After trading for Sauce Gardner last season, the Indianapolis Colts got a glimpse of what he can do for the defense.
Unfortunately, a calf injury limited Gardner to only four games, but when on the field, he showcased the impact that he can have.
In those games, Gardner allowed a completion rate of 54%, giving up just 7.3 yards per catch, with three pass breakups. His presence on the field also changed how Lou Anarumo called games, allowing the Colts‘ defensive coordinator to be much more aggressive.
Naturally, Gardner could eliminate half the field, with opposing quarterbacks not wanting to test him. However, that isn’t what Gardner wants. He wants the ball to come his direction.
“As a corner, we want those accolades,” Gardner said of the ball not coming his way. “We want those statistics. We want picks. We want PBUs. We want all those things. So I used to think that way like my first couple of years in the league, but it’s like I want more now. I want to make plays on the ball. A lot more plays. So that’s why I said I want quarterbacks to look at me and be like, ‘Oh yeah. Let me go at him real quick, just to see something real quick.'”
The Colts navigated numerous injuries at cornerback last season, but now have what should be a top duo in Gardner and Charvarius Ward, along with Justin Walley in the slot.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts CB Sauce Gardner hopes to be tested by quarterbacks this season
