New Orleans Saints: 5 Predictions for 2nd Half of the Season
By Bob Rose
Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) breaks a tackle by Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Major Wright (31) during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Buccaneers won 26-19. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
THE STREAK CONTINUES: Saints Go Without a 1,000 Yard Rusher….Again
Sean Payton and Drew Brees came together in 2006. The team’s leading rusher that season was Deuce McAllister, with 1,057yds. That was the last time a New Orleans runner has rushed for more than 1000 yards.
The Saints will go their 10th consecutive year without a running back breaking this barrier. Considering Payton’s teams have always had prolific offenses, so this is an astonishing statistic.
To be fair, the Saints have always leaned much more on the right arm of Brees, and Payton has often gone with a “running back by committee” approach to provide balance.
Actually, I do expect the Saints to run the ball well over the last eight games. I believe we will see the carries get divided between Tim Hightower and Mark Ingram, and both backs could very easily have close to 800 yards a piece.