Training camp in New Orleans has the potential to get very interesting if Adrian Peterson isn’t the No. 1 running back on the depth chart.
Last season, Ingram led the Saints with 1,043 rushing yards and six touchdowns and added 46 catches for 319 yards and four touchdowns.
“It’s Mark Ingram, it’s not even a question,” McCallister told TMZ Sports. “The consistency and his knowledge of this offense will help him. But it will also help him be able to compete with AP in the classroom, on the practice field. What Mark can do for you on third downs as far as catching as well as picking up the blitz, it’s where AP is in the stage of his career … it’s basically to complement Mark at this point.”
Peterson as the No. 2 in New Orleans is mind-boggling. Would he really sign with a team to be the backup?
According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Peterson is pretty much a nice “insurance policy” in case Ingram struggles or gets hurt.
It would be even more stunning if Peterson starts the game on the sidelines when the Saints play the Vikings on Monday Night Football to open the season.
“I think it’s Mark’s job to lose,” McCallister added.
Since being drafted in 2007, this will be only the second season Peterson won’t be running against a stacked defensive front. That’s thanks to quarterback Drew Brees and the explosive Saints passing attack. The only other year Peterson had a complimentary passing game around him was in 2009 with Brett Favre, Sidney Rice and Visanthe Shiancoe.
