Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's

K Major · 05-16-2017, 02:41 PM

By Nick Underhill -- Advocate

Joel Thomas knows this team has an opportunity.

The Saints running backs coach sees the names on the depth chart -- Adrian Peterson, Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara -- and the possibilities start to swirl. This group could be special. This group could be one, like in 2009 and 2011 when New Orleans averaged more than 130 rushing yards per game, that complements the passing game and takes pressure off the defense.

“It’s an opportunity to do something here that hasn’t been done before,” Thomas said. “We have very talented running backs in our room right now. You can put us up there with these other groups, whether it’s Atlanta’s duo or Dallas’ duo. I think we got one of the better groups in the NFL.

“We just got to produce. That’s the bottom line. It’s all talk right now until we get to Sundays in September.”

Full story:The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's | Saints | theadvocate.com

saintfan · 05-16-2017, 03:31 PM

Solid run game. Middle of the pack defense.

Championship!

hagan714 · 05-16-2017, 04:40 PM

I hope Larry Warford returns to the player he early on and not the the player he was the last few years. Not saying the signing was bad but I know his game deteriorated for what ever the reason was in Detroit.

Warford was Pro Football Focus' No. 19 guard last season, receiving plus marks for his run blocking.
Larry Warford - New Orleans Saints - 2017 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

His rookie season was lights out

K Major · 05-16-2017, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by hagan714

His rookie season was lights out

Yep. He was rated as a top 5 GUARD his rookie season. Last season wasn't too bad either (played pretty well against us). I think the change of scenery will do him some good. I think we upgraded our line with this signing.

WillSaints81 · 05-16-2017, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by hagan714

I hope Larry Warford returns to the player he early on and not the the player he was the last few years. Not saying the signing was bad but I know his game deteriorated for what ever the reason was in Detroit.

Warford was Pro Football Focus' No. 19 guard last season, receiving plus marks for his run blocking.
Larry Warford - New Orleans Saints - 2017 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com

His rookie season was lights out

I don't get why we signed another Evans then. Or someone worse. There weren't better available?

K Major · 05-16-2017, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by WillSaints81

I don't get why we signed another Evans then. Or someone worse. There weren't better available?

He is young, talented, on the upswing and is a natural guard. The Saints are building a top 5 caliber O line. Warford actually played in our system when Lombardi was there. IMO he is better than former Cow Ronald Leary who signed a big contract this off season. Evans will be 34 in August. Larry is a HOSS. You can never have enough of those on the line.

Another SB run is coming.

hagan714 · 05-17-2017, 05:22 AM

Originally Posted by WillSaints81

I don't get why we signed another Evans then. Or someone worse. There weren't better available?

Yes there was a player better but we did not go for broke to sign him

This is a bit of a gamble and maybe a change of teams is just what the Dr orders for him. I do not mind the signing and will be watching what happens. If he bounces back the saints made a solid move cap wise by signing him. I am still banking on Klien to be the biggest bang for the buck this year, he might be #2

This is why I did not fly off the handle.

Pass blocking is my biggest concern right now. But he is better than other option we have right now.

At times you gotta roll the dice. After years of rolling the dice in FA I like this one better than Byrd, Browner and Fleener.

jeanpierre · 05-17-2017, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by CharityMike

Yeah well..just think how we all felt last season looking at our O line get raped for 4 preseason games. The line always seems to work out so Im gonna keep the faith until I have a reason to not.

Mike, that's as much a tribute to Unger and the concern I have for his loss that I can make; praying for his speedy recovery...

Originally Posted by hagan714

Yes there was a player better but we did not go for broke to sign him...
At times you gotta roll the dice. After years of rolling the dice in FA I like this one better than Byrd, Browner and Fleener.

We didn't spend the extra mil on Nicks and settle for Grubbs, and we weren't the same offense crucial third downs as we had been...

As I said on earlier post(s), not sold on Warford at all...

Hey, I've been pretty optimistic about many parts of our roster, before and after the draft; the interior Offensive line, have okay starters without Unger has me pessimistic right now...

neugey · 05-16-2017, 05:25 PM

Week 1 is going to be interesting and telling for both teams - Peterson, Ingram and Kamara versus Latavious, McKinnon and Cook.

WillSaints81 · 05-16-2017, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by neugey

Week 1 is going to be interesting and telling for both teams - Peterson, Ingram and Kamara versus Latavious, McKinnon and Cook.

McKinnon is most likely a non factor. And it's two different defenses. We need to hope to be at their level in stopping the run. The problem is Cook. We have nothing on him to study. We did well against Murray last year but he's in a run-first scheme now.

05-16-2017, 02:41 PM	#1
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,738 Blog Entries: 3	Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's By Nick Underhill -- Advocate Joel Thomas knows this team has an opportunity. The Saints running backs coach sees the names on the depth chart -- Adrian Peterson, Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara -- and the possibilities start to swirl. This group could be special. This group could be one, like in 2009 and 2011 when New Orleans averaged more than 130 rushing yards per game, that complements the passing game and takes pressure off the defense. “It’s an opportunity to do something here that hasn’t been done before,” Thomas said. “We have very talented running backs in our room right now. You can put us up there with these other groups, whether it’s Atlanta’s duo or Dallas’ duo. I think we got one of the better groups in the NFL. “We just got to produce. That’s the bottom line. It’s all talk right now until we get to Sundays in September.” Full story:The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's \| Saints \| theadvocate.com jnormand likes this.

05-16-2017, 04:40 PM	#3
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's I hope Larry Warford returns to the player he early on and not the the player he was the last few years. Not saying the signing was bad but I know his game deteriorated for what ever the reason was in Detroit. Warford was Pro Football Focus' No. 19 guard last season, receiving plus marks for his run blocking. Larry Warford - New Orleans Saints - 2017 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com His rookie season was lights out K Major likes this.

05-16-2017, 04:51 PM	#4
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,738 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's Originally Posted by hagan714 His rookie season was lights out Yep. He was rated as a top 5 GUARD his rookie season. Last season wasn't too bad either (played pretty well against us). I think the change of scenery will do him some good. I think we upgraded our line with this signing. MarchingOn likes this.

05-16-2017, 08:24 PM	#5
WillSaints81 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 4,267	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's Originally Posted by hagan714 I hope Larry Warford returns to the player he early on and not the the player he was the last few years. Not saying the signing was bad but I know his game deteriorated for what ever the reason was in Detroit. Warford was Pro Football Focus' No. 19 guard last season, receiving plus marks for his run blocking. Larry Warford - New Orleans Saints - 2017 Player Profile - Rotoworld.com His rookie season was lights out I don't get why we signed another Evans then. Or someone worse. There weren't better available? hagan714 likes this.

05-16-2017, 09:27 PM	#6
K Major Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 24,738 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's Originally Posted by WillSaints81 I don't get why we signed another Evans then. Or someone worse. There weren't better available? He is young, talented, on the upswing and is a natural guard. The Saints are building a top 5 caliber O line. Warford actually played in our system when Lombardi was there. IMO he is better than former Cow Ronald Leary who signed a big contract this off season. Evans will be 34 in August. Larry is a HOSS. You can never have enough of those on the line. Another SB run is coming. hagan714 likes this.

05-16-2017, 03:31 PM	#2
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's Solid run game. Middle of the pack defense. Championship! Danno, SmashMouth and WhoDatSay87 like this.

05-17-2017, 05:22 AM	#7
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's Originally Posted by WillSaints81 I don't get why we signed another Evans then. Or someone worse. There weren't better available? Yes there was a player better but we did not go for broke to sign him This is a bit of a gamble and maybe a change of teams is just what the Dr orders for him. I do not mind the signing and will be watching what happens. If he bounces back the saints made a solid move cap wise by signing him. I am still banking on Klien to be the biggest bang for the buck this year, he might be #2 This is why I did not fly off the handle. Pass blocking is my biggest concern right now. But he is better than other option we have right now. At times you gotta roll the dice. After years of rolling the dice in FA I like this one better than Byrd, Browner and Fleener.
	"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

05-17-2017, 06:25 AM	#8
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's Originally Posted by CharityMike Yeah well..just think how we all felt last season looking at our O line get raped for 4 preseason games. The line always seems to work out so Im gonna keep the faith until I have a reason to not. Mike, that's as much a tribute to Unger and the concern I have for his loss that I can make; praying for his speedy recovery... Originally Posted by hagan714 Yes there was a player better but we did not go for broke to sign him... At times you gotta roll the dice. After years of rolling the dice in FA I like this one better than Byrd, Browner and Fleener. We didn't spend the extra mil on Nicks and settle for Grubbs, and we weren't the same offense crucial third downs as we had been... As I said on earlier post(s), not sold on Warford at all... Hey, I've been pretty optimistic about many parts of our roster, before and after the draft; the interior Offensive line, have okay starters without Unger has me pessimistic right now...

05-16-2017, 05:25 PM	#9
neugey Hu Dat! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,819 Blog Entries: 13	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's Week 1 is going to be interesting and telling for both teams - Peterson, Ingram and Kamara versus Latavious, McKinnon and Cook.

05-16-2017, 08:27 PM	#10
WillSaints81 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 4,267	Re: Underhill: The Saints believe their running game has the potential to be as good as anyone's Originally Posted by neugey Week 1 is going to be interesting and telling for both teams - Peterson, Ingram and Kamara versus Latavious, McKinnon and Cook. McKinnon is most likely a non factor. And it's two different defenses. We need to hope to be at their level in stopping the run. The problem is Cook. We have nothing on him to study. We did well against Murray last year but he's in a run-first scheme now.

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