Brace Hemmelgarn-USA Today Sports
The San Diego Chargers signed former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem to a four-year deal worth $25.9 million last year which made him one of the highest-paid players on the roster.
Meachem’s best season in the NFL happened in 2009 when he had 45 receptions, 722 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions. Meachem was signed to replace Vincent Jackson who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he did a terrible job as Jackson’s replacement last season.
Meachem had 14 receptions in 15 games and had career lows with 207 receiving yards and two TD receptions, which eventually led to him losing his job as a starter.
The worst moment for Meachem, which summed up his 2012 season, was a dropped touchdown pass against the Cleveland Browns with San Diego trailing 7-3 and they eventually lost that game 7-6.
This had to be a tough pill for San Diego’s organization and its fans to swallow because while Meachem struggled, Jackson ranked first in the NFL in yards per reception and fifth with 1,384 receiving yards. I did not expect Meachem to match Jackson’s production, but I expected him to be a factor for the Chargers.
Meachem had knee surgery at the end of the 2011 season, so this could have contributed to his struggles along with the pressures of going to a new team and being one of the highest paid players.
San Diego ranked 22nd in receiving yards and 30th in yards per reception last season, so Meachem has to be one of the guys to step up and help the team improve on this in 2013. Danario Alexander was San Diego’s best WR in 2012, but he could be on another team by the start of this upcoming season which would be devastating.
I expect Meachem to play better in 2013 because he should enter the season healthy and will have a year of experience with quarterback Philip Rivers heading into this season.
