Dec 22, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders receiver Rod Streater (80) is tackled by San Diego Chargers safety Marcus Gilchrist (38) at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Marques Colston is a great receiver who has consistently over-performed, and has been consistently over-looked. For example the average NFL career lasts just 3 years, and in a what have you done lately league it can be hard to stick around. Don’t believe me? Just ask the Raiders latest signing running back Kory Sheets, who had to establish himself in the CFL and you’ll see it’s a tough business. To offer some perspective on how Colston has over-performed we must look back at how his career started. Colston was a seventh round pick by the New Orleans Saints, who established himself through an aggressive style of play.
Dec 22, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) runs after catching a pass during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Colston as a rookie seemed to be catching everything he could get his hands on. Furthermore, Colston embodies the rags to riches story demonstrating the dividends of hard work. In addition, Colston has been a consistent force for the Saints with over 600 receptions in 8 seasons.
Now lets compare Rod Streater who was undrafted to Colston who almost went undrafted. Both Colston and Streater are tall physical receivers. Colston is taller at 6’4 and bigger weighing 225, than Streater who is 6’3 and 200 pounds. So based purely on size one would give Colston the nod. Al Davis would be proud to know Streater is the faster of the two with a forty yard dash time of 4.37 compared to Colston’s 4.5 second forty yard dash time. As far as productivity most would think that Streater could never match Colston who had Drew Brees throwing to him, but Streater did match Colston’s rookie stats as far as yards per catch. In his rookie year Colston had an average of 14.8 yards per catch along with 8 touchdowns. On the other hand Streater averaged a greater 15 yards per catch with only 3 touchdowns.
A look to the future for Streater
Both Colston and Streater embody the rags to riches story having risen from seemingly nowhere sharing similar stories and traits. In addition both players have quietly become receivers capable of carrying a team. But, somehow both are overlooked an example of this being how all off-season stories were published about how Denarius Moore would become the Raiders number one target. However, when the season started Streater out performed Moore as Oakland’s most consistent target. If Rod Streater can establish himself as an end-zone target, then the Raiders will have a consistent threat similar to Colston. Streater needs to be given more targets although he had 60 receptions this season he only had 4 touchdowns which means that he has not been utilized properly this season as an end-zone target. Finally if Streater continues to develop like Colston the Raiders will have a great receiver to assist our quarterback next season whomever that may be.