Donte Moncrief Could Return Kicks for Colts?
By Evan Massey
Jun 17, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) breaks off the line of scrimmage as he runs a pass route during minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Indianapolis Colts have not had a very potent return game for quite some time, but that could end up changing this season. They could very well be putting rookie wide receiver Donte Moncrief back returning kicks this season, which would give them lightning speed to go along with extreme elusiveness. As of right now, these reports are simply speculation, but the it does mean that Moncrief is in consideration for the kick returning job.
"“We want to win,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “If he gives us the best opportunity to win as a kick returner as well as the receiver, then we are going to put him out there. You cannot coach 6-foot-2, 220, 4.3 (40-yard dash), who can catch the ball. Guys got great skill sets. Right now he’s penciled in as the number one guy back there and we’ll see how he does.” Moncrief is also listed as the Colts’ fourth receiver on their depth chart."
There is no doubt that the Colts have the ability to be a much more dynamic team this season than they have been in recent history. Moncrief is the type of player that could completely change the usual stagnant return game that the Colts have come to know, and he could do it as a rookie. The Colts have Moncrief listed as their fourth wide receiver on their early depth chart, which would make him available to do returning duties.
Perhaps the most important aspect of Moncrief as a return man is the fact that he is a player that can withstand hits due to his size. The last thing the Colts need is to put a return man back and have him go down with an injury. Moncrief would be a very durable option for the Colts, and would potentially turn things around.
Overall, it will be a very interesting season for the Colts as they are looking to be more of a playmaking team. They certainly have put together the necessary pieces to compete in the AFC, but they will need a good special teams in order to make that happen. It will be interesting to see what happens with the return game, and what type of production Moncrief is able to put up for them.