INDIANAPOLIS – If Robert Turbin's attire meant anything on Wednesday, he made quite the first impression on his new team.
Donning a crisp, blue suit, Turbin made his signing official with the Colts on Wednesday.
There's one member of the Colts that Turbin didn't meet on Wednesay, but can hardly wait for such an introduction.
His running back idol, Frank Gore.
"I grew up a 49ers fan, so I was a huge fan of (Gore) playing running back," Turbin said on Wednesday.
"(Gore) was obviously fun to watch, so it's exciting to be able to work with him. I'm always trying to gain knowledge, seek knowledge and he's been in the league a lot longer than I have. I'll be looking to gain even more knowledge from him."
Growing up in Freemont, Calif. (located just southeast of San Francisco), Turbin has always been fond of Gore.
Turbin's chance to meet his fellow running back mate will come in a month, when the Colts begin their offseason program.
The contract Turbin signed on Wednesday was a one-year deal with the Colts.
Hopes for Turbin is to turn that into a long-term relationship in Indianapolis, where the Colts will eventually have to find a replacement for Gore.
In four NFL seasons, Turbin has been a backup---playing three seasons in Seattle (the same division as Gore), where he backed up Marshawn Lynch.
Initially, Turbin is the likely backup in Indianapolis.
But the future goals are bigger.
"I aspire to be one of the best running backs to ever play the game, or else I wouldn't play the game," Turbin says.
Past NFL history for the 26-year-old Turbin indicates a back capable of being quite durable (he didn't miss a game in three seasons with Seattle) while filling a variety of roles (more than 1,100 rushing yards and 50 career catches).
That was a definite reason the Colts were attracted to the 5-10, 222-pound back.
Likely, the next time Turbin enters the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center he will see a locker with his name and the No. 33 above him.
Turbin will eventually make his way to the team's running back room for an introduction into a new NFL offense and a fellow back he's watched up close for more than a decade.
In Indy, fans can expect Turbin to follow Gore's suit----provide a little bit of everything.
"I absolutely pride myself on being able to do everything, on every down, as a running back," Turbin says.
"To me, the running back position is multi-dimensional, meaning you can do various types of things---run the ball, pass protect, catch the ball, line up in the slot, run routes. I've always trained to be good at those things. A lot of my favorite running backs have those skill sets, so I've always tried to mimic those skill sets."
