Originally Posted by exile (Post 579009)

Speed sells.

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 579219)

We are cap strapped. Why pay a 7 year vet minimum of $855k when you can grab two rookies at $420k each and save 15k?


What happened to the whole trade down for more picks train of thought. Letting him walk gives you two more options to explore.

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 579225)

I would guess that Meachem is a know commodity, and its possible we lose Moore.



Having a veteran that knows the system and is relatively cheap is a pretty good reason to bring him to camp.



I suspect they aren't worried about the 400K savings at a position that might be shorthanded on experienced players.



You can still bring several rookies in to compete, and if Meachem is a final 53 cut, you can resign him the following week without his contract being guaranteed and then his contract becomes week to week.



I don't see a downside here, considering we might lose Lance Moore, and perhaps Joe Morgan.

Originally Posted by Jack Vegas (Post 579215)

Yeah, but this is a thread about Robert Meachem.

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 579230)

We need a speedy receiver to open the middle with deep routes.

Originally Posted by dizzle88 (Post 579475)

Meachem actually played pretty well, he sparked our offense vs san fran when they were struggling with a 50 yard catch and run, then made another huge grab later in the game

like oak said, vet minimum and let them fight it out in camp

at the minute, stills is better but meachem is a good blocking WR

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 579230)

We need a speedy receiver to open the middle with deep routes.

Originally Posted by exile (Post 579228)

Well if Meach is slow our other WRs are slugs.

Originally Posted by Jack Vegas (Post 579505)

Stills and Morgan are definitely faster than Meachem. Moore is close. In fact the only WR on the roster Meachem is actually without a doubt faster than is Colston, and if you were to give Colston the benefit of one offseason without some knee/ankle/leg surgery and I'm not sure it's so clear-cut anymore. Don't get me wrong, I like Meachem in general, wouldn't mind seeing him back, but for a guy with a reputation of being a deep threat he is very average when it comes to speed.

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 579513)

Morgan, yes
Stills, maybe
Moore, no way.

Originally Posted by Jack Vegas (Post 579521)

Stills maybe? The guy ran 4.28 and 4.34 at the combine last year. Pretty safe to say he's the fastest guy on the team. Even Sproles doesn't have giddy up like that.

Originally Posted by exile (Post 579506)

You people are brats. :mrgreen:

I bet you all liked him when he did this.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/...32_634x465.jpg

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 579523)

Meachem ran a 4.39 at the combine.

Originally Posted by Jack Vegas (Post 579633)

That was a loooong time ago. People talk about Colston like he's old and slowed down, but Meachem is only one year younger than Colston and has had just about the same number of surgeries.

Meachem's value is he knows the system well, has chemistry with Brees, is a good blocker and is great at tracking down deep passes. He's worth a lot more to us than he would be to most teams, but fortunately for us that also keeps his price down. I hope we keep him as long as it's a reasonable deal. Keep in mind he only caught 16 passes last year.

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 579638)

I agree on all of that. I have just reached a point where I would like a fresh face to speculate about. :)

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 579640)

...I'd rather someone actually beat him out rather than just cutting him and hoping we can find someone better.

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 579640)

Nothing wrong with that, but I'd rather someone actually beat him out rather than just cutting him and hoping we can find someone better.

I think at 800K, its worth signing and bringing him into camp. I also hope that some young hot shot actually earns Meachem's roster spot.

Of course if that 800K means we can't sign a key free-agent, then I say "go long Robert, no longer, longer, longer, keep going..."

Originally Posted by ScottF (Post 579664)

I am not sure what kind of 'negotiations' could be going on. He got a million last year while still cashing a Charger paycheck, and he isn't getting more than that.

He had some solid 40 catch seasons for us, and the fact is he didn't fit in at SD, for whatever reason. He can still fill the 4th or 5th role, and is certainly better than Toon or Tanner. 16 catches doesn't look like much, but you as a 4th receiver on a team with Graham, Sproles, and PT, you aren't going to be targeted much.

We bring receivers along VERY slowly (Stills is the exception), so why not keep Meachem and let a rookie develop.

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 579670)

Not sure how slow we bring WR along.

Colston started 12 games his rookie season.
I looked up most of the receivers I could think of that we had as rookies and near all of their 1st/2nd seasons look like their last two seasons.

Originally Posted by ScottF (Post 579672)

Henderson and Meachem come to mind.

Originally Posted by TheOak (Post 579677)

4 catch difference on Meachem between rookie and 2013. Sophomore year he was full go or as full go as Meachem ever was.
Robert Meachem NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Henderson was just slow to come along period...
Devery Henderson NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

But they were both niche receivers anyway.

Once Payton trusts the receiver, it's on.

Toon would have had more receptions if he could get out if his own way.

Moore just took a while to develop.

Morgan can't stay healthy.