Although Mark Ingram was thrilled about the opportunity to be featured as a workhorse back when needed last season, he insisted he was fired up when the New Orleans Saints signed fellow running back C.J. Spiller in free agency.

Not only are the two friends, but Ingram said he loves what the explosive runner/receiver will bring to the Saints' offense.

"He's a special player," Ingram said. "He's a game-breaker, can take it to the house no matter where he is on the field, punt return, kick return, pass, run. So I'm looking forward to it."

Ingram and Spiller took in a Pelicans game together shortly after Spiller signed his new deal. Ingram said the two are "good friends" and said they've been familiar with each other since college, when they both had the same position coach, Burton Burns (with Spiller at Clemson, then Ingram at Alabama).

"So it wasn't anything strange or anything when we signed him. I talked to him before it even got announced," Ingram said during a recent interview with ESPN.com about his many blessings on and off the field in recent months.

Spiller also mentioned his familiarity with Ingram after he signed in New Orleans, saying he's always played in a two-back system since college and has no problem continuing to do so.