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Training camp is almost upon us all folks (July 29) and that means the battles between teammates is about to begin. Over 80 players will head into camp for the New Orleans Saints, but only 53 will end up making the final roster.

Some teams have competition going on at big time positions such as quarterback or running back or even linebacker, but the Saints are coming into this season a bit blessed. Just about all the starters are returning meaning the core group of players to start Super Bowl XLIV is intact.

Still there are going to be players battling for positions and hoping to end up with a roster spot on the defending Super Bowl champions. One position that the Saints seemingly have a plethora of talent at is wide receiver and it's been that way for a couple seasons now. The problem is that there are just way too many players trying to fill a limited number of roster spots. It's time to take a look at the prospects the Saints will have going into camp to field passes from Drew Brees and let's see if they deserve a shot or not.

~ Marques Colston: Brees' number one target is a lock to make the squad as he has been the number one receiver now for a few years. Oddly enough, Colston would probably not be a number one wideout on most teams in the NFL, but his size and talent works for the Saints thanks to Brees' arm and Sean Payton's scheme. The dude is a giant considering he started his career at tight end and was molded into a receiver. Well, it worked and he now is a prime pass receiver that knows how to get open. And when he can't get open, all Brees has to do is throw the ball up and nine times out of ten, Colston can snag it. Makes the team and will be out there hopefully pulling in an injury-free season to get his first 100 reception year.

~ Lance Moore: Two years ago, this guy would have had me praying for him to get a big contract and keep him with the team. Injuries and some lackluster play during the Super Bowl run though has made me realize he isn't the most important cog in the black and gold machine. Moore and Colston had it set as a big/little tandem that would have driven most defenses nuts. Too bad for Moore though that other receivers stepped up in his absence and made names for themselves. More on that later.

If anything, I'd love to see Moore line up more often as the slot receiver. Sort of like the Wes Welker type role. Sadly there is so much talent on the team that it doesn't appear as if he can claim that role as his big time spot. Reggie Bush will often be thrown into that slot receiver as will Devery Henderson so Moore often ends up slipping into the fourth wide receiver location. Makes the team, but won't see the field as much as he did a couple years ago.

~ Robert Meachem: On the verge of becoming a bust, the man turned into a veritable touchdown machine. He has come of his own and my feeling is that he's going to step up into the other starting spot opposite Colston. Meachem has proved himself to be reliable and somehow just end up open no matter where he is on the field or how many guys he has to get around. We also can't forget that he had what must be considered one of the top plays of the year.


That still amazes me every single time I see it. Makes the team and I believe he'll be a starting wide receiver by the time the regular season comes around.

~ Devery Henderson: Thanks to finally finding a way to hold onto the ball and getting rid of the insurmountable drops; Henderson has become one of the most credible and biggest long-ball threats in the NFL. His emergence of good hands is what causes Moore to drop down the ladder a rung or two because Henderson just has the speed and elusiveness to score a touchdown no matter where the Saints are on the field.

All you have to do is go back and look at the Saints/Patriots' Monday night game from last year to get a prime example of Henderson's talent. Sure that long bomb was due in large part to blown coverage by the Pats, but by the time he crossed the goal line? There wasn't a single defended within twenty yards of him. Being that far away from any NFL defense is just insane. Makes the team and will probably end up being the third wide receiver or switching 2 and 3 with Meachem all season.

~ Courtney Roby: After many tries in the trial-and-error department, a good choice emerged at kick returner. Roby does have the talents and hands to be a decent wide receiver as we've seen in past preseasons, but not enough to knock one of the top four guys out of the loop. His focus will be on special teams and primarily on kick returns as he holds onto the ball and has some good speed once his agility gets him out in the open. Makes the team but won't be a receiver even though he's labeled as one...this is our kick returner.

~ Rod Harper: The Saints throw a lot of balls to Reggie Bush and he's also out there carrying it out of the backfield as well as returning punts. Injuries last season and the though of keeping Bush a little fresher sometimes saw Lance Moore and even Darren Sharper returning punts. In order to have a productive punt returner and keep Reggie focused on the offensive side of ball, a good wide receiver aimed directly at running it back is necessary in my eyes. Harper has decent receiving skills but like Roby, won't push any of the top four guys down the ladder. Harper did show great flashes as a punt returner last preseason though before getting injured. If he's returned to form and can also help on special teams then there is a possibility he'll have his chance to shine again. 50/50 shot of making the team if he can show the talent he did last year. A step or two off and he's gone.

~ Adrian Arrington: If ever there was a guy that I wanted to get a chance more than anyone else, it's Arrington. He showed such great skill and talent a couple years ago when he was drafted out of Michigan in the seventh round. For a while, I honestly thought the Saints had landed another late-round Colston type prospect but then he got injured and was out for the season. Last year he spent the season on the practice squad because of the bevy of talent the team has at wide receiver. Sadly, if he doesn't have an outstanding camp then he's going to only be in competition with Harper or Roby for a roster spot. Chances are he won't make the team, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he finds a spot because I believe he'll blossom into the true talent he is before long..practice squad.

~ Matt Simon: He spent last season on the practice squad and that's fully where I expect him to end up. He's not one that is going to push for a wide receiver roster spot or even returner. Simon is going to need to really impress on special teams in training camp and preseason to even sniff the 53-man team. Practice squad.

Linkback to the Examiner article

crawgator

I say the Saints have the best WR corp in the NFL. We are strong from top to bottom here. GEAUX SAINTS

jcp026

I'm with you on Arrington. He's as about as good as anyone we have. He just needs a chance.

SmashMouth

I think everyone forgets Larry Beavers who is on our team. He could challenge Roby.