Mark Ingram: Why Saints Running Back Can Win Offensive Rookie of the Year

Just two games into the season, Mark Ingram’s numbers are far from jaw dropping, but expect the New Orleans Saints rookie running back to turn it up and make a run for Offensive Rookie of the Year.  

It’s early into the season, and Ingram has already played in two huge games against two of the best teams the NFL has to offer in the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.  

Ingram’s numbers after those games are just shy of 100 yards rushing with zero touchdowns accounted for.

However, Ingram did just face the likes of the great linebackers’ ghosts of the present and the past between Clay Matthews and Brian Urlacher. 

After a slow start, this is why Ingram can still win the Offensive Rookie of the Year at the end of the season.

Teams will focus on shutting down the passing game

While the Saints have shown balance throughout their offense every year (or at least tried to last year), the Saints bread and butter is still quarterback Drew Brees and the passing game.  

Teams are afraid of giving up the big play when they play the Saints. I mean, look at what Brees did against the Chicago Bears’ defense in the second quarter when he hit wide receiver Devery Henderson in stride for a 79-yard touchdown pass.  

Teams won’t be able to afford putting eight men in the box, so the Saints have to take advantage of those opportunities. Hence, Ingram getting the ball more and picking up multiple yards on the ground. 

Mark Ingram Is the Goal Line Back

This point is plain and simple. Head coach Sean Payton has made it clear that Ingram is the goal line back, and because of this, he will benefit from more touchdowns.  

Look for the Saints to pound the rock with Ingram on short yardage plays on the goal line. Ingram has yet to score his first NFL touchdown in his short career, but look for Ingram to change that against the Houston Texans this week.  

It’s not a matter if Ingram will have a breakout performance but when he will do it.

Mark Ingram Is Steadily Improving

Ingram showed improvement in the win over the Bears last Sunday when he was able to break more tackles and break off runs that are familiar to Alabama fans.  

I thought Ingram and Pierre Thomas ran like mad men against the Bears as they refused to go down and picked up extra yardage after that first initial hit.  

Ingram rushed the ball 14 times for 51 yards in the victory. When the Bears would go to strip the ball, he would make them pay by keeping those feet turning and picking up more yardage.  

Look for Ingram to create more runs like these week in and week out. 

Sean Payton and Coaching Staff Believe in His Ability

Probably the most important factor with Ingram being able to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year is the fact that he has the backing of his coaching staff.  

Payton and the coaches believe in Ingram, and it is clear that they have faith in him. For instance, Ingram got the ball on the last play against the Packers when the Packers were able to hold the Saints on a goal line stand.  

That was Ingram’s first career NFL game, and Payton placed the game in his hands. This is important because as long as the coaching staff believes in him, he will get the most carries and have the most opportunities to break long runs and make big plays. 

Mark Ingram Possesses the Intangibles and Physical Ability to Make Big Plays

I remember watching the special ESPN did on Alabama before the 2010 season last year where they followed the team through fall camps, and I remember watching Ingram and thinking "Sweet baby Jesus, this guy is something." 

I couldn’t tell where his thighs ended and his calves started because of how large his leg muscles were. That’s the physical attributes that this player possesses.  

Ingram dazzled SEC fans in his career at the University of Alabama, and I have no doubt in my mind that he can do the same as a Saint.  

Ingram possesses power and speed and not to mention he’s been coached by some of the finest coaches in football.  

I see the sky as the limit for Ingram, and I think he will have an outstanding season. Better yet, don’t tell Ingram the sky is the limit when they’re footprints on the moon.