Shane Steichen of the Colts’ relentless style aids Indianapolis

admin | November 28, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The moment Tom Manning, the tight ends coach for the Indianapolis Colts, presented a novel short-yardage play to head coach Shane Steichen last week, it connected.

“I said, ‘Shoot, that looks pretty good,'” stated Steichen. “That touchdown appears to be a walk-in. “Let’s make sure that one is included in the game plan.”

The idea was straightforward: fill the field in a heavy formation, giving the impression that the Colts would try to squeeze out a first down with a power run. Of all players, linebacker Zaire Franklin was given the task of lining up at fullback. The plan was for tight end Mo Alie-Cox to seep out after selling the run, ideally leaving a wide opening.

The play was designed with the red zone in mind. However, Steichen veered from that strategy when the Colts faced a fourth-and-one situation at the 49-yard line of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game on Sunday.

“Zaire!” he shouted into his headset. That was the play’s given title. When quarterback Garrett Minshew connected Alie-Cox for a 30-yard gain, it was flawless. Running back Jonathan Taylor scored the game-winning touchdown three plays later, giving the Colts a 27-20 victory that kept them in the middle of the AFC playoff chase.

The play and the choice to employ it were only minor manifestations of a greater pattern: Steichen’s readiness to play to win and his desire to put his faith in his players to give them confidence.

“He’s the type of coach that prepares for every situation, and he banks on other teams not preparing for those other situations,” Franklin stated. “He doesn’t mind if it gets wrinkled. He doesn’t hesitate to act aggressively. Additionally, I believe that our team is contagious due to that enthusiasm and mindset.”

The big play to Alie-Cox was one of four fourth-down attempts by the Colts on Sunday. Indianapolis converted three of those and scored 14 points on drives involving a fourth-down conversion — a season high.

This is not to say the Colts are one of the league’s top-performing teams on fourth downs. They have a 50% success rate this season — 14th in the NFL.

Instead, it’s more about Steichen’s aggressive disposition and how that has positively impacted his team’s mentality. The Colts rank fifth in expected points added from their fourth-down decisions — meaning their fourth-down decisions generally are choices that can directly impact the scoreboard. And when it comes to attempting fourth downs, the Colts rank seventh at 24.4%.

Sometimes, Steichen’s aggressiveness gets the best of him. Against the Browns in Week 7, Steichen curiously dialed a deep pass drop and throw from the Colts’ own end zone that resulted in a sack and forced fumble by star edge rusher Myles Garrett. Cleveland scored a touchdown on the play.

A 60-yard field goal attempt in that same game was blocked and resulted in a short field for the Browns’ offense. Steichen later lamented both decisions. He said, for example, that he regretted a pass play that led to a loss of yardage and, consequently, a longer field-goal attempt for kicker Matt Gay.

But from the day he entered the building, Steichen suggested the Colts would not play scared. And he has delivered on that promise. And there is an added benefit beyond the mere pursuit of each individual victory.

“He lets it hang,” Minshew said. “That’s what you want: A coach that will trust you and put you in those situations. He can be aggressive, but I think that comes out of trust. It’s good when you have a coach that trusts you like that.”

Said receiver Michael Pittman Jr.: “You have to earn that trust because if it doesn’t go right, then everybody looks bad and it falls back on [Steichen].”