The receivers of the Indianapolis Colts have been questioned all offseason but they are ready to prove themselves amidst all the critique.
Last season, the Indianapolis Colts didn’t have the most impressive receiving group. Michael Pittman Jr. had a breakout season with over 1,000 yards, but he was the only pass-catcher with more than 400 receiving yards.
That led to an offseason where the Colts were under constant scrutiny about the quality of the receiving unit. Zach Pascal left in free agency, TY Hilton remains unsigned, and Indy wasn’t involved in the excessive movement of veteran receivers.
Indianapolis remained committed to the younger receivers on the roster and ultimately addressed the situation by drafting Alec Pierce with the team’s first pick.
Now, new wide receivers coach, Reggie Wayne, says he believes his group of young wideouts feels disrespected by the commentary that has followed them throughout the offseason.
Reggie Wayne: #Colts young receivers "feel a little bit disrespected." #ForTheShoe #NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/aBkBZvTgjx
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 7, 2022
Colts receivers feel disrespected
With Indy’s current roster, the top three receivers are likely Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell, and Alec Pierce. Behind them are Ashton Dulin, Dezmon Patmon, and Mike Strachan.
With respect to these players, those who question the group have good reasoning. Aside from Pittman, all of these receivers are unproven and haven’t consistently delivered.
However, that doesn’t mean they can’t. Frank Reich and Chris Ballard have repeatedly expressed belief in them and nothing anyone outside the building says really means anything.
Although the criticism may have merit, these are professional athletes with intense competitive fire and they should use all of the doubt cast on them as motivation to prove everyone wrong.
The young group of receivers has been given more than enough ammunition to attack next season and prove that the Colts have had the receivers they needed all along.
This would benefit them, Matt Ryan, Indianapolis’ chances at winning a Super Bowl, and the fans. The fans have led the charge of wanting to add more established receivers, but they wouldn’t mind being wrong if Indy’s current receivers can develop into serious receiving threats next season.
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