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After an action-packed offseason, the Saints believe they’re built to beat anyone in the NFL. But loading up on talent is only half the process. The rest begins when the Saints report to training camp Thursday in West Virginia, and things must get off to a good start if they want a fifth trip to the playoffs — and, more importantly, a second Super Bowl — in six seasons.

Training camp battles, position by position

QUARTERBACKS

ON SOLID GROUND: Drew Brees

IN THE MIX: Ryan Griffin, Luke McCown

UPHILL CLIMB: Logan Kilgore (FA-Middle Tennessee State)

WHERE’S THE INTRIGUE?: Griffin or McCown?

WHY?: Brees has passed for the most yards (10,339) and second-most touchdowns (82) over the last two years in the NFL. Barring a catastrophe, he’s the only Saints quarterback taking meaningful snaps in ’14. However, the race to be the top backup will be interesting. Griffin had his moments in offseason workouts and spent time on the 53-man roster as a rookie third quarterback last year, but veteran McCown is the returning second-string incumbent.

RUNNING BACKS

ON SOLID GROUND: RB Pierre Thomas, RB Mark Ingram, RB Khiry Robinson, FB Erik Lorig (FA, Buccaneers)

IN THE MIX: RB Travaris Cadet

UPHILL CLIMB: RB Derrick Strozier (FA-Tulane), RB Timothy Flanders (FA-Sam Houston State), FB Austin Johnson (practice squad)

WHERE’S THE INTRIGUE?: Cadet

WHY?: Though their experience varies, Thomas, Ingram and Robinson have had their moments for the Saints, and Lorig held a role in Tampa Bay for four years before joining New Orleans. However, Cadet’s been used sparingly as a running back since making the Saints as an undrafted rookie in ’12. Coaches say he reminds them of RB Darren Sproles, a prolific receiver/kick-returner who led the Saints in all-purpose yardage from ’11-13 before being traded to Philadelphia in March. Can Cadet justify those comparisons? Or will he lose out to an undrafted rookie, a type of player he knows the Saints love?

WIDE RECEIVERS

ON SOLID GROUND: Marques Colston, Kenny Stills, Brandin Cooks (D1-Oregon State)

IN THE MIX: Robert Meachem, Nick Toon, Joseph Morgan

UPHILL CLIMB: Brandon Coleman (FA-Rutgers), Charles Hawkins (practice squad), Steve Hull (FA-Illinois), Seantavius Jones (FA-Valdosta State), Andy Tanner (practice squad)

WHERE’S THE INTRIGUE?: Morgan, Toon

WHY?: Assign spots to returning starters Colston and Stills as well as Cooks, college football’s best receiver last year. Give veteran Meachem a good shot for leading the Saints in yards per catch (20.3) last year and his renowned downfield blocking. That means Toon and Morgan fight for spots among quite a crowd. Toon’s 6-4 height and Morgan’s astonishing 37.9 yards per catch in ’12 show why they’re in the mix. Toon, though, struggled in ’13 after missing his rookie year hurt in ’12. Meanwhile, third-year man Morgan is coming back from a torn ACL sidelining him in ’13 — another such tear caused him to miss ’11.

Read more: New Orleans Saints 2014 training camp preview | Sports | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

SmashMouth

Some great camp battles coming up. Interestingly, many UDFA from Valdosta State. Wonder if Coleman at WR will push himself into the mix. He is kinda like a Colston clone.

Rugby Saint II

This is going to be one heck of a TC.