Austin Collie Update

by sroufe on Dec 15, 2009 6:00 AM PST

BYU's all-time greatest wide receiver, Austin Collie, was drafted 127th overall last April. The Indianapolis Colts selected him in the 4th round after 19 other receivers had been picked. The Colts drafted Collie after releasing 36 year-old All-Pro Marvin Harrison. Harrison had accounted for over 600 yards receiving in 2008 and the Colts' rookie wideout Pierre Garcon had only made 4 catches all last season. Indianapolis hoped Collie could provide some much needed depth behind All-Pro Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez.

Not only has Collie provided the necessary depth team President Bill Polian and General Manager Chris Polian were looking for, but he has turned into one of Peyton Manning's primary targets. Collie has scored a touchdown in each of the past two contests and ranks among the NFL's top rookie receivers. You could easily argue that Collie and Minnesota rookie receiver Percy Harvin (drafted 22nd overall) have been the two best rookie receivers in the league this season.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that they are each catching passes from two of the greatest passers in league history. Still, after the Colts lost Gonzalez for the season in Week 1, Collie and Garcon have each stepped in and performed exceptionally well. And now, with the Colts having clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs and possibly resting players like Wayne and TE Dallas Clark, Collie could get even more touches in the last few games.

NFL writer Don Banks of Sports Illustrated released a "Draft Redux" re-projecting the first round of the 2009 draft. Where does Collie fall? How about in the first round, 26th overall (to Green Bay), and as the 4th receiver taken.

Here's a brief look at where Collie ranks this season:

Category*	Total	Rookie Rank	NFL Rank
Receptions	50	1st	40th
Yards	540	6th	56th
Average	10.8	10th	83rd
Touchdowns	6	Tied - 1st	Tied-17th

*Among all players with at least 25 receptions

Here are also some links detailing more of Collie's success as a rookie:

An early take on Colts' No. 3 receiver - ESPN (8/12)
Anthony Gonzalez still not ready to practice ... - Stampede Blue (12/8)
Austin Collie, Colts... - FanHouse (10/12)
Austin Collie makes his move among NFL rookies - The Hazean (10/29)
Collie a pleasant surprise for Colts - Deseret News (10/19)
Collie's TD doom Titans - Indianapolis Star (10/12)
Colts' Collie getting some love from "The King" - Stampede Blue (8/26)
Garon, Collie don't miss a beat in Colts' offense - Indy.com (10/8)
Oak Ridge's Collie running with the Colts - ESPN Radio, Sacramento (10/13)
Rookie of the Year: Austin Collie? - Stampede Blue (11/5)

Collie Highlights from Colts v. Seahawks in October (including Collie's first touchdown reception):

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Comments

Hi Cougars fans

BBS here. I’m the Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. I’ll just re-iterate what sroufe wrote about regarding Austin Collie: He was one of the biggest steals in the draft. Collie is playing better than Indy’s first and second round picks. He’s playing better than most of the wideouts drafted ahead of him. And while it does help having someone like Peyton Manning throw him the ball, the fact of the matter is Peyton absolutely LOVES Austin Collie as one of his go-to receivers. Collie is a workaholic (like Manning), watches tons of film (like Manning), and is a relentless perfectionist (again, like Manning). They have excellent chemistry, and the results speak for themselves: 50 catches, 540 yards, 6 TDs is absolutely outstanding for a rookie WR, no matter where he is drafted.

Collie is one of the better rookie players in the league today. He reps your school, and your football program, very well in the pros.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account so you can post a FanPost, make a FanShot, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by Brad Wells on Dec 16, 2009 9:56 AM PST reply actions

Also

Collie’s 50 catches lead all rookie WRs in the NFL.

by Brad Wells on Dec 16, 2009 9:58 AM PST up reply actions

Thanks for stopping by BBS!

Vanquish the Foe

by sroufe on Dec 16, 2009 1:18 PM PST up reply actions

I'm curious

Is there talk of Austin being in the ROY discussion? His stats are terrific, and he’s getting the national publicity, so I’d be surprised if he’s name isn’t mentioned in those round tables.

Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation

by Layton on Dec 16, 2009 8:17 PM PST up reply actions

Colts fan here.

No, he’s not. It sucks, but most, if not all, of the offensive ROY discussion is going to Percy Harvin. I haven’t really heard Collie’s name floated around outside of Colts circles.

"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Finals suck.

by Cassieper on Dec 17, 2009 11:13 AM PST up reply actions