Reporters in New Orleans (La.) and the National Football League in general are making a lot of fuss over running backs Adrian Peterson and Alvin Kamara. Both players are talented and explosive with the ball in space, but seven-year veteran Mark Ingram is still being slept on.
He’s quietly been a productive force in the last three seasons, especially in 2016 – when he recorded his first 1,000-yard rushing output (1,043) with 10 total touchdowns. Ingram earned a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl in 2014, following his first 1,000-yard year (1,109) from scrimmage.
Despite his career-high numbers a season ago and battling through multiple injuries, various media pundits do not think of Ingram as a complete back. To dispel the stereotype, the former University of Alabama standout is holding nothing back in training camp. According to a report from ESPN writer Mike Tripplet of the Saints, Ingram has looked the most impressive thus far.
What separates good backs from great ones at the professional level is the ability to catch the ball consistently out the backfield. Ingram carries this trait in spades, as he’s collected 125 receptions for 859 yards and four touchdowns in the last three years. Just reflecting on the 2016 campaign alone, he was the fifth leading target – reeling in 46 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns.
During his three-year career with the Crimson Tide (2008-10), he hauled in 60 passes for 616 yards and four scores. A 69-yard run after catching a screen pass from quarterback Greg McElroy in the 2009 Southeastern Conference title game cemented Ingram’s Heisman hopes.
“I’ve always caught the ball my entire life,” said Ingram, whose father Mark Ingram Sr. was a standout NFL receiver. “So, I’ve always known that I had good hands and was able to catch the ball. But early in my career I wasn’t able to be featured that way. So now that I’m able to get a chance, I just want to make sure that I keep excelling in that area of my game, that I keep proving I’m more than capable of coming out of the backfield and catching the ball and running routes and catching the ball with the best backs that do that in this league.”
When people talk about complete backs in today’s NFL game, their minds immediately go toward Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers or David Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals.
“I just want to keep proving that I’m the best complete back in this game,” Ingram said to Tripplet.
“You know Le’Veon Bell, David Johnson, I feel like I can do the same thing that those guys do, given the opportunity. So that’s my mindset, that’s my goal. I want to be the best back in this league. That’s what I come out here and work for every single day.”
Going back to Alabama’s spring game in April, yours truly got the opportunity to talk with former Tide safety, Roman Harper about his former Saints teammate. Even with Ingram sharing the load, Harper still expects a strong season from him.
“The biggest thing is that he wants to be great,” Harper said on Ingram.
“He’s dropped some weight now. Mark’s down to between 215 and 218 pounds, which makes him quicker, shifter and a lot better. He took one carry 80 yards for a touchdown last season, and you don’t see too many back nowadays that are capable of doing that. It’s tough to rush for 1,000 yards in New Orleans’ offense, but I do expect to see him total between 1,300 and 1,400 yards from scrimmage. One good thing about Mark is that he catches the ball really well and is quick in his pursuit down the field.”
At 27 years old, Ingram will still be expected to get the majority of the carries because of his versatility and his success in pass protection. Per Tripplett’s article, the 2009 Heisman winner does not shy away from competition. With the Saints looking to return to the playoffs in the upcoming season, having a focused Ingram to pair alongside others bodes well for Drew Brees.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebookor “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
