Colts 2015 Position Review: Running Backs
By Evan Reller
The Incompletes
Robinson showed flashes in the preseason, but also a bad habit of putting the ball on the turf (it also didn’t help that he wore number 34, the Richardson Curse probably applied here). Fumbling issues led to the Colts waiving him mid-season and then adding him to the practice squad. He averaged 2.3 yards per carry and doesn’t seem to have enough speed to be an effective running back in the NFL. He was a sixth round pick, and the Colts might bring him back for training camp.
Despite not really giving the Colts anything on the field, Tipton has managed to stick around for a surprising amount of time. He had just five carries for 20 yards this season. Given his ability to do nothing but take up a roster spot, I’d expect the Colts to bring him in once again to camp next season.
Varga was sent to IR after Week 3 with a concussion. Hopefully it doesn’t turn into a habit going forward, as his long term health is far more important than football. Varga showed flashes in the preseason, but he’s clearly very raw. The undrafted rookie free agent from Yale is clearly has speed but we don’t really know what else he can bring to the field. Jim Irsay singled him out as a good player after one preseason game, and I’d like to imagine that if he’s healthy he’ll be back for training camp at the very least.
Outside of an aging Gore and an average Herron, the Colts don’t really have a lot of talent at the running back position. Even the aforementioned players aren’t exactly fear inducing. The Colts need to find a running back who gives the team something in every phase of the game. This probably means drafting a quality back (NOT in the first round, but it should be addressed).