ESPN’s Bill Barnwell downplays Colts preseason hype
The Indianapolis Colts are entering the season with a lot of hype but ESPN writer, Bill Barnwell, has a major concern about Indy’s potential.
The Indianapolis Colts are entering the 2022 NFL season as a team with a lot of promise. They had a stretch last season where they played elite football and many believed they would be a threat in the postseason. However, a horrendous regular-season finale prevented Indy from making the playoffs.
While the Week 18 loss was embarrassing, it served as a catalyst for the franchise. The Colts made several moves this offseason and have returned to training camp with a new intensity. Between the focus and new additions, many believe Indianapolis will make noise this upcoming season.
However, there is still some concern for the team. In a recent ESPN article by Bill Barnwell, Barnwell highlighted the Achilles’ heels for 14 Super Bowl contenders. The Colts were lucky enough to be a part of the list but Barnwell named the wide receiver position the Achilles heel for Indy.
Bill Barnwell raises concern about receiver for Colts
This isn’t anything new, everyone has rightfully criticized Indy’s group of receivers all offseason. However, some unproven guys in Indianapolis have been balling out in training camp and have given the Colts’ confidence about the position. But, Barnwell thinks this preseason hype is really just representative of the problem at hand.
In the article, he writes, “You know a position is a problem when certain sorts of players get hyped up during training camp.” Barnwell then names the buzz surrounding Nyheim Hines and Ashton Dulin to prove his point. He argues that storylines like that rarely “pay off during the regular season.”
Barnwell makes the case that Indy may be able to get by if they don’t sustain any receiver injuries but he may be making a mistake to count out the emergence of Hines and Dulin. Hines has proved himself as a versatile weapon, it’s just on the Colts to get him more involved.
Dulin, on the other hand, has been gradually improving each season and is due for a breakout year at receiver. Could this all just be a case of offseason hype? Absolutely. However, it’s fair to be optimistic. The Colts wanted to gamble with their current group of receivers and the risk is yielding some positive early returns. Everyone will have to wait and see if these young weapons can finally make a huge impact in the regular season.
