Darren Sproles key to revamped Saints running game

METAIRIE, La.  Reggie Bush is gone, ostensibly to burnish the Miami Dolphins' offense and build his brand in South Beach. The New Orleans Saints are not crying in their crawfish ettoufee. Hardly — they believe their newly customized backfield is reason for Mardi Gras-like celebration in August.

Coach Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis have cooked up something in the offseason that might result in a fine Cajun playoff stew come January. They have added a dash of spice with two superbly diverse ingredients — a rookie bruiser (Mark Ingram) and an elusive water bug (Darren Sproles). They should bolster a backfield featuring a proven performer (Pierre Thomas).

"I think 'Who Dat' Nation views it as an upgrade," said former Saints quarterback Bobby Hebert, a local broadcaster.

Payton, among the league's elite playcallers, has weapons that are more versatile at his diabolical disposal. The Saints dealt first- and second-round draft picks to move up to select Ingram, the Heisman Trophy-winning running back from Alabama.

"We have a lot of talent in the running back room and everyone is unselfish," Ingram said. "To have that kind of camaraderie, I could not be in a better place."

Saints key additions/losses The Saints biggest move in offseason was to shore up the sagging defensive line with veteran cast-offs, much the way the New England Patriots do. Additions: OT Alex Barron, DT Aubrayo Franklin, C Olin Kreutz, LB Will Herring, RB-KR Darren Sproles, CB Fabian Washington, DT Shaun Rogers. Subtractions: RB Reggie Bush, TE Jeremy Shockey, CB Randall Gay, RB Lynell Hamilton.

Bush may have felt otherwise. He was never able to live up to his first-round status (second overall in 2006)_and never became the featured back in New Orleans.

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Some wonder why Payton, the mad-scientist playcaller, would fret over his running game when Pro Bowl quarterback Drew Brees' quick-trigger passing attack floods secondaries with wideouts Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson, plus tight ends and running backs.

When the Saints won the Super Bowl two years ago, they ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing. Last season, they plummeted to No. 28 after an ankle injury cost Thomas two months. A consistent threat in the running game gives Payton more options.

Without it, "there was a lot of stress on the passing game," Thomas said. "I think we will have a good rotation and (will) try to mess with the defense so it cannot get used to one guy."

Undrafted rookie Chris Ivory averaged 5.2 yards in Thomas' absence, but his fumbling vexed Payton. Ivory recently had hernia surgery but should be ready for the Sept. 8 opener at Green Bay.

The Saints' first preseason game is Friday at home against the San Francisco 49ers.

"We want to spend time on play-action passes; it's something Drew does well," Payton said. "I think people see us as just a wide-open, passing team (but) when we are swayed to the other direction, that is not who we want to be."

Bush, 26, caught the ball out of the backfield, but he often served as a decoy or a slot-receiver. Sproles, 28, the former San Diego Chargers' all-purpose playmaker, can do similar things for less money.

In 78 NFL games, Sproles has produced nearly 10,000 all-purpose yards. Bush, in 60 games, has less than 5,000.

"Bang for your buck," Hebert says.

Sproles, 5-6, 180-pounds, has started only five games in five seasons but that belies his true value. Since 2007, no NFL player has matched his 8,260 all-purpose yards.

He is capable of returning kickoffs and punts, busting a run between the tackles and catching the football (59 receptions in '10). For his stature, he is a capable, willing blocker.

"You cannot be afraid of contact — that's why we lift weights," Sproles said.

Sproles can be difficult to defend in space because he is strong and has great straight-line acceleration.

Brees worked out with Sproles in San Diego this summer. He describes his former Chargers' teammate, they played together in 2005, as a "game-changer."

Brees actively recruited Sproles in person, on the phone and by text, telling him, "We need you, baby — come join us."

He did and, and as Xs and Ox expert Payton said, "I recognize that plays are important — but the players are more important."