It's weird how the Colts have done nothing to help new QB Matt Ryan | Opinion
INDIANAPOLIS – Frank Reich knows what you’re thinking about the Indianapolis Colts offense, and about the offseason moves the Colts have and have not made – heavy on the have not – to surround new quarterback Matt Ryan with playmakers. Reich sees the same things you’ve been seeing, what we’re all seeing.
Reich just sees those things differently. His perspective isn’t just that of head coach, but of eternal optimist – in his players, his front office, himself. When Reich screws up it’s generally from having too much conviction in his guys, whether it’s vouching for one from Philadelphia or constantly asking his offense to go for it on fourth down. Reich doesn’t just hope things will work out; he believes.
But he knows what you’re seeing when you look at the Colts depth chart.
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“I understand what the outside perception is,” Reich was saying Wednesday of the depth behind No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman Jr. “How many catches do they have?”
Let’s interrupt Reich briefly to answer the question: Not much. After Pittman, the Colts’ next four wideouts are Parris Campbell (34 career catches), Ashton Dulin (18), Dezmon Patmon (two) and Michael Strachan (two).
Things aren’t much better at tight end, where Jack Doyle retired and the Colts replaced him with, well, they’ve not replaced him yet.
Back to Reich.
“I see the upside for those players,” he continued, speaking of the unproven playmakers on the roster, “and am looking forward to seeing those guys develop.”
He’s also looking forward to the impact Ryan will have on those younger players. To that end, Reich said something Wednesday that could be interpreted as a shot at the guy Ryan replaced. Carson Somebody-Or-Other. You’ll see.
Colts' offensive changes this offseason: Matt Ryan and ... nothing
The Colts have made just one significant move on offense this offseason. Granted, that was a big move, replacing Carson Wentz with Matt Ryan, but they’ve done almost nothing else to the offense.
Now, things have been done to the Colts offense. Doyle retired, and up to four more starting positions could be open because of free-agent departures: receivers Zach Pascal and T.Y. Hilton, left tackle Eric Fisher, and right guard Mark Glowinski (even Glowinski’s backup, Chris Reed, is gone).
Thus far the Colts have replaced Fisher with his backup last season, Matt Pryor. They’re replacing Glowinski/Reed with Danny Pinter, who played tackle at Ball State and center last season for the Colts and has never, as in ever, played right guard. I think Pinter will be fine. Pryor? Not. Even. Close. Bud.
This offseason has primarily been about the defense, and the additions have been just fine. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is an upgrade over Al-Quadin Muhammad, and cornerback Stephon Gilmore is an upgrade over Xavier Rhodes. The Colts also have brought in depth at cornerback, safety, linebacker and defensive line.
The offense? Crickets, though Reich likes the way those crickets sing.
“Matt Ryan and a great defense? We’re good,” Reich said of the offseason moves to date.
They’re not done, either. But they’re gambling a lot – like, the entire season – on nailing the draft.
Deebo Samuel to Colts? Don't even.
Reich believes in general manager Chris Ballard, who has seven picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, starting with No. 42 overall (a second-rounder).
“There’s nobody better than Chris,” Reich said once, then again, as he does when he really means something. “There’s nobody better than Chris at building the roster. … I look at our roster and I trust Chris. I trust Chris, and I trust our guys.”
Later, Reich said: “We’re going to get better. When the draft is over we’re going to have a better team and a better roster.”
That’s absolutely true. The Colts will get better in the draft. You’re not reading: The Colts’ offseason is over, and they’ve failed to surround Matt Ryan with playmakers!
You’re reading: Isn’t it strange that the Colts still haven’t added anyone to their offensive skill positions?
Before we get to what Reich did say about Matt Ryan – and never said about Carson Wentz – let’s address the Deebo in the room:
The Colts are not acquiring All-Pro receiver Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers. I realize Samuel has asked for a trade. So do 32 NFL general managers.
The bidding for Samuel will get so crazy, I hope the Colts don’t even make a phone call. I like Chris Ballard too much for him to be laughed at, and then hung up on, by another team. The Colts have nothing to offer the 49ers for Samuel that could get their attention, short of Darius Leonard.
Which …
Never mind. Not happening. Let’s get back to non-fiction, and the Colts’ non-moves thus far at receiver, and something Reich said about the role Matt Ryan will play in the development of Strachan and Patmon. It’s something he never said, something nobody has ever said, about Carson Wentz. Sound up:
“I’m excited for how (Ryan) is going to help those young receivers,” Reich said. “Every quarterback is an extended wide receiver coach. They have to be. … Matt has a particularly good perspective and a good way about him, the way he’s going to connect with those young receivers.”
What was Carson Wentz’s way, and was it “good”? All I can tell you is, one, the Colts got rid of Wentz despite his 27-to-7 ratio of TD’s to INT’s for some reason. And, two, just this week the Philadelphia media asked new Eagles receiver Zach Pascal if he’d considered following Wentz to Washington, and Pascal couldn’t say “absolutely not” fast enough. Though he did say it twice, in case anyone misunderstood him the first time.
Matt Ryan will make it his mission to help Strachan and Patmon improve. Ballard will make it his mission to find a receiver or three in the 2022 NFL Draft. Reich will make it his mission to take whatever he has and turn it into a playoff-caliber offense.
It doesn’t sound like Mission: Impossible. But the Colts’ search for offensive playmakers does sound like Mission: Difficult. And for now, it’s been Mission: Neglect.
Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar or at www.facebook.com/greggdoyelstar.