The Saints season opener certainly didn't end the way the team envisioned it, but when looking for silver linings, the Black and Gold's run game pops to mind.
Since training camp, the Saints have been placing a bigger emphasis on the ground attack and a more balanced offense. The team did achieve that, if not victory, in Atlanta against the Falcons Sunday.
The Saints ended their first outing with 333 passing yards and 139 rushing yards. Last year, the ground game accounted for an average of 92.1 yards per game.
Those rushing yards aren't just feel-good totals: the Saints running back corps is responsible for three of the Saints four touchdowns against the Falcons
"We're looking for that. We feel like it helps us," head coach Sean Payton said. "There was a series or two that I thought it was necessary based on the amount of time our defense was on the field. There was one drive that was 16, 17 plays. They had the third down interference or holding call that extended the drive. That was a long sequence, so it is going to be important that we answer and possess the ball for at least a certain amount of snaps. Week by week that can change, but overall, we did some good things running the football."
No doubt Drew Brees' air attack will still be the Saints strength, but the ability to balance when needed is a luxury that could prove crucial down the road.
Here's how those 139 yards on the ground break down:
Attempts Yards Average Long Touchdown
Mark Ingram 13 60 4.6 19 2
Pierre Thomas 7 31 4.4 13
Khiry Robinson 6 28 4.7 21 1
Ingram produced two scores: both three-yard runs in the second half, including the Black and Gold's final points in regulation with less than 2 minutes left on the clock.
"I thought he ran hard and did a good job," Payton said. "I thought the (offensive) line up front blocked real well for him. Those were important drives for us, scoring like we did. I thought that was encouraging, especially in some of the spread sets."
Robinson ran in the third touchdown scored on the ground. Rookie receiver Brandin Cooks had the lone touchdown reception.
Despite his two touchdowns, Ingram looked frustrated Sunday and at one point melted down into a helmet-throwing temper tantrum on the sidelines that tight end Ben Watson helped temper. Ingram is in a contract year and needs to produce, but other than that, he and teammates are mum on what exactly sparked his tirade.
"Mark is passionate. He's a passionate guy," running back Pierre Thomas said. "You saw that in college. You've seen that since he's been in the league. I don't know what the issue was. I didn't get involved. I wasn't going to let it throw off my game."
