If there’s a candidate for regression-to-the-mean in the NFL, the Colts are a reasonable pick, considering their nine-win jump last season.
But for wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, there’s a confidence that they not only won’t sink, but could get better thanks to quarterback Andrew Luck.
“Yeah, we’re all comfortable,” Hilton said, via Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports. “This is year two, so the game is really slowing down for everybody that was a rookie last year. That actually helps us out.
“But when Luck is throwing the ball the way he’s throwing it, we can’t be stopped.”
There are reasons to think the Colts could improve. They spent money and added bodies to fix an offensive line that didn’t give Luck much of a chance last year. And by bringing in running back Ahmad Bradshaw, they gave him a solid rushing complement as well as a good pass protector.
“The sky’s the limit. This offense, we’ve got so many playmakers,” Bradshaw said. “And with him throwing the ball and coordinating the offense, there’s no telling where we can go with this.”
Of course, there are issues to consider, including the uncertain condition of tight end Coby Fleener. But Luck’s maturity, and his connection with coordinator Pep Hamilton (who called his plays in college) will provide a certain floor for the Colts in coming years.