Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

When discussing his free-agent prospects at the Super Bowl, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell said he was going to be “the prettiest girl at the dance.”

The implications were clear. Maxwell was coming off a good season and there weren’t many other quality cornerbacks scheduled to hit the open market. Maxwell knew then that his market was going to be strong and he would have his choice of suitors.

Mark Ingram likely felt the same way a few weeks ago. The New Orleans Saints running back is coming off the strongest season of his professional career and, as recently as a few days ago, it appeared he would be among the most coveted free agents at his position.

But the view can change quickly when the cruel reality of the NFL decides to show its hand.

Over the past week, running backs Reggie Bush, Steven Jackson and DeAngelo Williams have been released, creating more options for teams looking to sign a back. While Ingram might still be the “prettiest girl” at the ball, a strong middle class means some teams still have palatable options beyond Ingram.

Things could get even worse for Ingram if players like Dallas’ DeMarco Murray, Buffalo’s C.J. Spiller, and New England’s Shane Vereen fail to re-up with their current teams and hit the open market. And that’s without considering a class of rookie backs that is being touted as one of the best in years.

If the Saints have interest in re-signing Ingram, as they’ve said they do, the evolving market is good news for them. It also creates more options.

Read more: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

4 years $16M with $10M guaranteed.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

I'd like to see him get re-signed.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Re signing Roll tide should be a priority.

A fair deal.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

I don't think keeping Mark for the right money would be a bad thing, especially because he is a high character guy, but am I the only one not afraid to lose him?

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Not worried about loosing him as loads of good FA and really cheap hood draft picks

Tre Mason(3 round) cap numbers,under 1ml per year for next 4 years.

Andre Williams(4 round) 550/600/700/800k for next 4 years.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

I'd like to see us give Kenny Hilliard a few carries in the pre-season. He often had very similar stats as ex-LSU RB Jeremy Hill. I know He ran a poor 40 at the combine, but he is the leading rusher in Louisiana high school football history. At the very least he is a great short yardage back, who can block and catch and play FB. Probably won't get drafted, so I predict he is our next Pierre Thomas. Mark Ingram is solid. If anyone on our team deserves some $, it's him.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Too many other needs at other positions, and sprinkle in a plethora of available cheaper RBs that can probably block Drew's back better when it counts. :bng:

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

IMO he will come back at a fair price after him and his agent see that the number they want isn't possible because the league as a whole has decreased the importance of the running back position

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Lyons Yellin of WWL-TV in Louisiana has "heard rumblings" the Eagles have interest in free agent Mark Ingram.
Analysis: Whereas Shady McCoy was an at-times improvisational east-west back, Ingram is a north-south runner whose addition in Philadelphia would constitute a changing of the guard. There were rumblings late in the year that coach Chip Kelly was displeased with McCoy's tendency to freelance in his running game, which also led to Bryce Brown's ouster last offseason. A more assignment-sound runner than McCoy, Ingram's fantasy stock would skyrocket in Philly.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Ingram doesn't fit the Eagles running style but I guess they wouldn't mind slamming a round peg into a square hole. I don't see him landing there without Philly over paying

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Ingram/Sproles would give them a good tandem to do what Kelly wants

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Philly/Chip Kelly appears to be cleaning house. Trent Cole, Cary Williams and most recently Shady Mccoy.

My guess is that they aren't Chip's type of "guys".

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

The name of the game is value. You may be a sensational back like McCoy, but if you are overpaid or if someone can get similar or fairly similar results for less $, you're cut. How much of a drop is there from Ingram to Robinson? Maybe we hand the keys to the guy who is cheaper.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Bring back Ingram,

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

He brings nothing special to the table...we can have his equal for a lot cheaper...and spend the extra money on a center or a ILB...

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Ingram is not the best blocker or receiver out of the back field and Payton needs that in his running backs. Ingram would benefit from being a feature back and he'll never be the man here in New Orleans.
Personally, I would like to see him go somewhere else and flourish. I think that saving the money from his contract is just over three million dollars if we replace him in the draft. We could certainly use the money on a solid veteran at a position of need.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

I didn't know we had Hightower on the Roster. If he could produce he could be a great pickup; Saints signed RB Tim Hightower to a reserve/future contract.

Hightower, 29 in May, tore his left ACL in 2011 and has been out of the league since. He's had a workout here and there, but an infection in his knee derailed his comeback. Hightower was medically cleared just last spring. He'll spend the offseason with the Saints and try to earn a spot in a backfield that could lose both Mark Ingram (free agent) and Pierre Thomas (potential cap casualty). Jan 4 - 8:59 AM from rotoworld.

Ingram, Cadet, Robinson, Hightower and Baker would not be bad at all.

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

I like Ingram but im edging towards the opinion that we should let him walk.
His durability is a issue for one and spending $4ml+ on a RB with the cap issues as they are is a mistake imo. Spend the money elsewhere and get Robinson a new deal this year. Robinson,find a couple of complimentary backs from late in the draft,UFA(great history of finding talent there) or a Vet in FA.

Since Payton and Loomis have been in the hot seat Pierre Thomas,Chris Ivory,Joique Bell and even Arian Foster was nearly signed as a UDFA

Re: Evolving running back market could affect Mark Ingram and the Saints
 

Another brilliant "The Sky Is Blue" article. The Saints need to sign some GA Tech players so the the front office can be "All Abuzz" again!!