by Anthony Bialy
ProFootball365
May 13, 2008

Thanks to the opening scene in "Pulp Fiction," everyone knows that
“garcon” means boy. As for Pierre Garcon, he hopes to defy the
boundaries of his last name’s meaning by emerging as one of the guys
who functions as a target for Peyton Manning after serving as the man
on his college team. The little-school wide receiver has to prove that
he can successfully face pro cornerbacks after competing against non-
scholarship kids, but the Colts’ sixth-round draftee will if nothing
else receive the opportunity to elevate.

While not many schools with an undergraduate enrollment of 2,300 send
former students to major sports leagues, the fact is that Mount Union
product Garcon now faces that welcome prospect based on his athletic
achievements in an academic setting. Although the Ohio college has
established an incredible program that has won nine national
championships, not to mention that student-athletes admirably
participate out of pure fondness for the sport, the chances of most
participants making the big leagues from the lowest tier of college
football are about the same as winning the lottery after being struck
by lightning.

Garcon possesses the rare edge because of his categorically sublime
personal accomplishments. Including his freshman year spent at
Vermont’s Norwich University, he totaled 4,380 yards over his
collegiate career, gains which are as unbelievably fantastic as his 60
touchdowns. His average pickup of 17.8 yards per reception is mind-
boggling, too, no matter the level of opposition.

Aside from his tremendously prolific output, Garcon brings a
reputation as a physical wideout who particularly shines as a blocker.
Scouting blurbs claim that he makes up for what he lacks in field
speed and refinement with how willing he is to battle in traffic and
stand up to attackers with his 6-foot, 210-pound frame. A bit of
nastiness would nicely supplement what Indianapolis’ receivers
currently collectively display.

Certainly, the obvious concern is whether he’ll be able to excel at
what could mildly be called a superior level. Footballers who attend
schools in the Mountain Wests and Sun Belts of the world often
encounter questions about the quality of their adversaries; those
doubts will circulate around Garcon, who last year faced the
secondaries of teams such as Baldwin-Wallace, Otterbein, and, my
personal favorite postsecondary institution name ever, Muskingum,
until he demonstrates that he can outclass even preseason foes.

But, if the West Palm Beach, Fla., native can maintain his
aggressiveness while simultaneously focusing on refining his finesse
techniques, perhaps while residing on the practice squad, there’s no
reason why this good story about an attempt to pull off a tremendous
jump has to have culminated on draft weekend.

This was a good draft for the Colts to try and steal a catcher late as
opposed to grabbing a surer thing earlier. Even with questions
regarding Marvin Harrison’s health and, after the draft, legal status,
Indianapolis wisely added players like linebackers, tight ends, and
offensive linemen first before finally indulging by grabbing a wideout
with its eighth pick.

Regardless of whether Reggie Wayne remains the top receiver or if
Harrison regains the title, the reality is that they didn’t need to
spend a high choice this year on a wideout. The Colts roll with only
infrequent prominent additions, as with Anthony Gonzalez’s selection
last season; a stocked line and a quarterback whom fans may be aware
is somewhat renowned for his talents are the passing game’s true
engines.

From the player’s perspective, it works, too: Garcon owns the
advantage of joining a team where it’s relatively easy for receivers
to thrive, as he just needs to be able to hop aboard an already
churning freight train. It will of course be an imposing challenge,
but Garcon will get to prove whether his talents can carry him from
Division III to the AFC South Division.


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