Connect with us

Indianapolis, IN

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

Published

on


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

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Indianapolis, IN

Josh Downs expects big jump in second year with the Colts

Published

on

Josh Downs expects big jump in second year with the Colts


WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Josh Downs dazzled in the wide receiver footwork drills, making cuts that were on another level compared to the rest of the group.

He rifled his feet through the ladder.

And on Saturday’s practice, him and Anthony Richardson connected for a nice pass and catch down the sideline between two defenders.

Downs has been impressive at training camp and got off to a good start in his first year, hauling in 68 receptions on 771 yards and two touchdowns, but he expects more this year.

Advertisement

“Year one to year two, it’s always been a big jump for me,” Downs said. “High school, college, it was both the same.”

He’s not exaggerating. In his freshman year at North Carolina, he had seven catches for 119 yards. That skyrocketed to 101 receptions for 1,335 yards in his sophomore year. His touchdown count also jumped from three to eight.

Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter agrees with Downs’ confidence. He’s been impressed with Downs so far at training camp, and thinks he’s learned a lot from his first year in the league.

“Josh (Downs) is going to make the most of that from a route running perspective from a defensive coverage identification perspective,” Cooter said. “Josh (Downs) is primed and ready to have a big camp out here and do some really good things.”

Downs is processing the game better this year. He said he’s not thinking about the route he’s running as he gets set up at the line of scrimmage. Instead, he’s analyzing the defense and determining what coverage they’re in.

Advertisement

Someone that has helped him with this is cornerback Kenny Moore II. Downs considers Moore II to be at the top of his position in the NFL. He said Moore II is really smart and likes to mix it up with Downs when they’re matched up together, disguising whether he’s in man coverage or zone coverage.

Downs says he has the best slot receiver job in the league because he gets to go up against Moore II every day.

Downs has also been building his chemistry with Richardson. It’s now getting to the point where they’re running plays that aren’t in the playbook.

“We’re seeing different plays, it might not be in the playbook,” Downs said. “He’ll (Richardson) be like, ‘hey, JD, do you see this? Do that.’ I’m like, ‘I was thinking the same thing.’”

“I know Anthony (Richardson) trusts me. I trust him. We’re clicking before practice, after practice, even off the field. That’s my dog,” Downs said.

Advertisement

The Colts return to practice on Sunday at Grand Park from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.



Source link

Continue Reading

Indianapolis, IN

PHOTOS | Indy sneakerheads line up for the new Air Jordan 4

Published

on

PHOTOS | Indy sneakerheads line up for the new Air Jordan 4


The Wet Cement edition of the the Air Jordan 4 dropped Saturday morning and about a dozen people waited for the shoes outside the Corporate store in downtown Indianapolis. The first person in line told News 8 that they got in line at 7:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. release. The “Wet Cement” Air Jordans retail for $225. (WISH Photo/Colin Baillie)

1 / 7



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Indianapolis, IN

IMPD: No suspect in custody in officer's shooting, but there is no 'ongoing threat'

Published

on

IMPD: No suspect in custody in officer's shooting, but there is no 'ongoing threat'


This article will update.

A police officer was injured in a shooting on the city’s far east side Friday and police were searching late into the night for whoever pulled the trigger.

Police said the event started unfolding shortly after 8:30 p.m. in the 3600 block of North Wittfield Street, near East 36th Street and North Post Road in the city’s Northeastwood neighborhood. The shooting happened after officers responded to the area on a “shots fired” call.

Shortly after the shooting police said the immediate area was not safe and residents were asked to stay inside their homes and avoid the neighborhood. About 11:15 p.m. police said a sweep of the area — including with K-9s — did not surface a suspect, but they did not believe there was an ongoing threat any longer.

Advertisement

Anyone with information or video footage is asked to call 911.

“There’s a lot that we don’t know about this incident. And we’re hopeful that we will learn more later on,” Capt. Shane Foley said during a media briefing at the scene.

The 8-year veteran officer was taken to Eskenazi Hospital in stable condition.

Shortly before 1 a.m., during a briefing at the hospital, Asst. Chief Michael Wooley said a house also was hit by gunfire but no residents were struck. Wooley said no officers fired their weapons and body cameras were activated throughout the situation.

The injured officer suffered gunshot wounds to his abdomen and right arm and was stable after undergoing surgery, Chief Chris Bailey said.

Advertisement

“He is expected to make a full recovery, although (he) is going to be in the hospital for some days,” Bailey added.

Police have not released a description of the suspect in the shooting, who remained at large early Saturday.

“Right now, officers are all over the city, looking for the individual or individuals responsible for what happened,” Bailey said.

Officers will remain in the neighborhood collecting evidence likely past sunrise, he added.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department vehicle lines the roadway after an officer was shot in the 3600 block of Wittfield Street on the city's far east side. The officer was listed in stable condition shortly after the shooting July 26, 2024.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department vehicle lines the roadway after an officer was shot in the 3600 block of Wittfield Street on the city’s far east side. The officer was listed in stable condition shortly after the shooting July 26, 2024.

Second Indianapolis police officer shot this year

This is the second time this year an Indianapolis police officer has been shot. In March an off-duty officer working security at an east side bar on East Washington Street was hit in an exchange of gunfire with at least one suspect. A man who was injured in that shooting died at a local hospital.

The bar where that shooting happened, 11:11 Bar & Grille, located at 9439 E. Washington St., was closed by unanimous vote of the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission.

11:11 Bar & Grille shooting: State shuts down club where 6 people were shot, including off-duty IMPD officer

Advertisement

Bar shooting: Shooting at east side bar injures multiple people including IMPD officer

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis police officer shot. Suspect at large late Friday





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending