Saints Loss To Cardinals Breeds Optimism And Concern

Wide Receivers

Sep 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman (16) dives to score a 12 yard touchdown as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Deone Bucannon (20) defends during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Optimism

-The Saints have a budding corps of young receivers that could develop into something special one day with the speed of Brandin Cooks and the length of Brandon Coleman.

-Speaking of Coleman, the second year receiver scored his first touchdown of his NFL career after catching a short pass and shaking safety Tyrann Mathieu to extend his body while diving for the goal-line.

-Willie Snead took a pass coming across the middle and turned up the field for a 63 yard gain and showed that he can contribute in the passing game.

Concerns

-Cooks was expected to be more of a factor in this game but was unable to shake cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Understandably Peterson is one of the best corners in the game but Cooks’ small stature only makes it more difficult and you have to wonder if other teams aren’t noticing that as well.

-I guess you’ll think I gave Coleman a backhanded compliment because although he made a great play for the touchdown, he had several drops yesterday especially one that could have been a huge conversion.  Those drops have been his Achilles heel last year and this year as well.

-Marques Colston is not the same player who has held a special place on offense and with the fanbase for all these years.

Watching him yesterday was excruciatingly painful with not only three dropped passes he normally would have made just a few seasons ago, but how he seemed to be struggling overall which led to a halfhearted attempt on a pass that was intercepted.

I saw it coming last season and I’ll make the prediction this is the last season we’ll see him in a Saints uniform.

Next: The Defense