Me and coach are great.”

Reporters spoke with Ingram about such topics Sunday because he had not talked with the media since he was seen throwing his helmet and watching portions of New Orleans’ season-opening setback to the Falcons nearly 20 feet away from his teammates.

Ingram had only run the ball six times for 18 yards through the first three quarters of Week 1 in Atlanta. After he had a solid preseason in which he averaged a solid 7.1 yards per carry and scored one rushing and receiving touchdown each, many on the outside expected Ingram would have a larger role than that, and televised images of Ingram looking like he was disgruntled led some to speculate he was upset at not getting the ball more.

The Saints handed the ball to Ingram seven times in the fourth quarter, and he rewarded them with 42 yards and a pair of 3-yard touchdown scampers before an overtime field goal by the Falcons sunk New Orleans.

“(It was an) up-and-down game,” Ingram said Sunday. “(I) want to win — want to win games and be a great competitor.”


Read more: Mark Ingram turns in another solid effort in loss, and addresses his role with the team | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

nola_swammi

I am not for them losing their identity by throwing the ball and gamble a little but damm if you have 3 running backs are averaging close to 5 yards a pop RUN DA DAMMMMMMM BALL!!!!!

papz

They were putting out 7 DB's on the field to stop our passing game. There were lots of holes we didn't take advantage of.

hagan714

I understand the roles of platoon RB all to well but one has stop and ask what is going on?

Ingram was the hot back. PT was solid and Robinson was ok.

there is your peeking order stick with it.

Ingram 11 carries and Robinson 8 carries? 27 rushes in all ?

Drew 40 pass attempts?

sorry the run game was not doing that bad at to deserve a split like this

If Colston is going to be shut out the pass game is not working. 27/40 is not a lights out performance.

SP has to one day let the run setup the pass instead of the other way around.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

nola_swammi

Sean Payton need to STOP trying to get the numbers for Brees to get 5,000 yards passing, 4x is enough. Go for the W instead; which is important.

TheOak

I will bring up something that is being over looked.

Ingram is running well, very well. I understand the desire to put 20 touches a game on him. Ingram has stayed healthy for more than 11 games in only 1 season and it was not last season. I also understand the caution that is being taken with his work load.

Personally, I would rather have Ingram breaking loose for 11 plays per game for 16 than put 20 on him next week and not see him again for 4-6 games. We do need to run more but we have 2 very good backs that can take the increased workload. Keep Ingram in the majority but don't overly weigh his work load until we know he can handle it and stay healthy.

I would increase our run snaps by 5 but only give Mark another 1-2. That would give us a 50/50 split and Ingram around 15 carries/ game which would be 50% of the run plays.