Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team.Last year in this space, I proclaimed Robert Meachem vs. Devery Henderson for the second starting receiver vacancy to be the Saints' most intriguing battle. I'm an idiot. Meachem, slowed by injury at first and an inability to pick up the playbook second, became the only first-rounder to don street clothes every Sunday. Henderson regressed as a receiver and found his starting job taken by the more capable David Patten.
So Patten's the incumbent, but Meachem is back in the picture. Sean Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis have raved about the athletic freak's progress and increased devotion, putting him very much in the mix for a lot of playing time in a spot that will have a lot of room to move with Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, and Reggie Bush occupying defenders.
Ironically, Meachem has found a mentor on the team to help him grow -- Patten, the man he might very well replace.
But it'll be easier said than done. Patten might not have Meachem's considerable physical abilities, but he's got one thing that matters in pass-heavy offense heavily reliant on timing -- reliability. Drew Brees found a comfort with Patten last year, something the fastest 40 time or highest vertical can't compete with.
If Brees and Payton can't trust Meachem, draft status won't matter -- it'll be Patten's job again. If the question mark is finally ready to put his talents on display, however, it's another dangerous piece to a dangerous offense.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-07-2008 @ 10:58PM
Chris Smith said...
Okay, so Im 18 years old and I worked out with Patten and Meachem together, just us three, for a good part of the off season. We just kind of ran into each other and met by chance. Anyways, I had been training to attempt to walk on LSU's football team, working out at least 2 hours a day 5-6 days a week. Trust me - that takes dedication. Then, I had met them and they asked if I wanted to join their workout, so of course I did. Patten had such a strategic way of working out through an abundance of experience (Ha! Please dont take that sarcastically!). Meachem, without ever asking a question, did what Patten had told him to better Meachem in the season. The bond between the two reminded me of a true botherhood where Patten was the older brother and Meachem being the younger. They worked out for a good 4-5 hours a day for at least 4 days a week! We would be on the treadmill for a good while also. Well, we used the treadmill for a good while. We didn't consistently stay on the treadmill for endurance because they had no need for such a high endurance, but we would do A LOT of wind-sprints. So endurance came along with agility and speed. Anyways, these two KILLED themselves in the preseason and I think we will be able to see that in this upcoming season, so be on the look out for these guys!
Reply