Advocate staff photo by ELIOT KAMENITZ– New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) scores a first quarter touchdown past defenders Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) and Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee (50) as Dallas Cowboys the New Orleans Saint play the Dallas Cowboys at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013.
After not speaking to the media all regular season, Saints receiver Marques Colston spoke at the locker room in his team’s training facility Friday about his being disappointed in his performance this year. The owner of a championship ring from the Saints’ victory in Super Bowl XLIV as well as the franchise’s major receiving records also declined multiple times to speak too much about what was beyond Sunday’s season finale at Tampa Bay (2-13).
New Orleans (6-9) was eliminated from the playoffs with a Week 16 loss at home to Atlanta (6-9).
(Give us your take on the season, team-wise and individually)
“Obviously it was not the season collectively we were looking to have. That being said, we have one game left and the focus on going to Tampa and getting a win.”
(Your teammates gushed about how tough you are. How do you feel now?)
“I would say I feel like everyone else in Week 17 of the NFL season. Obviously, it’s a physical game. … Obviously, it takes a toll, as far as looking forward, I’m not ready to do that quite yet. We still have an important division game (at Tampa Bay) for us that we’re looking to go win and that’s where the focus is.”
(What about a mental toll?)
“You start to feel the grind obviously as the season continues to get yourself to a place mentally where you can go out and perform physically and try to find a way to get better day in and day out in practice. It’s tough, but that’s what the game talks for.”
(Why have you refused to speak to the media since Week 1?)
Note: It was during Week 1 that Colston lost a fumble in overtime at Atlanta that set up a game-winning field goal for the Falcons.
“To be quite honest with you, it really had nothing to do with Atlanta or the end of the game. Just some of the stuff that was in the media earlier in the season, and a lot of it didn’t have to do with this locker room. I just really wasn’t a fan of how it was being handled. And it just kind of went from there.”
(What was it, specifically?)
“Like I said, it had nothing to do with anyone in this locker room. My outlook on the media as a whole kind of shifted. It was nothing personal, nothing against you guys personally, just an overall deal.”
(Are you disappointed in this season?)
Note: Colston this year leads the Saints in receiving yards (851); but, according to the website Pro Football Focus, he also tops the team in dropped passes with seven.
“Clearly, it’s not a secret I didn’t play up to my own standards. I’ve got to live with that. I feel like as one of the veteran guys, it was a situation where we’ve got a younger room and obviously those guys are looking to the leaders. Not being able to perform to my standards is tough, but it is what it is this year. I’ve got a lot to build on this offseason and before we get to that, I’ve got to finish strong in Tampa.”
(In what ways are you not performing up to your standards?)
“The tape speaks for itself. Putting the ball on the ground, that’s just something that I shouldn’t be doing. It’s just one of those things where it’s just been a tough year, personally, and obviously we’ve struggled as a team. I pride myself on trying to be part of the solution; instead this year, I feel like I was part of the problem at times.”
(Does that give you fire for next season?)
“Each year is kind of a single unit at this point. … We have an important game and finishing on the right note is important for this time. I think I’ll be able to reflect when it’s time, and I don’t think it’s time.”
(This is an obvious question, but: why?)
“That’s not a question there’s an answer for. Like you said, if I knew what it was, I would fix it.”
(If it came down to it, would you play for another team or retire?)
“With all due respect, that’s an irresponsible question. I’m focused on playing a game in two days. It’s just not a place where I can allow my mind to go.”
(Asking now because there may not be a chance to talk after Tampa Bay game. You’ve also purchased one regional indoor football team and bought part of an Arena Football League team?)
“It’s not time for that train of thought. Anything I’m doing outside of football is just that: it’s outside of football and independent of that. My singular focus is finishing strong against Tampa and trying to get a win, and we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
(Left tackle Zach Strief, a fellow nine-year Saints veteran, recently said you showed more emotion than usual this year. You’ve been a part of sub-.500 teams in New Orleans before. Was this one more difficult to stomach than before?)
“I think the guys that have been around here, and guys like Zach that I came in with, I think there may be a common misconception that because I’m quiet I’m not an emotional guy. You can’t play this game without emotion. Just like every guy in this locker room, I put my heart and soul into what we are trying to do and what we’re trying to build here. That being said, to not experience the success that you’re looking to have, and you put in the work to have is tough.”
(Would you take a pay cut to stay with the Saints if it came down to it?)
“I’m getting ready to play Tampa Bay. I understand that there’s a business side to the offseason, and I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”
(When you were taken by the Saints late in the seventh round of the 2006 draft, did you think you’d play already nine seasons?)
“You get drafted, and it’s your dream to play a long career, and it’s your hope. But the reality says it’s probably going to end otherwise. So (I’m) definitely very fortunate to be sitting here finishing up nine years here at a great program, but it’s not time for me to reflect quite in that way yet.”
(Without trying to read too much into your short-term future, whenever your playing days do end, is owning all or part of an NFL or NBA franchise in your plans, given that you bought a regional football team and purchased a stake in an Arena Football League team?)
“I’d say you don’t consider yourself a legitimate business person and do things haphazardly. There’s obviously an avenue there I’d like to pursue. Again, it’s not time to think about that, but there is a process and a vision that I have that one of these days hopefully takes flight.”
(Do you see yourself being a one-team guy your whole career?)
“My experience here since 2006 has been a really great one. Obviously, it’s a first class organization. I love the guys in this locker room and that they continue to bring into this locker room. So in that respect, I really enjoy playing (here). And as I continue to get up there in the ranks — change is tough for everybody. It’s something that is coming at some point, but it’s not that point yet.”