The journey of Chris Ivory: Dismissed, discarded and, finally, celebrated (5 Viewers)

[rsmith2783]

The issues were injury and versatility. <b>I always got the sense that the Saints didn't trust Chris in the passing game--both catching the ball out of the backfield and picking up blitzes to protect Brees.</b>

I'm not sure how true this is but if you notice, every RB that we have either drafted (or signed) and they are not in the game, that statement has always been speculated.

When Khiry was a rookie, he didn't play much because it was assumed that he either didn't know the playbook or couldn't pick up blitzes. I believe it was assumed the samething about Pierre Thomas in his rookie year or even Marcus Murphy at this point.

 

[rsmith2783]

If we had never spent two 1st round picks on Ingram, Chris Ivory would still be here. I remember when he single-handedly help us beat the Falcons who were 7-0 back in 2012.

 

[crosswatt]

Health. He could never stay healthy and given his history there was no reason to think that would change.

It hasn't. He's already missed a game this season. Regardless, I'm glad he has earned a place for himself in the league, and wish him the best going forward.

 

[Zztop]

 

[rsmith2783]

The play that will never be forgotten.

 

[mg450]

I don't dislike Mark Ingram. He's a fine back. And he must be a leader in the locker room based on the staff's love of him. But at no point in his career has he been the best back in the roster. He is a fairly "complete" back. But Ivory was clearly a better runner. Same with Khiry. Spiller is clearly a better receiver and I'd like to see what he could do with more chances to run (and not just on the 3 plays he's in which alerts the whole D he's getting it). This is not an anti-Ingram post. But a post noting how strong Ivory and others have been (at lower cost) and maybe we'd better served letting those guys handle things. I'd be thrilled with a backfield of 50/50 Khiry/Spiller. Just as I would've been fine if they'd chosen Ivory over Ingram three years ago.

 

[CRESS_137]

This was interesting:
"I don't know why they traded him," said a longtime personnel executive, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "To me, he was the best back they had."

Many of us felt the same way.

This.
I don't understand this Mark Ingram has been prioritized over other backs that we have (present & future). I'm not saying this to bash him. He is serviceable in his own right. It's just that players like Khiry Robinson & Chris Ivory take a back seat to a RB that has less upside.
Just my opinion.

 

[kcirdor]

If we had never spent two 1st round picks on Ingram, Chris Ivory would still be here. I remember when he single-handedly help us beat the Falcons who were 7-0 back in 2012.

What are these two first round picks you speak of? We spent ONE 1st round pick, and traded a 2nd round pick to acquire that first rounder. We swapped first rounders from one year to the next. Swapping does not equate spending.

NFL Draft Trade: Patriots, Saints Put Together Mark Ingram Swap - SBNation.com

 

[Zztop]

The play that will never be forgotten.

if only i could still find the zoomed-in .gif where he stiff-armed the falcon backwards.

 

[UptownFuz504]

That's nonsense. Our rushing stats for 2009 and 2011 were exceptional, which also corresponds to our 2 most successful years as a franchise. I don't think that is coincidence.

All those rushes came when we were up big. We rushed to control the clock. The rushing stats were a byproduct of the elite passing game.

 

[mither_rome]

So, sending decent running backs from a Pass Heavy team to a run heavy team has nothing to do with it?

We'll always post mediocre rushing stats. It has nothing to do with the back. It's the system.

It is part of the system. You know how those rushing yards were accrued? When we pass our *** off to get up 21 points. Then, we ran the ball for another 21 points. We run the ball exceptionally well when beat the brakes off of teams with our passing game. Wake up...

...which is it?

Right. It's part of the system. Pass to set up our mediocre rushing game that eclipsed 2k yards in both '09 and '11. Everyone knows you have to be a run first offense to be considered anything better than mediocre. Your logic is sound. (that's sarcasm.)

Go back to sleep...

 

[SaintSeb]

All those rushes came when we were up big. We rushed to control the clock. The rushing stats were a byproduct of the elite passing game.

and elite offensive lines

 

[kcirdor]

All those rushes came when we were up big. We rushed to control the clock. The rushing stats were a byproduct of the elite passing game.

We ran the ball to stay balanced in 2009. I have broken down these play by play stats before.

Here is saints play counts from 2009.

Follow that quote to find my Excel file.


We ran the ball vs the Falcons last week trying to stay balanced even though the oline couldn't open a hole. It helped the passing game open up.

 

[UptownFuz504]

It is part of the system. You know how those rushing yards were accrued? When we pass our *** off to get up 21 points. Then, we ran the ball for another 21 points. We run the ball exceptionally well when beat the brakes off of teams with our passing game. Wake up...

I said the same thing before I read this. You beat me to it. Further more, I think all of the backs, Ingram, Ivory, and Robinson would be better in an offense where running was not an afterthought. PT is the perfect back for this offense whereas he wouldn't be as successful in a traditional offense (probably 1 of the reasons he hasn't stuck anywhere). PT is overvalued by Saints fans and properly valued by every other team. Being up on your opponent makes running much easier.

 

[kcirdor]

It is part of the system. You know how those rushing yards were accrued? When we pass our *** off to get up 21 points. Then, we ran the ball for another 21 points. We run the ball exceptionally well when beat the brakes off of teams with our passing game. Wake up...

This is not accurate.