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Gardner Minshew is part Kenny Powers and part Shane Falco. Josh Dobbs We can learn a little something from Gardner Minshew’s journey. Dobbs’ Linsanity-esque run seems to have come to its inevitable end, but he still has a long career ahead of him in one form or another.
Minshew also knows what it feels like to be enjoying the moment. After the Minshew Mania hype died down, Jacksonville drafted Trevor Lawrence and Minshew has spent the better part of the last few years holding clipboards behind a glass case. Only in an emergency can he throw passes in live action games. Now he’s chasing Lawrence and those same Jags in the AFC South with five contests remaining.
When he steps back, Minshew is hit or miss. On a third-and-goal play early Sunday afternoon, Minchio knocked down a wide-open Alec Pierce in the back of the end zone. He also fumbled in the pocket and had a two-point conversion pass that was hit in the air by Zach Moss and came back the other way for a safety Amani Hooker To get the result of Titans. Earlier in the first half, Minchio missed a deep ball to Pierce that would have led to a touchdown. Instead, the Colts settled on three.
The fact that Indianapolis has a backup that can ride at the highest level is already a win after the quarterback defeats they have suffered since Andrew Luck retired. The New York Jets or Cleveland Browns will do anything for a backup edge rusher who can energize their passing attacks and endure the occasional lows that come with it. Instead, they’re both offensive zombies backed by stifling defenses. While the owner acts foolishly and Jonathan Taylor moves in and out of the lineup, Mincio has been the constant holding these fragile Colts together. While the New York Jets were starting off Tim Boyles, the The Steelers turned to Mitch Trubiskythe Cleveland Browns were forced to turn to 38-year-old Joe Flacco, and Indianapolis’ investment in Minchio is starting to pay off.
On Sunday afternoon, Minshew tore through the Tennessee Titans defense through the air for 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a win that boosted the Colts’ playoff aspirations. In extra time, Mincio sent an accurate deep ball into the goal Alec Pearce’s Bread Basket Midway through overtime that put Indianapolis inside the 5-yard line. Two plays later, Minshew connected with Michael Pittman for the game-winning touchdown. Ultimately, Mincio got the job done when it mattered most. Don’t look now, but Indianapolis holds one of the playoff spots in the AFC.
Minchio was supposed to spend the season as if he had the last pair of backups to support the young sensation, Anthony Richardson, after following Shane Steichen to Indianapolis. A slew of injuries including a season-ending shoulder injury scuppered those plans. After falling down midway through the season, Minshew is hitting his peak at the right time.
Minshew is a walking football prodigy. Through two recruitments that fell through due to unforeseen circumstances, a trip through JUCO, then Troy, then Washington State and parlayed one remarkable season into a long-running career as a sixth-round pick. Minchio was supposed to move on to his football career long ago just as Indianapolis’ season was expected to be DOA after Richardson’s injury. He brought some prodigy football to Indy. Now it’s a matter of seeing how far he can carry them.
Follow DJ Dunson on X: @Brain sportss
