Great Colts of the Decade: Wide Receiver
by BigBlueShoe on Dec 22, 2009 11:48 AM EST
in Great Colts of the Decade
34 comments
Without question, the greatest Colts wide receiver of all-time, and perhaps one of the greatest wide receivers ever, was Marvin Harrison. However, Marvin was able to amass an impressive resume before the start of the 2000s. So, when you compare his accomplishments (791 catches, 10,439 yards) to Reggie Wayne's (668 catches, 9,339 yards), the argument for Harrison as greatest Colts wide receiver this decade is not so cut-and-dry, especially when you consider that Wayne amassed his numbers as the #2 option for most of this decade.
If you rank playoff performance ahead of overall stats, then someone like Reggie Wayne or Brandon Stokley will likely get your vote. I've included Dallas Clark in this category as well because the Colts do indeed use Clark like a wide receiver. We will not have a "Greatest Tight End" category, as Clark will likely win that vote over someone like Ken Dilger or Marcus Pollard.
0 recs |
34 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Need an "all of the above" option -
its impossible for me to choose.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2009 11:53 AM EST reply actions
LOL
Here’s how I broke it down: For me it was between Harrison and Wayne. The difference between them, for me, is that Reggie has consistently performed well in the post-season compared to Marvin. Thus, Reggie got my vote.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account so you can post a FanPost, make a FanShot, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.
by BigBlueShoe on Dec 22, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
So you’re saying Reggie Wayne is the best receiver not named Jerry Rice then instead of Marvin? That’s interesting.
"Yea, verily, we shall overcome thy pathetic attempts at defense, thou jelly-livered knave! Talk not of thy smack to me, for I shall wedge mine booted foot nine furlongs up thy ass, bitch! Canst thou dig it??"
by KingRichard on Dec 22, 2009 12:58 PM EST up reply actions
saying this decade no one is saying that marv isn't the best reciever next two rice
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
by TheAngelsColts on Dec 22, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
lol what? Marvin’s best seasons were in this decade dude.
"Yea, verily, we shall overcome thy pathetic attempts at defense, thou jelly-livered knave! Talk not of thy smack to me, for I shall wedge mine booted foot nine furlongs up thy ass, bitch! Canst thou dig it??"
Richard's right
Don’t be the flippitty floppity “What have you done for me lately?” fans. Marvin Harrison was hands down better than Reggie. Reggie didn’t break 1000 yards until 2004, Marvin had 6 1000 yard seasons post 2000 and 143 receptions in 2002. I mean seriously, it’s really not close. Oh, and I can recall 3 balls off the top of my head in the past two seasons Reggie choked on. 3 significant ones. And I did a writeup awhile ago about how almost every “elite” WR doesn’t have great post season numbers because they’re normally double or triple covered. Even Jerry Rice’s were well below his norm with a couple big games inflating his numbers. Reggie broke 100 yards twice, and that’s including the 76 yard play where Peyton made them look dumb last year.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
I don't know that I think Marvin is the next best receiver not named Rice.
Just to be honest and probably controversial here. I think Randy Moss easily has that title. If you take away his injury years and the wasted time in Oakland, Moss may have proven to be the best ever at WR. No doubt in my mind he’s at least second though.
by coltsfanawalt on Dec 22, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
He's still not that old.
Only been in the league ten years, and he’s just been so good for so long, if he keeps going like Rice did he’ll probably break his records.
*EDIT*
Moss is the most physically gifted receiver, but he could never match Marvin’s routes or hands. Marvin played 190 games, with the last 16 or so gimped. Moss has played 184. Their stats are strikingly similar. For a guy that’s 6’0" 175 wet and holding a sock full of pennies to be on the level with someone who’s 6’4 220 is more than impressive.
This explains it all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK2RVbzOHQ4&feature=PlayList&p=A8A54BF309C0E399&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
Why are we seemingly the only two people who drool over Marv and Gonzo?
"Yea, verily, we shall overcome thy pathetic attempts at defense, thou jelly-livered knave! Talk not of thy smack to me, for I shall wedge mine booted foot nine furlongs up thy ass, bitch! Canst thou dig it??"
I'm not exactly sure
Reggie being better than Marv is a little bit more of an argument. I mean, I could see why people could think that. What they forget is that Marvin was the ONLY offensive weapon receiving wise for several seasons. He’s also a key reason the team has become what it is today. When you find a receiver that’s on that very select “elite” level, you don’t have to waste time, resources, or draft picks to try to keep finding him. I mean, the dude came out and had 8 TDs his rookie season, that’s rare. The entire team was built around Marvin, not Peyton. Yes Peyton is the reason we’re as good as we are, but without Marvin, I’m not sure he would have been able to develop into the player he is today. They needed a QB to throw to Marvin, not a receiver to catch Peyton. Keep that in mind.
It probably also has a little to do with the fact that I become cognizant of the morons running the main stream media quite awhile ago. They ignored him for awhile because he wasn’t someone you could do a very interesting writeup on. Peter King actually summed up his “suck” when he came on Sirius today. This isn’t an exact quote, but it was basically “I don’t watch the games to care about who wins, I care about what leads to a better story.”
Oh, and for a “possession” receiver that was considered small his entire career, he ended up 9th all time in TDs. And nobody said he’s never coming back, although I doubt he will. But honestly, if he wasn’t blocking when Addai jacked up his knee, we might be talking about how Marv’s THIS close to breaking Rice’s records right now. He would’ve already broken the receptions record, and it’s hard to see his single season one being broken unless they extend the season.
And everyone just needs to stop with the Garcon’s/Collie’s better than Gonzo. They’re not. When/if Gonzo comes back, he’ll be the second receiver. Sorry, but Peyton made Fletcher, Utecht, and Moorehead look like studs when the need arose, but I’ve seen them all play. It’s not close from a receiver aspect. Maybe as an athlete, but like I said before, if athleticism was the most important factor, Roy Hall would be the best receiver in Colts history.
You guys need to get over the bad taste Marvin left when he dipped. It’s not his fault Addai ran into the back of him and destroyed his knee. He was blocking on that play and doing the job that most other “elite” receivers don’t feel the need to. So he came back and fumbled a pass in the playoffs that season? Reggie tipped a pass on the 20 yard line into the air that was intercepted. Marvin may have not caught passes like he did in the regular season, most #1 receivers don’t.
Why do you think we kept losing prior to Reggie and Dallas becoming veterans? Gameplan 101 – Double or triple cover Marvin and we’ll win. And it worked. If that’s not a statement to how talented someone is, nothing is. And I clearly remember Reggie dropping some very easy, and very clutch playoff passes. I’m not saying Reggie’s not one of the best receivers in the league, but comparing him to Marvin is like comparing Boldin to Fitzgerald. Boldin could be a #1 on almost any team in the league, and he’s definitely an upper echelon receiver, but Fitz is something special and so was Marvin. Forgetting that is like anyone in the military listening to taps thinking to himself “Why do I have to listen to this damn song and not move every night?” While that’s an extreme, don’t forget your past or the people that were not only one of the greatest players on your chosen team, but one of the greatest players of all time.
Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.
by monstersbox on Dec 23, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
I'm a big fan of Gonzo.
I’ve felt like a voice crying in the wilderness, as very few people seem to remember how good he is because of the injury this year and our current run. That “what have you done for me lately” reference of yours. If Gonzo comes back this year to his pre injury form, watch out! I love that guy.
Just to refute the erroneous claim that only two of you are crazy about Gonzo.
by coltsfanawalt on Dec 23, 2009 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
Moss
his wasted years in Oakland DO count. he doesn’t get a pass on those years because his team sucked and he never played hard. I agree that Moss probably is more physically gifted but that doesn’t mean he was a better player. Marv>+>+>+>+>Moss
Okay, fine. Let's include those wasted years in Oakland.
Both players had injury years. Here are the stat lines so far, with Moss still adding to his totals (He started two years later in the NFL).
Harrison – 1,102 Rec. 14,580 Yds. 13.2 Avg. 76.7 Yds/Gm 128 TDs
Moss – 917 Rec. 14,345 Yds. 15.6 Avg. 78.0 Yds/Gm 145 TDs
So, Moss only trails in two categories, both of which he will likely pass Harrison, maybe even this season still in total yards. Moss has more yards per reception, he has more yards per game (he has played six less games than Harrison to date), and he already has 17 more receiving TDs than Harrison.. We won’t even consider that Moss has a punt return TD and 2 passing TDs to Marv’s none.
Again, as pointed out, this includes Moss’ years in Oakland, which to me are more than just about his lack of motivation. Those were likely the worst Raiders years in their franchise history. They couldn’t get into a three step drop before getting sacked those years. Since then, the team has finally started to improve. So the problem wasn’t primarily Moss by any stretch.
Besides statistical backing for Moss, consider this. He has never had the QB throwing to him that Marvin had. For all but two seasons, Marvin caught passes from Manning. Moss benefited from the arms of Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham, Dante Culpepper, a couple yahoos in Oakland, and now Tom Brady. Brady is the best on that list, and he is no Peyton Manning!
Without question, Manning makes his receivers look better. Even the good ones look better still.
Without question, Moss makes his quarterbacks look better. Even the good ones look better still.
Please be clear. I love Marvin Harrison. He is one of the best receivers of all time. He better be a first ballot HOFer. However, I take exception to the assertion that he was the greatest WR not named Rice. I believe that title will clealy belong to Moss when it’s said and done.
Statistics, logic, and anything other than homerism support Moss as the better receiver, though it is fairly close and clearly those two behind Rice.
by coltsfanawalt on Dec 23, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
yeah i agree i can't vote on this one, hardest poll question ive ever had to answer, i mean if i pick reggie, what about dallas,
if i pick dallas what about stokley, and if i pick stokley im not giving any credit to HOF Harrison, im not voting, i cant, its hard
"You only get intercepted when you don't know what your doing, I knew what I was Doing."
-Johnny Unitas-
"You're only as healthy as you feel."
-Travis Bickle-
by 805 on Dec 22, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
Reggie! Reggie! Reggie!
Our Reggie doesn’t want to be considered Mr,October, but Mr. January/February! Marvin will probably go down as the greatest Colts wide weciever ever. Reggie won’t surpass his numbers, but I felt like Reggie has stepped up at the most crucial times in games unlike Marv. Case in point, two words: Week Nine
We’ll never know if that game would’ve change the Colts playoff seedings. Maybe the Colts would’ve dropped the Ravens and the second Texans game with a loss to the Pats affecting them. Maybe we would be looking at the Colts as the #2 seed or even the #3 seed if Reggie hadn’t caught that pass from Peyton with 13 seconds left in the 4th quarter, but he did and that’s what matters. Also, you gotta give Reggie credit; dude was the #2 receiver who seamlessly transitioned to the #1 guy. Name me another wide reciever in NFL history to do such a thing.
Peyton Manning makes it Wayne on them hoes!!!!
if reggie plays as long a jerry rice hell break them all, jerry was the farve of receivers
"You only get intercepted when you don't know what your doing, I knew what I was Doing."
-Johnny Unitas-
"You're only as healthy as you feel."
-Travis Bickle-
by 805 on Dec 22, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
God I love Reggie
But then again, he has a lot more spectacular plays that are still fresh in my mind. I’m not sure he could ever surpass Marvin in my mind. Marvin’s diving/barrel-roll catch against the Titans, the amazing toe-drill catches for points against the Patriots. Too many great Colts memories…
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.
this is the problem that it have! reggie is so fresh in my mind, and all the memories of harrison are bocked by fumbles and getting hurt and not performing well, this last few years
"You only get intercepted when you don't know what your doing, I knew what I was Doing."
-Johnny Unitas-
"You're only as healthy as you feel."
-Travis Bickle-
by 805 on Dec 22, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
I think Clark does get the honor of top tight end just like Peyton gets top QB or Jeff Saturday gets top Center.
As for the WR, I’ll always remain a huge Marvin fan.
Man this one is hard
I want to go with Marv, but we are talking about this decade specifically, so Ill go with Reggie. Overall, Ill pick Marv, but this decade is Reggie
I went with Reggie
Marvin’s last 2 years were poor and he was bad in the playoffs.
"Brett Favre was a man who thought he was retired, but he knew it wouldn't last."
Marvin.
While Reggie did perform better in the playoffs, Marvin allowed Reggie to develop while Marvin was getting double and triple teamed. Now, Reggie is one that’s fully covered so the other young receivers can get open. (Can we compare Reggie’s 1st two seasons with Marvin’s last 2 seasons?)
(And I gotta say – even though the fumble against the Chargers changed the momentum of the game in favor of SD, Marvin did a spin move to allow the ball to be exposed. How many times have we seen Marvin just fall down? The one time he doesn’t fall down he gets the fumble. Arrgh. I think since it was his real first game back, he wanted to show he still had the moves and did something we weren’t used to see him doing.)
Marvin
The untouched reception for a TD against Denver, and the monster block he threw on Champ Bailey for Reggie’s TD. During the down years, seeing Marv atop the NFL leader boards was my only consolation.
I have the body of a god, unfortunately it's Buddha.
tough call
Reggie came into this decade (01’) as a rookie, having to develop a rapport with Peyton that Harrison already had. Marvin was already an established veteran. I guess you could say that evened out this year with Marvin being absent all season. My tiebreaker, playoffs: Marvin 16G 65 receptions 883 yards 2TDs
Reggie 13G 66 receptions 963 yards 8TDs
thats just my thought process on voting for Reg, but to each his own
REGGIE, REGGIE
I know this is supposed to be a performance based poll, but I gotta factor in Reggie’s attitude and personality. Marvin sulked and kept to himself, from everything I’ve ever seen Reggie is charismatic and gregarious. And at the end of the day I’m not so sure that if the two came into the league at the same time that Reggie wouldn’t have been the number one guy while Marvin ended up number two.
I feel like I just went to a steak house and ordered a salad
but I went with Reggie. I think he’s more complete, I think he’s been more consistent. I think he gives better interviews. I think he shows up to training camp cooler. I think (I have NOTHING to base this on) is a better leader.
I hope I’m not letting the last 2 years cloud my judgement (I fear I am).
Never doubt Peyton Manning, he’ll make you look silly
Joseph Addai is a good running back.
Im a douchebag, an asshole, and I'm rarely right.
Last two years have been great years for him
I went Reggie too. His winning catch against the Texans is still the most amazing catch I’ve ever seen, EVER. More amazing than ANY of Marvin’s jaw-droppingly amazing catches. There was literally no way to catch that ball and Reggie did it. Marvin’s a HOFer, I firmly believe Reggie will be too.
Why I voted for Marvin
I suspect that were it not for Marvin, Reggie might not be Reggie. No evidence, but Marvin was the very model of quiet professionalism before Reggie and Reggie probably picked up a lot of that example.
Reggie has been, realistically, the #1 for four years compared to Marvin’s 5 years, so that’s pretty close, but Marv pulled a LOT of heat from Reggie allowing him to blossom. I don’t know that Reggie would be the same player were it not for 88.
87 Did do better in the playoffs, but didn;t make the Broncos look quite as foolish as 88. Then there’s Clark—a monster playoff performer. And everybody loves Stokley, but he’s like that incredible girl you dated one year in HS and then she moved away. Years later you think about her fondly and wish her well, but you know, it was just one year and a long time ago….
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
Well
I love Stokley and I still wear his jersey every gameday, so I guess I’m the guy that didn’t move on.
"Brett Favre was a man who thought he was retired, but he knew it wouldn't last."
by Colts Homer on Dec 23, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
Reggie - has he been the better "big play" receiver?
I am getting older and my memory isn’t as sharp as it used to be, so I may just be suffering from CRS disease. But, it seems Reggie has played “bigger” in key situations than Marvin. Certainly Marvin was PM’s #1 for a long and very productive/consistent run…but he seemed to not come up big in the post-season. So maybe Marvin is the regular season POD and Reggie the post season version. Maybe …
It's gotta be Marvin
for me. I’m a total production guy. I don’t like trivializing Marvin’s great career (most of which happened in the 2000’s) by saying, “Oh, he ’didn’t do well’ in those 8 games. That makes Reggie better.” First off, I’m not sure I agree that Marvin was horrible in the postseason, and second, Marvin has been great all decade. Award goes to Marvin, and it’s not even close for me.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Stampede Blue
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
