Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) runs with the ball against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) in the second quarter at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Some of the characteristics a Running Back has to exhibit are versatility, power, agility, blocking, and speed. The Saints running backs display all of these said characteristics. For this second installment of this multiple mini-series on Positional Previews, we’ll look at the Saints back field.

Let’s start here. The Saints Rushing attack ran the ball 370 times last season out of 1,067 offensive plays, gained 1,577 yards, which averaged 4.3 yards per carry. Once upon a time in the 2012 season, the Saints were in the bottom in terms of rushing yards/game. Though a 25th Overall Rushing Attack (98.6 yards/game) isn’t something to necessarily brag about, it is worth noting because of where the Saints came from. Only Jacksonville, Dallas, & Arizona ran the ball fewer times than the Saints.

So we are aware we lost Chris Ivory, and while it was a necessary casualty, we will miss his services. I think his defining moment as a Saint was last season against Atlanta. He just manhandled the defense. The Jets were in dire need of some type of full-time runner, and Ivory will hope to stay healthy to contribute accordingly. In return, we acquired a 4th Round Pick in the 2013 Draft, which landed us John Jenkins from Georgia.

Mark Ingram, 23, has been the most scrutinized member of the Saints rush attack. Why you may ask? We traded up to get him, and results are expected. The Saints have not had a 1,000 Yard Rusher since Deuce McAllister in 2006, where he gained 1,057 yards. Ingram is a player who was heralded with ‘Emmitt Smith’ like abilities, and at times, you can see why. Ingram, who played in all 16 games, was atop the Saints rushers, leading the way with 602 yards on the ground for 2012. He definitely had some memorable plays last season (Oakland comes to mind), and had Payton been in the mix, you can’t help but wonder what more could have been attained. Payton has gone on to state that he’s hoping for an improved run game for 2013, and you know that Ingram will be a huge focal point of getting there. For those wondering, Ingram has recently stated, “I’ve just been working hard this offseason, trying to get in the best shape of my life.” We all look for big things from Ingram in 2013. Could this finally be the season we see a 1,000 yard rusher?

Darren Sproles, who will turn 30 in June, is an extremely electrifying presence for the Saints to say the very least. He missed several games in 2012 due to a broken hand, but still managed to account for 911 yards of total offense (244 Rush, 667 Receiving), and lead all Saints Running Backs in terms of production. Sproles also accounted for 8 touchdowns on offense, 7 of those being receiving. You can clearly see how comfortable Brees is with Sproles, as he passed him the ball 75 times in 2012. Sproles gets about 10 touches a game, and that is just a rough average based on the 2012 stats. He can be used in various schemes, and his quickness makes him dangerous in open space. Look for similar production out of him for 2013, and I may go out on a limb here, but this season, Sproles could potentially be a 1,000 yard receiving back with Coach Payton back in the mix.

Pierre Thomas, 28, came off a little bit of a disappointing season. It was nothing about Thomas’ play on the field, he was just underutilized in my opinion. He started strong during the beginning of the season, and sort of became a ghost during the middle part, and then was called upon more during the final stretch. PT gained 473 yards on the ground, added 354 receiving, but only got in the end zone twice for 2012. One of the biggest things I missed seeing last season, as opposed to seasons past, was the use of PT in the screen game. PT is one of those players that are just tough to bring down, and he’ll make the first few guys miss him, to turn nothing into something. Thomas will arguably benefit the most from the departure of Chris Ivory.  Look for him to be in the mix every game in 2013, and convert when we need him most.

Travaris Cadet, 24, is growing with the Saints. There’s not much else to be said there. He didn’t see a ton of play time during the regular season, but was praised for his contributions during the 2012 preseason. He made the active roster as a result. Cadet will see little action in the Saints backfield for 2013, but we will see him as a major part of the return game. I believe he made some poor choices last season when it came to running out kickoffs, which put the Saints into bad starting field position. However, that’s growing pains. Cadet could benefit greatly from Sean Payton’s re-entry to the team, and you could potentially see some situations where he will be called upon during the course of 2013.

Khiry Robinson, the 23 year old undrafted rookie from West Texas A&M (a Division II club), enters the Saints as a virtual unknown as to what he will bring to the club. He is currently listed #5 on the Saints depth chart. What can be said is he led his respective Lone Star Conference last season with 1,621 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, coupled with 38 receptions for 430 yards, and 4 receiving touchdowns. As you all know, Payton loves the ‘small school talent’. He has a knack for finding players, developing them, and making them emerge from nowhere to contribute. Whether he makes the squad will ultimately be on him, but you just never know what will happen.

Let’s lastly not forgot about Jed Collins, our Full Back. Collins, 27, is entering his 3rd season as a Saint. Here’s what I will say about him. In 2011, he was rated the top rated lead blocker by Pro Football Focus, and Rotoworld. For 2012, he did a good job given his role, but now that Payton is back, and his focus on the running game, so look for Collins to be a huge force to create holes for his runners.

The only issue with having so many weapons in an offensive arsenal is not being able to use them all. However, the Saints back field understands their respective roles, and are true team players. They just want to contribute, and when called upon, blow everyone away. If Coach Payton says he wants to run the ball more, take that to the bank. He wants 100 yard games, and production. If Brees doesn’t have to throw it 40 times a game to win, then that’s a good thing.

November 11, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory (29) stiff arms Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson (23) on a touchdown run during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The trade that many expected to happen has happened. Running back Chris Ivory has been traded to the New York Jets.

Ivory saw limited carries for the past two years behind running backs Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and recently Mark Ingram. Despite  rushing for only 217 yards and two touchdowns, Ivory showed the team he has improved his patience carrying the ball and his ball security.

The primary focus for the Saints in bolstering their sagging defense in the draft and the interest in recent weeks by the New York Jets made it an easy decision to complete the trade and receive another fourth-round pick.

The Saints then traded two fourth-round picks for another third-round pick from the Miami Dolphins. They used the third-round pick to acquire Georgia defensive tackle John Jenkins.

The Ivory trade shows that the New Orleans Saints have complete faith in Mark Ingram as their power running back. Ivory was rarely used as a relief back and wasn’t even activated on game day most of the season. Payton & Co. must have realized this and decided the trade was best for the back and the Saints.

The New York Jets acquired a good back that has not yet hit his potential and the New Orleans Saints acquired another defensive tackle to bolster their defensive line. You can’t ask for a more tactical move from Mickey Loomis and the New Orleans Saints staff.

November 5, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory (29) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints now have an official schedule, so it’s time to turn our attention back to a more pressing matter—the NFL draft.

You better believe that’s what everyone else is doing.

In today’s version of the Who Dat Dish we’ll take a look at some ideal draft scenarios, gauge whether the team should trade down and give an update on the Chris Ivory situation.

Let’s take a look.

ESPN Says Saints Likely to Move Chris Ivory for a Late-Round Pick

Per Pat Yasinskas:

Restricted free agent Chris Ivory signed his offer sheet with the Saints. But the New York Jets reportedly still are interested in trading for Ivory. I think there’s a good chance the Saints would accept a fourth- or fifth-round pick because they have such a logjam at running back and needs elsewhere.

 

ESPN’s NFC South Chat Brings Up a Fair Point About the Saints’ 2013 Season

Per Pat Yasinskas:

Cary (New Orleans): Any chance the Saints put a productive 3-4 defense on the field this year? Especially with their cap situation and lack of draft picks.

PY: It’s going to be a challenge. But the good news for them is it would be hard to be worse than last year’s defense.

 

ESPN Lists the Saints’ Best-Case-Scenario in the 2013 NFL Draft

Per Pat Yasinskas:

They need to add a strong edge rusher as they switch to the 3-4 defense with new coordinator Rob Ryan. LSU defensive end/linebackerBarkevious Mingo and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones are the two guys who fit that description and could be available when the Saints pick at No. 15. I don’t think the Saints could go wrong either way. Mingo wasn’t all that productive in college, but his measurables were off the charts. Jones didn’t test all that well, but he was a very productive college player.

 

NOLA.com Says Trading Down May be a Bad Move for Saints

Per Mike Triplett:

But if that happens, I think it should be considered a disappointment for the Saints. A missed opportunity.

Look, I understand all the reasons it makes sense to trade down. The Saints don’t have a second-round pick. They need upgrades at left tackle and throughout their defense. And many draft analysts have suggested that this year’s class has more depth than it has star power at the top.

But what the Saints need more than anything out of this year’s draft is a big-impact player, especially on that sagging defense.

 

ICYMI: We Reported on the Chris Ivory Signing and What It Means Moving Forward

ICYMI: We Had a Fellow NFC South Columnist Give Us His Breakdown of the Saints 2013 Schedule