The Final Word on Robert Meachem
 

The Final Word on Robert Meachem

Posted by David Schexnaydre Jr September 12, 2007 5:39PM

First of all, if you believe the title then maybe this isn't the article for you. If you are looking for an answer right now, on whether Meachem was the right or wrong pick, you won't find it here. As a matter of fact, you won't find it anywhere. Why? Because he is a wide receiver, and that means we won't know about him for some time. So I'm sorry, but no final word on Meachem today, and the guy who calls him a "bust" or "wasted pick" doesn't know what he's talking about so don't panic. It takes receivers some time to get adjusted. It's just a fact of life.
These guys need time to develop. Why? Nobody is quite sure. They just don't come flying out of the gate in Year One like you would hope and expect. And actually, if you're looking for big results in Year Two, you might be out of luck there as well. It normally takes three years for them to develop into the player you drafted them for.
Consider this...

Since 1990, only six wide receivers have registered 1,000 yards receiving in their first year: Joey Galloway, Terry Glenn, Randy Moss, Anquan Boldin, Michael Clayton, and Marques Colston. That's it. Not counting the most recent Draft Class of 2007, almost 600 receivers have been drafted in the NFL Draft since 1990. And SIX out of SIX HUNDRED have registered 1,000 yard seasons. (Thanks to the readers who caught my previous error. An inexcusable mistake on my part.)
Now, I understand that we are not upset that Meachem is not on pace for a 1,000 yard season. We are upset because it doesn't look as if he will be contributing AT ALL any time soon. This is understandable, but we have to realize that it will take time for him to develop. Let's just realize and come to terms with the fact that we shouldn't expect much, if anything, from him this year and let's move on.
After all, a rookie year is not a very accurate indicator of a wide receiver's future anyway. Steve Smith registered a measly 10 receptions his rookie year. Hines Ward only caught 15 balls. Both have been key contributors on Conference Champion teams, and Ward even has a SuperBowl Ring. Joe Horn caught 2 balls his first year in Kansas City, and 2 his second year. Isaac Bruce, Javon Walker, and Plaxico Burress? None caught more than 23 balls their rookie years.
Want further proof that a rookie years don't necessarily project future success? Look at Donte' Stallworth. He caught 42 balls for 8 touchdowns in just 13 games his rookie season. We all know how that turned out. What about Michael Clayton? In 2004 he tore the league up with 80 receptions for 1,193 yards and 7 touchdowns. Since then, he hasn't caught more than 33 balls in a season and has only ONE touchdown. His teammate at LSU, Devery Henderson, wasn't even active during his rookie season. Yet last season he led the NFL in yards per catch with a 23.3 average.
Now, does any of this really have anything to do with Robert Meachem? Absolutely not. But it's important for us to realize that in 2006 Marques Colston completely spoiled us. We cannot expect that type of performance and impact from every guy we draft. It's not fair to us, and it certainly isn't fair to the player. We have to learn to accept Colston's rookie year for what it was - an exception to the rule - and enjoy it. Don't let it be the ruler by which we measure all rookie seasons. I understand high expectations are important, but reasonable expectations are important as well.
So, if you are looking for an the final word on Robert Meachem, I'm sorry that my title misled you. Well, maybe I'm not; you needed to know this anyway. The truth of the matter is that the jury will be out on Meachem for at least another couple of years. That's how it works in the NFL. You draft for potential and hope that the potential turns into results before it's too late, and that is quite possibly the most beautiful part about all of it. The draft is an inexact science and you can only cross your fingers and hope 7th round wide receivers from Hofstra come along more often than not. As far as the final word on Robert Meachem goes, check back in a couple of years.

David Schexnaydre can be reached at DSchexnaydre@gmail.com


The Final Word on Robert Meachem - New Orleans Sports Report - David Schexnaydre Jr. - NOLA.com

I could sit here an nick pick some of stats but that is not the real point of this article. Is it.

Meachem is Stallworth all over again...
 

He had one good year at UT then bolted to the NFL. When I saw his name on draft day I just groooooooaned. He never lived up to his 5 star rating at UT & he'll never be worthy of a 1st rd, or even a 5th rd pick IMO.

Re: The Final Word on Robert Meachem
 

It doesn't matter if WE "FANS" think he is going to be a good player or not, it only matters what the coaches think. Also there are no postions on the team that a 1st round pick from this draft would have started. No first round DT, CB, LB or anyother spot, from the 27th spot would have started this year.

Re: The Final Word on Robert Meachem
 

We drafted Meachem based on his potential. Personally, I like the pick, even after he got hurt and had surgery. He has amazing potential and needs work. No pressure on him to be the man or anything. I would have liked Posluzny(sp?) or Grubbs at that spot for what was available along with Meachem. There are not too many rookie wrs making a big splash so far, except Johnson. I am not willing to write off Meach just yet, just give him time, he has some good coaches and players working with him.

Re: The Final Word on Robert Meachem
 

Article is DEAD-ON! WR takes time to develop... the final word won't be for 2-3 years.

Re: The Final Word on Robert Meachem
 

When I say the title I had a lambasting already queued up. Good post. That said, I think two curl routes take for TDs against Cal moved him from the 2nd-3rd rounds to the 1st.

As for another rookie that gets a lot of talk, Usama Young: Where's he been? I didn't get to watch many PS games, but I didn't see his nome on the stat sheets much. Was he shutting guys down or was he just getting lost on the field?

From his work-out numbers, I thought he had steal written all over him, and he made the final 53, which doesn't say much considdering the quality of defensive backfield. Who's got a take on this?

Re: The Final Word on Robert Meachem
 

There's no way after week one, good or bad, that the final word can be said on anyone. Especially a rookie WR.

We'll see...
 

I hope he ends up being a good player for us. I really do. But, his track record doesn't bode well. Injuries and nicks throughout his college career. Didn't run great routes. Dropped too many catchable balls. And, all of that's bleeding over into his pro career. On the other hand, the kid's got deadly speed and an amazing upside. Potential is just untrained success. He's in the right system, with the right coaches, and the right organization to make himself a hell of a player. The rest is up to him. It's just my opinion that he will not be a Saint 3-4 years from now if that long. I hope I'm wrong and he ends up being an All-Pro.

Re: The Final Word on Robert Meachem
 

Speaking of wide outs, I have been thoroughly impressed with Lance Moore's ability to get open and catch the ball. Didn't drop a thing all pre-season. He gets good separation and even made a couple of adjustments in order to make the catches... and he catches with his hands (Rice/Carter like). He seems to have that IT, whatever IT is. It would be nice to see him more often than on special teams but he just finds himself in tough company. We are deep in the WR slot. He'll be sucking hind tit for a while.

Re: The Final Word on Robert Meachem
 

I'm certain that Posluzny would start with our mediocre linebackers.

Meachem has a lot going for him. Size, speed, good hands and from everything I've read about him he has a good amount of humility. These are four great traits for a receiver. I'm confident that he'll be a good NFL receiver some day. I just don't know when.