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-   -   Position Spotlight: WR & TE (https://blackandgold.com/saints/68807-position-spotlight-wr-te.html)

saintsfan1976 10-14-2014 09:20 AM

Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Good analysis by Tripp.

New Orleans Saints position spotlight: Receivers/tight ends - ESPN


My take: The disappearance of the Saints’ downfield passing game has become the biggest concern for this offense dating back to last year. While I’ve stressed that I don’t see any real signs of decline with quarterback Drew Brees, I think we are seeing regression with receivers Colston and Meachem. Those two are hardly the only problem, but the Saints will need better production from all of their receivers going forward -- especially if Graham is sidelined for a significant amount of time with a shoulder injury (he's expected to be highly questionable for this week at Detroit).

ESPN scouting Insider Matt Williamson’s take: “[The lack of downfield passing] is surprising. I think Graham is Graham, and he’s still great, and without him they’d be really hurting. I think Colston might be done. I’m not seeing Colston get separation. He never was the quickest or fastest to begin with. He relied on body positioning and routes and hands. And he’s not getting enough space. I think that’s a worry. I think Cooks is a work in progress, but he’s an obvious talent. I still have high hopes for Stills and really liked him last year. I just wonder if he’s taking time to get healthy. I wonder if it’s an injury thing with him.”

Utah_Saint 10-14-2014 09:28 AM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
The Saints have Cooks, Morgan and Stills, three burners that can take the top off the defense. I don't know why they're not chucking it down field more often. Even if they don't make a completion, just throwing deep a couple times per game will; at the least, back the safeties up and make things a little less conjested in the middle.

dizzle88 10-14-2014 09:28 AM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Agreed with the raised points.

We really need a difference maker at WR, Cooks may develop into that but we aren't targeting him on any deep routes at all.
Unfortunately I believe he may be right about Colston which is tough to say because the guy is such a saints legend, he's never relied on speed before but his hands have deteriorated and we were one booth review away from losing the bucs game on another colston fumble.

It's disappointing that Toon can hardly crack the lineup when most our receivers are underachieving, as for Morgan, one hit wonder maybe?

We could really do with a big time receiver but we also have so many needs on defense

I watched the bengals vs panthers game and Mohammed Sanu really stood out, speed guy that catches the check down passes well and has good run after the catch.

Danno 10-14-2014 10:30 AM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
I'm hoping Jones and Coleman can develop quickly, and I could see us once again ignoring LB and taking a WR in the 1st 2 rounds.

hagan714 10-14-2014 04:43 PM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
WR keepers
Brandin Cooks - we still are waiting for him to be used as a WR. till then he will be easy to defend
Kenny Stills - sophomore slump? or have teams got him figured? slot a better home for him?
Marques Colston dead money is the only reason to keep him.

the rest can be replaced at the drop of a hat.

A true #1 would reshape this entire unit and put players in their correct positions.
#1
#2 Colston
slot Stills and Cook

but i do not see that happening
so a solid #2 that loves to go across the middle and mix it up.

NOLA54 10-14-2014 05:40 PM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Do you think Coach is thinking the same thing? Is the problem not
Drew's ability to throw long but our receivers inability to get separation or come down with the ball in a tight spot. Remember when Drew would throw his receivers open?

jeanpierre 10-14-2014 06:26 PM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 618268)
I'm hoping Jones and Coleman can develop quickly, and I could see us once again ignoring LB and taking a WR in the 1st 2 rounds.

Agree with the first part, but at some point, we've got to spend some high picks on offensive line and linebacker...

Saintsfan4ever 10-14-2014 06:57 PM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
I think losing Lance Moore has impacted our passing success more than some realize. The guy was quick, agile, knew how to get open, and had great hands. There's nobody in the WR core filling those shoes. I think Brandin Cooks can fill that gap eventually but right now he's just not all-around as good as Moore was in the WR role.

Cruize 10-14-2014 11:12 PM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
The Saints simply don't have a legit #1 WR.

Utah_Saint 10-14-2014 11:57 PM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Saintsfan4ever (Post 618372)
I think losing Lance Moore has impacted our passing success more than some realize. The guy was quick, agile, knew how to get open, and had great hands. There's nobody in the WR core filling those shoes. I think Brandin Cooks can fill that gap eventually but right now he's just not all-around as good as Moore was in the WR role.

Cooks has 255 yards in the first 5 games.

In 9 seasons Moore only went over 250 yards in the first 5 games once.

jeanpierre 10-15-2014 06:15 AM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Problem with the offense is mostly up front - Grubbs, Evans, Strief can't move 'em around as they once did; now we're paying for what they did and not what they can do now...

Brees declining ability to consistently hit receivers downtown in-stride allows more talented teams to play more aggressively, jamming our receivers, throwing off the timing of routes...

jeanpierre 10-15-2014 07:37 AM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Actually, I think we have the makings of a great WR corps...

Problem is, my favorite player, Colston, just doesn't have it anymore with his declining foot injury...

If you had a young, healthy bit tall WR like Colston, Cooks as Flanker, with healthy Stills as a Slot/No. 3; coupled with healthy Graham and Josh Hill on deck - you'd have the best WR corps in the league...

In other words, that unit is that close...

Danno 10-15-2014 08:20 AM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanpierre (Post 618438)
Actually, I think we have the makings of a great WR corps...

Problem is, my favorite player, Colston, just doesn't have it anymore with his declining foot injury...

If you had a young, healthy bit tall WR like Colston, Cooks as Flanker, with healthy Stills as a Slot/No. 3; coupled with healthy Graham and Josh Hill on deck - you'd have the best WR corps in the league...

In other words, that unit is that close...

I haven't read anything about that. Has it resurfaced or are you just speculating? It would definitely explain his poor performance.

Saintsfan4ever 10-15-2014 12:42 PM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah_Saint (Post 618403)
Cooks has 255 yards in the first 5 games.

In 9 seasons Moore only went over 250 yards in the first 5 games once.

Interesting.. and we're 2-3.
Moore was a great route runner, got separation, made the catch in many many clutch situations. That's what we're missing. Not yardage stats. We got that. We're not getting the clutch catches that extend drives.

Rugby Saint II 10-15-2014 01:09 PM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Saintsfan4ever (Post 618500)
Interesting.. and we're 2-3.
Moore was a great route runner, got separation, made the catch in many many clutch situations. That's what we're missing. Not yardage stats. We got that. We're not getting the clutch catches that extend drives.

And I blame the coaching for that! When was the last time we developed a WR?:biggun:

jeanpierre 10-16-2014 10:04 AM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Danno (Post 618441)
I haven't read anything about that. Has it resurfaced or are you just speculating? It would definitely explain his poor performance.

New Orleans Saints will monitor Marques Colstons practice reps - ESPN

New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston feeling fine after foot injury lingered through last season | NOLA.com

New Orleans Saints' Marques Colston Isn't Finished Yet | Bleacher Report

dizzle88 10-16-2014 10:07 AM

Re: Position Spotlight: WR & TE
 
On the contrary to all those reports, I think if Colston doesn't improve his play this year, it will be his last as a saint.


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