From no-name to Saint-hood: Colston earned credit

A year ago, New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston would plop down his credit card to pay for a meal and nobody had any idea who the man was. Why would they? He was a seventh-round pick who was mostly an after-thought on the Saints roster.

Plenty has changed for Colston in the span of a year. (US Presswire)

But now when he pulls the card out, the scene goes something like this: Waiter looks at it, looks back to Colston, pauses for a second and then asks the question he's hearing time and again these days.

You're him?

"When I don't have cash, and pay for things with my card, people know who I am," Colston said. "But they really don't know my face yet. I'm kind of cool with that."

Things have changed in a big way for Colston. At this time last year, he was hoping to make the roster, trying to acclimate himself to the heat of the Bayou, doing it on a team with glamour rookie Reggie Bush soaking up the spotlight.

Now he's the Saints' No. 1 receiver.

Following a season in which he became the fantasy football sleeper of all time -- how many people won leagues picking up this kid? -- Colston is no longer just hoping for a chance. He's adjusting to being the team's go-to receiver, coming off a season in which he led the team with 70 catches.

With another big season, he could be on his way to the Pro Bowl. He might not be as recognizable as Bush, but he is as vital to the success of the Saints offense as the second-year runner.

"I think there's still a lot I can do better," Colston said.

As a rookie from Hofstra, Colston spent most of last spring and summer after the draft buried deep on the Saints depth chart. But each day, he impressed the coaching staff more and more. Gradually, he moved into the starting lineup, his play helping the Saints decide to deal Donte Stallworth to the Philadelphia Eagles.

During a summer trip to Jackson, Miss., to watch the team work out, Saints coach Sean Payton raved about Colston, even though he was still buried on the depth chart.

"We hit on him," Payton said in early August.

There's no way even Payton could have known just how big. Despite missing two games with an ankle injury, Colston caught 70 passes for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns. He had a better rookie season than the more-heralded Bush as they both helped the Saints become a feel-good story of 2006.