New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees believes the tandem of Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram will give the team one of the NFL's top backfields in 2017.On Wednesday,Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune passed along comments the future Hall of Fame QB made following the addition of Peterson in free agency. He thinks their competitive fire will only add to the productivity rather than cause potential problems about the number of touches:I think both of those guys run with a bit of anger and a bit of passion and an edge, which is what you want from the guy who's in there. I think that in this day and age in this league, it's nearly impossible to go through a season with just one guy. You have to have two backs that are a one-two punch because it's just too physical; it's too tough of a position to play week in and week out.I think having both of those guys as this one-two, I think makes them potentially one of the best tandems in the league.Peterson signed atwo-year, $7 million contractwith New Orleans this week after the Minnesota Vikings declined an option in his contract in February.The 32-year-old rusher appeared in just three games with the Vikings last season due to a torn meniscus. He didn't look anything like his formerly dynamic self when on the field, however, averaging less than two yards per carry across 37 attempts.Peterson was far more productive during the 2015 season. He racked up 1,485 rushing yards, the third-highest total of his illustrious career, and 11 touchdowns while playing all 16 games.What version of the seven-time Pro Bowl selection will arrive to the Saints is the biggest question mark. But he'll be forced to earn playing time in a competition with Ingram, who's coming off the best campaign of his NFL career.The Alabama product appeared in all 16 games for just the second time and responded by hitting the 1,000-yard plateau. His 5.1 yards per carry ranked fifth in the league.Brees hopes putting those two backs together can create a perfect complement to the Saints' high-powered passing attack, per Katzenstein."Listen, you're talking about one of the great running backs that's ever played this game," he said. "I think he's got a lot left in him. I'm sure, by all accounts, he's excited about the opportunity, so I think we're getting a guy who's hungry with a chip on his shoulder."Brees continued: "I think he'll add a great complement to what we have with Mark Ingram, who I think is one of the best running backs in the league right now."Ultimately, the pieces are in place for the Saints to put up some mind-boggling numbers offensively, especially with the team's defense still a major concern. Exactly how good the unit is will depend on striking the right balance between Peterson and Ingram to maximize the efficiency of both.
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