Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Colts putting on a clinic on how not to develop a rookie QB

Published

1 year ago

August 22, 2023

Indianapolis Colts putting on a clinic on how not to develop a rookie QB

The quote that keeps coming to mind every time a piece of news comes out of Indianapolis Colts camp is from Javier Bardem in Skyfall: “What is this if not betrayal? She sent you after me knowing you are not ready, knowing you will likely die. Mommy was very bad.” Anthony Richardson in this case in James Bond, “mommy” is Jim Irsay, and the rest of the league is Bardem.

Colts owner Jim Irsay chooses orca over RB

The difference in this instance is no amount of radio transmitters, or guile is going to get Richardson out of this jam alive. The best friend of a young quarterback is a No. 1 receiver, and then a strong running game. About that last bit: There was a report Monday that the franchise has granted running back Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade.

Taylor, who led the NFL in rushing in 2021, is in the final year of his rookie deal and wants a long-term contract. The team is seeking a significant return in a trade, including a first-round pick, or a package amounting to that. Funny, because Irsay was among the most boisterous opponents when running backs held a summit last month for the raw contracts they’re being offered, and you’d think Jimmy would know how little the league values backs.

Really, the relationship between Taylor and the organization has been icy since Irsay spoke out against running backs and their plight. Essentially saying, “Go screw yourself” to your best young skill position player is a move that you might want to avoid.

If only for a season, especially this one, it’d be smart to play nice, and not publicly fight with a guy who had 1,800-plus yards and 18 scores two years ago. This is further malpractice from an owner who hired an ESPN analyst as his interim head coach, and tried to pivot to Sam Ehlinger at quarterback last season. Both led to disastrous results, and a 4-12-1 record in 2022.

Oh, and the fans had to petition to prevent Jeff Saturday from getting the full-time job. Instead, they brought Shane Steichen over from Philly, where he helped develop Jalen Hurts, and that’s the pipe dream for Indy — a dynamic pass-run threat at the head of an explosive offense.

Not all rookie quarterbacks are created equal, and trial by reps might be the best way to get a QB with limited college starts where he needs to be. Hurts had more pass attempts in his lone year at Oklahoma than Richardson had during his entire collegiate career. Even Richardson was surprised when he was named QB1 last week.

“Honestly, I was shocked,” Richardson said. “I’ve been grinding, putting in the work to get the title, but it’s not really all about the title. I’m just trying to make sure I’m ready for the team. Despite being labeled as QB1, I’ve still got other guys in the room helping me to get to that standard. I’m forever thankful for them. I appreciate them and I’m glad I did get the nod and have the trust of everybody in the building.”

If that was true, and he did have the backing of the staff, then why didn’t he play a down in the team’s second preseason game? C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young both saw action in Week 2 of the exhibition schedule, and the Panthers want to get Young even more reps in the finale.

This is the time to build chemistry with the pass catchers, and No. 1 receiver (by depth chart distinction only) Michael Pittman Jr. Meanwhile, Gardner Minshew is doing his best traveling salesman pitch for the starting gig, and it might not be a bad idea to run him out there as a “get me over” to next year.

Richardson struggled with basic SEC defenses a season ago, and he was largely relying on physical talent and instinct. The best-case scenario is a Justin Fields-type season where he goes ballistic on the ground, and still only wins three games. The worst case is a serious injury, or he craters mentally like Zach Wilson.

The offensive line is aiming for a bounce-back year after injuries plagued the unit last season, and the same could be said for Jonathan Taylor. Except, instead of getting used to his new backfield partner, he’s looking for a trade partner as the fanbase, and Jim Irsay, spiral further into the dregs of the league, with the other mismanaged and comically woeful franchises.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Taylor repents for gaffe with 218-yard day

Published

12 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Colts’ Taylor repents for gaffe with 218-yard day

Stephen Holder, ESPNDec 22, 2024, 06:41 PM ET
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INDIANAPOLIS — Jonathan Taylor made a lightning-quick jump cut through the hole and saw nothing but daylight ahead.

Once the Indianapolis Colts running back reached the goal line, some 65 yards later, his run was still not complete. Taylor kept going, running into the tunnel that leads to the Colts’ locker room in the southwest corner of Lucas Oil Stadium. It was Taylor’s way of sending a message: This time, he would hold on to the football after arriving at the end zone — something he did not do a week ago.

Taylor reached the end zone two more times Sunday, including a 70-yard scoring run, during his 218-yard performance in the Colts’ historic 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis’ offense dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for a franchise-record 335 yards in a victory that kept the team’s faint playoff hopes alive. The Colts surpassed the previous high established in 1956, nearly three decades before the franchise left Baltimore for the Midwest in 1984.

It was Taylor’s second career 200-yard performance behind only his career-high 253-yard game in the final week of the 2020 season. His most recent performance came on the heels of last Sunday’s game in which Taylor committed a costly miscue, dropping the ball prematurely as he crossed the goal line on a would-be 41-yard run that could’ve given Indianapolis a two-touchdown lead.

The Colts went on to lose the critical matchup, dealing a severe blow to their playoff hopes. Taylor didn’t make the mistake again this week.

“I had already predetermined in my mind that next time, I’m going all the way in the tunnel,” Taylor said Sunday.

In fact, Taylor approached the whole situation with levity. He and backup running back Tyler Goodson planned a bit ahead of the game. After Taylor emerged from the tunnel, Goodson ran up to him and playfully tried to strip the ball, with Taylor keeping a tight grip.

“Just trolling, making the crowd laugh a little bit,” Goodson said.

In reality, there was nothing funny about the way the Colts pushed around the Titans. Tennessee allowed the most rushing yards of any team this season and the second most in Titans/Oilers franchise history. The Colts made no pretense about their intentions, either, at one point running on 12 consecutive plays during three possessions in the second quarter.

“That’s kind of the exciting part,” Taylor said “It’s kind of when you start imposing your will, establishing that line of scrimmage. Those are the types of football games as a running back … you love.”

Tight end Mo Alie-Cox added: “By the end of the game … we were still getting 5 yards a pop. They still couldn’t really stop it. They were calling it, but they couldn’t do nothing about it.”

Then, Alie-Cox relayed a story that unfolded before a particular play.

“It’s hilarious,” he said. “One time, they were like, ‘It’s a screen. Boom.’ And then one of their [defensive] ends was like, ‘Man, they’re about to give it to Jonathan Taylor. He’s about to run for 300 [yards] on us.’ Once he said that, I was like, ‘Yeah, we got him.’”

In light of the rushing success, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson wasn’t asked to do much from the pocket. He completed just 7 of 11 passes for 131 yards. But Richardson was a part of the rushing bonanza, running for a career-high 70 yards.

Now, the Colts hope to finish with wins over the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars in their remaining two games, along with hoping numerous other dominoes fall their way in their bid to make the postseason.

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Indianapolis, IN

How the Colts can make the NFL playoffs

Published

8 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts’ playoff odds are at 10% according to the New York Times, and that seems high. Here is what to know:

The Colts are out of the playoffs if they lose to the Titans

This is pretty straightforward. If the Colts lose, the most games they can win this season is 8. Seven teams — Kansas City, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston, Los Angeles and Denver — already have nine wins.

The Colts can make the playoffs if they win out, Chargers lose out

If the Colts win out against the Titans, Giants and Jaguars, they’ll be 9-8. If the Chargers lose to the Raiders and Patriots. The Colts would win the conference record tiebreaker if they are the only two teams with nine wins.

There are multiple-team scenarios involving Los Angeles but the Colts will make the playoffs if these two scenarios happen.

How the Colts can make the playoffs if they win out and the Broncos lose out

If the Broncos lose to Cincinnati and Kansas City and the Colts win out, the Colts make the playoffs if Cincinnati or Miami win out or the Chargers lose out.

The Colts lose the head-to-head tiebreaker to Denver if its just those two teams.

If Los Angeles is also 9-8, it wins the division tiebreaker over the Broncos due to head-to-head and advances to the wild card tiebreaker.

In this scenario, the Colts and Dolphins would have the best conference record at 7-5, eliminating the other possible teams. Indianapolis beat Miami, putting them in the playoffs.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts vs Titans TV coverage map in NFL Week 16

Published

16 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Colts vs Titans TV coverage map in NFL Week 16

The Indianapolis Colts host the Tennessee Titans in NFL Week 16 action as the Colts try to remain in the AFC playoff race.

The CBS game will be shown in only the Indianapolis and Nashville NFL markets. It will also air in much of Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee, and in parts of Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

When do the Colts play the Titans in NFL Week 16?

1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

How to watch Colts vs Titans in NFL Week 16

CBS, with Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), and Ross Tucker and Jay Feely (analysis).

How to stream, watch Titans-Colts game for NFL Week 16

The Colts-Broncos matchup will stream on Paramount+ at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. The app is available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Fans can also download NFL+ in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.