INDIANAPOLIS – Quarterback Carson Wentz arrived in Indianapolis in early spring asking questions about his character as a teammate in Philadelphia. However, that was only part of the question when it comes to Wentz.
There were also physical questions about what he could do on the football field as the Colts’ new starting quarterback.
Wentz has a relationship with head coach Frank Reich and receiver coach Mike Groh because they dated the Eagles at different times. He took the time to get to know his new teammates and ask about their personal and professional lives.
“He comes in and asks about my family, my sister and things like that,” he runs back Nyheim Hines said. “As a new guy, it’s pretty cool. It shows that he cares about us and tries to take care of us. “
Wentz looked like a good fit as he took skip shot after skip shot with a close finish and former Division I basketball player Mo Alie-Cox in a shooting game on a portable goal on the practice field recently.
The biggest showdown of OTAs:@cj_wentz vs. @ MoAlie81. 🏀 pic.twitter.com/gKXo4pUOGS
– Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 24, 2021
Wentz has brought some excitement to the Colts in no time, from low jumpers to deep passes for his teammates in California and Indianapolis, despite no pads or defensive players trying to chase him down.
Recipient for the second year Michael Pittman Jr.. noticed something about Wentz when they were training in California in March. Pittman was a running post route where Wentz threw the ball 65 yards in the air and at the money.
“I said, ‘Oh my god, I really have to dig and run,” recalls Pittman.
Sixty-five meters in the air is nothing. Co-recipient Zach Pascal believes his new starting quarterback “can probably throw the ball 80, 100 yards,” and Hines believes Wentz “throws one of the prettier deep balls I’ve ever seen”.
“I do not know where it is [ranks] in the league, but I’ve played with enough quarterbacks, ”said Hines. “He’s got a really deep ball. I’ve liked everything I’ve seen of him so far. “
This isn’t a hit on 2020 starters Philip Riversbecause his efficient season helped the Colts finish on an 11-5 record and return to the playoffs, but Wentz gave offensive another offensive dimension.
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Rivers were distinguished by quick throws, so as not to be discharged. Wentz has to do the same, having been sacked 50 times in just 12 games last season. Wentz is more mobile and can throw the ball further than Rivers.
“I love Philip,” said Hines. “He’s just not as mobile as Carson. Carson will likely be able to overcome a bit more traffic jams and pressure situations in the red zone and in third place. “
Wentz has spent countless hours breaking his new team’s offensive film. He noted how much they like to distribute the ball so that everyone is touched, which also doesn’t allow the defense to stop just one player. Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett and Rivers, the Colts’ last three quarterbacks, had a career-high or second-highest completion percentage under Reich because they could count on so many different options on the offensive.
“I see it the same way this year,” said Wentz. “Because it’s never a one-man show out there. I will throw the ball where it belongs every game. “
The Colts won’t be back together as a team until the start of training camp in late July, after off-season training ended on Thursday. But Wentz isn’t done connecting with his teammates just yet. The goal is for him to train with them sometime before the camp begins.
“I’m not 100 percent sure of the details yet,” he said. “We may even meet here in June and then probably in July as well. I’ve done this in Philly in the past too and it’s just a great time not only to do the physical work on the field but also outside of football to get together and socialize and get to know the guys. I look forward to it every summer and I look forward to doing that once or twice this summer too. “
