Is Frank Reich’s comments on Colts receivers truth or just coach speak?
Frank Reich, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, has once again expressed his belief and commitment to Indy’s unproven group of receivers.
With the Indianapolis Colts back into the building for their offseason program, head coach Frank Reich sat down with the media for a press conference.
In the conversation, Reich found himself articulating a message that he has expressed many times before. That message was about his belief in the young and unproven receivers on the roster.
As everyone wonders why the Colts haven’t added any receivers yet, Reich said, “I understand what the outside perception is. You’ve got a bunch of young guys and how many catches do they have? I see the side of a lot of upside with those players and I’m looking forward to seeing those guys continue to develop.”
This is the message Reich has preached all offseason, going back to his press conference at the Combine. The question is, does Reich really believe in his young guys or is he just trying to big them up?
Frank Reich on the Colts' WRs: "I understand the outside perception... but I see a lot of upside with those players and I'm looking forward to seeing those guys develop.... And there's nobody better than Chris (Ballard)" to acquire more talent.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) April 20, 2022
Does Frank Reich really believe in Colts receivers?
The only receiver on Indianapolis’ roster that isn’t questioned is Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman is coming off a year where he caught 88 passes for 1,082 yards and six touchdowns.
The remaining receivers are Parris Campbell, who’s played 15 games in three years, Ashton Dulin, who has 18 career catches, and Dezmon Patmon, Mike Strachan, and Keke Coutee, who have a combined five catches with Indianapolis.
It’s not the ideal group for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, but the head coach believes in them and Reich is hoping at least one can have a breakout year next season.
That really may be what’s at the base of all of Reich’s statements, hope, not belief. Reich spends more time with these receivers than anyone, surely he has seen them be impressive in practice, they are NFL players.
However, Reich also knows football and can look at the landscape of the NFL. He knows the Colts need to add at least one more receiver if they want to take things to another level. But Reich also isn’t going to bash his players that are on the roster.
So to the original question of whether Reich really believes in the current group or if he is just delivering coach speak, he probably actually believes but knows that it’s a gamble.
