I don’t blame you for sticking up for a colleague, but your argument is nonsensical. You imply that some of Scott’s original projection was based on the rumors of criminal activity. That may be so, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the above quote. The above quote is strictly limited to Marvin’s physical abilities (“can’t explode” or “gain separation like he used to” etc.) Of course nowhere have we seen any evidence of this. As stated earlier, after recovering from a freak injury that had nothing to do with age or declining skills, Marvin has looked very good in practices. This is new evidence. Reasonable people adjust their analyses when new evidence comes to light. Those who don’t are… well… stubborn idiots.

To imply that because sometimes aging WRs fall off cliffs that means it is reasonable to expect Marvin will do so is the worst kind of unsubstantiated, inane sportswriting. Could it possibly happen? Of course. Does that mean we should give any credence to blind speculation that it will necessarily happen? Now you should know better than that.

I believe your argument is nonsensical. What you are asking for is tantamount to proving a negative. It can’t be done. If I’m not mistaken, you are saying “OK, if you disagree, then use facts and stats to prove Marvin’s not done.” Well, obviously the games of the upcoming season have yet to be played and have therefore rendered no stats.

All that you, we, your writer, or anybody else has at his disposal to form an impression of Marvin’s probable value in the upcoming season is basically three things:

1) Marvin’s past history, including stats, injury history and age
2) The nature of the injury that derailed his season last year
3) Reports of his recovery from said injury and impressions from the beginning of training camp

Let’s address these one by one:

1) Marvin’s career stats put him among the top WRs of all time. Last year saw him suffer his first major injury. He will be 36 when this season opens. That is fairly long in the tooth for a football player, but many have had several years of good production past this age (I seem to remember a certain Green Bay QB that is in the news right now?) Marvin’s game has never been about size, strength, or speed. His brilliance is in his hands, precise route-running, and connection with his QB. These things do not deteriorate with age as do some physical attributes.

2) Marvin’s injury had nothing to do with age or declining skills. Joseph Addai rolled up on the back of Marvin’s leg as Marvin was blocking for a running play. Again, it was Marvin’s first major injury in a long career.

3) Reports from training camp indicate that he is fully recovered from injury. He is again running crisp routes and cutting well.

So there we have it. Those are the facts inasmuch as I can tell. Your writer claims that Marvin has fallen so far that he is not even worth drafting. I would like to know what facts he referenced in arriving at that conclusion. As far as I can tell, his analysis is based on insufficient research. He says, “I really believe the game has taken it’s toll on him by this point. I think we saw some of that last year.” Really? Because Joseph Addai landed on his leg, the game has taken a toll on Marvin? And incidentally, how does your writer know that Marvin can’t get to soft spots in the defense as quickly as he used to? Does he have a camera trained on the backyard at Marvin’s house, watching him play touch football with the neighbors?

Listen, you seem like a decent guy and a good writer, but I’ll say it again: this kind of analysis is the worst kind of unsubstantiated, inane sportswriting.

Defend your writer all you want, I don’t blame you. But I think I’ll be avoiding your site when I’m looking for well-researched analysis.

I guess you really don’t get it. I’m not looking to bastardize anyone’s comments or analysis. Just the opposite.

I stress accountability for my writers (or cronies if you prefer.) I believe that NO ONE’S opinion is right, including Scott’s. What I am offering is a bigger stage for a Colts fan to do what my writers do every day…state their opinion and back it up.

You are smart enough to know right from wrong. That is good. But there is no right or wrong here, not until the end of the season. There is speculation, analysis, opinion. This season’s facts have yet to unfold. I am interested in engaging readers and fans, because right now, with camp just under way, all we have to work with is our experience, knowledge and understanding of the game.

I am willing to post a column but I want it well-written. If I made wholesale changes, or tried to put words in someone’s mouth, someone who took up the challenge, then I’d be the fool you seem to think I am.

I’m not. But you have little to base that on at this juncture. So I invite someone, bring on your champion if you will, to engage in an intelligent rebuttal.

Heck I’ll even do one better. We are working on a series of podcasts, which will air live on BlogTalkRadio throughout the NFL season. Let’s make one a discussion of Marvin Harrison. I can be flexible.

Last year I said Shaun Alexander was done. I based that on his foot injury, his age and how important that particular part of his body is to a running back. I also said Larry Johnson was not on my team at all because of the significant decline of his offensive line. I took plenty of flack those. A few years ago I said Marshall Faulk was being ranked too high (he was being drafted in the late first, early second rounds) when I had him outside the top 20 RB, more a fifth round pick.

Last year I also said Ronnie Brown was over rated. Man was I wrong….well, that is until he got hurt, which is what I based it on.

So Marvin Harrison, truly one of the greats, a future Hall of Famer, gets hurt. He’ll be 36 in less than a month. That’s old in football years. He is rehabbing one of his wheels. That’s key. He missed games for only the second time in his career, only playing in five games last year.
Besides the physical aspect, NFL players have to have confidence that their body will respond in the clutch. Maybe he feels his will. Maybe he doesn’t. You probably know better than I in that regard. But it is the kind of non-factual information that we process when making projections. And we all know that projections are inherently errant at best right?

My comments about our writers are simply that they do a lot of research and rely on experience. They make judgements based on those and other factors.

And finally, to peterbones and the rest of the indy fans here, I’ve done my best to state my case. I’ve also done my best to do so in a professional manner. In the end, the “herd mentality” is prevalent because you can comfortably remain anonymous. You can throw your jibes and insults and enjoy the high fives and attaboys from your blog mates and take comfort that you’ve defended your turf. My invitation will stand, regardless of whether the gauntlet will be picked up or not. At the end of the season, I hope that Harrison does come back and meet or exceed all your expectations. In the mean time, we will continue to do our job and provide analysis as best as we can with our limited body of knowledge and without the advantage of the group-think prevalent here and see how it all plays out. Maybe you can come to the site and say “I told ya so” when the season is over.

As for me peytonisthebest, I’m off to my refrigerator box underneath the overpass…