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Saints-young receivers
10/01/08 - 10:25 PM
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METAIRIE, La. (AP) - Meachem and Moore?
As receiving tandems go, it’s a far cry from Swann and
Stallworth, Rice and Taylor or Bruce and Holt.
Though Drew Brees isn’t complaining - not after Robert Meachem
and Lance Moore, two of the Saints’ youngest and least-heralded
receivers, combined for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-17
victory over the San Francisco 49ers last weekend.
“It just goes to show: You do the right things and eventually
good things are going to happen,” Brees said. “They’ve done
everything we’ve asked them to do. ... They’ve paid their dues and
now they’re reaping the benefits.”
Meachem was a 2007 first-round draft choice who was on the verge
of being labeled a bust after being scratched for every game of his
rookie season. Moore was an undersized, undrafted receiver who
played in Europe and spent most of his first two NFL seasons on the
Saints’ practice squad.
Their emergence in recent weeks could not have come at a better
time.
Marques Colston, the Saints’ best receiver the previous two
season, has been out since Week 1 with a thumb injury and may not
be ready to play for another three or four weeks. Tight end Jeremy
Shockey needed sports hernia surgery last week and is expected to
miss three games.
Meanwhile, veteran receiver David Patten was limited by a sore
left groin last weekend and played little.
Knowing he would be without two or three of his top targets,
Brees said what he was supposed to say: that Meachem and Moore
would do just fine. It sounded hopeful, but proved spot-on.
Moore made seven catches for a career-high 101 yards and two
TDs. Meachem caught two passes for 99 yards - also a career high
for him - including a 47-yard touchdown.
Meachem now has five catches for 204 yards, an average of 40.8
yards per catch, and two TDs this season. Last Sunday, he came down
with a 52-yard reception after Brees, in what looked like a risky
move, took a pitch from Deuce McAllister on a flea-flicker and
launched a pass into tight coverage.
“I just kind of grabbed him right after he caught it and I
said, ‘You know why I threw that ball? Because I trust you and I
know you’re going to go up and make a play,”’ Brees said. “I felt
like it was our guy against their guy and our guy was better.”
It was a big moment for Meachem, who has played in only three
regular season NFL games in his fledgling career.
“For a quarterback like Drew to say he trusts you is an
honor,” Meachem said.
The former standout at Tennessee said he was not surprised,
however, that his patience, faith and hard work is now paying off.
“All my life, I always made big plays,” Meachem said. “So why
stop now.”
Moore’s first touchdown last Sunday may have been his toughest.
On a quick 5-yard throw to the front pylon, he made a twisting grab
in tight coverage while narrowly keeping his feet in bounds. Later,
he got behind the defense and secured a 33-yard touchdown as he
fell and got run over in the end zone. He celebrated by lying on
his back, legs and arms splayed, with the ball resting in one hand.
“It was hilarious,” Brees said. “It’s just Lance though. He
enjoys playing football and being part of the team and enjoys
contributing where he can. He’s one of those guys, if you’re in a
bad mood, go talk to Lance.”
Moore, who is 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, played in college for Toledo
and was signed by Cleveland after the 2005 daft. He didn’t make it
through training camp, but the Saints picked him up for their
practice squad that September. He’s had a job in New Orleans ever
since, even though he rarely got on the field until 2007 as a
reserve receiver and punt returner.
Sean Payton routinely compliments Moore on his work ethic,
intelligence and sure-handedness. Teammates are impressed by his
toughness.
Moore has a black belt in karate. Linebacker Scott Fujita, who
is 6-foot-5, 250 pounds and dabbles in boxing-style workouts with a
punching bag, casually asked Moore if he’d like to spar some time.
Moore, without hesitation, looked back at him with an intense
light in his eyes and said, “Anytime you’re ready,” Fujita
recalled.
“And I’m like, ‘Nah, I’m good,”’ Fujita said. “I don’t like
taking punches to the face.”
What Fujita and the rest of the Saints do like is the way Moore
and Meachem have helped them win.

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