Running back Mark Ingram, a first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2011 and a Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama, was rewarded with a new contract by the team this season.
The new deal came on the heels of Ingram's best season as a pro. In 2014 Ingram carried the ball 226 times for 964 yards and nine touchdowns, a 4.3-yard average. He certainly would have cracked the 1,000-yard mark if he hadn't missed three games with a hand injury.
With the Saints adding two important pieces to their offensive line, center Max Unger from Seattle, and tackle Andrus Peat, the team's first-round draft pick, don't be surprised him Ingram makes another run at the 1,000-yard milestone.
Ingram said it: "I was just so excited that we were able to get a deal done," he said. "I've been there for four years, they drafted me and I love the city, love my teammates, love the coaching staff and I feel like we can build something special so I'm very excited to be back.
"I had an opportunity to get some more touches and show what I could do. A couple of injuries happened and I was able to be out there for a number of games and just getting touches and being the only guy out there, I was able to take advantage of my opportunity."
Photos of Mark Ingram from the 2014 regular season. Photos by Michael C. Hebert. (New Orleans Saints photos)
