INDIANAPOLIS — The list of running backs consistently grew year after year.
Donald Brown. Trent Richardson. Frank Gore. Marlon Mack.
Each tried to be the Indianapolis Colts’ next dominant back but failed for a variety of reasons. None of them could be the running back opposing defenses feared the same way they did with Hall of Famer Edgerrin James during his seven seasons with the organization.
Jonathan Taylor is currently taking his turn at it, and the results so far have many in — and out — of the organization believing the second-year back is its best player at that position since James.
“I’m talking as an analyst and also a former player for the team — he is the best one since Edge,” former Colts center and current ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday said. “I think what he provides is every play could go for a touchdown. Whether it’s in the screen game, a checkdown, giving it to him between the tackles or outside. Every play could potentially go the house.”
Colts owner Jim Irsay has never been one to hold back on his expectations (he has predicted multiple Super Bowl titles this decade). That’s why he didn’t flinch as he sat behind a table on a hot and humid day during training camp when talking about his featured running back.
“You don’t want to put too much on a young back and those sort of things, but Jonathan, if he dreams about a gold [Hall of Fame] jacket at night, he’s having the right dream because there’s reality there and a lot has to happen,” Irsay said back in August. “… You can’t put any limits on what he can do. He’s got it all. He has the power, he has the speed. He’s a special, special player.”
Best Colts RB since Edgerrin James?
As the Colts (3-5) face the New York Jets on Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium (8:20 p.m. ET, Fox/NFL Network), it’s way too early to think about Taylor putting on a gold jacket in Canton, Ohio. For now, the Colts are embracing and enjoying what he has accomplished so far in the NFL. Going back to…
Source : espn
