Replacing Marvin Harrison

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Aug 11, 2009 11:40 AM EDT Comment 15 comments

We all know that the national media often times looks on the surface instead of going in-depth (i.e. OMG no Marvin Harrison! = Colts struggle to make playoffs) with their analysis. In reality, I think Colts fans know that the team has essentially been without Marvin Harrison - at least the sure-fire Hall of Fame version of Marvin Harrison - ever since his knee injury early in the 2007 season.

This is not a knock on Marvin, or a proclamation that Anthony Gonzalez is the second-coming of Jerry Rice. It's just that if I was making a list of the potential question-marks and issues for the Colts entering the 2009 season, "how will they replace Marvin Harrison?" wouldn't crack the top ten. However, that topic seems to be all the national media wants to talk about, outside of Jim Caldwell's new job responsibilities.

In the 2007 Draft, the Colts may have taken the heir-apparent to Harrison in Anthony Gonzalez. A possession receiver that has deceptive speed is an attribute that both Marvin and Gonzalez share. With Harrison's departure, Gonzalez is now the #2 wideout, a spot that was taken by Harrison over the past two seasons. Here are their stats over that time:

Marvin Harrison

2007: 5 games, 20 rec, 247 yds, 12.4 avg, TD

2008: 15 games, 60 rec, 636 yds, 10.6 avg, 5 TD

Totals: 20 games, 80 rec, 883 yds, 11.0 avg, 6 TD

Anthony Gonzalez

2007: 13 games, 37 rec, 576 yds, 15.6 avg, 3 TD

2008: 16 games, 57 rec, 664 yds, 11.6 avg, 4 TD

Totals: 29 games, 94 rec, 1,240 yds, 13.2 avg, 7 TD

Obviously, you may have to take some of Marvin's numbers (or lack thereof) with a grain of salt because of the injury. However, at least from a production standpoint, it doesn't appear that the Colts will be losing a whole heck of a lot. Throw in the fact that Dallas Clark will often line up in the slot, and the Colts 1-2-3 receiving corps of Reggie/Gonzo/Clark shouldn't skip a beat with the absence of Marvin.

So, forget how the Colts will replace Marvin Harrison - they're already been moving in that direction for almost two full seasons. I'd be much more occupied with the real questions like how the offensive line is going to bounce back after a forgettable and injury-plagued 2008, how the new big bodies at defensive tackle will perform, where Joseph Addai goes from here, can Clint Session and Phillip Wheeler usher in a new, more aggressive Tampa-2 scheme under Larry Coyer, will the Special Teams finally be an asset instead of a detriment, etc.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Preaching to the choir

Everyone here is gonna be tearing up their FF leagues by grabbing Gonzo and riding his 1100 yards to a win.

by slash196 on Aug 11, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i picked him up in the 8th round. it was beautiful.

Please, please draft a big Defensive Tackle. Please?

Enter Fili Moala. Thank you Polian

by skywalker on Aug 11, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm in a keeper league

and a good friend of mine is keeping him…grr

"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."

by psvirsky on Aug 11, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree to an extent

What I always look at in addition to numbers is who is guarding them. Over the past few years reggie and marvin have normally split the oppositions #1 and #2 dbs leaving gonzalez being covered by a weeker db or a lb. This definitely gives an advantage to mr gonzalez as far as numbers go. When marvin went down and anthony took over the #2 he got more looks but the offense did seem to struggle although that could be that there wasn’t a solid #3. This year marvin is gone (I agree he hasn’t been the same since his injury but for defenses he has been the same threat and that can be equally as important). Without a solid #3 and an offensive line that is struggling this could be a tough year for the Offense. Let’s hope we find a solid #3, gonzalez acts like a #2, and our offensive line gives manning some time!

by nighttrain551 on Aug 11, 2009 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gonzo has been a #2 for two years

And his catch rate is above 70 percent. I think he can handle some more looks.

by slash196 on Aug 11, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PK

Peter King tweeted, if Garcon wins third spot then he’ll go outside with Gonzo playing slot. If Collie wins then he’ll go slot with Gonzo outside. Don’t know if that’s true, just relaying the info

I'd donate a kidney in exchange for Pdiddy and my colts to get 2 more Super Bowl rings...That's LUV

by Bama Blue on Aug 12, 2009 12:26 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Oh, it's true.

Peter King knows everything.

/extreme sarcasm

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Cursed players this year (via my autograph curse): Donald Brown, Fili Moala, Jerraud Powers, Austin Collie, Terrence Taylor, and Curtis Painter.

by Cassieper on Aug 12, 2009 4:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think...

we should replace marvin harrison with………………… Marvin Harrison. He just needs to get his ass back in camp with us.
For some reason though, I really see him going to Tampa Bay.

~SHaFF!~
The Little Sports Blog That Could:
http://www.thelittlesportsblog.blogspot.com/

by SHaFF87 on Aug 12, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can Harrison play LT?

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Aug 12, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought you said I could play LT? LOL

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Aug 12, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're going to have to have a very clever strategy at LT

First, we send in Indy Lori, who will protect Peyton with every last ounce of her energy (not to mention distracting the defense with a “display” of her capabilities). Then we put in Harrison, who the defense will key on as part of the new-fangled 5-wide set / wildcat formation. So after those 2 sacks, it will be 3rd and forever…

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Aug 12, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're suggesting my "display" would bring a sack?

How embarrassing for me! I’d probably also draw a fine. Then, Peyton would relegate me to water-girl. I guess I’ll have to settle for protecting him telepathically. I seriously can’t wait for Friday night.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Aug 12, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nighttrain has it somewhat right..

The past 2 seasons, the Colts have gone 12-4 and 12-4, despite having more critical injuries than any other top team in the AFC.

This past season, that really showed up, with Gonzo, Clark, and Marvin all missing games due to injury. Our offensive line was so banged up we never even started the training camp lineup at any point, and our running game was trashed and beat up because of it. Throw in Peyton playing on one leg, and it spelled disaster.

However, here’s the thing….once Peyton got healthy, the offense finally picked it up. Yes, the run game still sucked, but the passing game didn’t. That’s with a fairly ineffective Harrison, a banged up O-Line, and teams essentially doubling down on Wayne. You also forget that Gonzo still lined up in the slot for most of this.

Now, the lineup shifts. Wayne in the #1 slot, Gonzo in the #2 slot, Garcon/Collie in the #3 slot or Clark lining up in a 2RB set, and the offensive line will be solid this year. The injuries are not there like they were last year, which is going to make ALL the difference.

There were about 8-12 deep passes to Harrison that he couldnt catch last year that could have broken open drives/games for us. This was not all Harrison’s fault, as Peyton was way off on timing as well. This year, there won’t be those timing issues with the WR’s for Peyton. I just really think that people do not realize how much timing plays a part of the Colts Offense.

You can not replace a Jerry Rice, a Marvin Harrison, but sometimes you do not have to. I think the Colts will miss him as a teammate, but not necessarily on the field.

Added bonus:

Reggie Wayne has 53 career TD passes from Peyton, 2nd all-time on the Colts list. Marvin has I believe like 114 from Peyton. Wayne has played 4 years less than Harrison….who’s to say we dont see 2 Colts QB-WR Tandems among the all time best soon enough…so who’s to say we need to replace Harrison, when we already have his replacement on the team…

by DevilsReject on Aug 14, 2009 9:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

edit

Colts went 13-3 in 2007, sorry :)

by DevilsReject on Aug 14, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Marvin Was DOne AFter Fumble

Marvin was done after he fumbled against the Pats in 2008 on a crucial play. I love Marvin and I am glad that he was able to win a Super Bowl with us. I just wish the colts would have allowed him to move into a 3 wr role.

~Bowl or Bust~

by rascolts on Aug 17, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs