The Colts preferred Jack Doyle over Mo Alie-Cox on Sunday. Why?
Given their rash of injuries, the odds were stacked against the Indianapolis Colts heading into their Week 5 showdown against the Cleveland Browns. However, as they’ve done all season, they overcame those hindrances and had multiple chances to win the game in the second half.
That task unfortunately became impossible as Philip Rivers reminded everybody why he’s only a stopgap option under center for the Colts. The veteran quarterback finished 21-of-33 (63.6%) for 243 yards and one touchdown compared to two backbreaking interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD early in the third quarter and put Indy in a 17-point hole.
Rivers’ putrid display, which included a boneheaded safety, was obviously the biggest takeaway as it rightfully has media members wondering if he’ll ever get the offense firing on all cylinders. As far as smaller instant reactions are concerned, however, where on earth was tight end Mo Alie-Cox?
The Colts breakout star for the first month of the season inexplicably finished third in the TE pecking order on Sunday, playing just 38% (21) of the offensive snaps. For comparison’s sake, Jack Doyle finished first at 61% (34) and Trey Burton came in second at 45% (25).
Here are the #Colts unofficial snap counts from the Week 5 loss to the Browns.
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) October 12, 2020
• Anthony Walker, Bobby Okereke each play 100% of snaps at LB w/Darius Leonard out.
• TEs Jack Doyle & Mo Alie-Cox: combined 55 snaps, 3 targets.
• Xavier Rhodes 36% more snaps than Rock Ya-Sin. pic.twitter.com/asq2jGiQGV
After leading Indianapolis in receiving for over the first four weeks, Alie-Cox was limited to just one target (which he didn’t catch) against the Browns. On the other hand, Doyle was called for a hold that put Indy in a bad position and caught zero passes on two targets.
Burton, meanwhile, finished with five receptions, which was one short of the team-high, for 33 yards on six targets. That was his most productive game as a member of the Colts, so credit where it’s due, but we simply cannot get on board with Alie-Cox getting phased out of the offense because Burton is finally recovered from his calf injury.
Alie-Cox was one of Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded offensive players (93.3) through the first month of the year, let alone being the top rated player at his position. In Week 2, he played 49 total snaps and earned a 94.8 grade from PFF, which was the highest for a TE since Rob Gronkowski, a perennial All-Pro, back in 2017.
Too quiet? Too timid? No motor?
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) October 6, 2020
When Mo Alie-Cox was a freshman at VCU, Shaka Smart made him scream this in the mirror of his dorm room every night: "I'M THE REALEST, TOUGHEST, BADDEST M—F— IN THE STATE."
Inside the long climb of the Colts breakout starhttps://t.co/8BpQDfPjls
Despite being held to just one reception for 13 yards over the last two games, Alie-Cox still somehow ranks eighth among tight ends in receiving yards (194). That speaks volumes to his effectiveness to start the season, and it simply makes zero sense why head coach Frank Reich has reduced his snap count so drastically following the returns of Doyle and Burton.
After assuring us that his prominent role would continue following his hot start, the coaching staff owes fans an explanation for Alie-Cox’s lack of playing time in the Colts’ last two games.
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