Last year wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith was a wide eyed rookie trying to learn a foreign language, AKA the Saints complex offense. He told me that he was playing at about 80 percent because he was scared to make a mistake, or he didn’t quite know what he was doing in his first season in the NFL.
Fast-forward to year two in the Saints offense.
“I’m way more comfortable than last year. I know the plays. I know how to read the defense. I’m playing way faster,” Smith said with a smile.
He caught 28 passes last season for 427 yards, and 5 touchdowns. Not bad rookie numbers, but he also disappeared for several games. Smith had four games last season without a reception.
The former UCF standout said he was so nervous during games that he couldn’t remember certain things. That has changed this year.
“I know the whole playbook, I know the F,Z, and X position. I play faster knowing every position versus last year,” he said.
For clarity, F, Z, and X is the name of the three wide receiver positions in the Saints offense.
Don’t want to take Tre’Quan’s word for it? That’s fine. I’ve been at every practice and OTA, and he’s definitely more comfortable headed into year two with the Saints.
He’ll make a few catches nearly every day that kind of makes me raise my eyebrows a little and think, ‘Okay maybe he’s getting it now.’
I think Tre’Quan Smith will have a much improved second year.
