Cut Twice Before, Zach Pascal Making Most of Colts Opportunity

Instead of being discouraged by previous pink slips, undrafted wide receiver has worked harder to become solid No. 2 option with Indianapolis Colts.

They represent some of the NFL’s best stories, the undrafted, unknown underdogs such as Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal.

Fans especially enjoy rooting for guys who are cut elsewhere yet come back stronger. Instead of giving up, they give that much more to try to make sure they stick the next time.

For Pascal, that meant being released by Washington and Tennessee in 2017. He spent much of that first year on the Titans practice squad, signed a future/reserve contract in the offseason but was waived yet again before the 2018 season.

So it’s rather surprising that the 24-year-old native of Upper Marlboro, Md., would find success in his third try after the Colts claimed him off waivers. A few noteworthy moments were offset by some drops last year, but Pascal is playing his best football now, as the Houston Texans can attest after he caught a career-high six passes for 106 yards and two TDs in the Colts’ 30-23 home win on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts have been without injured wide receivers Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell, thus providing an opportunity for Pascal to be the No. 2. And he’s flourished, starting four of six games and catching 13 passes for 239 yards and three TDs.

In much the same way tight end Jack Doyle, an Indianapolis native claimed off waivers by the Colts, has become a fan favorite, Pascal is humbly earning his share of respect.

“I didn’t question myself,” Pascal said on Wednesday. “I did lose a little bit of confidence when I got released by Tennessee, but I think that helped me to put more focus into my craft and into my game because I didn’t want that to happen again.”

Not only has Pascal come up with clutch catches, he’s known for his reliability as a blocker and an efficient route runner.

“Coming into this season, I told myself I needed my confidence to be through the roof and not let anybody or anything take that away from me,” he said. “There were times last year where I would have a bad game. I had a horrible game against the Patriots and my confidence was down from that.

“But I (told) myself no matter what, just keep playing the next play. You know you’re a good player. You know you can do these things. Just go out there and have fun. Have fun with the guys that you’re out there with and just continue to get better every day.”

Second-year head coach Frank Reich couldn’t help but notice a difference in Pascal during training camp. The Colts reinforce fundamentals like route running with “teach tape” performance. Pascal was continually providing “teach tape” efforts.

“It just seemed like, going back to even training camp, Zach was putting stuff not tape. ‘Oh, that’s another teach tape route. Who’s running that? Zach. Oh, it’s Zach,’” Reich said. “I don’t think that happens by accident. I think it happens through hard work. I actually think it happens through you’re laying in your bed at night and you’re seeing yourself and envisioning yourself beating man coverage and beating outside technique and inside technique, and now I’m going to run this route against inside technique and now I’m going to run this route versus outside technique.

“I think some of the things he’s doing, I just think he’s putting a lot of time and effort into it.”

Reich termed Pascal’s preparation and effort as “A-plus,” and he’s not the only one who’s been noticing.

“It’s so much fun, especially when you get to see players like Zach,” said tight end Eric Ebron, “he’s a grinder, come in and just spread his wings really, that’s what he did. This season, he’s really just spread his wings and become something more than what people bargained for.”

The Colts (4-2) are in first place in the AFC South Division entering Sunday’s home game against the Denver Broncos (2-5). Pascal was already looking ahead, like the consummate professional, not wanting to dwell on the previous game.

He continues to show he’s learned a lot in a short time as a pro. That’s the kind of guy for whom fans love to cheer.

“I just continue to have that chip on shoulder and try to get better every day,” Pascal said.