NEW ORLEANS ― Chris Ivory has been fighting for a roster spot all preseason.
One 76-yard touchdown reception in New Orleans’ 36-21 win over San Diego should do the trick in cementing it.
Ivory took a pass from quarterback Patrick Ramsey, ran over San Diego’s Darrel Stuckey, cut to his right and sprinted down the field, dragging Stuckey into the end zone after the Chargers’ defensive back chased him down.
“My mindset is I know I’ve got to come out and work hard and open some eyes,” Ivory said. “Just prove that I want to be here. I’m trying to go hard every play.”
Ivory is another jewel the Saints have mined from the undrafted rookie free agent market. The first-year player from Tiffin finished Friday night’s game with 45 yards rushing and that 76-yard touchdown reception.
This preseason, he amassed 141 yards and a touchdown on the ground to go along. More importantly, he appears to have earned the role as the third-down, short-yardage back for New Orleans.
On his only two runs on third-and-short in the game, he converted, gaining three yards on third-and-two and six yards later on third-and-one.
“He has got size and speed,” Head Coach Sean Payton. “Those are two things when you really begin to grade the free agents. When you get into that Sunday evening (of the NFL draft) and signing free agents, each year you see it with different players.
“With him, he has been able to take those assets and transition them. He just consistently has been able to get positive yards, but there’s some things we’ve got to get corrected.”
Ivory said it has been a long time since he scored a 76-yard touchdown. But he’s not giving himself a roster spot just yet.
“Time will tell,” Ivory said. “This is the last week coming up.”
