Ingram at the Saints players practice at Tulane (1 Viewer)

[Breesisdaman]

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/05/new_orleans_saints_rookie_tail.html

teaser

New Orleans Saints rookie tailback Mark Ingram joins teammates for workouts at Tulane

Published: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 2:36 PM Updated: Wednesday, May 25, 2011, 3:37 PM

By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune

Saints running back Mark Ingram takes a hand-off from quarterback Drew Brees during the players' workout at the Westfeldt practice facility at Tulane Univeristy on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

Ingram, who has been working out throughout the offseason with local trainer Wyatt Harris at Sonic Boom academy in Jefferson, was hesitant to join the Saints' workout program at first since he's not under contract yet and doesn't have injury protection. But he decided that it would benefit him to learn the Saints' offensive plays and terminology, as well as start developing chemistry with his new teammates.

"I've been meeting with Drew (Brees) and a couple of the guys, just learning the system and getting familiar with things out here. So I'm really just trying to get accustomed to 'em and just getting used to everything going on," Ingram said. "I really just wanted to develop better chemistry with the guys, be out here, get ready, get to know 'em better and just get familiar with the terminology and the system. And that's what I wanted to do, just be out here with the guys."

All six of the Saints' rookies have spent at least some time at the player workouts this month. The veteran players have been able to share old playbooks with the rookies, as well as review film with them and run through plays on the field.

Though there is no contact at these practices, thee players have been doing some 7-on-7 drills to simulate some offensive formations in recent weeks, in addition to several position-specific drills.

"He looks great, he looks great," Brees said of Ingram. "There's no doubt he's been working and he's in shape. Now it's just a matter of getting used to these elements here and also just the NFL, the speed of the game, the grind, the physical nature of it all.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Of course its smart. He could get hurt anywhere really. Its non contact and hes learning the offense and getting to know his teammates.

 

[cr8f]

Of course its smart. He could get hurt anywhere really. Its non contact and hes learning the offense and getting to know his teammates.

And the fans love seeing him there.

 

[rzrback77]

Excellent use of his time to get to know his teammates and get familiar with the playbook, but couldn't he get insurance?

 

[Breesisdaman]

Excellent use of his time to get to know his teammates and get familiar with the playbook, but couldn't he get insurance?

heath Insurance yes, life insurance also Since there is no contract how can he insure that?

 

[Maik Jeaunz]

from what I remember, when Drew set this all up, he set up insurance for the younger guys and is paying it himself. but this was before Ingram started attending, so I don't know if he would be covered.

 

[BigTex]

As an Ingram owner this brings me joy!!!

 

[Sabertooth]

As the owner of the 1 and 2 picks in the upcoming draft, I like to see this.

 

[mcintyre1]

This really isn't that uncommon among the rookies. I know that 10 of the Redskin's rookies showed up for unofficial training sessions. I'd bet they don't have insurance either.

 

[BigTex]

This is a lockout year very crucial time for the rooks especially the ones in skilled position. We really don't care about what with deadskinz are doing in this thread!

 

[Sweet Love]

Excellent use of his time to get to know his teammates and get familiar with the playbook, but couldn't he get insurance?

heath Insurance yes, life insurance also Since there is no contract how can he insure that?

He could/should take out a policy with Lloyd's of London as many guys (including Andrew Luck) have done when they decided to stay another year in college (I would think after winning the Heisman, Ingram would have done that also). With that said, because there is no CBA and possibly no season, the rates may be astronomical or the policy even unattainable for incoming rookies.

 

[BuckeyeChaos]

smart move assuming that he is not going full go in drills to impress his new teammates and focusing on just getting to know his teammates and the playbook. He can learn a little from the vets about preperation. Just don't riks injury.

 

[gump]

Wait a second...I thought Ingram had a broken knee...or ball cancer...or something like that?

 

[Donnybrook]

This really isn't that uncommon among the rookies. I know that 10 of the Redskin's rookies showed up for unofficial training sessions. I'd bet they don't have insurance either.

This.

 

[Sinrman]

None of the players in this "practices" are pushing hard. They are mainly just getting a feel for the ball again, taking some passes, and for the rookies I think

it helps some to just meet their new teammates and get familiar with things. If Ingram was cutting hard and practicing like a real practice, then I might be

concerned for him. These players are well aware that they have no insurance, unless they got it privately.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Dumb move. But it's worth the gamble. Honestly - what are the odds of him getting a serious injury? And what's the upside of what he can learn by coming in early?

 

[Jersey35]

Dumb move. But it's worth the gamble. Honestly - what are the odds of him getting a serious injury? And what's the upside of what he can learn by coming in early?

If it's worth the gamble, how is it a dumb move?I'm sure you meant that it's a smart move.

 

[cr8f]

As an Ingram owner this brings me joy!!!

Me too. Randall Cobb has shown a good attitude as well working out at Fitz' camp and recently fielding punts from the Packer punter.

 

[squistion]

Dumb move. But it's worth the gamble. Honestly - what are the odds of him getting a serious injury? And what's the upside of what he can learn by coming in early?

No more than the odds for either Ben Tate or Hardesty last year at this time...

 

[BigTex]

As an Ingram owner this brings me joy!!!

Me too. Randall Cobb has shown a good attitude as well working out at Fitz' camp and recently fielding punts from the Packer punter.

Good to know, I'd like to hear of all the rooks who are participating with their teams!

 

[BigTex]

As an Ingram owner this brings me joy!!!

Me too. Randall Cobb has shown a good attitude as well working out at Fitz' camp and recently fielding punts from the Packer punter.

Good to know, I'd like to hear of all the rooks who are participating with their teams!

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Dumb move. But it's worth the gamble. Honestly - what are the odds of him getting a serious injury? And what's the upside of what he can learn by coming in early?

If it's worth the gamble, how is it a dumb move?I'm sure you meant that it's a smart move.

No. I meant what I said. The smart move would be to play it safe and get the most money he possibly can sign for before ever setting foot on the field.The odds of him suffering a significant injury are low while he gets to learn the playbook/bond with teammates and it is therefore worth the gamble.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Dumb move. But it's worth the gamble. Honestly - what are the odds of him getting a serious injury? And what's the upside of what he can learn by coming in early?

No more than the odds for either Ben Tate or Hardesty last year at this time...

That's two out of how many rookies?

 

[Jersey35]

Dumb move. But it's worth the gamble. Honestly - what are the odds of him getting a serious injury? And what's the upside of what he can learn by coming in early?

If it's worth the gamble, how is it a dumb move?I'm sure you meant that it's a smart move.

No. I meant what I said. The smart move would be to play it safe and get the most money he possibly can sign for before ever setting foot on the field.The odds of him suffering a significant injury are low while he gets to learn the playbook/bond with teammates and it is therefore worth the gamble.

If he is dedicated to collecting more than a paycheck in his career, the smart move is to do what he can, safely, to be the best running back he can. Taking more than an acceptable risk, at this juncture, would be the dumb move. Most - including you - seem to think that the risk of injury is low to insignificant when compared to the value of obtaining and learning a playbook and bonding with his teammates.My guess is that he's like most athletes: he'd like to be in the hall of fame someday. If that's his aspiration, then falling behind due to the lockout is a dumb thing to do. The smart thing is to manage the situation as best he can, which it appears he is doing.

 

[Truman]

Putting his career at risk. Why just his career and not his life as well? It's probably about as dangerous as playing basketball - should he just lock himself in his room until a deal gets done?

 

[Christo]

Excellent use of his time to get to know his teammates and get familiar with the playbook, but couldn't he get insurance?

heath Insurance yes, life insurance also Since there is no contract how can he insure that?

You can pretty much insure anything if you're willing to pay the premium.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Dumb move. But it's worth the gamble. Honestly - what are the odds of him getting a serious injury? And what's the upside of what he can learn by coming in early?

If it's worth the gamble, how is it a dumb move?I'm sure you meant that it's a smart move.

No. I meant what I said. The smart move would be to play it safe and get the most money he possibly can sign for before ever setting foot on the field.The odds of him suffering a significant injury are low while he gets to learn the playbook/bond with teammates and it is therefore worth the gamble.

If he is dedicated to collecting more than a paycheck in his career, the smart move is to do what he can, safely, to be the best running back he can. Taking more than an acceptable risk, at this juncture, would be the dumb move. Most - including you - seem to think that the risk of injury is low to insignificant when compared to the value of obtaining and learning a playbook and bonding with his teammates.My guess is that he's like most athletes: he'd like to be in the hall of fame someday. If that's his aspiration, then falling behind due to the lockout is a dumb thing to do. The smart thing is to manage the situation as best he can, which it appears he is doing.

Missing a month is not going to have any affect on his chances to make the Hall of Fame.

 

[Gopher State]

Ingram is so over rated he needs all the practice time he can get. If PT is healthy Ingram will be spending lots of time on the pine.

 

[Jersey35]

Dumb move. But it's worth the gamble. Honestly - what are the odds of him getting a serious injury? And what's the upside of what he can learn by coming in early?

If it's worth the gamble, how is it a dumb move?I'm sure you meant that it's a smart move.

No. I meant what I said. The smart move would be to play it safe and get the most money he possibly can sign for before ever setting foot on the field.The odds of him suffering a significant injury are low while he gets to learn the playbook/bond with teammates and it is therefore worth the gamble.

If he is dedicated to collecting more than a paycheck in his career, the smart move is to do what he can, safely, to be the best running back he can. Taking more than an acceptable risk, at this juncture, would be the dumb move. Most - including you - seem to think that the risk of injury is low to insignificant when compared to the value of obtaining and learning a playbook and bonding with his teammates.My guess is that he's like most athletes: he'd like to be in the hall of fame someday. If that's his aspiration, then falling behind due to the lockout is a dumb thing to do. The smart thing is to manage the situation as best he can, which it appears he is doing.

Missing a month is not going to have any affect on his chances to make the Hall of Fame.

I don't disagree, but is this really the stance you want to take on this? Most people would agree that the harder you work and the more opportunities you take to better yourself, the more successful you will be in the role you choose. If the guy has the mindset that he wants to be the best at what he does, then it makes sense he'd be present at these relatively laid back and low-risk drills.He's at very low risk, and quite likely has insured himself to mitigate what little risk there is. I disagree that it's a dumb move.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

I don't disagree, but is this really the stance you want to take on this? Most people would agree that the harder you work and the more opportunities you take to better yourself, the more successful you will be in the role you choose. If the guy has the mindset that he wants to be the best at what he does, then it makes sense he'd be present at these relatively laid back and low-risk drills.

He's at very low risk, and quite likely has insured himself to mitigate what little risk there is. I disagree that it's a dumb move.

Yes. And apparently it's the stance you are taking as well.

 

[matuski]

I thought most pro prospects in college had injury insurance these days? Why wouldn't he?