Even after drafting Jonathan Taylor in the second round to pair with Marlon Mack, the Colts say Nyheim Hines will continue to enjoy a meaningful role in the offense. Ideally, Hines says he’d also like to make a dent in the return game.
“I’d love to do punt and kick returns again,” Hines said (via Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star). “But I’ve got to go out there and earn both of the jobs. That’s what I plan on doing. I’d like to start at both of them.”
Hines made a strong case for the job last year, tallying the third-highest punt-return yardage total in the league in just nine attempts. Still, he’ll have to vie with fellow speedsters Parris Campbell and Isaiah Rodgers for the gig this summer.
More from Indy:
- Philip Rivers has arrived in Indianapolis and has taken the lead role in organizing players-only workouts in the area, Stephen Holder of The Athletic notes (subscription required). These workouts are expected to take place next week. Players are not expected to be back at their teams’ facilities until training camp, though some momentum may be building to an earlier arrival.
- Speaking of Rivers, his transition to the Colts will be easier than other relocating quarterbacks’ adjustments to their respective teams. While Tom Brady is learning a system that differs considerably from his Patriots setup, the Colts will use use essentially “the exact same system” as the one the Chargers used when Frank Reich and OC Nick Sirianni coached Rivers out west, Colts quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady said (via Colts.com’s Andrew Walker). They have installed roughly 90% of their offense already.
- The biggest name on Indianapolis’ defense, however, profiled as a fairly unknown commodity to the team’s defensive line coach. New Colts D-line coach Brian Baker spent the past four years as a college coach, working with Mississippi State and Alabama, but will now coach Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner. Baker evidently did not catch many 49ers games during that time. “I’ve been away from it for a while, and I didn’t really know who DeForest was,” Baker said, via Walker. “My energy was focusing on college players and recruiting. So I didn’t know who he was, and I’m like, ‘Who’s the big ‘ol 99? This dude can play. And I’m like, ‘Man, it’d be great …’ and you end up looking, ‘OK, DeForest Buckner,‘ like, ‘Man, it’d be good to get this guy.'”
- Buckner and Justin Houston will start for the Colts up front. But after that, competitions will commence to see who joins them, Baker added. Third-year defensive end Kemoko Turay appears to be the leading candidate to work opposite Houston. A starter at defensive tackle the past two years, Denico Autry will face off against ex-49ers starter Sheldon Day and third-year player Tyquan Lewis for the job alongside Buckner.
I hope they build a system for a wounded duck throwing , and more importantly how to throw interceptions at the most inopportune time. Then throw a big baby fit. Rivers is horrible these days.
He will be better with a much improved O-Line. A bad o-line and repeatedly getting hit will make any QB look like a scared kid just throwing the ball around…
I’m not saying he will be a top tier QB or anything, but he will play adequately enough to keep the Colts alive for a playoff spot and possibly a playoff W, depending on the matchup
Thank you. I think Rivers even has the chance to thrive one again in this team, a much healthier environment, and familiarity with the coaching.
If you’re going to talk crap without offering any meaningful analysis, at least do it in English.
Rivers threw for 4,615 yards and completed 66% of his passes while playing on a team with no line and it’s RB1 out for half the season. While he didn’t look his best last year he was forced to try to try to move the b-ball down field while under constant pressure. Rivers is a professional and passionate future Hall of Famer you should thrive in his current situation.
Agreed… inconsistent line play throws timing off; especially if you’re LT is being constantly changing or learning on the job. Rivers is the consummate pro, never complains about his teammates. Expect Rivers to have a solid year.
I guess any half decent QB gets in the Hall of Fame these days?
Although it is a lot easier when you play b-ball instead of football.
Buckner on this d makes it legit. The afc needs to be on full alert.
The Bungles, Raiders, Jags, Browns, and Jets will all be on full alert when they play the Colts this season. Although the Ravens, Titans, Texans, and Steelers will all be looking forward to having the opportunity to play them.
I think Rivers will be fine because the offensive line will be much better. The problem with Rivers these days is that he cuts your playbook in half. He is so limited in what he can do it’s very easy for the opponents defense to prepare for.