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There are more compelling position battles unfolding at training camp than the one being waged between two relatively obscure placekickers for the New Orleans Saints.

Many out there in Who Dat Nation probably don't even know their names. In fact, there may be veteran players who would not be able to pick the kickers out of a lineup, perhaps not caring to know until the season-opening 53-man roster is finalized next month.

Media and fans are so concerned with other pressing issues facing Saints coach Sean Payton and his staff at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., that the toe-to-toe competition between Dustin Hopkins and Zach Hocker gets lost in the shuffle.

Who Dat? Good question. Know this: The next point either kicker makes in the NFL regular season will be his first. Ironically, both have been drafted -- Hopkins by Buffalo via Florida State in the sixth round in 2013 and Hocker by Washington via Arkansas in the sixth round in 2014.

Hopkins missed the entire '13 season with a groin injury, was cut by the Bills in camp last year and signed to the Saints practice squad near the end of last season as insurance for Shayne Graham, now a distant memory in New Orleans. The Saints represent Hocker's third attempt to stick in the NFL after being waived by the Redskins in camp last year and Miami Dolphins in May.

Hopkins reportedly has the early advantage over Hocker, suggesting it is Hopkins' job to lose. But it is early in camp. The competition heats up beginning Thursday night when the Saints open their exhibition season at the Baltimore Ravens, with additional tests coming in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome against New England (Aug. 22) and Houston (Aug. 30) and at Green Bay (Sept. 3).

Brian Allee-Walsh: Saints must address issues at training camp | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald

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"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins