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jeanpierre 10-25-2018 08:54 PM
Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 

jeanpierre 10-25-2018 08:56 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
BY NICK UNDERHILL | nunderhill@theadvocate.com Oct 25, 2018 - 1:36 pm

Vonn Bell asks Tre’Quan Smith the same question every week.

“Hey, you got a big play for me this week?”

The New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver always promises the Saints safety one, but Smith is now delivering frequently and emphatically. In the past two games, the third-round pick has looked like the guy who provided daily highlights throughout training camp.

It started against the Washington Redskins when Smith made a seemingly impossible catch on the sideline. It is hard to adequately describe just how quickly his momentum was carrying him to the sideline and how close his feet were to missing the green. But Smith managed to complete his out route by tapping his toes with cornerback Quinton Dunbar in tight pursuit for a gain of 14.

But it wasn’t a fluke, because Smith made one of the more important catches of the young season on the sideline during a late scoring drive against the Baltimore Ravens. It required some athletic prowess, as he stood on the sideline and caught a 26-yard pass from Drew Brees, but Smith was stationary this time. Success was as dependent on fooling the cornerback as it was maintaining control of his body.

“I saw the defender coming in my peripheral vision,” Smith said. “I was like, let me make it seem like the ball isn’t coming so he won’t push me that soon. So, I had to act like the ball wasn’t coming, but at the same time catch the ball. I had no idea my feet were that close to the sideline.”

Smith's summer highlight reel was extensive, as he showcased the ability to high-point the ball down the field and torque his body. But he wasn't afforded an extended opportunity to showcase his talents until the Washington game when Ted Ginn Jr. was sidelined with a knee injury that eventually placed him on injured reserve. In the two games since, Smith has six receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He had one catch for 18 yards before that.

"He did a lot of good things in the offseason," general manager Mickey Loomis said during an appearance on Sirius XM. "Very impressive, his intelligence and the way he’s grasped the playbook and the nuances of playing the position have been quicker than you would expect a rookie receiver. I think that’s a tough position to come in and make an impact immediately in our league, and yet he’s shown some good things."

There is still room for Smith to grow, and he needs to display consistency, but he has made a positive impression on another important person.

“He’s tall, lean, so he looks like a receiver, kind of like a gazelle that can just get out there and run,” quarterback Drew Brees said. “But I think he’s a little deceiving in some of his transition skill. His ability to get in and out of routes is really good.

“Talking about just picking up the offense for a rookie receiver, and that’s not easy. I feel like he’s been able to do that pretty well. He has playmaking ability to go up and get the ball on those challenged catches, and we just keep opening up the offense for a guy like him.”

While Smith has stood out quite often for making deep catches, including the one Brees used to set the all-time passing yardage mark, he has shown the ability to run several routes. He’s been targeted on post, corner, fade, hitch, crossing, out and go routes, which checks just about all of the boxes. He proved similarly capable at Central Florida, where he ran the full route tree.

Making difficult catches isn’t new for Smith. He says he’s had his body control for a while, he’s just now refining it, and those two catches were the result of his work. Every day before practice or games, he works with wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson doing different drills where he stays inbounds. Johnson always tells him to just catch the ball and “let the referee decide if you’re inbounds or not.”

What is somewhat new for Smith is playing with a quarterback like Brees, who, he says, has made him better. The quarterback’s approach to the game has also caused Smith to lock in on every snap in a way that most receivers do not until playing with someone like Brees.

“It makes playing a lot harder in a sense that, if you’re open, it’s a good chance the ball is going to come your way,” Smith said. “It’s not just one guy is going to get the ball every time even if they’re covered. If you’re open, you’re going to get the ball in this offense.”

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore praised Smith when asked about how the rookie has been performing in practice.

“I see him,” Lattimore said.

Soon, everyone else will see Smith if he keeps performing.

Thirty3 10-26-2018 12:31 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
"display consistency"?? All he has done is catch everything thrown to him. Get the kid the ball more often!

K Major 10-26-2018 12:45 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
How about that "toe tap" by Tre' to keep the drive alive vs Ravens? He's played well thus far.

Hopefully the game plan is to get Cam Meredith more involved. I think Zimmer will key in on taking away our best threat (Michael Thomas) on Sunday night.

Beastmode 10-26-2018 12:59 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Meredith chatter has evaporated. I stated from before preseason this would eventually happen. Would have been nice to get a mid level CB out of him but likely not going to happen. Really need one more puzzle piece in the secondary but don't think we have anything to deal.

44Champs 10-26-2018 01:50 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
I think TQ Smith should be asking Von Bell the same question! Hey Von - you have a big play for us this week? Cuz you been missing a lot of tackles lately.

Rugby Saint II 10-26-2018 01:59 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
I still believe that Meredith will round back into form.....he's still coming back from an injury and doesn't get the separation he needs yet to have Drew trust him.

K Major 10-26-2018 02:58 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 820002)
I still believe that Meredith will round back into form.....
Wait, the same Meredith that went 5 rec @ 71 yards (avg 14 ypc) vs the Skins?

Not sure if you guys noticed, but SP game plan was never to use 3 WR sets based on the opponent and top tier defense. The game at this level of football is all about match-ups.

We'll see plenty of Meredith in the weeks to come.

Relax.

dizzle88 10-26-2018 04:00 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Every play is a big play against Vonn Bell.

The Dude 10-26-2018 04:00 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Only thing Meridith is good for is insurance at this point.

AsylumGuido 10-26-2018 04:21 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K Major (Post 819994)
How about that "toe tap" by Tre' to keep the drive alive vs Ravens? He's played well thus far.

Hopefully the game plan is to get Cam Meredith more involved. I think Zimmer will key in on taking away our best threat (Michael Thomas) on Sunday night.
Last week the offense was two TE heavy to protect again the rush so there were far fewer slot plays. Meredith should be set up for a lot of action this week with Rhodes likely being out (or at least hampered). The slot should be in play a lot as the open man.

AsylumGuido 10-26-2018 04:22 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beastmode (Post 819997)
Meredith chatter has evaporated. I stated from before preseason this would eventually happen. Would have been nice to get a mid level CB out of him but likely not going to happen. Really need one more puzzle piece in the secondary but don't think we have anything to deal.
You also stated before the season that Ingram was going to be traded.

:rolleyes:

AsylumGuido 10-26-2018 04:23 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K Major (Post 820020)
Wait, the same Meredith that went 5 rec @ 71 yards (avg 14 ypc) vs the Skins?

Not sure if you guys noticed, but SP game plan was never to use 3 WR sets based on the opponent and top tier defense. The game at this level of football is all about match-ups.

We'll see plenty of Meredith in the weeks to come.

Relax.
Exactly. Not everyone understands the dynamics of the game.

frydaddy 10-26-2018 04:25 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by K Major (Post 820020)
Wait, the same Meredith that went 5 rec @ 71 yards (avg 14 ypc) vs the Skins?

Not sure if you guys noticed, but SP game plan was never to use 3 WR sets based on the opponent and top tier defense. The game at this level of football is all about match-ups.

We'll see plenty of Meredith in the weeks to come.

Relax.
Some folks seem to have forgotten that this offense is built to spread the ball around. A guy could have a really quiet game one week and explode the next. Been happening this way for years now, and we're at our best when that's been the case.

AsylumGuido 10-26-2018 04:26 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dude (Post 820038)
Only thing Meridith is good for is insurance at this point.
So, does this Meridith chick you're talking about work for State farm or something?

:confused:

The Dude 10-27-2018 12:42 AM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Really don’t get the love for Meridith. Any other receiver the Saints would have would be called garbage by everyone here if they produced as little as Meridith has. Smith would be called a bust already yet you have a veteran wHO has has plenty of NFL experience and enough time in this system to earn some targets doing next to nothing. I guess Payton just hasn’t seen a team we have gone up against this year that he matches up well with. Doesn’t really say to much about him. Oh yea he had the Washington game, but everyone was getting the ball against them. One game.
There was also that one TD he had where he hurt his knee so I guess there is that.

Beastmode 10-27-2018 01:23 AM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 820042)
You also stated before the season that Ingram was going to be traded.

:rolleyes:

I stated he should be traded if someone wants to over pay. Many teams would right now. We would have if any of the RB's we tried out would have worked but none did.



I still stand by Meredith not being the WR2 which I did state before the season. He will never again replicate his one good season in Chicago because that season was garbage time.

Rell&Gold 10-27-2018 10:59 AM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beastmode (Post 820089)
I stated he should be traded if someone wants to over pay. Many teams would right now. We would have if any of the RB's we tried out would have worked but none did.



I still stand by Meredith not being the WR2 which I did state before the season. He will never again replicate his one good season in Chicago because that season was garbage time.
Ingram was not going to be traded, for what? To whom?

AsylumGuido 10-27-2018 02:37 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beastmode (Post 820089)
I stated he should be traded if someone wants to over pay. Many teams would right now. We would have if any of the RB's we tried out would have worked but none did.



I still stand by Meredith not being the WR2 which I did state before the season. He will never again replicate his one good season in Chicago because that season was garbage time.
Meredith was never signed to be the "WR2". He was signed to replace Snead who became less than nothing. He was signed to play slot. He has already outproduced Snead's last entire season. He has most of the season left. I know you feel he is "garbage". Maybe you will be right, which I'm sure will make your day, but most of us have FAR more faith than you ... or at least faith in positive outcomes.

And there was never any chance we would have traded Ingram. Of course, you'll keep believing in that unicorn, as well.

:D

AsylumGuido 10-27-2018 02:38 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rell&Gold (Post 820130)
Ingram was not going to be traded, for what? To whom?
No kidding. Just some whacked out fantasy of Beast's that he was wishing for all off season.

Beastmode 10-27-2018 05:11 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 820143)
No kidding. Just some whacked out fantasy of Beast's that he was wishing for all off season.
That's fine. I was told on here the same on when I said we would push to draft him.

These teams get offers all the time. Unless you are on the staff how would you know. Well, you do not. Neither do I. What i do know is RB's around the league are going down and teams are desperate. If any of the backs we had did anything it was an option. That's all I said.

We make our money in the draft. Not signing Veterans. Our draft next year sucks. In about 6 months that will be the reality. Limited picks and no Ingram.

Meredith won't produce anywhere near expectations. He'll never be a WR1 or even WR2 again. It was a season of garbage time in Chicago.

The Dude 10-27-2018 05:22 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beastmode (Post 820163)
That's fine. I was told on here the same on when I said we would push to draft him.

These teams get offers all the time. Unless you are on the staff how would you know. Well, you do not. Neither do I. What i do know is RB's around the league are going down and teams are desperate. If any of the backs we had did anything it was an option. That's all I said.

We make our money in the draft. Not signing Veterans. Our draft next year sucks. In about 6 months that will be the reality. Limited picks and no Ingram.

Meredith won't produce anywhere near expectations. He'll never be a WR1 or even WR2 again. It was a season of garbage time in Chicago.
I want him to remind me what the bet was. I said he wouldn’t start 8 games. Guido said he would be the number 2 or 3 receiver and have a significant role.
So far he’s been invisible with the exception of the Washington game. Everyone was open for that one.
He caught on TD pass earlier in the season and has fumbled.

Beastmode 10-27-2018 05:39 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dude (Post 820167)
I want him to remind me what the bet was. I said he wouldn’t start 8 games. Guido said he would be the number 2 or 3 receiver and have a significant role.
So far he’s been invisible with the exception of the Washington game. Everyone was open for that one.
He caught on TD pass earlier in the season and has fumbled.

I don't want him to fail. If he does great the rest of the way that is fine as long as we win. I made a prediction way before the season started he would not amount to much. Certainly not a WR2 as the media was chattering about.

It was based off of watching him in every game in Chicago. I watched all of them and there was not much there but whatever. He is a safety valve. He can grab it if wide open most of the time. He's not going to be fighting for the ball or getting massive YAC.

AsylumGuido 10-27-2018 05:46 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dude (Post 820167)
I want him to remind me what the bet was. I said he wouldn’t start 8 games. Guido said he would be the number 2 or 3 receiver and have a significant role.
So far he’s been invisible with the exception of the Washington game. Everyone was open for that one.
He caught on TD pass earlier in the season and has fumbled.
Yes. All I said was would be better than Snead and would start at least 8 games. You indicated he would remain injured or benched and then not play that many.

Why the hate? He has the third most snaps at WR since he became active. I see no reason why that should change short of injury, which would win you the bet.

Once again, a lost bet from you will prove to be advantageous to the Saints' success.

AsylumGuido 10-27-2018 05:49 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beastmode (Post 820168)
I don't want him to fail. If he does great the rest of the way that is fine as long as we win. I made a prediction way before the season started he would not amount to much. Certainly not a WR2 as the media was chattering about.

It was based off of watching him in every game in Chicago. I watched all of them and there was not much there but whatever. He is a safety valve. He can grab it if wide open most of the time. He's not going to be fighting for the ball or getting massive YAC.
If he produces more than what we had then it is a success. Most of the season left and he is getting healthier every day.

Let both hope he kills it every game the rest of the way out.

18-1 Baby!

:bng:

The Dude 10-27-2018 05:51 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beastmode (Post 820168)
I don't want him to fail. If he does great the rest of the way that is fine as long as we win. I made a prediction way before the season started he would not amount to much. Certainly not a WR2 as the media was chattering about.

It was based off of watching him in every game in Chicago. I watched all of them and there was not much there but whatever. He is a safety valve. He can grab it if wide open most of the time. He's not going to be fighting for the ball or getting massive YAC.
That’s what I saw when I watched some of what he was doing there. pair that with his injury and you can see why don’t expect much from him. I don’t want him to fail either. I would love nothing more than for him to become another trusted target for Brees and somebody defenses are forced to focus on. I’m not holding my breath, we are fine without him.

Beastmode 10-27-2018 05:53 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 820169)
Yes. All I said was would be better than Snead and would start at least 8 games. You indicated he would remain injured or benched and then not play that many.

Why the hate? He has the third most snaps at WR since he became active. I see no reason why that should change short of injury, which would win you the bet.

Once again, a lost bet from you will prove to be advantageous to the Saints' success.

Snaps don't mean anything. He dropped another easy pass on MNF and had no catches against the Ravens. That's fine, if you think he is some exceptional addition then that is your opinion. We don't have a Diggs / Theilen thing going on that's for sure. We have a weakness in the secondary that could be shored up with a trade. We also have a WR weakness. Thank god we have MT and Kamara because they douse the whole situation with heavy perfume.

AsylumGuido 10-27-2018 05:54 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dude (Post 820171)
That’s what I saw when I watched some of what he was doing there. pair that with his injury and you can see why don’t expect much from him. I don’t want him to fail either. I would love nothing more than for him to become another trusted target for Brees and somebody defenses are forced to focus on. I’m not holding my breath, we are fine without him.
Looking forward to that next $20, my friend. ;)

FinSaint 10-28-2018 04:47 AM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Meredith played from the slot in Chicago and, therefore, it would only be logical that the Saints signed him with that in mind.

He was pretty impressive before his injury, so I'm still hopeful he will return to that same form, and further have it elevated by Payton and Brees.

The great thing is that there's no hurry to force him on the field with Thomas and Smith playing well as the top pairing.

The Dude 10-30-2018 04:21 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 820173)
Looking forward to that next $20, my friend. ;)
I still don’t see how he’s emerged as the number 3 receiver or done anything close to having a “significant role”. Sunday He was present for 17% of the snaps behind Carr, Smith, and Thomas. Not significant.

AsylumGuido 10-30-2018 04:32 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dude (Post 821083)
I still don’t see how he’s emerged as the number 3 receiver or done anything close to having a “significant role”. Sunday He was present for 17% of the snaps behind Carr, Smith, and Thomas. Not significant.
MOST of the season left, my friend. We just came off the two games all season long that would have the least chance of the slot receiver coming into play. He was still in there and will continue to be in there in a more significant role with the defenses we have left to face.

homerj07 10-30-2018 07:52 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
He was impressive at UCF I'm glad to see him doing well.

Rugby Saint II 10-31-2018 12:05 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Smith has the right QB to help him achieve success his rookie season. He does have some pretty good body control and I look forward to him growing in this system and becoming a solid #2 behind Thomas. We don't have the best WR tandem yet.....but give it time.

K Major 10-31-2018 12:25 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Hadn't really seen many post(s) here however has anyone noticed how Sean P/Carmichael are preserving health with depth? A non productive Cam M doesn't really concern me as much because he has the talent.

This isn't the same Saints offense of the past & putting up video game numbers. Did you notice the offense didn't exactly throw it around the yard vs Minnesota ? They ran it more > passing. Game plan dictates a lot.

Meanwhile Cam's knee is getting stronger every week. Far too early to draw conclusions based on stats.

Football is a marathon.

The Dude 11-01-2018 11:07 PM
Re: Tre'Quan Smith's promise — literally — and these other traits have Saints WR on upswing
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by AsylumGuido (Post 821087)
MOST of the season left, my friend. We just came off the two games all season long that would have the least chance of the slot receiver coming into play. He was still in there and will continue to be in there in a more significant role with the defenses we have left to face.
I guarantee they would have found a way to get Lance Moore the ball.


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