INDIANAPOLIS – It took time before Chuck Pagano could sleep easier about the depth he now has behind Frank Gore.
Pagano knew going into the 2016 free agency finding bodies, preferably experienced ones, to complement Gore was a must.
Gone from 2015 were various backups: Ahmad Bradshaw, Boom Herron, Josh Robinson and Zurlon Tipton.
Reinforcements came a week into free agency, some five days apart.
Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman joined the Colts after various playoff runs the past few years.
"I feel great about that, much better than I did a few weeks ago," Pagano said down at the League Meetings in March.
"Turbin and Todman are guys who have played football and have significant snaps under their belt. They both have a unique skill set. They both have the ability to run the football for you, protect (and) they're good in the passing game. So they're not guys who you say, 'Well they're first and second down guys.' I think they bring the skill set to the table where they can be every down guys. It adds depth to the position and brings competition."
Turbin is the most accomplished of the 2016 bunch (after Gore).
Growing up in the Bay Area, and quite the fanatic of Gore, Turbin was Marshawn Lynch's backup for his first three seasons in the NFL.
With the Seahawks, Turbin (5-10 and 222 pounds) did not miss a game in his three years and had a total of 11 carries in Seattle's two Super Bowl appearances. Turbin battled an ankle injury in 2015 and bounced around three different teams.
Now healthy, and in Indy, it's a one-year deal for Turbin with plans to be here longer.
"My goal is to be here for a very long time," Turbin said this week.
"I feel like I'm in a position here to do that. Most importantly, I feel like I have the support to do that. A really good mentor in Frank and to one day take over and be a really great running back for this franchise."
Todman arrives in Indianapolis after playing for five teams, most recently with the Steelers.
A 2011 sixth-round pick from Connecticut, Todman (5-9 and 203 pounds) has 44 games of NFL experience.
Last year in Pittsburgh, Todman had 16 postseason carries. He has served plenty of special teams roles in his NFL career, including 114 career punt and kick returns.
No one needs to remind Todman what being paired up with Andrew Luck can look like.
"(In Jacksonville), I had the luxury of playing against these guys for three years and seeing what this offense is capable of doing and seeing Andrew pick us apart over and over," Todman says.
"They are great competitors, a great team and in a great position to do very well for us in this division and in the postseason as well."
Gore's durability is unlike any other in today's NFL (he hasn't missed a game since 2010), but when No. 23 does need a breather this season, Turbin and Todman are your likely backups.
