Mark Ingram impressing in New Orleans Saints training camp
By Mike Dyce
Running back Mark Ingram came into the NFL with a Heisman Trophy on his resume, but like a lot of Heisman winners he hasn’t lived up to the hype. In his first two seasons he has rushed for a total of 1,076 yards and averaging 3.9 yards per carry.
Ingram has improved though and is turning heads at the New Orleans Saints training camp.
From Mike Triplett of NOLA.com:
"Ingram got the majority of carries with the first-string offense during Monday’s practice and continued to look strong, fast and fluid. If this were Ingram’s first summer with the Saints, the buzz would probably be through the roof by now. But obviously the slow start to his NFL career has created more doubt and skepticism. So he’ll need to prove it in the regular season."
Part of what has held running back Mark Ingram back is the Saints inclination to use a running back by committee approach. It is what led former Saints running back Chris Ivory to leave and sign with the New York Jets.
They still have Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas on the roster as well. Sproles is used more as a receiver out of the back field having more receptions than carries last season (75 catches, 48 carries).
Ingram led the Saints in carries last year with 156, Pierre Thomas was second with 105 carries.