Ingram 'not afraid of competition' with Peterson in Saints' backfield

While the rest of the New Orleans Saints organization may be fawning over the arrival of Adrian Peterson, the man he'll be competing for carries with isn't backing down.

Mark Ingram has taken the high road when expressing his feelings on Peterson's signing throughout this offseason, but made it clear on Sunday that he doesn't plan on stepping aside for the veteran to take his place.

"It doesn't matter who's in the backfield with me, who I'm competing with, I'm always going to give my 100 percent all," Ingram told ESPN's Mike Triplett, when asked if Peterson’s arrival has stoked his competitive fire. "I respect him and everything he's done. He's still a great player; he's overcome a lot of adversity. But at the end of the day, I'm going to compete, no matter who it is.

"Not afraid of competition, no matter how high on the totem pole they are. I'm always going to compete, I'm always going to give my best."

Ingram and Peterson have rotated in with the first-team offense through minicamp. Ingram said he was sidelined for the first two weeks of minicamp as coaches were "letting me rest a bit." When he returned to the field for the final week, Peterson took a break.

Entering his seventh year with the Saints, Ingram says he's helping Peterson learn their system. As a longtime fan of the former Minnesota Viking, Ingram can balance his competitive nature with appreciation for Peterson's presence.

"Just to be there in the same room with him, pick his brain, see how he practices, see how he works, that's pretty cool," Ingram said. "He's a Hall of Fame player, he's been practicing good, he's looking fast, looking good.

"So (we'll) just keep practicing, keep getting better, and hopefully it translates good to the season."