The New Orleans Saints have never been a rush-first type of team. With Drew Brees as their quarterback, the team passes way more than they run. However, the Saints have three talented running backs on the roster, essentially gathering dust on the sidelines. This has resulted in sputtering careers for everyone involved, especially Mark Ingram.
In his third year in the NFL, Ingram has yet to make a real impact with the team, not that he has ever really been given a chance to. The former Heisman trophy winner put up 602 rushing yards last season and five touchdowns, a far cry from what he would produce in college. In Sunday's win against the Atlanta Falcons, the running back had 11 yards off nine carries as part of a three-man rotation. Head coach Sean Payton understands the offensive scheme might not work in the running back's favor.
"I think it's a fair question," Payton said, via PFT Live. "It's a good question because we try to look at that and make sure, 'Hey, is this the right play or player? Did he have a chance?' [On] one weakside lead play, he slips on the turf and get a minus-two loss where we think it's well blocked, so you know that's something I'm sure he frustrated with. Then there is a run or two where it's tough for any of our backs, but overall you get a feel and I think he had a couple positive runs for us against Atlanta, be it on a draw or an outside zone scheme."
Consistency has been the biggest issue for Ingram, along with Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles. The three backs are constantly running off and on the field in place of one another. The three do not get a chance to get into a rhythm and start building some momentum. Payton notes that it has been a struggle trying to figure out the best approach with the three rushers.
"I think from a consistency standpoint it is probably spread across the board. In other words there were some snaps where you look at Mark and say, 'Hey, we can do more than this.' Then there are a few snaps where it probably didn't matter if Barry Sanders was back there, we are going to be in trouble," Payton said.
Payton broke down the rushing attack in terms of roles. Sproles is more of the "joker" role, acting like Reggie Bush once did while Thomas and Ingram are downfield runners, thriving off of contact. He believes having three rushers on the team is very manageable, but so far it has not really benefitted anyone looking to put up big numbers.
