The Baltimore Ravens got themselves the reliable running back they have been needing for quite some time now by signing former New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram.
The team has seen plenty of players come and go, more than likely everyone forgot Justin Forsett's fantastic 2014 season because the rushing success has simply not been replicated for the team ever since. Forsett's solid season may have been the team's most recent 1,000 yard rushing season, but that could change in 2019 with the addition of Ingram. The Ravens have a solid chance of having a rusher achieve many feats that have been more or less a thing of the past for the team.
The Ravens released Alex Collins and Gus Edwards clearly is not their man, so the team had no choice but to go after one of this year's most appealing free agents. Ingram has a chance to be the workhorse back after playing second fiddle to Alvin Kamara the last two seasons.
While the Ravens may not have nearly the offense the Saints do, they love to run the ball and Ingram is poised for a very solid season. Here's a few bold predictions for the Ravens' new running back.
Ingram will have a new career-high in rushing yards this season
While this might not be the boldest of predictions considering Ingram has had two 1,000 yard seasons somewhat recently, it's worth noting the Ravens run the ball much more than the Saints do. The Saints also featured Kamara quite a bit more than Ingram the last two seasons, so now that Ingram has a backfield presumably to himself, he could be in line for a hefty workload.
Ingram's career high as of right now is 1,124 yards back in 2017, surprisingly during Kamara's rookie season. The Ravens will likely give Ingram a 200-plus carry workload this season which would give him plenty of opportunities in the 2019 season, which would put him in line to eclipse his previous career high.
It is likely Ingram will be heavily featured not only in the running game, but passing as well. The 29-year-old rusher should love the opportunity to be Baltimore's best back since the great Jamal Lewis.
Ingram will have 20 or more total touchdowns
The Ravens did not sign Ingram to the contract he received to be a backup, nor will he be the change of pace back he wound up being in New Orleans. Ingram will be heavily featured as nearly an every down back considering his skill set in both the run and passing game.
Ingram's career-high rushing touchdown total is 12 and his career-best receiving touchdown count for a season is four, which are both very beatable totals for him this upcoming season. The possibility of 14-15 rushing touchdowns and 5-6 receiving touchdowns is very attainable for Ingram.
The Ravens offense has the ability to be much more fast-paced and high powered than in previous seasons with Lamar Jackson and Ingram leading the charge. He could be a bit of a security blanket for Jackson when pressure comes through the line.
There is no reason to believe the Ravens won't be in the red zone often this upcoming season.
Ingram will average at least five yards per carry with a career high in carries
Baltimore were only second to the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 in regards to team rushing yards per game, but they were first in the league in rushing attempts with 547 throughout the season. Things will more than likely be very similar for the Ravens in 2019 considering they still lack playmakers in the passing game.
Ingram will presumably average 15 to 20 carries a game and the Baltimore line has opened up a lot of lanes for their running backs in the past. Jackson and Ingram could see a lot of action on the ground, but Ingram is in line for a big season on his way to breaking his previous 5.1 yards per carry career best.
Baltimore has themselves a power back with surprising speed, and offensive coordinator Greg Roman likely has big plans for his new offensive weapon. Roman was the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator when the team made a Super Bowl appearance back in 2012, and the offensive was fantastic under his play calling.
Under Roman, former 49ers running back Frank Gore was great in 2012, so the success could be replicated this season with Ingram and the Ravens.
Follow Us
Subscribe