Saints Find Gem with Chris Ivory

Running back Chris Ivory took an uncommon path toward NFL stardom, but the 22-year-old undrafted rookie is the leading rusher on the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. Despite featuring in a backfield behind future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, Ivory was the star of the Saints’ victory last week in Cincinnati. The Longview, Texas native torched the Bengals for 117 yards on just 15 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Darting through the middle of Cincinnati’s defense, Ivory displayed his breakaway speed on a 55 yard TD run in the second quarter. Head coach Sean Payton’s newest favorite runner spent three seasons at Washington State, but was dismissed from the team as a junior for disciplinary reasons. Ivory headed to the tiny Ohio town of Tiffin to resurrect his playing career. The Tiffin University Dragons welcomed Ivory to the their team and Ivory rushed for 223 yards on 35 carries before suffering a season-ending injury to his knee. Despite his misfortune, NFL scout were still enamored by his speed and Ivory signed with the Saints shortly after the 2010 NFL Draft. His road to the New Orleans wasn’t an easy one, but it appears that Chris Ivory has a shot at shining a NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year Award this off-season.








