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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Aug 22, 2006
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In 1996 I drafted Indy's rookie WR Marvin Harrison for my fantasy football team. All he has done has made me look good year after year (keeper league). I'm cautiously optimistic, but also a realist. Now, the problem is this. The last time we saw Marvin Harrison play on an NFL field, he wasn't a viable option. He had "no play" written all over him. He was awful. Injuries to both knees tend do that to a player. Those of us who have had injuries similiar to this can attest to the mental part of recovery too. It sometimes is harder than the physical. Being scared to go all out after an injury is common and it usually takes time. And to those of you that believe that Marvin at 90% is better than others at 100%...wrong! What made Harrison great was his ability to seperate and run crisp routes. Peyton Manning knows Marvin's routes and speed at 100%, not 90%. The whole offense is in rythymn and requires everyone to perform their part. Marvin is tiny. He's 5'10" tall and 175 pounds (although he's listed at 6'0" and 185). His elusiveness and quickness which is his trademark has now become compromised. He's open for harder hits. The Colts will take the due diligence route with Harrison and certainly won't leak any information. But in reality, this is a major issue to a team that is cap strapped and owes 12 million to a player that will be limited this season at best. Two surgeries to two knees on a 36 year old and 7+ months to heal before camp opens does not offer hope that Harrison will be ready for any part of the 2008 season. This gentleman, is a REAL problem and is going to be a REAL issue that MUST be addressed in the draft (early). In matter of fact, this may be an issue that gets resolved through free agency or trade. Remember last year when the Colts were saying he'd play every week? Then, just before game time they'd make him out for the game. No news is bad news concerning his status this offseason. Being a realist and a concerned fan (for both the Colts and Harrison's well being), does not make me a pessimist. With just Dallas Clark, Anthony Gonzalez (who missed 3 games to injuries in 2007) and Reggie Wayne as returning players with any significant receiving experience, there is a reason for concern. An injured Roy Hall (zero catches last year) returns and may be the key to alot of things. But he has never played in the base offense and only played on special teams for the first 3 games last season before going on injured reserve. The Colts have an explosive offense, but it needs weapons. We are way to thin at the position, and way to dependent on Harrison's status.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 6, 2008
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I loved your post Move. You said what alot of us probably feel but are to scared to mention out loud. It's such a fragile situation that any mention of him being a non factor makes it feel as though it will hurt his knee even more. Kinda like not mentioning to a pitcher that he is throwing a no-hitter.
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 7, 2007
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Asuited,
I dont think anyone should be afraid to mention it. I know a lot of us Colts fans really want the Harrison who caught 143 passes to show up on that field, but lets face it, even Jerry Rice looked ridiculous in his final playing days. The Colts team is based around one thing...Manning. Polian and Co. have said from Day 1 that they will surround him with the tools to be successful. We now have a huge "unknown" as our starting 2WR.
My line of thinking is that if we take a TE before a WR in this draft then the Colts think Harrison will play (2TE sets means that they can protect Harrison on the sideline, play count, etc). If we take a WR in the draft, then Harrison's days as a starter (or even a Colt) are coming to an end. I bet Gonzo starts the season off as our 2WR either way.
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 6, 2008
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My line of thinking is that if we take a TE before a WR in this draft then the Colts think Harrison will play (2TE sets means that they can protect Harrison on the sideline, play count, etc). If we take a WR in the draft, then Harrison's days as a starter (or even a Colt) are coming to an end.
I concur on the draft telling us how they feel about Marvin, I just hope they aren't looking at the Marvin situation through rose colored glasses. I don't think they will however. I imagine they have and will get every bit of information they need to make a good decision on the future at WR. Us posters can talk til we are blue in the face about it, but Dungy and Polian probably have a good handle on the situation.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 7, 2006
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OTM, you've persuaded me. I'm still not ready to push the panic button because like I said, if the situation is as serious as you portray, Polian already has a plan and a backup plan. I'll not take the situation as lightly as I have been, but I'm going to remain the optimist.
I proposed a possible solution to BufordBiffer in this post...
http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/messages/chrono/7828817/0/0
/7848071#ID7848071
...it would cover them if Marvin can't get back, but it wouldn't interfere with Marvin getting back. The big delimma would still be that huge cap hit.
Let's not forget, it still takes a season or more for a receiver to get comfortable in this offense, so maybe Hall and Aromashodu are better candidates for development at this point. I know they have very limited experience, but they've seen more and know more than a rookie.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 25, 2007
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Let's not forget, it still takes a season or more for a receiver to get comfortable in this offense, so maybe Hall and Aromashodu are better candidates for development at this point. I know they have very limited experience, but they've seen more and know more than a rookie.This is exactly why I say people need to relax on the matter. This situation is no different than what you stated on another thread Speed. We have 5 receivers without even mentioning Marvin's name yet we are going to continue to add bodies at that position. Its just like the D-line comment you made, we are going to be over staffing for that position when its not necessary and it doesn't make sense to, yet.
NONE OF US know what we have in Roy Hall and Devin Aromashadu. The only way we will know is to give them time and let them play. They have at least a year under their belt with this team and offense, so they are already going to know more than what any rookie receiver will know regardless of how good they are. Reggie, Anthony, and Dallas are just fine to start the season off with. Its the same group that Manning threw to for most of the year and compiled 4200 yards and 30 TD's with. As Speed said if we target yet another receiver its going to take a year for them to even understand whats going on.
I still wouldn't be surprised if they turn Marvin's contract into and incentive based contract OR he just realizes its time to hang up the cleats and retire. We won't know much of anything until we are closer to opening the season up.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 7, 2006
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I guess my seemingly contradictory position between DE and WR gets back to my thoughts on D guys and skill guys. You can take a defender with the right attitude and physical attributes and make him a better defender easier than you can make a skill guy better. Of course you run across sleepers at the skill positions, a la Brady and Colston, but for the most part, the best skill guys are taken early. Regardless of whether or not Marvin comes back at full tilt, he is still at the point of his carreer where he's gonna be on that downward trend. Finding a guy to replace that production when he's gone isn't going to be easy, or happen overnight. OTM alluded to the fact that the reason Peyton to Marvin has been so successful is their familiarity with each other. Look how long it's taken with Peyton and Reggie. And, still, I don't think it's at the same level. I'm hopeful that Hall and Aromashodu develop into solid contributors, but I'm not optimistic that either one of them will be able to replace Marvin. Maybe Hall, Gonzo would come closer, but I think he will, and should, stay in the slot. Dallas is an ace in the hole, but I'm greedy. I want 3 great wides, plus Dallas. Why not pick up a stud at the end of the 2nd, and start bringing him along so he'll be ready when Marvin hangs it up. And if Marvin is limited much at all, well, that just speeds up the timetable. Special teams gives them the ability to carry an extra receiver or two. If they're not looking at RB, then they could get one who's a return guy too. Heck, they could have one do punts and one do kickoffs and neither one gets overworked. Cause, T.J. Rushing ain't it guys. He looks more like he's in a dance competition.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 25, 2007
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Cause, T.J. Rushing ain't it guys. He looks more like he's in a dance competition.
LOL... VERY true. Hey you never know Chris Johnson might be the guy to look at then especially since he seems to be a jack-of-all-trades type of guy. He's not much different in size to Marvin (remember way back when, when Marvin was returning punts?) and can play ST and also be a 3rd down threat. Hell he may even be successful being lined out wide as its noted he has great hands and vision. If anyone can get him into being a great route runner Marvin is the guy to help him. I think this guy could possess all traits we need that in which we are looking for out of multiple guys. A "kill 3 birds with one stone" type of player.
The more and more I think about what this guy brings to the table he may be more of a threat than Devin Hester.< | |
