New Orleans Saints Sign Darren Sproles

Late Thursday evening, the New Orleans Saints agreed to a contract with running back Darren Sproles.

After losing Reggie Bush in a trade with the Miami Dolphins (to check out a fantasy outlook for Reggie Bush in 2011, click here), the Saints needed a player to fill Bush's void as an explosive scat back.

Sproles is that guy.

Last year, the Saints finished 11-5 en route to a Wild Card spot, but the team lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Seattle Seahawks.

Sproles has played his entire career with the San Diego Chargers and now will move to New Orleans.

The story was first reported by Jason La Canfora at 11:14 PM via Twitter.

Last year, Sproles had 50 rushes for 267 yards as well as 59 receptions for 520 yards.

The young back will now attempt to find time in a crowded backfield that includes draftee Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas.

Sproles will receive $6 million guaranteed on a four-year, $14 million contract.

The Saints will pay Sproles about $7 million less than they would have payed Bush in 2011, depending on how the money sorts out.

This move may be one of the smartest of the entire offseason.