Indianapolis Colts: What to Expect From T.Y. Hilton in 2016
Indianapolis Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton is eager to get back on the field in 2016 after a successful campaign in 2015 — despite catching passes from three different starting quarterbacks.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has been talking highly of wide receiver T.Y. Hilton’s offseason thus far — just a few weeks into the team’s OTA’s.
Hilton amassed 1,124 yards with five touchdowns on just 69 receptions. Hilton was able to accomplish all of this despite catching passes from the likes of Charlie Whitehurst, Josh Freeman and Matt Hasselbeck for the better part of 2015.
When asked about Hilton’s offseason, head coach Chuck Pagano wasn’t shy about discussing how the fifth-year receiver has preformed so far, per Mike Wells of ESPN:
"T.Y. is having as good of an offseason as anybody, probably better than anybody right now,” Pagano said. “There’s a lot of good stuff going on out there. But I’ve never seen anybody practice as fast as he’s practicing right now and compete at the level he’s competing at and leading the way that’s he’s leading. He’s done it day in and day out.”"
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While it is too early into the offseason to make assumptions for 2016, it is still nice to see Hilton practicing at a high level as the teams No. 1 receiver on the roster.
Last season left a bitter taste in the mouth of a team that was poised to finally get over the hump and make their first Super Bowl appearance in nearly six years. Despite being mostly productive in 2015, Hilton doesn’t seem satisfied with the results.
“I’m just putting forth the effort to help my team,” Hilton said. “Last year didn’t go as planned. Nothing I can do but control what I can control. I’m just trying to get better, better my teammates, continue to work and push those guys.”
With a new-and-improved offensive line to better protect quarterback Andrew Luck moving forward, Hilton looks to have one of his best seasons with the Colts in 2016 — and hopefully lead the team to a playoff berth after missing out in 2015.
“It hurt because I’ve never been home after Week 17,” Hilton said. “Watching the playoffs in general and not being able to play really hurt.”
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Through his first four seasons in the league, Hilton has tallied up over 4,000 receiving yards to go along with 24 touchdowns, averaging 15.6 yards for every reception.
If Luck can stay healthy for the entirety of the season and the Colts’ offense returns to a high-caliber form, then Hilton should have no problem with seeing another 1,000-yard season as he cements his No. 1 receiver status and mentors the younger guys moving forward.