It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

I hope the Saints re-sign him to a long term contract!

And look, Kamara’s been incredibly explosive and versatile and fun, but Ingram’s quietly been one of the most efficient and effective running backs in the league for years now. Going back to the start of the 2014 season, the former Heisman Trophy winner has racked up 29 rushing touchdowns (tied for third most league-wide) and 3,582 yards (sixth), yet he’s remained mostly underappreciated by fans and the media at large, who have never consistently counted him among the NFL’s elite. Hell, even his own team has seemed to undervalue him—despite Ingram’s career year in 2016, when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards on 5.1 per carry and scored 10 total touchdowns, the Saints still went out and inexplicably signed another early-down back in Adrian Peterson over the offseason.

Ingram cracked the 5,000-yard mark for his career in the win; he and Deuce McAllister are the only two Saints backs to hit that milestone. He also moved past Ricky Williams for third in New Orleans franchise history in 100-yard games (13) and pushed into the second spot in rushing touchdowns (40). Through 11 weeks, Ingram now ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards (806), is tied for first in rushing touchdowns (8), and is fourth in yards per attempt (5.2). He’s first in Football Outsiders DYAR (total value), first in DVOA (value per play), and third in success rate (successful running plays divided by total running plays). He’s third in yards after contact per rush (3.2) per Pro Football Focus, and tied for second in the NFL in 15-plus yard runs (11) with a breakaway percentage of 36.6, fourth best in the NFL. And he’s done all that while sharing time with Kamara and (briefly) Peterson. By pretty much any metric, Ingram’s put himself among the elite this year.

https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2017/1...s-appreciation

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

Sign him, pay him.

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

Somebody will pay him. I hope it's us.

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

I really don't want to speak out on it but I would hate to overvalue him because the offense we run. Kamara has a higher ypc and that's helping a lot.

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

If you didn't want to speak out on it why did you? What was the point you made about Ingram by mentioning Kara's ypc? I have always thought he was never given the credit he deserves. He has a big heart, has been a good mentor to others and now, when he has been allowed to get into a rhythm, is producing. Of course it's the offense we run because if Brees was on 4,000 yards now do you think any running back would be a major part where yards are concerned? We are more balanced, we are not relying on Brees so it stands to reason our running backs are benefitting from it. Yes, it would have been preferable if you didn't speak out.

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

So far Kamara has appeared to be durable, but he is not the every down back. Ingram has shown to not be durable in the past. We need two solid backs for the type of offense we run. I believe Ingram has proved worthy, this year, of keeping him under contract. I have a feeling it is going to cost us dearly.

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

Almost 28 with 7 years already on him, not sure if long term would be in the best interest of the Saints.

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

Ingram deserves the big contract, the two headed monster we have at the minute is unbelievable. Let's keep it that way.

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

Our running game is the most important part of our team this week. We need to get our running game going. That can help us protect oru injured defense.

Re: It’s Time to Give Mark Ingram His Due
 

I'm going to let the remainder of the season play out before sticking my foot in my mouth. I thought the corner was turned for Mark Ingram after a 145-yard game against the Cowboys a number of years back, but then he flattened out.

I think Ingram's motivation is knowing that Kamara may peak much earlier than he did, if he can stay healthy, and Ingram needs to fight right now to keep what relevance he has.

I am aware that their running styles are quite different. No need to point that out, and whatever happens here-forward, THIS feeling is quite awesome.