Colts: 3 players who might surprise you in Week 1 battle
By Adam Weinrib
The Philip Rivers-led Indianapolis Colts are ready to surprise a few folks Week 1 against the Jaguars.
Poised to begin a season unlike any other, the Indianapolis Colts have an awful lot to be proud of.
Philip Rivers under center might be the shiny new piece to the championship puzzle, but GM Chris Ballard had a draft to remember, locked up center Ryan Kelly long-term to create great continuity on the offensive line, and has a three-headed backfield in place unlike any this franchise has possessed in a long time. The offense will be buzzing from all corners of the field, and that’s not to mention the tenacity the roster already possessed before the reinforcements.
Picked to struggle, the Jacksonville Jaguars probably aren’t terribly excited they drew the new-look Colts for Week 1. After an impressive training camp in Indy and an offseason’s worth of prognosticating, we think these three Colts players are especially ready for the Jags, and their burst may surprise you.
3. Parris Campbell
Colts WR Parris Campbell and Philip Rivers will be a dynamic duo Week 1.
After gushing scouting reports from both Rivers and the Colts staff, Parris Campbell is the one Colts offensive feature you can’t possibly overlook in this one.
Now center stage after a Year 1 that was overrun by injuries, Campbell’s import increases this year for an Indy offense that expected to rely on Trey Burton as their hinge in the slot. With Burton opening the season on IR, the tight end pool grows thinner, and Campbell’s skill set becomes far more important.
After all, we all know Philip Rivers loves slot guys, and utilizing Campbell the same way he’s used, say, Keenan Allen in the past would be a fairly dynamic way to get a jump on a Jaguars team that’s pretty inexperienced, and also very unfamiliar with Rivers’ catalogue.
Though injuries tarnished his NFL reputation, Campbell exited college at Ohio State with a remarkable 1,000-yard, 12-TD season on his mantle.
On pedigree, relationships, and gamesmanship, we expect Campbell to have a huge opener.