Saints Mark Ingram Selected to Replace Marshawn Lynch in Pro Bowl
Mark Ingram just became the first Saints running back to be selected to the Pro Bowl in 11 years. Deuce McAllister was the last Saints player to reach this lofty goal.
The 2014 Pro Bowl season for Ingram could not have come at a more opportune time as the 5’9, 215 lb rusher will be a free agent this offseason. Ingram was selected to the Pro Bowl due to the Seahawks advancement in the playoffs. With Marshawn Lynch now unable to play, Ingram receives the nod.
Ingram reacted to the news via Twitter by thanking God.
God is good!
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) January 19, 2015
Ingram had a career year in almost every statistical category for 2014. His 226 rushing attempts, 29 receptions, 964 rushing yards and 9 TDs were all career highs. In his fourth season the young running back was able to brush aside the naysayers as he eclipsed several yardage marks the Saints franchise hadn’t seen in almost a decade.
Not only did Ingram literally “bust out” in the rushing game, but he showed an ability to receive out of the backfield and proved himself as a capable blocker. The former Heisman trophy winner showed he could be a well rounded tool for a NFL team to use in many ways.
Live Feed
Betsided
Making it to the Pro Bowl also means that Ingram manged to earn an accolade his father did not. Mark Ingram Sr. was a well known receiver for the New York Giants in the late 80s and early 90s.
Coincidentally, both father and son were selected with the 28th pick in the first round of their respective drafts. (Sr.-1987, Jr.-2011).
There is still one career mark that father has over son, and that is a Superbowl championship.
Ingram Sr. was part of the team that won Superbowl 25 which saw the Giants beat out the Bills in a 20-19 thriller. The ultimate goal of any NFL player during their career is to win a Superbowl, and there is little doubt Ingram Jr wants the same shot his father had.
While it is uncertain whether or not the Saints will be able to retain the young back’s services, it is commonly accepted they will at least submit an offer once the offseason gets fully underway. As of now, everyone inside the Saints organization is laying low and keeping mum as changes are being made.
Ingram is the fourth player on the 2014 roster to be selected to the Pro Bowl. Guard Jahri Evans, Tight End Jimmy Graham and Quarterback Drew Brees all made the team earlier on. Evans and Graham made the team on the initial vote, but Evans withdrew due to an undisclosed injury.
Brees made the team as an alternate after Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger pulled out of the game. We at the Believer would like to give a big congratulations to Mark Ingram. Who Dat.