Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Colts 2022 Fantasy Outlook: Jonathan Taylor Great to Generational

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2022

Indianapolis Colts 2022 Fantasy Outlook: Jonathan Taylor Great to Generational

The Indianapolis Colts have the instruments to have the very best staff within the AFC South. They’ve an electrical rising younger stud working again with Jonathan Taylor, which is one thing Matt Ryan hardly ever had in his time with the Falcons. With a prime offensive line and glorious run sport, Ryan ought to excel with play-action passes whereas upgrading the Colts’ general offense. As well as, Michael Pittman Jr. ought to be a giant winner with the change at quarterback. There’s a successful fantasy alternative for the second wideout on this offense, with the early favorites being Alec Pierce and Parris Campbell.

OFFENSE

Indy ran the ball 49.4% of the time final 12 months with a formidable variety of runs of 20 yards (19) and 40 yards (5). Nevertheless, poor quarterback play and questionable receiving depth behind Michael Pittman led to weaker than anticipated passing outcomes.

QUARTERBACKS

Matt Ryan — click on right here for fantasy projection

Different choices: Nick Foles, Sam Ehlinger, Jack Coan

RUNNING BACKS

The expansion and explosiveness of Jonathan Taylor led to Indy gaining 5.2 yards per rush with an extra rise in working touchdowns (23). General, the Colts’ backs had 12 fewer touches than in 2020 (539) whereas gaining 2,999 mixed yards. The drop-off in catches (82) from 2020 (115) was a change in playstyle from Philip Rivers to Carson Wentz. Final season, Matt Ryan regarded extra to his working backs within the passing sport (110/896/6 on 145 targets) than his earlier three years.

Jonathan Taylor — click on right here for fantasy projection

Nyheim Hines

Hines went from early-season thorn to Jonathan Taylor to fantasy bench hotter over his closing eight weeks. He performed effectively in Week 1 (82 mixed yards with six catches), Week 3 (79 mixed yards with one landing and 5 catches), and Week 9 (108 mixed yards with one rating and 4 catches), however Hines scored fewer than 5.0 fantasy factors in PPR leagues in 9 different matchups. Because of this, he completed the 12 months because the forty eighth ranked working again (114.80 fantasy factors), 32 slots decrease than 2020 (193.20 fantasy factors).

Fantasy outlook: Hines brings handcuff worth to Taylor, however he shall be difficult to time once more in 2022, given his inconsistent utilization. His greatest worth is available in a chaser sport or presumably when Indy blows out an opponent, and Hines will get the majority of the closing touches. His early ADP (139) ranked him because the forty seventh working again drafted. I view him as essential to a Taylor staff, however I received’t look to snipe Hines earlier than his draft worth this season. With a ground of 40 catches, he does have an opportunity at 800 mixed yards and a handful of scores with higher general play by the Colts’ offense.

Phillip Lindsay

After two productive years (192/1,037/9 and 224/1,011/7 with 79 mixed catches for 437 yards and one rating) for the Broncos, Lindsay struggled to make performs and keep wholesome over the previous two seasons. Between the Texans and the Dolphins in 2021, he gained solely 249 yards on 88 rushes (2.8 per carry) with a minimal alternative within the passing sport (4/45/1).

Fantasy outlook: There will not be many fights for Lindsay in fantasy drafts this 12 months, however I might see him working as an early-down possibility if Jonathan Taylor had any difficulty. For now, he’s a participant to observe simply in case his inventory spikes as a consequence of an harm to a Colts’ again.

Different choices: Deon Jackson, Ty’Son Williams, D’Vonte Value

Scroll to Proceed

WIDE RECEIVERS

Huge receiver manufacturing in Indy has been a difficulty for the previous three seasons. On the optimistic aspect, their catches (183), targets (287), and touchdowns (17) had been three-year excessive. The Colts’ wideouts caught 55.5% of their completions in 2021 whereas gaining 62% of their receiving yards. I anticipate all of those stats to be greater with Matt Ryan beginning.

Michael Pittman Jr. — click on right here for fantasy projection

Parris Campbell

Accidents led to solely 13 video games performed over his first three seasons within the league. A left knee harm in 2020 that required surgical procedure led to him lacking the ultimate 15 video games. Final 12 months a damaged foot value Campbell one other 11 video games. He has 34 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns thus far in his quick profession.

At first look, Campbell offers me the texture of an amazing participant as soon as he provides extra higher physique power to assist him within the NFL vs. press protection. His velocity (4.31 40-yard sprint on the NFL mix) was electrical whereas additionally providing imaginative and prescient and open area capability. Ohio State used him on many performs near the road of scrimmage as a pass-catcher in 2018, resulting in a breakout season (90/1063/12).

Campbell confirmed explosiveness as a runner in his first two years in faculty (14/186/2). His short-area quickness brings an edge within the slot whereas working greatest when having a free launch vs. zone protection. Campbell wants to enhance his route working plus present progress in his arms in tight protection. I like his actions with the ball in his arms, and I anticipate him to suit effectively within the Colts’ offense that desires to make defenses defend the entire area.

Fantasy outlook: Parris will go undrafted in early leagues along with his injury-prone tag and empty stats on his profession resume. If the summer time studies are optimistic, his pure development shall be a WR2 or WR3 for the Colts. I’ll maintain an open thoughts on his fantasy worth if he earns a beginning job on opening day. Parris might be a four-catch-a-week man in 2022.

Alec Pierce

Over 32 video games in faculty over the previous three seasons, Pierce caught 106 of his 173 targets (61.3%) for 1,851 yards and 13 touchdowns. His greatest season got here in 2021 (52/884/8). He involves the NFL with an edge in measurement (6’3” and 210 lbs.) and velocity (4.41 within the 40-yard sprint on the 2022 NFL mix), however Pierce does have some limitations in his short-area quickness and launch. He performs with a tight-end mentality that initiatives effectively in run blocking and successful tight protection. Pierce will not win along with his route working over the primary 10 yards previous the road of scrimmage, however his build-up velocity will create separation downfield. Pierce ought to shine within the pink zone whereas scoring on many fade-type passes.

Fantasy outlook: His faculty resume is comparatively quick, and I don’t see Pierce getting a bunch of simple catches near the road of scrimmage, so he initiatives extra as their WR3 in his rookie season. A profitable 12 months can be 50 catches for 750 yards with about 5 scores.

Different choices: Mike Strachan, Ashton Dulin, Dezmon Patmon, Keke Coutee

TIGHT ENDS

The tight finish alternative for the Colts light over the previous two seasons, primarily as a result of they lacked a reliable star possibility. Indy will search for the tight ends within the pink zone (eight touchdowns in 2020 and 2021).

Mo Alie-Cox

Final season, Indy gave Alie-Cox the second-most large receiver snaps, however he solely caught 24 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns on 45 targets. He by no means had greater than three catches in a sport or greater than 50 yards receiving. His stats look higher after his 2020 season (31/394/2 on 39 targets).

Fantasy outlook: The Colts signed Alie-Cox to a three-year $18 million contract final March. He initiatives as their starter, however Indianapolis will nonetheless rotate in a few different choices. Alie-Cox has no beginning fantasy worth apart from an occasional harm cowl if he begins the 12 months with success.

Jelani Woods

After a quiet first three seasons at Oklahoma State (31/361/4) over 22 video games, Woods performed significantly better in 2021 (44/598/8) after transferring to Virginia. His general blocking isn’t the place it must be, however he has but to fill into his physique. Within the passing sport, Woods provides questionable arms and route working. His success final 12 months in receiving doesn’t look repeatable early in his NFL profession.

Different choices: Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree, Michael Jacobson, Nikola Kalinic

KICKER

Rodrigo Blankenship

Blankenship made 32 of his 37 area aim probabilities in his rookie season whereas lacking two of his three tries from 50 yards or extra. His 12 months ended with three missed area targets in six kicks. He failed on two of his 45 additional factors. In 2021, Blankenship noticed his season finish after 5 video games with a proper hip harm. He completed the 12 months with 11-for-14 in his area targets whereas lacking his solely kick from 50 yards.

Fantasy outlook: The Colts scored 52 touchdowns, and 35 area aim makes an attempt final 12 months. Blankenship doesn’t have an effect leg from lengthy vary, and Indianapolis will typically rating within the pink zone with their plus run sport. He initiatives as a prime 10 kicker with upside if Blankenship can enhance from lengthy vary.

COACHING

Over his 4 seasons as a head coach, Frank Reich went 37-28 with two playoff appearances. He began his NFL teaching profession with the Colts in 2008 whereas having 13 seasons of teaching expertise, with 4 years coming as an offensive coordinator.

Marcus Brady returns for his second 12 months because the offensive coordinator for Indianapolis after working with their quarterbacks over the earlier three seasons. He’s been with the Colts since 2018 after spending eight seasons within the Canadian Soccer League, the place Brady was a part of three Gray Cups.

Indy dropped to sixteenth in offensive yards with the identical ends in factors scored (451 – ninth).

Gus Bradley takes over because the Colts’ defensive coordinator after holding the identical place over the earlier 4 seasons with the Chargers and Raiders. He went 14-48 over 4 years as the pinnacle coach of the Jaguars. Bradley has been within the NFL since 2006, with most of his expertise coming as a defensive coordinator.

The Colts ranked sixteenth in yards allowed with a slight bump to ninth in factors allowed (365).

FREE AGENCY

Indianapolis’s prime splash in free company was the addition of CB Stephon Gilmore. He has a protracted historical past of being a prime protection participant, however accidents led to missed video games over the previous two seasons. The Colts moved on from T Eric Fisher, WR T.Y. Hilton, G Mark Glowinski, CB Xavier Rhodes, and RB Marlon Mack. They added T Dennis Kelly and S Rodney McLeod.

DRAFT

The Colts didn’t have a first-round decide on this 12 months’s draft. Indy invested their first three alternatives to their offense – WR Alec Pierce (2.21), TE Jelani Woods (3.9), and Bernhard Raimann (3.13) plus TE Andrew Ogletree within the sixth spherical. Their remaining additions got here on the defensive aspect of the ball (S Nick Cross, DT Eric Johnson, DT Curtis Brooks, and CB Rodney Thomas).

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Colts climbed to second in dashing yards (2,540) with 20 touchdowns and 19 runs over 20 yards. Their ball carriers gained 5.1 yards per rush.

Indy fell to twenty eighth in passing yards (3,588) with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions whereas gaining solely 6.9 yards per cross try. Their offensive line allowed solely 32 sacks.

Their offensive line has a big query at left sort out, with the hopes that Bernhard Raiman can emerge as their starter. The Colts have three prime gamers (Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, and Braden Smith) with a below-par possibility at proper guard. The success of this line is helped in working blocking the explosiveness of Jonathan Taylor. General, this group ought to proceed to be an edge within the run sport whereas anticipating to grade above the league common in cross safety.

DEFENSE

Indy slipped to tenth in dashing yards allowed (1,854). They gave up 4.4 yards per carry, with ball carriers scoring 10 touchdowns and 10 runs over 20 yards.

The Colts bumped as much as nineteenth in cross yards allowed (3,980). Their protection completed with 43 sacks whereas permitting 32 passing touchdowns with 19 interceptions.

LB Darius Leonard stays Indy’s prime defender in opposition to the run, however he didn’t document a sack for the primary time in his four-year profession. LB Bobby Okereke made tons of tackles (132), though his run protection was a legal responsibility. The important thing to their protection is the event of DE Kwity Paye. Indy has one potential edge within the secondary (Stephon Gilmore), and DE Yannick Ngakoue ought to assist this cross rush.

This protection has a threat/reward really feel, with their greatest success coming once they play from the lead. The Colts rank 4th within the early drafts season within the NFFC, however I don’t respect their general defensive roster. Extra of a matchup within the fantasy market.

Source link

Related Topics:Fantasy Fantasy/Betting Featured NFL

Click to comment

Indianapolis, IN

TRU Stories: Young voices urge all to join a community conversation

Published

7 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

TRU Stories: Young voices urge all to join a community conversation

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two events in the coming days offer everyone a chance to join a community conversation conducted in a decidedly different way. During TRU Stories events, young voices lead the way as people of all ages talk candidly about issues in their neighborhoods.

“Young people in the community often are told their voices are not as important, or ‘speak when spoken to’,” Brandon Randall explained during a visit to WISH-TV’s Daybreak.

Randall is the founder of TRU Stories and larger annual events called TRU Dialog. During the events, teenagers and young adults serve as hosts, panelists, and presenters.

“These events are really a moment where they resist that and they push back and say ‘No, I’m a human. I have emotions, and I have input, and I need you to listen to me. We need to work together on these issues.”

“I feel like it’s a way that you execute it,” Akiah Riddick shared. She is one of the young people who has led past TRU discussions. “If you come at adults in a way where they feel attacked, a lot of times they may not listen. They may wanna shut it down. But if you come at them in a caring space and be like, ‘OK, I understand that you went through this, but to improve your parenting skills and just how you interact with the youth, we have to listen to the youth.”

Organizers encourage everyone to attend TRU Stories as long as they are “ready to listen, engage, and collaborate.”

The first event is Saturday, June 29, at the Tea’s Me Community Cafe in Tarkington Park. The conversation runs from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The second event is Saturday, July 13, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Hours for this one are 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and organizers ask you to register ahead of time here.

When asked whether people watching should think about attending, Riddick offered this: “I would say your voice is always valued. Like I used to feel like my voice was no value. But if people who will listen to you and your opinions are valuable and it’s so much you can take away from these conversations”

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Indy wildlife: State and city parks offer wild views

Published

14 hours ago

June 28, 2024

Press Room

Indy wildlife: State and city parks offer wild views

When Hoosiers need a break from phone screens and notification pings, there are plenty of opportunities to spend some time in the fresh air and see native wildlife in natural habitats.

You can spot Bald Eagles at Eagle Creek Park and maybe some coyotes at Fort Harrison State Park.

Here are some of the best places to visit to spot native wildlife in Indianapolis, or close by.

Fort Ben is bustling with wildlife

Fort Harrison State Park, in Lawrence, is a great birding spot with trails that wrap around Delaware Lake or trace the banks of Fall Creek.

Emilie Sweet, a naturalist at Fort Ben, said there are a variety of bird species that stop by the park, especially during migration season, which is in April and May in the spring and September and October in the fall.

While the park is a must-visit for birders, there also is a large white tail deer population that is best spotted during early morning hours, Sweet said.

There are also coyotes at the park, though Sweet said these aren’t as common to see, but there are mink, beaver and muskrats that can be seen along Fall Creek and near Duck Pond.

Herpers can find aquatic turtles basking on logs near different snake species that call Fort Ben home.

Visit Fort Harrison State Park at: 6000 N. Post Road, Indianapolis, IN 46216

Wildlife finds a home in Indy Parks

Eagle Creek Park is one of the largest city parks in the country as with trails through the woods and along the reservoir, wildlife is abundant.

Birders will enjoy scoping out trails, fields and meadows at Holliday Park, Marott Woods Nature Preserve, Southeastway Park and Riverside Park.

Alex Cortwright, with Indy Parks, said the Fall Creek and 30^th Park has the Fall Creek Greenway that cuts through it, and wildlife enjoys using that trail, too.

Bit of a drive: Want to see some of Indiana’s best wildlife? Take this expert advice and go west.

Wildlife spotting within a short drive from Indy

Out near Anderson, northeast of Indy, Mounds State Park offers excellent bird-watching opportunities as it’s on the Indiana Birding Trail.

Kelley Morgan, naturalist at Mounds, said even folks not wanting to hike the trails can take shelter at the wildlife observation area inside the park’s nature center. Birds and other wildlife can be spotted here from the comfort of the center’s couches.

There’s also a honey bee hive at the center. The park works with local veterans to help combat PTSD, and they tend the hives.

While no Bald Eagles are nesting at the park now, Morgan said some visit the park daily. There is also habitat to support great blue herons, green herons, egrets, kingfishers and many different songbirds.

If anyone is around the park during dusk, Morgan said there are screech and barred owls that call out as the sun is setting.

Much like Fort Ben, Mounds is surrounded by development but still sees its fair share of mammals. Deer, red fox and coyotes can be spotted traipsing around the park.

Visit Mounds State Park at: 4306 Mounds Road, Anderson, IN 46017

How to be responsible when viewing wildlife

While witnessing soaring eagles and spotting the white tails of deer is an experience, these are wild animals and must be treated with respect.

Hoosiers visiting these parks also are visiting the homes of these animals and should stay on marked trails and leave no trace of the visit.

Don’t disturb the wildlife’s natural habitat, Sweet said. Minimizing human interference is important to keep the park’s animal populations safe and healthy.

Do not try to touch wildlife unless they are in danger. Sweet said moving a turtle out of the road is fine, but don’t try picking them up out of the creek or other natural areas.

Ethan Plumier, with Indiana Department of Natural Resources, has six main tips for ethical wildlife viewing:

Give wildlife space: The best relationship with wildlife is a long-distance one
Keep it clean: Don’t litter and pick up trash
Keep your hands to yourself
Keep your snacks to yourself: wildlife can find their own food
Keep pets at home or leashed
Lead by example: help others become wildlife watchers

Tips for seeing wildlife in Indy

Strategies for viewing wildlife will depend on the species Hoosiers hope to spot, Plumier said. Bird spotting can be done from a car with binoculars but there are other ways to spot some off the roads.

One place Plumier recommends heading is where habitats transition. This can be from woods into a wetland or a field. These edges are a highway for wildlife and have everything an animal needs from food to safety.

“Just plop down along the edge of the woods and see what’s moving,” Plumier said. “Go as deep as you want, sit down, be quiet and see what happens.”

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk

IndyStar’s environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Source link

Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Art Center celebrates 90 years of inspiring people to think more creatively

Published

21 hours ago

June 27, 2024

Press Room

Indianapolis Art Center celebrates 90 years of inspiring people to think more creatively

INDIANAPOLIS — With more than 1,000 classes to choose from, it’s difficult for Mark Williams to pick a favorite.

“There are so many options that I personally still have not yet tried,” Williams said.

Williams is the president and CEO of the Indianapolis Art Center, an organization that’s been helping Hoosiers think more creatively for 90 years. But even Williams is finding new ways to grow his creativity.

“I recently went into the woods studio and made a charcuterie board for my wife,” Williams said. “I’m pretty proud I still have all my fingers.”

Creating pride and a sense of ownership is what the Indy Art Center is all about.

WRTV

“Every time that comes out at home, it’s a story,” Williams said. “It’s a memory and it cost me far less than going to Crate and Barrel or Target. I think people appreciate those little things that add human value to life.”

And it’s nearly impossible to put a value on the impact the Indy Art Center has in central Indiana.

“What we’re really doing is not just arts education,” Williams said. “It is not just creative place making and quality of life, we are squarely in the business of economic development.”

Williams says that while most people don’t think of art as a means of economic development, it’s the skills behind the craft that truly unlock an individual’s potential.

Screen Shot 2024-06-27 at 7.15.17 PM.jpg

“The things that the arts export, curiosity, creativity and imagination, those are the core problem solving skills that every hiring manager is looking for,” Williams said. “Those cannot be taught. They’ve got to be nurtured and nurtured through the arts.”

It’s a mission the Indy Art Center is working to spread throughout the community with youth, senior and veteran outreach programs.

Screen Shot 2024-06-27 at 7.16.41 PM.jpg

“Making sure there’s accessibility to the arts is critical to the health of the community and to the health of workforce development,” Williams said. “It’s a critically important role that we play in engaging youth and steering them towards pathways of critical and creative thinking. We’re getting them off social media [and] we’re engaging and stimulating the brain, mind, and the imagination.”

It’s engagement in the arts that’s reaching more than 200,000 people every year, according to Williams.

“We’re playing a small role in inspiring people to think more creatively,” Williams said.

Click here for a complete list of classes available at the Indianapolis Art Center.

Source link