Alarming stat about our wrs

[krunk]

7 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

So if we draft someone, and sign a FA vet like Hilton,  and one of our young guys emerges, that’s three improvements in the WR room. 
 

I don’t think we’re as far off as you seem to think we are. 

 

I dont think, i know we arent that far off. Its these guys who want quick solutions for everything who dont want to take out the time to see what really is necessary for a productive passing game.  Its not as simple as hey this guy doesnt have many catches therefore he must be bad! I think the questions one should ask are things like Is it the Receivers themselves that are the central problem?  Is it the scheme its self? What about the quarterback play?  How does us being a run heavy team play into the numbers?  What about injuries? Plus internally only the coaches know the real reason why a couple young guys didnt play that much and its not always bc they have bad talent. The Colts seem to prefer taking WR wherever in the draft with high athletic profiles and size ranges and allowing them to develop. They are willing to give them a little time if they think the guy is on the right trajectory. You can hear this thinking in some of Ballard and Reichs recent statements on the group. Id be careful about putting too much emphasis on stats. All these things should be considered before one says our WRs are putrid. Im fine with adding either 2 WR from the draft. Or 1Wr and a very athletic TE.  If Mclaurin is available though i wouldnt fault Chris for making that move. I think hes a better fit than Deebo.

[Yoshinator]

19 minutes ago, CurBeatElite said:

I just said I hope Ballard does something to give Ryan proven weapons (ideally at wr and te) because as it stands now, both groups are weak compared to the rest of the league. 

 

We would be greatly improved with any proven additions at either spot.

 

I wouldn't mind TY back, but the last 3-4 years he's definitely been on the decline. To think he's going to be reliable for a full year seems flawed. To keep him healthy he'd likely have to be used very sparingly. As much as I'd like to see him break 10k yards in a Colts uniform, I'd rather see us winning consistently and I'm not sure he's the answer for that.

 

It'd also be great to see one of our guys emerge. I think the most likely is Campbell, but that will require him staying healthy which is a huge IF. 

 

 

 

I have some hope for our other WRs because a lot of the non-production was due to either injury (in Campbells case), or a lack of playing time (because of Pascal and TY). Worst thing we can do is re-sign TY and clog up a spot for a WR that is in decline with no upside and steals playing time from our young receivers. 

 

IMO, draft a WR and sign someone in FA like a Will Fuller that has upside if he plays (make his contract performance based), that way you have a chance at getting solid production no matter what. 

 

I'm a history buff and stats guy, and would like to get Hilton to break 10K yards, but not at the expense of our young WRs and a chance to make the playoffs and compete while Matt Ryan has a couple solid years left.

[ChuggaBeer]

We scored an awful lot of points last yr for not having weapons.  8th in the league.  Take a look at who averaged less points. 

 

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/points-per-game

 

It was the last 3 games of the yr that really hurt.  9 points a game under average from the season.  

 

While I would like to see a TE and WR added.  I am no as concerned as many of you.   

 

I'd keep building the defense and add a LT for the future behind Pryor 

[Yoshinator]

8 minutes ago, ChuggaBeer said:

We scored an awful lot of points last yr for not having weapons.  8th in the league.  Take a look at who averaged less points. 

 

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/points-per-game

 

It was the last 3 games of the yr that really hurt.  9 points a game under average from the season.  

 

While I would like to see a TE and WR added.  I am no as concerned as many of you.   

 

I'd keep building the defense and add a LT for the future behind Pryor 

That's because Jonathan Taylor was by far the best RB in the league last year. As far as our WRs and TEs go, after Pittman who got over 1,000 receiving yards, no one else on the team got above 400. That's extremely terrible. It worked last year because no one knew how to stop Taylor. He was shut down in the last few games a lot more. That'll probably be the gameplan going forward when other teams watch the tape. We need another WR and TE that is respectable in order for teams to respect the pass so Taylor doesn't get shut down.

 

I don't think what worked last year will work this year. 

[EastStreet]

On 4/22/2022 at 7:33 AM, Indeee said:

This team doesn't need to play air raid for any of what the complaints represent. The front office, Ballard, has said extensively over this last season that the passing game needs to really improve. Most on here would take that to mean better QB play and that's part of it but not all of it. Media experts have done film study showing what we fans have seen all along. Our wideouts and TE's cannot gain separation and the route trees at certain times are off. In fact, I would argue we haven't played enough short possession ball from a schematic point as most routes were too long to develop coupled with players who did not excel in those types of routes. There is a problem in all three phases here. QB, Pass Catchers, and Play designers. It needs to be fixed right away because these teams are going to really start stacking the box at some point and forcing those developing pass catchers to develop in a hurry. They better be up for that challenge or it's going to be a long season.

We've been playing a ton of possession ball. Take a look at the Nextgen pass charts for the WRs. We have very little variety.  It will be interesting to see what (play calls) we do with Ryan, and not our new WR. My guess at this point is same old stuff, very akin to what we saw with Rivers. 

[EastStreet]

On 4/22/2022 at 4:01 PM, CurBeatElite said:

After Pittman, our WRs consist of Campbell (oft injured) and a bunch of 6th round or undrafted young guys who've done nothing to prove they are going to be special. 

 

There's a reason why these guys weren't 1st round or even top half of the draft picks.

I'm not going to pretend that our other WRs are pro bowl type guys, But I do question the personnel usage and scheme. When TY did play, having a tiny guy post up on the sideline is silly. Giving Pascal so many snaps, instead of trying to develop others, was just bizarre to me. Just totally super conservative. Just way too much short possession ball. On the rare occasion we did go deeper than 15 yards, we were actually pretty successful. Wentz rated very good deep, and Pittman, IIRC, was #2 in the league in contested catches (50/50). 

 

So again, not acting like we have a bunch of studs, but our approach was super short and conservative all year. 

[CurBeatElite]

45 minutes ago, EastStreet said:

I'm not going to pretend that our other WRs are pro bowl type guys, But I do question the personnel usage and scheme. When TY did play, having a tiny guy post up on the sideline is silly. Giving Pascal so many snaps, instead of trying to develop others, was just bizarre to me. Just totally super conservative. Just way too much short possession ball. On the rare occasion we did go deeper than 15 yards, we were actually pretty successful. Wentz rated very good deep, and Pittman, IIRC, was #2 in the league in contested catches (50/50). 

 

So again, not acting like we have a bunch of studs, but our approach was super short and conservative all year. 

Well, part of that (imo) was probably Reich trying to keep Wentz' turnovers down and confidence up, especially early in the year when he was hurt/immobile..

 

Also, our pass blocking took a step back last year. 

 

Looks like we're having a good draft so far, so hopefully these young weapons help.

[EastStreet]

10 minutes ago, CurBeatElite said:

Well, part of that (imo) was probably Reich trying to keep Wentz' turnovers down and confidence up, especially early in the year when he was hurt/immobile..

 

Also, our pass blocking took a step back last year. 

 

Looks like we're having a good draft so far, so hopefully these young weapons help.

 

Not too high on the draft. OK, but I see projects at both WR and TE.

 

Prospect too at OT, but I love the value, and by far our best pick tonight. 

 

Just for "stake in the ground" perspective....

 

Player                PFF rank                       NFL.com rating

2nd Pierce           98th                       6.16 (good backup, potential starter)                       

3rd Woods          106th                     6.18 (good backup, potential starter)

3rd Rainmann      18th                       6.39 (eventually a plus starter)

 

Again, not saying big boards and ratings are all that, but most thought our first two picks were going later, and are more project type. Our 3rd pick though had incredible value. Just hard to get excited given everything I've read/watched on AP and JW. Perhaps CB will bring in some proven skill in the receiving space. 

[CurBeatElite]

7 hours ago, EastStreet said:

 

Not too high on the draft. OK, but I see projects at both WR and TE.

 

Prospect too at OT, but I love the value, and by far our best pick tonight. 

 

Just for "stake in the ground" perspective....

 

Player                PFF rank                       NFL.com rating

2nd Pierce           98th                       6.16 (good backup, potential starter)                       

3rd Woods          106th                     6.18 (good backup, potential starter)

3rd Rainmann      18th                       6.39 (eventually a plus starter)

 

Again, not saying big boards and ratings are all that, but most thought our first two picks were going later, and are more project type. Our 3rd pick though had incredible value. Just hard to get excited given everything I've read/watched on AP and JW. Perhaps CB will bring in some proven skill in the receiving space. 

If you listen to the phone call Ballard, Reich and Irsay have with Pierce, it sounds like he had a very impressive workout with them recently... he's a big, strong and fast guy who uses his body well.  He's got a similar build as Patmon (less than an inch shorter, 10 lbs lighter) and is a little faster and more agile with a 4.5 Inch better vertical and better hands.... Patmon's big struggle is his lack of physicality, which seems to be Pierce's strength... Pierce's main question seems to be his ability to get off the line, which is (imo) way less of an issue than not being able to use his size and physicality to his advantage (Reggie is actually a great coach to have for someone who needs help separating at the line).

 

My guess is they think Pierce can fill the void they were hoping Patmon could develop into.  I like the pick and think he can replace Pascal as an easy improvement there.. that said, I'd still really like to see a proven vet brought in. 

 

I'm with you on the other 2 picks, the OT has a ton of upside even if he's not a day 1 starter (hopefully Pryor makes it so he doesn't have to be, and if I had to guess, I think we will see Fisher or another vet signed soon).

 

The TE has size and speed. Though a bit of a project, I think he challenges for snaps from day 1 (perhaps more a reflection of our TE group than his strengths). Who knows, maybe Ryan will really help him? 

 

I really like the tape on the S we brought in from Maryland. 

[EastStreet]

15 hours ago, CurBeatElite said:

If you listen to the phone call Ballard, Reich and Irsay have with Pierce, it sounds like he had a very impressive workout with them recently... he's a big, strong and fast guy who uses his body well.  He's got a similar build as Patmon (less than an inch shorter, 10 lbs lighter) and is a little faster and more agile with a 4.5 Inch better vertical and better hands.... Patmon's big struggle is his lack of physicality, which seems to be Pierce's strength... Pierce's main question seems to be his ability to get off the line, which is (imo) way less of an issue than not being able to use his size and physicality to his advantage (Reggie is actually a great coach to have for someone who needs help separating at the line).

 

My guess is they think Pierce can fill the void they were hoping Patmon could develop into.  I like the pick and think he can replace Pascal as an easy improvement there.. that said, I'd still really like to see a proven vet brought in. 

 

I'm with you on the other 2 picks, the OT has a ton of upside even if he's not a day 1 starter (hopefully Pryor makes it so he doesn't have to be, and if I had to guess, I think we will see Fisher or another vet signed soon).

 

The TE has size and speed. Though a bit of a project, I think he challenges for snaps from day 1 (perhaps more a reflection of our TE group than his strengths). Who knows, maybe Ryan will really help him? 

 

I really like the tape on the S we brought in from Maryland. 

 

I like a lot of his (AP) traits (size, speed, body control), but the agility and route running concerns are real. Not sure what position they envision him playing. Seems like he'd be a good deep ball specialists, but we just don't do that a lot. If his route running is suspect, that hurts his chances at Z big time. That said, do they play him at X, and move Pitt inside, or let AP try slot? I'm just surprised we didn't go for a true Z type WR. I assumed they were going to draft Skyy Moore, who went the pick after. Saw on NFL.com SM was ranked #1 this draft for "WR Fit" with KC. 

 

And I'm with you, I think we need to find a proven vet, even if TY comes back. 

 

I was pretty meh on today's picks. Overall, i like our 3rd and 4th picks, not crazy about the first two but agree there's upside, and totally meh on 4-7Rs