The Saints WR3 may return to having some value this year on a week to week basis, of the kind Robert Meachem used to offer:
Meachem was 6-2, 215 lbs., could fly down the field, after a shaky start as a rookie and his first year he really grew in this offense by 2009, 23 Tds in 4 seasons, 17.5 YPR, average of 35 catches per year, a high of 51/804. He could also play X, Y or slot and he was darned good blocker and playmaker. He could shake off CBs and beat safeties to the middle of the of the field. If the Saints hit the 45-Opp45 yard line range it was a legitimate threat to hit Meachem in stride as much as a first down carry or 10 yard screen pass would be. The best play on Meachem I saw was Dashon Goldson in the NFC playoffs, Goldson deflected the ball at the middle goal line, one of a handful of key plays that won that classic game for the 9ers. But that was rare.
Obviously Meachem has not been good in SD. But the Saints don't need a HOF receiver, they just need a WR who can be great in this offense doing what they ask him to do. Their major receivers are a late 7th round pick from Hofstra, an undrafted free agent from Toledo, a former basketball playing TE who fell to the 3rd (and was called a reach). Pedigree is not what they're about.
The Saints struggled to replace Meachem last year. Morgan was not ready, Toon got hurt, Henderson for whatever reason just finally lost a step or returned to old stone hands. Replacing this element of their offense will be key.
I don't know if Morgan is the man, he had considerable problems with short and medium range passes .... but at the same time he put up a ridiculous YPR of 37.9 yards, not to mention showing up in 2 of the 4-5 featured highlight plays of the NFL yea on just 10 catches.
At 6-1, 190, with 4.4 I am not sure if he is as big or as fast as Meachem or even Toon, and he looks even smaller on the field, but he can bust coverage in the blink of an eye. He's better than fast, he's quick.
Morgan started out at Illinois, was dumped from the team because of disciplinary reasons and then landed at tiny Walsh College. And of course this year he had the arrest though I don't know if that will land him a 1 game suspension even.
Who knows yet about his blocking skills, he had a ways to go on that last year and that is a big deal for Saints WRs.
One possibility is that we are just talking about the Saints' 4th receiver, behind Colston, Moore and Graham, and maybe even 5th behind Sproles. On the other hand, it's possible the Saints will be using up to as many as 8-9 WRs, TEs and RBs in the passing game and anyone could have a terrific day any given day. As you know Brees has exceeded Marino's former passing record of 5084 yards two years in a row now. Lots of yards and TDs to go around.
Other WRs in the pack include Nick Toon (whom I'm thinking the Saints view as a future replacement for Colston more than the deep threat we're discussing here). Preston Parker and Saalim Hakim are also contenders. And Kenny Stills, who I love as a draft pick but he has to show up first.
One other factor is the occasional injury history of Colston and Moore. Not the sort of thing to open up as season long role, just a game here, game there, a missed half now and then.
Morgan is to be the field stretcher. But at any rate I am thinking his name will be popping up here during the year. Might as well get to it.
