INDIANAPOLIS --- Watching the tape of Sunday's preseason opener against the Eagles, two rookies impressed for various reasons - running back Josh Robinson and nose tackle David Parry.
Let's start with Robinson, the 6th round pick out of Mississippi State. Everybody will remember his 3rd quarter touchdown run the most and for good reason. It was impressive because of the situation, on 3rd and goal from the 9-yard-line. Breaking down the play, Colts UpClose Analysts Jim Sorgi and Kevin Bowen show, in reality, the play should have been a loss, but Robinson kept breaking tackles en route to the endzone.
It wasn't just Robinson's touchdown run though that was impressive. He also showed reliable hands out of the backfield, also illustrating an ability to add yards after contact as a receiver.
In the video below, Robinson takes a 2nd and 10 play at the start of the 3rd quarter for 11 yards and a first down. It should have gone for only 4 or 5 yards, but Robinson's running style gets him far enough to move the chains.
The following play in the video rewinds to the first quarter to show Robinson doing a great job in an area many rookie running backs struggle, in pass protection and blitz pick-up.
On defense, 5th round pick David Parry played well at nose tackle in the 2nd half. The first play in the video below shows him easily getting off a one-on-one block to plug the hole and stop the running back for a 1-yard gain. That forced the Eagles offense into a 3rd and 12.
The second play shows him succeeding in an area where nose tackles are rarely asked to compete, in coverage against a running back out of the backfield. Parry completely takes the back out of the play.
Both Robinson and Parry showed great signs of their development in their first live action as professional football players.
