Colts Talk: Is Pierre Garcon The Answer for Indiana at the Slot?

After reading from a popular blog called The Colts Corner, I read an article about the Colts questions and answers. One question asked by Bryan Brackney, the owner of the site, was who will be the surprise player for Indianapolis coming into the 2009-10 season? Well, Bryan answered that the person who will be the surprise player is in the title above: Pierre Garcon. As Bryan observed, Garcon has been doing well at training camp and the Colts look to put him at punt/kick returner as well as the slot receiver. That brought me to something; is Pierre Garcon the answer for the Colts at the slot position? This is what the Indianapolis Colts are apparently talking about. Well, as of right now, I received an email on June 21. And I just couldn't believe who it was: Pierre Garcon. I asked Pierre a couple of months ago if he and I can hook up for an interview as I contacted him at his website, and he said yes. But just because I am going to interview him, that doesn't mean I want him to be the guy to take over at the slot position. Sure, many people have been arguing that Roy Hall and Austin Collie should be the guys. Some people are even considering Taj Smith as a canidate to fill the position, but I believe he'll make the practice squad. However, I do believe that Garcon is just the perfect choice. Colts fan have seen him play last year in the 2008-09 season and he was pretty good. He was capable of being a starting kick/punt returner but he wasn't there in all of the games. The Colts switched most of the time. Last year, it was a mix between many players, mostly with Najeh Davenport and Garcon himself. But Garcon isn't just the receiver for the kick/punt return, although I highly believe that Garcon will earn that spot. So now that we know that Garcon is going to pursue the spot in the return, people are wondering if he can handle being the slot receiver. It's going to be tough for Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez taking everything, yet, the Colts also have a key player in Dallas Clark. But by saying that, Clark can't handle it all the time as well and we have seen him in the slot position at times. But the Colts are opening up younger guys and that's why there is an opportunity in the hands of Garcon. In Week Three of the preseason last year against the Atlanta Falcons, a highlight was shown of Jared Lorenzen lobbing a 60-yard bomb to the left of the field where Pierre Garcon was being covered by what appeared to be two or three guys. As I witnessed this, in what I call an underrated play, Garcon leaped over all of the defenders and caught the pigskin that landed right into his hands. It was one of the most exciting plays I have seen, especially from a receiver like Garcon. In the 2008-09 season, Garcon only caught four passes for 23 yards. Sure, it isn't what is expected as very good, but hey, many fourth-string or lower receivers in the depth chart never really get the popular stats people think with the strong passing offense of the Colts. I think Garcon can do something with the Colts this year. He told me he is long waiting for a touchdown and I believe if he wins this slot position this year, the fans won't be disappointed. Not one bit.