The season is approaching. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Indianapolis Colts 2023. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
An end that has become inevitable. Wanting too much to revive old glories at the end of the quarterback position, head coach Franck Reich signed the end of his own adventure in Indiana, after five years of good and loyal service. To replace him, owner Jim Irsay and General Manager Chris Ballard have tracked known ground. As when Reich was appointed at the time, it was Shane Steichen, a former offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, who went through the Super Bowl, who joined the Colts team. A symbolic hiring. At 38, Steichen is the league’s third-youngest coach, behind Sean McVay and Kevin O’Connell.
His goal ? Develop a rejuvenated attack and stabilize a valiant defense under the orders of coordinator Gus Bradley, whom he reinforced upon his arrival. In the current AFC South, Indy has hopes of a rapid reconstruction, but what are the concrete ingredients to hope for a return to the fore?
Last season: 4 wins-12 losses-1 draw, 3rd in AFC Sud, no playoffs
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: Gardner Minshew (QB), Isaiah McKenzie (WR), Genard Avery (DL), Samson Ebukam (EDGE), Matt Gay (K).
Re-signings: EJ Speed (LB), Ashton Dulin (WR).
Draft: Anthony Richardson (QB), Julius Brents (CB), Josh Downs (WR), Blake Freeland (OT), Adetomiwa Adebawore (DL), Darius Rush (CB), Daniel Scott (S), Will Mallory (TE), Evan Hull (RB), Titus Leo (EDGE), Jaylon Jones (CB), Jake Witt (OT).
Notable losses: Parris Campbell (WR), Matt Pryor (OT), Bobby Okereke (LB), Stephon Gilmore (CB), Rodney McLeod (S).
As often since his arrival at the helm of the franchise, General Manager Chris Ballard has mainly opted for alterations, despite the need for renewal at the quarterback position. It is also towards this position that all eyes will be turned: exit veterans Matt Ryan and Nick Foles. Two profiles under 30 arrive at Lucas Oil Stadium, with former Jaguar Gardner Minshew, whom Steichen had under his command in Philadelphia, and one of the most intriguing prospects of the last draft, the fourth pick from Florida , Anthony Richardson. The first surely arrives to allow time for the second to become hardened in NFL games and develop automatisms with an increasingly young receiving body. After Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, Indianapolis has selected a third outside target in the first three rounds of the draft since 2020. Handyman in North Carolina, Josh Downs arrives with a hybrid and dynamic profile to crack down on entry into the slotalongside a spring rookie, former Bills returner Isaiah McKenzie.
In defense, Indianapolis also remains on its guard, injecting new blood against the pass. Solidly anchored in the rotation in San Francisco, Samson Ebukam comes with the desire to take an additional step, by trying to make people forget the most expensive Yannick Ngakoue, the team’s best bagger in 2022 (9 and a half). With the signing of replacement Genard Avery and the draft of projects Adetomiwa Adebawore and Titus Leo, the Colts intend to be respected in the trenches. This should give a helping hand to a somewhat weakened defensive backfield during the offseason. Between the departure of executives like Stephon Gilmore and Rodney McLeod, not to mention the illicit betting business, which led to the departure of Isaiah Rodgers, the clogged franchise had to get a makeover to counter the big attacks from the American conference. With Julius Brents and Darius Rush, Shane Steichen and Gus Bradley have two good takes on physical coverage at cornerback, and could quickly make them valuable allies for Kenny Moore on the outside of the last curtain.
Finally, note the alteration to the post of kicker, with the arrival of Matt Gay, from Los Angeles. The former Rams, author of a solid 87% on career field goal, comes to supplement the too inconstant Rodrigo Blankenship. A choice that is probably not due to chance, given the five games that Indianapolis has finished tied or three points or less from its opponent in 2022.
Can Jonathan Taylor remain a strong point of the team?
The strong points)
This had to be the undeniable strong point of the franchise, especially given Shane Steichen’s particular affection for this sector. But the offensive backfield is still looking gray at the time of this brand new chapter. The fault of contract negotiations which seem to strongly displease the offensive star of the team, Jonathan Taylor, only author of 11 matches last season, due to injury, but who did not finish so far from the bar of 1 000 yards (861). The fault also with this pain in the arm which forced Zack Moss to have surgery and to miss the next month and a half, according to the estimate of the doctors. As of this writing, former Raven Kenyan Drake (442 yards, 3 TDs in 2022), Deon Jackson (236 yards) and versatile rookie Evan Hull are the most viable options, but that doesn’t shouldn’t stop Shane Steichen from leaning towards running this season, come what may…
As said before, the pass rush was a very good surprise in 2022, appearing in the league’s top 10 in terms of sacks. The probable departure of Ngakoue is necessarily to be digested, but with Ebukam, the innkeeper of the first curtain, DeForest Buckner, and the two young wolves Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo, these are four players who have at least crossed the bar of 5 sacks. past year.
The weak spots)
While Gus Bradley is a reputable coordinator, his defense often seemed on alternating current last year. Granted, the offense didn’t do anything to help, but there are quite a few things that need to be rectified for opponents to fear this squad again.
THE backfield defensive has been redesigned, especially since the Colts were among the worst students last year in terms of interceptions (10 in total). Rejuvenation had become necessary, but as with the pass rush in time, this will surely lead to a period of adaptation.
On the ground game side, the constant absence of Shaquille Leonard as linebacker came at a high price. 20 touchdowns have been conceded on the run in 2022, including on red-zone action, where Indianapolis has been the league’s worst student in percentage.
Anthony Richardson ready to quickly grab the ball on the leap?
Player to watch: Anthony Richardson
He was the most divisive quarterback in the last NFL Draft. As talented as he is raw, with barely a year of experience as a true benchmark in the university ranks, Anthony Richardson has everything it takes to please NFL leaders. A cannon arm, an imposing physique, a feline agility: “AR15” has attributes similar to what Shane Steichen may have liked during his collaboration with Jalen Hurts, in Philadelphia. The question is not whether we will see him as a starter in 2023, but when? That could say a lot about his adaptation to the big league and Indianapolis’ ability to anticipate the offensive overhaul.
Author of 17 passing touchdowns and 9 on the ground during the last exercise with the Gators, Richardson has a real challenge to guide his people: to gain consistency and maturity. His choices are sometimes risky and perilous, and he will have to keep a cool head as much as possible, otherwise he will concede further avoidable ball losses, like his 9 interceptions and his 3 fumbles, including 2 lost, in 2022. The establishment of a backfield voracious offensive could in any case quickly allow him to be like a fish in water.
X factor: The offensive line
With the recent retirement of Anthony Castonzo, it was hard to imagine the Colts maintaining the elite level that was theirs at the start of the Frank Reich era. But the tumble seemed to begin in 2022.
Unable to protect his quarterback, with 60 sacks suffered (only the Broncos have done worse), suffering when opening ground game breaches, with 8 small touchdowns on the run (including 4 in 11 games for Jonathan Taylor) , there O-Line went through last season horribly, to the point of seeing the usual safe bet, Quenton Nelson, take the hit.
To put his attack back on track, Shane Steichen can only hope for better performance from this squad. Tony Sparano Jr., son of the former head coach of the Dolphins, arrives in business and will be the head coach of this offensive line for the first time, after experiences with the Panthers and the Giants.
He should rely on a group that has changed little overall, but which remains experienced, with Nelson, Braden Smith in right tackle and Ryan Kelly in center. Launched into the deep end last year, the Austrian Bernhard Raimann was penalized quite a bit during his rookie season but will again be a central focus regarding the progression of this group in 2023, on a crucial left tackle position for several years now…
2023 Indianapolis Colts Schedule
Jaguars, @Texans, @Ravens, Rams, Titans, @Jaguars, Browns, Saints, @Panthers, Patriots (Frankfurt), Buccaneers, @Titans, @Bengals, Steelers, @Falcons, Raiders, Texans.
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
Severely lacking established playmakers on both sides of the ball in recent years, the Colts need to take advantage of this season to profile their stars of tomorrow. With the youngest workforce in the NFL on paper, Shane Steichen has the elements to gradually build a quality group, which will above all have to be respected in the trenches.
In the medium term, Indy has the means to follow a recent trend, offering a fast and exciting ground game. The contractual situation of Jonathan Taylor will have to help in this direction. This will have the merit of putting less pressure on the quarterback and the defense, potentially making the Colts an itchy team. But given the necessary set-up at the start of the season, we will probably have to expect a year of transition at first.
