New Orleans Saints: 4 Players with the Most to Prove Heading into Training Camp

While we have no idea if or when Training Camp 2011 will take place, it is not too early to discuss it as if it will happen. For the New Orleans Saints there are four players that I feel have much to prove in training camp this season.

For those who may be thinking all I want to do is write about Reggie Bush, I promise he is not among this group. In fact, these guys are not really high profile players at all. But all of them are guys the Saints would like to see have a good camp in order to feel comfortable with the overall depth of the 53-man roster.

DT Shaun Rogers

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers is hit by defensive lineman Shaun Rogers #92 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

The Saints were one of the few teams to actually delve into the waived free agents group prior to the beginning of the lockout. From it they came out with a large man named Shaun Rogers, who has held up as a two-gap nose tackle the past few years in Cleveland. 

In the Saints scheme he will be expected to play more of a one-gap style, but as the one-technique will do more of the space-eating, hopefully allowing for Sedrick Ellis to do what he does bestpenetrate and get pressure in the backfield. 

Rogers was signed to a one-year contract because of some discipline and football character questions. Training in New Orleans will give the team plenty of opportunity to see early on just how committed he is to the team and the city. 

If he passes that test, the Saints should feel comfortable putting him in the starting lineup and expect big things from both he and Sedrick Ellis in 2011. 

RT Jon Stinchcomb

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NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 19: Jon Stinchcomb #78 stands by Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints after being sacked by the Dallas Cowboys at the Louisiana Superdome on December 19, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Much has been made of Stinchcomb's struggles in 2010. While the Saints are very private with their player evaluations and all personnel decisions, it seems reasonable to believe the Saints have been looking to upgrade at the right tackle position. 

Yet with that said, no player on the roster appears to be the heir apparent, or even the answer at that spot. So the job is likely Stinchcomb's until he just becomes irrevocably porous. At that point, the Saints will undoubtedly lick their wounds and move on. 

Training Camp 2011 could go a long way to easing both the team's and Stinchcomb's fears about moving on. Both would like to make this thing work as long as possible. A good training camp would help the team go into 2011 confident in their ability to run the football and protect its franchise QB. 

RB Chris Ivory

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Chris Ivory #29 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Lawyer Milloy #36 of the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Breaking tackles was something Chris Ivory did a lot of in his rookie campaign in 2010. Unfortunately, he also fumbled the ball a little too much and he failed to provide much of a threat in the passing game. 

Rookie Mark Ingram provides pretty much the same tackle-breaking ability, with better pass protection and pass catching abilities. Therefore, Ivory has much to prove in training camp. 

He better hope Ingram takes a long time to sign his rookie contract and/or come in better prepared than in 2010. If he does not Ingram could easily take the backup/short-yardage running back spot right away from him. 

The Saints would likely keep Ivory even if Ingram does take his spot, but playing time would be hard to come by as the fourth running back on the depth chart. 

WR Adrian Arrington

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 21: Adrian Arrington #87 of the New Orleans Saints warms up during pregame before playing the Houston Texans at the Louisiana Superdome on August 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Saints really like Mr. Arrington, as do I. He has nice size, perfect body composition, good hands, and enough speed to make plays in the NFL. 

But he is going into his fourth season on the roster and has only played in one regular season game, racking up seven catches for 79 yards. 

He clearly has the talent to win some playing time, part of which could be determined prior to training camp if the Saints were to elect not to re-sign Lance Moore. But realistically Arrington is more of a Colston-type receiver than a Lance Moore. 

Arrington isn't going to push Colston out the door of course, but he could push some of the other receivers to step up their gameshere's looking at the two of you Devery (Henderson) and Robert (Meachem). 

The Saints relish competition, and often is a key reason in signing particular players. Arrington could kept around awhile just for the competition, but the Saints would love him to start contributing on game days too.