Is there room for Chris Ivory to shine in a healthy Saints backfield?
 

For the first time this season, the New Orleans Saints were able to find their running game when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This past Sunday, the Saints rushed for 212 yards of which 158 came on the legs of neither of their starting running backs. It didn't even come by way of who was expected to be their third or fourth running backs. Two veterans on the team combined for less than a third of what undrafted rookie Chris Ivory did Sunday in Tampa. Finally the Saints had some semblance of a rushing attack.
But what happens to Ivory once there is a healthy Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush?
Everyone knows that the starting running back in New Orleans is Pierre Thomas, but he has missed three games with an ankle injury and is pegged to miss a fourth this Sunday. Reggie Bush is a starter at times, but the term "running back" is used quite loosely since he lines up virtually all over the field. If this was the AFL, he'd be listed as an Offensive Specialist. With that, both Bush and Thomas should be returning within the next one or two weeks and they certainly won't be sitting on the bench. One has to wonder then what happens to Chris Ivory.
The young undrafted back out of Tiffin College had a breakout game against a Buccaneer rushing defense that ranked 30th in the league going into their game with the Saints. It's not like they were stopping anybody this season. In no way though is that to take away from what Ivory did because he took advantage every time he touched the ball with good speed and power running. Neither Julius Jones nor LaDell Betts could really get much going and combined they had one more carry (16) then Ivory did.
It was a fantastic by the rookie and so many people are wondering what he'll do against the Cleveland Browns this week where he'll likely be the starter yet again. Chances are he'll have (READ THE REST!: Is there room for Chris Ivory to shine in a healthy Saints backfield? - New Orleans New Orleans Saints | Examiner.com )

Move Reggie to the slot and let Ivory back up Thomas when all 3 are healthy ... see that wasn't that hard to figure out

Ivory looks like one of those backs who gets better as the game progresses; as he gets more carries he seems to get in a rhythm and DBs get enough of sticking their head in there late in the 3rd and into the 4th. He may be in and out, and much more out when Thomas and Bush come back. He'll get his 5-10 carries. I just hope he can keep up that ypc. It will be tough, and much tougher with fewer carries.

He'll get some carries in the second half or when the Saints have built a 2-3 score cushion is how I see it going down when the starters get back. He has to prove he can hold on to the ball.

Ivory will need to do well on special teams for us ... that is how PT made the grade

Just hold on to the ball son.

All Ivory has to do is hold on to the ball and he will be the starter. He reminds me so much of Chuck Muncie, blazing fast dude who can run over people, just needs to learn how to hold on to the ball. If Ivory can master ball handling skills all will be good.

There will still be room for him. He essentially takes Mike Bell's spot from last year.

Shine on you crazy diamond. Yes theres room. Chris is getting better by the week.

He's a Diamond in the ruff and he has looked great. He'll step in for Mike Bell.

Hopefully, he wears the right shoes. :D

Not as sick as the opposing defences will be by the end of the 4th Q :p