Saints poised to add Meredith, Smith to potent passing game

METAIRIE, La—Saints record-setting quarterback Drew Brees has his three most productive receiving targets back from last season—and then some.

The addition of free agent Cameron Meredith and rookie Tre’Quan Smith, combined with the four-game suspension of 2017 rushing leader Mark Ingram, has set the stage for the Saints to revert to a more pass-heavy attack—if they choose.

Last season, Brees’ 4,334 yards passing were his fewest as a Saint, but that could be attributed to New Orleans often playing with leads and controlling the clock with an effective running game.

Still, leading receiver Michael Thomas made the Pro Bowl in his second NFL season with 1,245 yards and five touchdowns, Ted Ginn Jr. had one of his best seasons with 787 yards and four TDs, and versatile running back Alvin Kamara was the offensive rookie of the year in large part because of his 826 yards and five TDs receiving.

“Forget about the new guys for a second and just start with Mike Thomas and Kamara and Drew Brees,” said Tampa Bay coach Dirk Koetter, whose Buccaneers open the regular season at New Orleans on Sunday. “Right there, you’ve got a passing game.”

The 6-foot-3 Meredith is eager to regain his form of two seasons ago, when he was Chicago’s leading receiver. He missed 2017 with torn knee ligaments and also has been limited this preseason. On Wednesday, Meredith practiced fully and said he feels ready to immediately contribute to the offense.

“First of all, when you’ve got a future Hallof-Fame quarterback at the reins, anything is possible,” Meredith said. “Drew’s all about timing, so right now we’re making up for lost time kind of, me and him specifically, getting our chemistry, our timing down. A lot of those windows (to complete passes) open up and close real fast.”

“Coming back this year feels great,” Meredith added. “I just need to pick up where I left off.”

Smith was New Orleans’ leading receiver in the preseason with 15 catches for 189 yards and a TD. Meredith caught only two passes in limited action, but one reception went for 56 yards and the other for a 16 yards touchdown.