The Indianapolis Colts (9-4) are preparing to host the Houston Texans (4-9) at Lucas Oil Stadium for a Week 15 matchup on Sunday as the season enters its final three weeks.
Ahead of the rematch against the Texans, the coordinators for the Colts spoke to the media on Tuesday touching on various topics in all three phases of the game.
Here are some highlights from the coordinator’s corner:
Jonathan Taylor getting better each week
The rookie running back has taken the league by storm over the last month or so. He has 55 carries for 331 yards and two rushing touchdowns while adding nine receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown in the passing game over three games.
Offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni attributes the improvements Taylor has made to an increase in reps and confidence for the rookie.
“Confidence and reps. Really, that is as simple as it can be – confidence and reps. He just keeps getting reps, keeps getting better. He just keeps seeing it over and over and over again, and he is building confidence from that. You can really see that,” Sirianni said. “Confidence is a crazy thing, and momentum and confidence is a great thing to have. He’s got that and he’s playing really good football right now.”
Taylor endured a three-game stretch in which he was essentially benched as the Colts rode the hot hand in the backfield. Sirianni couldn’t be more impressed with how the rookie handled the rough stretch of games.
“I never really sensed that he had lost confidence. I really don’t and I think he handled not getting all the carries and Nyheim (Hines) getting some of the carries because he was hot or Jordan (Wilkins) because he was hot at the time, I think he handled that truly like a pro,” Sirianni said. “Of course he wanted to get all those carries that they were getting, but he is a pro and he handled it like a pro. He didn’t complain. He just said, ‘Hey, next time I get out there I am going to make the most of my opportunities’ and he has done that. So a big credit to him.”
Khari Willis quietly having a strong season
The second-year safety may have been overshadowed by rookie Julian Blackmon this season, but don’t mistake that for a lack of development for the Michigan safety. Willis has been turning in a strong season, showing improvements in both phases of the game.
“He’s just been special since he’s been here, just to be frank. He’s a great young man, he has high character. He brings energy and enthusiasm on the practice field. He’s very serious about his business, meaning that he’s a true pro,” said defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. “He’s a good player. That’s the one thing you have to be. He’s quick and explosive. He’s a good tackler and plays well in space. We’ve been having him primarily as the guy that drops down for us, that covers guys and fits the run game, but he can play in the deep part of the field too. He does a lot of things well for us, but I would say the main thing is the way he practices and the way he prepares and his energy and enthusiasm all the way through the week and into the game time. He’s pretty impressive.”
Willis had an impressive rookie campaign but he’s been even better in Year 2. His improvements against the pass are shining through while he continues to be a play-maker against the run.
Little chart on the improvements Khari Willis has made from year one to year two.
More snaps, interceptions, sacks, pass deflections, improved numbers in coverage (passer rating and comp % allowed). Also cut down on missed tackles as well. Improvement in nearly every category pic.twitter.com/5A1OqSzQF4
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) December 15, 2020
It seems the Colts have their starting safety tandem of the future.
Jordan Glasgow showing growth
Though he missed Week 14 due to being on the reserve/COVID-19 list and there’s a chance he misses this week as well, the rookie in Glasgow has been showing out for the majority of his rookie campaign on special teams.
Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone has seen a lot of growth from the sixth-round pick, and the rookie has quickly become a leader on special teams.
“Jordan (Glasgow) has been a great player for us this year. He’s done a good job, he prepares well, he’s very detailed. He’s pretty much a leader amongst that group by the way he prepares every week for his opponent and the detail he puts into his studies,” said Ventrone. “He’s very instinctive player. He’s done a great job for us in coverage and he’s made a lot of good blocks in the return game. He’s one of our best if not our best single blocker in both return units.”
Glasgow is second on the team in special teams tackles behind safety George Odum, who leads the NFL in that category. His absence will be missed if he’s forced to sit out another game, but the rookie is becoming a key cog on special teams.
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