The curious case of Willie Snead

He officially goes by Willie Snead IV.

There was no fourth season for IV in New Orleans.

After emerging as the new version of Lance Moore as a dependable slot receiver for Drew Brees in 2015 and 2016, Snead disappeared in 2017 and was banished to Baltimore.

How did this happen?

It all started when Snead IV was suspended for three games to start the 2017 season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Snead IV incurred charges in the offseason of driving while intoxicated in Kenner and failing to maintain proper control of a vehicle.

The suspension stung.

The Saints had gone all in on Snead IV, trading Brandin Cooks to New England. That left the bulk of the work to young Michael Thomas and veteran Ted Ginn, Jr. The Saints would never fill the void last season as Brandon Coleman and Tommylee Lewis were not that guy as a third option. Running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram filled the void as the Saints went more to a short passing game.

Have the Saints filled the hole left by Snead IV?

Thus far this season, Austin Carr has had a moment or two but has not been that guy yet. Cam Meredith may very well be that guy. Time will tell.

Snead IV was a great story, much like Moore.

An undrafted free agent like Moore, Snead IV emerged as an outstanding option, an excellent route runner with great hands, just like Moore. In two seasons, he caught 141 passes for 1,879 yards and seven touchdowns in 2015-16.

Though he was a restricted free agent after the 2017 season, it was a no-brainer that the Saints would re-sign Snead, IV.

After all, he was just 24 and he was just outstanding and getting better.

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum that is the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the bank.

Snead IV was late to the party and missed the presents that were distributed. He never tasted the cake. Rather than a long term marriage, a divorce took place after Snead, IV disappeared in 2017 following his return to the team. He scarcely saw the field and saw the ball even less.

He did not even play in two games. He was targeted a paltry 16 times by Brees and caught just eight passes for 92 yards.

How did this happen?

Snead IV was very good in New Orleans.

In 2015-16, Snead IV ranked fifth in the NFL with 50 receptions on third downs, trailing only Antonio Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham, Jr. and Demaryius Thomas in that category. Coincidentally (or not), the Saints went from being very good in 2016 on third down, leading the NFL with an amazing 48.6 conversion rate (107-of-220) to being not so good in 2017, converting just 37.6 percent of third downs (73-of-194), 19th in the league.

Were the Saints so upset and disgusted by Snead’s suspension that they never forgave him? Were the Saints simply efficient without him and did not need him? Was he not in good football shape? Was the hamstring injury he incurred right after returning a major factor in his lack of productivity? Was the price set by the Ravens simply too rich to take on for Mickey Loomis as he shaped the payroll for 2018?

The theories are plentiful. The result is all that mattered.

The Saints allowed Snead IV to walk, moving on from what was a great story but will now simply be a footnote in franchise history. While Moore went on to a Saints Hall of Fame career, Snead, IV simply walked away in the offseason, unwanted and without fanfare. Baltimore made a two year offer to Snead, IV, reportedly worth about $7 million with incentives hiking the deal to over $10 million. New Orleans said thanks but no thanks and did not match the offer. The marriage was over.

Now 25 and turning 26 on Wednesday, Snead IV has rediscovered his previous form as a solid slot receiver with 30 receptions (on 43 targets) for 313 yards and a touchdown in six games, working with Joe Flacco.

To be certain, Snead IV was never and will never be a great player but he was a good player.

The Saints opted to sign Meredith, a bigger, more physical player, to fill the Moore role. The Saints are back up to 42.1 percent on third down conversions this season (24-of-57), 12th best in the league.

Meredith is beginning to emerge from his serious knee injury in Chicago last year. He now has nine catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. Carr has five catches for 62 yards.

There is little or no doubt that Snead, IV will be suitably motivated to show his former team that he can still play, showing the Saints his disdain for the way he perceived that he was treated. That said, Snead IV was a class act in New Orleans and even tweeted a “thank you” to the Saints and Saints fans upon his departure. He is coming off of a very good performance, leading the Ravens with seven catches for 60 yards in a 21-0 victory at Tennessee.

There is little doubt that Snead IV is sharing all of his Saints’ secrets, plays, tendencies, line calls and audible calls by Brees with his new team. Of course, there is little doubt that the Saints have prepared for this. Let the chess game begin.

In the grand scheme of things, Snead IV was a pawn in the history of the Saints that was sacrificed for a rook (Thomas) and a bishop (Meredith) in the Saints’ quest to become king once again for the first time since 2009. It will be good seeing Snead IV perform again, though Saints fans hope he will not perform too well Sunday afternoon.