Maybe the best of the young wide receivers in the NFL, T.Y. Hilton is coming off his first 1000 yard season and although there will be increased competition for getting the quarterback’s attention this season, the Indianapolis Colts aren’t exactly modest in their demands and expectations from the third-year player.

Yes, it’s that time of year again – when NFL head coaches start praising and flattering their star players, whether it’s actually something they saw in practice or not. Chuck Pagano is no different in his chat with Colts.Com, praising up his young and maybe most important play maker on offense.

He never ceases to amaze us. The guy is just a spectacular athlete. The game has obviously slowed down tremendously for T.Y. He knows this thing inside and out now. There’s not one play call that we have that he doesn’t know about, and we have a pretty big play list. So, there’s not one play call that we have where he’s out there thinking. He’s just going to keep building.

In terms of numbers, it might not be as big of a leap year for Hilton. He was the main target and maybe the only target too many times for Andrew Luck. He finished with 82 receptions for 1083 yards and five touchdowns. This season, if no injuries get in the way, Luck should have a very good four-receiver group to throw to, with Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen back from injury, while Hakeem Nicks joining isn’t going to hurt.

Hilton is fast, explosive, great with his hands and according to Pagano, has an excellent football mind. A big season or not, Hilton made a name for himself last season which might mean it’ll be more difficult for him to surprise people and defenses in 2014. The secret of being great? Doing what everyone expects you to do and still managing to pull it off. Maybe Hilton is that good, but becoming more consistent has to be part of that improvement.

Two consecutive seasons of making the playoffs for Hilton and Luck were a nice start, but the Colts are no longer the young up and comers surprising everyone. The AFC South seems to be clear for the taking as the Texans come off a terrible season, while the Titans and Jags continue to meddle with mediocrity at best. Finding a way to be more than just a good regular season team is what comes next.

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