Drew Brees on Ingram
 

“Honestly this is no surprise to me at all,” Brees said of running back Mark Ingram’s big game Sunday and big season to date. “You guys [in the media] dogged him for three years, you know you did. The fact of the matter is the guy hasn’t had as much of an opportunity because he’s been banged up at times and sharing carries and the load with other guys. The minute he gets the opportunity to carry the load, 24 carries and breaks out for a career-high (172 yards) and proves all you guys wrong. …

“He’s the ultimate team player and he’s been awesome, but I was excited to see him despite Pierre [Thomas] being hurt, Khiry [Robinson] being hurt, making the most of his opportunities.”

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Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

He was drafted hurt. Maybe it's just finally his time to develop into a premier back. It was certainly awesome to watch.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

I love how Brees calls out all the media for their naysaying and how they've been proven wrong

Doesn't pull any punches when people talk BS

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Same can be said for people around here, he has a great game and all you hear are crickets. Where are the haters now?

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Tell'em Drew!

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Roll tide.

I will not be surprised if he has a big night against the Kittens at their place tonight.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Sean Payton, you need to put MI's number on speed dial tonight.

MI, you need to crush it tonight.

I, need another :beer: right now.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

I've been a critic and not afraid to say so either. It's not that I don't want him to be a great player. I want every single player the Saints draft or sign to be great, but Ingram has been a flop as a first round pick and there is no denying that. Ingram has had 4, 100yd. games in 4 years, and I'm not going to crown him yet. I am cautiously optimistic from what I've seen from him over the last 2 weeks, but I want to see more consistency and certainly more 100yd. games before I'm completely sold. If I see Ingram close out the year with at least 4 more 100yd games, then I will probably be sold on him as a top flight RB and a worthwhile 1st round pick. Sorry, that's just the way it is, but I am glad to see him starting to turn his career around.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

I was def a negative critic....40 games before having a 100 yard game would do that....BUT he def shut people like me up this season....I hope he changes his mind about testing free agency

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Yep, my prognostication about Roll Tide was spot on last night.

Mark has been an absolute beast of a RB.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Looking like an NFL MVP. Like what we thought we drafted. Somebody correct me but isn't Ingram bigger and faster than Demarco Murray?

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

No, he is not either.

Ingram: 5'9, 215. 4.62 fourty yard dash at the combine
Murray: 6'0, 217. 4.41 fourty yard dash at the combine

That's obviously not to say Ingram is bad though, I'm very happy with him as our RB and I hope he is a Saint for a long time.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

With all due respect to Ingram's last two games, he has not proven anyone wrong, Drew. We said he sucked for the last three years because for the last three years he sucked. I think you need to educate yourself on how the world works, buddy. I can sure tell you how it doesn't work... You don't get to stink it up for three years and finally have a couple good games and then make up a bunch of excuses as to why you stunk and say that everyone was wrong. And by the way, not to be overly critical, but just to make a point... It's not like he lit it up against the panthers, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. They force fed him the ball, which I agreed with because running and controlling the clock is working for this team. But I'm confident Robinson could have easily done the same or better with that many carries. I can't believe how carried away people are getting about Ingram.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

yep all his supports pointed out he needed the carries to get into the flow of the game

they also pointed out the blocking scheme was different for him when he came to the Saints

well those two things have changed and we are seeing results. so maybe that was the issue all along

BUT now that teams know Ingram will be used this heavy in our offense i am sure the niners and other teams will adjust the typical defensive game plan they use against the saints.

let's see what happens now with all the defensive heavy weights coming up on the schedule.

My fear is Ingram will be impacted and that should be a good thing right? that should open up the passing attack. Question then is

Will the WRs as a group finally step up and produce?
Or will we see Graham once again over used and beat up?

This unit has under performed all year long.

Next question is:

Can Ingram keep this up without ending up back in the tub?

If not that is proof to support his needs to be part of a rotation and not be a work horse. He physically just can not carry that kind of load, that is his bug-a-boo right now

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

So, keep handing the ball off and call a few less run to pass audibles. And while you're at it, point out the obvious facts about Ingram to the head coach. He tends to think a 1 RB per play rotation is the way to go.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Impressive

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Indeed. And one result of Ingram facing "nine men in the box on one carry and eight on 14 others (including a handful of goal-line carries). Ingram (100 yards, two touchdowns) faced six men in the box only twice" was Brees going 24 for 34, a 70% completion percentage, for 297 yards, with 1 TD and 1 Int (which wasn't his) ......ON THE ROAD, ON A VERY SHORT WEEK.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

Again, the way defenses played us in the past were based on tendencies.
Everyone knew when Ingram was in we would run. With him having more playing time and having a few passes thrown his way keeps defenses honest.
To me that is the difference,Ingram is playing more downs and defenses are starting to guess run or pass more which is leading to bigger gains.

Re: Drew Brees on Ingram
 

He also faced 8 men in the box vs the packers on his 28 yard run, when he broke 3 tackles and juked out the their secondary

Very impressive indeed.