Meachem on the bubble

We hear Saints WR Robert Meachem didn’t show enough in his first full NFL season to guarantee himself a roster spot for 2009. Meachem, an ’07 first-round pick who missed his entire rookie year because of a knee injury, showed a knack for the big play last season, averaging 24.1 yards per reception, but he made only 12 catches in 14 games. Drops were a problem for him, and he didn’t make the most of his opportunities when WRs Marques Colston and David Patten were out with injuries. Sources say the team still seems to think he has potential, but it doesn’t need to wait for him to develop. Head coach Sean Payton plugged in little-used Lance Moore this season with outstanding results, and his appears to be the kind of passing scheme where receivers with a wide range of skill levels can have success.

about 3 years ago stujo4 14 comments 0 recs |

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Meachem hasn't had that much time on the field

So far, it looks like Meachem is the second coming of Devery Henderson: a fast, deep threat who can’t reliably move the chains like Colston and Moore. But he hasn’t played that much, either.

I don’t know what the problem is, and ProFootballWeekly—in true media fashion—doesn’t really delve into the story. That would require work. It would require interviewing the receivers coach, at least, and asking him “What’s the problem here? Is it attitude? Conditioning? Route running? Blocking skills? Can he not read blitzes and alter his routes? What exactly is keeping Meachem off the field?”

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Jan 16, 2009 9:32 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

rec'd it

Good post but of course I’ll argue it’s possible he’s not lazy, he’s hamstrung. 1) To give details would reveal his source, and he promised not to do that, or 2) He’s a second or third hand voice with no access to the real knowledge (e.g. his wife is friends with Drew’s wife, that sort of thing). Maybe not likely, but possible.

I’m grateful for any information that doesn’t come from PayLoo or the official website. We don’t get nearly enough of it.

There’s a bailout coming, but it’s not for you.

by stujo4 on Jan 16, 2009 9:46 AM CST up reply actions

KEEP MEACHEM!!

25 % of his receptions were touchdowns and he had the second highest yards per catch in the NFL!!!
I know he saw limited action, but when he played he got the job done with such a limited opportunity.
I think it would be a mistake to get rid of Meachem. I didn’t see where he dropped many balls and I think he has good hands and that will not be a problem in the future for him. What about his awesome work ethic with Patten this offseason? Payton should have played him more, especially after we got eliminated to see how he would do. He had a good year- dropped less balls then Colston- and dropped less balls than Devery Henderson every season. To me, Patten is expendable and Meachem’s size is important. I know we have a lot of receivers but I don’t want to see Meachem get away. If Henderson gets hurt, we don’t really have a bonafide deep threat and I think Meachem could develop into our best or second best receiver with playing time and patience.

by Philinwood on Jan 16, 2009 10:32 AM CST reply actions

but...

maybe we don’ NEED him? We have Colston and Moore for sure, Colston is locked up and Moore should be. Arrington showed alot of promise before his injury… I know Devery ismore than likely gone, which meas we won’t get anything for him.

I wouldn’t be heartbroken if the FO decides to trade Meachem or put him in some kind of package so we can get more defenive help.

"For us, there is no spring... only the smell of fresh wind before the storm."
-Conan of Cimeria

by tlsk1066 on Jan 16, 2009 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

Arrington

Needs to be on the field in 09, jury is still out on Meachem, he has potential, Devery is probably gone ,Meachem could land us a defensive need, I also think Payton will hold on to Patten…Peace

by metryman on Jan 16, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

Health

is always a concern with any of these guys… Who are our rostered receivers: Colston, Moore, Henderson, Patton, Meacham, and Arrington? It’s not a very strong corps. Moore was consistantly the most healthy. Then there’s Shockey who, when healthy, is a force, but hasn’t played an entire season in a long time. If we drop one or two, then they will most certainly need to be replaced. If ,indeed, Henderson is gone, then our depth will be shallow. I’m all about FA receivers as opposed to drafting high a la Stallworth and Meachem.

by Barrylsu5 on Jan 16, 2009 3:20 PM CST reply actions

Let's be reasonable about this

The Saints are going to keep five receivers, at least.

Colston is a star. He stays.

Moore had a breakout season. He stays.

Patten is old for a receiver, and even though he’s still a good player he’s had injury problems. Most of all, he commands a high salary. The Saints are rich in receivers, but need cap space. That spells “cut” for Patten.

Henderson had a good season. If he can get a better offer elsewhere (I bet he can), he’ll be gone. My bet is the Saints will probably wait and see what offers he gets in free agency, then match them if they think they can. If not…

Meachem is the new Devery Henderson. We need somebody who can stretch the field, and Meachem can certainly do that. I don’t think he’s going anywhere. Unless they are so down on him, and so jacked on Henderson after last season, that they re-up Henderson before the free agency period and put Meachem on the trading block. But at this point, what could they get for him? Yeah, he’s fast, and he has a ridiculous YPC, but there’s that lost rookie season and those mere 12 catches last year. PayLoo will take an enormous prestige hit if they trade away a first-rounder for a 3rd or 4th round choice…even worse if they cut him. So I think he stays.

Arrington is unproven. From what I saw in the preseason, I love the guy…I think he’s going to be good, maybe even Colston-good. But there’s no proof yet, and I’m not sure they’re ready to gamble on Arrington being a total replacement for Meachem. So Arrington stays, but not as a replacement for Meachem.

My guess is, next year’s receiving corps will be: Colston / Moore / Henderson / Meachem / Arrington. Pretty much what it was this year.

Oh when the Saints...Start kicking ass...You don't want to be in that number...

by MtnExile on Jan 16, 2009 3:42 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

yep

next year’s receiving corps will be: Colston / Moore / Henderson / Meachem / Arrington.

There’s a bailout coming, but it’s not for you.

by stujo4 on Jan 16, 2009 4:11 PM CST reply actions

"What a play by Meachem, I don't know how he caught that ball"

http://replay-re-cutter.nfl.com/clip.aspx?key=6ECEAC5B9F9BF6BC

There’s a bailout coming, but it’s not for you.

by stujo4 on Jan 16, 2009 4:48 PM CST reply actions

Maybe one day Arrington would be good but people please stop anoint him next the Colston. Arrington had two catches in the pre season. I believe in Meachem still don’t know what we have. I remember a quote by Robert Meachem coming out doing the draft in 07. The type of game I bring [to the NFL] is one of those humble guys that would do anything to help his team win, and that’s on and off the field. My personal goals are to win a Super Bowl and to be in the Hall of Fame. I want to be somebody who was great, and not somebody who was a terrible teammate that couldn’t get along with anybody. He need time.

by nellonfire on Jan 17, 2009 1:45 AM CST reply actions

This is a very interesting thread...

Colston and Moore are locks to stay

Meachem/Henderson/Arrington (I think we plan to keep 2 of these 3 as deep threats, and much of it will depend on what DH gets offered via FA)

Patten? (Unless the Mis-Pay think we REALLY need veteran leadership, I think he’s gone…but if he would agree to a huge paycut to stick around, maybe…)

What about Roby? He got hurt, but I think he did well enough on KR to earn a spot, as long as he contributes on kick coverage, too, but I have no idea how he did in these areas, or if he was even asked to do it.

The Detroit Lions are on the clock!

by HansDat on Jan 17, 2009 11:46 AM CST reply actions