New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram And Possible Roster Expansion

Alabama RB Mark Ingam Celebrates After A Score (Source: http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com)

Saints fans can breath a collective sigh of relief — rookie running back Mark Ingram is finally in attendance at player workouts on the campus of Tulane University — the next Super Bowl championship is all but secured.

Well maybe not, but for fans it sure is nice to see the Saints 28th pick in the draft mix it up with his new team mates after Reggie Bush’s no show and subsequent comments on twitter, where he scoffed at the idea of attending.

Ingram has been in New Orleans for weeks training at Sonic Boom, where he also trained before the draft, but has been reluctant to join considering he is an unsigned exclusive rights free agent with little room for an injury of any kind.

However as the lockout continues to press on it only makes sense for Ingram to participate, get a feel of the offense and what it’s like to play behind pro bowl quarterback Drew Brees.

Some question the validity of the player organized workouts that have sprung up throughout the NFL over recent weeks, labeling it fluff in an attempt to draw attention to their cause during the ongoing court battle.

At least in the Saints case they are putting in legitimate work — running, exercising, yoga, positional drills — with plans to escalate to 7-on-7 scrimmages if the lockout leaks further into June and July.

Brees knows Sean Payton’s offensive schemes and audibles, and installing the offense is a walk in the park for the razor sharp signal caller. Ingram can learn the playbook by word of mouth thanks to Brees, invaluable experience for the young rookie.

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Tags: Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints, NFL, NFLPA, Roger Goodell