The New Orleans Saints got a much-needed win on Sunday as they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. With Mark Ingram officially out for the season, there was plenty of doubt entering Week 14 as to whether or not the Saints' offense could handle the exit of their leading rusher. With Tim Hightower having success on the ground over CJ Spiller, could the speedster be shopped in trades this offseason?
With Ingram out, Spiller was told that he was going to see more work in the offense. The running back who signed in free agency, has had a very quiet year as Ingram excelled over him. That did not change in Wee 14. Hightower led the way with 85 yards off 28 carries while Spiller had three carries for two yards and three catches for seven yards. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Saints favored Hightower because of his similar style to Ingram's while Spiller has fallen out of favor with the team altogether.
"From what I am told, he struggled to grasp this offense -- something which was never the problem for him in Buffalo," Rapoport said, via NFL.com. "They doubt some of the explosiveness that he has. At this point it seems to be a longshot that Spiller is on the Saints' team in 2016."
Spiller signed a four-year contract in the offseason to the tune of $16 million with $9 million in guaranteed money. Ingram is also inked to a long-term deal. With New Orleans needing to cut costs in the offseason, dumping Spiller might be an ideal move. The running back could still hold value in the league despite the bad season and a change of scenery could get him back on track.
Meanwhile, Hightower is looking like a solid replacement for the season. The running back scored his first touchdown since 2011. He told the media hat he was emotional after the win.
"Very emotional," said Hightower, via ESPN.com. "I've been on a team where you're starting to get to the end of the season and, 'Ahh, we didn't make the playoffs,' and guys just folded it in. We didn't do that, man. To come out here on the road and get this win against a team that's been playing pretty well, we didn't do it."
The Saints looked like their old self on Sunday. The team thrived thanks to the arm of Drew Brees. With injuries at the receiver position, Willie Snead and Benjamin Watson stepped up while Marques Colston added two touchdowns. The Saints are hopeful that continues throughout the final three games.
