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Mark Ingram is back and 'ready to work' with the Saints



By Luke Johnson, NOLA.com
The Times-Picayune

That Mark Ingram was there to meet his New Orleans Saints teammates when they arrived at the airport after a 33-18 win in New York was not a surprise to teammate Demario Davis.

"He's a guy who is ready to get back to work," Davis said.

Ingram is officially back in the fold after serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing drugs (a charge Ingram unsuccessfully challenged on the basis that the substance was permissible).

He brought his trademark energy when he greeted the team at the airport after they arrived late Sunday (Sept. 30).

"It was just joy and excitement," said left tackle Terron Armstead. "Mark is a guy that is loved by the entire locker room and the entire organization. It's just the energy he brings, the positivity he brings to the team. His energy is contagious."

In a conference call Tuesday (Oct. 2), Saints coach Sean Payton said Ingram looked to be in fine shape physically, noting that it was just four weeks away from the team. Ingram also competed in Saints' training camp and preseason games.

"He wasn't gone for a year and a half or been a castaway on an island," Payton said. "It was four weeks. He's in good shape."

Last season, he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also set a career high in receptions (58) and receiving yards (416).

By combining Ingram with Alvin Kamara, the Saints finished No. 5 in the NFL in rushing and led the league with 23 rushing touchdowns and a 4.7 yards per carry average.

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K Major

K Major

Good sound byte & analysis from Chris Carter on the return of MI aka Angrum.

AsylumGuido

This is the first time that the definitive reason for Ingram's suspension was stated, as far as I am aware. It had been alluded to that it was not any sort of "performance enhancing substance," yet never clearly stated. Cold medicine is allowed with the proper authorization. Ingram fired his agent before this became public. How much you want to bet his agent failed to get the official "OK" as was his responsibility?

ChrisXVI

735 yards in 12 games... Think he can do it and become #1 in Saints history?

AsylumGuido

Easily. He'll also break Deuce's all-time rushing TD record of 49 with six more TD's.

Mr.Riaton

The fact that we are 3-1 on his return is great! I'm excited!

The Dude

Not to mention the points we have been putting up without him.
He’s gonna bring a lot to that locker room.

Thirty3

Contract year. Kamara playing lights out. Ingram will truly run with passion. Expecting great things.

AsylumGuido

Also, don't forget that he worked all this off-season with a speed coach to get faster and a route running coach! Add to that the way he got screwed over by the league on this whole suspension deal and he'll be running with an extra passion.