Pierre Garçon is well on his way
by BigBlueShoe on Nov 23, 2009 11:56 AM EST
in Colts Analysis
43 comments
I agree with emiller17. We are seeing second year wide receiver Pierre Garçon grow up right in front of our eyes.
While many Colts fans complain about his lack of consistency or the flags he sometimes draws or the trash talking we see him do on occasion, the fact is Garçon adds an element to the Colts WR corps that they have sorely lacked the last two years.
Big play ability.
Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark are big play machines. However, as we saw in the game against the Patriots, when teams focus their defense on shutting down those two players, it requires players like Garçon, Austin Collie, or perhaps Tom Santi to step up. Against the Patriots, it was Garçon's impressive 29 yard, over-the-shoulder TD catch in the fourth quarter that started Indy's dramatic comeback. Against the Ravens, Garçon's 66 yard reception set up Indy's TD near the goal line; a mind blowing, one-handed TD grab by Dallas Clark.
While players like Collie and Santi have shown dependability, and while Reggie Wayne continues to absolutely dominate the NFL at the receiver position, Garcon has provided a spark for the Colts offense which has been missing since Marvin Harrison injured his knee in 2007. Teams are now forced to take him seriously, respecting his speed and physical play. This has opened up more opportunities for others, like the before mentioned Tom Santi.
A few days ago, we compared Garçon's development with Reggie Wayne during his second year in the league (2002). Back then, Wayne was used much the same way Garçon is today. Qadry Ismail (who today is one of the better talking heads on ESPN's football post-game shows) was the second receiver, starting alongside Marvin Harrison at that time. Wayne, who battled injuries in 2001 and 2002, played outside and in the slot (again, like Garçon today).
After 11 weeks, check out Garcon compared to Wayne in 2002:
Garçon (2009)- 32 catches, 511 yards, 16 yards per reception, 3 TDs
Wayne (2002)- 49 catches, 716 yards, 14.6 yards per reception, 4 TDs
It's also important to keep in mind that wide receivers typically take three years before they develop into truly good players. It took Larry Fitzgerald that long before he started dominating. The same is true for Andre Johnson, who plays tonight against the Titans. Garçon's numbers look even more impressive when you compare him to Anthony Gonzalez's second year numbers (57 catches, 664 yards, 11.4 yards a reception, 4 TDs).
Also worth noting: All the receivers I have compared Garçon to in this story are first round picks. Garçon is a 6th rounder who played college ball at Division III Mount Union. I know we all know this fact, and that it is taking on a status similar to "Marcus Pollard only played basketball in college." But when you really look at what this kid is accomplishing, when you REALLY step back and look at the big picture, it is hard not to be impressed.
This is why I don't get caught up in the moments of inconsistency. Young receivers screw up. This is why coaches like Bill Belichick hate playing young receivers. They run the wrong routes. They drop easy passes. They forget assignments. Garçon is no different, and we have seen him screw up and look foolish in certain moments. However, what this kid has also shown is resilience, and you can tell players like Peyton and Reggie are impressed with him.
So, consider me fully on board the Pierre Garçon bandwagon. I think this kid is a keeper, and likely the longterm solution as the #2 receiver. With Anthony Gonzalez likely to return to the practice field this week, this gives the Colts five excellent WRs (including Hank Baskett) to really spread the field. Throw Dallas Clark and Joseph Addai in there, and the passing game starts looking even scarier.
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P.G. was outstanding
I’m feeling good about our immediate future at receiver and TE.
"If God had wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates."
Jay Leno
Great Article
I said back early in the year that I felt Garcon was our long term solution at the #2, and I think we are all seeing that happen right now. Put Gonzo in at the Slot, or lineup both him and Collie in a 4WR set with Clark in the backfield….and you could get downright scary.
Bottom line, I really love what this kid is doing for the Colts. Yes, I’ve screamed at him and wanted to beat him with a whiffle bat for his drops, but at the end of the day, he’s really one of the main reasons why the Colts are doing so well.
Nice article
I kinda liked it when he was trash talkin Ray Lewis yesterday. I feared for his life, but I liked it.
"But whenever I meet dynamic, nonretarded Americans, I notice that they all seem to share a single unifying characteristic: the inability to experience the kind of mind-blowing, transcendent romantic relationship they perceive to be a normal part of living. And someone needs to take the fall for this. So instead of blaming no one for this (which is kind of cowardly) or blaming everyone (which is kind of meaningless), I'm going to blame John Cusack."
— Chuck Klosterman (Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto)
by Addai Another Aday on Nov 23, 2009 12:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions
He was awesome yesterday
I don’t think he dropped a single ball thrown his way
How can you not love a team that does this?
Catch %?
Anyone have his catch percentage compared to other second year WRs?
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by BigBlueShoe on Nov 23, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions
looking at it now
Garcon is 32 for 64 right now (not great but trending the right way after yesterday).
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 23, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
catch%s
Gonzo (2008) 57 for 79, 72%
Wayne (2002) 49 for 72, 68%
Fitzgerald (07) 100 for 167, 60%
’Dre Johnson (07) 60 for 86, 70%
bottom line Garcon needs to do a better job catching the ball.
but we already knew that.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 23, 2009 12:38 PM EST up reply actions
Impressive Google skillz.
A little disappointing to see just how far behind Garcon is in catch percentage. Again, not really a surprise though.
by invisibulman on Nov 23, 2009 12:43 PM EST up reply actions
FO has player pages now
really easy to pull the data for a couple players
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 23, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions
I think it has to do...
A little bit with type of throws. I’m not defending hi drops, but he is more downfield than I remember any of those guys being for a long time. I think that has a little bit to do with it.
I've actually got yards per comp and catch rate data for WRs from 01-08 from an offseason project I did
2003 Lee Evans has the highest catch rate for a WR with over 16 YPR at 64%
From 59 WR seasons with between 15.5 and 16.5 YPR overall catch rate is 53.9%, but that’s pulling from any WR good enough to get 50 targets in a season from an NFL team. Ideally we’d want Garcon better than the average 50+ target deep threat.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 23, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
That's absolutely true...
… but I look at it this way: For now, he serves a role by being able to bust a big play when he does haul it in. That forces defenses to account for him. Upping his completion percentage is just a matter of time and coaching, but even now, even though he’s only somewhere just above 50-50 (is that right, folks? I’m struggling to remember…), he’s still a threat that defenses cannot ignore. And I love that!
Indy’s already got a pair of guys that can not only play “possesion receiver” roles, but do so in a big, hurtful-to-the-opposing-defense manner. What I like seeing with PG is the deep streak threat. Wayne’s got it. Gonzo can do it, although he tends more towards the possesion role. But Garçon’s got it in spades himself. And having a pair of those just has to keep free safeties and corners up at night, sweating. =)
Yeah, sure, he’s had some drops. But like I’ve been saying, the man is all upside. You gotta love it.
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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
Oh. Shake posted his completions up above
… and it’s exactly on 50-50. 32 of 64. Ok. Should’ve looked up above.
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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
let's not forget...
that that’s total targets, which means an errant throw also counts against them. Obviously, Garcon has had drops, and has had routes where he should’ve been open but wasn’t, but that’s also just missed throws in there too.
Still, it’s a pretty safe bet that the lower percentages are for lesser receivers. But he’s getting better and yesterday I don’t remember a throw his way that wasn’t a completion other than the first play of the game, which was meant more to send a message than anything else.
Errant throws argument...
actually hurts Garcon’s case. He has Peyton Manning throwing to him, therefore reasonable to expect fewer errant throws to Garcon than other WRs on the list. Even so, any sign of improvment is encouraging.
by invisibulman on Nov 23, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
they still happen
Peyton has thrown a lot of balls his way that weren’t great. Part of this is likely due to him not running the route properly or not being as open as he should be, though.
Agreed
What BBS said, +85.
By all means I want Gonzalez back in there, but this has, not too surprisingly, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. If its 3rd and 7 and the game’s on the line, I feel a lot more comfortable that Peyton can rely on guys other than Reggie and Dallas now as compared to week 1.
Garcon is definitely earning respect.
I was very impressed with him yesterday. Not. One. Drop. That’s huge! AND his trash talking with Ray Lewis was pretty freakin’ funny, imo.
I don’t know that I’d consider Baskett in the “awesome WR” catagory, though. He hasn’t shown me anything yet.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Nov 23, 2009 12:20 PM EST reply actions
I like his toughness
Both physical and mental. He shrugs off the drops just like he shrugs off the big hits. He’s getting an NFL trial by fire and so far he’s coming through it. His improvement even in just the last few weeks has been superb.
When Gonzo comes back we’ll have so many playmakers that defenses won’t know up from down. Garçon and Collie are turning a great receiving corps into an absolutely sick one.
Never approach a vast undertaking with a half-vast plan.
Pierre Garcon
This kid is so refreshing. He listens to Manning and does what he’s asked (told…commanded, whatever). He and Manning spend hours breaking down films, long before others are in and after the others have left. If he stays healthy, he WILL be a superstar, in my humble opinion. I just hope the recognition and the “star life” don’t ruin his ego, as it has others.
Thanks,
SuaveDoggie
Not on the bandwagon yet.
I have been at the forefront of Garcon critics, but at the same time i’ve never said he was hopeless. He makes a lot of mistakes, A LOT of mistakes. I’m still very concerned about his ability to catch the ball, but the dimension he adds to the game is unquestionable. Right now, if I need a clutch play I go to Gonzalez or Collie before I look Garcon’s direction, but the upside for Garcon is astronomically higher. Best case scenario Garcon is T.O. without the drama. Worst case scenario, hey he was only a 6th rounder.
Good article BBS. I think Garcon shows promise and that in the long run the injury to anthony gonzalez might have been good for his development as a whole and for the eventual colts offense.
The one thing I want the coaches to work on is his in-game attitude. I love that he got right back up after the ray lewis hit. I did NOT love him jawing off to Ray Lewis. That is the kind of crap that gets you unsportsmanlike conduct or taunting penalties. Those penalties are rarely called on the colts because we are better then that. Basically, I’m saying I love his confidence and agressiveness, but I don’t want him to develop any more attitude.
I LOVED the fact that Ray, “I didnt stab no-one”, Lewis tried to take his head off and he jumped right up and also love the fire that gets him mouthing off….but he’s gotta get himself some Reggie hands and his %’s will skyrocket. I read about Peyton and Austin watching film together but didnt hear about Pierre…..is he in there with them??
by !!WeLive!!ColtsFootball!! on Nov 23, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions
I actually could’ve done without the mouthing off. There are too many stories about too much mouth backfiring; one was very recently written by either CNN or ESPN, and it was Qadry Ismail talking about a defensive back mocking him about knowing Manning’s calls. Sure, that was situational, but the point is that sometimes, a guys mouth can get him in trouble.
That said, I don’t think Garçon’s barking reached that level. Not this time. And I do admit, I too liked his fire and the fact that he had the stones to jump back up and bark at Lewis. If he can keep it within bounds – and there’s no indication at this time that he can’t – then I’ll ignore this one time as being nothing more than a new receiver giving back what he just got.
Besides, not all mouthiness is distracting or harmful. Look at Ochocinco; that guy kills me!
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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
I think Reggie Wayne goes about it right
if you really want to stick it to a defender after a big hit, hop up, hustle to the huddle and get open/crush someone on a block the next play.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 23, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions
The Exception
I’m okay with Garcon talking trash to Ray Lewis for these simple reasons:
1. He didn’t talk trash all game. He didn’t open his mouth (that I noticed) until after Lewis tried to cave in his chest. I didn’t even see him talking trash after his first big catch to set up the Dallas TD, which is when you’d most likely see guys like T.O. and Ochocinco talking.
2. Ray Lewis was out to kill somebody. After getting his ankle rolled, and losing his jock strap to Addai at the goal line, he went helmet to back on Santi and then basically launched himself into Pierre. When a player like that tries to kill you and your teammates on the field, I want to see you stand up to him. Ray Lewis tries to intimidate and Garcon was just letting him know he wasn’t winning that day.
Don’t forget to consider that our opinion may be colored by Garcon’s youth. If Dallas or Reggie had gotten schlacked by Lewis, held onto the ball, jumped up and started jawing away, would we still be so quick to criticize?
I think it'd be more colored by his short history of running his mouth and drawing flags
the jawing and fighting with DRC in the Cards game comes to mind.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 23, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
True
I’ll give you that. I chalked that game up to youth and it basically being his “coming out party”. If it becomes a trend I’ll be concerned, but when anybody on the Colts goes toe to toe with Ray Lewis I’m happy. Seriously, I hate that guy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XZDzOGFXts
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Nov 23, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
Ah Good Times.
I forgot that SNL used to be funny…. so sad.
I would...
love to see more consistency from him, but yesterday’s game was a HUGE step forward. The mental side is always the toughest for new Colts receivers. The playbook and adjustments are by far the toughest in football. I cannot say for sure, but he looks very comfortable with everything that is going on in our offense. I love the in game the work ethic that it looks like he shows from the outside.
I think our big discussion point with Garcon will be the attitude he popped up with after the hit yesterday. I don’t want to see him get up after a great play and start yapping at people, especially Ray. Colts receivers have always let the play on the field do the talking. I also want to see him play with that confidence all the time. It’s a very fine line. I think it’s great that he pops up quickly to show he loved the hit. I don’t need to see him yelling from the huddle. I think we have to chalk it up to a young player gaining confidence being caught in the moment. I have not seen anything like that before yesterday so I have to treat it like an aberration. I would hope that as he continues to grow and develop this does not become a pattern. If it does, I will be the first off the bandwagon. For now, I’m with him and can’t WAIT to see the packages we come up with Gonzo, Garcon, Collie, Clark and Wayne. AMAZING!!!
Offensive Strategy
I was very surprised Colts played mostly a 2 tight end formation. The past four games when defenses played primarily a cover type,,keeping 7 -8 men back, Colts would utilize Collie rather than a TE. Also because so little rush is generated when teams drop 7 -8 men back,,Addai could be utilized as a pass receiver. Neither played much of a role as receivers compared to 4 previous games. I believe reason is that Colts planned on the typical Baltimore attack/blitz defense theyve seen in past, planning on a lot of one on one coverage on Wayne/Clark/Gaucon. It was obvious after the 1st quarter, Ravens were playing cover, same as NE, Houston, SF,,dissapointed they didnt adjust. It appears to me , Colts were waiting for blitzes that never came.
I do not think Colt players were outplayed in this game, but I do think they were outcoached. Give Ravens credit for playing a completely different style of defense then normal.
I believe this was also his first game without a flag (some of his have been declined), which is a step in the right direction. Last week I believe his was while defending a pick, which is a good flag, and now none this week. Progress!
If he can keep improving things look really good for this team. Especially if Gonzalez returns and makes a real impact (I’m starting to wonder if he will have time to get right and really be a top player this year after all this time off).Garcon will basically be a backup at that point, and that’s a really strong guy to have on the bench.
PG Got drilled
the crowd went nuts and Ray Lewis was walked away and running his mouth thinking he was the $hit. You could read Pierre’s lips, he said “Let’s go!”
Love the fight in this physical guy
by sanders_murks_cats on Nov 23, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions
Fight
Ray Lewis probably liked it to. Nothing wrong with Pierre mixing it up a bit.
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Uh...
There’s no way he becomes #2 as long as Gonzo and Wayne are around. After Wayne retires after couple years? Maybe. He simply drops way too much at this point and penalties are a problem too. As a #3 he’s dependable right now. Unless he makes improvements in those areas (expected to do so), there’s no way I’m jumping on the bandwagon that quickly.
Oh no!
Not so fast
First off, Wayne has more than a couple years left. He is 31 years old, and with how talented he is and how deep we are at receiver, he’ll play until he’s 35+ in my opinion.
And yes, Gonzo is extremely valuable, but Garcon is right there with him. I’m not saying he’s going to take Gonzo’s spot, but they will definitely figure out a way to play them both. With how good Gonzo is and how good Garcon is becoming, both are too good to be on the bench.
I doubt that
Marvin slipped around age 35. T.O. is slipping right now at 34.
Wayne? Sure, I think he’ll play till around age… 33~35.
The problem is that’s near the point of FA for Gonzo and Garcon.
Garcon being as valuable as Gonzo? No way. He’s got a bit more big play ability than Gonzo, but his hands are nowhere near as good. Add in attitude, penalties, no way Garcon being as valuable as Gonzo. Gonzo is reliable in any mode — deep threat, possession, underneath routes… Garcon only in 2, maybe 1.
Oh no!
I don't think he's as valuable NOW
but could be down the road. He’s still young and still learning. Like BBS said, receivers usually don’t catch on 100% until year 3. Still, kind of nice arguing about who is our better number two receiver, rather than “we need to find a number two receiver.”
Pierre is becoming a stud
Anybody who takes a nasty hit from Ray Lewis like that, and then gets up like it was nothing, is a badass. I don’t entirely condone any receiver talking smack after being lit up like that, but I love the fight he showed. He basically stood up to Ray Lewis and said I’m not afraid of you. What a player. Anyone who takes a hit like that and reacts the way he did should automatically get all the ladies’ attention at the bar later on.
I’d say assuming his growth and talent continues to develop, he has the WR spot opposite of Wayne close to locked up for next year. Now, obviously Gonzo and Collie are just as valuable, so it will be interesting to see what transpires in the coming weeks and months. Good problem to have. PS, calling Hank Baskett an “excellent” receiver is a little bit of a stretch.
Depth at receiver
Garcon adds depth. When Gonzo returns it is now a challenge for anyone playing us. You can be in your first or second or even third year. If you don’t get game time action you truly can’t develop. Gonzo’s injury was a blessing in disguise. Lot’s of players are stepping up. You can deem a true #1 and #2 but having 5 or 6 guys to rotate in and out keeps that position fresh and the defense will wear down. Garcon is a plus for us.
Let's not go overboard here
We certainly have four excellent receivers, but Baskett is a good backup at best.
Anyone who has a problem with Joseph should stop watching Colts football. It's unfair to expect a back to replace Edge, and Addai has been excellent in all areas when he is healthy.
Pierre Garcon TD
Garcon is now 4 TouchDown as of today, not 3. Garcon fans 4 life.
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