Sony Michel scheduled to visit Saints (2 Viewers)

[SigFreudianSlip]

Yeah, I think we needed another RB to share carries with Kamara regardless of any suspension. Kamara is best when you limit his touches to 20 or so per game. We don't want to run him into the ground like Carolina did with McCaffery. We had no choice last year after they mistakenly though that Jones, Jr. could replace Murray, but they should really add a partner for Kamara this year.

Bingo. We need someone moving forward to at least split the load with AK. Imo.

 

[St. Widge]

People keep saying Ingram is washed up, but what on earth makes anyone believe that?

He played well last year here given the situation adn he hasn't taken a beating in a couple of years. I don't think he's something we hang a season on, but he's surely not washed up.

He played okay, but he averaged less than 4 YPC and didn't appear to have the same burst he used to have. Plus he's 32 years-old and missed two or three games with injuries in the 10 games he was with us last year. At this point, he's probably a guy that should only get around 10 touches per game. And, even if Kamara wasn't going to get suspended for 5 or 6 games, we really need someone that can come closer to a time split with Kamara. And, if Kamara is out, I don't think Ingram is going to be very effective if he has to get 20 to 25 touches per game.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like big risk to risk your running game on a 32 year-old RB.

 

[saint_drago]

He played okay, but he averaged less than 4 YPC and didn't appear to have the same burst he used to have. Plus he's 32 years-old and missed two or three games with injuries in the 10 games he was with us last year. At this point, he's probably a guy that should only get around 10 touches per game. And, even if Kamara wasn't going to get suspended for 5 or 6 games, we really need someone that can come closer to a time split with Kamara. And, if Kamara is out, I don't think Ingram is going to be very effective if he has to get 20 to 25 touches per game.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like big risk to risk your running game on a 32 year-old RB.

Exactly. It's a big risk and an unnecessary one at that. If we were in the middle of the season and needed a RB like last season or 2010 then that would be one thing. At that point you just have to take what you can get and roll with it. But to start the season with a dodgy backfield situation is just setting your running game up to fail. But I don't think they'll do that. They have the cap space and the interest is there. It makes sense. Now they just have to make it make cents.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

He played okay, but he averaged less than 4 YPC and didn't appear to have the same burst he used to have. Plus he's 32 years-old and missed two or three games with injuries in the 10 games he was with us last year. At this point, he's probably a guy that should only get around 10 touches per game. And, even if Kamara wasn't going to get suspended for 5 or 6 games, we really need someone that can come closer to a time split with Kamara. And, if Kamara is out, I don't think Ingram is going to be very effective if he has to get 20 to 25 touches per game.

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like big risk to risk your running game on a 32 year-old RB.

I’ll go even further as I believe we need a bell cow to actually take most of the between the tackle type runs. Keep AK as a mismatch, perimeter player mostly with a few between the tackle runs to keep the D honest.

 

[St. Widge]

I’ll go even further as I believe we need a bell cow to actually take most of the between the tackle type runs. Keep AK as a mismatch, perimeter player mostly with a few between the tackle runs to keep the D honest.

I agree. AK can run between the tackles but he is better on the perimeter and in the passing game in space. It's fine to occasionally run him between the tackles to keep teams honest and he has made some big plays doing it, but it should not be his main role. Having a guy that can take 15 to 20 touches on inside runs (depending on game state) would be an ideal complement to Kamara. I'm just not sure that Ingram can give us that many touches per game and Jones, Jr. didn't show much last year when he got a shot.

And, when Kamara is out, we will really need someone who can take 20 to 25 touches per game.

 

[snake pliskin]

I agree. AK can run between the tackles but he is better on the perimeter and in the passing game in space. It's fine to occasionally run him between the tackles to keep teams honest and he has made some big plays doing it, but it should not be his main role. Having a guy that can take 15 to 20 touches on inside runs (depending on game state) would be an ideal complement to Kamara. I'm just not sure that Ingram can give us that many touches per game and Jones, Jr. didn't show much last year when he got a shot.

And, when Kamara is out, we will really need someone who can take 20 to 25 touches per game.

A good role for Ingram might be as "the closer'', fresh legs in the 4th quarter. I hope we sign Michel. I think the rookie Smith might also factor in the run game as well.

 

[St. Widge]

A good role for Ingram might be as "the closer'', fresh legs in the 4th quarter. I hope we sign Michel. I think the rookie Smith might also factor in the run game as well.

Yeah, I'm not counting Smith out. I just don't want to count on him to develop into a guy that can share the load this year. Ideally you add Michel and have Kamara, Michel, Ingram, and Smith at RB. That way you have depth in the event of a Kamara suspension combined with some experience, leadership, and youth.

And, yes, I could see Ingram in that close role coming in fresh near the end of a game so that he can get a bunch of quick carries and get in rhythm. Ingram always struck me as kind of an old school RB that took a few carries to get into rhythm. The closer role would be perfect for that.

 

[SigFreudianSlip]

I agree. AK can run between the tackles but he is better on the perimeter and in the passing game in space. It's fine to occasionally run him between the tackles to keep teams honest and he has made some big plays doing it, but it should not be his main role. Having a guy that can take 15 to 20 touches on inside runs (depending on game state) would be an ideal complement to Kamara. I'm just not sure that Ingram can give us that many touches per game and Jones, Jr. didn't show much last year when he got a shot.

And, when Kamara is out, we will really need someone who can take 20 to 25 touches per game.

Agreed.
I’m truly excited about our UDFA back from Baylor. Think he’s gonna impress.

 

[saint_drago]

I’ll go even further as I believe we need a bell cow to actually take most of the between the tackle type runs. Keep AK as a mismatch, perimeter player mostly with a few between the tackle runs to keep the D honest.

I remember a few years ago there was big debate on whether or not AK is bell cow. My point was that he absolutely can be a bell cow but just because he can doesn't necessarily mean he should.

Well fast forward to today and the Saints have used him in a tandem with Ingram/Murray with great success while other RBs have been run into the ground. Then last season he had a career high 287 touches and had his worst statistical season. Obviously there were a lot of factors to consider but still. I think it's clear that AK will always be best used in a tandem. Let AK work outside in space and use him in the passing game. Let another back get some of those tough yards between the 20s.

 

[WhoDatNationQC]

I remember a few years ago there was big debate on whether or not AK is bell cow. My point was that he absolutely can be a bell cow but just because he can doesn't necessarily mean he should.

Well fast forward to today and the Saints have used him in a tandem with Ingram/Murray with great success while other RBs have been run into the ground. Then last season he had a career high 287 touches and had his worst statistical season. Obviously there were a lot of factors to consider but still. I think it's clear that AK will always be best used in a tandem. Let AK work outside in space and use him in the passing game. Let another back get some of those tough yards between the 20s.

I'm not a fan of having Kamara lineup in the backfield on every single play. He's so good and elusive that we need to manage his minutes since he's not built like a tank where he can take the punishment a guy like Derrick Henry can.

Having another solid option at RB will keep Kamara fresh and rested which is already a plus if we can find his perfect partner and again, it's all about having balance and not having to rely on one single guy to do the entire heavy lifting. As good as Henry is, and we all know he's a special talent, the second he went down was the demise of the Titans. We already know we'll be without AK for several games, so we have to find a guy that will cover his loss.

I think Michel and his crew knows this and they probably have a little more leverage than we'd like in this situation but on the flip side, Loomis will probably try to wait it out in order to get the deal he wants.

 

[Cougar 2]

I definitely like the potential of adding Michel as well! But my “sleeper” vet RB right now is former KC RB Darrel Williams. Last year, the former Ehret n LSU Star n 4th yr pro had his best season!

144 carries, 558 yds, 3.9 ypc n 6 TDs. But he also added 47 catches for 452 yds, 9.6 ypc n another 2 TDs. A total of 1010 yds rushing n receiving yds n 8TDs! No, he’s not the biggest flashiest r fastest. But the 5’11”, 224 lb Williams is physical, runs HARD n knows HOW to play!





On a side note, now that his former KC teammate Tyrann is in da fold, MAYBE Mathieu might b able to add a lil somethin to da conversation. We’ll see.

 

[Saint Droopy]

 

[meily]

People keep saying Ingram is washed up, but what on earth makes anyone believe that?

He played well last year here given the situation adn he hasn't taken a beating in a couple of years. I don't think he's something we hang a season on, but he's surely not washed up.

I don't know what you were watching last year, but aside from the euphoria of having him back he was not the same player, he was slow to the edge on toss plays and though was effective between the tackles did not have the speed or power of previous years

The Saints let him go at the right time and brought him back based off need not production.

 

[jasonsw]

I don't know what you were watching last year, but aside from the euphorbia of having him back he was not the same player, he was slow to the edge on toss plays and though was effective between the tackles did not have the speed or power of previous years

The Saints let him go at the right time and brought him back based off need not production.

Ingrams best role is that of a club house guy. He has been done since end of 2019 now. Even 18 his final season he wasn't the same player. 15-17 were definitely his peak years looking back.

The 19 year in Baltimore appears to be an aberration. Thier lines are so good at creating holes you can Drive a Mac Truck through. Lamar Jackson causing opposing defenses confusion heloed Ingram greatly as well.

 

[whosyadaddy]

I don't know what you were watching last year, but aside from the euphorbia of having him back he was not the same player, he was slow to the edge on toss plays and though was effective between the tackles did not have the speed or power of previous years

The Saints let him go at the right time and brought him back based off need not production.

Yeah it has been obvious for two years now. Year before last he fell all the way down to 3rd string in Baltimore behind the rookie JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards. Harbaugh had to field constant questions in the media on the lack of carries for Ingram but the answer was constantly that the other RB's were having more success. One game he was a healthy scratch completely.