If there is one thing that most Saints' fans know to be true, it's that Mark Ingram has always gotten a bad rap in New Orleans. I'm not particularly sure why he's continued to be the most polarizing pusher of piles throughout Sean Payton's tenure, but I can't remember a time - prior to this season - where the doubt in his ability wasn't disproportional to his performance. Maybe that has something to do with people expecting the second coming of Deuce McAllister when the Saints moved up in the first round to select him. Maybe a failure to realize his steady improvement since his rookie season is a product of playing in a pass-happy offense that's found itself playing from behind a depressing amount of times the last few seasons. Whatever the case may be, he hasn't gotten the credit he deserves for remaining the leader of a position group that always been run by committee. That is, until now. Not only is Mark Ingram merely 80 yards behind the league's leading rusher, but he's managed to reach that mark while splitting carries after literally running a first ballot HOFer out of town. Playing from ahead while behind a dominant offensive line has surely aided the consummate professional in defying conventional wisdom by having his best season seven years into his career, but - if the win over Washington is any indication - then not even play-calling and circumstance can tame his numbers. 'NFC Offensive Player of the Week' as someone that needed a dominant overtime drove to reach double digits in carries. Started the game with 36 yard touchdown scamper, and all-but-ended the game with back-to-back backbreaking runs that totaled 51 yards. By product of design he was largely invisible in between and he still was able to total over 150 all purpose yards and stamp his imprint on the Saints' 8th straight win. The attention will go to Ingram and Kamara as a duo since they are on pace to reach historical heights as such, but - while we are singing the latter's praises as the favorite to win 'Offensive Rookie Of The Year' - let's not forget to give credit to the former. He's been withheld it for far too long, and - more importantly - by being atop the NFL in rushing touchdowns and leading running backs with over 100 carries in yards per he has made it impossible to deny him of it. Right, DeAngelo Hall?
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