Indianapolis Colts: Rock Ya-Sin could be headed for make-or-break season
The Indianapolis Colts are seemingly ready to take the next step in 2021. They have a potential franchise quarterback. The offense is full of a number of young playmakers. The defense is ferocious and is led by two of the best players at their positions in the game.
But this team is not without its question marks. If we want to pinpoint a glaring one on the defensive side of the ball — we’ve talked enough about the offense, right? — it’s the secondary.
The presence of Kenny Moore is comforting and bringing back Xavier Rhodes was crucial, but beyond that, the cornerback position doesn’t have much to offer. TJ Carrie is a good veteran piece, but what about the future of the secondary? What about guys who will use worthwhile reps in 2021 to further develop and take on a bigger role?
Specifically, what can we expect from Rock Ya-Sin?
Interesting, via Colts DC Matt Eberflus today: Says the third cornerback spot — behind Xavier Rhodes and Kenny Moore — is open competition to begin training camp. Rock Ya-Sin's had an up-and-down two seasons. Two other names to watch: Marvell Tell and Isaiah Rodgers.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) June 2, 2021
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rock Ya-Sin is entering a make-or-break year.
Though Ya-Sin has shown flashes of being a capable starter, his 2020 season left a lot to be desired. He was unreliable in coverage, either getting beat often or committing costly penalties, which followed a promising rookie campaign in 2019.
So when defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus made it known Ya-Sin was not guaranteed a starting spot and that the third cornerback job would feature an open competition in training camp, it showed that the Colts are not sold on the former second-round pick out of Temple.
Why? Because the others who will be gunning for that job are Marvell Tell, who opted out of 2020 and didn’t play a snap, and Isaiah Rodgers, who was primarily a kick returner his rookie season last year.
CB Rock Ya-Sin has been a Week 1 starter for the Colts each of the first two years of his career. But going 3-for-3 is no guarantee. https://t.co/7fKBIjrB6O
— Jim Ayello (@jimayello) June 2, 2021
That really makes it feel like the coaching staff is going to have to see more from Ya-Sin, huh? And by “more,” we mean a serious rebound from what everyone witnessed last year, because if the Colts are going to make a deep playoff run, they’re going to have to stop the game’s top passing attacks. That’ll mean getting by the Kansas City Chiefs and/or Buffalo Bills.
The main issue? Ya-Sin is very, very bad in man-to-man coverage. Though the Colts typically conduct business in a zone scheme, that won’t be the case on a week-to-week basis. It all depends on the opponent. And you can only play so much zone against teams like the Chiefs and Bills, both of whom have endless weapons. If Ya-Sin couldn’t handle the Titans, how will he fare against faster, more dynamic offenses?
It’ll be up to him to show the coaching staff, because it seems Eberflus and Frank Reich are far from sold heading into training camp.
