The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

I would rather the Saints keep Ivory and trade Ingram.

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The biggest story coming out of New Orleans this off-season is not another bounty scandal, but the New Orleans Saints cap situation.The Saints and general manager Mickey Loomis have been doing a great job in trying to get under the salary cap as they have restructured numerous contracts but they still have a little way to go. Specifically, it is estimated that the Saints are now only about $2.9 million over the salary cap.

With the Saints expected to make a few more cuts and not re-sign some other players, they could surely get under the salary cap. The Saints should eventually have some money to sign their marquee unrestricted free agent, left tackle Jermon Bushrod. The Saints have made it very clear that they want to retain Bushrod, but he is expected to get a big pay day.

If Bushrod is re-signed where does that leave restricted free agents like running back Chris Ivory? Ivory has said recently that he expects the Saints to offer him a restricted free agent tender that would keep him with the Saints for at least the upcoming season.

Many believe that the Saints will offer Ivory one of two options: a second-round tender that is a one-year contract worth about $2.023 million, or a no-compensation tender worth about $1.323 million for the year. The latter would save the Saints about $700,000 for their salary cap, but it would not guarantee that they get to keep Ivory.

If the Saints try to save money, they will almost definitely lose Ivory as he will test the open market. Ivory is too talented and another team will pick him up right away. For Ivory and the Saints, it will all come down to the money. Are the Saints willing to pay Ivory the $2.023 million to keep him this season? Or will the Saints risk him leaving for another team?

Ivory is a good running back but with their already-loaded backfield, the Saints have only used him as an insurance policy in recent seasons. The Saints could decide that Ivory’s talent is too much to let go of. However, don’t be too surprised if Ivory is not wearing black and gold next season.

//www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/03/06/the-new-orleans-saints-can-afford-to-keep-chris-ivory-but-will-they/?wsFqo798RI2BYJkm.99

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

At this moment in time.....Ivory is the better back, but he can't stay healthy

Ingram has proven he can, and like I said a couple weeks back - me personally.....I'd rather have the steady durable Running back than the amazing performance one week, then missing three weeks sort of back that ivory is

I'd go forward with Ingram due to the fact he didn't get injured once in 156 carries last season and definitley showed improvement as the season went along

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

And still a bounty dig. Really? Sports talkers have dropped two spots lower than lawyers and politicians on my list now.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

I would hate to see either back leave N O but everytime I watch Ivory in the open field, he puts me in mind of former Cows RB Marion Barber .. will not shy away from contact, can abuse cornerbacks in the open field but man sometimes it's ok to run towards the sidelines and save yourself for another down. I cringed everytime Ivory made contact last season with a defender not knowing if he would miss another down, next series or subsequent game.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

The health thing is overated because since his selection Ingram has also had his time riding the pine because of injury, also Ingram only got better because of Ivory...... Ivory put the fear of god into Ingram and his spot was jepordized..... improvement..... I don't think so!!

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

We have 4 RBs, a defense that is greatly lacking, and up against the cap.

Do we really want to keep a 4th RB when that spot and $ could be used on our Defense...

I do not care who is better, who gets hurt... We do not need a 4th back in our present situation.

The Line up should be PT, Sproles, and Ingram. If you get rid of any other back besides Ivory to get down to three and you'll be looking for another during the season.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Ingram missed 4 games in his rookie season with turf toe, which keeps people out all year
All our backs improved when Kromer went back to O line coach, it wasnt the fact that ivory was playing
If you cant see that he improved you need to watch the games again, he definitley did and most people here know it aswell

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

He was healthy for 5 games last season and 6 the year before. He's a nice player, but let him get paid to sit in someone else's rehab facility for 2013.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Correct message, I figured I would agree and point out he sat for a few games last season when he was healthy... The point still remains he has yet to have a healthy season.

Here is Ivorys Football History


Washington State
2006- healthy for 9 games - Sprained Ankle
2007- healthy for 8 games - Right Shoulder
2008- healthy for 5 games - hamstring
Chris Ivory Profile - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site

Tiffen
2009 - healthy for 5 games - leg Injury
Tiffin University News

Saints
2010 - 12 games - hamstring
2011 - 6 games - hamstring/sports hernia/foot surgery
2012 - 6 games -hamstring
Recent news on Chris Ivory - New Orleans Saints - Rotoworld.com

Chris Ivory has never had a healthy season

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

If you're in the tub you ain't helping the club...

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Its a shame too because if this guy could play 16 games and get the lions share of runs, I think he could put up close to AP numbers.

The only thing he lacks is vision. If he would cut as hard as he hits he may be able to last the season.

Perhaps someone will coach him better.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Bottom line we cannot afford him at 2mill. Dont forget we have cadet back there at approx 480k this year. Granted he's probably half the player of Ivory. But quite frankly, we do not need more backs outside of PT, Ingram, and Sproles.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Alaska in 3..2..1..

*Redacted*

LOL

Alaska

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

If we ever truly want to develop Ingram as a featured back, we need to move Ivory. You don't spend multiple picks and draft a running back in the first round if that's not your intention. As much as I love Ivory, it's what we should do.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Trade Ivory for another draft pick.........maybe that's why Loomis is keeping Ivory around.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

we still have cadet or is he listed at WR

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

even if we let Ivory go I almost 100% gurantee we're going to sign a Undrafted Rookie RB regardless what happens in 2013 we will have four backs the question is will one of them be Ivory

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Someone posted in another thread about us checking out Spencer Ware from LSU if he goes undrafted. He's a big bruiser and I've lamented us letting go of Joique Bell (same general style) to the Lions since it happened

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

There you go.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Cadet is our 5th RB.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

I seriously doubt we will drop Ingram and keep Ivory. How is it that Sproles blocks better than either of them?

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Experience.

Re: The New Orleans Saints can Afford to Keep Chris Ivory, but Will They?
 

Because pass protection is more about who to block than how to block.