New Orleans Saints' top running back Mark Ingram doesn’t feel threatened by the addition of veteran rusher Adrian Peterson to the team. Last season, Ingram surpassed the 1,000-yard mark but it will be a hard climb this season with Peterson’s arrival. However, Ingram said he’s not intimidated by Peterson’s presence, saying he is ready to face any challenge thrown his way. Ingram is not new to competition as in the past, he had to share carries with Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory, and Tim Hightower throughout his stint with The Saints.
“I just play the hand that's dealt to me.
I just work my butt off and that's about it,” Ingram told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Instead of viewing Peterson as a challenge, Ingram added he can work with the veteran rusher and “make each other better.”
Ingram, Peterson, and rookie third-round pick Alvin Kamara will carry the rushing load for the Sean Payton-coached Saints. Payton welcomed the challenge of handling three running backs, saying “the abundance at the position is a good problem to have."
Peterson valuable addition to Saints
With the addition of Peterson, the Saints hope to lessen the burden on quarterback Drew Brees as the team tries to avoid a fourth straight losing season. The Saints signed Peterson to a two-year, $7 million deal but he stands to earn more from performance incentives.
The 32-year-old Peterson will earn an extra $150,000 if he reaches 750 yards, $250,000 if he gains 1,000 yards and $1 million if he achieves 1,500 ground yards.
Reaching 1,500 yards will not be a problem for Peterson as he achieved that twice in his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2008 and 2012, the year when he ran for a record 2,097 yards.
The veteran rusher ran for 750 yards eight times and 1,000 yards seven times in his 10 years with the Vikings. At the time of his release, he is the team’s career rushing leader with 11,747 yards and 97 touchdowns. Before signing with the Saints, Peterson visited the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
Peterson says he can catch a football
Peterson also debunked reports that he will not fit in Payton’s passing game out of the backfield, saying “I've been playing ball since I was 7 years old, I can catch a football". In his 10-year stint with the Vikings, Peterson has compiled 241 receptions for 1,945 yards and five touchdowns. With Brett Favre as the Vikings’ quarterback, Peterson tallied 436 and 341 catching yards in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
