Marques Colston
Encyclopedia
Marques Colston is an American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

 wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...

 for the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

 of the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...

. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft
2006 NFL Draft
The 2006 National Football League Draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006. For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by...

 as a supplemental compensatory pick. Following the trade of receiver Donté Stallworth, Colston was inserted into the starting lineup for week 1 of the season, becoming one of the few seventh round picks ever to start week 1 for their team. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...

 at Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...

. He is nicknamed 'The Quiet Storm' due to his reserved demeanor and exceptional talent. Colston most recently has been rated #53 on the list of Top 100 NFL players of 2011.

Colston is one of the part-owners of his hometown Harrisburg Stampede
Harrisburg Stampede
The Harrisburg Stampede is a professional indoor football team in American Indoor Football. The team plays its home games at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center....

 of the Southern Indoor Football League
Southern Indoor Football League
The Southern Indoor Football League was an indoor football league based in the Southern and Eastern United States. The most recent incarnation of the league was a consolidation of an earlier league of the same name that was formed by Thom Hager along with Dan Blum, Robert Winfrey and Dan Ryan in...

.

Early years

Colston's father, James, played briefly in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....

: Marques began playing football at a very young age. James Colston died when Marques was 14. Colston attended Susquehanna Township High School
Susquehanna Township High School
Susquehanna Township High School is a public high school located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania serving students from Susquehanna Township.-Graduation Rate:...

, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...

 and was a letterman in football and track. In football, he won All-Conference honors as a wide receiver/defensive end. In track, he qualified for the 2001 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc. is one of the governing bodies of high school and junior high school sports for the state of Pennsylvania, United States....

 (PIAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the javelin with a throw of 187 feet (57 m), 10 inches. Colston graduated from Susquehanna Township High School soon after in June 2001.

College career

Colston received a scholarship to the Division I-A Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...

 but turned the offer down in favor of Division I-AA Hofstra
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...

.

In four seasons at Hofstra, Colston appeared in 40 games (37 starts) and recorded 182 catches for a school-record 2,834 yards and 18 touchdowns. Colston was named to the All-Atlantic 10 first team after making a career-high 70 receptions for 976 yards (13.9 avg.) and five touchdowns.

Colston had 14 receptions for 335 yards (23.9 avg.) and three touchdowns as a freshman. In 2002, he made 47 grabs for 614 yards (13.06 avg.) and three scores. As a junior in 2003, Colston led the team with 51 receptions for 910 yards (17.8 avg.) and seven touchdowns. Colston redshirted the 2004 season due to a shoulder injury.

2006 NFL Draft

Colston declared for the 2006 NFL Draft. He was tipped in many prospect profile to become a tight end, because of his size and catching ability, but was also predicted to go undrafted. He was selected in the 7th Round of the draft, 252nd overall, by the New Orleans Saints.

{|
|-
|
{| class="wikitable"
| colspan="10" align="center" | Pre-draft measureables
|-
!Wt
!40y
40 yard dash
The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time in the 40 can have a heavy impact on his prospects in college or professional football...


!20ss
20 yard shuttle
The 20-yard shuttle, also simply called the short shuttle, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the quickness and change-of-direction ability of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting...


!3-cone
3 cone drill
The 3 cone drill, or three cone drill, is a test performed by American football athletes at the NFL combine. It is primarily run to evaluate the agility, quickness and fluidity of movement of players by scouts, particularly for the NFL Draft but also for collegiate recruiting...


!Vert
Vertical jump
A vertical jump or vertical leap is the act of raising one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles; it is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill.-Types of vertical jump:The vertical jump is...


!BP
Bench press
The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...


|-
| ALIGN="center" |224 lb*
| ALIGN="center" |4.50s*
| ALIGN="center" |4.44s*
| ALIGN="center" |6.96s*
| ALIGN="center" |37"*
| ALIGN="center" |2
|}(* represents NFL Combine
NFL Combine
The National Invitational Camp or NFL Scouting Combine, as it is more widely known, is a week-long showcase, occurring every February in Indianapolis, Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium , where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Football League coaches, general...

)

New Orleans Saints

After a great performance at minicamp and the unlikely trade of fellow WR Donte Stallworth to the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

, Colston was thrust into a week 1 starting position against all odds. He is one of a select group of round 7 draft picks who started their teams' first regular season games. He repaid coach Sean Payton
Sean Payton
Patrick Sean Payton is the current head coach of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Payton was a quarterback at Naperville Central High School and Eastern Illinois University and played professionally in 1987 and 1988...

 for his faith in him by having a starring role and creating an early partnership with Drew Brees
Drew Brees
Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....

. By week 9 of the season, Marques had 54 catches for 869 yards and seven touchdowns through nine games of the 2006 regular season; at this point, he was leading the league in receiving yardage and tied for the lead in touchdowns, and was one of the favorites to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In the Saints' week eleven game on November 20, 2006, Colston injured his ankle on his team's first possession and did not return to the game. Colston was sidelined until week 14, when he returned to action against the Dallas Cowboys in the Saints' 42-17 win on Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football
NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color...

. He helped the Saints to the playoffs and a 10-6 record. The Saints beat the Eagles and made it to the NFC Championship Game with the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

. Despite Colston scoring a touchdown, the Saints fell 39-14 ending the team's magical season.

Colston tied for second in voting for Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL Rookie of the Year Award
Since 1967, the Associated Press has given two annual Rookie of the Year Awards to National Football League players: one for an offensive player and one for a defensive player. These two are often regarded as the "official" awards...

, behind Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...

 quarterback Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...

, and with Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

 running back Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Jones-Drew
Maurice Christopher Jones-Drew is a professional American football player who currently plays running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...

. He had more votes than his fellow rookie teammate, the much more celebrated Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush
Reginald Alfred "Reggie" Bush II is an American football running back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft...

, who was picked 2nd overall by the Saints. Colston was among the NFC
National Football Conference
The National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,...

 leaders in receptions (70), receiving yards (1,038) and receiving TDs (8).

He returned to the Saints for his sophomore season as the franchise's number one wide receiver.

Against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...

 on the 28th of October 2007, Colston caught a career high 3 touchdown passes from Drew Brees and guided the Saints to a victory. For the 2007 season, Colston set a team record for receptions (98), besting the previous mark set by Joe Horn
Joe Horn
Joseph Horn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft, and also played for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...

. Colston also tied Horn's record for touchdown receptions in a season (11).

On July 23, Colston signed a 3-year contract extension with the Saints through the 2011 season.

In 2008 Colston suffered a broken thumb after a hit by Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...

 on a quick slant pass in the Saints week 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Bucanneers, this sidelined Colston for 4 weeks and Lance Moore
Lance Moore
Lance Andrew Moore is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2005...

 moved up into the starting receiver position.

Colston returned for the week 7 game vs Carolina but did not seem comfortable with his thumb in the cast and didn't play a vital role.
That all changed in London, however, as out of nowhere, Colston produced a 54-yard catch and run, eventually brought down by Antonio Cromartie.

As the season was drawing to a close in week 12 of the NFL season, the Saints played a Monday Night Football game vs the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...

, who were considered to possess one of the best secondaries in the league.
Halfway through the game, Colston hadn't recorded a reception and Lance Moore already had two touchdowns, one of them for 70 yards.
On a big 3rd and 7 conversion opportunity, Colston showed New Orleans why he was still the big play threat as he hauled in his first reception of the night and took it 70 yards down the field beating Charles Woodson
Charles Woodson
Charles C. Woodson is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . He played college football at the University of Michigan for the Michigan Wolverines. In 1997, Woodson led the Wolverines to a national championship...

 on a corner route.
This added to the Saints victory over the Packers by the score of 51-29.

Despite not playing for the start of the season, nearer to the end Colston displayed that he was still Drew Brees' go to guy as he ended the season with 760 yards, adding 5 touchdowns.

Colston holds the NFL record for most receptions in a player's first two seasons with 168.

Colston helped the Saints achieve victory in Super Bowl XLIV
Super Bowl XLIV
Super Bowl XLIV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Indianapolis Colts and the National Football Conference champion New Orleans Saints to decide the National Football League champion for the 2009 season. The Saints defeated the Colts by a score of...

 with 7 receptions for 83 yards.

Career statistics

{| class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin:0;"
!width=30|
Year
!
Team
!width=30|
G
!width=30|
GS
!width=30|
Rec
!width=30|
Yards
!width=30|
AVG
!width=30|
LG
!width=30|
TD
!width=30|
20+
!width=30|
40+
!width=30|
1st
|- align=center
|2006 ||NO
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

  ||14 ||12 ||70 ||1,038 ||14.8 ||86 ||8 ||15 ||3 ||51
|- align=center
|2007 ||NO
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

  ||16 ||14 ||98 ||1,202 ||12.3 ||45 ||11 ||14 ||2 ||64
|- align=center
|2008 ||NO
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

  ||11 ||6 ||47 ||760 ||16.2 ||70 ||5 ||12 ||3 ||35
|- align=center
|2009 ||NO
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

  ||16 ||16 ||70 ||1,074 ||15.3 ||68 ||9 ||18 ||4 ||54
|- align=center
|2010 ||NO
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

||16 ||14 ||84 ||1,023 ||12.2 ||43 ||7 ||12 ||1 ||57
|- align=center
|Career ||-- ||72 ||62 ||369 ||5,097 ||13.8 ||86 ||40 ||71 ||13 ||265
|}

External links

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