Wr battle

[jbaron04]

I think collie is wr number 3 now back to slot for him

[dgambill]

While he may get less targets now that Avery has stepped up that may not be a bad thing. Most importantly I think is that it allows him to take his time coming back. I will say our wr core will look pretty solid with him in it. Besides Arians moves guys all over the field so he may play the slot he may move outside....Reggie may be in the slot. That is one thing I think we should have done more over the years is move Reggie around...like Peyton wasn't smart enough to find him. Especially when we played the Jets back in 2010...get him away from Revis and work him on lesser corners. I like how Arians moves guys around.

I got to give Avery props because I had serious doubts about him....he hasn't been healthy in forever and he didn't even look that special when he was in Stl. but perhaps this offense makes the best use of him.

[John Waylon]

So long as Avery can stay healthy, I think Collie works the inside better anyways.

[colts52761]

i was totally surprised what avery did today. i didn't think we would get that kind of game out of him.

[HGRekks]

Let's be real. This is the team that made the recently Blaine Gabbert look legit. I don't think the team will just concede the job to Avery over a much more proven Collie.

[manning04]

Not too suprised by Avery. His health is what has been the issue. but his ability to make plays and get open is not surprising at all. As for Collie i think we keep doing what we are doing moving Reggie and go from there.

[Andy]

Donnie had a great game, but that's what it is: one game. Austin is more proven and has shown in the past that he can definitely do the job. I'd like to see all 3 guys on the field, but when there are two guys, Austin should be the other guy.

[John Waylon]

Let's be real. This is the team that made the recently Blaine Gabbert look legit. I don't think the team will just concede the job to Avery over a much more proven Collie.

Gabbert has improved, quite honestly. I'm not saying he's a top 16 QB, but he has improved a great deal in the offseason. He's more comfortable, and knows more what to expect now, and he's not gonna be the deer in the headlights he was last year.

[Smitto]

I dont see it, if collie was ever to come back he would be one of the better route runners and catchers next to wayne. Avery looks like a nice get for the colts though for sure.

[Elmo]

You guys need to quit selling Gabbert so short. He's not great, or even that good, but he's not the worst starting quarterback in the league.

[Dustin]

You guys need to quit selling Gabbert so short. He's not great, or even that good, but he's not the worst starting quarterback in the league.

Arguably

[Balzer40]

If we put Collie in the slot, he'll get another concussion the 1st time he goes over the middle. Collie would never see the slot again if it were up to me.

[Smonroe]

You guys need to quit selling Gabbert so short. He's not great, or even that good, but he's not the worst starting quarterback in the league.

Who is? He threw for a whopping 53 yards today.

[DoomOf21]

If we put Collie in the slot, he'll get another concussion the 1st time he goes over the middle. Collie would never see the slot again if it were up to me.

Doesn't that basically mean he never does an IN-route again, regardless of position?

[jbaron04]

Donnie had a great game, but that's what it is: one game. Austin is more proven and has shown in the past that he can definitely do the job. I'd like to see all 3 guys on the field, but when there are two guys, Austin should be the other guy.

Austin can't stretch the field like Avery

[jbaron04]

Donnie had a great game, but that's what it is: one game. Austin is more proven and has shown in the past that he can definitely do the job. I'd like to see all 3 guys on the field, but when there are two guys, Austin should be the other guy.

Austin has proven he can't be relied on an is always hurt

[Elmo]

Who is? He threw for a whopping 53 yards today.

Touche. Um... Skelton/Kolb... uh... yeah nevermind that's really all I've got, and that's pretty arguable. I'll say that the worst has gotten a teensy bit better. But he's still probably the worst.

[Balzer40]

Doesn't that basically mean he never does an IN-route again, regardless of position?

Yep, but at least it kind of lessens his chances of getting drilled. I would only throw sideline routes for him. I know that diminishes his worth, but he is just to fragile in the head to be going over the middle.

[jbaron04]

Let's be real. This is the team that made the recently Blaine Gabbert look legit. I don't think the team will just concede the job to Avery over a much more proven Collie.

Collie sure proved that he can't stay healthy , Thks Peyton lol killed a young stud

[Smonroe]

Touche. Um... Skelton/Kolb... uh... yeah nevermind that's really all I've got, and that's pretty arguable. I'll say that the worst has gotten a teensy bit better. But he's still probably the worst.

I really thought he'd be good in the pros and Locker would stink. I remember seeing Locker in his college days and he couldn't hit the side of a barn. They called him The Tebow of the West. It was a compliment in college. Whole new meaning in the NFL.

Let's just hope we don't make Gabbert look like Joe Montana next week.

[Coltswarriors]

Avery so far has been an AMAZING pick up. He's done great.

[funktacious2]

Battle? I don't know, but Avery was solid in camp, his success today does not surprise me.

[Andy]

Austin can't stretch the field like Avery

Austin has proven he can't be relied on an is always hurt

I beg to differ on that one. For starters, Collie is a great possesion receiver. He would have made all the catches that Avery made today and probably more. Also, he's a guy that can stretch the field. He's proven in the past that he can go deep and make great plays. You just don't see that too often because they like Austin to run short/intermediate routes.

Austin has the concussion issues, obviously, but Donnie Avery ain't no Reggie Wayne when it comes to injuries, if you know what I mean. He's been injured a lot in the past and is the main reason why he was cut from the Rams.

If Austin is playing, he should and will be the starter.

[Mameluc]

couldnt watch the first half...why was TY so quiet, even on the 4th qt i saw kris adams not TY...he got injured or something?

[Coffeedrinker]

Accept in the 3 WR set Arians like to use his speed from the inside because that person is usually going to be matched with a lesser CB.

[jbaron04]

I beg to differ on that one. For starters, Collie is a great possesion receiver. He would have made all the catches that Avery made today and probably more. Also, he's a guy that can stretch the field. He's proven in the past that he can go deep and make great plays. You just don't see that too often because they like Austin to run short/intermediate routes.

Austin has the concussion issues, obviously, but Donnie Avery ain't no Reggie Wayne when it comes to injuries, if you know what I mean. He's been injured a lot in the past and is the main reason why he was cut from the Rams.

If Austin is playing, he should and will be the starter.

A player who has brain damage or knee tear what's worse

[HGRekks]

Gabbert has improved, quite honestly. I'm not saying he's a top 16 QB, but he has improved a great deal in the offseason. He's more comfortable, and knows more what to expect now, and he's not gonna be the deer in the headlights he was last year.

Did you watch him today?

[Andy]

A player who has brain damage or knee tear what's worse

I did not say that Avery's as likely to get an injury, Im just saying he's not always healthy either plus.

If Austin feels fine, then it's worth the risk.

[John Waylon]

Did you watch him today?

Sometimes I forget one game against one of the league's best defenses means you suck.

You'll have to forgive me.

[jbaron04]

I did not say that Avery's as likely to get an injury, Im just saying he's not always healthy either plus.

If Austin feels fine, then it's worth the risk.

Austin has major head injurys kind of remind me of javid best

[Pacergeek]

Avery has looked great so far. He catches everything thrown his way

[HGRekks]

Sometimes I forget one game against one of the league's best defenses means you suck.

You'll have to forgive me.

I'm not sure I can forgive you of something I never posited. 7/19 is unacceptable vs. any team, and one other game this year is not sufficient to determine rather or not he's improved a decent amount or not. You're saying he's gotten much better this season based on one game vs. a decidely weak secondary and yet positing that going 7/19 against one of the leagues better should be either thrown out or given less weight?

How does that make sense?

[ColtJ82]

While he may get less targets now that Avery has stepped up that may not be a bad thing. Most importantly I think is that it allows him to take his time coming back. I will say our wr core will look pretty solid with him in it. Besides Arians moves guys all over the field so he may play the slot he may move outside....Reggie may be in the slot. That is one thing I think we should have done more over the years is move Reggie around...like Peyton wasn't smart enough to find him. Especially when we played the Jets back in 2010...get him away from Revis and work him on lesser corners. I like how Arians moves guys around.

I got to give Avery props because I had serious doubts about him....he hasn't been healthy in forever and he didn't even look that special when he was in Stl. but perhaps this offense makes the best use of him.

It wasn't that Manning wouldn't find him. It was the no huddle offense. You don't know what the play is until you are at the line and you don't want your receivers shifting everywhere and slowing things down.

[John Waylon]

I'm not sure I can forgive you of something I never posited. 7/19 is unacceptable vs. any team, and one other game this year is not sufficient to determine rather or not he's improved a decent amount or not. You're saying he's gotten much better this season based on one game vs. a decidely weak secondary and yet positing that going 7/19 against one of the leagues better should be either thrown out or given less weight?

How does that make sense?

Because obviously, unlike yourself, I didn't just scope the box score and decide he was bad. I watched all of his pre-season action, and the game against the Vikes last week.

Stats don't tell the whole story. Watch a game.

There are very few around the league who haven't taken notice of how much better he looks so far this year. He's making better reads, he's more in command of the offense, and he's tenfold more comfortable out there than he was a season ago.

Now before you rail off again and make some audacious claim that I'm calling him great, because hey, we've already established that you only look at the bottom line and not how you got there, let me say this, and make it concise and clear.

He is not a top 16 quarterback. I'm not saying he's great, I'm not even saying he's good. What I AM saying is that he's better than your seemingly giving him credit for.

[buccolts]

Donnie had a great game, but that's what it is: one game. Austin is more proven and has shown in the past that he can definitely do the job. I'd like to see all 3 guys on the field, but when there are two guys, Austin should be the other guy.

I like Collie also, but this is two pretty good games by Avery.

If Luck were a little more accurate with his long throws Avery has two more TDs.

[dgambill]

It wasn't that Manning wouldn't find him. It was the no huddle offense. You don't know what the play is until you are at the line and you don't want your receivers shifting everywhere and slowing things down.

I understand....but then again we didn't always run a no huddle or have to run it. I still think we could have made these adjustments on the sideline when the offense struggled or we couldn't get Reggie involved....like on certain series or at the half. Outside of Manning we really didn't make adjustments on those teams...sadly I don't think a lot of coaching went on...player progression was simply a result of Peyton and vets working hard with them or by themselves IMO.

[krunk]

You mean to tell me we don't get an appearance from Gavin on this thread? He always seems to have some not so nice things to say about Mr. Avery? Oh Gavin where are you?

[buccolts]

You mean to tell me we don't get an appearance from Gavin on this thread? He always seems to have some not so nice things to say about Mr. Avery? Oh Gavin where are you?

He must be combing other threads in case someone's praising the OL.

Just kidding, Gavin.

[HGRekks]

Because obviously, unlike yourself, I didn't just scope the box score and decide he was bad. I watched all of his pre-season action, and the game against the Vikes last week.

Stats don't tell the whole story. Watch a game.

There are very few around the league who haven't taken notice of how much better he looks so far this year. He's making better reads, he's more in command of the offense, and he's tenfold more comfortable out there than he was a season ago.

Now before you rail off again and make some audacious claim that I'm calling him great, because hey, we've already established that you only look at the bottom line and not how you got there, let me say this, and make it concise and clear.

He is not a top 16 quarterback. I'm not saying he's great, I'm not even saying he's good. What I AM saying is that he's better than your seemingly giving him credit for.

I like the way you're claiming that I only look at the bottom line, which is a baseless accusation, and then try and throw barbs at me for, of all things, supposedly throwing baseless accusations.

Nonetheless, I never said he didn't improve. Never once. Never ever. I just said he's not that great. As a measuring stick for starting QBs, he's still below average, which you seem to agree with. I'm not exactly sure what you're arguing against.

P.S.: Citing stats 1.) doesn't show someone only looks at a bottom line, as it is often easier to illustrate a point that one can not visually show on a message board, nor 2.) mean someone doesn't watch games. I do. I watch as many as time grants. I even overpay for the ability to do so.

And I don't take preseason as a great measuring stick of much for first stringers. In my unscientific experience, it's been mostly meaningless as far as actual season play goes, which is why I stand by the idea that he's only shown 2 games worth of real experience.