Frank Gore Talked to T.Y. (Hilton) to Gauge Colts Interest

It may be well known that both recently signed Indianapolis Colts free agents Frank Gore and Andre Johnson talked to one another before jumping to Indianapolis in a planned “reUnion”, but what has now been detailed by ESPN’s Mike Wells, is that Gore actually called the Colts very own T.Y. Hilton to gauge the team’s potential interest:

"“I called T.Y. and said, ‘Tell them I’m interested,’ without even knowing if they were interested in me,” Gore recalled via Wells. “I figured out they weren’t happy with Trent [Richardson] during the season. I had watched from a distance as they continued to get better every year and they had one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Andrew [Luck], but I didn’t know a whole lot about the organization.”"

May 27, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) watches from the sidelines during OTA at Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The rest is history, as Gore figures to solidify a Colts backfield that hasn’t had a 1,000 yard rusher since Joseph Addai in 2007 and has suffered through the ineffective play of Trent Richardson in recent seasons. In truth, the Colts simply haven’t had that inside the tackles presence since former great Edgerrin James last donned a Colts uniform way back in 2005.

Having seen what power running backs like the Green Bay Packers Eddie Lacy and New England Patriots LeGarrette Blount have done for their respective prolific passing offenses, the Colts made quick work in signing Gore. That is, as soon as he rebuffed the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.

Having seen him rush for 1,106 yards last season for the 49ers, Hilton agreed that it’s Gore’s proven power running game that can become a difference-maker for the Colts already potent offensive attack:

"“I told [Gore] we need a good, solid running back,” recalls Hilton via ESPN’s Wells. “We got Boom [Herron]. He does great things for us, but we need that back that’s like Frank. We’re a power scheme offense, and his style fits that perfectly. I told him he would really help us. I really didn’t have to sell anything on him.”"

Having recently turned 32 years old, Gore simply wants to win at this late stage in his career. By aligning himself with a young superstar quarterback in Andrew Luck and a dangerous offense that’s seemingly loaded with weapons, Gore figures to be the missing ingredient for an offense that has serious championship aspirations:

"“I simply want to win,” remarked Gore. “That’s the reason I came here. Just to win.”"

More from Horseshoe Heroes

Home/Colts News