New Orleans Saints Love 7th Rounder Marques Colston

Following in his father (James Colston)  foot steps as a youngster Marques Colston started playing football at Susquehanna Township High School where he was a Letterman in football and track.

He also won All-Conference honors as a wide receiver/defensive end, which is odd to think him being a pass rushing defensive end instead of a touchdown catching machine.

In track he qualified for the 2001 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Outdoor track and Field Championships in the javelin with a throw of 187  feet 10 inches.

In June 2001 he graduated high school with a scholarship offer from Division 1A Missouri but turned it down in favor of Division 1AA Hofstra.

In 4 seasons at Hofstra ,with Colston’s best season coming in his junior season where led the team with 51 receptions for 910 yards and 7 touchdowns, he finished his college career having  appeared in 40 games recording 182 catches for a school record 2,834 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Colston declared for the 2006 draft where he projected by scouts to become a tight end given his height and catching ability but because he played football at 1-AA Hofstra he was overlooked.

The New Orleans Saints liked what they saw and took Colston late in the draft buring a seventh round pick without much hesitation.

That turned out to be the biggest steal in the 2006 draft and could be one of the best of all time in Saints history.

Since the New Orleans Saints drafted Colston he has been the most underrated receiver in the league.

In his rookie season he played in 14 games and had  70 receptions for 1038 yards and 8 touchdowns and was second in voting behind  Tennessee Titan QB Vince Young for rookie of the year.

Then in 2007 Colston set a team record with 98 receptions, besting the previous mark set by Saints receiver Joe Horn, and matched his record for touchdowns in a season with 11.

His career totals equal or surpass every recevier taken above him in the 2006 draft which is pretty impressive stuff considering he was only 3 picks away from being “Mr. Irrelevant” at number 252.

His drafting projects on Saints General Manager Micky Loomis and Coach Sean Payton who look like geniuses for taking him when others would not.

His career stat averages have him as the top receiver taken in the 2006 draft with wide-outs Brandon Marshal (Miami) and Santonio Holmes (NY Jets) following behind.

Through 13 games this season his numbers are astounding once again and with 13 games played  has posted 76 catches for 921 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Most receivers have a tendency to stand out in this league with these type of numbers, but Saints receiver Marques Colston prefers no notoriety and plays as team player first and foremost.

He is the number one receiver for the Saints and quarterback Drew Brees, a true professional football player and never makes a scene when he catches a touchdown or first down.

He goes about his job and helps the Saints with everything Saints Coach Sean Payton asks of him.

Who Dat believes in them Saints, WE DO GEAUX SAINTS!

Check out Keith Null’s weekly article about the Saints on NFL.com by clicking here.

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