New Orleans Saints WR Robert Meachem, From Who Dat To Who Dey?

With the eyes of Who Dat Nation and fans of the New Orleans Saints on the free agency talks of star quarterback Drew Brees, Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks, and top receiver Marques Colston, another key ingredient rests in the shadows of the discussion. Unrestricted free agent wide receiver Robert Meachem.

Robert Meachem is entering his 6th season in the NFL. He was the New Orleans Saints 1st round draft pick in 2007, 27th overall.

With Marques Colston being the Saints number one receiver, Meachem often doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

Coming off a 2011 season where he had 40 receptions for 620 yards, his numbers won’t exactly pop out at you. He also hasn’t had over 725 yards receiving in any of his five season.

So what’s all the fuss about?

The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need another wide receiver to fill the shoes of Jerome Simpson, who could be facing up to five years in prison after police confiscated 2.5 pounds of marijuana that was being shipped to his home from California in September 2011.

They already have their wide receiver of the future in A. J. Green. who they drafted with the 4th overall pick in the 2011 draft.

In his rookie season, Green had seven touchdowns to go along with his 1,057 yards receiving.

He was a huge target for rookie quarterback Andy Dalton during their campaign to reach the playoffs with a 9-7 record, for the second time in three years, despite finishing with a 4-12 record in 2010.

Simpson’s numbers resemble that of Meachem’s, however. In 2011, his first full season, Simpson had 50 receptions for 725 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Meachem had almost the exact same numbers for the Saints. Could he be the perfect fit?

Meachem has 23 touchdowns, despite only playing in four of his five season due to a knee injury his rookie season, and despite having a limited role in the Saints offense.

He has every quality you want in a receiver. At 6’2 and 212 pounds, he is built perfectly for the wide out position. At the NFL Combine he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.39.

He is deceptively quick and can outrun you in the blink of an eye, even though often times he doesn’t look as quick as he is. He has quick hands but he has issues at times being a physical force, but his great route running makes up for it.