Saints Sideline Blog

THE “IVORY” COAST

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010      Email Print

DATELINE: Nashville, TN/ September 1st, 2010 (Chris-crossing the states to the Who Dat Nation)
 
Its fitting the Saints preseason swan song is in the Music City because the black and gold plan to tickle the ivories early and probably often. With Drew Brees and the bulk of his weapons sitting this song out, its time for the star of this preseason Chris Ivory to belt out an encore performance here at the Grand Ole Opry. The rookie has beaten the odds and now looks like a safe bet to make the team but giving the coaching staff a few extra stiff arms and scores wouldn't hurt his case The Saints leading rusher this preseason has proved the last month that he could be the heir apparent to Mike Bell---a guy who could get ya the tough yards on 3rd and 4th down and around the goal line. His road to the Saints has been just that...tough.
 
Ivory was a hot shot blue chipper out of Texas and had plans to light up the Pac 10 ,but his career at Washington St was a wash out. Ivory suffered injuries and admittedly wasn't enamored with being on time to meetings and training room sessions, so Head Coach Paul Wulff showed him the door. The only thing Ivory took from Washington St was a coaching connection that brought him to Tiffin University.in tiny Tiffin Ohio. His run with the Dragons wasn't full of highlights where he rushed for a mere 223 yards. He was hurt and missed parts of a season where the team went 0-11. Not quite the resume that jumps out at the pro scouts, but New Orleans liked his size and speed enough to bring him in as a free agent.
 
Entering camp, he faced Pierre Thomas like odds. Ivory's journey was different than his fellow undrafted running back though, it required some luck. Unlike Pierre's rise to the roster, Ivory saw Lynell Hamilton (knee)  and PJ Hill (triceps) go down with injuries to pave the way for his preseason success. To his credit he didn't cower when the team signed veterans Ladell Betts and DeShawn Wynn. Ivory seized the opportunity where his TD against the Chargers personified his road to the Saints--exhausting and full of would be tacklers
 
Ivory is why its fun to cover Training Camp. You really never see this story coming but it always does. It seems every year especially with the Saints you see somebody come out of nowhere to make the team. Who in there right mind would have thought a month ago that Chris Ivory would be a member of the Defending Super Bowl champs? This time last year he was just getting his feet wet as a Tiffin Dragon and now he's blowing fire at opposing defenses in the NFL. This most recent polished off diamond in the rough is proving the Saints don't hold your past against you (see Anthony Hargrove) its the present that truly matters, if you're gonna be a part of this franchise's future.
 
WHAT TO SEE IN TENNESSEE
 
BACK------UP: Drew Brees will play as much as Sean Payton will on Thursday. In Drew's stead, Patrick Ramsey will get the first half snaps while Chase Daniel will get the second half. I think both guys make the Saints and for now Ramsey is your backup QB.
 
SAFETY DANCE: With Darren Sharper out again and possibly out for weeks this is an interesting call for the Saints. Chris Reis,Chip Vaughn and Usama Young all are on the bubble with much to prove in this preseason finale.
 
WALK THE LINE: Johnny Cash isn't on the Saints D-line but plenty of competitiion is in store for a unit which got a sound wakeup call with the signing of veteran Kendrick Clancy this week. Interesting to see if rookies like Al Woods or Junior Gallette can makes some noise?
 
"TIGHT" COMPETITION: Good to see Jimmy Graham back at practice this week. He seems the heir apparent to Shockey and could use a confidence boost type performance here. Tyler Lorenzen is also around but remains a long shot.
 
STRAIGHT A'S: Adrian Arrington has had a terrfiic preseason but will it be enough? Will the Saints keep 6 receivers?  (Colston,Henderson, Meachem, Moore,Roby and.....)
I think they do given the injury histories of Meachem and Moore, as it would be nice to have Arrington as an insurance policy. Look for some special teams work from Adrian on Thursday which could only cement his status on the final 53.
 
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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