After the benching of Matt Ryan, Louis Riddick believes something is not right with the Colts. There is a time and a place for this.
The Colts decided to make a dramatic shift at their most important position because of their offensive troubles.
Indianapolis is promoting Sam Ehlinger to starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders with veteran Matt Ryan sustaining a Grade 2 shoulder separation on Sunday. Reich said that Ryan wouldn't play this week because of the injury, but that the move is intended to be for the rest of the season.
Reich said the decision was difficult because of the respect and admiration they have for Ryan. He is a professional. The man is special. Our poor production on offense is not a single person's fault. It isn't on Ryan. It doesn't matter to us as head coach and quarterback. I'm judged on my performances. Points and turnovers are used to judge quarterbacks. In this league, that is how it is. Matt will be a professional.
The first of Ryan's two picks was returned for a touchdown by Andrew Adams. Ryan leads the National Football League with nine picks. He has lost three fumblings.
The Colts are 29th in scoring. The Colts have scored 12 points or less in three of the four games this season.
Two weeks ago, Ehlinger was promoted to the No.2 quarterback. The sixth-round pick will move up to the top spot.
"I've been particularly impressed with Sam in practice since the season started, the look that he's given on the scout team, the quality of his throws, the way he's commanding himself out there." The total package is what I'm talking about. It's the best decision for our team.
In his career, Ehlinger has played only 18 regular-season snaps. He has never thrown a pass in a game. Some of the issues the Colts are having with their offensive line may be mitigated by Ehlinger's mobility. Ryan had 10 quarterback hits in the game.
I told Matt that this was a point that needed to be clear. We didn't hold up our end of the bargain. We promised you a top rushing game and protection. We did not deliver on that. That begins with me. It was Reich's message to Matt.
The marriage of Matt Ryan and his history with our running game made us think that he's had 14 years of incredibly productive quarterback play with great play-action. We believed there would be a natural marriage there. It wasn't a move of desperation because of the crazy quarterback scenarios we've had. It was well thought out.
Jim Irsay is the owner of the Indianapolis Colts. Reich and Irsay had an hourlong discussion late Sunday night about the situation.
Reich said that his vote would carry more weight. He might lead the way in some ways, but it's really the owner, GM and head coach who are making the decision.
Ryan was traded to the Colts for a third-round pick. Ryan spent his first 14 seasons with the Falcons after being selected in the first round of the 1999 draft.
Ryan was targeted by the Colts after they moved on from a player. Since Andrew Luck retired, the Colts have had at least two different quarterbacks. Since Reich became the team's coach, seven quarterbacks have started for the Colts.
The Colts are 1-8 against the other teams in the division.
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