INDIANAPOLIS — Trust drives so much in the day-to-day world of the NFL, and cornerback Pierre Desir epitomizes this critical trait on various levels.
Trust your coaches, trust your teammates and most importantly, let them all know they can trust you to be a professional and be prepared physically and mentally for every game, practice and meeting.
Desir is doing that from his end.
Claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks just seven days prior to the start of the regular season, the fourth-year player has quickly proven his value to the Indianapolis Colts, and was rewarded with his third start of the season against the Houston Texans last Sunday, playing a major role in his team's 20-14 win.
Desir got the start on short notice, as the team announced Saturday just before taking off for Houston that No. 1 cornerback Vontae Davis would not make the trip. While Desir was the "next man up" in that scenario, he said he's always taken the approach to be ready for anything.
"It's the same mindset that I have throughout the whole year," Desir said. "When I am going to play or if I'm not, I'm going to be ready. My mindset doesn't change I'm just always going to be prepared."
A product of Divison II Lindenwood University, Desir was indeed ready, responding with a game-high three passes defensed and three tackles while facing the dual receiving threat of DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller V, who each came into the contest tied for the league lead with seven touchdown receptions apiece.
With Rashaan Melvin returning from a concussion and rookie Nate Hairston continuing to build upon a solid rookie season as the rookie cornerback, the three were able to limit Hopkins and Fuller V to a combined eight receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown, most of which came in the second half as the Texans tried to mount a comeback.
"Again, credit Coach (Ted) Monachino and the defensive staff and those players," Pagano said. "Guys like Nate Hairston and Pierre Desir going in there. It was great having (Rashaan) Melvin back. Those guys competed their tails off."
Now in three starts, and having seen action in six games total, Desir has contributed 14 tackles and four passes defensed in his veteran plug-and-play role.
Originally a fourth-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2014 NFL Draft, Desir is familiar with the AFC North Division and preparing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, this Sunday's opponent at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"Those guys [Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown] are just playmakers and then you have [Le'Veon] Bell as well." Desir said. "It goes to another great week of preparation and our coaches are going to get us ready and they're going to put a game plan together for us to become successful."
Desir's professional approach is contagious and helps set the bar for everyone else in the building, so whether he is seeing the field Sunday or not, he is contributing to the success of this team, continuing to earn trust — and trusting his coaches to get him ready each week.
"I think it just comes with preparation," Desir said. "The coaches do a good job of getting everyone prepared. And in this league whenever your number's called you need to be ready to step up. I just prepare like I'm a starter and continue to do that and whenever I get the opportunity I just go out there and perform and play like I'm supposed to."
