Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Colts WR’s receiving numbers might explode with Matt Ryan

Published

3 years ago

May 11, 2022

INDIANAPOLIS — All people’s speaking concerning the impact Jonathan Taylor goes to have on Matt Ryan, the veteran quarterback who’s about to step as much as the road of scrimmage and see a number of openings within the secondary behind the stacked bins groups use to attempt to decelerate the NFL’s finest operating again.

However Ryan’s presence may additionally have a profound impact on Taylor.

Significantly the All-Professional operating again’s influence as a receiving possibility out of the backfield.

Extra:Projecting Colts’ depth chart after NFL Draft: How Alec Pierce and different rookies slot in

The operating again whose pass-catching capacity was questioned popping out of Wisconsin has typically been an explosive weapon for the Colts within the passing recreation. Two years into his profession, Taylor has 76 catches — 36 as a rookie, 40 final season — for 659 yards, a powerful common of 8.7 yards per reception that’s really greater than pass-catching again Nyheim Hines’ personal-best for a single season, 7.8.

When Taylor will get the ball within the passing recreation, it releases one thing basic inside him about his love of soccer.

“It places a smile in your face, as a result of it nearly looks as if you’re a child once more, and also you’re taking part in yard soccer,” Taylor mentioned. “You might have a lot house. It’s not likely tight and condensed. It’s free and open.”

9 video games into the 2021 season, Taylor’s pleasure within the open discipline was simple to see. Along with his work on the bottom, the Colts’ budding famous person was averaging 12.7 yards per catch, higher numbers than a number of large receivers across the NFL.

Extra:Colts quarterback Matt Ryan congratulates Alec Pierce throughout NFL Draft 2022

From that time on, although, Indianapolis started to rely increasingly on Taylor’s main abilities within the floor recreation, largely due to the passing recreation’s lack of effectivity with Carson Wentz on the helm.

Indianapolis is probably going going to swing the run-pass ratio again towards the passing recreation with Ryan on the helm, and despite the fact that that may imply fewer carries for Taylor — a growth that might assist the Colts’ famous person again keep wholesome deeper into his profession — he would possibly get just a few extra touches within the passing recreation.

Extra probabilities to play yard soccer.

“Hopefully,” Taylor mentioned with a smile spreading throughout his face. “If he likes me that a lot.”

The way in which Ryan has been speaking for the reason that second he first set foot in Indianapolis, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Ryan has raved about Taylor’s pace, imaginative and prescient, energy, agility and go safety, repeatedly calling Taylor an entire again.

Extra:Matt Ryan’s already on the lookout for methods to assist make a distinction in Indianapolis

“I’ve been round a very long time,” Ryan mentioned. “You don’t get backs that do all of that fairly often, and after they do, they’re game-changers. I’m fired as much as play with him.”

Taylor has additionally grown significantly as a receiver in two seasons in Frank Reich’s offense.

When he was at Wisconsin, the Badgers typically took him out of the sport on passing downs throughout his first two seasons, largely as a result of he carried a heavy workload as a runner, they usually wanted to maintain him contemporary.

Realizing that Taylor wanted to show his bona fides as a go catcher, the Badgers gave him extra probabilities, and Taylor responded by catching 26 passes for 252 yards and 5 touchdowns.

From that tape, Indianapolis knew it was getting a operating again who may make an influence within the passing recreation. The identical pace, agility and home-run capacity that make Taylor a particular runner between the tackles could be devastating within the open discipline, as Taylor proved on a 76-yard display screen towards Baltimore final season and a 19-yard throwback towards Buffalo.

Insider:Why Colts imagine Matt Ryan is true QB to develop younger WRs

The extra Taylor performs within the Colts’ offense, the extra he’s matured as a receiver.

“Understanding the completely different coverages,” Taylor mentioned. “You might have sure routes, and perhaps, in the event that they’re in a zone, know the way to spray it somewhat bit after which sit down. Issues like that, reasonably than realizing I simply have to get to this depth and switch in.”

Fact be informed, Taylor’s pass-catching manufacturing may have been even larger final season if Wentz have been extra keen to hit his operating again as an open checkdown possibility. Ceaselessly, Wentz handed up the operating again in favor of throwing the ball downfield.

Ryan doesn’t play the identical fashion of soccer.

If Taylor’s going to be open, he’s going to get the ball with house in entrance of him.

“He actually will get by his complete progressions,” offensive coordinator Marcus Brady mentioned. “To know: ‘OK, they’re going to be deep, I’m going to seek out my again proper now,’ in rhythm and permitting our backs to catch the ball in house, and not using a defender proper on them, the place they’ll turn out to be who they’re, nice runners after the catch. That’s simply sort of his fashion.”

And that’s music to Taylor’s ears.

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Indianapolis, IN

‘It’s all gonna go great’: Pat McAfee, Colts fans react to Ballard, Steichen returning

Published

5 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

‘It’s all gonna go great’: Pat McAfee, Colts fans react to Ballard, Steichen returning

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is as frustrated as the fans. He understands the desire for change. But he believes in his team’s leaders.

Irsay posted on social media Sunday night, saying Chris Ballard will remain general manager and coach Shane Steichen will remain coach for 2025. The Colts just finished an 8-9 season and they haven’t made the playoffs for four straight years.

Steichen has an 17-17 record in two seasons as coach. Ballard has been with the Colts for eight seasons. The Colts have gone 62-69-1 over that span with two playoff appearances and no division titles.

“I know fans who want an immediate change in leadership will be disappointed,” Irsay wrote. “That means we all have a lot to prove, so we’ll get back to work and keep doing what we can to earn your support and make you proud to be a Colts fan.”

Many Colts fans — notably former punter Pat McAfee — aren’t pleased.

Indianapolis Colts fans react to Jim Irsay’s statement that he’s retaining general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen

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Indianapolis, IN

How much snow has hit Indiana? See snowfall totals around the state.

Published

12 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

How much snow has hit Indiana? See snowfall totals around the state.

This story will be updated.

Meteorologists were predicting as much as 12 inches of snow in certain parts of Indiana as a strong winter system hit the state on Sunday.

The day’s first snowfall measurements began to trickle in as snow continued to plummet on Southern and Central Indiana into Sunday afternoon. Southern Indiana got the bulk of the storm, recording measurements up to 8.5 inches of snow as of 2:30 p.m.

Snow is expected to go through the area into Monday, meaning snow totals are likely to rise.

See how much snow the National Weather Service has recorded for cities in Indiana.

How much snow is on the ground Sunday?

As of mid-afternoon, these cities had the highest recorded snowfall totals in Indiana:

Ferdinand: 8.5 inches (1:20 p.m.)
Petersburg: 7 inches (11:29 a.m.)
Saint Anthony: 7 inches (1:49 p.m.)
Shoals: 5.6 inches (2:26 p.m.)
Monroe City: 5 inches (2:12 p.m.)
Bicknell: 4.5 inches (2 p.m.)
Washington: 4 inches (2:31 p.m.)
Indianapolis NWS site: 1.4 inches (1 p.m.)
Speedway: 1 inch (1:45 p.m.)

Contact Alysa Guffey at amguffey@gannett.com.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts vs. Jaguars Week 18 Predictions & Picks Revealed

Published

20 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Press Room

Colts vs. Jaguars Week 18 Predictions & Picks Revealed

The Indianapolis Colts (7-9) have one more opportunity to garner positive vibes as they close out the season against the AFC South division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

It’s been a disappointing season for the Colts, to say the least. On one hand, the playoffs are not a possibility, and there is an expectation from the outside that big changes need to be made in the offseason. There’s not much positivity to squeeze out of this matchup. On the other hand, outside of their captains, there are some guys who have every reason to put on a big performance as free agency awaits them.

Here’s how the Horseshoe Huddle staff sees things unfolding for the Colts in their Week 18 season finale matchup against the Jags. It appears the Colts “lost our locker room,” so to speak. What would’ve likely been a sweep in favor of the Colts prior to last week’s embarrassing loss to the New York Giants, two analysts picked the visiting Jaguars in an upset.

Sean Ackerman (@shnackerman): Going one game under .500 seems like a fitting record for the Colts this season. Inconsistency and poor decisions have cost the team playoff football, but they can still beat some bad teams. The Jaguars aren’t great, and it feels like the Colts could split for the season.
Pick: Colts 17, Jaguars 13

Jake Arthur (@JakeArthurNFL): After last week’s debacle against the Giants, the Colts lost any trust I had left, but they do get another subpar opponent on Sunday, and it is at home. I’m incredibly reluctant to pick the Colts, but I do think they’ll get strong performances from guys like Jonathan Taylor, DeForest Buckner, and Kenny Moore II (who needs a bounce-back), while guys who could be playing their final game in Lucas Oil Stadium such as Ryan Kelly and Julian Blackmon, also give it all they’ve got. Against another bad team, that’ll be enough.
Pick: Colts 23, Jaguars 20

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Jared Koch (@jjaredkoch): The Colts got embarrassed last week vs. the Giants to effectively kill their slim hopes of a playoff appearance for yet another season, and it feels like the current gloomy feelings around Indianapolis could snowball into another ugly loss during their final bout of the year. Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones is fresh off a solid performance in a win against the Tennessee Titans, and he could continue that momentum against a lacking Indianapolis defense– especially when facing a team looking unmotivated and demoralized after the events of Week 17. I’ve got the Jaguars making the surprise upset over the Colts.
Pick: Jaguars 24, Colts 20

Andrew Moore (@AndrewMooreNFL): The result of this game holds almost no weight for the Colts other than ending on a slightly high note for a victory. Instead, we should be focused on the performance of the younger players to gain momentum heading into 2025. Laiatu Latu, AD Mitchell, and JuJu Brents will all have my eye for this matchup. The Colts should get the victory before heading into an offseason that will likely be full of changes.
Pick: Colts 27, Jaguars 20

Drake Wally (@DWallsterDrake): The Colts are spiraling and don’t appear to have continuity or drive in that locker room. After falling to the worst team last week, nothing changes with a slightly better opponent despite playing at home. The Jaguars will defeat the Colts in their final game of 2024
Pick: Jaguars 23, Colts 21

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