Indianapolis Colts' Unstoppable 2010 Receiving Corps

Before the 2009 season began, many expected the Colts' prolific passing game to decline. Marvin Harrison, the franchise's leading receiver and a surefire Hall of Fame candidate, was released and head coach Tony Dungy retired. A few minutes into the first game of the season, Harrison's replacement, Anthony Gonzalez, fell victim to a non-contact injury that would sideline him for the season.

What happened?

The Colts led the league in passing for most of the season and would have for the entire season had they not clinched their division. Two wide receivers in their first starting season stepped in nicely for Gonzalez, and Dallas Clark had one of the best seasons ever by a tight end.

In 2010, the wide receiving corps looks to be even better with the return of Gonzalez.

Reggie Wayne

As the first receiver discussed, you would think Reggie Wayne has something special.

He does.

As a first round pick out of the University of Miami, Wayne has been one of the most silently consistent players on the team (well, up until the departure of Marvin Harrison). He has gained over 1000 yards receiving every year since 2004 and recorded his second 100 reception season in 2010; his first came in 2007.

While not the fastest, strongest, or most physical receiver in the league, Wayne has arguably the best separation skill of any receiver and has knack for the one-handed catch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dwsA7nhYpU&feature=related

Expect more of the same in 2010.

Season defining moment:

Game winning catch against the Patriots with 13 seconds left.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFFOGa3jgfQ

Dallas Clark

If anybody has the hands to compete with Wayne, it would be Clark. After bursting onto the scene in 2008 with 848 receiving yards, breaking the franchise record held by Hall of Famer John Mackey, Clark accumulated 100 receptions, including a 183 yard one TD game against Miami and a 3 TD game against Denver.

One handed catches, tough catches over the middle and deep bombs, Clark has caught them all. Look for him to be one of Manning's favorite targets again in 2010.

Season defining moment:

80 yard TD against Miami (first play of the video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg1IufWl3BQ

Pierre Garcon

Garcon? Isn't that French for "waiter"? Yes, but this wideout waits for nobody. As a sixth round pick out of Mount Union, nobody expected Garcon to see the field for a long time. Step in—or rather, OUT—for Anthony Gonzalez.

He may be forever remembered by Colts fans for his ugly drop in the second quarter of the Superbowl, but for most of the regular season—and definitely the postseason—Garcon was a bright spot. He had 47 receptions for 765 yards—leading all Colts receivers in YPC—and four TDs.

Mainly a deep threat, Garcon oftentimes dropped passes or ran the wrong route, something expected in his first season playing 16 games after being abruptly put into game one. With a year of experience, expect him to be a more reliable target in 2010.

(Post)Season defining moment:

His 11 reception, 151 yard, 1 TD performance against the vaunted Jet's D.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHhRdIpWyEU&feature=related

Austin Collie

What a steal. I still wonder to this day how Collie fell to the fourth round. As a junior at BYU, Collie was an All-American wide receiver and ranked near the top in every major receiving category. He was first in total receiving yards and yards per game, as well as tying Michael Crabtree (yes, THE Michael Crabtree) for first in consecutive 100 yard games.

In his rookie season for the Colts, Collie was just as impressive. After quickly being thrust into the spotlight in game one due to Gonzalez's injury, he managed to have an NFL veteran season statistically: 60 receptions (tied for first among rookies) for 676 yards and seven TDs (first among rookies).

With the return of Gonzalez, expect Collie to face stiff competition for his slot role. Because of this, he may lose some catches.

(Post)Season defining moment:

2 minute drill with Peyton Manning (yes, just him)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUjSmZvHz6o

Anthony Gonzalez

With the success of last year's young receivers, many forgot about "Gonzo." Just one season prior, many expected him to fill the shoes of Marvin Harrison in becoming just another Colts receiver with 1000 yards and 10 touchdowns.

It didn't happen.

Gonzo fell down with a non-contact injury just a few minutes into the 2009 season and after a few weeks of fearful anxiety, was mostly forgotten. Now, several spots below where he used to be on the depth chart, Gonzalez faces an uphill battle just to become the number three wide receiver (scary huh?).

Season defining moment:

His injury (sorry no footage).

2010 Outlook

I don't think any team has the ability to cover these receivers. Even the Colts' staff has dared to say that this crew is something special. Darrelle Revis can cover Wayne, he can cover Clark (actually, probably not haha!), and he can probably cover any of the others, but not all at once.

Expect five-wide and four-wide formations to become commonplace for the Colts this season.

2010 season defining moment:

Hopefully...raising the Lombardi Trophy