Saints 2009 Position Battles: Wide Receiver

by Saintsational on May 3, 2009 7:00 AM CDT Comment 18 comments

Now that the roster is pretty much set for training camp and rookie mini-camps have started across the league (why are the Saints always the last to do things?), it's time to start taking an early look at the roster as we inch ever so closer to training camp and the 2009 pre-season. Each post in this series will examine a different position on the team and offer a preview of what fans can expect as players battle it out. First up are the wide receivers.

Before we get started the first thing we need to do is meet our lovely contestants. Here is who the Saints have competing for a spot this year so far:

Player	Height	Weight	Age	Experience
Marques Colston	6'4"	225	25	4
Lance Moore	5'9"	190	25	4
Devery Henderson	5'11"	200	27	6
Robert Meachem	6'2"	210	24	3
Adrian Arrington	6' 3"	192	23	2
Courtney Roby	6'0"	189	26	4
Skyler Green	5'9"	190	24	3
Biren Ealy	6' 3"	207	24	2
Ken Harris	6'3"	208	23	R
Matt Simon	6'1"	206	23	R
Chris Vaughn	6'3"	224	24	R

With the release of David Patten this off-season the receiving squad's average age has dropped significantly. There is no real veteran presence. In fact, with six years of experience, Devery Henderson is now the veteran receiver of the team. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. The best news is that all of these guys are in the prime of their careers.

Unlike last year when it was uncertain just which players might actually make the squad, this years crop seems a bit easier to predict. Out of the eleven players listed only five, maybe six will make the final roster. At first glance I think most of us would agree exactly which players will make the cut: Marques Colston, Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem and Adrian Arrington. Wow...that was easy. There might be some shuffling around as far as the depth chart is concerned but it will most likely be within the framework of those five players. Maybe, and that's a big maybe, Meachem or Arrington could be knocked out of a spot but that would take an impressive performance. As far as these top five guys are concerned, it's their job to lose.

The rest of the receivers looking to make the team have a tough road ahead of them and are on the outside looking in. We know what we can expect from Skyler Green and Courtney Roby, both of whom are on the bubble. Special teams could be the difference-maker and I think that would give Roby - because of his kick return ability - the edge if the team decided to go with a sixth player.

But it's undrafted free agents Ken Harris, Matt Simon and Chris Vaughn as well as sophomore receiver Biren Ealy who are the relative unknowns. Payton and company have always done a swell job of finding talent in the most peculiar of places and one of these guys could be the next Lance Moore. If anyone is going to supplant one of the top five receivers it's probably going to come from an unexpected place like one of these players.

What are your thoughts? Will any of the other receivers have a chance at making the team? Will special teams make a difference? Will Meachem or Arrington lose their spot in the top five?

Poll

Do you think Colston, Moore, Henderson, Meachem and Arrington will all make the team?

Yes

1103 votes

No

97 votes

1200 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

5 good recievers is not a bad thing

What payton does best in training camp is make sure the players know that the best players will be on the team. It doesn’t matter how you got to training camp, you’ve got a shot. That does a couple of things. It makes veteran players stay on top of their game, and it makes players that came to the team undrafted or late picks, step up their games because they know that they have a real shot at playing. I don’t believe all teams use this system. They may feel that they wasted a pick if that pick doesn’t make the team but a undrafted guy did. I like this system. Get the draft bust out of the way and let’s win some games.

Keep the Faith ! ! !

by Big and Easy on May 3, 2009 7:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Possible trades?

I would not be surprised if ALL of these guys perform well during training camp & preseason (Including a couple of the UDFA’s they brought in recently) that SP & Loomis don’t try another late summer trade (a la the 06 deals – Stalworth, Shanle, Thomas, Fujita, etc..). If the WR’s the Giants brought in don’t really light it up – could you see them maybe sending us one of there DE/DT’s for one of our WR’s (NYG’s front 4 is stacked & deep)? With all the RB’s we’ve picked up, I don’t see a M. Bush for Meachem trade anymore, but there are a LOT of teams still looking for WR help……if any of these new possible “diamonds in the rough” look like they are going to pan out & Meachem looks like he still is having trouble with the playbook, I can see them maybe trying to deal him (or another) WR for a player or pick. Will be interesting to see how camp/preseason goes…….

by UKWhoDat on May 3, 2009 8:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The only reason I figure Meachem has to continue to make the team this year is because of the albatross of his contract. One more year of him failing to contribute significantly, however, and they will be to the last year of his contract (I think) and then they wouldn’t have any accelerated signing bonus problems to worry about and they can cut him or trade him as needed.

by FriarBob on May 3, 2009 10:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Meachem already banked

Rotoworld.com:

Meachem: 7/24/2007: Signed a five-year, $11.3 million contract. The deal includes $5.71 million guaranteed. 2009: $485,000, 2010: $655,500, 2011: $700,000, 2012: Free Agent

Colston: 7/23/2008: Signed a three-year contract extension through 2011. 2009: $2.25 million, 2010: $2.7 million, 2011: $3 million, 2012: Free Agent

Arrington: 7/18/2008: Signed a three-year, $1.170 million contract. The deal included a $20,000 signing bonus. 2009: $385,000, 2010: $470,000, 2011: Restricted Free Agent

Looks like the Saints paid up front for Meachem and he’d be easy to cut if he doesn’t show why he should be on the roster.

Restore the wetlands!

by stujo4 on May 3, 2009 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe there will be a new name as the 6th receiver this year

I look for Skyler Green and Courtney Roby to both be beat out this year in camp by one of the taller/faster new names that were mixed into the competitive pool at WR either through free agency or through undrafted rookie free agent signings or invitees to mini-camp (Biren Ealy, Kenneth Harris, Matt Simon or Chris Vaughn). Also, I voted “yes” that Colston, Moore, Henderson, Meachem and Arrington will all make the team (though not necessarily in that exact order of depth). I like Arrington to beat out both Henderson and Meachem as our #3 receiver guy.

by realheavyd on May 3, 2009 10:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Count out Biren Ealy from the running for the 6th WR spot

The idiot was arrested along with previous TE hopeful Kolo Kapanui for exposing themselves to two women and making lewd comments. Morons!

by realheavyd on May 3, 2009 12:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

seriously

what a bunch of idiots!!

i really hope to see arrington in action.

by nanvinnie on May 4, 2009 9:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a predicamemt @ WR

It is a blessing to be so deep in a position that if a UFA can step up like a Closton or Moore we have definite leverage to a team in need. Extra picks or straight up swap to fill our holes. we’ll see when they strap on the pads.I agree about Ealy and Kapanui. Idiots. Pack thier shit and kick thier asses to the curve.

by Lyle Lirette on May 3, 2009 8:53 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

why

I like all 5 top receivers and they will make the team of course but why the hell don’t they play Meachem more? So what if his route running isn’t too great he can flat out fly on the deep pass not to mention the few times they gave him a chance he made big plays…

by J Rock on May 3, 2009 10:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

We're all so conviced

that Arrington is all that, even though we’ve never seen him play and he missed a whole year with an injury. I woudn’t be suprised to see him make it, but I wouldn’t be suprised to see him end up on the practice squad.

by SaintBevo on May 4, 2009 6:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I would

be surprised to see him on the practice squad. First of all, if we waive him someone will claim him, I guarantee. But I would be very surprised if he completely collapses and loses his place on the team, after the way he looked last preseason, and after what Payton has said about him:

“Adrian Arrington would be a name, just be mindful of this player,” Payton said. “I like this guy a lot. He’s smart, and he’s big. The first three weeks or so of training camp he was doing a great job before he got injured.”

I think Arrington is another Colston waiting to happen. By the end of the season, he might be a starter.

here drink some of this kool-aid don't worry it won't hurt you...

by MtnExile on May 4, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't think he'll be a starter

but drew brees can throw the ball to ANYONE and make them look good. don’t know why someone that the coaches are crazy about would be any exception. i think meachem/henderson are the two on the outside looking in, even though they probably are locks to make the team.

by jful on May 4, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

brees can make an average receiver look great. just ask lance moore.

by in the 9th on May 4, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well I have to take exception to that

I think Lance has shown that he’s a little more than just average.

There have been plenty of other Saints receivers play since the start of the 2006 season and no one else has stepped up like Lance, other than Colston. Devery has dropped quite a few, Meachem can’t run the same route twice, Terrence Copper has been released as well as Jamal Brown (right?) and others.

Is Lance a product of the Sean Payton system? Maybe somewhat. The only way to prove it is for him to play for another team, and that’s not going to happen.

Lance does like those bread basket catches. Check it out:

Restore the wetlands!

by stujo4 on May 4, 2009 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I shouldn't work from memory.

I meant Jamal Jones. And also Jamaal Branch.

Restore the wetlands!

by stujo4 on May 4, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Lance Moore is a system receiver

…is Marques Colston, too? How about Marvin Harrison? Jerry Rice?

Any receiver who has been fortunate enough to work his entire career with great quarterbacks in a passing offense can be accused of being a “system” receiver.

here drink some of this kool-aid don't worry it won't hurt you...

by MtnExile on May 4, 2009 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i believe i said he was average. if he were to go to another team, i doubt he would produce like he did this past season. additionally, i would be shocked (and pleased) if he were to produce in 2009 like he did in 2008.

by in the 9th on May 5, 2009 8:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lance's greatness

I watched or listened to almost every one of Lance’s college games, and I can honestly say I only saw one pass that he did not catch that it seemed he should have. The game winning catch against Pitt was a thing of beauty.

by toledotony on May 5, 2009 5:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs