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ESPN's Ben Solak doesn't believe that the Indianapolis Colts should start Phillip Rivers at quarterback over these final three games.
"After one game of Rivers, albeit against a great defense without two starting tackles, I'd play Leonard if and when he's healthy," Solak wrote recently. "I'd play Anthony Richardson Sr. if and when he's healthy."
So what makes Solak feel this way?
In short, he feels that a key portion of Shane Steichen's playbook was too limited on Sunday with Rivers under center.
As Solak noted, the Colts' offense leads the NFL entering Week 16 in yards per play from under center. However, with Rivers at quarterback, Indianapolis ran only one such play against Seattle.
With Rivers' limited mobility, the Colts relied on pistol and shotgun formations.
From under center, the Colts have had a very strong running game this season and a very versatile offense. From pistol or shotgun, those elements became more limited.
"Let me emphasize that point: This was, and remains, the best under-center team in football," wrote Solak. "The running game, in particular, is a strength."
Solak added, "The Colts are highly versatile from under center. They operate a wide range of concepts with a wider set of tags and motions to those runs. With every week, they have changed."
While Rivers' knowledge of Steichen's offense and his decision-making provided stability at the quarterback position, there was also a lack of explosive plays from the Colts' offense.
Utilizing the quick passing game often, Solak mentions that the Colts had only two pass attempts of 20-plus yards the entire game. The play-action game was also limited as well.
The caveat to all of this, which Solak made sure to point out, was that the Colts were up against a very good Seattle defense. This, of course, factored into some of the results.
Solak also says that Rivers' performance exceeded his expectations. But what Solak also saw on Sunday from the Colts was a limited playbook.
Steichen has already announced that Rivers will be the Colts' starting quarterback against San Francisco this week.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Why one NFL analyst wouldn't start Phillip Rivers at quarterback
Continue reading...
"After one game of Rivers, albeit against a great defense without two starting tackles, I'd play Leonard if and when he's healthy," Solak wrote recently. "I'd play Anthony Richardson Sr. if and when he's healthy."
So what makes Solak feel this way?
In short, he feels that a key portion of Shane Steichen's playbook was too limited on Sunday with Rivers under center.
As Solak noted, the Colts' offense leads the NFL entering Week 16 in yards per play from under center. However, with Rivers at quarterback, Indianapolis ran only one such play against Seattle.
With Rivers' limited mobility, the Colts relied on pistol and shotgun formations.
From under center, the Colts have had a very strong running game this season and a very versatile offense. From pistol or shotgun, those elements became more limited.
"Let me emphasize that point: This was, and remains, the best under-center team in football," wrote Solak. "The running game, in particular, is a strength."
Solak added, "The Colts are highly versatile from under center. They operate a wide range of concepts with a wider set of tags and motions to those runs. With every week, they have changed."
While Rivers' knowledge of Steichen's offense and his decision-making provided stability at the quarterback position, there was also a lack of explosive plays from the Colts' offense.
Utilizing the quick passing game often, Solak mentions that the Colts had only two pass attempts of 20-plus yards the entire game. The play-action game was also limited as well.
The caveat to all of this, which Solak made sure to point out, was that the Colts were up against a very good Seattle defense. This, of course, factored into some of the results.
Solak also says that Rivers' performance exceeded his expectations. But what Solak also saw on Sunday from the Colts was a limited playbook.
Steichen has already announced that Rivers will be the Colts' starting quarterback against San Francisco this week.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Why one NFL analyst wouldn't start Phillip Rivers at quarterback
Continue reading...
