Colts: Rodrigo Blankenship distance update good news for Indy
By Jerry Trotta
For most of last season, the Indianapolis Colts thought they’d found their kicker of the future in undrafted rookie Rodrigo Blankenship.
While that might still be true, however, the heat has been turned up on Blankenship this offseason after a shaky end to his rookie campaign. So much so, in fact, that Indy currently has an open kicking competition that will likely last until the end of training camp.
As we know, part of Blankenship’s downfall, for lack of a better term, was his inability to convert long field goals, as he went just one of three from beyond 50 yards. It goes without saying that Colts fans are pulling for Blankenship to win the job, and the latest buzz from mandatory minicamp suggests the 24-year-old is out to prove something.
According to insider Zak Keefer of The Athletic, Blankenship has been drilling field goals in the range of 64-65 yards (!) this offseason.
That might be without a pass rush, but the fact he’s confident enough to attempt FGs from that distance — and is working at overcoming his most public flaw — is a great sign.
Told Blankenship is hitting from 64-65 yards most days during his current workouts and kicking off out of the end zone. He'll get some competition from former Bear Eddy Pineiro in training camp. https://t.co/Ag54ttgHsP
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) June 15, 2021
Rodrigo Blankenship’s improved leg strength is huge news for the Colts.
Well, that sure escalated quickly.
If you remember, Blankenship barely had enough leg power to even attempt kicks from 50 or more yards as a rookie. Just a couple months removed from that season, he’s capable of bombing the pigskin 65 yards? Something doesn’t add up.
Perhaps the former Bulldog hit leg day harder than usual in the weight room, has been drinking seven protein shakes a day, or tweaked his kicking motion. Maybe it’s a combination of all three, but regardless, Blankenship deserves respect for clearly putting in the work.
To put it simply, Blankenship becoming a reliable threat on deep field goals would change the entire complexion of the Colts’ offense. After all, part of the reason he only attempted three kicks from 50 yards are longer is because Indy didn’t trust him from that distance.
We lost count how many times the Colts were forced to punt or went for a long fourth down conversion instead of kicking a long field goal and aiming for three points last season, and it was all because Blankenship didn’t have the necessary pop in his right peg.
Blankenship’s woes from the 50-yard threshold prompted Indy to sign Eddy Pineiro this offseason. While the idea of Blankenship losing his starting job after he finished fifth in the NFL among kickers in total points sounds insane, the fact that the second-year pro is in the process of rectifying his greatest weakness bodes well for his chances to win the job after all.
