Insider: Brissett's big arm more compatible with Colts

INDIANAPOLIS – You might consider it obvious to suggest a team should contemplate a quarterback change when a starter plays the way Scott Tolzien did on Sunday.

But for the Indianapolis Colts, there are factors beyond mere performance that might prompt them to look to new acquisition Jacoby Brissett as Andrew Luck’s fill-in: Simply put, Brissett is a better fit.

A film review of some of Brissett’s previous performances in both the regular season and preseason reveals that his skills better fit the Colts’ offensive style and strengths.

Coach Chuck Pagano on Monday said his coaching staff would discuss the possibility of a quarterback change, adding “we’ve got to do what’s best for the football team and what gives us the best chance to move the ball and put points on the board.”

Tolzien’s ugly 9-of-18, two-interception performance in Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams certainly did not give the Colts “the best chance to move the ball or put points on the board.” For the most part, he did neither.

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But there was a rarely-discussed reality during the past month-plus, while Tolzien was struggling through the preseason. He was never a great fit for the Colts in the first place.

The Colts, under offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, emphasize a deep-passing game. It helps that the Colts have Luck, who is one of the NFL’s best deep-ball passers. In fact, Luck is often more accurate on his deep balls than he is on his shorter and intermediate throws.

But even taking Luck out of the equation, the Colts enjoy their most offensive success when they can hit explosive passing plays. It’s part of the reason the Colts ranked fifth in the NFL last season in producing such plays, hitting 63 completions of 20 yards or longer (the New Orleans Saints led with 71).

Tolzien, by comparison, lacks the arm strength to reliably and consistently stretch the field. And that has consequences for players such as T.Y. Hilton, who led the NFL in receiving yardage last season and is a top deep threat.

Enter Brissett.

He is not without flaws. The second-year player is certainly not yet polished. And he isn’t always particularly accurate. If he starts, you should have measured expectations.

But for the Colts, Brissett provides a cannon of a throwing arm. The Colts saw a glimpse just moments after Brissett entered Sunday’s game. He delivered a 50-yard bomb to receiver Donte Moncrief that traveled nearly 60 yards through the air. It seemed effortless for Brissett, and it provided a preview of what might be at the Colts’ disposal if he starts.

A 2016 third-round pick from North Carolina State, Brissett’s past games show an appealing, wide-ranging skill set. In his first career start, for the New England Patriots last season, Brissett displayed his athleticism, a quick release and even a little read-option.

But what was most applicable to the Colts was his arm strength, which was evident on both short routes and long ones. That helps Brissett improve his chances of fitting the ball into tight throwing windows but also gives the Colts a shot to use the most effective parts of their playbook.

It could conceivably change things for Colts opponents, too. The defenses they face would have to be more mindful of defending the deeper parts of the field with Brissett than with Tolzien. Brissett can and will push the ball downfield, while Tolzien struggles with deep throws and is less inclined to attempt them.

The film on Brissett also reveals an attribute that might help him compensate for his unfamiliarity with the Colts’ offense. His impressive running ability could come into play if the pocket breaks down.

Those are the moments when a thorough knowledge of the scheme is most valuable. A quarterback has to know his options forward and backward in those moments, and Brissett – who was traded to Indianapolis from the New England Patriots – has been a Colt all of 10 days. But his ability to salvage a play with his fleet feet could mitigate some issues in that area.

In any case, as the Colts plot their moves at quarterback, the biggest reason to consider Brissett as the starter in Sunday’s home opener is this:

He looks like, well, a Colts quarterback.

Follow IndyStar reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter and Facebook.