New Orleans Saints Insider: Grading the Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

The New Orleans Saints, once again, displayed a pretty potent passing game with good use of both the wide receivers and tight ends in the system.  Still there were some problems getting the ball to the pass catchers at times, and the offense wasn’t able to do the great things that it did when it went to the Super Bowl the previous season.

New Orleans has a pretty good group of pass catchers, but they may choose to take a look at some additional talent during the offseason to strengthen and continue to improve that part of their offense.  Perhaps a few new pieces in the right places will help them get back on top next season.

The following is a look at the wide receivers and tight ends for the Saints (active during the 2010 season) with some insight into their stats, how they did in 2010 and where they might end up in 2011.

WR-Adrian Arrington-Arrington ended up playing in just one game last season, but that game was a good one.  He had seven catches for 79 yards but wasn’t used often following that impressive outing.  There are some that say Arrington won’t be around next season—a victim of what should be a numbers' game this offseason at the position, but if he gets to training camp and can show the coaching staff something, he may just be on the roster next season.

WR-Marques Colston-Colston ended up being one of quarterback Drew Brees’ favorite targets this season, catching 84 passes for 1023 yards and seven touchdowns (while averaging 12.2 yards per reception).  Colston played in 15 games, starting 11 of them. He had some injury problems that impacted when he could play and how effective he was.

Having Colston back healthy next year (and hopefully he can stay healthy) will be key for his success as well as the success of the Saints passing offense overall.  Look for him to remain with the team in 2011 and play an important role in the Saints offense once again.

TE-Jimmy Graham-Graham saw action in 15 games last season with five starts  He caught 31 passes for 356 yards, averaging 11.5 yards per catch.  He had five touchdowns and didn’t lose a fumble all season.  Graham, a rookie last year, has a lot of room to improve and could end up supplanting Jeremy Shockey as the No. 1 tight end on offense, especially if Shockey's struggles with injuries keep up.  Look for Graham to become an even bigger part of the offense in his second season with the Saints.

WR-Devery Henderson-Henderson’s numbers dropped off last season, but he is still an effective target, and one that defenses still have to be concerned about.  Henderson played in all 16 games last season, starting 11 of them.  He caught 34 passes for 464 yards, averaging 13.6 yards per catch and caught just one touchdown pass.  If the Saints feel they need to bring in some additional talent at the wide receiver position, then Henderson could find himself fighting for a roster spot. However, he may end up sticking around in 2011 because of his familiarity with the offense.

TE-Tory Humphrey-Humphrey saw action in six games with two starts.  He had one catch for 12 yards.  Humphrey is more of a blocking tight end than anything else, so he won’t see a lot of passes thrown his way, and his value as a blocker may be what keeps him on the team in 2011.  He did contribute quite well as a blocker and should be able to find a roster spot next season.

WR-Robert Meachem-Meachem’s season wasn’t as good as some would have thought it would have been, and he isn’t living up to his first-round draft pick status   For 2010, he played in all 16 games, starting seven and had 44 catches for 638 yards with an average 14.5 yards per catch.  He also had five touchdowns.

Meacham was supposed to be the answer to the Saints' problems in having a big bodied receiver with speed that could stretch the defense and give opponents problems down the field, but he really hasn’t done what the Saints had hoped he would do.  New Orleans will keep him around because of the investment they have in him and the fact that he still has potential, but he may never be a No. 1 wide receiver.

WR-Lance Moore-Moore continues to be a solid “under-the-radar” type player that the Saints have used very effectively in the passing game.  Last season, he played in 16 games with one start and had 66 catches for 763 yards averaging 11.6 yards per catch with eight touchdowns.

Moore came through in the clutch many times for Brees last season as Brees relied on him several different occasions to make some important catches in the passing game.  Moore has been a very pleasant surprise for the Saints and should remain with the team in 2011.

TE-Jeremy Shockey-Age and injury have caused Shockey’s production to decrease over the past few seasons, and his time in the NFL and with the Saints may be limited.  With Graham coming in and playing well, Shockey may start to see his role diminish on offense.

In 2010, Shockey played in 13 games starting 11 and had 41 catches for 408 yards averaging 10 yards per catch.  He had three touchdown catches and no fumbles.

Depending on what the Saints decide to do in the offseason, Shockey should be able to survive and remain on the active roster for the start of the 2011 season.  If they decide to bring in a top-line tight end or think that Shockey is washed up, he could be gone.

Consider Shockey’s status up in the air for 2011.

TE-David Thomas-TE-Thomas saw quite a bit of action last season, playing in 13 games and starting eight.  He caught 30 passes for 219 yards averaging 7.3 yards per catch with two touchdowns.  He also had no fumbles during the season.

Thomas’ growth at the position has been solid and he’s not only a good pass-catching tight end but a fine blocker and an asset in the running game.  It’s possible with his growth, the Saints may look at doing some reshuffling in their tight end group.

Thomas should be able to find a roster spot and contribute nicely on the 2011 Saints.

WR-Courtney Roby-Roby ended up on injured reserve last season after participating in 13 games almost exclusively as a return specialist.  He had 33 returns for 785 yards averaging 23.8 yards per return.  His longest return was 39 yards, and he had no touchdowns and one fumble lost.

Roby should be back in 2011 unless the Saints bring in someone that can return kicks better and give them some options on offense.

The Saints passing attack has been their bread and butter ever since Drew Brees came to New Orleans, and it will continue to be featured in each and every game.  Right now, their wide receiver and tight end groups are pretty good but could always use a boost.  Injuries hurt their wide receivers last year, and they may want to add some depth so that they aren’t put on the spot when someone is hurt.

Look for the Saints to continue their solid play on offense through the passing game with the group they have (and perhaps some additions as needed during the offseason) and continue being towards the top of the league in passing offense.