Colts Receivers Show They Are Still Skilled if Someone Can Get them the Ball

by nopuntintended on Dec 6, 2011 6:00 AM EST

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 27: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off of the field after the Colts lost 27-19 to Carolina Panthers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

One of the many disturbing aspects of this year has been the criticism levied against the Colts receivers. Reggie Wayne hasn't lost a step and Garcon and Collie aren't irrelevant.

In trying to come to terms and rationalize the debacle that is the season, many have forgotten the Colts still have one of the most talented receiving corps in the league. We just didn't have someone to get them the ball.

Frustrated and fed up with Curtis Painter's unfathomable ineptitude, Reggie Wayne took matters into his own hands with a vintage 56-yard run after the catch for a score last week against the Panthers.

This week with someone to finally throw them the ball, the receivers came alive. Garcon and Collie both had season highs in catches with Garcon exploding for another season high 150 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.

With Garcon in particular, it was nice to see he wasn't just taking bubble screens to the house and was actually making catches downfield.

If you weren't sure whether the Colts will bounce back next season, Sunday's game should increase

your confidence. The trio of Garcon, Wayne and Collie along with a healthy Dallas Clark is still one of the most

dynamic and explosive groups in the league so long as they can get the ball. Last season Wayne was second in the

league in receptions and third in yards. Pierre Garcon along with Jacob Tamme were tied for 27th in catches and for

the first six games Austin Collie was at the top of the receiving columns before he went down with concussions.

With either Manning or Luck ready to rush to the rescue, the Colts receivers should once again be seeing of plenty of

passes come their way.

The question remains however, whether or not Wayne and Garcon will even be recruited back.

I believed this before, but the last few weeks have shown that both players should be re-signed.

Not only are they top playmakers, but whether it's Manning or Luck, both quarterbacks are going to need top-flight receivers to throw to.

If it's Peyton Manning, it would be almost criminal to waste the efforts he has put into rehabbing and his last two or three years by not surrounding him with not only guys who are among the league's best, but guys he has such a good rapport with.

Why upset and hamper your star quarterback before the season even begins?

If it's Luck, having Wayne and Garcon will be equally important. Not only will those guys help the Colts contend again, but they would be critical for his long-term development. Look no further than the delinquent Rams front office to see how not surrounding a young quarterback with top talent can derail his progress. Peyton Manning came to a team with Marvin Harrison, one of the greatest receivers all time.

Even at 33 Wayne is still a top-flight receiver. Last year at 32, Wayne had a career-high 111 receptions so its safe to say his decline is proportionally related to Curtis Painter more so than age.

Especially if Manning comes back, why not keep the pair together the for their last three years?

Assuming the front office comes to a logical conclusion (far from a sure thing), the question becomes far more about money than will.

Can the Colts bring back Wayne and Garcon? Yes, if they are willing to let go other players such as Bullitt, Brackett and the like. Furthermore, if Peyton Manning retires or - God forbid - is let go, the Colts will have much more cap room and money shouldn't be as big an issue.

Do Wayne and Garcon want to come back? After this year we can't be sure, but I imagine they would, especially if Manning returns. If not, Wayne may want to try and get more money elsewhere and pair up with a veteran quarterback to avoid going through the learning curve with Luck. Still, Wayne has been in Indy is whole career so he has to have at least a partial desire to retire a Colt.

If Colts can make their finances work and have the money to spend, bringing back both Wayne and Garcon would go a long way in helping the Colts regain their contenders status.

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You can't make this stuff up

"""Frustrated and fed up with Curtis Painter’s unfathomable ineptitude, Reggie Wayne took matters into his own hands with a vintage 56-yard run after the catch for a score last week against the Panthers. """

Oh wait, he did. I think Reggie’s motivation is to perform and win, not vent his frustration. I must say, however this does read well, and much to my chagrin, the Painter experiment was flawed, and last night I watched Tommie Harris contribute fairly well for the Chargers. The foundation of NFL success is assembling the best talent possible. The strategy and execution does not go far without this. Teams and individuals cannot play beyond their talent level indefinitely.

On the other hand, there is Donald Brown, who I had given up on. Man, I’m all over the place. I wanted to keep Tommie Harris, play Painter, jettison Donald Brown……. I don’t know jack.

"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"

by indylator on Dec 6, 2011 7:03 AM EST reply actions

If Manning and his crew all come back 100%

He will tear up defenses all over the place. With Wayne, Garcon, Collie, Clark, Tamme, and a good running game with Addai and Brown, the Colts offense won’t be stopped especially with Anthony Castonzo having games under his belt.

If only the Colts can add that security blanket with a 4th WR. Anthony Gonzalez is made of glass. Blair White did ok, but it would be nice to add a faster more dependable WR.

Pat McAfee 2012 Pro Bowl bound!
Anthony Calvillo - 72,382 passing yards - pro football's all-time leader
Jon Stewart for President 2016
OCCUPY BILL POLIAN'S OFFICE

by KBUnitz on Dec 6, 2011 8:32 AM EST reply actions

This is the most garbage analysis I have ever seen.

Did you watch that game? Orvlosky looked like Tebow in the first half. The only way the colts “came to life” was after the Pats went to a prevent defense after they were up by 4 scores. You, sir, are a moron.

by Foste on Dec 6, 2011 8:54 AM EST reply actions

hahaha... agreed with his overall statement... but not with the approach

I guess to his defense, he is one of the positive writers on the site, but I’m not feeling much positivity.

My opinions to refute your analsysi.

Reggie Wayne = He’s done (as a #1 threat). Skilled possession receiver with phenomenal route running and great hands. Nothing more to it than that. He looked slow last year and even slower this year. The only separation I’m seeing him get is on his comeback routes, which he has always excelled at. He’s no longer a stretching the field threat. I am aware of his numbers last year, but if you remember our running game was so putrid and our number of skilled receivers last year was down so low, along with our terrible running game, our putrid defense leaving games close, Peyton having to throw a ton, and you have that Peyton had to force many balls to Reggie. His YPC was very low. His YAC was not great. Love to have him back, but I doubt he will be worth what he asks.

Pierre Garcon – Definitely our home run threat, but to be honest with you he doesn’t have the break away speed of a Mike Wallace/DeSean Jackson, definitely questionable route running, and inconsistent hands. He has games that completely wow you where you makes catches that only the best in the biz could even dream of and then he disappears for games at a times, and misses catches thrown to his hands. That being said, he is a must resign because he is our most talented receiver and he’s young. He could develop into something special, but as of now he’s just above average. He’s strong, can break tackles, and when he is on, he’s very difficult to stop.

Austin Collie – Also a bright spot. No breakaway speed here, but he is a crisp route runner, not afraid to take hits, and he always makes good decisions. He seems to be able to find a way to always be open (small windows which Peyton can hit but other QB’s on the Colts roster seem to miss or not see). I also think he could be a great possession receiver. Really hoping he gets back in sync with Peyton or Luck next year.

Dallas Clark – I am hating to throw the “injury prone” label out there, but I will. At this age and stage of his career, I think he’s having a hard time staying healthy. I’ll give him somewhat of a pass because he’s been relatively healthy his whole career. I also feel that his hands have been questionable as of late (even last year), but when he’s one, he’s on. I think he’s still one of the better catching tight ends in the league, but his blocking has always been just average. He also just finds a way to be open and finds a way to get first downs, which all great tight ends do.

Blair White – Umm…. how can I say this? He’s terrible. He’s slow. He’s inconsistent, he makes bad decisions, he’s caused several of Peyton Manning’s interceptions last year. I don’t even have to have seen him this year to know that he’s awful. Hardworking/good kid, etc. but please don’t let me see him starting again.

by coltsfanbeforemanning on Dec 6, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

I think you are right about Reggie

I would agree that Reggie Wayne will not be worth what he is going to ask for. He will want top receiver dollar and he won’t be worth it. If Peyton comes back he isn’t needed. Manning has shown time and again he can make an average receiver look great, just as Brady has done. The colts need to dedicate time to their Defense and Special Teams.

You did leave out our former first round pick, Gonzo. Don’t forget about him.

by Foste on Dec 6, 2011 9:58 AM EST up reply actions

haha... probably says something...

that I forgot about him.

Anfernee “Gonzo” Gonzales – Gets hurt and tears MCL/ACL by sometimes by breathing too hard. Very good possession wide receiver when healthy. He is fast, smart, has very good hands. Generally, he is above average at everything, including the ability to get and stay injured, especially when his team would need him the most, which some would say that he is tops in the league at. What will be said of him is what could have been had he not had his career derailed with injuries. He could easily be a #2 on another team if he stays healthy, but since he’s been a scratch in many games this year it won’t be for the Colts. I always thought highly of him and always thought he was going to be Peyton’s security blanket, but oh well.

To finish my analsysis, I think the Colts have an above average receiving core, who focus on intelligent route running individuals, but no one in their right mind would call them one of the most talented in the league. That honor belongs to the Packers, followed by the Saints, Patriots.

by coltsfanbeforemanning on Dec 6, 2011 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

Orlovsky was 7-11 for 73 yards in the first half.

If Tebow threw like that he might actually be a quarterback.

by James Broschat on Dec 6, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Your a smuck

Dan was 7-7 at one point, go watch another team

by armycolts25 on Dec 6, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

what's a smuck? must be a term used by army intelligence officers

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Dec 6, 2011 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

hahaha well played

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on Dec 6, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

WRs are good not great

I think the WR core could use an upgrade and an infusion of young/er talent. Unless Wayne is willing to take a very Colt-friendly deal, I think you have to let him walk. Yes, he is still a premier route runner, but he has definitely lost a step and is just not as athletic as he once was. Plus, the day’s of running a finesse offense are over. Teams with explosive offenses like NO, SD, GB and NE all have big, fast, athletic receiving options. Cornerbacks and safteties are also getting bigger and stronger. It is time for the Colts to catch up to the rest of the league. So this is what I think they should do:

Wide Receivers

Let Reggie Wayne walk (leave unless he takes a ridiculously cheap deal)

Re-sign Pierre Garcon (Garcon is a big, fast playmaker who is still improving)

Draft one of the big WRs prospects
-Because we will most likely be taking a QB in the 1st round, we will not have the opportunity to draft Blackmon or Jeffreys, so that leaves one of the following:

*Michael Floyd, ND
*Dwight Jones, UNC
*Juron Criner, U of A
*Marvin McNutt, Iowa
*Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
*Jeff Fuller, Texas A & M
*Tommy Streeter, Miami

I have not watch enough college football to form an opinion on all of these guys, but I have seen most of them play at least once. They all offer the big, strong, fast combo that I would like to see the Colts have. They should all be picked somewhere in rounds 2-4, with Floyd possibly slipping into the late 1st round. So I would like the Colts to draft the best player, obviously, but also the player that gives them the most value at that position.

Now, with the cap space left over from letting Wayne walk, I would:

Sign Vincent Jackson
-For some reason, SD has not locked him up and I would think he hits free agency this offseason. Because of inconsistent performance and injuries, he will not cost much and would the be the perfect compliment to Garcon on the outside. Defenses would have to respect both playmaker’s ability to stretch the field. This would also allow the rookie WR project time to develop. So with VJax and Garcon out wide, Collie in the slot, and the rookie WR at flanker in 4 WR sets or just to spell Garcon or VJax, the Colts WRs become even more explosive.

Tight Ends

As far as TEs, I would attempt to:

Restructure Dallas Clark’s deal or let him walk
-I just don’t think his wrist will ever fully heal and he will continue to drop passes as a result, but I would not mind having him on the roster if he does not hurt the cap. I think Tamme is a suitable replacement for Clark for the time being while we develop another TE.

a) Draft a big, playmaking TE
-It’s not as easy as it sounds. But, I think drafting a TE in the mold of a Rob Gronkowski or Jermichael Finley would be ideal. I realize they are top talent, but I would like to see the Colts draft someone who has similar upside but is still a project. This type of player can be found late in the draft or in FA. It’s more of a gamble than anything else.

In closing, I feel like the Colts are turning over a new leaf. And with these changes, I would like to see the offense transform as well. The Colts have always had an identity as an explosive offense, but it has always been finesse. I want to see that changed for the better and regardless of who is QB for the Colts next season, this group of WRs would go a long ways toward success.

by shastamasta on Dec 6, 2011 1:25 PM EST reply actions

No Ryan Broyles - WR?

WE COULD have Jeffrey or Blackmon…depends what happens w/ the #1 pick

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Dec 7, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

Broyles

I like Broyles, but not in the 2nd round, which is where I think he will go. If I knew his upside would be more Greg Jennings and less Santonio Holmes, then yes I would consider him. But I want to get big AND fast. The Colts have never been big AND fast.

by shastamasta on Dec 7, 2011 6:38 PM EST up reply actions