The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The Indianapolis Colts intend to add more explosive plays to their repertoire for the remainder of the season and rookie wide receiver Mike Strachan could factor in those plans based on his early production.

“[He proved] that he can be relied upon, that he’s growing and that he can contribute to the offence,” Colts Offensive Coordinator Marcus Brady said, “I thought he did a great job with his opportunities.”

The seventh round pick finished with two catches for 26 yards in the Colts’ 28-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. He earned a pass interference penalty on a third target. All three of those plays came on third down and resulted in Colts’ first downs.

“That was one of things we talked about after the game,” Brady said.

“We felt like we had some very good drives going throughout the game, but a defence like that, they’re kind of counting on you to sustain that drive and finish in the end zone. We weren’t able to do that at times. Part of it was just their defensive scheme.

“For us, we just have to find different ways to eventually take some shots down the field and we’re going to continue to look for those.

At the same time, we’ve got to take what the defence gives us. There were some opportunities to get a little bit more explosive plays that we just need to clean up amongst the coaches and the players.”

Strachan was on the field for 18 snaps and was targeted three times, a higher rate than any other receiver in the lineup. Michael Pittman Jr played 74-76 snaps with four targets, Zach Pascal played 69 snaps with five targets, Parris Campbell played 46 snaps with three targets and Ashton Dulin played six snaps,

In his first play from scrimmage, he hauled in a 10-yard pass from quarterback Carson Wentz for a first down.

Strachan later caught a 16-yard pass from Wentz in the third quarter.

Strachan, was one of seven wide receivers named to the initial 53 man roster.

The Grand Bahama native totalled 10 receptions for 130 yards in three preseason games.

Overall, he had a Pro Football Focus grade of 73.0 this preseason; he was targeted 16 times, had six receiving first downs, no dropped passes, four contested catches, and was part of three explosive pass plays.