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As health progresses, so do Saints WR Cameron Meredith's reps



By Luke Johnson, NOLA.com
The Times-Picayune

Cameron Meredith was the middle target in a trio of New Orleans Saints receivers sprinting into the deep portion of the Redskins' zone coverage.

Drew Brees found Meredith right at the top of his drop, and it was no wonder why. It looked to be a perfect play call, as Meredith was running free and open with his teammates eating up the coverage to his left and right. Brees underthrew him a tad, just enough to make sure he did not overthrow an open receiver.

Forty-six yards, first and goal. Up to that point, it was the longest pass play of the season for the Saints, and for Meredith, it was another little mile marker to cross off on his return from an ACL injury that cost him all of last season.

"I think every week has been an improvement," Meredith said. "To do that and to stay healthy throughout that is a big deal for me."

With Ted Ginn being held out with an injury, Meredith and rookie Tre'Quan Smith were handed a heavier workload. For Meredith, that meant five catches (on five targets) for 71 yards, both of which are his top marks in a Saints uniform.

The Saints have taken it slow with Meredith. They backed off his reps in training camp and eased him into the preseason games, not receiving a target until the third week of the preseason. He was inactive for the first two weeks of the regular season, though coach Sean Payton kept saying Meredith was on a positive track.

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ScottF

cut Ginn

cmike

Did Ginn play Monday?

K Major

No. Inactive (knee injury).

cmike

I think Ginn helps this team. When he’s stretches the field the result usually is a TD, big play or underthrown ball.

AsylumGuido

That's pretty much what Tre'Quan Smith can do, as well ... plus catching the ball.

The Dude

And so do the interceptions.
At least he can catch when defenders are blocked and he’s wide open.

K Major

IDK,

Even with the "dropsies" on punts, TG Jr is still a viable piece threat to defenses & still important in Sean Payton's offense. If anything, I think when Ginn is healthy again he'll see a reduction of snaps.

Just for reference - here is Jr's production thus far :

Source --> NFL.COM

Ted Ginn, WR for the New Orleans Saints at NFL.com

AsylumGuido

Meredith was brought in to replace an ineffective Willie Snead in the slot.

Snead - 2017 - 11 games - 8 catches, 16 targets, 92 yards - 0 TD's - 1 fumble

Meredith - 2018 - 3 games - 9 catches, 10 targets, 114 yards - 1 TD - 1 fumble

I'd say that Meredith has already improved the position markedly over 2017!

ScottF

Yes, and now he is poised to surpass Ginn. Carr can have the Snead role.

As you posted above, actually "catching the ball" is needed. A couple of times this year #9 needed Ginn to adjust and come up big but he didn't.