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As we enter into the final weeks of the 2013 off-season and inch closer to the start of training camp, we're examining this year's Saints roster to see if the front office's hard work in free agency and the draft has paid off. So we're going position by position to determine whether the team has improved in 2013 compared to last year.
2012 vs. 2013: Did The Saints Improve?
We continue our series with the running back position. Here's a look at last year's Saints roster and their current roster as it stands right now.
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2012
Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet, Jed Collins (FB)
2013
Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, Travaris Cadet, Khiry Robinson, Jed Collins (FB), Austin Johnson (FB)
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The obvious absence of Chris Ivory, who was traded to the NY Jets during the 2013 NFL Draft, is the only difference between the two rosters of this year and last. But there was a crowd in the backfield and the Saints are going to be fine moving forward with the talent of Thomas, Sproles and Ingram. Unless, of course, injuries wreak havoc, in which case the Saints would seriously start missing Ivory. From a purely depth standpoint the Saints were definitely in better shape last season. Even if they didn't know what to do with all of them.
The Edge: 2012
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How do you feel? How important is the loss of Chris Ivory?