Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens: Mark Ingram is a perfect fix for offensive struggles

By Richard Bradshaw

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 08: Mark Ingram #22 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first half against the Washington Redskins at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 08: Mark Ingram #22 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first half against the Washington Redskins at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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It’s no secret the Baltimore Ravens offense has struggled to run the ball successfully in 2018, but Mark Ingram could be the solution to this problem.

How many former Alabama Crimson Tide football players can the Baltimore Ravens host on their team? Not enough, apparently. C.J. Mosley, Tim Williams, Marlon Humphrey, Cyrus Jones, Anthony Averett, Bradley Bozeman… Mark Ingram?

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With the majority of those Alabama players playing defense, the lone exception being offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman, one has to wonder if the team will eventually want to add some offensive firepower from Tuscaloosa. Calvin Ridley was a popular name during the 2018 NFL Draft process, but the Ravens ultimately passed on him and now he has six touchdowns for the Atlanta Falcons. Thankfully, wide receiver isn’t the issue for the Ravens offense, it’s their run game.

Alex Collins has struggled mightily in 2018, as the former Arkansas Razorback has under 4.0 YPC and has lost two fumbles in five games. Javorius Allen isn’t much better as a feature running back, and there is no chance anyone after those two are worth mentioning as starting material. So then, where does Baltimore go from here? Perhaps out of the organization entirely.

Insert Mark Ingram:

The former Heisman Trophy winner and 2x Pro Bowl selection Mark Ingram of the New Orleans Saints could be the answer the Ravens are looking for at running back. Ingram is coming off a four-game suspension he served for violating the league’s policy on PED (performance enhancing drugs), but came out guns blazing on Monday Night Football. Against Washington, Ingram scored two touchdowns and had 73 scrimmage yards on 18 touches. Considering the Saints already host Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara, who has had an incredible start to the 2018 season, it was very telling that Ingram found a way to standout and outshine Kamara.

To play on that point further, Kamara could make Ingram more expendable. Ingram will be 29-years old at the end of December and is a free agent following this season. Getting something out of Ingram would be extremely ideal for a Saints team with a pretty wide Super Bowl window. This plays perfectly into Baltimore’s hands.

The Ravens are closer to a “win-now mode” than New Orleans is, and Ingram would be a seamless fit in Baltimore. Ingram’s between-the-tackles running style and versatility as a receiver gives Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg the kind of weapon he’s looking for in his backfield. Ingram would also be Joe Flacco’s new best friend as a dump-off option and a guy to move the chains and break the will of opposing defenses.

Next. Revisiting the Ravens wide receiver trio through week 5. dark

Even as a rental, making a move for Mark Ingram makes a lot of sense for the Ravens. Ingram would immediately provide Baltimore with a legitimate ace for their lackluster run-game while also providing the team with a more complete identity as a balanced offense. There’s no doubt the Ravens would be more successful in 2018 if they had a stable running game to lean on, and Mark Ingram is a perfect fix for this issue.

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