Insider: Why Jeff Saturday isn't making any changes to Colts QB depth chart
https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...t/69690614007/
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. INDIANAPOLIS — This Colts season has been defined by change at two of the three most important positions in the organization.
Head coach. Quarterback.
But interim coach Jeff Saturday does not see a reason to make another change to the quarterback depth chart, even though the Indianapolis offense has reverted to its inefficient, mistake-prone profile in back-to-back losses to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh after Saturday’s decision to put Matt Ryan back in the starting lineup produced a win over Las Vegas in his debut.
“Matt is going to continue to be the guy,” Saturday said after the Monday night game. “We’re going to keep moving forward, keep pressing forward with what we’ve got.”
Saturday initially said the Colts would stick with Sam Ehlinger when he was first hired, only to start Ryan in a surprising move in Las Vegas five days later, a decision the interim coach said was made after seeing Ryan throw for the first time since suffering a separated shoulder against Tennessee.
Ryan turned the ball over twice against the Steelers, the veteran’s first two turnovers since Saturday put him back in the starting lineup, but neither turnover was entirely his fault.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. admitted after the game that he didn’t run his route correctly on Ryan’s early interception, and running back Jonathan Taylor appeared to be at fault for the Colts’ critical fumble in the red zone in the third quarter, although it was charged to Ryan.k
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Ryan has completed 70.2% of his passes for 634 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in three starts since returning to the lineup, three starts that have marked by efficiency but a significant lack of explosiveness.
The Colts have just four completions of 20 yards or more in the past two games, and Indianapolis failed to complete a pass until the second quarter of Monday night’s loss to the Steelers. Ryan’s averaging 6.7 yards per attempt in the past three games and 6.8 for the season overall.
Backup Sam Ehlinger fared worse in his two starts, completing 61.5% of his passes for 304 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and an ugly 5.8 yards per attempt.
Indianapolis has another option available.
Veteran Nick Foles, who was brought to the Colts to be a high-caliber backup for a potential playoff team, has played only two snaps this season, but there appears to be no plan to give Foles a chance.
Foles still has a strong arm, he was the quarterback most likely to push the ball down the field in training camp, [B]but Indianapolis admitted last week that the Colts haven’t called a lot of deep shots because of the lack of protection from the offensive line.[/I]
More:'You have to have enough time': Why Colts aren't taking downfield shots in passing game
“I think Nick has done a really good job for us,” Saturday said. “He’s continued to stay really loyal to this football team. I have confidence in both he and Sam. I think they’re both great players and do a really good job of helping Matt. Other than that, that’s just kind of where we are.”
Saturday also said he’s given no thought to making Foles the No. 2 again, which would make the veteran active on game day.
After all of the change at quarterback this season, Saturday wants to stick with the Colts depth chart the way it is, believing it gives Indianapolis the best chance to win.
“When Nick came in as the switch was made between Matt and Sam and all those things, I wasn’t here for any of that,” Saturday said. “Both he and Sam have done a really good job on the scout team, and I’ve appreciated how they’ve both attacked this thing.”
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INDIANAPOLIS — The numbers don’t lie.
https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...s/69674666007/
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The Colts offense has stopped pushing the ball down the field in the passing game.
Indianapolis completed 22 passes of 20 yards or more in the first six games of the season. The Colts have completed just nine passes of 20 yards or more in the last five.
The chief reason is simple and obvious.
“You have to have enough time,” starting quarterback Matt Ryan said. “To be able to do some of the things you want to do, to push the ball down the field. We just haven’t been consistent enough throughout the year.”
Deep shots take time.
Time for the route to develop, time for the quarterback to take the drop he needs in order to get his mechanics in sync for the throw.
The Indianapolis offensive line has rarely given Ryan that kind of time this season.
The starting quarterback isn’t the only member of the Colts who’s acknowledged the reality of the Indianapolis offense this week.
“From a shots perspective, you’ve got to make sure your protection is in sync,” interim coach Jeff Saturday said.
The Colts’ new play-caller also acknowledged that his hands are tied somewhat.
Parks Frazier could dial up more deep throws down the field, but he has to take the risk into account.
Ryan and backup Sam Ehlinger have been sacked 40 times in 2022, tied with the Chicago Bears for the worst mark in the NFL so far.
“I think it’s a combination of just finding more ways to get the guys the ball in space where they can catch and run,” Frazier said. “And then obviously, when you want to push the ball down the field, you’ve got to think protection first. It’s finding ways to protect, to be able to push the ball down the field in your spots. I do believe in keeping the quarterback from getting hit as much as possible.”
Indianapolis has tried to make up for its lack of time in the pocket by leaning on the first part of Frazier’s answer.
Of the Colts’ four completions of 20 yards or more in the last two games, three have been short to intermediate throws that the receiver turned into a bigger play.
The problem is that good, attacking secondaries like the ones in Philadelphia, New England and Denver close down on those completions quickly, and even a struggling secondary like the Titans adjusted its game plan to take it away.
Tennessee gave up six completions of 20 yards or more in the first matchup between the two teams. Three weeks later, the Titans gave up only one and made two interceptions by attacking the short routes.
All of that leaves the Colts between a rock and a hard place.
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The Indianapolis offensive line hasn’t protected the passer well enough to throw the ball down the field.
But a Colts team averaging 15.7 points per game needs a spark, and the lack of downfield throws is limiting the impact Indianapolis could get from its emerging trio of Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Parris Campbell.
Pierce, in particular, loses a lot of opportunities. He’s been the Colts’ most dangerous downfield threat this season, but the fewer downfield shots Ryan takes, the fewer opportunities the rookie has to make an impact.
“We’ve got to find ways to stretch the field vertically, get some chances, create explosive plays,” Ryan said. “It becomes too difficult when every drive, you’re not getting those chunk plays.”
The issue isn’t philosophical.
From Frank Reich before him to Jeff Saturday now, the Colts coaching staff would like to get the ball down the field.
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