Colts’ Trending Up, Trending Down: Week Three
Trending Up:
Jeremiah George, inside linebacker: George enjoyed another solid performance starting at linebacker and looks to secure a job for years to come. He gives the Colts defense some much needed leadership and consistency, and once again made some very clutch plays on the defense. His stock is definitely on the rise.
Rashaan Melvin, cornerback: As I wrote in a previous article the Colts needed a good showing from Melvin on Sunday, and he surely delivered. Melvin was consistently blanketing receivers and even made some plays deflecting the ball. He is continuing his solid play from last season and he looks to be the #2 cornerback once Vontae Davis returns.
John Simon, outside linebacker: Featured for a second straight week, Simon continues to prove Ballard right by signing him. Simon is the best outside linebacker the Colts had in the Pagano era since pre-injury Robert Mathis. Let’s hope he can continue playing at such a high level.
Jacoby Brissett, quarterback: After a game deciding interception and no touchdowns it might seem odd to include the quarterback here, but Brissett played good football, stayed cool under pressure, and constantly maintained his poise. Once he gets more time to develop chemistry with the receivers he will prove to be a solid quarterback until Luck is ready to return, which might not be for another three to four weeks.
Jack Doyle, tight end: Doyle was a machine on Sunday, both catching passes and blocking for the run game. Doyle continues to make Ballard look smart by trading away Dwayne Allen and resigning him, Doyle finished with a game high eight catches, on eight targets, for 79 yards.
Trending Down:
Marlon Mack, halfback: Mack is still struggling running the ball. On Sunday he rushed six times for negative three yards, which is just awful. More performances like this should not be tolerated. To his credit, it seemed like he never had much space to run in the first place, so it is not all black.
Donte Moncrief, wide receiver: Facing a tough test against solid Cardinals secondary, Moncrief failed to show up throughout the whole game. He caught just two passes out of eight targets and dropped a key pass on a third down. Moncrief has not played well this season and he is on his contract year.
Anthony Castonzo, left tackle: Despite performing well oin the run game, Castonzo committed costly mistakes late in the game that were decisive in the outcome. He was flagged for holding twice and was beat by Chandler Jones, who proceeded to strip sack Brissett. So far he has not played at his usual level.
AROUND COVER32
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