Saints Sideline Blog

WHAT ABOUT BOB?

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010      Email Print

DATELINE: Metairie, LA/ August 16th,2010 (Meachem's back in business)
 
Drew Brees didn't say it and I'm guessing he didn't even think it but with Robert Meachem back on the practice field it would have been fitting to say "You complete me!" For the first time this preseason, Brees has his complete compliment of weapons in the huddle. Meachem was the big toe of the group last year providing his quarterback with the most big play moments but its Meachem's second toe on his right foot which has kept him off the practice field this camp. Rapid Robert jokes that he's been an irritant to the Saints training staff where to say that he's grown impatient sitting on the sidelines is to say Tiger Woods tends to make a few magazine covers.
 
Meachem isn't near 100 percent yet as he tells us on a scale of 1 to 10 he's about a four and a half. Even though he practiced today and got a lot of attention from Brees, he will meet with doctors again on Wednesday and will be evaluated on a practice to practice basis. The Saints aren't messing around with their budding star as his right shoe is armed with heavy tape and a steel shank to preserve a Saints investment that was slow to pay dividends but when healthy has proved to be payoff...BIG.
 
The Super season saw Meachem change his reputation from an injury prone star to Big Play Bob. In a season which will be remembered for Garrett Hartley's dagger against the Vikes, and Tracy Porter's exclamation point against the Colts--my money on the signature play of the year was Meachem's strip and score versus the Redskins. His capitalizing moment in well...our nation's capital preserved a come from behind win versus Washington where it was Meachem hauling in a 53 yard Brees TD to send the game into overtime. It was a career day for Robert who had 8 catches,142 yards, two scores and a TD for his fifth straight game. Mighty Meachem finished the year tied with Marquis Colston with 9 TD receptions but led the team with 10 scores. If he can stay healthy along with Colston, Henderson and now a healthy Lance Moore--dare we say the number one offense in the NFL can "receive" even more results?
 
Meachem may wear 17 but the number 3 has always been charming. His third year in High School he came into his own and became a blue chip recruit out of Tulsa. His 3rd year in Knoxville, he transformed himself from a solid performer into an All-American and a first round pick. His Saints career also took 3 years to flourish. After not playing his rookie season due to a knee injury and then catching 12 balls for 289 yards in year two----it was Year 3 that gave credence to his 1st round hype. A season where he totaled 45 catches for 722 yards and averaged 16 yards per catch. Meachem's 3rd Saints season was like leaving the all you can eat bar 20 minutes early, if just wetted your appetite. The Saints coaching staff know they have a breakout star on their hands, now the key is to keeping him in the huddle.
 
The biggest number for this rising star last season is he played in every game. Staying healthy is the priority now as Meachem admits if he could pull a do over, he would have had his toe surgery earlier than May. Now he's playing catchup while watching Lance Moore get quality reps and catch everything in site. Meachem knows he played like a first round pick last season and feels he's just scratching the surface. The third year Saint jumped into the phone booth and came out as Big Play Bob last season---a year later we're not asking if he can play, its just a matter of when?
 
AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
 
MORSTEAD RETURNS: Meachem wasn't the only surprise Saint on the practice field this morning. Punter Thomas Morstead was back at it as well. He tells us he's not sure if he'll play versus the Texans and when he will kickoff in the near future? He did take snaps, held and punted the football though.
 
ARRINGTON "PRESENT": After leading the Saints in receiving against the Patriots, WR Adrian Arrington was back at practice. He had missed the weekend workouts due to a shoulder injury.
 
CLASS REUNION: They never did it as high school teammates but Southlake Carroll Tx alums Chase Daniel and Garrett Hartley reunited as holder and kicker respectively against the Patriots in the preseason opener. Both players led their school to a 16-0 record and 2004 State Championship.
 
GOLD STAR: Sean Payton doesn't throw around praise lightly but said this morning's practice was one of the best in camp. It featured a series of physical goal line drills.
 
PATRICK'S DAY- While Drew Brees was his typical solid self today, backup Patrick Ramsey seems to be getting more and more comfortable with a nice play action TD toss to TE David Thomas.
 
CHRIS FOR SIX ---While the team may be bringing in a free agent running back everyday, Chris Ivory just keeps making plays. Today during goal line drills, the Saints rookie had two scores and continues to make noise after Lynell Hamilton was placed on the IR
 
UNTIL NEXT BLOG,
Mike Nabors
CST

By: Mike Nabors

An Emmy award winning sports reporter who covers a wide variety of events for CST. Primarily, Mike serves as the network's reporter for Saints coverage.

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