If fans thought that Mark Ingram being sidelined in Week Eight after playing for less than a full quarter meant that there would be a new benchwarmer, they need to think again.
Mark Ingram Confirms his Role is on the Field – Not the Bench
Mark Ingram ‘Drops the Ball’
Mark Ingram has never been known to be a ‘fumbler’. Prior to this year, he has never lost two fumbles in one season. In Week Seven’s close loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Ingram lost a fumble in the fourth quarter which allowed the Chiefs to score seven points late in the game. In Week Eight, he made the exact same mistake during the first quarter of the game against the Seattle Seahawks. Ingram had just three carries for five yards prior to being replaced by running back Tim Hightower. He remained benched for the duration of the game in a 25-20 victory over the Seahawks.
Tim Hightower Steps up to the Plate
While unfortunate for Ingram, this proved to be a defining moment for Hightower. He more than doubled his attempts and yards for the season with 102 yards on 26 carries. This made him the first 100-yard rusher for the New Orleans Saints this year. Hightower’s Week Eight execution combined with his terrific performance at the end of last season when Ingram was out with a shoulder injury would earn him an increased role going forward. The Saints are 5-1 with Hightower as the leading back.
This sequence of events made the prospects for Ingram’s game time going forward somewhat vague. Head coach Sean Payton stressed that it was not his intent to keep Ingram sidelined after just six snaps. Hightower was running well, and in a nice groove, so that was how it unfolded. Payton seemed non-committal as to Ingram’s run time going forward, noting that they would use a committee approach in Week Nine against the San Francisco 49ers.
“I’m Going to Continue to Strive to be Great”
When speaking with the press about his two lost fumbles in two weeks, Ingram was adamant he wasn’t going to let it affect him.
“That doesn’t define me, that doesn’t define the player I am,” Ingram noted. “And I won’t let it. I’m going to continue to strive to be great, continue to strive to do my best to be the best player I can be, to help us win and work my butt off to take care of the ball better.”
In Week Nine, the Saints played San Francisco, one of the worst run defenses in the league. There was a strong expectation that the Saints would utilize their run-game more than they had all season. After three years of impressive game-play, Ingram’s fans were rooting for him. They sat tied to their seats praying that he wouldn’t lose a third straight fumble. Hightower rushed for an early first quarter touchdown, putting the first points on the board for the Saints. This obviously provided Ingram with the motivation he needed to show the coaches and the fans that he was not going anywhere any time soon, especially not to the bench. What was to follow, was Ingram’s most impressive performance this year.
Ingram quickly redeemed himself with a touchdown in the first half, for his third receiving score of the season. He followed this with a 75-yard rushing touchdown to give the Saints a 28-10 lead. This was the longest run of Ingram’s NFL career and he reached a maximum speed of 21.31 mph, making it the fastest speed reached on a rushing touchdown in Week Nine. Ingram finished the Saints 41-23 win over the 49ers with his most impressive stats of the season. Not only did he catch two passes for 13 yards and a touchdown, but he also had 15 carries for a whopping 158 yards. Ingram didn’t just strive to be great last week. He was great. He rushed for the most yards any running back on the Saints has rushed for this year. Tim Hightower also played well, running for 87 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown.
While it seems likely that the Saints will continue to split the playtime for both Ingram and Hightower, it is now clear that Ingram will not be written off for losing two fumbles. His stellar performance last week has quashed any questions that his coaches may have had regarding his ability to maintain ball security. In Week Ten, the Saints will be hosting the Denver Broncos, who happen to have the best pass defense in the league. This means that it could be another big game for Saints running backs. Given his performance last week, we can be sure that Mark Ingram will not disappoint.
