Mark Ingram trade rumors squashed by Sean Payton?
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) carries against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
It was reported yesterday by CBS Sports’s Jason La Canfora that New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram would request a trade due to Ingram’s “nebulous” role in the Saints crowded backfield. The report that cited league sources, however, has been squashed by Saints head coach Sean Payton, who seems quite against La Canfora’s report.
Per the New Orleans Time Picayune’s Larry Holder, Sean Payton called the CBS Sports report “completely false” and stated that the report has “zero credibility”, and those are quite strong statements for a head coach to be making. Just because Payton is denying the report doesn’t mean that a trade won’t happen, and I also don’t think any of us fully expected anything to happen; it’s just a possibility. And, despite Payton’s strong words, it still remains a possibility.
A change of scenery could help Mark Ingram out, but that’s likely just a crutch argument. At this stage, Pierre Thomas looks like a better back than Ingram, and it’s probably time for the Saints to move on from Ingram, who has just 31 yards on 17 carries this season with a career average of under four yards per carry overall. Thomas and Darren Sproles being all-purpose ability, whereas Ingram isn’t even getting the job done solely on the ground. Ingram is also injured in addition to being ineffective and in a reduced role in the Saints offense, so I wonder if there would be serious takers for Ingram at this stage. The Saints also like UDFA back Khiry Robinson, and it isn’t inconceivable that he could be a better fit- and maybe even player- for the Saints offense.
Despite Payton’s strong statements, this is still worth keeping an eye on, because a trade could really benefit the New Orleans Saints if there is a serious buyer out there.
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