EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINDIANAPOLIS -- Colts running back Jonathan Taylor says he has already turned his attention toward the future and making the best of what's left in Indianapolis after the team's big moves ahead of the NFL trade deadline.Taylor, the Colts star who was the subject of weeks of trade speculation leading up to Tuesday's deadline, said it was "regularly scheduled programming" and he's on to Sunday's home game against the Miami Dolphins."It's all water under the bridge now," he said.But now that the Colts have decided to retain Taylor for at least the rest of this season, it's up to him and the other veterans who are left to help the team compete. Taylor said he will need to take a more active role in that regard, becoming more of a leader even though he has not historically been a loud voice in the locker room."We have to go out there and we've got to try to rally these guys," he said of the team's leaders. "But we also got to make sure that we're doing our things on and off the field the right way to show and set an example for the rest of the guys in the locker room, because we still got [eight] more [games]."Guys are also going to have to step up as well. And we've seen that so far."The Colts are a shell of the team they thought they'd have this season. It started with the reinjury of No. 1 receiver Alec Pierce's heel in Week 2, the firing of general manager Chris Ballard last month, and in the past three weeks, the trades of guard Quenton Nelson, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen.The departure of Nelson, the three-time All-Pro guard, has had a direct impact on Taylor, as Nelson was a key blocker on countless big runs from Taylor over the years. But Taylor, the second-leading rusher in Colts history, said he's going to lean into working more closely with his remaining offensive linemen to get on track.Rookie Jalen Farmer, drafted in the fourth round, replaced Nelson in the lineup."I'm super excited because I know that what Quenton left was a lifelong impression on the rest of the guys on the offensive line," Taylor said. "Especially Farmer, for example. I know that he was lockstep with Quenton to just learn as much as he could. So I know that he's doing everything in his power to be himself, but also try to take some of those bits and pieces of knowledge and nuggets that Quenton gave him."Taylor has averaged 3.3 yards per carry since Nelson was traded. But there's no choice but to figure things out in the Colts' new reality."Moves have already been made," he said. "It's time to go win versus Miami, baby."Asked whether he has spoken to Colts ownership about the direction of the franchise, as it appears a rebuilding effort is underway, Taylor deferred."That's way above my pay grade," he said. "Those are some hard decisions that you have to make. I'm glad I don't have to make those decisions. I'm glad I just have to come in here and make sure that I'm my best each and every single day for my coaches and my teammates."... I know that they have a vision and a plan for it. And, right now, we just got to execute."
