Though these are unprecedented times during isolation, the NFL is still planning on moving forward with the 2020 season as scheduled. For the Indianapolis Colts, this means trying to find ways to connect while still being separated.
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For the most part, the Colts have built a culture in the locker room that has helped the players connect easily. But for newcomers, this time of the year is supposed to be about getting acclimated into that culture. It is an important time, especially when bringing in a new quarterback like Philip Rivers.
The real bonding won’t begin until the team is back together again, but tight end Jack Doyle told reporters Wednesday that he already feels a connection brewing with his new quarterback.
“I have built a relationship over these meetings and we’ve texted back and forth and have gotten to know him a little bit. I love hearing him talk during the meetings and the way he talks ball is really cool,” Doyle said. “So I feel a little connection there already and we will just build off of that. Whenever the world is or what we can do, we will do and build that timing and that connection.”
The connection between Doyle and Rivers could be an important one. Rivers has long valued the tight end position—mostly because of who his tight ends were. But the tight end position is also an important one holding a vital role in Frank Reich’s offense.
Doyle is entering another year as TE1 and while the new addition in Trey Burton will likely take targets away, the former is still the starter in the room and will be heavily used as a pass-catcher.
It will be interesting to see how quickly Doyle and Rivers will be able to develop the on-field chemistry but it seems they are starting on the right foot off the field.
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