What Spiller Absence Means For Saints Against Cardinals

Aug 3, 2015; White Sulphur Springs, WV, USA; New Orleans Saints running back C.J. Spiller (28) carries the ball during training camp at The Greenbrier. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

The news broke recently by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is no doubt a disappointment for New Orleans Saints fans as well as the team itself.

Rapoport reported Tuesday evening that running back C.J. Spiller will miss the Week 1 game against the Arizona Cardinals as he recovers from his recent knee surgery.

While his loss will seem to limit what the Saints want to accomplish in their game-plan, what will it do for the backfield of the Black and Gold?

The good news is that the Saints kept kept five running backs just for this situation so it’s pretty certain they knew Spiller would likely miss some time, although Rapoport says Spiller should be able to play in Week 2.

Aug 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs against the Houston Texans during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Ingram will likely fill Spiller’s role as not only a running back, but as a receiving option as well out of the backfield.

While thought as more of a “ground and pound” running back for the early years of his time in New Orleans, Ingram has made a conscious effort to improve in the receiving game.

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We saw this last year as Ingram had a career high 29 receptions in 2014 as compared to his average of 8 receptions per season from 2011-2013.

What’s encouraging is that he averaged about five yards per reception in 2014, but in the preseason this year he averaged a whopping 14.3 yards a reception.

Another positive is that the 29 receptions during 2014 amounted to 145 yards, while in the preseason on just four receptions he had already gained 57 yards.

Attribute that to not only the offensive staff putting a plan together to utilize him properly, but to Ingram for continuing to perfect his craft in that area in an effort to become more versatile in the Saints offensive attack.

Aug 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Marcus Murphy (48) against the Houston Texans during the first half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie Marcus Murphy could also be an option in filling the role of Spiller since he has seen some looks at running back during the preseason and in the receiving role too; ending up with seven receptions for 83 yards which averaged out to 11.9 yards per catch.

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We’ve seen what Murphy can do in space — and he is someone that excites head coach Sean Payton with his explosiveness, but I don’t see him being used against the Cardinals in that way, although he still remains an option.

Murphy has shown that he is willing and able to fill in if needed so unless there is an injury during the game, you’ll see him being utilized what he was originally drafted for, which is a kick returner.

But you saw the twinkle in Payton’s eye when he talks about Murphy; so watch for his role to possibly be expanded in the future and open up more possibilities on offense.

Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson (29) runs from New England Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown (92) during the first quarter of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Like Ingram, Khiry Robinson has stepped his receiving game up which was evident against the Baltimore Ravens where he turned a pass into a 21 yard touchdown while gaining a total of 65 yards off of 5 receptions for a 13 yard average per reception.

Thats a huge step since Robinson got involved in the passing game just last year where he had 8 receptions for 63 yards; so even he is trying to be more versatile although we’ve thought of him as a ‘rumbling’ running back.

Robinson was held out with an injury midway through the preseason but posted Monday on Twitter that he was back in pads and ready to go.

Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Tim Hightower (34) carries the ball past Baltimore Ravens defensive back Brynden Trawick (28) and defensive back Cassius Vaughn (40) during the third quarter in a preseason NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Hightower may serve as the short yardage back which is no mark against him, but it’s doubtful that he see’s the same snap count as Ingram or Robinson during the game.

Big Easy Believer’s editor Barry Hirstius has said before, and I agree: that Hightower will likely serve the role like former Saints running back Mike Bell did in 2009 as the short yardage “closer” late in games (let’s just hope he wears the right cleats.)

This short yardage theory is backed up very well by the way Hightower was used in the preseason; where he had 29 rushing attempts for 96 yards — which averaged out to 3.3 per carry.

The one thing I wonder though is if Hightower will remain on the roster, following the concrete return of Spiller as the roster remains in transition probably for the next few weeks.

But as with Murphy, Payton has had high praise for Hightower and his renewed fire; and so that along with the fear of injuries at running back, he is more than likely safe.

So even if Spiller isn’t ready to go beyond Week 1, the Saints have planned well for that contingency and the rest of the running backs should be able to fill the gap until he returns…..

Next: Saints That MUST Come to Play to Beat the Cardinals

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