Pierre Garcon will NOT be used as a kick returner

by Brad Wells on May 13, 2008 4:51 PM EDT

Like many of you, I assumed the Colts drafted Division III WR Pierre Garcon to return punts and kicks in 2008. Otherwise, it makes no sense to have him on the roster, because the Colts already have another "project" WR in Roy Hall. Apparently, our assumptions were not correct:

Although Garcon returned punts and kicks in college, Polian said that likely won’t be his role early. Rather, he will learn the Colts’ offense and work to make the significant step from a lower level of college football to the sport’s highest level.

“I’m confident,” Garcon said. “I know what I can do. It’s going to be a big jump. Every level, you have to adjust to how things are going. It will be a big jump, but I know I can do it. You just have to adjust.”

Um, what? The Colts have Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Roy Hall, and Devon Aromashodu. If Garcon is not returning kicks or punts, he will not make the 53 man roster, which in turn means he was a completely wasted draft pick. I'm sure Garcon has the physical tools to develop into a good receiver, but it makes no sense to draft this guy for the 2008 squad if he is not getting used on punts and kicks. It is a major strength of his game, and an area the Colts need improvement in.

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The Aroma

Is not exactly a good receiver, and we do not know how Marvin will come back. We needed to draft a receiver. If Wayne or Gonzo go down, we’re mainly screwed, because Marvin may not be old Marvin again, we don’t know if Roy Hall can be any good, and the other options we had at WR were not that good.

Now, I’m not saying that Garcon will be a great WR. But I think he has more upside than Aroma or Crappo.

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by MerryGoByeBye on May 13, 2008 5:19 PM EDT reply actions

They have to have planned on having a roster spot for him

or else they wouldn’t have drafted him. You don’t draft a guy you plan on putting on the practice squad because as soon as you cut him from the active roster any team can sign him, defeating the purpose of spending a draft pick. Either they saw him return kicks/punts in rookie camp and didn’t like what they saw or they think he’s making the roster at WR. Aromashado was signed off the Texans practice squad and didn’t do anything last year that would put him in any more demand than before he got on the field. I think Aroma goes to the practice squad and Garcon is the #5 WR.

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by shake n bake on May 13, 2008 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

Aromashodu

He’s not making the roster. Craphonso is gone, so there are 2 wide receivers who were on the final roster last year who are gone. Garcon is still a very good wide receiver. This could just mean another rookie looked good enough to have won the return spot flat out.

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by Colts Homer on May 13, 2008 8:00 PM EDT reply actions

Roby

Didn’t we also pick up Courtney Roby from Tennessee? I think that would be the first Titan to become a colt. as opposed to vice-versa

by countarfit on May 13, 2008 8:29 PM EDT reply actions

Burgess/Simpson

I believe we brought in Rudy Burgess and Chad Simpson to compete for the returner spot. They don’t seem to have the raw skill at their positions to earn a roster spot, especially when we are stacked there.

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by Bullard47 on May 14, 2008 3:05 AM EDT reply actions