Colts Assistants Brian Bratton and Bryan Bing Named Coaches for the 99th East-West Shrine Bowl
Contributing Writer
Exciting news for Colts fans as it was announced on Tuesday that two assistant coaches, Brian Bratton and Bryan Bing, have been selected to serve on the coaching staff for the upcoming 99th East-West Shrine Bowl. This prestigious event, which dates back to 1925, is the oldest college all-star game. Last year, an impressive number of 45 players who participated in the Shrine Bowl went on to be drafted, marking the highest total in the last 10 years.
Bratton, who currently holds the position of offensive quality control coach for the Colts, will have the opportunity to mentor East wide receivers during the game. The talented group of receivers under his guidance includes Anthony Gould from Oregon State, Cornelius Johnson from Michigan, Tejhaun Palmer from UAB, Tayvion Robinson from Kentucky, Casey Washington from Illinois, David White from Western Carolina, and Isaiah Williams from Illinois.
Bing, the 2023 Tony Dungy Fellow, will be responsible for guiding East defensive linemen. This group consists of Evan Anderson from Florida Atlantic, Leonard Taylor from Miami FL, Khristian Boyd from Northern Iowa, Khalid Duke from Kansas State, Jowon Briggs from Cincinnati, Mo Kamara from Colorado State, Jamree Kromah from James Madison, Eyabi Okie-Anoma from Charlotte, Zion Logue from Georgia, Xavier Thomas from Clemson, Fabien Lovett from Florida State, and David Ugwoegbu from Houston.
The 99th East-West Shrine Bowl is scheduled to take place on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET and will be aired on NFL Network.
Turning our attention back to the Colts, the team will be relying on defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to build on the positive progress and address any issues from the 2023 season. One area where notable improvement was seen is the Colts' offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, they received higher grades in both pass blocking and run blocking compared to the previous year, and they allowed fewer sacks.
Meanwhile, the Senior Bowl is set to happen on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Speaking of impressive performances, the Colts had four tight ends this season who each accumulated over 100 receiving yards while playing over 150 offensive snaps. This is certainly a testament to the team's depth and versatility at the tight end position.
It's worth noting that Callahan, who joined the Colts in 2019, made a strong impact in his role as the tight ends coach.
We can't talk about the Colts' standout players without mentioning Michael Pittman Jr. He became just the fourth Colts pass catcher to amass over 100 catches and exceed 1,000 receiving yards. Pittman Jr.'s performance was truly exceptional.
In other news, Eli, the brother of Michael Pittman Jr., will be coaching the NFC in the upcoming event.
When it comes to the Colts' rushing game, they ranked 10th in the league in terms of rushing yards per game this season. This demonstrates the effectiveness of their ground attack and the contributions of various players.
In the quarterback position, Anthony Richardson unfortunately had his season cut short due to a shoulder injury. However, the team was fortunate to have Gardner Minshew II step up in his place. Minshew II won seven games out of the 13 starts he made, showing his ability to lead the team to victory.
A season-ending injury is always devastating, and unfortunately, that was the case for Colts player Trey Flowers. He was playing exceptionally well before suffering an Achilles injury that forced him to end his 2023 season in Week 4. Hopefully, he will make a strong recovery.
Shifting gears, let's talk about the NFL Combine. This annual event, which evaluates college football players ahead of the NFL Draft, has been held in Indianapolis since 1987. It serves as an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and abilities to NFL scouts and coaches.
Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to remind all Colts fans that season tickets for the 2024 season are now available! By becoming a Colts Season Ticket Member, you'll gain access to the best seating locations, the best pricing, and a range of incredible benefits. Secure your spot today!
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