According to the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton hasn’t been happy with the team’s conservative offensive play-calling in recent games:
"“The throws have been there, but we just haven’t been calling them,” Hilton said. “It’s more the play-calling.”“Because we’re not really using us: Donte (Moncrief), me, Phillip (Dorsett),” added Hilton. “We’re fast guys and we’re not going down the field how we’re supposed to. We’re running stick routes, chain routes. I mean, you can do that, but at some point, you have to take your shots to get the defense (moving) back.”"
Rightfully so too, as Hilton may have a point. The Colts have only scored 2 offensive touchdowns in their last 3 games and haven’t shown much of a willingness to take any deep shots, as Holder astutely points out:
"“Against the Texans, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck attempted just seven passes longer than 10 yards, a reflection – according to Hilton – of play-caller Rob Chudzinski’s conservative approach,” writes Holder."
Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) walks off the field after the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Tampa Bay 25-12. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
In newly installed offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski‘s defense however, the team no longer has the big arm of starting quarterback Andrew Luck.
Instead, the team has had to rely on 40 year old backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who assuredly doesn’t have the same caliber of arm strength as his quarterback counterpart in his 17th NFL season.
Still, it’s unclear if the Colts offensive line can even adequately pass protect long enough to realistically attempt deep throws on a consistent basis. Hasselbeck could be making an exorbitant amount of short throws because he’s had to, having been under constant duress.
Nevertheless, the Colts absolutely have to make opposing defenses respect their big-play ability by taking some shots down the field throughout the course of the game. That doesn’t mean all the time, but enough to at least keep opposing secondaries honest.
Otherwise, defenses will be able to stack the box, which will make life difficult for both running back Frank Gore as well as their offensive line.
It’s already made life increasingly difficult for a big-play and proven deep threat like Hilton.
While the team showed initial improvement under Chudzinski, the team has demonstrated little signs of offensive life in their recent string of losses. With really nothing else to lose at this point of their season, the Colts may as well open up the playbook and take some shots.