Profiling Colts Wide Receiver Sam Giguere

Sam Giguere

Born:  Sherbrooke, Quebec, CAN

Hometown:  Sherbrooke, Quebec, CAN

College:  Université de Sherbrooke (Sherbrooke College)

Draft: UDFA – 2008 (Indianapolis Colts)

1st round, 8th overall – 2008 (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)

Height:  5 feet 11 inches

Weight:  215 lbs.

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College

Professional

No Professional Stats

Pre-Draft Measurables

40-Yard Dash:  4.35 seconds

3-Cone Drill:  -.– seconds (DNP)

20-Yard Shuttle:  4.14 seconds

Bench Press:  23 reps

Vertical Jump:  42 inches

Broad Jump:  123 inches

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Breakdown

Sam Giguere joined the Indianapolis Colts as a three-year starter out of Sherbrooke College — in Sherbrooke, Quebec — who was drafted in the top 10 (eighth overall) of the CFL draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  Giguere passed up a chance to be an automatic starter for a CFL team for a shot to make the Colts roster.  While generating mild interest leading up the the 2008 NFL draft, the Colts keyed into Giguere prior to the draft — thanks to Bill Polian’s experience with the CFL when he was the coach of the Montreal Alouettes, and continued relationship with many current CFL scouts.

As a symptom of flying under the radar while in Canada, there is effectively zero pre-draft analysis of his strengths and weaknesses.  Giguere has the size of Garçon with better speed, strength, and jumping height.  In terms of college production, Giguere also has similar production (as the Canadian college league only plays 8 games a year instead of 12-13) as Garçon, against comparable competition.

Early in the 2010 off-season, Bleacher Report posted an inside report that expressed the view of the Colts organization towards Giguere as one of hope, and the belief that Giguere could be a hard-nosed, “Wes Welker,” type of player.  Given the success of Garçon as a physical receiver, and Collie as a slot receiver, Giguere potentially gives the Colts a tough and athletic slot receiver.

The recent preliminary off-season depth chart has also highlighted the desire of the Colts to utilize Giguere, seeing how the receiver position is loaded with talent that may force Giguere to warm the bench for a while longer.  While it is likely Peyton Manning would find a use for him as a receiver, the development of Garçon, Collie, and the returning health of Anthony Gonzalez have put considerable attention on Giguere’s previous punt and kick return skills, especially given his size and quickness.  This may ultimately be the reason Giguere secures a roster spot in the short-term, but could quite possibly explode as a receiver, if given the chance.

This triple-threat potential (Wide receiver/Slot receiver/Kick returner) has inspired the confidence of the Colts coaches, and the front office, enough to keep him for two years to develop.  While Giguere has one more year of practice squad eligibility left, this may prove to be a make or break year for him.  If Giguere can’t break the roster this year, the Colts may be forced to let three years of tutelage and development of a potentially bigger, faster, and more nimble Garçon slip into the free agent market, where teams like the Texans, Titans, and Jags continue to absorb former Colts players.  While this tactic has not caused great harm in the past, Giguere could be a significant piece to a less talented WR corps.

(Giguere Interview @ 2:52, and interesting comments on Giguere by Bob Lamey starting @ 4:26)
Here are a some of the comments Lamey made concerning Giguere from the June 23rd event.

This is not only a good football player, he’s gonna be in all probability, right now, our kick returner this year.  Last year, his first playing experience, actually playing in a game, was in Buffalo last year in January when the temperature was down in the 20s and we had 6 inches of snow on the ground, and he averaged about 25 yards per kick off return.  So, he’s gonna get a shot at being our number 1 kick returner this year.