Blessedog
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Seems to be the Reddit versoin of Bclemms.
LINK: https://www.reddit.com/r/Saints/comments/5acrcr/a_little_statistical_analysis_on_mark_ingram/
Just wanted to share this with you guys and spark some conversation.
Another poster replied and said that the biggest criticism with Ingram is the lack of explosive plays and him being above average but not top tier. I think this is the biggest gripe with Ingram on this board and I am also in that camp. Solid, does his job, but just not explosive enough to rip off the huge play. I just wanted to share this with you guys. Not meant to start an Ingram vs Hightower debate though.
LINK: https://www.reddit.com/r/Saints/comments/5acrcr/a_little_statistical_analysis_on_mark_ingram/
Just wanted to share this with you guys and spark some conversation.
A lot of folks around here are suddenly acting like Mark Ingram is Trent Richardson, which obviously isn't the case. Here's a little analysis to put that to rest.
Fumbles
Even when we include the two fumbles in his last two games, Mark Ingram has always been very reliable with the ball. In fact, of all RBs with at least 800 rush attempts since 2011, he ranks 6th best in the league at fumbles per touch (includes receptions), fumbling less than once per 100 touches.
Let's not forget that HIGHTOWER ALSO FUMBLED YESTERDAY. It got nullified by a penalty on Seattle, and his knee might have been down (there was obviously no review due to the penalty), but if you're worried about Ingram's ball security, that issue obviously isn't instantly wiped away. We played two of the best teams in the league in terms of forcing fumbles the last two weeks. Stuff happens.
Stuffs
Hightower was stopped for no gain or a loss on 5 carries yesterday, and was stopped for 1 yard or less on 8 carries.
Ingram has not eclipsed either of those numbers in any game this year. In 6 games this year, he's never had more than 2 carries for no gain or less and never had more than 4 carries for 1 yard or less.
Goal Line
Hightower had 7 rushes and one target inside the opponent's 5 yard line yesterday with no touchdowns (although one did result in a first down). On 4 rushes/targets inside the 5 this year for Ingram, he's converted 3 times.
Since 2014, Ingram's 14 TD runs/catches inside the opponents 5 yard line put him behind only Jeremy Hill over that span.
Efficiency
Since 2014, Ingram is 10th among active rushers with at least 300 carries in yards per attempt, at 4.31. He is 7th among active rushers in rushing TDs. Over that same span he also averages 87 yards from scrimmage per game, which amounts to 9th best among active RBs.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
It means we've been overreacting. I think Sean made a good decision to bench Ingram and see what Hightower could do yesterday. Ingram had a couple really huge mistakes in the past couple games and needed a wake up call. That said, I don't think Hightower played so well that Ingram should be out of a job. He played well, but I think this week's game just strengthened the notion that we need to commit to the run even when we're behind. Ingram is a good back and is a major contributor in this offense. I do think Hightower has earned his share of carries, though, and using him a bit more often would undoubtedly help deter Ingram's habit of getting injured. Daniel Lasco has also shown some promise and has been brilliant on special teams so I'm excited to see his career unfold.
Another poster replied and said that the biggest criticism with Ingram is the lack of explosive plays and him being above average but not top tier. I think this is the biggest gripe with Ingram on this board and I am also in that camp. Solid, does his job, but just not explosive enough to rip off the huge play. I just wanted to share this with you guys. Not meant to start an Ingram vs Hightower debate though.