Tag: Rock Ya-Sin

5 Colts under the most pressure in 2020

These Colts are under a lot of pressure in 2020.

Every season there are new players faced with high amounts of pressure. Whether that is because of contract situation, possibly losing a roster spot, or having high expectations from the front office to succeed.

The Indianapolis Colts as a team are under a lot of pressure to get back to the playoffs, as they’ve missed the playoffs four of the last five seasons. Key additions in the offseason, Philip Rivers, DeForest Buckner, Jonathon Taylor, and Michael Pittman signal the Colts are going for it this season.

Lets take a look at five Colts that are facing the most pressure to succeed in 2020:

QB Philip Rivers

Last season was an abysmal campaign for both Rivers and the Indianapolis passing offense in separate ways. Rivers threw his second-most interceptions in a single season last year with 20, while only throwing 23 touchdowns. The Colts finished 30th in the NFL last year in passing offense.

Both parties will look to turn that around in 2020, with Rivers reuniting with his former offensive coordinator for two seasons in San Diego, Frank Reich.

Indianapolis saw an opportunity to improve at QB this offseason, and they hope they have done that by adding a 38-year old QB in Rivers for $25 million.

After a 7-9 season, and going into December on the doorstep of making the playoffs, Rivers will be facing a lot of pressure to push the Colts from a non-playoff team to a playoff team in 2020.

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Colts CB Rock Ya-Sin taking his game to the next level

Rock is ready to make that Year 2 jump.

If there are any question marks on the Indianapolis Colts roster, they likely come in the secondary. That said, the development of second-year cornerback Rock Ya-Sin has been a bright spot throughout the first week of training camp.

After a strong rookie campaign in which Ya-Sin truly turned it on during the second half, the Temple product is ready to take on the role of CB1 on the boundary. He’s started off strong at training camp showing off some better technique at the line and when making a play on the ball.

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has been impressed with the strides made by the 2019 second-round pick.

“Rock’s been great. We’re really excited about Rock. All of those snaps last year, and he came back in outstanding condition,” Eberflus told the media last week. “He’s really competing well. I think he is taking his technique and fundamentals to a new level in terms of buying in with what works for him and what functions in our defenses. We are really pleased.”

Ya-Sin already has one of the starting boundary spots locked up. Even though the Colts brought in veteran Xavier Rhodes, the defense is likely better off with Ya-Sin being the CB1 on the outside.

Working on is technique was the big priority after a solid rookie season. He showed a lot of promise down the stretch and seems to be taking his progressions seriously.

Entering his second season, Ya-Sin now knows what to expect from the demanding NFL life. This allows him to focus more on fine-tuning his game rather than juggling the many aspects of a professional career.

“Just count on your preparation, kind of knowing what to expect,” Ya-Sin told reporters Sunday. “I feel like coming in last year, you were blind – you’ve never been through a training camp and have never played through in NFL season. Now, I kind of know what to expect.”

The Temple product has a year of film work, practice and game planning under his belt, and he plans to use that in Year 2 to help him make that leap.

“I just didn’t know what I was seeing. You just haven’t seen it before. Watching film and seeing things on film are different than actually experiencing it in a game,” Ya-Sin said. “You can watch a million drive high lows on film, but actually seeing it and reacting to it in a game – it’s different. Seeing that before now will help me this year being able to react to things faster.”

The secondary for the Colts has a lot to prove in 2020, but all signs are pointing toward Ya-Sin having a breakout campaign after a promising rookie season.

7 Colts who could become rising stars with strong 2020

These players are on the precipice of becoming rising stars.

The Indianapolis Colts roster is one filled with young talent ready to emerge and take that next step into the national spotlight. Some already have while others may not get the credit they deserve.

The Colts have a number of young players who have yet to establish themselves despite having the talent to do so. That could all change for some of them if they wind up having a strong 2020 campaign.

The first step into stardom is getting on the radar by becoming a rising star. With a strong 2020 season, here are seven Colts who could enter the mix for that title:

RB Jonathan Taylor

Being one of the most productive running backs in college football history and then getting selected in the second round of the 2020 draft already gave Taylor enough recognition. If he comes through with a big season, there is little doubt he will be pegged as a rising star.

Taylor has to compete with incumbent starter Marlon Mack, who is talented in his own right. The duo is expected to split carries on early downs while Taylor should see a few more targets than Mack in the passing game. If he gets a few explosive plays under his belt and earns more of a role in the second half of the season, we could be talking about Taylor in a very different light next year.

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NFL.com lists secondary as Colts biggest weakness

There are some concerns in the back end of the defense.

The Indianapolis Colts spent some of the offseason making changes and additions to the secondary, but it seems there is still some concern as to what the unit will bring in 2020.

Though the Colts will see the return of starters Rock Ya-Sin and Kenny Moore II, there are many question marks facing the secondary as a whole entering training camp.

In their AFC South training camp preview, NFL.com listed the secondary as the team’s biggest weakness.

The Colts went 1-5 over the last six weeks of the 2019 season and missed the playoffs as a result. The inability to stop the pass was a glaring problem down the stretch. GM Chris Ballard hopes a change of scenery will revitalize Xavier Rhodes, a former All-Pro who’s struggled the past two seasons. The Colts also signed veteran T.J. Carrie, who should make up for Pierre Desir’s absence. Kenny Moore and Rock Ya-Sin round out the main corps, but the secondary issues aren’t limited to the cornerbacks. Safeties Malik Hooker and Khari Willis have been established starters but struggle with consistency. Yet, there is one X-factor that could change the overall perception of a squad with talent …

That X-factor they are referring to is defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and while he doesn’t play in the secondary, his addition could increase the production of the secondary if the pass rush takes a step forward.

But back to the secondary. There are legitimate concerns about the depth of the back end of the defense. Of course, there is promise with the developments of second-year cornerbacks Ya-Sin and Marvell Tell while Willis and third-round pick Julian Blackmon have optimistic outlooks as well.

But can Rhodes bounce back and return to form after an ugly 2019 season in which he was released by the Vikings, the only team he’s ever played for? Is Hooker’s future with the Colts done after this season after struggling with injuries and failing to live up to the playmaking expectations bestowed upon him as a first-round pick? Is there enough depth in the secondary to withstand injuries?

These are all legitimate concerns that the Colts face in the secondary. There is still plenty of promise throughout the unit, but it’s a unit that has a lot to prove if and when the 2020 season gets underway.

Colts’ Rock Ya-Sin eager to learn from Xavier Rhodes

Xavier Rhodes will be taking on a leadership role.

Despite being released from the only team he’s ever played for in the NFL this offseason, veteran cornerback Xavier Rhodes got a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. A player who has looked up to him is now one of his teammates in Rock Ya-Sin.

Entering his second season in the NFL, Ya-Sin had a rocky rookie campaign. It was more good than bad and his second-half showed he was making strides of development.

Now, he gets to learn under Rhodes, who will most likely be working on the boundary position opposite Ya-Sin.

“I’ve known of Xavier for a long time. I’ve watched him be an All-Pro corner. I’ve watched him shut down Antonio Brown, Julio Jones and top receivers in our league for a long time,” Ya-Sin said this week. “When he ended up in Indianapolis, I couldn’t be anything but happy to be able to compete with a guy like that, to be able to learn from a veteran like that. I was very excited to get to play with him.”

Rhodes himself is hoping to bounce back from a down year in 2019. Whether it was injuries or simply the game getting away from him, Rhodes had arguably his worst season since entering the league as a first-round pick in the 2011 draft.

But the Colts have confidence in the veteran to be both a leader and a productive asset in the secondary. He has gotten some work in with another Colts cornerback this offseason in Kenny Moore, who said the veteran is already showing leadership qualities.

The secondary will be an interesting position group to watch this season. Ya-Sin and Moore appear steady but there are several question marks throughout the cornerback and safety rooms.

This is a big year for Ya-Sin but it should help to have a veteran like Rhodes in the room to help him continue his development as a boundary corner.

Colts’ Rock Ya-Sin details what he learned from rookie year

Rock Ya-Sin enters a big Year 2.

When the Indianapolis Colts selected cornerback Rock Ya-Sin in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, they believed he had the skill set and makeup to have an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball.

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While he certainly had his share of ups and downs—as all rookies do—Ya-Sin’s mental makeup allowed him to push through the tough times in order to enjoy some high points. On a conference call with the media Wednesday, he detailed some of the things he learned during Year 1.

“Just to trust myself, trust my coaching, trust my teammates – guys are going to be where they are supposed to be – coaches are going to put us in the best position and just go out and make plays,” Ya-Sin said. “Have confidence throughout the game – ups, downs, guys catch balls. Guys are going to make plays, this is the NFL. This is the best of the best so you have to keep your head and just continue to play.”

The Temple product carved out a starting role pretty quickly after the season got underway and by halfway through the campaign he had etched his name into the starting lineup without question.

But halfway through the season—exactly halfway—came the game against the Denver Broncos. It was easily his worst game of the year. He struggled against one of the better young wide receivers in the game in Courtland Sutton but also committed five penalties throughout.

That game has stuck with Ya-Sin as a teaching moment in the NFL.

“I wouldn’t say it was hard for me to stay sure of myself but I did have hard days. I mean like everybody knows the Denver game – five penalties. That’s hard on any player because you feel like you are hurting the team. You’re not helping the team win, you are actually hurting the team,” Ya-Sin said. “Thankfully, thank God we were able to win that game, but I knew that I hurt the team that game. But as far as me staying sure of myself, I know myself, I know my preparation and I know the kind of player that I am. So I’ve always kept great confidence because I have confidence in number one I’ve demonstrated ability, then two in my work ethic.”

Now, Ya-Sin returns in Year 2 looking to help the defense even more than he did during the second half of his rookie campaign. The Colts have their starters in the secondary set as he will be lining up opposite the veteran Xavier Rhodes and next to Kenny Moore, who will be in the slot.

Year 2 is a big one for Ya-Sin and while he still has plenty to learn in order to continue the progression of his game, his rookie campaign gives him a foundation to lean on when developing.

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Colts using devices to monitor virtual workouts

Rock Ya-Sin says how the Colts are keeping track.

Even though the team is isolated in their respective homes, the Indianapolis Colts are still making sure the players are getting their workouts in during the offseason.

This is supposed to be the time of year where the Colts are together running around the practice field with each other. However, the coronavirus outbreak has kept the team separate. The Colts are still having the players fulfill their workouts at home and even have a way to keep track of them.

Second-year cornerback Rock Ya-Sin told Alex Marvez of Sirius XM NFL Radio that the Colts are using devices to track the players’ workouts to make sure they are staying up to date. Ya-Sin even has a workout partner in safety Khari Willis.

It makes sense for the Colts to keep track of the workouts. They are one of just three teams that are keeping their actual workouts for the players. Other teams have been content simply doing work in the virtual classroom.

No one truly knows what will happen with the season and when the Colts will get together again, but they are making sure the players are getting their work in during these isolated times.

Colts announce jersey number changes for several players

New jersey numbers.

The Indianapolis Colts announced the jersey numbers for the five new players to arrive this offseason while also announcing changes to three other jersey numbers.

For the new players, all of them got to keep their numbers from their previous teams. A few current Colts had to change their numbers, but the five new players will wear the following jersey numbers:

  • QB Philip Rivers — No. 17
  • CB Xavier Rhodes — No. 27
  • CB T.J. Carrie — No. 38
  • DT Sheldon Day — No. 91
  • DT DeForest Buckner — No. 99

For Buckner, he had to get the No. 99 from veteran defensive end Justin Houston, who also got his original number back from linebacker Anthony Walker. Cornerback Rock Ya-Sin also changed his number.

  • CB Rock Ya-Sin — No. 26
  • DE Justin Houston — No. 50
  • LB Anthony Walker — No. 54

Houston tried to get his No. 50 from Walker when he first arrived in 2019, but the linebacker wouldn’t budge. It seems they came to an agreement for the pass rusher to get his number back, though we likely won’t find out what the cost was.

Colts’ 2019 rookie review: CB Rock Ya-Sin

Reviewing the 2019 season for rookie CB Rock Ya-Sin.

With the No. 34 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected cornerback Rock Ya-Sin out of Temple. With one season under his belt, we take a look back at his rookie season.

Overview

It was an up and down season for Ya-Sin. He was thrust into a starting role early in the season but it was clear why the Colts liked him so much at the beginning of the second round. Even with his rookie moments, he flashed enough early on to warrant a starting role on the boundary.

The middle of the season was rough for the Temple product, especially the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos games. But he bounced back nicely during the second half of the season as he got more comfortable with his assignments while his technique began to show improvements.

When looking at Ya-Sin’s season overall, he showed flashes that should warrant optimism looking ahead.

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Best Game

Ya-Sin’s best game of the season came in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins. It wound up being a somber end for the Colts given that they lost at home to a poor Dolphins team, but this was when Ya-Sin truly turned the corner for his rookie season.

Ya-Sin was targeted six times while allowing three receptions for just 20 yards and a 57.6 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus. He also had a pass breakup in the game. Ya-Sin was tasked with covering Davante Parker a lot but didn’t allow a single reception to the breakout wide receiver.

Worst Game

This was a toss-up. It could go either way between the Week 7 game against the Texans or the Week 8 game against the Broncos. We are going to go with the latter here. It was a tough matchup to begin with going against Courtland Sutton but once they were lined up across from each other, it was no contest.

Ya-Sin allowed four receptions on six targets for 75 yards. While he was getting worked over by Sutton for the majority of the game, the worst part was the five penalties Ya-Sin committed. It truly was a rookie moment.

Outlook

Given his decent start and strong finish for the majority of the second half, Ya-Sin has a bright future in the Colts defense. He’s physical, tough and has the technique to be a strong starting asset on the boundary. There are still some quirks to work out, but there should be plenty of excitement for his progress.

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Colts’ 2019 rookie class ranked 9th-most productive

Colts’ rookie class viewed as a top-10 group.

Having built the majority of the roster through the last three drafts, the Indianapolis Colts continue to construct the foundation with young players—including the most recent crop of picks.

The Colts may have traded out of the first round during the 2019 draft but they were still able to get some solid production from some of the selections. While they didn’t get any top-end production, ESPN ranked the Colts’ rookie class as the ninth-most productive unit in the NFL.

Why they’re ranked here: The Colts’ rookie class wasn’t without its struggles, but it did add some interesting pieces in coverage that showed promise. Both linebacker Bobby Okereke and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin made PFF’s All-Rookie team despite early-season growing pains. If those two continue to progress, along with Marvell Tell III and Khari Willis, this class could yield several regular contributors on the defensive side.

How their top pick fared: Ya-Sin (No. 34 overall) improved greatly over the second half of the season. His PFF overall grade increased from 48.4 from Weeks 1 to 8 to 77.9 from Weeks 9 to 17.

Best value pick: Okereke (No. 89 overall) was strong in coverage, keeping pass catchers in front of him in their zone when on the field. He allowed just over 6 yards per target this season.

The Colts didn’t need to rely on rookie production like they had in years prior. Some of the depth built up over the last two drafts allowed the Colts to take some project-type players with upside because they have time to develop.

Even so, the Colts found a great deal of production on the defensive side of the ball. Ya-Sin and Willis were starters in the secondary after just a few weeks into the season while Okereke emerged as arguably the group’s best rookie during the second half.

There were some growing pains with the fifth-round pick in Tell while Ben Banogu made little impact and Parris Campbell dealt with injuries throughout the campaign.

The Colts will once again focus on building through the draft as they believe that brings along sustained success, but they should also be looking forward to the development of a promising class.