New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram has signed his rookie contract, and joined the Saints for on-field practice on Saturday. Financial details on the contract weren’t released.
With the trading of Reggie Bush to the Miami Dolphins this week, the Saints seem to have set their running back lineup before training camp has really gotten started. They have great depth beyond Ingram with returning veterans Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas, who led the team in rushing for 2010 and 2009 respectively, along with newly acquired Darren Sproles from San Diego.
The Saints were plagued with injuries at running back last year, with both Thomas and Bush missing games, forcing them to shuffle the roster. The addition of Ingram provides New Orleans with a talented, durable back possessing the skills to become an every down runner — the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner played in 39 games at Alabama and rushed for 3,261 yards, scoring 46 touchdowns.
In spite of his high draft position (he was the first running back selected in the draft, with the 28th pick in the first round), the depth that the Saints have at running back leaves open some question on how head coach Sean Payton will use each player.
Fortunately, Ingram comes in with a team-first mentality. “I really have no expectations as far as how many times [I'll touch the football] or what’s going to happen,” Ingram said to The Times-Picayune.
“At the end of the day, I just want to go into camp, work my butt off and do whatever I can to help the team win.”
He is excited to join a team that won the Super Bowl so recently, in the 2009 season. “I think people are just excited that I’m here,” said Ingram. “I’m excited to be a part of the Saints — great organization, great team, great administration, great leadership. So it’s just great to be a part of a program like the Saints.”
Ingram officially joined the team for on-field activities today, but he had the opportunity to meet and work with some of his teammates during the lockout by attending player-organized workouts. We were able to catch up with him during those workouts, where he got a head start on conditioning, and getting to know his teammates and the playbook.
He commented this week about the player-organized workouts during the lockout, “Drew [Brees] and a couple of the guys helped me out with some of the things, like terminology and basic plays. When I went out there and practiced with them, the older guys definitely helped me out, but I still have a lot to learn.”
As a tremendously productive back in college with a great attitude, joining an established organization with great offensive leadership, big things are expected from Ingram this season. The only question that could affect his numbers is how the Saints elect to distribute plays among their various running backs, and Ingram figures to be a great contributor from day one.
