Colston quietly closing in on Saints franchise records
While going through a statistical drought over the past several weeks, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston did not want to talk to the media. This silence is not uncharacteristic of Colston, who gained the nickname “Quiet Storm.”
However, after a bounce back 100-yard game against the Dallas Cowboys last week, Colston in closing in on two Saints franchise records: Most career receiving yards and most yards from scrimmage.
According to ESPN, Colston opened up a bit on his upcoming achievements, via the Saints’ public relations staff:
"While it is certainly an accomplishment to set these records and something that I am proud of, my focus right now is on our team week to week and how I can contribute to us continuing to win football games."
Colston only needs 12 yards to break Eric Martin’s record of 7,854 receiving yards and 16 yards to beat Martin’s 7,865 yards from scrimmage.
While Colston would never boast of it himself, he already holds the Saints’ franchise records with for career touchdowns scored with 60, and career receptions with 566, records that he is sure to improve on.
“Even though these records are individual records, others here have also played an important role in this,” Colston said. “Credit has to also go to the coaching staff and my teammates here for helping put me in position to make plays.”
Before the Dallas game, Colston was have a relatively quiet year. He missed a game with a knee injury two weeks ago. For the prior three weeks, he combined for only six receptions for 44 yards, the quietest span in his career.
Still, quarterback Drew Brees, who has been Colston’s since joining the Saints, didn’t think his go-to receiver was frustrated during this stretch:
"I don’t know. He’s so steady all the time. At least for me, you always know what you’re going to get from him. Some games are going to be bigger than others or just kind of the way they play out. Maybe a couple of games stretch where he’s catching a lot of balls, catching a lot of touchdowns, and then all of the sudden there’s a quieter few weeks. But during those quieter few weeks, Lance Moore is having a big day. It’s Kenny Stills or Meachem. I think you guys have seen enough of it over the last few years that we spread it out quite a bit in that way."
In the win against Dallas, Colston exploded for 107 yards, his first 100-yard game of the season. His previous season-high was 96 yards in Week 4.
"He looked great. I think he felt great. Marques is a tough guy and he’s always battling something. But he’s always going to be present, and he’s always going to give you his best, and he’s always going to be a playmaker and there for you in crunch time."
In the Saints offense, which spreads the ball around so much, the 30-year-old Colston is going to have some quiet games. However, while he may be a “Quiet Storm,” he will continue to be a danger to opposing defenses.