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Scouting report: Saints' passing attack loaded with options

11:51 PM CST on Tuesday, November 23, 2010
By RICK GOSSELIN / The Dallas Morning News

The New Orleans Saints ranked fourth in the NFL in passing on the way to their first Lombardi Trophy last season. They rank fourth again this year.

Their success is a product of sheer numbers – the Saints go deeper in quality receivers than defenses go in quality cover men. Quarterback Drew Brees has the patience and precision to find the open man – and there always seems to be an open man.

The New Orleans passing offense starts with Marques Colston. He set a franchise record with 98 receptions in 2007 and again leads the team with 62 catches this season. He's the go-to guy for Brees – and Brees has been going to him quite often lately. Colston has four touchdowns and two 100-yard outings in the last four games.

Assign Terence Newman to him on Thanksgiving.

Then there's Robert Meachem, a former first-round draft pick. He's the burner. He is averaging 16.2 yards per career catch. He has scored four touchdowns this season and three of them have been longer than 30 yards.

Assign Mike Jenkins to him.

Then there's Devery Henderson , a former second-round draft pick. He's another speed receiver with a career average of 18.7 yards per catch. He's been fairly quiet this season with only 23 catches – but scored two touchdowns in the NFC playoffs last January and caught seven passes in the Super Bowl against Indianapolis.

Assign Orlando Scandrick to him.

Then there's Lance Moore, who arrived as an undrafted free agent in 2006 but led the Saints in receiving with 72 catches in 2008. He has the longest catch (80 yards) and the most touchdowns (five) of any New Orleans receiver this season.

Bryan McCann, he's yours.

If the Cowboys manage to contain the four wideouts, they still have a problem in pass coverage. The Saints expect Reggie Bush back after an eight-game absence with a broken leg. He has more receptions than any NFL running back over the last five years and caught a TD pass against the 49ers in the last game he played.
 
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