2012 NFL Free Agents: Why Pierre Garcon Is a Perfect Fit for the Miami Dolphins

He may not be the crown jewel of the NFL free-agency period in 2012, but Pierre Garcon is poised to be one of the budding young stars if he lands in the right situation.

One of those destinations is Joe Philbin's Miami Dolphins.

If Garcon takes his talents to South Beach, he would be the missing deep threat that the Dolphins need to open up Philbin and Mike Sherman's spread attack.

Also, if he brings his former quarterback from Indianapolis, the more the merrier.

Here is why Pierre Garcon should be in aqua and orange when training camp opens.

He's a Deep Threat

The Miami Dolphins currently lack closing speed in their wide receiver corps, unless you include Brandon Marshall’s Pro Bowl heroics or Clyde Gates' NFL combine. 

When defenses prepared for Miami last season, they only needed to play one safety deep and were able to prevent the big play.

Garcon would provide a spark in the vertical passing game. He finished with nine receptions of more than 20 yards and four that went for 40-plus yards. Also, three out of his six touchdowns this season were over 40 yards.

Any more questions about Garcon’s ability to finish the play can be answered in the accompanying video. He would provide the ability to take a pass for six points on any play.

These players are essential to the Dolphins' spread attack because the defense will have to account for the deep thirds. Brian Hartline and Davone Bess simply do not have the wheels.

He Has Succeeded with Good and Bad Quarterback Play

For all the stat geeks out there:

Pierre Garcon in 2010 with QB Peyton Manning: 14 GP, 47 REC, 765 YDS, 4 TD.

Pierre Garcon in 2011 with QBs Curtis Painter/Dan Orlovsky: 14 GP, 67 REC, 784 YDS, 6 TD.

Whether the Dolphins suit up with Matt Moore, Matt Flynn or a rookie QB, Garcon will not be discouraged by a bad situation. He’s already gone through a 2-14 season. And he thrived.

In addition, Garcon had six receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns in one game against the New England Patriots.

Who was the quarterback?

You guessed it: Dan Orlovsky.

He Has Better Hands Than Most of the Dolphins

In 2011 the Miami Dolphins were mired by dropped passes late in games. Brandon Marshall’s miscues were well documented, as he finished with the 12 drops on the season. 

Pierre Garcon’s hands are a different story. Check out his ridiculous one-handed grab in the video. If he doesn’t have super glue on his gloves, I’m not buying it. 

The former Colts receiver’s sure hand would be a sure target underneath for whichever quarterback sits under center. Anthony Fasano, Brian Hartline and Marshall get a case of the dropsies from time to time.

Garcon will have no problem. If he caught Peyton Manning's balls for a while, other QB’s balls feel like softballs.

Familiarity with Peyton Manning

If it wasn’t for Peyton Manning, Pierre Garcon would not be seeking a nice NFL payday.

Manning and Garcon could both be on the way out of Indianapolis. You know what they say: misery loves company.

An exit from Indy could be following by a reunion in Miami. For those that want to see No. 18 in a Miami Dolphins’ uniform, Garcon could be a recruiting chip if Peyton wants to take his time to check out his options. Vice versa if Manning were to sign with Miami first.

On the field, the quarterback-wide receiver combo would have no time getting reacquainted with each other. 

There is a chance, though, that Peyton may have some trouble getting back to throwing and reacting at an NFL speed. 

What could be better for a rehabilitating QB than to have a familiar face running the quick slant?

This pairing in a Miami Dolphins uniform would make both Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman’s job a whole lot easier.

Experience with the Spread in Indy

Joe Philbin has indicated he wants to bring a spread philosophy to Dolphins football, with four- and five-wide receiver sets aplenty.

If that last sentence was a Facebook status, Pierre Garcon would like this. 

Garcon has been brought up solely in the spread attack along with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. His best football has come out of the flex position in three- and four-wide receiver sets. 

He would be an ideal option receiver, as he'd be able to run the precise comeback to the sideline or use his pure speed down the seam.

Garcon would certainly have familiarity with the Dolphins' new style of offense.