Mark Ingram: The Key Ingredient to Detroit's Rushing Attack

Everyone is very excited for the 2010 draft in 11 days, including myself.

As Lions fans, we are expecting a huge upside this season. But one thing remains clear, we need to develop a ground game. We are 99 percent sure that the Lions aren't going to address this need in free agency or else we would have made a move for Brian Westbrook or L.T.

Look no further than this feature cover to answer our prayers. Yes, help could very well possibly come for our rushing attack, but it won't be until 2011 when the Lions draft Mark Ingram of Alabama.

At 5'10" and 215 pounds, Ingram is electric when he touches the football. He has incredible vision, great cut-back ability, and fights for every last yard after contact. Ingram doesn't run out of bounds to avoid contact. Instead, he cuts back inward and lowers his shoulder, grabbing that extra three to four yards, something RBs don't do much of anymore.

Ingram played behind Glen Coffee his freshman year, and he was selected to the 2008 SEC All-Freshman Team. His team-high 12 touchdowns also set the Alabama freshman school record.

During his sophomore season, Ingram rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also had 334 receiving yards with three touchdowns and was selected to the 2009 All-American team. Ingram is a game changer and teams constantly changed their game plan in an effort to stop the star running back.

Have no fear, Lions fans. If Jim Schwartz and Martin Mayhew stick with the plan of drafting the best player available, Ingram is the logical choice, and a durable one at that. 

Ingram fills an area of need for the Lions that hasn't truly been there since the Barry Sanders era. We all know there will never be another Barry Sanders, so let the Flint native Mark Ingram era begin next season, and hopefully with our beloved die-hard Lions!