GLENDALE, Ariz. -- New Orleans running back Mark Ingram said he needs to "control my emotions better" after he was caught by TV cameras on Sunday shouting at Saints coach Sean Payton and throwing a fit on the sideline.
Ingram appeared to be upset that he was pulled from the game just before fellow running back Tim Hightower scored on a 2-yard touchdown run late in the Saints' 48-41 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
"I'm real competitive in everything I do, man," said Ingram, though he wouldn't specifically confirm whether the lack of a scoring opportunity is what set him off. "So I gotta be smarter, gotta control my emotions better. But we had a great win as a team, and that's our No. 1 goal, and that's what I'm happy for -- that we're bringing a win back to New Orleans."
Payton declined to answer questions about Ingram's outburst after the game.
Ingram had 17 carries for 78 yards (a 4.6 average) and two catches for 14 yards in the Saints' win. But he had zero touchdowns, while Hightower scored twice on goal-line runs in the fourth quarter.
Ingram doesn't have any specific contract incentives for touchdowns scored.
Payton appeared to be trying to calm Ingram, putting his hand on his shoulder while Ingram was shouting, but the running back didn't cool down immediately. Ingram credited Payton and teammates for encouraging him.
"Coach is real cool. He's very understandable," said Ingram, who didn't specify what Payton told him. "Everybody calmed me down, man -- a number of teammates, a number of coaches. That's what a family's about, that's what a team is. A team is a family. And I appreciate all those guys for being there for me and also being understanding."
Ingram has had similar moments of visible emotion and frustration in the past -- especially earlier in his career, when he was stuck in a timeshare with other backs, including Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory.
Ingram has since emerged as a leading back and respected team leader in recent years. He leads the Saints with 850 rushing yards this season and has 287 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns.
Ingram also had high praise for Hightower, who was emotional about making his first return to Arizona, where he began his career with the Cardinals, from 2008 to 2010.
"Mark's competitive, man, as am I," Hightower said. "It's a tough situation, especially when you start getting down there to that goal line. As a running back, your eyes are lightin' up, man. You see the end zone and you want to get in there. So I understand his frustration.
"And I know it's something that he knows: It's an emotional game, and you gotta just make sure you control your emotions at that point of the game. But I understand, I've been there, I've been in his shoes, and I understand his frustration."
This is at least the second time this season the Saints (6-8) have dealt with a high-profile offensive player expressing frustration over his lack of touches. Receiver Brandin Cooks got emotional after being targeted zero times in a 49-21 victory over the Los Angeles Rams three weeks ago. But Cooks had no complaints on Sunday after he caught seven passes for a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns.