With the 24th pick in the NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints select... (4 Viewers)

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Mark Ingram (maybe).

Heisman Trophy-winning running back Mark Ingram of Alabama working with local trainer

Published: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:29 AM Updated: Wednesday, February 16, 2011, 7:58 AM

By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

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Enlarge Eliot Kamenitz, The Times-Picayune ELIOT KAMENITZ / THE TIMES PICAYUNE Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram works out with trainer Wyatt Harris in Jefferson at the Sonic Boom Speed Conditioning and Strength Center on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. <!-- --><!-- -->
Tailback Mark Ingram, who won a national championship and a Heisman during his high-profile career at Alabama, moved to the area last month to train for his pro career in more low-key surroundings.


He is projected as the top tailback in this year's draft, most likely in the top-20 range overall. The Saints, who pick 24th, could use a runner like Ingram, especially if they part ways with Pierre Thomas and/or Reggie Bush.

"That'd be nice," Ingram said. "But I'm just excited to go through the whole process, and wherever I end up, I'm going to be focused on being the best player I can be and helping them win championships."

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/02/heisman_trophy-winning_running.html

I could see this guy being on our pick if he is available. I know we need help in our front seven and I think the Saints will target defense early in the draft and in free agency, assuming there is a free agency period. But I also think this team is committed to improving the running game. Payton has talked about Chris Ivory assuming Mike Bell's role and has a vision for Bush on the team. If Pierre is not back, I could see the team drafting Ingram if they get the chance. He's an all-around back and while many people liken him to Emmitt Smith, the way he plants and gets up field and his work ethic reminds me a bit of Tomlinson. I am not saying he's Tomlinson or will be as good. Notwithstanding, he does seem to have a love for New Orleans and plans to work out here throughout the offseason.





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I doubt he will still be there at #24 and i would rather take a DE or OLB at that point in the draft, we could get a RB with much greater value latter on in the draft, its not like we need a RB anyways. What are the odds of all our RB's getting injured again this year, if we can retain Reggie or Pierre, plus keep Ivory and Hamilton, we should be fine.
 
I doubt he will still be there at #24 and i would rather take a DE or OLB at that point in the draft, we could get a RB with much greater value latter on in the draft, its not like we need a RB anyways. What are the odds of all our RB's getting injured again this year, if we can retain Reggie or Pierre, plus keep Ivory and Hamilton, we should be fine.

I am not opposed to seeing us take a DE in the first round or even an OLB. But I am also not closed to the idea that we could very well take a RB. I think some of you could be setting yourself up for disappointment if you don't entertain the idea. It's reminding me a bit of the year when the Saints took Meachem while a lot of people just assumed that CB or LB would automatically be the way we went in the draft. It's funny to see Mike Triplett suggest we could use a guy like Ingram and a lot of Saints fans remain closed to the idea. There's also this belief that we will just continue to hit on late round/UDFAs. Fortunately, it has worked out for us. But at some point, you have to do more than just apply a bandaid to the bleeding. Then there are those who point to the success by LaGarette Blount as an UDFA, not keeping in mind that Blount was a second-round prospect who went undrafted due to the incident against Boise and other character concerns.


Also, what are the chances of all our RBs getting injured again? Hmm, let's see. The fact that since 2007, all of our RBs have been injured each year. The only difference this year is that players were hurt for longer stretches. But none of our guys have shown the ability to stay healthy. And today's game, that's almost becoming rare, which is why, as Sean Payton suggested, you can never have too many good players at that position. But part of the reasons a lot of these guys go undrafted is because of concerns about durability and things of that nature. Pierre is not lacking talent. But he gets nicked up quite a bit. Chris Ivory is a beast! But he has not shown that he can stay healthy. If a player like Ingram falls, you have to take him, that is, unless a top DE is on the board.

Chances are, there will be a run on DEs. There always is, and a lot of teams picking ahead of us have needs at those positions. Miami might be only team that could take Ingram over us. But if Ingram is there, and the choice is say, Ingram or Allen Bailey or one of the hybrid LBs, I am taking Ingram and I am certain the team would. And there's that possibility. If you look at a lot the mocks coming out, most of the guys we would target at DE are gone and you have a lot of the mocks having the Saints taking Stephen Paea. Paea might slide because of his injury and, besides, he's not really the NT we need in our defense.

To me, our focus has to be on getting better as a team however that might come. To ignore certain positions or sides of the ball because we are focused on one or two deficiencies on the other side of the ball would be irresponsible. And it is the type of mistakes that lead to getting exposed. Thankfully, this front office has been smart about planning for the short-term and long-term success of this team and I am confident that we will address needs at DE, RB, LB, DT, S, and OL while also being vigilant about improving the overall depth on the team.
 

Hmm, who called it "new" news? I posted the NewOrleans.Com article about Ingram working out with Sonic Boom a few weeks ago so I know that his working out here is not news. However, this is a "new" article and one where Mike Triplett, unlike a lot of Saints fans here, at least entertains the possiblity of the Saints taking Ingram.
 
Good points 60min. I will take a #1 RB over a #7-10 DE anyday. You don't pick a rotten apple just because you need an apple
especially when there is a ripe fresh orange that will satisfy your needs as well.
 
I am not opposed to seeing us take a DE in the first round or even an OLB. But I am also not closed to the idea that we could very well take a RB. I think some of you could be setting yourself up for disappointment if you don't entertain the idea. It's reminding me a bit of the year when the Saints took Meachem while a lot of people just assumed that CB or LB would automatically be the way we went in the draft. It's funny to see Mike Triplett suggest we could use a guy like Ingram and a lot of Saints fans remain closed to the idea. There's also this belief that we will just continue to hit on late round/UDFAs. Fortunately, it has worked out for us. But at some point, you have to do more than just apply a bandaid to the bleeding. Then there are those who point to the success by LaGarette Blount as an UDFA, not keeping in mind that Blount was a second-round prospect who went undrafted due to the incident against Boise and other character concerns.


Also, what are the chances of all our RBs getting injured again? Hmm, let's see. The fact that since 2007, all of our RBs have been injured each year. The only difference this year is that players were hurt for longer stretches. But none of our guys have shown the ability to stay healthy. And today's game, that's almost becoming rare, which is why, as Sean Payton suggested, you can never have too many good players at that position. But part of the reasons a lot of these guys go undrafted is because of concerns about durability and things of that nature. Pierre is not lacking talent. But he gets nicked up quite a bit. Chris Ivory is a beast! But he has not shown that he can stay healthy. If a player like Ingram falls, you have to take him, that is, unless a top DE is on the board.

Chances are, there will be a run on DEs. There always is, and a lot of teams picking ahead of us have needs at those positions. Miami might be only team that could take Ingram over us. But if Ingram is there, and the choice is say, Ingram or Allen Bailey or one of the hybrid LBs, I am taking Ingram and I am certain the team would. And there's that possibility. If you look at a lot the mocks coming out, most of the guys we would target at DE are gone and you have a lot of the mocks having the Saints taking Stephen Paea. Paea might slide because of his injury and, besides, he's not really the NT we need in our defense.

To me, our focus has to be on getting better as a team however that might come. To ignore certain positions or sides of the ball because we are focused on one or two deficiencies on the other side of the ball would be irresponsible. And it is the type of mistakes that lead to getting exposed. Thankfully, this front office has been smart about planning for the short-term and long-term success of this team and I am confident that we will address needs at DE, RB, LB, DT, S, and OL while also being vigilant about improving the overall depth on the team.
I just don't want to take him that early in the draft, i do hope we draft a RB, but in the latter rounds of the draft. I keep seeing games in my head with PT, Reggie, Ivory, and Ingram all playing in, who is going to get the ball? I know chances are we don't resign PT if we draft Mark Ingram, but it is still possible. And how many games did we lose this year because of the RB's? I would say zero. We could use an upgrade at RB, but its not a glaring issue like OLB or DE, just my opinion, understand where you are coming from.
 
Ingram is the top rated RB in the draft. I doubt he falls out of the top 10. We don't have enough amunition to trade up in the top 10, without giving up our 1st, highest 3rd and maybe a player. I say keep our picks and go Defense and pick up a RB with 3rd #2 pick.
 
Why trade up for ingram when Leshoure and plenty of other Good runners are likely to be around in rounds 1-3?
 
This guy could totally be there at #24.
This is a VERY HEAVY defensive draft.

Let's see him run at Indy first, though.......
SD paid dearly for Ryan Matthews and that didnt work out too well.....
Neither has Beanie Wells in Arizona due to injuries.

Running backs are a dime a dozen and these days, with the "RB BY COMMITTEE" approach way in style around todays NFL, top HBs are not getting picked in round 1 as much. I mean.....Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory.....our two best runners, were both undrafted. I'd rather go all defense on Day 1 and pick up some spare parts on offense in the late rounds.
 

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