Saints Sideline Blog

INGRAM IMPRESSING

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011      Email Print

(Sponsored by Capital One Bank and Louisiana Cat)

DATELINE: METAIRIE, LA 8/10/11 (Rookie? not acting like one)

He walked into training camp with a resume that included a Heisman trophy, a National Championship ring but there was one glaring omission----not one practice at the Saints team facility. Yeah he was drafted in April but his first pro practice wasn't until the last day in July. Watching first rounder Mark Ingram you sure can't tell these days, He is running as hard against the Saints defense as he did against LSU or Auburn. Its still amazing to me that this guy fell to the black and gold so late in the first round where if he can stay healthy, I fully expect Ingram to have a great shot of running his way to Rookie of the Year honors because of his skill set and the opportunity he will have in his offense.  The waiting on draft day looks to be worth it for Mardi Mark who couldn't have landed into a better NFL home with an All-Pro QB and one of the best offensive lines and receiving corps in the league.

Ingram has definitely made his Mark early in camp as a rookie who won't back off anybody. Tuesday in goal line drills he plowed over fellow Alabama alum Roman Harper (his own version of Roll Tide?!)  to bring the Who Dats on hand to their feet! It was symbolic of his play this camp---run hard on each carry. Ask Malcolm Jenkins who seemed very annoyed at the intensity of the rook last week. It got so bad one practice that TE Dave Thomas had to hold Jenkins off Ingram in 11 on 11 drills. The Saints safety may have been irritated by Ingram but once he cooled off after practice, he told me he has a lot of respect for the way he plays. Jenkins likes his moxie and loves the fight from the wet behind the ears rookie who's hardly acting his age.

The Saints defense is seeing Ingram's intensity first hand as are the men in his own huddle. He has opened eyes with the veterans with his quiet confidence and his attitude. Pierre Thomas has appreciated his willingness to listen where both have said they look forward to complementing the other. Drew Brees has taken notice as well,  "I think he is one of those very smart, attentive guys who pays attention to the other veteran guys like Pierre and Sproles and the things that they do in order to learn and in order to make sure that every time they are on the practice field its 100 miles per hour and then to be able to recover, come out the next day and do the same thing."

Mark is a quiet guy, Despite his accomplishments he is a modest player who you can tell is eager to prove himself this year. He told me last week that he's very much looking forward to putting the uniform on in the Superdome for his first pro game, "It will be a dream come true." When the Saints drafted him it made Reggie Bush tweet, "Its been real New Orleans." Well Mark Ingram is primed to get real with his new city in a manner much different than his fellow Heisman first round predecessor even though he stiff arms any comparisons. First impressions are deadly--so congrats young fellah you're off to a good start but Mark Ingram knows he's just getting started---a notion which has the promise of being scary for the rest of the NFL.

AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

HEADING TO CALI---OK Saints---the bad news is Training Camp has been extended a week, but the good news is you will get to spend your last week in Oxnard California where the high's are usually the Louisiana low's. Sean Payton's move to move camp to the left coast the week preceding its preseason game versus Oakland was something he thought about prior to camp. "As camp began, we kept looking at the calendar trying to find more time where these guys are together. I think we travel well, and we do a good job. We've done this before in various places. After we complete this camp, this gives us an additional week--it's more time together."

SUPER SHAUN-- I asked Jonathan Vilma what player has stood out in this camp for him and he told me without hesitation Shaun Rogers. Vilma says he has been impressed with the way the Biggest Saint has grasped the system and described his playing style, "He's a maneater."

JABARI'S SWAGGER: Most NFL defensive backs are talkers but Jabari Greer is the exception. He tells me he is "self motivated" and doesn't have the need to talk much. "I walk the walk but walk fast."

SPROLES START: Talked to Drew Brees after practice and he tells me Darren Sproles has been everything he expected since coming over from his old team "and more." I haven't seen him drop a ball, punt or kickoff in this camp--extremely fluid and consistent so far.

NOBODY ASKED ME BUT: Reason 192 that we need football to start. The lead national story is a caddie being catty??!! Has there ever been more anticipation for preseason football?? Sure the NFL came back in time but not having much contact with these guys the past four months has made it seem like four years---its almost here Who Dat Nation, I know you can't wait!

We'll have it all for you here on CST. Friday at 6:30 our pregame show then the Saints and Niners kick it off at 7:00!

UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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