SB Nation - Marcus Pollard

Great Colts of the Decade: Wide Receiver

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:48:52 -0000

3 months ago: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, right, reaches out while attempting a catch against the defense of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Derek Cox in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Indianapolis. The pass was incomplete. The Colts won 14-12. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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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.

Poll

Greatest Colts wide receiver from 2000-2009.

Pierre Garçon is well on his way

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:56:21 -0000

More photos » by Paul Connors - AP

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garçon. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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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.

Answering Bears-Seahawks Questions from Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago

John Morgan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:23:59 -0000

More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

Remember how awesome D.J. Hackett was against the Bears? Deon Butler is better. If Deion Branch and T.J. Houshmandzadeh play, Butler should get the kind of matchups that made Hackett look like a star.

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Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago sent over some Bears-related Seahawks questions. I always like to give the Field Gulls readers the jump on this stuff, so here's the skinny before its posted there.

1. Do Seahawks fans believe the team can still win if Matt Hasselbeck doesn't play?

Of course. Seneca Wallace may never be a starting quarterback, but he is a very good backup. Mike Holmgren attempted to mold Wallace into a pocket passer, and though he's not, the training has done him good. He is more comfortable in the pocket and has developed some ability to read the defense. Wallace does not excel at that, and he has nagging tendencies to drop too deep during his backpedal, stare down receivers and make bad decisions. Knapp has shown a greater willingness to adapt scheme to talent. Wallace is more mobile and has a better deep pass than Hasselbeck. Knapp will work in more designed roll outs and play-action bombs. He even ran a read-option with Seneca in the preseason. Wallace isn't a long term answer, but Knapp should be able to squeeze enough out of him to win one game.

1a. What has been the general reaction to the news that Seneca Wallace will probably get the start?

Most of us were happy to hear Matt Hasselbeck was even an option after being taken from the stadium to the hospital. Many fans want Hasselbeck to start if at all possible. There's always that pocket of fans aligned with the backup quarterback, and predictably they think Wallace will Wally Pipp Hasselbeck. Overall, we want Hasselbeck as healthy as possible, but the best man to play this Sunday.

2. For Bears fans who haven't been out to Qwest Field, what is the best way to describe the atmosphere out there?
2a. Is it really as loud as everyone says it is?

It's very loud and it factors. The twelfth man forces false starts, time-outs taken and delay of game penalties. Qwest is more raucous than Seattle. The people there are true football fans: Rowdy, partisan and passionate. I would describe it as a good football atmosphere that defies laid back image of the Northwest. To put it another way, wear your Bears colors and expect to catch flack.

3. With the absence of the Sonics, are the Seahawks the most popular team in the city? Were they always?

I think Seattle is still more of a baseball town. The Sonics had a loyal following, but the general fan base withered with the team. The Seahawks success has attracted new fans and their run in 2005 certainly got Blue in the blood of some, but we're still about five years from that impact being fully realized. I, like a lot of Seattle fans, grew up when the Mariners had Junior, Gar, the Big Unit, ARod, Bone, and during the Refuse to Lose campaign, and that solidifies you with a team. The kids that grew up with Walt, Hutch, Alexander, Hasselbeck, Jur, Strong, Tatupu, Hill and Brownie are not old enough to be very influential. Next decade, if they can get back on track, I think Seattle becomes a Seahawks town. Right now, I would call it a Mariners, Huskies and Seahawks town, roughly in that order.

4. What should Bears fans fear most about the Seahawks?

The passing game. Deion Branch is set to return this week, and that makes Seattle a very deep passing offense even without a superstar receiver. Seattle was able to create something similar in 2007, when it had Branch, Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson and D.J. Hackett. Hackett wasn't a star by any stretch, but Seattle created favorable matchups by spreading the field and targeting the weakest defensive back. Hackett caught nine receptions for 136 yards and schooled Pierson Prioleau. The Seahawks are much more talented and deep this season, replacing Marcus Pollard with young world beater John Carlson, Engram with T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Hackett with burner Deon Butler. Housh regularly plays out of the slot and that creates mismatches. When teams adjust by putting their top corner in as a nickelback or by double covering Houshmandzadeh, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp doesn't hesitate to challenge deep on the outside. Chicago is sketchy in the secondary and their safeties are especially inexperienced, so if I were a Bears fan, I would fear the Seahawks ability to spread the field and create mismatches with their wide receivers.

4a. From what you've seen so far, what has been the Seahawks biggest weakness this season?

Staying healthy? Apart from that, the Seahawks have been sloppy. The changes made by Jim Mora and new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley are not radical, but confusion has caused coverage break downs and blown assignments. Likewise, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is still nominally running a West Coast offense, but it's notably different from Holmgren's. Shotgun is a regular quarterback alignment. The run game has been emphasized, and concomitantly, play action. That run game is built off a zone blocking scheme that stretches defenses and attempts to create cutback lanes. Seattle has struggled breaking open holes and stopping backside pursuit. The pass game and particularly, the play-action game is more geared to deep passes, and Hasselbeck has struggled to make his deep throws. His arm was never strong, and it has weakened with age. He puts too much loft under the ball and rarely takes advantage of single-cover on the outside.

5. After what Frank Gore did, are the fans even more worried about Matt Forte? Or do they think Jim Mora has everything under control?

I haven't heard or read any specific dread regarding Forte, but fans are understandably a bit worried about the Seahawks rush defense. Losing Lofa Tatupu hurt, but he could return and his backup, David Hawthorne, is reasonably skilled. The greater concern is the status of Brandon Mebane. Mebane injured his calf during practice last week. He missed the first game of his career due to injury last Sunday. Mebane is the rare defensive tackle that can withstand, even overpower a double team. He is also a good pass rusher. Seattle signed Colin Cole to play over tackle in Bradley's Tampa 2 inspired system, but Cole is toast against double teams. Red Bryant is a big, powerful--country strong--tackle with loads of upside, but he vacates assignments. He's not yet dependable. Gore broke both of his long runs up the middle, and San Francisco was bullying the Mebane-less Seahawks interior all game. If Mebane is back, I expect the Seahawks rush defense to be competent or better.

5a. Do fans in the Pacific Northwest like Mora or do they miss Holmgren more?

Hard to say. Fans are loyal and Holmgren brought this team to the Super Bowl. Mora is still feeling his way out, and he carries a certain guilt by association with Michael Vick. It's too early to know for sure, of course. If Seattle begins to win again, the fans will love whoever is responsible for it, be it Mora or Bill Cowher. After week one, everyone was excited for the more modern and creative play-calling and what looked like a young and dominant defense. Now, there's indecision.

6. What is your prediction for Sunday's game?

I got out of the prediction game. Football is a contrapasso built to make the confident look foolish and the foolish look brilliant. If Seattle can get an early lead, I think it has enough pass rush fire power to stifle the Bears offense. If the Seahawks line, with or without Walter Jones, can't withstand the Bears pass rush, I think Seattle bleeds turnovers and the Bears win a laugher.

Seattle Seahawks Road Back to the Super Bowl

John Morgan — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:25:23 -0000

More photos » by Ted S. Warren - AP

The man with the golden read made Bobby Engram, D.J. Hackett and Marcus Pollard into a top ten passing offense. Matt Hasselbeck could turn T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deon Butler and John Carlson into a Super Bowl bound passing offense.

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Doom, gloom...rebirth?

Last season sucked. It interrupted an unprecedented run of success for the Seahawks. Seattle had made the playoffs five times before 2003 but had won only three playoff games. This season will decide if last season was an interruption or an ending. It could be either. Seattle is more than capable of again being one of the worst teams in football. It has a chance to win the Super Bowl.

Yes it does. And it's not as complicated or far fetched as it might sound.

5. Grow into a Dominant Rush Defense

I am putting the cart before the horse for a reason. Rush defense dominates in the playoffs, but it won't do much to get Seattle into the playoffs. The importance of rush defense is conditional on Seattle fulfilling the following four goals. This is the most easily attainable of the five.

It has three starters on defensive line that should be average to above average to elite at run defense for their position. I don't expect Patrick Kerney to be a big player on run defense. Its starting three linebackers could each be top-ten run defenders by season's end. There's no weakness there, and with Aaron Curry on board, Lofa Tatupu will have the wingmen to destroy the rushers he flushes out. Ken Lucas and Marcus Trufant are both good open field tacklers, and however much Josh Wilson plays, he is also an excellent open field tackler that brings some pop. Deon Grant is good from the third level and if Jordan Babineaux wins out at strong safety, Seattle will not have a single weakness against the rush.

4. Get Lucky

Seattle has some tough games ahead. Weeks three through eight are especially grueling. Wins earn playoffs, even if they aren't always the best indicator of quality. Earning home field would be huge, but even bigger would be getting a bye. The power of a playoff bye is simple: It's one less game a team must win to make the Super Bowl. To accomplish that, Seattle is going to need some close victories over tough opponents. While the 2005 squad was undoubtedly better than the 2007 squad, much of what separated them in the standings was close victories.

2005 pulled out close victories against Atlanta, St. Louis, Dallas, San Francisco, New York and Tennessee. It only lost two close games, one to Washington in overtime and a meaningless week 17 game against Green Bay.

2007 was even. Seattle won close games against Philadelphia, St. Louis and Cincinatti, but none were as close as they looked, but lost close games to Arizona, Cleveland, Carolina and Atlanta. The Atlanta game was meaningless when played, but would have been meaningful if Seattle hadn't punted victories in Arizona and Carolina.

Seattle needs to scrape out some close victories. It has four sure to be punishing away games: Colts, Cowboys, Vikings and Packers. The Packers game is particularly tough, because Seattle is a moderate weather climate and Lambeau, December 27 is anything but moderate. But it can. It can split those; it can win all four. It can win all four without being the best team among the four, because Any Given Sunday.

3. Channel 2007

Seattle's dominating pass defense in 2007 wasn't all smoke and mirrors. Yes, it dominated some bad quarterbacks. No, I'm not sure Troy Smith, A.J. Feeley or Alex Smith will ever see another professional snap. But seizing an opportunity is the essence of success.

Seattle has its pass rush in 2007. Sure, there was Patrick Kerney, but Darryl Tapp, Julian Peterson, Rocky Bernard and Leroy Hill were all major contributors. Seattle doesn't have a single elite rusher like Kerney this season, but it has a better contributing cast. Tapp is around and closer to his prime. Hill should be more active. Aaron Curry won't replace Peterson, but he could be excellent on more traditional linebacker blitzes. Brandon Mebane could ascend to the lower ranks of the elite defensive tackles. Josh Wilson runs a nickel blitz like no one else in the NFL. Seattle has loaded up on situational pass rushers, and in the right spots, Cory Redding, Tapp, Craig Terrill and Nick Reed could all cause havoc. And there's some depth with upside like Lawrence Jackson, Baraka Atkins, Michael Bennett and Colin Cole.

The Seahawks may not face a jobbers row of scrubs and backups, but if the rush is there, it could make some decent to good quarterbacks channel Feeley.

2. Complete 2007

Seattle had the defense. It definitely had the passing attack. Its special teams were strong. But, good God damn did Shaun Alexander suck. Say what you will about Julius Jones, Edgerrin James and Justin Forsett, the 2009 Seahawks could not field a rusher more inept or self-defeating as Shaun Alexander circa 2007. Seattle couldn't protect a lead. It couldn't convert a first. It couldn't disguise a play. Eventually, Mike Holmgren simply told opponents the Seahawks were going to pass and pass and pass.

Consider the value added on every snap by replacing Alexander's pass blocking with Jones or James' pass blocking. The value added on ever snap by replacing Alexander's pass catching with Jones, James or Forsett's pass catching. Then, remember how bad Alexander was as a running back, and take a breath and know average beats the hell out of cripplingly awful.

1. Field a Top Ten Pass Offense

Seattle had a top ten pass offense in 2007. It built that offense on -- in descending importance -- Bobby Engram, a good pass blocking line and Matt Hasselbeck playing out of his mind. He made Engram, less than a year recovered from Graves disease, look like a Pro Bowler. Passes from Hasselbeck to Engram were the tenth most valuable connection in the NFL. Hasselbeck to Marcus Pollard was the sixth most valuable per-play quarterback to tight end connection in the NFL. Passes from Hasselbeck to D.J. Hackett were worth 100 yards above replacement. Engram is now T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Pollard is now John Carlson. Hackett is now Deon Butler. This is a better passing offense. Depending on how the line gels, it could be a full step above 2007's ninth ranked attack.

Passing offense is the single most important quality of a contender. It gets you ahead and lets you crawl back when you're behind. By putting the opponent behind, it improves the defense and helps force turnovers. It puts the clock on your side and facilitates the run game. With a healthy Hasselbeck and Sean Locklear anything near average, this is a better passing offense than 2007. A better passing offense than 2007 lifts this team to the playoffs, and in the playoffs, especially with a great rush defense, anything is possible.