Jim Bob Cooter did not reach for a statistical excuse when he was asked why Jonathan Taylor has gone 12 straight games without a 100-yard rushing day. He pointed at himself first.
“I think it’s just all of us sort of offensively doing our job at a higher level,” the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive coordinator said. “Starts with me doing a better job putting the plan together, weekly process, daily process, organizing our game plan, our scripts, our practices to give JT the best opportunity to get rolling.”
The Colts are between Weeks 5 and 6 after a 34-22 loss in Pittsburgh and host the 0-5 Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Cooter stressed that the NFL run game is an 11-man job and that Taylor has been “so valuable for us over the years,” but that the staff and players still have to raise the floor. “We’re looking to improve,” he said. “We’re between Week 5 and Week 6 here, so got a good chunk of season ahead.”
Downs is earning the extra looks
Daniel Jones had noted that defenses are keying on Josh Downs, especially on third down. Cooter said that is the price of winning matchups. “Josh has done a really nice job this year getting open, and there’s some man-to-man type situations, especially where Josh is separated from his defender and made big plays,” he said. “When you do that enough times, defenses start to pay attention … whether that’s double teams or leaning safeties or just having more awareness overall in zone coverage.”
That attention, he added, is supposed to open doors elsewhere. “When you have good players playing good football, things like that happen and opens up opportunities for other guys.”
Pittsburgh’s front and the PowerPoint slide
Asked about Taylor averaging less than half a yard before contact against the Steelers — among the lowest figures of his career — Cooter credited a “top defensive front” and a scheme that “adjusts and adapts as well as anybody.” He said Pittsburgh dove into older wrinkles the Colts had not seen yet this season. “They did a good job. I got to do a better job putting our guys in position to have success.”
On whether defenses are treating Taylor differently week to week, he was blunt about the scouting report. “I pretty much guarantee you JT’s on that slide,” Cooter said of the keys-to-victory PowerPoints every opposing coach opens the week with. “He’s on the PowerPoint slide. Those guys are aware of him.”
Travis vs. Watt
On the other side of the ball, Cooter singled out tackle Jaylen Travis for the way he handled T.J. Watt in a loud road environment. “Quite the challenge … facing off against T.J. Watt,” he said. “Jaylen Travis really stepped up, played a really nice game. Excited for his continued improvement.” He framed it as a full-offense effort — chips, timing, route depth — but left no doubt Travis had answered a tall task.
Cooter closed by saying the staff takes pride in bending the scheme when personnel changes force it, including without Alec Pierce. “We’ve got guys we think can really attack the defense down the field, outside the numbers, short, intermediate, deep,” he said. “We’re excited to go get ready for Week 6. Big week coming up.”
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