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Four training camp practices in, two positional battles on the offensive side of the ball for the Indianapolis Colts have not gained a lot of traction.
Entering training camp, the backup running back and third wide receiver roles were up for grabs, and at this point, questions still remain.
Competing for the backup running back duties are DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan. As Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports noted, both backs have ran the ball well, however, Giddens has struggled with drops in the pass game, while with McGowan "there are questions about how he can be used outside of short-yardage situations."
Arthur added that neither back has "really popped yet."
While Jonathan Taylor will continue to shoulder a heavy workload, a reliable presence behind him could help take at least a little off his plate. The ability to impact the passing game will be crucial in determining whether it's Giddens or McGowan who ends up as the backup.
From the sounds of it, the WR3 battle is in a similar situation. Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are the front-runners for that playing time.
Arthur wrote that with Alec Pierce sidelined, Dulin and Treadwell have seen their share of opportunities with the starters, alongside of Josh Downs, while Westbrook-Ikhine has often been with the second unit.
Of this trio, Westbrook-Ikhine has flashed the most, but overall, "the Colts could use another receiver with either size and/or route-running savvy or the ability to consistently separate," said Arthur.
On paper, there will be a WR3, but the Colts could end up using a rotation here, with the matchups and in-game situations dictating who is on the field.
At both of these positions, there are still a number of practices and three preseason games for things to get ironed out, but for now, a lack of clarity around these roles remains.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2 Colts' training camp battles not gaining traction early on
Continue reading...
Entering training camp, the backup running back and third wide receiver roles were up for grabs, and at this point, questions still remain.
Competing for the backup running back duties are DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan. As Jake Arthur of Roundtable Sports noted, both backs have ran the ball well, however, Giddens has struggled with drops in the pass game, while with McGowan "there are questions about how he can be used outside of short-yardage situations."
Arthur added that neither back has "really popped yet."
While Jonathan Taylor will continue to shoulder a heavy workload, a reliable presence behind him could help take at least a little off his plate. The ability to impact the passing game will be crucial in determining whether it's Giddens or McGowan who ends up as the backup.
From the sounds of it, the WR3 battle is in a similar situation. Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are the front-runners for that playing time.
Arthur wrote that with Alec Pierce sidelined, Dulin and Treadwell have seen their share of opportunities with the starters, alongside of Josh Downs, while Westbrook-Ikhine has often been with the second unit.
Of this trio, Westbrook-Ikhine has flashed the most, but overall, "the Colts could use another receiver with either size and/or route-running savvy or the ability to consistently separate," said Arthur.
On paper, there will be a WR3, but the Colts could end up using a rotation here, with the matchups and in-game situations dictating who is on the field.
At both of these positions, there are still a number of practices and three preseason games for things to get ironed out, but for now, a lack of clarity around these roles remains.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2 Colts' training camp battles not gaining traction early on
Continue reading...
