PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Saints: The struggles of Marques Colston
Wade Kreider | November 13, 2014


A troubling trend for the New Orleans Saints this season, has been the lack of production they are getting from the wide receiver position. None of them have graded positively in the passing game, leaving the team without an adequate complement to Jimmy Graham.

The biggest surprise has been the drop-off from Marques Colston, whose 2014 per-game marks of 3.3 receptions, 53.3 yards and 0.1 touchdowns, are all easily career lows. Last season, Colston was one of the most reliable receivers in the league, dropping only 3 passes for a 3.85 Drop Rate, fourth-best among qualifying receivers. This season Colston already has 5 drops for a 14.29 Drop Rate.

Through Week 10 last season, Colston was producing 1.62 Yards Per Route Run, which rose to 1.89 from the slot. This season those same numbers have decreased to 1.48 and 1.61, respectively. Drew Brees’ passer rating when targeting Colston has also seen a steep decline, going from 105.3 to 83.7 in the same period. All of this leads to Colston’s current grade of -9.3 in the passing game, 12.6 points lower than his +3.3 grade at this point last season.
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https://www.profootballfocus.com/blo...rques-colston/

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Really don't understand what's happened to colston

I wanted to physically throw up when he dropped that 40 yard pass vs 9ers, completely busted coverage

Since that fumble in week 1 he's not been the same.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Colston doesn't look like himself.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

One catch this week would put him #2 in yards but nowhere near #2 in receptions. Certainly being targeted less. With Morgan coming back he may go down even more. Probably hurt is what I'm thinking. One Of Brees's most trusted targets.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

There are lots of disappointments to go around however Colston and Kenny Vacarro are the biggest for me so far in 2014.

Still a lot of football that has yet to be played and I have no doubt both will improve... specifically Colston.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

This sounds harsh but to be honest, he just looks apathetic.

He is here to cash a check now. When he makes mistakes his reaction reminds me of Aaron Brooks (aside from the week 1 fumble).

I think his drive is non-existent now. :(

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Disappointments for me:

Offense:
Colston
Brees

Defense:
Hicks
Vaccaro

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Colston just looks like he hasn't gotten over that fumble @ ATL. He just looks distracted and dejected at times.

Speaking of that one particular blunder, you've all heard the old adage "The first game help sets the tone for the rest of the season"? We blow a 20-7 first half lead to only lose the game in OT. It's eerie considering 4 out of our 5 losses have about the same blueprint.

Maybe far-fetched & idiotic, but do you think Colston is taking too much personal responsibility for this season's failures based on that play? When self-doubt starts rattling around in your noggin, it does affect performance.

Or I could just be a moron who is thinking waaay too much into this.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

If you're thinking, you're not a moron.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

I don't think its a moronic idea at all

Self doubt can manifest itself in many different ways, a sports player with self doubt will not make that all important catch because they are worried about screwing up

Maybe week 1 fumble and not being targeted at all in Week 2 has shaken his confidence, Colston was never one to voice his opinions.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

If I could "triple-like" this I would. I completely forgot about Week 2.

The last time he touched the ball he fumbled in OT that helped freakin' ATL get a "W", then he plays the entire game next week without even having a pass attempt come his way.

Man...yeah, I can definitely see where the self-doubt seed could have been planted.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

I love me some Colston and I am ready for a balls to the wall breakout game for him! I don't give up on the Quiet Storm nor do I give up on my Saints. So all of you naysayers, Wait for it... So sick of the negative talk. Stopped coming to the site. Sky is not falling chicken little. However, it is here in NC with the kitty fans. Suck it up and support your team. None of us are out there on the field. Just TV QB's and it's a helluva lot easier sitting in my living room. #girlsickofwhinya$$menhating

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

If you had been around the site in the last few weeks most of the posts are positive...

People understand where we are and the potential for the season.

Criticism and speculation isn't a bad thing for fans to do, but if you only look at the negative threads then guess what your going to find...

Honestly I think the mood around here is generally positive right now.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Sky ain't fallin'...this thread is about Colston struggling, which he is right now. Nobody wants him to continue to drop passes, and I wouldn't even imagine folks would even want to get rid of him. Pro athletes hit slumps...fact. Colston is in one right now.

I don't know where the "we're not supporting the team" came from, but we're all pulling for Colston to turn it up and tear it up. He's gonna be vital to win this division.

Many of us feel this team will win this division, which equates to at least 1 home playoff game. If that sounds like "sky's falling" talk...well...I honestly don't know what to tell you, man.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

I agree the bashing does go a little overboard on these guys....you cant really get into a rhythym in this offense...Unless you're Graham its anyones week. But I will say the disappointment for me this season is Vaccaro...I think that injury is still there and its killing the secondary

PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Colston has mailed it in. All the younger receivers surrounding him are making him feel old. He knows he is in decline with the good years behind him. He is done.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

8 years of film on him isn't helping.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Don't agree he has mailed it in,that would mean he doesn't care i i dont agree with that. No doubt injuries and a career or taking hits are taking there toll on his body but imo he is committed just struggling for various reasons. He is on cousre for over 800yards. One of the big drops has been his TDs,but as the team looks to Graham more and more his red zone targets decrease.


He isnt playing well but i would never suggest he isn't trying,too much of a pro for that

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Colston has a big opportunity over the next 6 weeks, need him to catch fire or the Saints have very little shot at making it to the playoffs. In any event, it appears father time may be catching him now. Honestly believe we are about to see his last 6 regular season games in a Saints uniform, so time to go out with a bang!

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Colston will again become a force, because the team needs him to.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

I have been wondering if he might have a nagging injury that causes him problem. His play this year has been so different from yesteryears.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Age catches up to all of them at different time. It's Colson's time

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Colston is getting no separation
His drops are problematic
He looks so tentative

I love Marcus but he just isn't making it happen

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

i think he is gun shy. year after year of injuries has screwed up his head IMO

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Marques Colston, no worries here. He's still one of the best.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

For all its worth none of the WR have played well this year. Cooks by far has been the best but no one has play up to par. We are so used to Colston catching everything and taking those hard hits that it's just baffling to see him drop the easy ones.

If the offense is going to get back on track it's going to have to start with him trusting himself and Brees putting the ball where he can get it.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Colston looked good against the Ravens secondary
He had some key grabs

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Lost a step he couldn't afford too lose. Cut him. Morgan is an inch taller and runs faster than Odell Beckham Jr. cut Stills too. On the reverse Stills ran against Baltimore for 3 yd loss, he was terrified and dove backwards to avoid contact. He won't go across the middle. You can't learn to have NUTS. When I said Morgan over Stills in pre-season ya'll dogged me. Where are all the Stills fans who swore he is a #1 WR? Saints best available WRs-Cooks, Jimmy Graham(TEs run block), Morgan, Toon, Andy Tanner(getting deserved shot).

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

I never thought Stills was a #1 WR, and he often times is covered well. He made a lucky catch that could have been picked and then there was the catch where he made and went out of bounds instead of going forward. And I remember the eagles game where he let a deep pass by Brees get intercepted.

I don't get why Saunder can't be used in the offense other than returning. He played on the same team as Stills in college.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Isn't it ironic that the first game Colston looks really like himself, Jimmy drops every pass thrown his way....

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

You're joking right? No one blocked on the Stills reverse, he had nowhere to run.
We don't have any #1 WR and never have since Eric Martin. We have quality receivers that can each be used in certain ways.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

I think that ankle/foot injury still plagues him. Several times he seemed to favor, saw it really good on the unsuccessful attempt into the endzone. But I think he gives it all he has for the team and that is good with me.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Colston is like the lion who has had too many fights...and the young lions just keep coming.
He still has fight. He's not just feeling old, he is old.
His troubles are part of a bigger struggle with the other 10 guys he lines up with.
I remember when Payton wouldn't let guys hang their head. But now...
Somebody tell me that Graham looks any better... he doesn't..he looks sluggish too.
Colston flourished because we could spread defenses thin.
That's not the case anymore. Brees had 4 GOOD options + a safety valve.
Keep Graham and Colston from getting off the line of scrimmage and what's left?
Teams have figured it out and Saints haven't countered.
Colston was never quick, and did not need to be.
His routes were never crisp, and they didn't have to be.
Now it's different. Now he has to create separation and can't...but he never could.
He has made the catches and taken the punishment like a man...for years.
Brees has stretched him wide open more times than we can count.
So much so, that I've seen him alligator arm a few that I've seen him go for in times past.
I know things have changed because he has resorted to catching the ball in his gut and bread basket, and not with his hands.
Colston misses Lance Moore too.
His difficulties are a bigger picture issue.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

I predict we're going to see a clear uptick in the play of Colston over the final five contests. I think we're going to start seeing 100 yard games again. At least that is my wish. :)

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

He started the year horrible. Never seen so many dropped passes. He seems to be doing a better job now but still not the Col son we know and love.

I also attribute the poor performance of our receivers to Brees decline in accuracy. Our we have been good but Breeds really made them look better than they really are because he was accurate as hell.

I'm hoping the accuracy issues are more due to his preseason injury than anything else.

We really need to draft a qb but unfortunately we have bigger needs.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston
 

Joe Horn was a legit #1. He put up huge numbers and gave defenses fits being our only receiving threat and with Aaron Brooks as his QB. Morgan has nearly identical physical tools, but is a little taller and both show early on that they get open deep and catch long balls.

Re: PFF: The struggles of Marques Colston