New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Cornerbacks with widely varying experience levels opened up New Orleans Saints training camp in West Virginia nearly one month ago vying for the second starting cornerback slot opposite Keenan Lewis.

The Saints quickly whittled the battle down to two players as Champ Bailey and Patrick Robinson began rotating practice snaps with the first-team defense. In a perfect world, this battle would have been long decided.

Football is about as imperfect of a world as you'll find in sports. As a result, the Saints are no further along in their decision making than they were three weeks in deciding between the two players for the gig.

A handful of position battles headlined the opening of Saints training camp last month like cornerback, outside linebacker, center and kicker. Some battles, like center and kicker, are seemingly all square as we enter this most significant dress rehearsal Saturday despite weeks of battling.

Injuries to Bailey and Robinson put this race at a firm standstill, and that's not exactly an encouraging sign as both entered this season with injury concerns. As a result, the Saints have been essentially stuck in the mud for three weeks with the regular season not too far in the distance.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Thursday he plans on playing both Bailey and Robinson during New Orleans' third preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Bailey returned to team drills for the first time since July 31 earlier this week, while Robinson saw action in team drills Thursday for the first time in a couple of weeks.

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Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Injuries to Bailey and Robinson put this race at a firm standstill

really? ya think? stationary bike riding will not factor into the equation?

i am starting to believe we will need these two to fill that one spot. odds are neither are going to make a full season.

on the flip side next years draft looks really sweet for CB. might be the deepest position in the draft.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

With all the different packages and subbing that Ryan does, they'll both end up playing a ton. Hopefully they alternate injuries instead of both at the same time.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

that might be the game we need to play

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Hopefully Jean Batiste can develop quickly.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

i think white should be working with the QBs to perfect chasing the football down field. it word be great to see him develop that skill set before the season starts. he is always in good position just suxs at finding the ball so far.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

The fact that Bailey is being considered as the #2 CB on our team is a little scary. He's definitely declined in his ability to be the lockdown CB he used to be, and the fact that they are saying Robinson is at about his exact level and that White isn't even up to that level should have us all a little worried. Hopefully Robinson is healthy and steps up into a legit #2 opposite Lewis. If not, it may be time to find a legit #2 in a draft, provided SJB doesn't become that man next season

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

I like what your saying. I would prefer White to stay at the #3 this season and challenge next season. My thought is we are secure at the #3 with little to no worries with White there. If both Bailey and Robinson being healthy is the best case senerio but if both get on the bike to ofter maybe with cuts from all teams we might be able to pick up a FA with a little something to prove that does stay off the bike.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

my concern is that we wait too long on Robinson and Bailey, and those 2 hold roster spots that could go to a developing player such as Sweeting or SJB.

jjas is right that with the door wide open, it'd too bad White hasn't stepped up.
Big game for all 3 tomorrow

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Batiste is a really really raw prospect that needs a year or two for development. If he is needed this season the backfield is in real trouble IMO.


I agree 100%, Although I hold out hope for both Bailey and Robinson, both have been injury prone and neither have looked like a true #2 in recent seasons. White is still young but has passed neither. The last few years drafting corners has been horrible. It's time payton turns that over 100% to Rob. We've burned too many high picks on DB's only to scramble to find quality starters during free agency.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

l was so happy we got Sweeting last year and knew he would make the club. but i am not going to kid myself here. i in no way see him becoming the CB you want starting outside. i could be wrong.

Sweeting is a solid back up that is very smart and will keep the play in front of him as not to give up the big plays. fourth or fifth guy all day long for years to come at best.

SJB oh god he needs work but if he every gets it all together he maybe the guy out there. i think a great nickle and dime guy shutting down the TE and tall slower wide outs is were he will settle in at for the next 2 years. then who knows. upside baby upside. how high does that ceiling go?

bring on the 2015 nfl draft - #1 priority will be either ILB or CB. as things look now i say CB.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

They both might not even be on the opening day roster. I don't like the idea of both not playing at all in the preseason and expecting them to be ready when the games count. My guess is White will lineup opposite Lewis opening day. Vaccaro will drop down in sub packages with Bush and Sunseri seeing alot of playing time.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

White scares me. I'd rather see Robinson opposite Lewis.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

both are supposed to play tonight

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Okay by both you actually mean Bailey and PRob? So you think the top 2 guys chasing the starting CB position opposite Lewis might both get CUT? Now that'd be a story. And Joe Morgan might get moved to corner now that he's healthy. Pros-Good height and speed/Cons-Serious concerns about his run support.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Robinson is a notch below Keenan Lewis but he will be a perfect #2 if he can stay healthy. Love the way he played against the Colts.

I am starting to think Champ doesn't make the team. Same foot as last year? Ooof.

Re: New Orleans Saints sit at square one with cornerback race between Champ Bailey, Patrick Robinson
 

Champ's contract ($500k guaranteed over two years) may be what saves him from cuts but i don't know man, he's been just as injured as Butler....