Mark Ingram comments on Saints signing Adrian Peterson
The New Orleans Saints signed veteran running back Adrian Peterson to a two-year contract. Current Saints back Mark Ingram just wants to win.
It must be a difficult position to be placed in. You are a veteran player on a solid team, the focal point in the backfield. Then, your front office calls you in to a meeting only to say “We have signed a future Hall of Fame player, and he plays your position.” It is not easy to hear.
That is exactly what New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram heard from his team. The Saints signed former Minnesota Viking running back Adrian Peterson to a two-year agreement. What his full role is, and that of Ingram, are yet to be determined. If you ask Ingram, however, he just wants the team to be successful.
Ingram on a conference call with media. On @AdrianPeterson "I am all about winning, so if that's what helps us win - I am all for it"
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 25, 2017
"Obviously (Peterson) is a first-ballot hall of famer. I can learn a lot from him," - Ingram #Saints
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 25, 2017
That is the attitude the team wants to hear from their leading rusher. Yet, Ingram’s career is littered with injuries, having only played 16 games twice. Last year was one of those seasons, and he rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. He also contributed four touchdowns receiving in 2016.
The tandem of Ingram and Peterson gives the Saints one of the best backfields in all of the NFL. That is, if they stay healthy. Peterson averages more than 240 carries per season, along with approximately 1,200 yards. As a team, the Saints averaged 108 yards per game in 2016. However, they only attempted 404 rushes all season, compared to 674 passing attempts.
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With the dynamic duo of running backs now on the field, those numbers should become balanced. And the Saints’ offense more potent.