Best and Worst of the New Orleans Saints 2016 Season Awards
By Bob Rose
Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) carries the ball to score a 75-yard touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: MARK INGRAM
With all due respect to Brees and yet another monster performance from the future Hall of Famer; it was running back Mark Ingram that was instrumental in taking this offense to a new level.
For the first time since Deuce McAllister did it in 2006, the Saints had a running back surpass the 1000 yard barrier. Ingram’s 1,043 yards were a career high, while averaging over 5 yards per carry with six touchdowns.
Ingram continues to improve as a receiver as well. He finished with 46 receptions, 319 yards and four more touchdowns.
Ingram was benched in the 1st quarter of the Saints victory against Seattle, after costly fumbles in back to back games.
The 27 year old former Heisman trophy winner returned to the lineup with a vengeance in Week #9 against San Francisco, and showed down the stretch that he is one of the better every down backs in the National Football League.