NFL
By Bill Carroll
The reason that this so pivotal for the the 2023 Indianapolis Colts, is that the past record of “one-year wonders” in the NFL is not a great one. Only Cameron Jerrell Newton had sustained NFL success among those who were among that had but a single full season as a starter in the NCAA, prior to becoming the Colts’ fourth overall selection on the 2023 NFL Draft.
Anthony Richardson measured in at the 2023 NFL Combine and met expectations. He stands 6’4 1/4″ and weighs 244 pounds. His hand size is 10.5 inches. I watched him in person and he is an a word, a demigod. He is the most physically impressive Quarterback prospect that I have, and likely, anyone has ever seen.
The 2023 Colts projected starter, Gardner Minshew II, on the other hand, looks like the best friend of the protagonist from one of those late-1980’s, direct to cable, movies with a title like: ‘Bikini Ski Bum Academy.’ Gardner Minshew II’s 4.97 40 time and 33 1/2″ vertical jump, at 6’0 7/8″ 225, with enough arm and mobility to make NFL plays, are a very stark contrast to the 4.43 and 40 1/2″ vertical from the, François Auguste René Rodin sculpture in pads, that is Richardson.
The two concerns that are paramount to those who are not sold on Richardson, and by extension, the 2023 Colts, are: his number of starts, just 13 career starts, Richardson’s 13 career college starts are tied with Mitchell David Trubisky, as the lowest for a first round QB drafted since 2008. Also, critics point to his Florida career, in which he appeared in 24 games, completing 215 passes out of 393 for 54.7% completion percentage.
Perhaps the most quizzical thing about Richardson’s struggles are where they often occurred. He was ranked number 104 out of 131 NCAA starters in accuracy on passes under 11 yards past the line of scrimmage. This is striking once you consider that his Average depth of target (ADOT), was an exceptional 10.3 yards. In basketball terms an excellent 3-point shooter who struggles with lay-ups.
His highs could be dazzlingly high, In the Gators’ 38-33 loss to Tennessee, he recorded third highest game in Florida history, for single-game total offense (515 yards), with 453 yards passing. He also owns the team record for the longest rushing touchdown by Florida QB with an 81 yard gallop.
The 2023 Colts are being cautious with several players: DeForest Buckner, Jelani Woods, Mo Alie-Cox, Samson Ebukam, Julian Blackmon, Zack Moss, Liam Anderson all were held out with Mo Alie-Cox, seen in a boot on his foot. Jelani Woods is nursing a pulled hamstring, which could create opportunities for, newly signed, tight ends Michael Jacobson and Nick Eubanks.
Jacobson, the 6’7″ 244, former professional basketball player, spent the past two seasons with the Colts’ as a practice squad member, he has never suited up for a game, for the Colts’ active roster. He played college basketball at Iowa State and Nebraska.
The new additions join 2021 fourth round pick, taken at 127, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, selected by the Colts in the sixth round (192nd overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, 2023 162 pick Will Mallory and undrafted college player, La’Michael Pettway. Two or three of these players may make the team and one or two are likely slated for the practice squad or may be released.
Cornerback Kenny Moore II, is still working back from an ankle injury. Despite that he has been showing the type of level of play that had made him a consensus top 10 at his position.
Talking to Colts DC Gus Bradley now. He singles out Kenny Moore II as playing at an extremely high level in camp. Offensive coaches have been making comments to him about how well he’s playing. Moore looking to have a bounce back year in 2023.
— Andrew Moore (@AndrewMooreNFL) August 2, 2023
Another significant development was, when raw, but uber-talented, rookie offensive tackle Jake Witt on Injured Reserve, wide receiver Ethan Fernea is also on Injured Reserve, and the team waived running back Toriano Clinton.
Clinton was a young man I watched in high school at St. Lawrence. He was the all-time leading rusher at University of Indianapolis with 4,538 yards in 43 games. However he became expendable when the 2023 Colts, signed veteran back, Kenyan Drake. Drake has an advantage in speed, size and familiarity with NFL protection schemes.
The 2023 Colts Offensive Additions
In addition to the aforementioned Drake and Richardson, Josh Downs has opened eyes.
Josh Downs had this defender LOST 😳
Downs’ shiftiness has reportedly been a “problem” for Colts’ DB’s throughout camp.
Downs’ has reportedly spent time with both the Colts’ first and second team throughout camp.
Downs’ has also taken reps as a kick/punt returner as well as… pic.twitter.com/V5fmEgpxvs
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) August 3, 2023
Downs could join a receiving corps of the 2023 Colts, that boast young and talented group, including Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Ashton Dulin, Michael Strachan, former Bill, Isaiah McKenzie, former Packer, Amari Rodgers and Ethan Fernea . Special teams will determine some of the spots, but the contest between Downs and McKenzie for the slot, will be quite close, from the looks of it.
At the running back the 2023 Colts added: Evan Hull and Zavier Scott, Hull was 176th pick in the 2023 drafts, Scott was an un-drafted college player, both hope to join Drake and second year back, Deon Jackson, in attempting to provide viable alternatives to Nyheim Hines, who left via the Zack Moss trade and is expected to miss the year due to an off-season injury, as well as star holdout Jonathon Taylor. Moss is expected miss at least six weeks with a a broken arm,
The 2023 Colts offensive line is looking mostly unchanged, but Blake Freeland and Jake Witt were brought to challenge Braden Smith at the right tackle position. But Witt will miss this year on IR. Matthew Vanderslice, an undrafted college free agent, tackle and guard Emil Ekiyor Jr., an undrafted free agent from Alabama will compete to add depth.
The 2023 Colts Defensive Additions
The most impact, among the draft picks on defense is likely to be the Pterodactylesque Julius “JuJu” Brents, he of the 34″ arms, 82 5/8-inch wingspan, 11’6″ broad jump and 41 1/2″ vertical. The 2023 Colts picked with the 13th selection, in the second round, number 44, overall. Already he is trying to get comfortable. Saturday was his first chance to participate in training camp. Brents had hamstring, most recently and had wrist surgery, previously.
Fellow rookie corners hoping to contribute are, Jaylon Jones, a seventh round pick, the 221st overall selection and Darius Jaloyd Rush. Rookie pass rushers, Titus Leo, taken at pick 211, in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and the supremely freakish, Adetomiwa Adebawore, the 110th pick in round four of the 2023 NFL Draft, join undrafted, mammoth, rookie undrafted free agent from Kansas, Caleb Sampson. The 2023 Colts may have Leo and Adebawore, see snaps early, in pass-rushing packages.
Rookie linebackers, college undrafted free agents, Liam Anderson, Holy Cross standout and Donavan Mutin, undrafted free agent via Houston are likely to see special teams duty as well as add depth for the 2023 Colts. Mutin, a Houston team captain and three-year starter at linebacker, suffered a very scary concussion versus Memphis, in November of 2021, but came fully back.
The 2023 Colts will be a young team and if they are to contend in the AFC South division they will need to resolve the impasse with Jonathon Taylor. But even with that resolved several players with three or fewer years in the league will need to emerge and The 2023 Colts training camp is where that will begin.
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