Hey Saints fans, I have a Fantasy Football related question for you

by sublimezg on Aug 1, 2009 11:46 AM CDT Comment 29 comments

My draft is coming up shortly after the final preseason game so I thought I'd intrude and get some fans takes on how the Saints receiving crew is going to pan out.

Is this the year we're going to see Meachem start to take off? Is he a projected to finally start? Is Colston healthy and catching balls well again? What happens to Lance Moore?

If you had to set your WR depth chart what would it look like and predict (the best you can) what each receivers numbers will look like at seasons end. Please try to use your gut and not the homer portion for your brains.

Thanks a bunch and have a great season!

Bonus: What's up with the running game this season?

This FanPost was written by a reader and member of Canal Street Chronicles. It does not necessarily reflect the views of CSC and its staff or editors.

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My WR Depth Chart
1. Colston
2. Moore
3. Henderson
4. Meachem
5. Arrington

Running game = Pierre Thomas

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by Saintsational on Aug 1, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

my take

1. colston- 81rec 1158 yards 12 tds
2. moore- 72 rec 923 yards 9 tds
3. henderson- 46 rec 622 yards 6 tds
4. arrington- 31 rec 424 yards 3 tds
5. meachem- 22 rec 313 yards 4 tds

pt cruiser- 987 yards 11 tds
reggie- 1677 all purpose yards 17 tds

by sernycrusher on Aug 1, 2009 1:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

by season's end

Receiving yards:

1. Meachem
2. Colston
3. Moore
4. Henderson

Bush *
Shockey *
Thomas *
5. Arrington (assuming he makes the team), if not, insert unfamiliar name here.
Evans *

Rushing:

1. Thomas
2. Bush
3. Bell
4. whatever back replaces either Thomas or Bush, when he’s placed on IR (I definitely don’t see both lasting 16 games).

Based on gut, as instructed.

by coldpizza on Aug 1, 2009 2:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Meachem #1?

really? Interesting…

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by Saintsational on Aug 1, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I have yet to see Colston stay healthy an entire season and Moore is going into the season banged up. I think that will equate to considerally more playing time for Meachem. On top of which, I think he’s the most talented receiver of anyone on the roster. As the season wears on, I think you’ll see less and less of Moore, being that his contract is up at season’s end. The reason being that they’ll still be having success in the passing game with or without him in the lineup, so why create a huge buzz on the free agent market by showcasing him down the stretch? There’s nothing to gain from it. Getting back to Meachem, I don’t think he’ll make the Pro Bowl or anything along those lines, as Brees spreads the ball around too much for that sort of individual recognition … but I do think the added reps will result in his leading the team in both receptions and receiving yardage. TDs will be Pierre’s department. I see him with 15 combined by season’s end. Bush will lead in all-purpose yards and be in that same ballpark on end zone trips. Probably 10 to 12 total. Henderson will be steady roster fodder, just as he is every year.

by coldpizza on Aug 1, 2009 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just to be clear...

I think he’s the most talented receiver of anyone on the roster.

When both are healthy, you think Meachem is better than Colston?

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by Saintsational on Aug 1, 2009 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

One wasn’t drafted in the first round and the other in the seventh on a whim. Meachem’s considerably faster and has better hands. The only advantages Colston has are his size (which is nominal) and his experience (which is considerable). Had they been drafted the same year, there’s a good chance Colston wouldn’t have even made the final roster. Nothing against Colston, mind you. He’s been in the right place at the right time, and hasn’t failed to make the most of it, by playing to the best of his God-given abilities. That’s all you can ask of any player.

by coldpizza on Aug 1, 2009 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

interesting

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by Saintsational on Aug 1, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check this out

These are the career average yards per reception of every WR1 in the league, with three exceptions: the Giants (whose #1 hasn’t been established) and the 49ers and Raiders, both of whom will likely be led by rookie WRs this season. I also incuded Anquan Boldin as arguably the best WR2 in the league.

Obviously, Meachem would never maintain a 24.1 YPR as a regular starter. But would he drop below Colston’s 14.0? I don’t think so. I view him as roughly equivalent to Antonio Bryant in talent, only on a much more wide open offense. That bodes very well for Meachem, assuming he’s on the field.

Marques Colston is a dependable WR. He’s not a particularly dynamic WR. As a go-to guy, he’s about average. You’ll notice that Fitzgerald and Boldin both sit at or below Colston’s average. That’s fairly self explanatory. There’s only so much passing yardage to go around on a given team and they feed off of one another. Same with Ochocinco/Houshmandzadeh, Holmes/Ward, etc.

Up to this point, there has been no such animal opposite Colston. It’s just been a hodge podge of 2nd-3rd tier talent, masquerading as a complimentary deep threat. I think that changes this year and dramatically.

If we’re talking about the tandem of Colston/Meachem in the same breath as Fitzgerald/Boldin at this time next year, then I don’t think anyone in this group will be disappointed in the way things turned out. Given the talent/strengths both have already displayed, I don’t think that’s all that much of a stretch.

As the more gifted of the two, if Meachem goes on to become an elite WR in the NFL, Colston’s per catch production is not likely to climb. But if he can just maintain where he is now as a mediocre WR1 on a per-reception-basis (read: entirely possible), I think you’re talking about one of the top 2 or 3 starting tandems in the league.

Robert Meachem 24.1
Vincent Jackson 17.2
Santonio Holmes 16.6
Calvin Johnson 16.6
Bernard Berrian 16.0
Greg Jennings 16.0
Randy Moss 15.7
Braylon Edwards 15.6
Roddy White 15.4
Antonio Bryant 15.3
Santana Moss 15.2
Justin Gage 15.1
Terrell Owens 14.8
DeSean Jackson 14.7
Torry Holt 14.6
Chad Ochocinco 14.6
Roy Williams 14.5
Steve Smith 14.4
Reggie Wayne 14.1
Marques Colston 14.0
Larry Fitzgerald 14.0
Devin Hester 13.6
Ted Ginn Jr 13.4
Andre Johnson 13.1
Anquan Boldin 12.9
Dwayne Bowe 12.9
Brandon Marshall 12.8
Donnie Avery 12.7
Derrick Mason 12.7
Jerrricho Cotchery 12.5
T.J. Houshmandzadeh 11.4

by coldpizza on Aug 1, 2009 6:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

21.6

that’s Henderson’s YPC average. YPC isn’t everything. it’s about moving the chains and then getting the TDs when you get there like Colston does. also, Meahcem goes deep more often than Colston and has less receptions. that’s just asking for a higher YPC average when you go deep more often and have probably 1/2 the catches that Colston does. I’m not saying that Meachem doesn’t have #1 wr capabilities but I think he’s better suited for the #2 spot on this team, imo. Colston is very consistent and is always moving the chains and virtually never drops a pass untill he got hurt last year. i think he’ll go back to old form this year. also, you can float the ball up to Colston in the redzone where you can’t do that so much with Meachem. If Moore isn’t 100% at the start of the season I see Meachem being the #2 otherwise he’ll be #3 this season. Meachem will give them a real deep threat b/c he can burn you deep but could probably get some quick passes with space b/c of his speed. We have alot of talent to beat out. I’m putting him at 3 b/c I think Moore will be 100% and Colston is going to be our #1.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Aug 1, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Housh's 11.4 moves the chains

and you’re right, Henderson has a phenomenal YPR average. He’s also failed to beat out a parade of late rounders and undrafted players for a starting spot, the entire time he’s been a Saint. Colston, Patten, Copper, Moore … something’s very wrong with that picture. I’d say the same of Meachem, only Meachem hasn’t gotten anywhere near the opportunities Henderson has to step up. TDs mean nothing to me. They’re typically a product of field position that you or any one of your teammates may have contributed to. What I’m saying is, there’s no inert ability in someone that dictates they’re better at scoring TDs. A better leaper in the red zone? Ok, I can buy that. Meachem’s first TD as a Saint came on a jump ball against the Skins. Generally speaking, if a guy with a lesser YPR scores TDs, a guy with a higher YPR is going to score just as many, if not more, if thrown to the same number of times. And that’s the whole point of breaking it down by catch. Of course, you may be right about Colston being better than Meachem. Not every first round pick has lived up to their expectations, even when given the opportunity in games. There’s just nothing that I’ve seen out of Meachem that says he’s lacking the talent to be a WR1. We’ll never know until he’s out there regularly.

by coldpizza on Aug 1, 2009 9:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, the same point

you’re making about Meachem having far less receptions than Colston holds true for Colston, when compared to guys like Holt, both Mosses, Owens, Ochocinco, Steve Smith, etc. All those guys have far more receptions than Colston and still have a higher per catch average. Yes, number of catches skewers the statistic some, but not nearly as much when you’re comparing apples to apples, which is what I was attempting to do with just the best of the best, i.e., WR1s from each team.

by coldpizza on Aug 1, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they have more receptions

but their YPR isn’t 10 yards higher than Colston. the best of the best WRs have no more than 2 yards higher or lower than Colston. Don’t get me wrong, i like Meachem and think that he could excell to a number one WR spot if you put him on like the eagles but with Colston here he won’t be our #1 guy. The Mosses and Owens of the league have higher YPR averages than Colston but it’s only by 1.7 yards for Moss and .8 yards for TO. They have their big plays but they more consistently are going to move the chains and have safeties watching them thus giving the #2 wr a better chance of getting a big play or making something happen. In 3rd down and 10 or any other play where you need the first down, Colston is the guy that’s going to get it for you. You’re somewhat right about the TDs, imo. There’s not ability that’s going to make you better at TDs but there are certain characteristics that make you more likely to get a TD. A chain mover will probably get 1-5 more TDs than someone who is going to have long catches. The thing is, with ppl who have longer catches, is that there aren’t a lot of long passes in a game. I’d say with us, 5-7 long catches a game. I’d say 1-2 of those will be a TD. When you get to the redzone those players who have the big plays get less passes and TDs because it’s not going to be a long pass. The guys that get the shorter receptions of like 10 yards or so are more likely to score in that position. Yes, Meachem did have the jumpball but that’s just one time on a long pass. Things are going to be a little more packed in the redzone. I don’t think he would be as successful on designed jumpballs. Colston hands like a vice grip. I remember watching him catch the ball in the endzone on a designed jump ball with someone’s hand on the ball pulling it down and away from his body but he had such a firm, sure grip on the ball they couldn’t pry it loose. The DB wasn’t falling down, losing his balance or something like that either, they had both landed and he was still trying to pull it out for that brief second before his hand slipped out. He has more sure hands than Meachem, imo.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Aug 2, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you-

I think the season will pan out much the way you have laid it out. I do think, though, that Moore will have some very important receptions- especially for 1st downs.

by Philinwood on Aug 5, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Meachum and think he is going to come into his own

this year. I remember seeing him getting more opportunities later in the year. I remember reading an article predicting him to be busting out this year. The guy said that Brees and Peyton have more confidence him and actually started calling plays just for him in the last several games. He delivered and should see more balls coming his way.
I dont know how proficient he is at running the whole route tree but he can deliver deep now. I dont know if he is ready to push Colston out of the #1 spot but by the end of the year he should at least be 1A.

I find the harder I work, the luckier I get. Thomas Jefferson

by squidlo97 on Aug 3, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

WR Depth:
1. Colston-over 1000 yards and 10+ TDs
2. Moore- 900+ yards 7 TDs
3. Meachem- 600+yards 6 TDs
Bush- 600+yards 5-7 TDs. not a WR but those are the receiving numbers I think for him.
4. Henderson- 500+ yards 4 TDs
5. Arrington- 200+ yards 1 TD
Thomas- 200+ yards 3 TDs. same as w/ Reggie.

Running depth:
1. Bush- 800+ yards 8 TDs
2. PT-850+yards 9 TDs
3. Evans- 150+ yards. 0 TDs (he’s our FB but he’ll get a few carries.) WR stats for Evans- 300 yards 2 TDs.
4. whoever makes it behind Bush and PT- 100 yards 0 TDs.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Aug 1, 2009 3:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

forgot

Reggie starts on paper but the carries will be split up around 55/45 between Bush and PT.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Aug 1, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping

it’s more like 80/20 in favor of Pierre, but you’re probably right knowing Payton.

by coldpizza on Aug 1, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm OK

This is kinda all over the place. I guess I should come back closer to the end of TC and preseason games and re-evaluate. I’d imagine the preseason games will be pretty telling.

From a non fan perspective I’d guess Meachem starts the season as the #2 and quite possibly proves to be the #1 as the season wears on. I’d put Lance in the slot where I think he’d do the most damage.

by sublimezg on Aug 1, 2009 5:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Moore's injury

is going to be thing you’ll want to monitor most closely during the exhibition season. If he’s not on track to start in Week 1, get ready for a changing of the guard right out of the gate. If he is, it will probably still happen, just more gradually as the season wears on.

by coldpizza on Aug 1, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He y'all watch this

the problem is we have too much depth to ascertain who will get way. Our quarterbacks even distribution make it difficult to have a clear cut answer.

How cool is it that the above statement is true and not sarcastic? I never thought I’d be able to say that. These are good times.

by asaint on Aug 1, 2009 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Problems with picking Saints receiving corp in fantasy football

Because Payton is a good play caller and we have such a deep receiving corp that it is almost impossible to pick who will excel in any given week. But almost none of them will do well every week in fantasy because Payton uses different weapons each week. With that said, I took Lance Moore in one of my leagues. I think he will be a beast this year.

Who Dat?...... Drew Dat ! ! !

by Big and Easy on Aug 2, 2009 7:43 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

bam - rec'd it plus 1

you never know from year to year in the league about who is going to emerge as fantasy studs, especially w/ our WRs…

just when you think Colston is a lock after two good years, he gets injured at the begin of year 3 – GAAAAA!!

that’s one of the reasons I quit doing fantasy football a few years ago

"Look, I'm not a -- -- -- -- savior." - Gregg Williams

by HansDat on Aug 2, 2009 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just don't

put all your eggs in one basket. I try not to have two players from the same NFL team on a fantasy roster. And if I do, I definitely don’t start them both. That way if the team completely tanks on any given week, you have eight or so unaffected starters to carry you.

by coldpizza on Aug 2, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a few Saints players

on my fantasy football team. Mostly b/c we’re #1 in yards per game and i believe top 5 in TDs. I always get Brees as my QB, usually Reggie as a RB b/c he returns punts and runs/catches the ball. He was leading runningback in points last year untill he got hurt. Then, I usually go with Colston because I think he’ll have more TDs and more yards at the end of the season.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Aug 2, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No one mentioned Paris Warren. 55rec. 780yds. 6tds

by Charles D on Aug 2, 2009 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

maybe for another team if he's lucky

it surely won’t be here lol. paris warren= 0 catches unless 2 WRs go down.

Superbowl bound!!!...I hope? Go Saints! :D

by skinnykinney on Aug 2, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

FF WR's

on both the Saints and Texans are a good tandem for pts. Especially when others in FF league always pick the Mosses and TO’s. With exception of Andre Johnson and Colston/Moore, if u can get them great, Brees throws to everybody and the Texans have a good passing attack, many on their depth chart, i.e Walters. But the biggest score would be Pierre Thomas, (if your in the yahoo leagues theres the WR4/RB3 option position) If i pick near the top i’m grabbing him asap

You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever will know..Jim Mora Sr.

by metryman on Aug 4, 2009 11:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pierre

is falling to the beginning of the third round in most mock drafts I’ve seen or participated in. If you have an early pick and your draft runs serpentine, this is a good time to target him as your 2nd RB. Use your 1st rounder on a true stud that isn’t going to split time. There aren’t many of those left in the FF world, so you’ll want to grab one while you can. The 2nd round can be used to corral your stud WR rather easily. If you miss out on Randy Moss or Fitzgerald, there’s still at least a half dozen other guys that will put up ballpark numbers. And like metryman mentioned, if your league allows for a 3rd RB in your starting lineup, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of that. RB is still the bread and butter of FF. Even as a low end NFL starter (Jamal Lewis, Julius Jones, etc) you’re not going to get better week-to-week production out of a 2nd or 3rd tier WR. They simply don’t get the touches a starting RB will.

by coldpizza on Aug 4, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs