Colts head coach Frank Reich finally spoke about rookie RB Jonathan Taylor.
With training camp officially underway, the time has come for coaches around the NFL to deliver their respective first impressions on the incoming rookie class. Of course, the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a lengthy delay of preseason workouts, so these draftees will really need to work hard to familiarize themselves with new playbooks.
Well, the latest buzz out of Indianapolis Colts camp suggests that rookie running back Jonathan Taylor isn’t going to have much of a problem overcoming these unprecedented circumstances.
Third-year head coach Frank Reich delivered a glowing review of the 2020 second-round pick in a recent interview with Colts.com.
"Jonathan’s putting in the extra time. I really think it’s gonna help make it a dynamic backfield for us.”#Colts head coach Frank Reich chats with @MayTayColts about a “very productive” first week of #ColtsCamp, Jonathan Taylor first impressions & more:https://t.co/t9P9x7mNll
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) August 9, 2020
"“Yeah, I mean, Jonathan obviously worked really hard in the offseason. Physically he’s in top-notch shape,” Reich said. “That doesn’t surprise me with the type of character he has. And then mentally this guy’s really a smart player; he’s worked very hard to pick up everything. Coach Tom Rathman’s done a good job really catching him up to speed. Jonathan’s putting in the extra time. I really think it’s gonna help make it a dynamic backfield for us.”"
Oh baby. If that doesn’t get fans in Indianapolis hyped about the prospects of Taylor’s rookie season, we’re not sure what will. Running back obviously wasn’t a position of need for the Colts entering the 2020 Draft, but with Marlon Mack entering the final year of his contract, it’s clear that the franchise views the Wisconsin product as their RB of the future.
Frank Reich’s fingerprints are all over the Indianapolis Colts' moves this offseason. From QB Philip Rivers, the TE reunion in Trey Burton, the big WR in Michael Pittman Jr. to RB Jonathan Taylor to pair with Marlon Mack https://t.co/MDRr5FIITA
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) May 3, 2020
While we don’t doubt that Indy wants to feed Taylor all the carries he can handle from the jump, the presence of Mack will provide them with the opportunity to ease him into the offense. That’s not a bad thing considering he logged a whopping 926 carries over three seasons with the Badgers. A year of working in a committee would only prove to benefit the 21-year-old stud down the road.
Whatever the Colts’ plan for Taylor is in 2020, these comments from Reich prove that the young running back will be ready for it, and we cannot wait to watch it all unfold.