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Game Ball of the Week: Darren Sproles

By Dave Cariello Updated
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 02: Darren Sproles #43 of the New Orleans Saints runs after a catch during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on October 2, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 02: Darren Sproles #43 of the New Orleans Saints runs after a catch during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on October 2, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Another week and another game is officially in the books for the 2011 Saints season, which means I'm obligated to give out another game ball.  

For his effort in the Saints 23-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars this past Sunday, I'm giving this weeks game ball to the littlest of big men, Mr. Darren Sproles. Check out the sweet numbers he put up against the Jags:

vs JAC / 10.2.11 Rushing Receiving
Rush Yards Avg TD Rec Yards Avg TD
Darren Sproles 7 75 10.7 0 5 56 11.2 0

But it's his overall performance through the first four games of this season that have me much more impressed, more specifically his league-leading 716 total combined yards.

That's right people, Sproles leads the entire NFL in straight up ball movin'. And it's more than 80 yards better than the two players nearest him, Wes Welker and Matt Forte.  Peep the leaderboard:

Rank Player Rush Yds Recv Yds KO Rt Yds Punt Rt Yds Combined Yds
1. Sproles, Darren 134 224 251 107 716
2. Welker, Wes 19 616 0 0 635
3. Forte, Matt 324 310 0 0 634

Want me to drop some more knowledge on your cranium? The Saints have accumulated a total of 2,181 combined yards through the first quarter of this season, meaning Sproles' output has made up 33% of the Saints total production.  He may just be one small man but he is a very huge part of this team.

If you're into the financial aspect, here's more info to think about. The Saints signed Sproles to a 4-year $14 million contract but let's just average that out to $3.5 million a year. Sproles is currently on pace to finish the regular season with 2,864 total combined yards, which would mean the Saints would be paying Sproles $1,222 a yard.  

I know what you're thinking: is that number a lot or a little? Let's compare Sproles to another random running back. Somebody like, oh, I don't know...ah, what the hell I'll just throw a name out there...Reggie Bush? Well last year, Reggie combined for a total of 482 yards and had a salary of $8 million, giving him a per-yard average cost of  $16,597. In case you're not doing the math at home, that means Sproles could cost the Saints $15,375 less per yard than Reggie did last year. 

Just a little something to chew on this fine Wednesday. 

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