The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MIKE Strachan concluded the NFL preseason with his best game as a member of the Indianapolis Colts and is optimistic about his chances to make the regular season roster.

Strachan drew the most targets of all receivers and finished with five receptions for 61 yards in the Colts’ 27-17 win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday night.

The Colts finished the preseason 3-0 and Strachan totalled 10 receptions for 130 yards in those contests. Indianapolis is expected to cut down to its first 53-man roster of the regular season at 4pm on Tuesday, August 31.

“I just gave it all I have and I’m praying for the best,” Strachan said.

Overall, Strachan 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.

“I felt like it was a great camp, we all came in, competed and worked really hard, we finished strong, went 3-0 so right now we have that momentum moving forward into the regular season,” Strachan said.

“From a strength standpoint I just used my size to my advantage, my speed, my ability to track down the ball, those are all three phases that I’m definitely working on. I wouldn’t describe anything as weaknesses but just overall, getting the defence down reading coverages, that’s one thing you have to take care of in the NFL.”

In his preseason debut, Strachan finished with three receptions for 57 yards in the Colts’ 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers.

In his second appearance, Strachan finished with two catches for 12 yards in the Colts’ 12-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

“I love the playbook and the coaches are doing a great job, they are explaining it really well, they are really detailed about it and I’m learning each day,” Strachan said. “The roster is definitely deep and I feel really great about this team. I feel like with the Colts we can go all the way, we have the leaders in set from the owners straight down to the staff, I feel like we can go all the way.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is being evaluated for an upper back/neck injury, and it is uncertain how much time he will miss. Hilton, 31, has been the Colts’ No. 1 receiver throughout his nine seasons in Indianapolis, which includes five 1,000-yard campaigns.

Ahead of final roster cuts, Colts head coach Frank Reich talked about the performance of the young players throughout preseason ahead of roster cuts. “You know, we’ve got a lot of confidence in those guys. We talk about being in the situation when these games are real. We have to see how guys respond when it’s on the line,” Reich said.

“I think a lot of young players have shown themselves very well. Very poised and made the plays needed to win games.”

Strachan’s training camp performance has local pundits suggesting a move up the depth chart for the seventh round draft pick (229th overall).

Colts wide receivers’ coach Mike Groh told Indiana-Affiliate FOX 59 that Strachan’s progress has been one of the standouts of training camp.

“We’re really pleased with Mike’s development so far. What, we’re three weeks into camp? I don’t want to put a timeline on it, but we all know his background: didn’t play any ball last year, coming from the Bahamas,” Groh said.

“Our scouting department did a great job. He’s still raw, but you see the physical gifts...he’s got the speed and the power,’’

At his pro day, Strachan measured 6’5”, 228 pounds with 85” wingspan and 10” hands. He ran a 4.46 second 40-yard dash, put up 20 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds, and posted a 35” vertical leap.

“It’s not just size alone,’’ Groh said. “The guy’s got really good vertical speed, and he can play with power. It’s like that power forward position, LeBron James, where he’s coming down on the fastbreak. We always want him to play big and play with speed and power, and he’s been able to do that.’’