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With training camp for the Indianapolis Colts getting closer, which players should be on our radars as these practices and preseason games unfold?
As part of our training camp preview, we'll be highlighting one player from each position group to keep your eyes on. In some instances, it may be one of the Colts' top players that we'll be watching closely or it could be a player fighting for playing time or a roster spot.
Up next are the running backs.
Jonathan Taylor will continue to shoulder the workload at this position, but there will be a competition for the backup role behind him. If someone can emerge and provide a reliable presence in that regard, that would at least give Shane Steichen the added flexibility to take a few snaps here and there off Taylor's plate.
Giddens, who is entering his second NFL season, should be the favorite to win that job, given his experience in the offense.
As a rookie, Giddens saw minimal playing time and was often inactive during the second half of the season due to his lack of special teams contributions and needing to grow in pass protection.
Giddens put together a productive collegiate career and had a knack for generating big plays with his ability to make defenders miss. He was also fairly active in the passing game as well.
"He's kind of a glide runner," Steichen said during offseason programs, via Locked on Colts. "Good slasher, stretch cut guy, that's a physical runner. I saw a little bit of that in training camp obviously last year and the reps he got late in the season against Houston."
The Colts hope that in Year 2, the skill set and playmaking potential that Giddens possesses can be recognized and put on display. Oftentimes, the biggest jump for a player comes in that second season.
But along with making plays with the ball in his hands, Giddens will need to continue showing that he can hold up in pass protection as well.
"Excited for his growth and his development as a runner and as a pass protector; it's going to be big going into Year 2," Steichen added. "Obviously there's a lot of blitzes that you got to pick up in the league and taking the next steps in his growth process in that."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts training camp preview: One player to watch at running back position
Continue reading...
As part of our training camp preview, we'll be highlighting one player from each position group to keep your eyes on. In some instances, it may be one of the Colts' top players that we'll be watching closely or it could be a player fighting for playing time or a roster spot.
Up next are the running backs.
Colts running back to watch during training camp: DJ Giddens
Jonathan Taylor will continue to shoulder the workload at this position, but there will be a competition for the backup role behind him. If someone can emerge and provide a reliable presence in that regard, that would at least give Shane Steichen the added flexibility to take a few snaps here and there off Taylor's plate.
Giddens, who is entering his second NFL season, should be the favorite to win that job, given his experience in the offense.
As a rookie, Giddens saw minimal playing time and was often inactive during the second half of the season due to his lack of special teams contributions and needing to grow in pass protection.
Giddens put together a productive collegiate career and had a knack for generating big plays with his ability to make defenders miss. He was also fairly active in the passing game as well.
"He's kind of a glide runner," Steichen said during offseason programs, via Locked on Colts. "Good slasher, stretch cut guy, that's a physical runner. I saw a little bit of that in training camp obviously last year and the reps he got late in the season against Houston."
The Colts hope that in Year 2, the skill set and playmaking potential that Giddens possesses can be recognized and put on display. Oftentimes, the biggest jump for a player comes in that second season.
But along with making plays with the ball in his hands, Giddens will need to continue showing that he can hold up in pass protection as well.
"Excited for his growth and his development as a runner and as a pass protector; it's going to be big going into Year 2," Steichen added. "Obviously there's a lot of blitzes that you got to pick up in the league and taking the next steps in his growth process in that."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts training camp preview: One player to watch at running back position
Continue reading...
