Reggie Wayne has the perfect quote to describe the growth of Colts rookie Alec Pierce
The top overall pick for the Indianapolis Colts, Alec Pierce, is ready for his rookie year after going through an offseason of growth.
With many eyes on the wide receiver group of the Indianapolis Colts throughout the offseason, Indy refused to add to the group with the exception of drafting Alec Pierce. At 6-foot-3, running a 4.41 40-yard dash with a 40.5-inch vertical jump, Pierce was viewed as a big-play receiver that could help out Indy’s passing game.
Selected towards the end of the second round, the Colts felt Pierce had the tools to be a complete NFL receiver but that it may take a little time for him to get there. However, with Indy’s Super Bowl aspirations, and a young and unproven receiver group, Pierce was going to have to develop fast.
That’s why the Colts demanded the best out of him since he arrived. The team challenged him every day by making him go against five-time Pro Bowl corner, Stephon Gilmore, and new wide receivers coach, Reggie Wayne, made sure to give him daily instruction.
As a result, Pierce had an up-and-down training camp. There were times when it was clear he was a rookie and other times when he dominated and left viewers thinking that he could be an elite wide receiver. Now, with training camp over and Week 1 approaching, the Colts believe that Pierce is ready and credit the roller coaster of a training camp to getting him there.
In a recent IndyStar article, Wayne came up with the perfect analogy to describe Pierce’s journey, saying, “It’s like going into Dillard’s or Macy’s to get that polo. Some polos come on the hanger, they’re nice and fresh already; some shit you’ve got to iron… He had to iron the creases out… and now he’s comfortable.”
BIG A.P. 😤 pic.twitter.com/WbGDcyzYRm
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 17, 2022
Alec Pierce is comfortable and ready for his first season with Colts
Pierce will enter his rookie season as a starter for Indianapolis and he will have a lot of expectations. Recently, general manager, Chris Ballard, told the media what everyone already knew, the team needs Pierce to grow up fast. They’re confident that he will.
Pierce and Parris Campbell have a lot of pressure on them to stay healthy and be productive. Last season, Michael Pittman Jr. was the only reliable receiver for the Colts and everyone knows that can’t be the case again if Indy is going to accomplish its goals. Campbell and Pierce have to be consistent contributors.
Though Pierce is only a rookie, it’s time for him to put the iron away. He’s going to have to put on his shirt and shake out any remaining creases in front of the world as he competes for Indianapolis on game days.
