New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - New Orleans Saints receivers new and old train together this summer: Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, Nick Toon

A handful of New Orleans Saints receivers, new and old, have been working out together during the lead-up to training camp this summer. Saints receivers Marques Colston and Nick Toon and former Saints receiver Robert Meachem spent the past month training at the Sonic Boom speed, conditioning and strength academy in Jefferson.

Meachem signed a blockbuster free agent deal last year with the San Diego Chargers, but he still lives and trains in the New Orleans area during these offseason breaks after spending his first five years with the Saints. Meachem had a disappointing debut season with the Chargers, catching just 14 passes for 207 yards while trying to find his niche with a new team. His best game came against the Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Oct. 7, when he caught four passes for 67 yards and his only two touchdowns of the season.

He said this year he plans to take a different mental approach.

"Getting back to just having fun and not trying to be anybody else," said Meachem, who said he didn't regret his decision to sign with the Chargers and felt like it was God's plan for him.

But he said he felt like he got caught up in "trying to be something you're not" and wants to get back to his comfort zone this year.

Colston, meanwhile, doesn't have to make any major changes to his approach after another "routine" 1,154-yard, 10-touchdown season in 2012. His work ethic and determination to keep improving have always been exemplary. The most noticeable difference for Colston this summer has just been the overall atmosphere change surrounding the team now that coach Sean Payton is back from his season-long suspension.

"I think everyone's just excited to be back to normalcy," Colston said.

Toon, heading into his second NFL season, is wisely trying to emulate Colston's approach to the game as much as he possibly can. Like Colston, Toon is a big, physical target at 6 feet 3 inches, 218 pounds. And he appears poised to compete for a prominent backup role this year after spending his rookie season on injured reserve with a foot injury.

New Orleans Saints receivers new and old train together this summer: Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, Nick Toon | NOLA.com