Tag: Rodrigo Blankenship

Texans coach Lovie Smith sticks by overtime decision to play for tie with Colts

Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith reaffirmed his decision to play for a tie with the Indianapolis Colts a day after the 20-20 game.

One day after making his Houston Texans coaching debut, Lovie Smith met with the media on Monday and reiterated that the decision to punt the ball on fourth down in overtime to the Indianapolis Colts was a decision he would make over again if he had to.

“Not really looking back an awful lot on the situations we made at the time,” Smith said at the podium. “The fourth down at the end of the game, I would do that over again.”

After giving up a 20-3 lead in the fourth quarter and surviving a missed 42-yard field goal from Colts kicker Rodrigo Blakenship in overtime. With 26 seconds left in overtime, the Texans were faced with a major decision at midfield on fourth and three.

Attempt a long field goal try with kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn who was 18-for-28 from 50-yards or farther and kicked a 61-yard field goal last year against the Seattle Seahawks at NRG Stadium, or punt the ball back to the Colts and let them take their chances going over 45-plus yards to get into field goal range yet again to win the game.

After talking it over with his coaching staff, Smith decided to take a delay of game penalty and punt the ball to Indianapolis.

“We thought about it,” coach Smith said after the game on Sunday. “I knew if we didn’t get it, they had time, and it’s not like we were playing our best defense then. If we had made it, we would have been in position. Just felt like there, based on what all had happened in the game, that was the right decision.”

When asked what made him realize that he made the right decision, coach Smith doubled down on his original statement.

“Not realize that, what I did then, I would do now,” said Smith about the situation. “The plan we had on yesterday, was on third and one, the plan was to go two downs then. But once we got to fourth and three, I did not like our odds.”

“The way we had played the previous plays and how we were playing defensively. I did not feel like giving them (Colts) the ball on the other side. So you have a decision to make then on whether a tie or potential loss as I saw it right then. All we had gone through that day, I felt okay with that.”

[lawrence-related id=76365,76311]

[mm-video type=video id=01gcs7ag82yth7wxdmtx playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gcs7ag82yth7wxdmtx/01gcs7ag82yth7wxdmtx-f018cff4c971088c58c6950c9b7f567f.jpg]

Twitter calling for Colts to cut Rodrigo Blankenship

Colts fans have seen enough of Rodrigo Blankenship.

The Indianapolis Colts had a chance to complete a comeback during overtime of Sunday’s opener against the Houston Texans, and they put their faith in kicker Rodrigo Blankenship.

Through the first 50 minutes of the game, Blankenship was the entire offense for the Colts. His two field goals from 45 and 27 yards accounted for the only scores Indy put on the board. Then, things started getting dicey.

Right after the Colts tied the game in the fourth quarter with a Michael Pittman Jr. touchdown, Blankenship launched the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, giving the Texans starting field position at the 40-yard line.

Fortunately for Blankenship, the defense got a stop so that blunder didn’t come back to haunt them.

In overtime, the Texans won the toss and elected to receive, knowing a touchdown would win the game. Blankenship’s kick to begin overtime again landed out of bounds.

Twice in two consecutive kicks—inside a dome—Blankenship gave the Texans starting field position at the 40-yard line. And once again, he was bailed out by Kwity Paye’s two sacks on the opening overtime drive.

Then came the chance for redemption. The Colts could win the game with a field goal. It was a 42-yard attempt with two minutes left. Not necessarily a chip shot, but a kick that is expected to be made by a professional.

Clean snap. Clean hold. Blankenship sails the kick wide right.

Colts fans had seen enough, and they let their frustrations out on Twitter:

Studs and duds from Colts’ Week 1 tie with Texans

Studs and duds from the Colts’ tie in Week 1.

The Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1) nearly left NRG Stadium with an embarrassing upset loss to the Houston Texans (0-0-1), but they wound up leaving with a 20-20 tie.

For the first three quarters of the game, it looked like the Colts were still playing in the preseason. There was no sense of urgency, bone-headed plays and an all-around lack of physicality on both sides of the ball. They looked like they were simply going through the motions.

Had it not been for 17 unasnwered points during the fourth quarter to tie the game, we’d be talking about a loss that rivaled the collapse against the Jaguars to end the 2021 season.

But the Texans gave the Colts some help, and the Colts found their groove late in the game. Against a team that’s not the Texans, it would have been even uglier.

However, that’s not what happened. They tied, and we get to dive into the studs and duds from Week 1:

Rodrigo Blankenship wins Colts’ kicker job

Rodrigo Blankenship has won the kicker job.

Rodrigo Blankenship has won the starting kicker job for the Indianapolis Colts for the third year in a row.

Following the news that punter Rigoberto Sanchez suffered a torn Achilles, the Colts signed Matt Haack from free agency. In a corresponding move, the Colts waived Blankenship’s competition, Jake Verity, from the roster on Thursday.

Blankenship was already leading the battle over Verity for the majority of training camp and the preseason. Verity proved to have more range in his leg, but his consistency didn’t match Blankenship’s.

The third-year kicker has had competition in every season since joining the roster in 2020. In his rookie campaign, he battled with Chase McLaughlin. In 2021, he battled with Eddy Pineiro. Both times ended with Blankenship starting the season as the kicker.

Throughout his career, Blankenship has converted 43 of 51 field-goal attempts (84.3%) and 50 of 53 extra-point attempts (94.3%).

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwdn1cy47y964q player_id=none image=https://coltswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=74578,74576,74562]

[listicle id=74501]

Colts’ 2022 training camp preview: Special Teams

Wrapping up our training camp previews with the specialists.

Indianapolis Colts training camp is just about here as the rookies are set to report Saturday.

Wrapping up the training camp previews will be the specialists on the roster. Two of them are locks to make the 53-man roster while two others will battle it out for one position.

Be sure to check out the other position previews ahead of training camp:

Without further ado, here’s our preview for the special teams unit:

Colts’ players under the most pressure in 2022

The pressure is high for these Colts in 2022.

After an offseason filled with some big moves, the expectations are high for the Indianapolis Colts entering the 2022 season.

With those expectations comes the pressure that some players will be under to perform. Some of them need to prove they can stay healthy. Some are in a contract year and are under pressure to show why they should stick around. Others may be new around town but are stepping into a starting role.

Pressure isn’t the same for all players. Some thrive in it. Some don’t. But the Colts have a number of players who face pressure to perform in 2022.

Colts’ kicker job is Rodrigo Blankenship’s to lose

Hot Rod is once again leading the kicker battle.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbwdn1cy47y964q player_id=none image=https://coltswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

For the third year in a row, Rodrigo Blankenship will be competing for the starting kicker role with the Indianapolis Colts.

Blankenship has won the job the two years prior but his 2021 season was cut short due to a hip injury he suffered in Week 5 before the prime-time game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Following Wednesday’s OTA practice session, head coach Frank Reich gave an update on the competition at kicker, stating it’s Blakenship’s job to lose.

“Rod (Rodrigo Blankenship) was our kicker last year so in my mind, it’s Rod’s to – but it’s an open competition. We’re going in like at every position, really,” Reich told the media. “There are guys who are on the depth chart – I would say Rod would be on the depth chart as the ‘No. 1 kicker’ right now, but is it a competition? Yes. Is it a competition at every position? Yes. We all understand what that means and what it doesn’t mean, but it will be a competition. We certainly respect what Rod has done since he’s been here.”

Blankenship is likely to be competing with Jake Verity, who was signed to a futures contract earlier in the offseason. Unless the Colts add another veteran to the mix, which is always possible, it will be those two competing for the job.

Michael Badgley, who filled in for Blankenship during his absence in 2021, is still currently a free agent.

In 21 career games with the Colts, Blankenship has converted 43 of 51 field-goal attempts (84.3%) and 50 of 53 extra-point attempts (94.3%). Six of his eight missed field-goal attempts have come from 40 yards or more.

There will be plenty of competition during training camp, but it appears this will be Blankenship’s job to lose again in 2022.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=72472,72455,72444]

[listicle id=72426]

7 Colts whose jobs are in jeopardy in 2022

These Colts’ jobs are in jeopardy going into 2022.

It’s no doubt that the Indianapolis Colts and general manager Chris Ballard filled many areas of weakness during free agency and the 2022 NFL draft.

Addressing the wide receiver, tight end and tackle positions were huge for the team to take the next step in a very crowded AFC. With the new arrivals, however, it puts many players on the hot seat and could result in some even losing their jobs by the time the team travels to Houston for the season opener in September.

Every team needs depth, and the Colts are still adding key pieces that will help them in case of an injury. However, the NFL is a business, and the 53 players on the roster will be the ones making a difference on Sundays.

Here’s a list of players most in jeopardy of losing their spots this offseason:

Former Georgia football players congratulate Dawgs on national title

Former Georgia Bulldog stars are extremely happy for Georgia fans, players, and coaches after the Dawgs won a national championship.

Former Georgia Bulldog stars are extremely happy for Georgia fans, players, and coaches after the Dawgs knocked off Alabama to win a national championship.

Many former Georgia players like Nick Chubb, Rodrigo Blankenship, Aaron Murray, and Mecole Hardman experienced heartbreak in a big game against Alabama. Now, these former players are quite happy to be on the winning side.

Thomas Davis, Ben Watson, David Andrews and more know hard it is to win a championship. They’re all ecstatic that their beloved Bulldogs finally got over the hump and won a national championship for the first time since 1980.

All of the above mentioned players congratulated Georgia Bulldog nation on the victory over Alabama and the national championship:

Nick Chubb, Rodrigo Blankenship, and Mecole Hardman all lost to Alabama in the heartbreaking 2018 national championship. David Andrews and Aaron Murray fell five yards short against Alabama in the 2012 SEC championship.

Now, these memories won’t be quite as painful. Georgia finally prevail over Alabama on college football’s biggest stage. Kirby Smart and Nick Saban aren’t done playing big games against each other.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Michael Badgley earning his stay as Colts’ kicker

The Money Badger is earning his stay as the Colts’ kicker.

Over the last few weeks, Michael Badgley has been making a strong case as the kicker for the Indianapolis Colts with starter Rodrigo Blankenship currently on the injured reserve list.

While it isn’t clear yet if and when Blankenship will be returning from the injured reserve list due to a hip injury he suffered in Week 5, the Colts can rest comfortably knowing they have a steady option to replace him.

As it currently stands, head coach Frank Reich said the Colts are sticking with the Money Badger.

“We’re going to stay with (Michael) Badgley right now. It’s pretty similar to really any position, right? A guy gets hurt and somebody comes in and is playing at a very high level,” Reich told the media Wednesday. “Rod (Rodrigo Blankenship) is still continuing along the process as far as gaining full strength and stamina back. Could he kick? Yes, but we’re going to go with Badgley for right now.”

Badgley has been perfect since joining the Colts in Week 6. He’s made all seven of his field-goal attempts and all 20 of his extra-point attempts.

Reich admitted Blankenship could kick if he needed to but given how well Badgley has played, there’s no need to rush it.

As for Blankenship’s role with the team when he is ready to return, Reich had this to say:

“It’s competition, right? It’s the NFL. We’ve got to do what we think is the right thing for the team, and it’s really nothing against Rod (Rodrigo Blankenship),” Reich said. “We love Rod. We love Rod, everything about him. But (Michael) Badgley is playing very well.”

How the Colts will go about this situation will be something to watch but don’t be surprised if they stick with the Money Badger as long as he keeps doing well.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=65917,65915,65901]

[listicle id=65903]