Whether it was injuries or a hunger to prove himself, running back Mark Ingram had a difficult time earning respect in the National Football League from national media as well as his peers – until the 2014 season rolled in.
Since accounting for over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and receiving a Pro Bowl invitation at the time, the former Alabama standout and first-round pick has started to see his respective franchise value him more. Despite selecting Alvin Kamara in this year’s draft, New Orleans’ head coach Sean Payton decided to feature Ingram and the move has the team anchoring the NFC South.
Behind the seven-year veteran, the Saints collected its eighth straight win as it defeated Washington in a 34-31 overtime victory at Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Ingram turned in his fourth 100-yard game – including his second of a back-to-back stretch with 134 yards rushing and a touchdown on 11 carries. He totaled six rushes that resulted in first downs, with three runs coming in excess of 20 or more yards. While averaging 12.2 yards per attempt, his 36-yard score capped off an 80-yard drive to tie the contest at 10 in the first quarter.
That's the way we take it to the house!#SaintsGameday | #WASvsNO https://t.co/dGkZMPSuOZ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) November 19, 2017
In the aftermath of the win, the 2009 Heisman Trophy recipient became only the second Saint to account for 5,000 career yards (Deuce McAllister, 6,096).
Currently, Ingram is closing in on his second 1,000-yard rushing campaign.
His output versus the Redskins moved him to 806 yards with eight scores on 155 carries.
He’s on the verge of possibly notching a second Pro Bowl appearance, but more importantly, Ingram wants to be the catalyst in assisting the Saints to the Super Bowl.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag
