The Saints decimated the Cardinals defense in a thrilling 48-41 win on the road Sunday, but not everyone on the team was happy.
Starting running back Mark Ingram, who totaled 92 yards from scrimmage in the win, was twice denied a chance to score a touchdown when Sean Payton subbed Tim Hightower in to finish the job.
Ingram, after the second Hightower score, was caught verbally berating his coach on the sideline before being ushered away by a teammate. The sixth-year veteran was fuming after the encounter, quickly pacing by the bench trying to calm himself.
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Fox Sports Radio tweeted after the tirade that Ingram may have had a very good reason to blow a gasket on his coach. The report claimed Ingram has an incentive built into his contract that would have awarded him $100,000 for scoring a touchdown in that game.
That report was refuted by The Advocate, but if true, Ingram and Payton may not be on speaking terms for a while. The Advocate said Ingram's incentives are tied to yards. After rushing for 78 yards on Sunday, Ingram is now 150 yards away from his first 1,000-yard season.
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When asked about the incident during the game Payton said "next question". Ingram chose to take the high road after the game.
"I'm just real competitive in anything I do," Ingram said, Mark Ingram: I'm just real competitive in anything I do. Just a good team win. Coach is real cool, he's very understandable.
This isn't the first time the Saints have dealt with a disgruntled star following a dominant win. Three weeks ago, after a 49-21 win at home against the Rams, Brandin Cooks stated that he was upset with his role in the offense.
Cooks did not receive a target in that game, but he did haul in seven receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns Sunday against the Cardinals.
The Saints have an explosive offense, but clearly it's tough to keep everyone happy.