The Indianapolis Colts have struggled for years on kick and punt returns, but rookie Quan Bray is giving this unit some life.
For the vast majority of the past two decades, the Indianapolis Colts have struggled to consistently gain yardage on kickoff and punt returns. We’ve seen players rotate in and out of the return man role as well as the team bringing in a player like Josh Cribbs to give this unit a boost. But nothing has worked until recently.
After first round pick Phillip Dorsett went down with an ankle injury, the Colts activated undrafted rookie Quan Bray to the active roster. The former Auburn receiver has been active for the past three games and despite a small sample size, he’s made the most of his touches.
Bray returned four kickoffs for an average of just under 32 yards against the Panthers (T.Y. Hilton received punts in the driving rain for extra ball security). He also had a 45 yard kickoff return in overtime to set up a field goal.
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The next week, just one kickoff for 23 yards for Bray and three punts for little gain vs the Broncos (Denver’s punt coverage was very tight). This week against the Falcons, Bray had two returnable kickoffs and averaged 35 yards (and one 42-yard return called back on a penalty). He also had four punt returns for just over four yards on average.
Those numbers might not be the most impressive in the world, but he also isn’t making mistakes. Bray hasn’t coughed up the ball and he knows when to fair catch or take a knee. But all totaled, Bray is averaging over 31 yards per return on kickoffs. That small improvement in field position dramatically improves a team’s chances to score.
Coach Chuck Pagano recently praised Bray’s efforts in an interview with Mike Wells from ESPN:
"“He’s got swag, he’s got confidence and he’s gaining confidence with every game, and you can just see it,” Pagano said. “He’s a fearless guy. He’s a straight-ahead, no fair-dodging type of guy not a dance-around guy. He’s athletic; again, he’s got good skills catching the football, good vision. He’s a determined guy and works extremely hard at his craft. He gives you a guy back there that is a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.”"
Bray is confident in his abilities with the ball in his hands.
"“I felt comfortable the first time I was out there,” Bray said. “They brought me here to make plays, and that’s why I try to take advantage of the opportunities. If I can catch it on the run, I bring it out the end zone.“I want to take it to the house or at least get good field position for the offense.”"
Bray was a standout in camp, but fought an uphill battle to make the roster against a crowded receiving corps. His work in the preseason earned him a practice squad spot, and he was more than ready when injuries thrust him into a starting role.
The Colts have long struggled in the return game and field position this season has been particularly bad. Merely rising to about average would be a marked improvement for this team.
The biggest issue has been injuries. The Colts are perpetually at the top of the league in games lost due to injuries and that takes its toll on special teams. Those players are thrust into starting spots and less talented ones fill in the special team’s roster. That leads to worse blocking on returns and a general lack of cohesiveness.
During the Manning years, the Colts had a top loaded roster much more difficult to fill out the depth chart with quality players. And when they did find a diamond in the rough, they wouldn’t be able to re-sign those players after their contracts were up.
Players like Terrence Wilkins and Troy Walters were the best returners of the early 2000s. Then it was a crapshoot every year after 2006. For reference, Cribbs ranks ninth on the Colts all-time punt and kick return list for his six games in 2014.
The bar isn’t high for Bray, but he is already clearing it with ease. Hopefully his hard work and production on the field will earn him a permanent spot going forward. Bray is also cut from the same mold as Hilton or Dorsett with his 5-10 and 195-pound frame.
The Colts are expecting Dorsett back this week and that might end up with Bray being the odd man out. But for right now, Bray has played his way onto the roster and might be tough to dislodge.