2025 Indianapolis Colts Coaching Camp Journal: Uninspiring Crimson Zone Day for Each QBs

Westfield, IN — Saturday’s night apply was a scorcher, however it was eventful for all events concerned. This apply ramped up its aggressiveness, each in exertion and length, a concerted effort to get the staff prepared for Monday — when the pads formally come on.

From each particular groups interval and the primary time we’ve seen passcatcher/defender 1-on-1s to a crimson zone unique day of staff durations, this hour-and-a-half-long apply was chock-full of drills and simulations to look at.

Because the article’s title suggests, this full ship into the crimson zone proved to be a tall ask for each Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Whereas the 2 quarterbacks definitely had their fair proportion of landing connections, it was a wildly inefficient day within the crimson space.

Up till this level, we had but to see any crimson zone calls in staff durations. On Saturday, nevertheless, it was a distinct story fully. The Colts completely operated within the crimson zone for all of its staff durations on the day. This, in fact, shrinks the sphere and usually helps differentiate between quarterbacks amidst a contest, however that was not the case. Each Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones struggled of their first crimson zone periods, placing up inconsistent showings that symbolize two sides of the identical coin.

Each quarterbacks threw an interception on the day, however neither’s exhibiting was marred by them. Daniel Jones’ INT got here through an ill-positioned 5-yard throw that Samuel Womack jumped, whereas Richardson’s turnover was a tip drill that began with an Anthony Gould-JuJu Brents collision on the line of scrimmage and completed by Rodney Thomas II behind the endzone.

Total, it was very comparable exhibiting ‘stats-wise,’ although it may very well be argued that Jones had worse misses than Richardson did. It wasn’t as a lot of a purely inaccurate throwing efficiency because it was one which required extra polished timing that chemistry would theoretically iron out. Every had an overthrown fade route within the nook of the top zone, however then once more, that’s most popular over an underthrow that permits the defender to make a play on.

An enormous a part of these quarterbacks’ poor performances within the crimson zone could be attributed to extra than simply their share of the blame. It’ll at all times begin and finish with the quarterback, however particularly while you’re speaking in regards to the passing sport within the crimson zone, it’s essential to notice if the supposed passcatchers are holding up their finish of the discount. Merely put, as a bunch, they haven’t but.

Michael Pittman Jr. continues to be the identical man he’s been since he was drafted, and possibly he’s nonetheless getting again into the swing of issues after enjoying via a slight fracture in his again final season, however to date, he’s struggled to ascertain any chemistry with both of the quarterbacks.

A demon within the slot and the quarterback’s safety blanket beneath, Josh Downs has but to be the constant layup-maker that we’ve seen in recent times. He’s nonetheless doing what he does finest — getting open and discovering house — however he has uncharacteristically begun dropping passes. Talking of which, second-year wideout Adonai Mitchell has been plagued with post-release mishaps all coaching camp. There’ve solely been 4 unpadded practices to date, however Mitchell has virtually averaged at the least two drops per day in staff durations.

The saviors to date amongst all Colts passcatchers have been vast receiver Alec Pierce and rookie tight finish Tyler Warren. Whereas Warren’s reliability has primarily been on full show when Anthony Richardson is throwing to him, Pierce has been the go-to man for each Richardson and Jones. Pierce’s big-play capability continues to be obvious, however he’s seemingly unlocked the required short-area quickness to thrive within the quick/intermediate sport, which is grounds for a harmful recipe when concocting an NFL wideout.

Lastly, it’s abundantly clear that Indy’s protection far outmatches its offense, at the least proper now, that’s. The Colts’ secondary has been legitimized with new additions Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum, its line of defense is deep and presents two candidates (Laiatu Latu, Samson Ebukam) to whole double-digit sacks within the go rush sport, and its Zaire Franklin-less linebacker group has impressed to date.

As beforehand talked about, the pads come on beginning on Monday. Due to this fact, this quarterback competitors to date might very nicely be singing a distinct tune as early as this week. Maybe a longtime chemistry with their passcatchers is required for the quarterbacks to take the following step, however to this point, there stays loads of work to be achieved.