Ingram playing well enough to earn Payton's trust

By Brett Martel

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Oct. 13 2011 6:00 p.m. MDT

FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2011, file photo, New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) slips past the defense of Carolina Panthers' Dan Connor (55), James Anderson (50) and Charles Godfrey (30) during an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. Saints head coach Sean Payton has given Ingram plenty of work in his rookie season, and the results have been mixed. The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner is showing he can make tough yards and get in the end zone, but is still waiting for his breakout game.

Bob Leverone, File, Associated Press

Enlarge photo»

Summary

Mark Ingram doesn't concern himself with when he'll break his first big run or have his first 100-yard rushing game.

METAIRIE, La. — Mark Ingram doesn't concern himself with when he'll break his first big run or have his first 100-yard rushing game.

The 2009 Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama says what matters is that coach Sean Payton is giving him a role in the running game and that the Saints are winning.

So far, Ingram has a team-high 62 carries for 216 yards and two touchdowns. His longest run is 17 yards.

Payton says it was obvious early in training camp that the rookie running back could be trusted on important short-yardage runs as well as with a variety of blocking assignments in the passing game.

Payton says Ingram only needs more experience and that he expects to see more good things from the young running back.

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