Mark Ingram Not a Part of Saints Future?
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram will enter the 2014 NFL season as a lame duck. According to reports, the Saints are not planning on exercising his fifth year option for the 2015 season, which will in effect make his 2014 season a contract year.
The Saints would still hold first rights to keep Ingram following the 2014 season, should he have a successful year. However, with his 2015 price tag costing over $5 million, deciding not to pick up the option appeared to be a fairly easy decision.
The former Alabama star running back has flashed some solid ability as an every down back, but has never been able to consistently dominate through three seasons in the league. Part of Ingram’s lack of prowess can surely be attributed to the system in New Orleans.
Not only does the offense cater to Drew Brees and a potent passing attack, but Ingram has also never been giving a huge opportunity to become the threat the Saints initially envisioned him as when they drafted him in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Health Concerns
In addition, Ingram has struggled mightily to stay healthy, while participating in a three-headed horse backfield with the Saints. In 2011 and 2012, Ingram constantly shared the football with Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, while Darren Sproles would take over on third downs.
Sproles continued to do the third down work in 2013 before being traded this offseason, while Khiry Robinson took over Ivory’s old role once he was traded to the New York Jets before the 2013 NFL season.
Ingram has an uphill battle to prove he can stay healthy and be a legit starting running back. With just 156 rushing attempts as his career high, it doesn’t appear likely that Ingram will suddenly be handed the keys to the backfield in the offense. Instead, the Saints will almost certainly continue with a true running back by committee approach.
To make matters worse, Robinson impressed late in the 2013 season and he could easily begin 2014 as the main early down back. If Ingram cannot unseat him and show the Saints he’s still the running back they drafted him to be, his days with the Saints could be over.
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