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After the Saints selected him in the fifth round of the 2012 draft, cornerback Corey White chose jersey No. 24 because that was the number worn by the two NFL players whom he considered the best at his position: Darrelle Revis and Champ Bailey.

Little could he imagine that 12-time Pro Bowler Bailey would end up being his teammate. And little did he know he’d spark a mini-controversy by not giving up 24 when Bailey casually asked White whether he wanted to keep the number but didn’t express an interest in buying it.

“Champ’s not really bothered by it, “ White said Thursday after a organized team activities practice at Saints headquarters in Metairie, echoing prior remarks from Bailey, who settled on No. 27 and assured it was no big deal. “When I got drafted, I got 24 because of the premier cornerbacks in the league, like Champ, like ... Revis. That’s the number I wanted because of them.”

White admitted he has improvements to make if he wants to be remembered as another great No. 24. But he takes heart knowing how much he grew from his experiences in 2013 as he vies to remain in a spot near the top of a cornerback group that had 11 players Thursday, when the Saints depth chart admittedly was far from being finalized.

According to Pro Football Focus, quarterbacks throwing against White in 2013 went 38-of-67 (56.7 percent) for 451 yards and four touchdowns as well as a 91.1 passer rating. White had an interception and five pass deflections over those 18 regular-season and playoff games, including eight starts, as he became a stalwart in the lineup after veteran Jabari Greer suffered a season-ending knee injury against San Francisco in Week 11. Greer, now released, was hurt after another veteran cornerback — Patrick Robinson — suffered a season-ending knee injury nine weeks earlier.

Read more: White is out to show what he can do against competition on the Saints | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

hagan714

hard to believe this is just his third season and a 5th rounder to boot. he is way a head of the learning curve for a small school prospect, now does he have his head on right?

“Locating the football is going to be huge for me this year,”

bingo.

lets see what he does this year. he still has 2 years left on the 4 year plan in my book. I do not think he has hit the ceiling yet. best tackling CB on the team also. I am still liking this pick more each year.

halloween 65

I think he is a solid #3 and improving.

Danno

We should see much more consistency from him this year. McGriff will continue to mold this kid into something special

SaintLeonard

Do you think he'll be our #3 this year? I wouldn't be surprised at all if White beats out Bailey, PRob, and SJB to stay as our #2 corner.

Euphoria

Just more consistency in coverage but I think he is clearly be best tackler on the team.

halloween 65

As of right now I would have to say no, but to do what he did last season was much more than I could have ask for. I think the battle between Bailey and Robinson will be a good one to watch and throw in the new kid I wouldn't be surprized to see Bailey and White as the 3rd, talk about depth. P-Rob controls his destiny, when he is healthy he is good.

saintsfan1976

I'm a fan. Really like his physical style of play - that you can't teach...

hagan714

does he have a shot at #2? that is wide open right now PRob is odds on favorite if he can stay out of the tub

Bailey White SJB and for now Sweeting are looking pretty good as the core of the CB unit

As for the rest i really do not see any surprise just yet but it is always fun to have one come out of no where and start generating some buzz

Pierre Warren at Safety is the UDFA wild card DB i am watching this year in camp.

hagan714

dam straight it is a mental thing. love a player that stands over their road kill and checks to see if they are blowing snot bubbles. 5 to 1 says White grins when see this.