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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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hagan714

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.

Danno

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.

hagan714

that might be the game we need to play

SmashMouth

Hopefully Jean Batiste can develop quickly.

jeanpierre

It's hardly been a race for that reason, and then we're waiting for White, Jean-Baptiste to step up; gotta say I've been pulling for White and his development and am cautioned that he's seems stalled, but it is still pre-season...

hagan714

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.

jjasso007

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

halloween 65

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.

ScottF

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