Mark Ingram to the Saints - Fantasy Impact?

[Sgt John]

I thought this pick was worth its own discussion thread here. Looking around, the Saints have Thomas, Ivory, and Ingram...easily too many mouths to feed in that backfield.

How do you guys see this shaking out?

Im thinking the biggest loser was Pierre Thomas. Im assuming Ingram and Ivory going forward with Ivory at the #2 spot, with Thomas' slow healing ankle being his eventual doom.

Can Thomas be happy as a #3?

 

[Sgt John]

"It's been fun New Orleans," Bush posted on his Twitter page Thursday night.

Bush was not expected to return to the Saints next season regardless of what the team did because he has so far declined to take a pay cut when the subject was broached before the NFL lockout began. Bush is due approximately $11.8 million in the 2011 season in base salary and bonuses.

Bush said in January that he didn't expect to return to the team. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2006 draft, he played a critical role in reviving the Saints after Hurricane Katrina and helped the team to the Super Bowl title in the 2009 season. However, Bush was constantly limited by injuries and never developed into a consistent pure running back. He played in only 60 of 80 regular-season games and missed eight games with a broken leg last season. He was more successful as a pass receiver, but the Saints aren't expected to keep him just for that skill at his current price, a source familiar with the situation said.

In five years, Bush rushed 524 times for 2,090 yards and caught 294 passes for 2,142 yards. He scored 29 touchdowns combined on offense.

Bush was a favorite of coach Sean Payton, who defended him constantly as Bush was shrouded in controversy from his days at the University of Southern California and eventually returned his Heisman Trophy.

After Ingram was selected, the source said, "This just makes the whole thing easier for everybody."

 

[Orgazmo]

Last year there was talk of the Pats trading for Pierre Thomas. What if one of the provisions to NE trading the pick to NO was an under the table agreement to trade Pierre back to them, cheaply? :shh:

 

[storminn0rm]

Last year there was talk of the Pats trading for Pierre Thomas. What if one of the provisions to NE trading the pick to NO was an under the table agreement to trade Pierre back to them, cheaply? :shh:

hmmm, would be interesting

 

[Miller]

Yeah I think we need to see what the backfield loos like in Aug before we read too much into roles. If all 3 are still there, Ingram will be the hammer and I think PT will still be the 2nd half od this RBBC with Ivory getting nothing but scraps. Everything changes if PT is dealt. If that goes down, Ivory steps into that 2nd half role.

Either way, I am not sold on Ingram in the NFL and his fit in the Saints offense. I think he will have less success than who ever the other runner is.

 

[Bull]

So Ingram is in and is the most talented back they have. Where does Bush end up. I can't see anyone paying him his inflated salary. The only crazy spenders I see are Dallas and Washington. Dallas has a full stable and I have to believe that even Dan Snyder knows Reggie isn't an every down back. Does Reggie restructure and go somewhere as a 3rd down back? With a restructured deal I'd take him in Indy and let him catch screens and dump downs from Peyton all day.

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

I think Ingram will make an immediate fantasy impact. It all depended on where he landed and I think this is the perfect fit for him. My reasoning is this: players of his skill set (quick, down the hill runners, between the tackles, non-Bush-like... etc), and less talent, have thrived in NO over the last several years. So, if a player like Chris Ivory, or Pierre Thomas, can be successful in this offense, a player like Ingram, who is way better than either of those two, should do wonders with Sean Payton.

 

[Remote Controller]

I agree with Kris. I think this was a very good place for Ingram to land. He has a Qb, and an offense that spreads the field. He will be exploiting Cadbury cream eggs.

 

[bobbeaux]

it is kinda early to talk about roles, but all of the saints' rb's dealt with injuries last year and it was time to replace bush . . . i'm surprised they moved up with the depth at rb in the draft, but i think he's a good fit.

 

[Sgt John]

I still think that dog-house he landed in was his undoing, and I agree with the guys above and the media pundits who think he landed in just about the best place he could have.