Meachem too dumb for Payton's system?

rotoworld.com:
Mar. 5 - 11:59 am et

Saints beat writer Jeff Duncan believes that Robert Meachem is "destined to be the biggest bust of the (Sean) Payton era."
Harsh words, but Duncan cites Meachem's "mental mistakes" and a loss of trust from the coaching staff and teammates. Devery Henderson got a four year contract, so dynasty leaguers shouldn't expect anything from Meachem in the near future. Perhaps the Saints will put him on the trade block.
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

From Duncan's column: As far as Meachem is concerned, I think he's destined to be the biggest bust of the Payton era. He's buried on the depth chart behind Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Devery Henderson, and while blessed with physical talent, has lost the trust of the staff and teammates with his repeated mental mistakes. Recently at the combine, Payton made an interesting comment about rookie players and their ability to transition to the NFL. Reading between the lines, I think it might have been a veiled reference to Meachem. "It gets back to some of things we talked about earlier, trying to evaluate how this player is going to transition into our game," Payton said. "Is it going to be too big for him? Is he going to transition very quickly? Does he learn quick enough? Half the battle with all these young players next fall is, 'Do they know what to do, are they smart enough in their first year to know what to do?' And if not, then there's a good chance that the coach is not going to put him on the field."

almost 3 years ago stujo4 5 comments 0 recs |

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Meachem

All I know about Meach are the highlight clips of him scoring touchdowns. Payton doesn’t really tell us anything, so we can’t know why Meach isn’t living up to his expectations. I thought he’d be retained and Henderson would be let go. Pay-Loo may be waiting to see what happens with Lance before deciding on Meach. If Lance is re-signed, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them trade Meachem.

Go Saints!!!! Deuce may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

by David "Satch" Kelly on Mar 6, 2009 9:49 AM CST reply actions

This is pretty much what I've been wondering all along

We know he can run; we know he can catch. What we don’t know is, can he read blitzes and check off to a different route? Does he know who to block downfield? Can he run pick plays? (Payton is reportedly big on this.) If he can’t pick up the route running aspect of his job, he can’t play in Payton’s offense. He still might be a very useful player in a simpler system.

Could we get a third-rounder for him? That’s better than nothing.

RE-SIGN LANCE MOORE!!!!

by MtnExile on Mar 6, 2009 10:55 AM CST reply actions

Yeah, there HAS to be a reason the kid can't get on the field...

He is from Oklahoma, after all. HA! Just kidding, Okies… (45-35. Just in case anyone forgot.)

Seriously though, I’m pulling for the kid, he seems like a good person. I’ve freaking drafted him in the last few years of my fantasy football league, hoping I get that year’s sleeper. No.

There is now way we’d get a third rounder for Meachem. My feeling is a fifth rounder is the best we’d get for him.

This is a funny sport…Colson in the 7th round, Meachem in the 1st round. The football gods giveth, and they also taketh away…

Thanks Deuce!

by Hollywoo! on Mar 6, 2009 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

Meachem will be just fine

Give him some time…he’ll be fine. It’s not rocket scienceand as long as we have such receivers as Colston, Moore, Henderson, Shockey and a few others, it will be easy for the coaches to lighten up the playbook for Meachem and he will still be effective. Look at last year- he did well- pre season and the limited amount of action he saw. Too much talent to give up on him after he only played, what 30 downs at most? His stats were off the charts and he only dropped 2 passes. He will be fine. He will be the go to guy in pre season and he will be the best 3# or #4 receiver (or #5) in the league and this will drive defenses crazy, He is fast and he is big and creates terrible matchuip problems for defenses.

by Philinwood on Mar 6, 2009 3:16 PM CST reply actions

As much as I'd love to agree, I just can't...

1) How much time does this kid need?

2) You’re exactly right—it’s not rocket science…

3) If he has the talent and physical tools, why in the heck has he only played 30-some-odd snaps?

4) He does not have confidence…I say this for two reasons: Reason 1: He never catches with his hands. Every play he’s made, he’s trapped the ball against his body. He doesn’t trust his hands. One game comes to mind last year, I forget who we were playing, where he had a chance for a crucial 1st down catch in the red-zone, near the sideline, and the ball went straight through his hands. Cost us 7 points, and we ended up losing that game. Reason 2: I don’t think he’s ever recovered from that hit that was put on him in the Hall-of-Fame game versus the Steelers we played in ’07. Remember that? He was JACKED UP!! I remember thinking “Shit, this is his first taste of NFL action”, and he was destroyed. A Steelers fan in my office TO THIS DAY does not let me forget that hit.

Personally, I’ve given up on waiting for him to develop. I hope I’m proven wrong, but I think we are too stacked at the wideout position for him to crack into the lineup. Mark my words, A.A. will pass him on the depth chart during training camp. I say we try to pick up an extra draft pick now, before his value is absolutely worthless come September. If you are a first round pick, and can’t get on the field with Drew Brees as your QB, you’re messed up between the ears…

Thanks Deuce!

by Hollywoo! on Mar 6, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs