Published: July 26, 2008 11:45 pm         

Young, hungry and fast: Behind Indy’s stars is talented crop of receivers

TERRE HAUTE — When the Indianapolis Colts let first-teamers Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez take a breather from practice and send their young reserves on the field, they don’t lose any speed.

These young receivers are not as crafty and experienced as multi-time Pro Bowlers Harrison and Wayne, but they’re definitely fast.

Roy Hall, whom the Colts drafted in the fifth round out of Ohio State in 2007, was timed in the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds at his Pro Day in March 2007.

The powerfully built Hall (6 feet 3, 240 pounds) suffered a shoulder injury in the third game and missed the remainder of the 2007 season.

“It was frustrating not being able to play, especially when we had a lot of guys go down [with injuries], including myself,” Hall reflected during training camp this weekend at Rose-Hulman. “I know I could have been contributing, but I wasn’t able to. Whenever you can’t do the thing that you love doing … it hurts.

“But you bounce back and I’m healthy now and ready to go.”

Hall insists he isn’t overly concerned about his role on the team this season. That’s for the coaches to decide, not him.

“Right now, I’m just concentrating on, No. 1, catching the ball and being the best receiver that I can be,” he said. “As long as I accomplish that — that I’m the best that I can be at receiver and on special teams — I think I’ll make some noise. I’m not really worried about where I stand on the depth chart and all that. My play will speak for itself. I’ll just let it take its course.”

If he’s called upon to replace an injured starter during the season, Hall promised that he’ll be prepared to fill those shoes.

“Absolutely,” he said. “I’m extremely confident.

“I think the way that we practice, we practice a lot of fundamentals and technique. No guy is treated higher than the next guy. So you have to step up your game. You have to bring your A-game every day in practice, every day in the games. If somebody goes down, you have to be able to step in. That’s why you’re a pro. That’s why you make the team. The backups have to be as good as the starters in order for the team to be successful. In my case, I’m just trying to do my best to get better. I’m always studying the guys in front of me and taking notes and just trying to get better.”

Another speedster on the roster is 6-0, 210-pound Pierre Garcon, a 2008 sixth-round draft pick from NCAA Division III Mount Union. At the NFL combine in February, he turned in a 40 time of 4.42.

“I’m hoping to help them win in any way possible — from special teams to backing up guys [at wide receiver] to catching balls and making plays,” Garcon said.

The Colts are looking at Garcon as a possible return man.

As for the obvious difference between the quality of NCAA Division III and NFL football, Garcon admitted the adjustment is difficult, but not impossible.

“It’s learning on the run, basically,” he said. “It’s a lot faster.”

Also in the mix for back-up time at wide receiver is 6-2, 200-pound Devin Aromashodu, who caught seven passes for 96 yards in six games with the Colts last season.

Hall is 24, Garcon will turn 22 Aug. 8 and Aromashodu is 24.

Asked Friday about his expectations for the young receivers, Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy offered an optimistic assessment.

“It’s a tough offense to learn, but we have some guys that we really like,” the Colts’ coach said. “Roy Hall coming into his second year, Devin [Aromashodu], I think those guys have a chance to blossom along with Pierre Garcon. We have a talented rookie class and I think from top to bottom, this receiver group might be as good as we’ve had here. Those young guys, the fight will be just to learn what we do, relax and show what they can do on the field. But in terms of talent, the ability to run and catch, they’ve got it.”

One teammate Hall and Garcon couldn’t help but notice in practice Friday morning was the 35-year-old Harrison, who wowed fans by making plays that resembled pre-2007 Harrison.

“Marvin looked excellent,” Hall said. “He didn’t miss a beat. He looked extremely healthy. His knees looked fine. He’s running faster than ever. He looks good. I was excited to see him back out there and happy to see him out there. Marv was just out there being Marv, catching the ball and making big plays. He’ll continue to do that throughout the season.”

“I don’t see anything wrong with him,” Garcon noted. “He’s quick and fast, extremely fast.”

Other young wide receivers hoping to survive the Colts’ cut this summer are Charles Dillon (Washington State), Sam Giguere (Sherbrooke, Quebec) and Onrea Jones (Hampton), plus former Indiana University standout and former Tennessee Titan Courtney Roby.