The New Orleans Saints are a day closer to training camp, and position battles across the roster will be settled during the next month for the upcoming season. Saints 247 continues its 2012 Training Camp preview with a look at the New Orleans wide receivers.
The wide receiver position is somewhat in a state of flux for the Saints. The depth chart for receiver is very top heavy with established veterans holding on to the main three spots. After that, the pecking order is somewhat of a toss-up. With the departure of Robert Meachem to the Chargers during the offseason, the fourth wide receiver slot is up for grabs.
Sure Things:
Marques Colston
Lance Moore
Devery Henderson
The trio of Colston, Moore, and Henderson are the cream of the Saints’ wide receiver crop. Each player offers a unique skill set that compliments the entire passing game – Colston with his sure hands and route running, Moore with his elusiveness, and Henderson with his supreme speed. All three players have been and will continue to be important parts of the New Orleans offensive machine.
Adrian Arrington
Courtney Roby
Both Arrington and Roby constitute the next tier of wide receiver for New Orleans. Both players enter camp with questions. For Arrington, can he be both healthy and consistent? The Saints drafted Arrington in the 7th round of the 2008 draft with the hope that he would develop into an everyday player. Between injury, depth chart position, and general inconsistency, that hope has yet to transpire into anything of real consequence. For Roby, the question has always surrounded his ability to be more than a kick returner. Speed is not an issue for Roby, but rather pass catching and route running have been parts of his game that need work on. With the departure of Meachem, both Arrington and Roby have the chance to get more playing time and become the fourth receiving option.
Nick Toon
The wild-card in the fourth receiver position battle? Rookie Nick Toon, who throughly impressed coaches during the team’s rookie mini-camp earlier in the offseason. During his years at Wisconsin, Toon amassed 2447 yards on 171 catches for 18 touchdowns. Those stats are very impressive when you factor in Wisconsin’s run-heavy offense. Toon also possesses great size. At 6’4” and 218 pounds, he is taller than most receivers, and creates instant matchup issues with smaller defensive backs. If he is able to impress enough in training camp, Toon will turn into a regular rotation player in the Saints receiving corps.
On the Bubble:
Joe Morgan
Andy Tanner
Both Morgan and Tanner have been on the training camp roster in previous years. However, due to the extraordinary depth at wide receiver, both players haven’t gotten much notice. With Meachem gone, that changes. Sidelined for all of last year due to a knee injury, Joe Morgan scored two huge touchdowns in consecutive preseason games. Tanner has been on the Saints’ practice and scout teams, and might make the team based upon his knowledge of the New Orleans offensive system. Both are roster long shots, but Morgan might have a puncher’s chance. His explosiveness and speed are unquestionably his biggest assets, making him a potential contributor on special teams, if nothing else.
Maybe Next Year:
Derek Moye
Chris Givens
Kevin Hardy
The rookie trio of Moye, Givens, and Hardy face an uphill battle going into camp. With a max of maybe six receivers available for the final roster, the three undrafted rookies will face a difficult time moving up any depth chart. On another team, Moye, Givens, and Hardy might be able to push for more playing time. Such is not the case on a team that carries this much talent at this particular position. These three will not be on the team when camp ends.
Tomorrow: Offensive Line
