Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The New Orleans Saints were just fine with letting Robert Meachem go last offseason and Devery Henderson go this offseason. The speedy shot-play receivers, who served a very specific and important purpose in this offense for years, had become expendable.
Joe Morgan was an underrated reason why letting them walk was no big deal at all.
In his first NFL season of meaningful action — he went from zero snaps in 2011 to 390 in 2012 — Morgan led the league in yards per reception among receivers who played at least 25 percent of their team’s snaps. His 37.9-yard average on 10 catches would have certainly regressed with more work in the offense, but that is still just ridiculous since Vincent Jackson finished second at 19.2.
Nola.com’s Katherine Terrell tweeted that the most feared outcome was indeed the truth:
“Bad news for the Saints today. Kenyon Coleman and Joe Morgan are done for the season.”
Oh boy. So throw Morgan on the list of injuries for the Saints this offseason that already includes Victor Butler, Junior Galette, Martez Wilson and now Coleman too. Morgan was working with the first team due to Marques Colston starting camp on the PUP, and I thought he could see an expanded role in this offseason in 2013.
Morgan showed calm, composure and decency about having his potential breakout year ending in practice before it started, commending Kenny Vaccaro for the tackle that tore his ACL.
“Don’t blame @KennyVaccaro4,” Morgan tweeted. “It was a routine tackle. I admire how feisty a player he is too. He’s going be great for us.”
Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
