Alvin Kamara dismisses the notion that his approach to his second NFL camp should change because of the four-game suspension looming over fellow Saints Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram.

Whether Kamara and the running game are as effective without Ingram when the regular season opens remains to be seen. But Kamara expresses confidence in New Orleans’ plan to deal with it.

”We work hard regardless. If Mark was in the first four weeks Ronald Jones II Youth Jersey , I’d still be working the same,” Kamara asserted after the Saints’ second practice of training camp Friday. ”Of course, (Ingram) wants to be playing, but he’s got to take his four weeks – and we’ve got playmakers.”

Those playmakers include two new veteran running backs acquired in free agency to ensure depth at the position.

In the weeks leading up to training camp, the Saints signed 29-year-old Shane Vereen and 27-year-old Terrence West.

”We feel like those are two young candidates, two backs that, be it they’re a little different in what they do, but we felt that they could help us and then with regards to Mark’s snaps,” Saints coach Sean Payton, who missed Friday’s practice to attend former colleague Tony Sparano’s funeral, said this week. ”Shane’s got a lot of versatility, is someone that we feel like is very good in protection. Also, he’s a very good receiver. With Terrance, you see a physical runner. So, both of those players we felt like would help us.”

The Saints ranked fifth in rushing last season, but that ranking alone doesn’t do justice to the contributions Ingram and Kamara made to the offense overall.

Ingram had arguably his finest season yet with 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing to go with 416 yards receiving. Kamara Mike McGlinchey Jersey , the 2017 NFL offensive rookie of the year , had 728 yards and eight TDs rushing to go with 826 yards and five TDs receiving.

Yet, while Ingram’s absence would appear to be a tough blow, the era of Payton and quarterback Drew Brees has produced highly effective offense with a wide range of personnel getting the ball.

Brees also uses high-percentage short passes to augment the running game. That made New Orleans an attractive destination for Vereen, who has a history of helping offenses as a receiver out of the backfield more than as a rusher.

”It’s a great opportunity for me,” Vereen said. ”What really brought me here was the culture that they built around here. Definitely this is an offense that a lot of guys want to play in.

”The way they use their backs is pretty similar to what I’m used to and it’s the type of system that I feel like I can fit into,” Vereen continued. ”Just the way they spread the ball around and the points that they put up, it seems like a good place to play.”

As a member of New England’s 2014 championship squad, Vereen had 391 yards and two TDs rushing to go with 447 yards and three TDs receiving during the regular season. He also had 64 yards receiving in a Super Bowl victory over Seattle.

”I’ve admired him from afar – really respected what he was able to do in New England and then obviously in New York” with the Giants, Brees said. ”He’s got a great skill set, so I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Terrence West comes to the Saints after an injury plagued 2017 with Baltimore. But two seasons ago, he had 774 yards and five TDs with the Ravens.

Meanwhile, Ingram, who can participate in camp and preseason games, said he is committed to striving for his best season yet over the 12 games for which he will be eligible.

”I’m here every day busting my butt, preparing myself to have another great season, to have my best season of my career. That’s how I approach it Devin Hester Jersey ,” Ingram said. ”Of course, you want to rush for 1,000 yards. It’ll be more of a challenge in 12 games, but it’s attainable.

”I’m going to do everything I can to be in the best shape, the best condition – the best me – so I can help this team.”

—

Everywhere he looks at the moment Broncos linebacker Shane Ray spots motivation.

Denver selecting another pass rusher in Bradley Chubb with the No. 5 overall pick? Fuel.

Not having his fifth-year option picked up by the team? More incentive.

Being bashed on social media following an injury-riddled 2017 season? Added drive.

Not that long ago, Ray was all the rage – a first-round pick out of Missouri to play alongside Von Miller. But another pass-rusher has suddenly soared in popularity in Chubb, whose selection on draft night had Miller hooting and hollering .

Ray gets it. He takes it all in stride. He’s trying to, anyway.

”For somebody to come and just try to shove me to the side, I’m not that type of player,” Ray said after a team workout Tuesday. ”I’m going to come out here and continue to be what my coaches know that I can be, my teammates, and I’m not going to let the outside people try to characterize who I am and what’s going to happen for this team.

”I’ve got to focus on being me. I’ve got to focus on coming out here and having a great season, and helping my team and securing my future, wherever it is.”

Ray insisted he understands why Broncos boss John Elway and the team balked at picking up his option. Last season wasn’t what he envisioned, either. He broke his left wrist in July, underwent three surgeries that caused him to miss the opening six games. He had one sack over the next eight contests before going back on injury reserve.

His fifth-year option – $9.23 million – would have been worth more than the four-year, $9 James Washington Game Jersey ,118,894 rookie contract he signed after the Broncos selected him with the 23rd overall pick in 2015. Ray, who recently turned 25, has started just 15 games in three NFL seasons, collecting 13 sacks and recovering two fumbles.

”Do you invest $9 million in a guy who had three wrist surgeries the year prior? You know, maybe not?” Ray said. ”I can’t blame John for that, and I can’t focus on that. That’s not something I’m going to allow to mess up my focus or my commitment to the team.”

On draft night, Ray said he, too, cheered the selection of Chubb, even if it was direct competition. Ray also vowed to teach Chubb the tricks of the pass-rushing trade. After all, that’s what DeMarcus Ware did for him.

So far, Ray’s been impressed by Chubb.

”He’s taking notes from me, Von, Shaq (Barrett), the coaches,” Ray said. ”He’s going to develop into a great player because of that.”

One thing: Ray will be standing in his way of a starting role.

”It’s going to be hell of a fight Cole Beasley Jersey ,” Ray said, ”for somebody to come and take what I’ve worked so hard for my whole life.”

While Ray’s wrist continues to heal – he’s not allowed to do push-ups or bench press yet – Ray spent the offseason increasing his leg strength. He’s beefed up from 219 pounds to around 247.

”I haven’t been this big in three years,” Ray said. ”It’s a nice additional weight I felt I needed … playing the run, just getting into the backfield and moving guys around.”

Broncos coach Vance Joseph can almost sense a hungry Ray, who’s trying to hold off Chubb and prove he’s worth a lucrative new deal.

”You’re going to have to go out and earn your keep in this league,” Joseph said. ”If you earn it, you keep it. He understands that. So, Shane has been in a great mood. … I’ve been proud of how Shane’s handled those things because obviously he reads the papers and what you guys write about that stuff.”

He’s not reading this: What’s being said on social media. He’s tuned it out after a series of exchanges with his Twitter followers during the draft weekend.

”It’s stressful, when you’ve got all these other things to worry about in life and have other people that are trying to bash you every moment they get,” Ray explained. ”I don’t have time for it.”

Ray had a solid rookie season that included a pair of tackles and a forced fumble in the Broncos’ win over Carolina in Super Bowl 50. In 2016, he posted eight sacks.

”Last year, I wasn’t the same me due to injury,” Ray said. ”For people holding that against me, hey, it is what it is. I don’t care. … Focus on you and eliminate the outside noise and life will be a lot easier.”

—

AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton contributed.

—

.