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With Matt Ryan at controls, are the Colts evolving into a pass-first offense?

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With Matt Ryan at controls, are the Colts evolving into a pass-first offense?


INDIANAPOLIS – In his final highschool recreation at Philadelphia’s William Penn Constitution College, Matt Ryan threw a grand complete of eight passes.

That is the way it went in his workforce’s run-first offense, a scheme that did not precisely require a lot heavy lifting from the quarterback’s arm.

“I used to be a 170-pound, triple-option quarterback,” Ryan instructed ESPN in 2017.

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Now, 20 years later, the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback is coming off a recreation wherein he threw as a lot as he ever has. Ryan’s 58 move makes an attempt in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars was the second-most in his 15 NFL seasons. However what’s extra notable is that this: The aggressive passing method the Colts employed to win that recreation may be one thing they will replicate on a smaller scale as they attempt to discover their offensive footing.

The Colts, among the many NFL groups most devoted to working the soccer in recent times, are already taking a a lot totally different offensive posture this season. For quite a lot of causes, they’ve successfully flipped the script on their play choice. They’ve gone from some of the run-heavy groups throughout coach Frank Reich’s earlier 4 seasons to some of the pass-happy golf equipment within the league in 2022.

Think about the info: Over Reich’s first 4 seasons (2018-2021), the Colts ranked twenty seventh within the share of offensive snaps which can be thought-about designed passing performs (59%). This season, the Colts are calling passes at a charge of 67.3% — fifth-highest within the league getting into Week 7.

Which may not appear to be an enormous uptick, however let’s put the numbers in a little bit extra context. The Colts averaged 31 move makes an attempt per recreation final season. To date in 2022, they’re averaging 42.

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The present tempo of move makes an attempt is doubtlessly skewed by a few lopsided scores. Additionally, the usage of the no-huddle offense towards Jacksonville led to a better variety of offensive performs for Indianapolis. However essentially the most vital impression has been the Colts’ lack of ability to run the ball successfully. The identical workforce whose offensive linemen as soon as proudly donned hats that featured their “Run the Rattling Ball” motto, the identical one which led the NFL in speeding yards per try in 2021, immediately cannot produce a constant push within the working recreation.

Of their effort to search out options, the Colts did one thing that after would have been unthinkable: With prime working backs Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines sidelined by accidents, all of them however deserted their working recreation and the outcomes have been, nicely, improbable.

“We’re nonetheless looking for our approach a little bit bit within the run recreation, and within the meantime, we’ve to do what we are able to to attempt to win video games,” Reich stated.

Anticipating many video games with 58 move makes an attempt may be a bit excessive. And there shall be matchups that aren’t favorable for the Colts to throw so aggressively.

“We’re not going to throw it 50 instances each week,” Ryan stated. “It is not gonna occur.”

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However the dramatic turnaround within the offense this previous Sunday cannot be neglected. So, listed below are just a few questions to contemplate: Are we simply witnessing a determined workforce doing what it should to generate much-needed offense? Or might this be a part of a longer-term shift? Ought to it’s?

Time will inform, however here is what we all know: The Colts have been the lowest-scoring workforce within the league by 5 weeks earlier than going pass-heavy and scoring a season-high 34 factors towards the Jaguars — a workforce that shut them out in Week 2.

Moreover, the Colts have expended loads of effort this season making an attempt to reassert their speeding dominance, solely to be stymied. They rank thirtieth in speeding yards per try (3.51). What number of treasured performs have the Colts wasted alongside the best way?

In the meantime, Ryan entered Week 7 second within the league in passing yards behind the Buffalo Payments’ Josh Allen. Why not lean into that?

“I’ve all the time felt like if we’ve to do it, I belief myself, I belief our (receivers) and I belief our guys up entrance,” Ryan stated.

Should you nonetheless assume that is nothing greater than a response to the Colts’ struggling run recreation, Reich has really been wrestling along with his philosophy for fairly a while.

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As he watched final season’s postseason play out with quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Allen profitable video games with aggressive passing assaults, Reich checked out his personal workforce and questioned whether or not it had the flexibility to do the identical. Of the highest 10 groups in passing yards per recreation in 2021, 9 made the playoffs.

That is hardly the one statistic that makes the case that an efficient passing recreation is what issues most, and Reich appears to grasp that.

“You do not see groups which have this ground-and-pound run recreation win championships,” he stated in August. “You simply do not.”

He added, “If we occur to play groups which can be mild towards the run and are struggling to play the run, we’ll strap up and dominate within the run recreation and throw it 20 or 25 instances. However that is simply not going to final. And you are not going to win a championship like that.”

If Reich felt this fashion even earlier than encountering his workforce’s current struggles within the working recreation, he may be much more solidified in his emotions after Sunday.

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Will Ryan find yourself trying 58 passes on Sunday on the Tennessee Titans (1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS)? Unlikely. However given the best way the Colts’ offense is trending, he must also be able to throw just a few extra instances than he did again within the day at Penn Constitution.



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Indianapolis, IN

Man confesses to killing his wife, police and neighbors react to the crime

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Man confesses to killing his wife, police and neighbors react to the crime


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — While on the phone with 911, a 70-year-old man confessed he “bludgeoned” his wife with a hammer. When the dispatcher asked if he was able to do CPR, his reply was, “it’s too late.”

Jan. 17, 79-year-old Terry Ogle confessed to killing his 76-year-old wife, Mary Ogle, at their home on Questend Drive South and Warman Avenue.

Court documents detailed the crime scene.

Police found Mary dead in a rear bedroom. She was flat on her back. The lower half of her body was covered in a blanket. The right top of her skull was hit. And police saw what appeared to be blood all over the house, on a pillow, on living room reclining chair, from the basement stairs to the kitchen sink.

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The affidavit revealed that Ogle confessed to murder, citing he was depressed and thought his wife was having an affair. Police said Ogle texted his daughter, admitting guilt, telling her, “I’m going to jail. I killed-“

Ogle slit his wrist and was taken to a hospital after the crime. He was since released from the hospital and taken to the Marion County Jail.

“This is an isolated incident but it effects the whole community and family, and will continue to effect that family,” IMPD public information officer Tommy Thompson said.

He said that, “it doesn’t matter if they’re young or the age that this suspect is. Everyone is going through something. And if you need help, please don’t take it out on someone. Ask for help. Call 911. Get help.”

Victor Onochie, lives across the street from the Ogle. He didn’t know the couple that well, but said they seemed nice.

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“I see them walking and exercising together across the street. We greet ‘hi’ and so on, and ‘how are you doing?’ Nothing stood out of the ordinary,” he said. “No, I didn’t think they were in any trouble.”

Ogle is currently in custody without bond.



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Former Colts player Marlin Jackson continues to inspire through nonprofit

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Former Colts player Marlin Jackson continues to inspire through nonprofit


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – On Jan. 21, 2007, Marlin Jackson made a game-winning interception that sent the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl, toppling the New England Patriots and securing a place in football history.

Nearly two decades later, Jackson’s unforgettable play continues to inspire sports fans and Hoosiers.

But his impact doesn’t stop there—today, he’s channeling his success into making a difference off the field, using his platform to inspire and uplift the Indianapolis community through his charitable work.

Jackson founded an organization called Fight for Life. The nonprofit partners with educators to provide space for youth to process their experiences and circumstances so they can experience winning moments. 

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“All Indiana” Host Felicia Michelle poses with Former Indianapolis Colts Player and Fight For Life Founder Marlin Jackson and Fight for Life’s Implementation Specialist Taylor Massey (PHOTO: Emily Reuben/WISH)

Jackson dropped by the “All Indiana” studio along with Fight for Life’s Implementation Specialist Taylor Massey to talk about the initiative.

Massey shared that teachers and educators use Fight for Life’s Building Dreams platform to help students build good habits and celebrate their accomplishments.

Data from the platform allows educators to better identify barriers to student success.

The nonprofit’s #winningmoments campaign encourages youth and educators to look for personal winning moments, both on an individual basis and from within the community.

You can participate in the campaign by donating to Fight for Life or by sharing your winning moments using the hashtag #FFLWINNINGMOMEMTS.

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Colts’ Top 3 Needs (and Options) to Maximize Lou Anarumo’s Defense

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Colts’ Top 3 Needs (and Options) to Maximize Lou Anarumo’s Defense


The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly hired Lou Anarumo to be their next defensive coordinator. The former Cincinnati Bengals signal-caller will bring an innovative and unique style to Indianapolis next season (and hopefully beyond).

The Colts have several good pieces to offer Anarumo, including former Pro Bowl nickel cornerback Kenny Moore II and former All-Pro DeForest Buckner. Grover Stewart should also excel in the same scheme that D.J. Reader once thrived in with the Bengals. Aside from those three staples, the rest of the Colts’ defense could be in limbo going forward.

The Colts need to add some veteran help to raise the floor of this defense, or the team could face the same issues the Bengals faced last season. The Colts must bring in veterans for these three roles this offseason for Anarumo’s defense to be successful in 2025.

Coverage Linebacker

Dodson

Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson (11) celebrates his interception with safety Jordan Poyer (21) during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Anarumo’s linebackers are the core of what he wants to do on defense. Back in his peak years with the Bengals, Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt were fantastic coverage players that made an impact in the passing game. The Colts, in contrast, haven’t had a premier coverage linebacker since Bobby Okereke and Shaquille Leonard left town.

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The Colts must look to free agency to improve upon this weakness. Zaire Franklin can be an adequate cover guy, and rookie Jaylon Carlies showed some impressive flashes, but the team needs to add to the room with those guys. E.J. Speed is simply not the answer for this scheme alongside those two aforementioned players.

Tyrel Dodson (Miami Dolphins), Cody Barton (Denver Broncos), and/or Ernest Jones (Seattle Seahawks) could be viable options to upgrade the Colts’ current roster. Dodson, in particular, is an intriguing option, as the athletic linebacker finished last season with three interceptions (most among all linebackers in the league).

Centerfield Safety

Hollan

Sep 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) fumbles the football after a tackle from Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The other massive need to address this offseason is deep centerfield safety. Anarumo likes to play out of a single-high structure, and a sideline-to-sideline free safety is a must for his system to survive. In his best years with the Bengals, Jessie Bates was the star roamer over the top.

The Colts have a young strong safety coming off of a career-best season in Nick Cross, but they desperately need a legit cover guy next to him. Julian Blackmon had his worst career season in 2024, and he shouldn’t be an option to start again next year. The Colts need outside help either in the draft or in free agency to improve at free safety.

Jevon Holland (Dolphins), Trevon Moehrig (Las Vegas Raiders), and/or Justin Reid (Kansas City Chiefs) are among the options that could make sense in free agency. Holland would be particularly interesting if he hits the market, but Moehrig could be an interesting consolation prize if he doesn’t.

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Veteran Help at Cornerback

Reed

Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG; New York Jets Defensive Back D.J. Reed (4) complains about a foul in the 2nd Quarter against Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images / Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images

As it currently stands, the Colts only have two playable outside cornerbacks on the roster (Samuel Womack, Jaylon Jones). JuJu Brents has not shown the ability to stay healthy, and after him, the cupboard is bare on the roster. The Colts must add some veteran competition to the room to alleviate some growing pains to the new system.

On the higher end, the Colts could look into players like D.J. Reed (New York Jets), Charvarius Ward (San Francisco 49ers), and/or Rasul Douglas (Buffalo Bills) to come in and immediately start next season. Reed, in particular, would be an excellent fit alongside Jones on the outside as a starter.

Even on the lower end, the Colts could look at players like Benjamin St. Juste (Washington Commanders), Shaquill Griffin (Minnesota Vikings), and/or Eric Stokes (Green Bay Packers) simply to come in and compete this offseason. These players, at the very least, would be upgrades over the Colts’ current backups on the team.

Need your fill on daily Colts’ content? Head over to the Locked On Colts’ YouTube channel where Jake Arthur and Zach Hicks hit on all the major topics surrounding this team. Hit that subscribe button while you are there!

Become a Locked On Colts insider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who’s around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box!

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Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.





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