Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - COLTS SQUAD SHOW: Colts SIGN Germaine Pratt For LB Help | Indianapolis atop the AFC after five games

Episode Date: October 9, 2025

The guys talk about the Colts attempting to strengthen their thin linebacker depth chart by bringing in veteran Germaine Pratt, how the Colts are contenders in the suddenly wide open AFC, play under a...nd overreactions, discuss Michael Badgley and the importance for the kicker position to stay solid, and take their first look at the Arizona Cardinals. Find and follow Colts Squad Show and Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms: 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/ 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@LockedOnColts Give the squad a follow on X/Twitter @Schultz975, @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @allenpinkett, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOn_SI, as well on TikTok and Instagram!Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Supply HouseJoin the free TradeMaster program today and score serious perks like priority shipping, lower prices, and a dedicated support line. Visit https://SupplyHouse.com to sign up for free and use promo code SHNFL5 for 5% off your first order.PelotonLet yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at https://monarchmoney.com/lockedonnfl for 50% off your first year.SquareTo learn more, go support your favorite neighborhood spot and see what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods. And then if you have extra time, check out https://square.com/go/lockedonnfl.PrizePicksDownload the PrizePicks app today and use codeLOCKEDONNFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFLGametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFLfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelRight now, new customers can bet just FIVE dollars and if your bet wins—you’ll get THREE HUNDRED dollars in bonus bets to use across the app.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Welcome in to another edition of the Colts Squad Show. I'm your host, Derek Schultz, and are we jumping on the Colts contenders train? I'm Zach Hicks, and absolutely, yes, I am jumping on the Colts contenders train. I'm Jake Arthur, and the speculation started in February, but Germain Pratt is finally a cult. I'm Alan Pinkett, former Oiler. Is there a chance the Colts can get complacent? Colts Nation rise up. It's the Colts Squad, everything Indianapolis Colts every week.
Starting point is 00:00:37 Covering all the big hits and game-changing plays from the Circle City the way only the Locked-on Podcast Network can. It's time to squad up. The Colt Squad Joe starts now. Happy Hump Day and welcome in to another edition of the Colt Squad Show here in the Locked On Colts Network. Today's episode brought you by Fan Duel. Right now, new customers can bet just $5.
Starting point is 00:01:01 And if your bet wins, you'll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. I'm Derek Schultzny, sports talker, columnist for the IBJ. I'm joined by legendary Notre Dame and Oilers running back, Alan Pinkett. And you every dayers, of course, know Zach Hicks and Jake Arthur, the dynamic duo from Locked on Colts, your first list in every day. For the third time in five games, the Colts disembowled their opposition. I'm just going to use a different graphic term every single week since they keep winning by three touchdowns. They crushed the Raiders, and now they'll get a Cardinals team.
Starting point is 00:01:29 coming off really an embarrassing loss to the Titans, considering the circumstances especially. But just like last week, we've got another Colts personnel move to talk about. This time was somebody that is coming rather than going like last week with Xavier and Howard. On tonight's show, we'll discuss the Colts acquiring Jermaine Pratt. I know Jake has been waiting for a long time for that to finally come to fruition.
Starting point is 00:01:49 Why the Colts are contenders, not just the standings, not just the record, a more in-depth look as to why Indianapolis is legit after the first five games. We'll play overreactions and underreactions, as we always do from week five and take our first look at Arizona coming up later in the show. But guys, let's start with Jermaine Pratt. I know that this has been talked about for a long time. He went to the Raiders and then whatever happened, mutual decision.
Starting point is 00:02:13 Who knows? With Joe Batchie going to IR, I think it made even more sense. Not that it didn't already make sense for Jermaine Pratt to come in. But 88 career starts, Zach, in Lou Anerumo's defense, 29 years old. Look, he's not a pro bowl or anything. like that. But, man, considering what the Colts have at linebacker, he's a warm body that knows the scheme, right? And that's probably an upgrade over what they have. Yeah, the bar is pretty low for what they needed at that second linebacker spot. And honestly, they're not even asking
Starting point is 00:02:41 Germain Pratt to come in here and be Cincinnati Bengals, Germain Pratt, because they don't even run the same exact type of system that they ran in Cincinnati where nickel defense was run as much as it was. On third downs, the Colts are playing a lot of dime this year, three safety sets, four cornerback sets. So the second linebacker isn't even as valuable as it was in Cincinnati when he was the second linebacker alongside Logan Wilson. So they're really just trying to bring a guy in here that can come in, serve as the early down linebacker that can fit against the run, not get pulled out of position by motion
Starting point is 00:03:15 and window dressing in the backfield. And then when you do have to cover, you know, cover the flats a little bit, get to your curl drops and be good and sound in your positioning. So, you know, I think this is a good fit. I think if the Colts were asking him to be anything more than that, it could be a bit concerning because, look, we always say this. There's a reason why this guy was available, whether it's off-field or on-field-type stuff.
Starting point is 00:03:37 Most good players are not available in the season. But when it comes to just the familiarity, when it comes to, I think Dermain Pratt even said today in his presser, and Jay can correct me if I'm wrong here, that lose like a father figure to them. So just getting that, like, reunite between those guys, a reunion between the two of them. I think it's going to be good for both parties here,
Starting point is 00:03:55 Pratt's trying to build up his earning potential with a good season here so he can hit the market after the year and get a good contract somewhere else and why not reunite with a guy that you've been with for most of your career and had a lot of success with. So I think the Colts are going to use it pretty well.
Starting point is 00:04:10 Again, I don't think he's going to be asked to do anything too crazy. He'll be standing up on the end of the line and a lot of their grizzly or bear fronts. And then he'll be just the second linebacker off ball in typical base nickel defense for this team. So they're not going to ask him do anything too crazy.
Starting point is 00:04:25 and I think he's still an upgrade over the Chad Muma's, Austin Adjikas, and Joe Botches that they've had in there who have struggled quite a bit this year. Yeah, I don't know how much this helps your pass defense right now, but I certainly think it helps you run defense. And the Colts have kind of lacked a little bit there in both areas when it comes to the linebacker core. So I think I'm willing to give up a little bit in the passing game if it means that we don't have to worry quite as much about the run game. because I mean, I've talked about it for a few weeks now. Like at a certain point, it's coming. The Colts are going to lose a game because they got punched in the mouth on the ground. And I think this at least helps a little bit.
Starting point is 00:05:04 I have been hot and cold on this move throughout the off season. There's like depending on the week or month or whatever the Colts got going on at linebacker, I've been able to talk myself into it or out of it. And right now I'm more on the Intuit side of it because linebacker, even though the Colts were confident in what they were doing, and I felt they were being neglectful. What they have even planned has fallen through to this point. Jalen Carly still isn't around.
Starting point is 00:05:31 Joe Batchy has come and gone that experiment. Unfortunately, didn't go as well as we thought it was going to. And they just really don't have much else. Jermaine Pratt is at least a guy that knows this language, knows this system, has started almost 100 games. Like, he's capable. Like, even with the Raiders, he wasn't awful. Like, he was productive.
Starting point is 00:05:52 And Zach and I discussed, our show earlier, rehabbed himself a little bit from what was kind of a down 20-24 season with the Bengals. So I think this was fine. It's a little bit like having two Zyre Franklin's on the field, but if it helps the run defense, it's probably fine. Well, you guys are looking forward. I appreciate that. I tend to look back and wonder, how the hell did he become available? And I did a little reading and saw where Coach Pete Carroll said, well, we just decided. is to go in a different direction. Oh, Lord. You know, players, we hear that mess all the time. And I can tell you this from just past experience, when you hear the going a different
Starting point is 00:06:35 direction moniker, it very rarely has to do with talent. Usually it's a, maybe he didn't fit the culture. Maybe he didn't share the same values as a defensive coordinator. Maybe they they butt heads a little bit and he was a negative force in the locker room or and this is again just from experience or it could be a decision that came from upstairs a financial decision that says well we're not winning as much as we want we need to cut some payroll let's get rid of some players that that happens too but i have to say very rarely does it depend the someone go in a different direction because of a lack of talent. The dude can play and, you know, thank goodness, Lou Anirumo, thanks highly of them. I understand he had a choice between a couple different
Starting point is 00:07:31 teams and he wanted to get back with Lil Anirumo, which also is a lesson in life. You never burn a bridge. You know, you always keep a good relationship with with coaches that you like because you never know when you're going to see them again. I actually had an experience where in high school I had to turn down this one coach they offered me a scholarship to North Carolina and I had to
Starting point is 00:07:58 in person tell this coach that I wasn't coming to North Carolina was going to Notre Dame later on in life I actually had to go out to the San Diego Chargers for a tryout and guess what coach was there
Starting point is 00:08:11 so do you think they were going to keep me he still remembered I guess he won in the end and you know there's a thousand stories like that but that whole you know going in a different direction a lot of times is one of those I guess they just needed to be parted but I'm glad that the cult have them yeah everyone was kind of non-committal on that today uh you know pete carroll mentioned that I think that was yesterday what you were what you were talking about Alan uh germane Pratt basically said today it just didn't work out I asked Shane Steik and I was like
Starting point is 00:08:48 Now, he didn't travel with the Raiders to this game just last week into Lucas Oil. And he's like, I don't have anything for you on that. So I don't know. If there's a smoking gun or something, it's probably going to have to take some Raiders inside or figuring it out from the Raiders point of view. I don't know if we're going to find anything out about that. But this is the umpteenth example of former players absolutely adoring Luana Rumo and running back to him. So the Colts have got something there. Yeah. And one thing I want to add with this, if we're going to just add speculation, again, this is all speculation. There's no insider stuff with it. The Raiders, I believe, have the fifth cheapest defense in football this season. They're not paying many guys on that side of the ball. And now the especially that they're losing games and losing them in big fashion, as we just saw 40 to 46 on Sunday, I'm assuming that they wouldn't mind getting cheaper and going younger players on that defense. And also, if we're even going usage as well, Pratt was basically used as a Sam linebacker.
Starting point is 00:09:48 when with the Bengals, he was used more as like an off ball, a will, you know, just that second linebacker. And, you know, when you're a guy who's been the guy your entire career, just being put on the end of the line of scrimmage just to take on tight ends and control the run and make sure it runs inside, it's probably not what you're expecting when you sign on to a team in the off season. So I do kind of believe both parties when they say it's kind of mutual. I'm assuming that the Raiders want to get younger, put some younger guys out there.
Starting point is 00:10:17 I think they signed Jamon Davis today to their practice squad, a former first round pick who's like 26, 27 years old, a bit younger than Jermaine Pratt, maybe a little bit more upside, as they like to say, across the league. And I'm sure Pratt was also like, you know what, if they were to let me go, I could just go back with Lou where I could be the second linebacker somewhere else, you know, and back to what I was doing with Lou before. So I'm sure there will be a lot of insider stuff and you know how they have to spin it to
Starting point is 00:10:43 whoever gave them the source, you have to spin it in their favor by the end of it. the whole source game, but ultimately, I'm fully on board with probably both sides wanting this separation. Pratt needs to build up his earning potential going forward, and what better way than going to Lewin Arumo, where they have that spotted linebacker right now? Oh, I don't want to dwell on it, but both sides thinking differently, and you've got to understand the relationships in the NFL are different than the relationships. in college. In college, the coach is a dictator in the NFL. He's a partner, all right? And a lot of times it's because the player sometimes makes more money than the coach. They don't even, in the NFL,
Starting point is 00:11:30 they even call the coach, call him by his first name. In fact, there was a couple of years where Nick Saban was the defensive backs coach with the Oilers, but we had one player who would disagree with him every day. And it was over the dumbest stuff would disagree with him. In fact, I forgot his last name was saving because I just heard the guy say Nick so many times. Nick this, Nick this.
Starting point is 00:11:58 Nick, you're wrong. Nick, you can't do this. I forgot that his last name was saving until I saw him head coach at Michigan State. So it's a different relationship. And if they butt heads a lot of times, organizations don't like that. They want the players to fall in line.
Starting point is 00:12:14 you know, at least with Pratt, he is not coming off the couch from sitting for a full year. And I know 29 is not 25, but it's not 32 either. So, you know, I'm trying to look at this. Obviously, you want to be optimistic about like anytime the Colts or the team that you like sign somebody, you're looking at the most optimistic viewpoint possible, right? Whereas the team that just let him go is like, whatever, he sucks, he's trashed. We don't need him anymore. And just adding it up from, you know, the Zabian Howard situation and what a disaster that ended up being.
Starting point is 00:12:50 I like to think that there's a little more gas in the tank there for Pratt. And also, like, you're not asking him to be CB1, right? You were with Howard. To me, I was having this discussion with a Colts fan buddy of mine earlier today, and he's all worried that this is going to be the Howard situation all over again. And I think there's a lot of dissimilarities between the two situations, what the Colts are going to ask them to do. And just linebackers in this defense in general, Zach,
Starting point is 00:13:13 If you're going to be weak somewhere, your second linebacker is where you want to be weak in this scheme. Yeah, it's probably the 11th most important spot on the field for the Colts. Now, again, all 11 are very important, especially in run defense. Your 11th guy is one of your most important players because it takes all 11 to defend the run. But if we are putting evaluation on this, this is more of a rotational type role. They come off the field for Jonathan Edwards or for Rodney Thomas on third downs in a lot of situations. So, again, you just wanted something competent there. And like you said, Derek, it's not Xavier and Howard, where he's coming off of a year without playing, hasn't even touched a, didn't even go through training camp, didn't go through all that.
Starting point is 00:13:51 Like, Jermaine Pratt didn't miss some of the offseason until he signed, but he still was part of a training camp. He has still played a month of football now with another team. So I think he's going to bring a higher level of play than what Zavian Howard did. Now, I'm not saying come here and expect 2018, Jermaine Pratt, because from what I saw in film, it's not the same exact player. But, I mean, you could see just from the first couple of plays from him that it's a different level than what the Colts have been putting out there this year where, look, I commend guys like Chad Muma and Ajikai and Camagro and Joe Bachi for giving it they're all on the field this season. But these are special teams guys who are just not really ready for the moment, which is what we've seen with the Colts rotating that second linebacker spot all year, just trying to find somebody who works there. And ultimately, the perfect one just fell into their lap where it's a guy who knows the system and belongs on an NFL. NFL defense. So, yeah, like, again, I'm not expecting him to be some superstar for the Colts,
Starting point is 00:14:45 but I think he's going to raise a level of play to where you want your worst defender to at least be competent out there. And if he can just bring that level of competence the Colts are looking for, then I think they're going to be fine going forward. Yeah, he's not, he's not a stretch to say he's like a startable, playable player. Like, he just as recently as a couple weeks ago has put some good ball on film. So he is, you know, he probably falls somewhere in the line. in between the lines of Howard and Mike Hilton, if we're talking about former, former Anorumo Pillar players, you know.
Starting point is 00:15:19 But yeah, I think this will be fine. It's the Joe Bocci's in Austin, and GKs, and Chad Muma's, those were the roles of the dice. Like, you have a real competent guy who's been a starter in this league for a long time in a somewhat starting role. So this, I feel a lot better about this. Again, the other guys may be more explosive or move around a little bit better, but that's not really, like, Lou has other guys for those roles.
Starting point is 00:15:51 Like, if they just need your second linebacker to come down and fit the run and not get blown off blocks and be able to be in the right spots, then they're in better shape now, I think. Well, I am optimistic. In fact, I know the longer you play, the smarter you are. It's just your body doesn't keep up with you. That's the only problem. But I feel much better about Pratt, you know, age 29, has been playing this year than I ever did about Xavier and Howard. Everything says the Colts are contenders right now, besides just their record when we come back on the Colts squad show. We'll tell you why next.
Starting point is 00:16:36 This portion of the show brought you by our friends at Fanduel, the NFL Cs, and it's here, and Van Duel's making sure you're ready for kickoff with a can't miss offer. Right now, new customers can bet just $5, and if your bet wins, you'll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. Now that we're five weeks in the NFL season, teams are starting to tell us exactly who they are. Luckily, the Colts are saying, hey, we're pretty good. The bettors still don't seem to be true believers quite yet. Colts are just six and a half point favorites against Arizona, but you've got some other lines
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Starting point is 00:17:24 And right now new customers can bet just $5. If your bet wins, you get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. That's Fandul.com to place your first $5 bet. back on the Locked On Colts squad show. Thanks so much for joining us alongside Jake Arthur and Zach Hicks of Lockedon Colts, former NFLer and legendary Notre Dame running back out on Pinkett. I'm the lowly Derek Schultz. The Colts are contenders, guys, right?
Starting point is 00:17:52 We know that, not just because they're in first place if the season ended today. They'd be the number one scene in the AFC because that one loss is an NFC loss. So we're talking about tiebreakers in the first week of October. There's a tiebreaker for you. But I like digging a little bit deeper and finding other indicators besides just record, because there are some teams that, you know, at this point in the season are, look pretty good. And then by the end of the season, they're going to be completely off the map or teams that are out to like a two and three start so far that are going to charge at the end of the year.
Starting point is 00:18:20 So these things always change. It's sort of a moving and changing, evolving landscape when it comes to the NFL. But the number one thing that jumps out to me, guys, the plus 74 point differential leads the NFL really by far. The only other team that is even in that ballpark is the Lions. And they're plus 16. If you look at the advanced metrics, DVOA has them number three. And they're actually up a spot from last week. The only teams that they have in front of them is they really love Seattle and then the Lions, who I just mentioned, are number one there. And if you look, you know, this is a top level offense,
Starting point is 00:18:55 a top level rush offense, top level pass offense, top level efficiency offense. And, you know, as long as the defense can be middle of the pack or so, you're feeling pretty good about where they are. But, you know, Zach, the other thing that kind of jumps out, to me about this team. If you talk about all the things that they do well in offense, you say, well, what are they doing well? Or what are you encouraged by what you see defensively? I think the pressure rate, I think I'd put up there. For
Starting point is 00:19:19 Lato Latsu is a guy who we said that really needed to pop this year. I think he's doing some really good things on that. And in the safety play has been tremendous so far this year. I mean, Cam Bynum's made a real difference. And we talked about it before the season started. Nick Cross putting together just another really terrific season. Yeah, I think when you look at this Colts defense, the reason for optimism isn't necessarily that they're this shut down elite like like 1985 Bears unit, you know, that's just suffocating offenses and holding them to nothing. They are playing really well. Like, they're only allowing 17 points per game, which is the third best in the NFL. But that'll certainly inflate a little bit as they play the top
Starting point is 00:19:54 offenses as they do in the next coming week. You know, they got Justin Herbert coming up soon. They have, you know, the Steelers offense is playing pretty well. They have the Holmes and all them coming to town, like they are probably going to give up a few more points than 17 per game against some of these better offenses. But I think really what is encouraging about the Colts defense is it's the exact type of defense that you want to pair with a very good offense, where if you can't have this defense that just suffocates opponents and gets everybody off the field quickly, you need a habit creating defense that creates opportunities to change field position and change the tide of games. I actually did a breakdown on the Colts defense over my
Starting point is 00:20:31 YouTube channel today where, look, the Colts gave up six points on Sunday, right, which by all accounts is an elite showing. If you can only give up six points in an NFL game, you're doing something right. But it wasn't because the Raiders just didn't get any yards or get any first downs. The Raiders were within the 10 yard line three times on Sunday. But the difference in this game was the Colts being able to create havoc by blitzing. On 11 blitz calls this past Sunday, the net yardage gain for the Raiders on those 11 blitz calls was negative six yards, including three sacks that they took on that game in the game. They had the two timely interceptions.
Starting point is 00:21:05 One was a trap coverage called Mackay Blackman nearly took back for six. The block punt obviously factors into all this. So this Colts defense, like again, they're going to give up yards. They're going to be like me and Alan always say the bend don't break, but it's not a Gus Bradley, Ben don't break where cover three all game and your one overthrow will intercept. You know, if the quarterback makes a mistake, it's Ben don't break, but we're going to test that bend on your side as well, too. we're going to bring these occasional blitzes, these six-man pressure looks that you're not ready for.
Starting point is 00:21:33 We're going to mix in some press-man coverage. We're going to blitz the safety on early downs at your condensed formations to get sacks and get tackles for a loss. And then we're going to dare you to try to convert on second and 12, third and 12, third and eight, third and nine, and see if you can do that all game long against us. So, yeah, I don't think this coach defense is as good as the offense. The offense is a wagon right now there, a well-oiled machine, and it's hard to contain them or slow them down. The defense will have some negative games, but as long as they can create havoc, create opportunities, and step up on a couple third downs per game, that's all you really need when you have an offense playing this well. And this is why I think the Colts ultimately are kind of a contender right now, because when you look at the defense, again, you have a coach that is so innovated and it knows how to trap opposing quarterbacks at least once or twice a game.
Starting point is 00:22:21 We saw against Stafford. Stafford didn't turn the ball over, but he had like three opportunities where the ball bounced off your defender's hands. And that's the most you can really do as a defensive coordinator. Give your defense a chance to make plays. If they don't make plays, so be it. But you're giving your guys chances. If you pair that with a top flight offense, you can beat anybody in the NFL. We saw that actually with the Bengals when the Bengals went to the Super Bowl with Luana Rumo, where that defense wasn't the greatest defense in the world.
Starting point is 00:22:45 They weren't a top 10 defense or top five defense in the league by any metric. But what did they do in the playoffs? They took the ball away from opponents. Patma Holmes had four turnovers and a half in that AFC championship game. where the Bengals won and went to the Super Bowl. So this is just what his defenses have always done. And I think it's just a great defense to pair with a very efficient and effective offense. Your offense is wearing down opponents with these 10 to 12 play drives where they score a touchdown.
Starting point is 00:23:12 Your defense comes out here, creates that havoc play. Offense gets back on the field and they're able to go get more points. And that just changes the flow of an entire game. So while some people are looking at the Colts defense as more of a weak point here, I think that they're going to be a place of strength for this Colts team. there's going to be a couple games where they probably win some opportunities for the Colts because they steal those points with the havoc that they create. Yeah, and I think the defense was personnel-wise is better than it's been the past couple of years.
Starting point is 00:23:38 But I think the big difference, like he said, Zach, is the coaching. You've got a guy that is willing to take this talent and do interesting, creative things with it. It's not just static. It's not just predictable. So you've got DeForest Buckner lining up in different spots, rushing from different areas. you've got sacks and pressures this year from Kenny Moore, Nick Cross, Mike Hilton came last week, and here comes Zaira Franklin,
Starting point is 00:24:02 you're getting pressure from everywhere, but you're also sensing urgency from the front office to pour resources into this defense, because it's been the defense primarily that's been banged up, but you know this team has expectations to be true contenders in themselves. They actually believe it, and they're showing it with their actions. Like, Chris Ballard has in the past loved nothing more than if someone goes down.
Starting point is 00:24:29 Well, let's see what the young guy behind him can do. This rookie undrafted for agent, let's see what he could do. There's been opportunities for Jonathan Edwards, great example to play this year. And he's barely doing it because every time someone goes down, they're pouring more proven veteran resources into it. Like, I can't recall a Colts team that the front office has given the coaching staff as many resources as this. ever like if if they fail this year i mean it something would have to collapse at this point but rewind a month if they fail this year the front office at least gave the coaches everything they
Starting point is 00:25:07 ever asked for like lou anorumo as a coordinator is getting a crazy amount of players he's already comfortable with and so the colts are telling us that they expect to be contenders not just now, but continued into the season, because they're not just relying on the next man up philosophy. They are creating the next man. Like, they're, they're pouring all these resources into it. The coaching is, is getting the best out of it because they're, they're being creative with it. And the players are actually executing the, the play calls at a high level. So, this, it's, it just feels so bizarre for a Colts team on every side of the ball. Off. defense and special teams to have the synergy of play calling and execution all at this crazy
Starting point is 00:25:58 high level. Well, the Colts offense is so dominating that you expect the defense to, you know, have a star performance. But it turns out that defense is not so bad. I mean, number 14 total defense, number six in sacks. And they do it quietly. And, you know, I think the thing they do that's really good is get the ball back to the offense.
Starting point is 00:26:29 And they don't give up a lot of points. They're number four in turnovers, you know. You know, that's one of those hidden stats that contribute to the offense doing so well. So although we may complain because we see a running back gash him every now and then, And we look at the rushing defense and want to get that up to par. But overall, the defense is doing good. And, you know, to limit an NFL team to six points, you know, when I guess what, usually you're happy if you can limit a team to 20 or 21 points, but to limit this team to six
Starting point is 00:27:15 points, that's a bad-ass defense. Yeah, I mean, they've held two opponents under 10 this year. And you could say, oh, it's the Raiders, oh, it's the Dolphins. But it's not like that's happening every week to them. It's pretty exclusive just to when they played the Colts. So, yeah, I think this Colts defense is going to get there. And I think that they're not even close to a finished product yet, where the offense looks like this perfect finished product right now. The offense will have some gaps in some moments that aren't going to be perfect this year as well.
Starting point is 00:27:42 But I think we saw like that Rams game in particular, though, a game where everything that could go wrong went wrong and they still put up 20 and it should have been in the 30s in that game that gave me a lot of hope about this Colts offense so Derek to bring it back to your overall point anyone who doesn't think the Colts are a contender I get it because again Daniel Jones hasn't been a Josh Allen level quarterback his entire career so you always are a little out on coaches on teams like that but I think when you look at the next best type of contenders it's teams that are well coached that play complimentary football and just are mature and ready to win I think we see that with this Colts team.
Starting point is 00:28:20 Yeah, and I think something else, guys, is, and again, this could change because, you know, to repeat the talking points about the season evolves and all of that. Ravens are in shambles right now. Chiefs are two and three. Bengals are in the tank without burrow. How could anybody in their right mind trust the chargers right now? I mean, you look around the rest of the AFC and you're kind of like, I mean, the AFC North guy stinks.
Starting point is 00:28:41 The AFC North never stinks. And so why not, right? You know, not only is it all of the reasons why the Colts can contend, you can also turn it into, why can't they? Because it just feels like the bar is a lot lower in the AFC right now, which has been dominated really by a handful of teams and mainly a handful of quarterbacks. Yeah, I mean, I'll be real quick with this. It's just, I mean, when you look across the NFL right now,
Starting point is 00:29:07 across the AFC at least, who's a more complete team than the Colts? You know, just in terms of the way they can attack you on offense with multiple different players, on defense, how they have multiple guys taking the ball away and winning for you with good coaching on offense and defense, who's a more complete team? Every other team in the AFC you can really point to and say, you know, the Texans, their offensive line is a mess. The Jaguars, their offense just goes cold way too often to really rely on them. The bills, their defense is letting up a lot of things and their offense stagnates quite a bit.
Starting point is 00:29:38 So even these other teams you're putting up there with them, you know, I don't think you can say the same issues with the Colts where the Colts, it's like, can you trust Mackay Blackman all year. Is their past rush going to be bad, even though they haven't been bad so far? I think the Colts have just the fewest flaws, and it's really just about can Daniel Jones' offense keep it up. And we've got five weeks of evidence that say they can. So I'm feeling good about the Colts in the AFC picture this year, more so than I ever did, especially prior to this season. And one thing I'll add is, you know, being run out of New York may have been a blessing for Daniel Jones because I think it lit a fire in him. And I know he's mild
Starting point is 00:30:17 mannered and he and he seems called. But trust me, there's a fire inside that belly right now because a lot of people doubted him and said he was no good. And this is his opportunity. You know, staying quiet, staying calm, but just going out and executing and letting his play talk for himself. No, I mean, the AFC is ready for the pickings. You got to to take advantage of it. I think it's just hard, hard for even some of us or nationally people to get on board with the Colts because they're ahead of schedule. And I really just think it's because they finally plopped competent quarterback play
Starting point is 00:30:56 and a tight end into it. I mean, they put resources in the defense. Don't get me wrong, but like the roster overall has been pretty solid for most of the last few years, but it has lacked quarterback play or it's lacked something dynamic. like Tyler Warren on offense. So it's just ahead of schedule now or I guess what's been put into it. Now it's caught up to where it has supposed to have been. So this is probably what it should look like.
Starting point is 00:31:26 This is maybe what they did envision with Shane Stuyken eventually. It's just a little jarring to see it now because it's evaded the Colts for so long. Does Zach think that losing the kicker is a big deal? Should Ashton Doolin over Mitchell become permanent? We're going to talk about overreaction and underreactions next on the Colts Squad show. I'm Cody Roark from Lockdown Brocko's. And this episode is brought to you by Peloton. Peloton is shaping the future of fitness with the brand new Peloton cross-training tread plus powered by Peloton IQ.
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Starting point is 00:33:06 in between the commercial video there I can't nail it either Derek don't worry I'm getting used to the video implements as well thank you to all of our great sponsors peloton and fan duel etc that make this show possible alongside alan pinkett former nifelor former notre damer and zackx and jakez and jake arthur of locked on colts i'm derrick shultz really appreciate you joining us and making us a part of your wednesday night so let's start uh underreaction overreaction i know we usually start with the overreaction i actually think that you know Spencer schrader being a big loss i think could potentially be an underreaction. And look, I know, you know, Zach with the kickers and the snark and don't talk about kickers and fire all kickers into the sun. I get that. But the Colts
Starting point is 00:33:48 felt like they found something there, I think, right? He hits the big kick against Denver after after missing it back in week two. And, you know, he was 13 of 14. He made all his PATs. He's got a big leg. Small sample size, but it appeared that Spencer Schrader was, for the lack of a better term on his way, right? And then you just don't expect your kicker to get hurt. You expect kickers to get replaced when they stink. And Spencer Schrader did not stink. In fact, he did the opposite of that so far. So now, you know, the last time that you had Michael Bagley was when Rodrigo Blankenship stunk and you had to bring him in way back in 2021, which feels like 100 years ago at this point now. But five for 13 in his career from over 50 yards.
Starting point is 00:34:31 He hasn't kicked an NFL game since the 2023 season. I mean, I guess there's a reason that he's on the couch, but that said, you could probably do worse than a guy that has as much experience as he brings to the table. Yeah, you know, look, Spencer Trader was doing what I love about kickers, which is a good kicker is a kicker I never have to talk about, you know, so as long as your kicker is just making kicks and I don't ever have to complain about them, then that's the best possible kicker you could have. But yeah, you know, when it comes to Badgley coming in here, I know he hasn't kicked in a minute, but he's been, he was trending in a good direction before his injury last year.
Starting point is 00:35:06 or two years ago, whatever it was, that left him on the couch, last year. Yeah. So before the injury, he was trending in a better direction, making more of his kicks. And so much of being a kicker, and I know Brian Mason would complain to me about this because he knows all the intricacies of kicking. But the biggest thing about being a kicker is just your mindset. You know, it really is just a mindset position. If you're confident and you're kicking the ball well, then one made kick will turn into
Starting point is 00:35:31 20 straight made kicks. And then in the other, in the inverse, one miss kick will turn to 20 straight. miss kicks. We've seen all the great kickers in the history of the sport have that one day where they forget how to kick. So you always have to have guys on call ready to go. And I think Badgley's had some good moments in the NFL. So we'll see. I do agree with you. It can be an underreaction that like we're just discounting the loss of a kicker because, I mean, those miskicks contribute to losing games, obviously. But yeah, we'll have to see how it goes for Badgeley. And, you know, we've seen plenty of times in the NFL in recent history, too, where teams have
Starting point is 00:36:02 grabbed a practice squad kicker before a game or grabbed a guy off the street. He makes seven straight kicks in a game. And it's like, you know, it can, it can, it's only an issue when it becomes an issue, you know. So for right now, I'm ready to wait and see with Badgley. Luckily, he's coming to a dome. It's a lot easier to kick in a dome. And then with these, uh, these juiced up K balls, I feel like anybody could kick out there. I might be able to make a 20 yard kick if I tried now with these juiced up K balls.
Starting point is 00:36:27 So yeah, we'll see what Badgley can do. I, I did love Money Badger back in the day. Great nickname. and hopefully he can bring it back to the Colts and carry their season forward. I do think this is kind of an underrated loss because, like, the Colts struggled in the red zone early in the season up until, you know, being perfect six for six last week. And the reason it wasn't that big of a deal is because they were automatically getting three points with Spencer Schrader.
Starting point is 00:36:52 And just like Zach said, the best kicker is one you never really have to mention because they're doing everything right. so i do have a little bit of concern i don't think it's realistic to think that someone new is going to come in and uphold the exact same standard of kicking excellence i mean it's i mean it's unfair to assume that honestly um i'm just curious about badgely because like he tore a hamstring last year and that's why he's not with the lions anymore like he was i think their kicker for a couple years so he had the injury and with how volatile kickers are in nature anyways like even a mostly positive kicker with an injury like that that could
Starting point is 00:37:35 be what does him in overall but i mean the good news is this is third time with the colts he's got familiarity kicking in this facility in this stadium like it's even with luke rhodes and rogergo rogoverto sanchez like the whole process is familiar for him so that kind of gives me some comfort but we'll see about the 50 yarders as well like he's he's got really bad numbers but if i'm correct if i remember correctly i think most of his issues were early in his career like he especially like one year where went into the doldrums from 50 so i don't think he's quite as bad overall in his career as his overall numbers show uh but yeah at least again like zach said this is an indoor stadium like everything is set up pretty well for for badgley to be successful
Starting point is 00:38:28 do i expect him to be like a 95% kicker essentially like trader was probably not but as long as he's making most of them i mean he's a career 82% kicker i think it'd be about 85% with the colts and really not miss extra points that would be good honestly team should never be kicking over 50 yards anyway so you should always be going for it there so it's cool you know i wanted to to make that point there. There was such a comfort level with this offense with Spencer Schrader. You knew once you crossed the 50, you were going to get points. So I think what happens in a situation like this is the offense puts more of an onus on scoring touchdowns.
Starting point is 00:39:10 And that's more of a mindset, is that you're not done with your job unless you get it in the end zone. I remember I was with the Saints for a minute and we were one of those offenses that we'd win games 1310, 17, 13 because we knew that we ran this boring ass offense and just took little chunks and Morton Anderson would come in and save the day with a field goal kick. But if you can keep that mindset that you want to get six but then you drive the ball down to the 20,
Starting point is 00:39:46 instead of the 48, then you put the kicker in a much better position where you can rely upon them. So I just think that the offense, in turn, like I say, will just put the onus on themselves to make more touchdowns. Shout out to Morton Anderson, by the way. Exchange student, Ben Davis High School, Westside, Indianapolis, Indiana. So that is a little tie-in to the indie area. Also, I always got Al Del Greco and Vinnie Del Negro messed up, Alan, the Spurs guard, and then the Oilers kicker, but you would have crossed past with Del Greco at some point, right, during your career? He was the one who came in for Ian Howfield after Ian Howfield missed the chip shot against the Washington football team
Starting point is 00:40:35 and took us to a record of seven and two instead of eight and one. And Al Greco came in. By the way, Al DeGreco, one hell of a golfer. Actually, he's probably a better golfer than he was a kicker. You know, and he was a hell of a kicker. But Al was one who just from a culture standpoint, fit right in with us. One of those guys who would still be able to, you could go out and drink a beer with him. You know, he wasn't one of those kickers that was weird or was a nerd.
Starting point is 00:41:05 You know, he was just one of the guys. you know and he had big legs too so uh was really happy to get to know al del greco and he ended up resurrecting his career with the oilers sounds like allan and zack are on the same wavelength when it comes to kickers um is it an overreaction as we shift to overreaction is it overreaction to say that ashton dulin's uh promotion if you will i feel weird calling it because Doolin's a great player and a trusted guy in the locker room, and he's really kind of been a pillar of this team over the past couple of years. To say that that should be permanent over A.D. Mitchell,
Starting point is 00:41:45 you know, if Alec Pierce returning to practice, probably going to settle back into that wide receiver three role. And, you know, kind of as you've mentioned, Zach, even though Doolin came in and filled in for AD, there are some things that, you know, Duel can do a lot of things, right? He can do a lot of things that AD can't do, but there are some things that Mitchell brings to the table that can't be asked of Dooling. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:42:05 It's interesting, because I think there will be some weeks where, like, you can have AD Mitchell as a healthy scratch because Doolin can bring so much to your offense. But I think ultimately they're just going to revert back to kind of what they were doing prior to Alec Pierce's injury, which was those two are both role players. They play very different roles in the offense where Doolin is your motion and condensed formations. He's a hybrid, tight end wide receiver, gets some jet sweeps, can be a lead blocker, just this guy that you have. doing everything in your offense and then 80 mitchell's your your isolation threat you know your isolation threat we're going to go max protection we're going to iso him in man coverage on the back side and have him just beat a guy and get open um i think it's going to eventually revert back to that you know i think you're going to get mitchell locked in get him more serious like if he's not taking this
Starting point is 00:42:53 seriously then obviously you can have dueling kind of take over him in a more permanent role but you know i think it's going to be more so just you know eight to 10 snaps for dueling here four to six snaps for Mitchell here, and then we'll see what happens if an injury were to occur again to one of the top three guys. But yeah, I think these guys are going to revert back to kind of where they were. Doolin had a great game on Sunday, but I think that's just kind of, you know, Doolin is just kind of your do-it-all guy, you know, he's not a guy that you need to throw out there for 80 snaps a game. He can be just as effective in 10 snaps, you know, on offense and on special teams and stuff. So I don't think that we need to push him up too much
Starting point is 00:43:32 because of this great game that he just had. He was awesome. But I think these guys have their specialized roles. And as long as Mitchell is learning his lesson from all this, then I think these guys will revert back to what they were. Yeah, I think if Alec gets back on the field, it's pretty much going to go back to how it was, just because the AD and Doolin,
Starting point is 00:43:53 when everyone's healthy, do have such specialized roles. I will say if Alec is back this week, I wouldn't be surprised if they do give AD that healthy scrambling. that they probably wanted to last week. Just, you know, to be able to do it and, you know, keep everyone accountable and everything. But yeah, once everything is back to normal, I think it's just going to go back to how it was when the Tennessee game started, essentially. You know, Doolin does a lot of stuff where you can use him closer to the line of scrimmage
Starting point is 00:44:23 and has a bigger factor in the run game. He could still do some, like, downfield things like we saw him with that 35-yard catch, leaping up to grab it. He's a good 50-50 ball. winner too. But 80, you don't want to totally phase him out because, I mean, eventually you are going to want him to be part of the offense. And you don't really get anywhere by totally shutting the door on him. Like, he needs to gain maturity. But he also, like, it's not like he's some finished product on the field either. Like, he still needs reps to get more comfortable being on the
Starting point is 00:44:56 field and just doing the things that he needs to do. So as long as he's checking all the boxes maturity-wise and engagement-wise and all that in the facility day-to-day, then you've got to still get him some opportunities in games, just because otherwise, why do you have him anymore? Because you knew he's kind of not a project necessarily, but he wasn't going to be able to hit the ground running and be a superstar, but if you still have hopes of him being a star receiver, then you have to keep him involved somehow.
Starting point is 00:45:28 So 100 years ago when I played, we had a saying, the more you can do, the more valuable you'll be. And I think Ashton Doolin is the poster child for that particular saying. And I just have so much respect for him because he takes advantage of every opportunity he's been given. And you can tell he's just a positive force on that football team. Any way he can help the team win, he's going to do it. And, you know, what that says to the coaches is, I've got a reliable player. I can count on this guy, on special teams.
Starting point is 00:46:07 I can count on this guy in the offense. He's going to do the right thing. He's not going to make mistakes. And a guy like that is valuable. And so, yes, while they're, you know, trying to, you know, punish A.D. Mitchell, it's a great opportunity for dueling because who knows, maybe he'll start making more plays because as it gets more opportunities, and then they won't be able to take them off the field. Sunday at Lucas Loyal Stadium will be a battle between two teams that like to occasionally drop the ball before scoring touchdowns.
Starting point is 00:46:41 We'll wrap up the show with our first look at the Cardinals next when Locked on Colts returns. Back for a final time here on the Locked On Colts Squad Show alongside Jake Arthur, Zach Hicks and Alan Pinkin. Derek Schultz. Thanks so much for joining us. And I make the joke, but very similar plays, right? You had the A.D. Mitchell play in L.A., which we don't need to get into. You guys already know that one. The Cardinals basically did the same exact thing where they had a pick six. So you talk about a real game-changing play, right? And drop it in the end zone. And there's the issue with Gannon and he got fine for it today, which it was just a total mess. And the bottom line is they lost to the Titans. Like, I don't really care how you do it. If you lose to the Titans, that's a big
Starting point is 00:47:28 flag for me. Cardinals two and three. All three losses have come by a combined five points, but every game they've played has been a one score game. So it's sort of like one of these teams, they could be five and oh, they could be oh and five. They could be three and two. They're two and three. You know, spin the wheel, basically. And that's where Arizona is. But, Zach, you know, we kind of talked about this to the Raiders last week. And again, five games isn't everything. But if you just sort of look at where the Cardinals sit offensively and defensively, they strike me as like a slightly better version maybe of the Raiders. They're middle to back of the pack in most areas and nothing really jumps out
Starting point is 00:48:03 to me like, okay, they do this one thing really well. Yeah, I think the big thing with them is they do play fast and aggressive and their defense is pretty diverse in what they do. So I do think they're a better team than what we just saw from the Las Vegas Raiders. I think they have a lot more fight in them. But I think the biggest thing, the biggest advantage of the Colts have is the Colts are like this Mr. Fundamentals type of team right now. They're just doing everything kind of by the book, do it like their offense is just, it's not this like super insanely creative
Starting point is 00:48:35 offense that's doing anything, like just very fundamental on offense. And that's how they're destroying you. Where the Cardinals are, they feel so like mentally immature in a lot of ways as a team. From the collapse last week to other collapses earlier in the year to just, again, a lot of these games are one score games because they just keep falling over themselves all long from stupid penalties to stupid mistakes and and just shooting themselves in the foot and this Colts team has kind of lived this year by not doing that to themselves only two turnovers on offense all season taking the ball away seven times on the other side just moving the ball forward having the high success rate and and just being able to stay ahead of the sticks at all times
Starting point is 00:49:15 where the Cardinals feel so boom or bust on both sides of the ball at all times and I just think this is a great matchup for a team like the Colts where it's like as long as you play your game at home in your controlled environment where the Colts have just been lethal this season, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to get to five and one. So I think the Cardinals are a bigger test, obviously, than the Raiders. Again, they just have a lot of fighting them. Ever since Gannon took over, they've had so much fight and aggression in them, but just, again, not the smartest team, not the most mentally mature team.
Starting point is 00:49:46 And this is why they blow so many leads late in games as they just kind of mentally fall apart. Unlike how we saw how the Colts reacted after the A.D. Mitchell dropped touchdown where they kept throwing punches with the Rams. The second that DeMarcardo dropped his list past week, the whole Cardinals team fell apart and let the Titans come all the way back and beat them. So I just think these two teams are on different levels of contendership, basically, on where they need to be.
Starting point is 00:50:09 So as long as the Colts come out here and don't sink to their level and play their type of game, play smart, stay ahead of the sticks on offense, take the ball away on defense, I think there's no reason this shouldn't be another two-score victory for the Colts. And then the other factor when I'm talking about right now, which maybe it's a moot point by the time, by this time tomorrow, Carla Murray didn't practice today on Wednesday. And if your quarterback's not practicing, I mean, it's tough to win the backup quarterback's.
Starting point is 00:50:34 And their backup quarterback is actually a legend around here. Jacoby percent could be the starting quarterback this upcoming week. So we'll have to see there. But that does even change the narrative a little bit more of Carla Murray's out, obviously. But yeah, I think with the Colts, it's just play your game, play smart, play effective football. because the Cardinals, they don't play that kind of game right now. So just bring them to play your style of game and don't snoop down to their level and play their style.
Starting point is 00:50:58 I think the Colts will be fine. Yeah, the difference for Arizona in those one-score games is the self-inflicted wounds. And then being overly conservative and playing not to lose latent games, the second halfs, Cardinals fans are screaming from the rooftops about their conservative play calling latent games. There was a third and eight where they had a really crap
Starting point is 00:51:19 run play in that last one against the Titans that just set that fan base on fire, essentially. And, you know, there's enough to it when you're kind of shooting yourself in the foot. But now at this point, they're starting to become a talent discrepancy as well when you start to talk about Carla Murray not practicing. Is he going to play? You're down James Connor. You're down Trey Benson. So now you don't really have any running backs. The one guy you had out there dropped the football in front of the end zone. and then gets punched in the processor by his head coach on the sideline.
Starting point is 00:51:55 Let's see. I mean, defensively, they've dealt with some injuries as well, but it's easily the more reliable side of the ball for them. But for the Colts, I mean, Arizona's secondary offers some interesting things that they do in coverage. They really don't show their cards until after the ball is snapped, which will take probably a minute for Shane and Daniel to figure out which way they're going to go and find out some of their tendencies.
Starting point is 00:52:24 And they do stop the run pretty well. They average their right up. They're right up there near the top of the league in yards per carry aloud. But from my understanding with Arizona, they are susceptible to teams as they establish the run from the beginning and then they fall apart in the second half with it.
Starting point is 00:52:44 Well, the Colts kind of, you know, They have the philosophy under Shane Stuyken, throw to score points, run to win. The Colts don't really get grinding on the run game into the second half. So I'm pretty interested to see how they're going to attack this, how Shane wants to do it. Maybe he just doesn't mess with a winning formula and what's been working for them all year. He continues that. But, you know, this is another game where I think both sides of it, the tight ends are probably the ultimate X factors. Tyler Warren versus Trayment Bride could be a really fun matchup.
Starting point is 00:53:14 Well, what I have to say about the cards is if you look at them statistically, they're on a race to the bottom. I mean, they are number 25 in total offense, number 30 in pass offense, number 21 in total defense. But when in their leading rusher is one of 11 guys who didn't practice today or had limited. They've got 11 guys on the injury report, so that's never a good sign. But when I watched them play against Seattle, I mean, they look like a team that had a lot of grit and they played hard. You know, they looked like they had competent players on the team. And so to me, this becomes a dangerous game because, you know, they've been beat down.
Starting point is 00:54:10 and the worst thing you can do is think, oh, well, since they're two and three, they suck. You know, we can take the day off. No, there's still an NFL team, and I always like to tell people that there's no bad teams. There's just teams with bad records. And Arizona is a team with a bad record, but they've got some good players.
Starting point is 00:54:35 And how much better would it be for them to turn their sense? season around against a one-lost Colts team. So I expect Arizona to come in here to try to write a lot of the wrongs. Now, I do think the cult are mature enough to know that you respect every team that you play because they've got the best players in the world just like you have. And if you handle your business and have confidence, you can beat anybody. But the one thing you can do that is going to be wrong. is relaxed because you've got a team coming in here that's lost.
Starting point is 00:55:14 They may not have their starting quarterback. They had an incident with their coach. You know, all these negative factors, that can be fuel to the cards to come out and play. So I think the onus is on the Colts to just take care of their business, play their game, and they'll be victorious. Yeah, they'll get the best shot from an aggressive and physical Cardinals team this week. but I will say with the Colts when it comes to like any fear of them being complacent, we've yet to see
Starting point is 00:55:43 them do that this season. We have through five games and everyone who they said like, oh, this could be a trap game for the Colts this could be a game where they don't take it serious and they get punched in the mouth. They have not let that happen. They've killed these teams that they've played like this. So I just think again, this is a different
Starting point is 00:55:59 Colts team. They're mature, they're ready, and they're just a professional team right now. So I expect them to come out here, handle business. They're going to absorb a pretty good punch from the Cardinals early because that's how the Cardinals want to play. And I think they want to have that statement as early as possible. But ultimately, I think the Colts are just the more talented, more mature, more ready team for this moment.
Starting point is 00:56:18 And when you're at home as well, I just think this Colts team, regardless of who they play this year, I think they're going to be such a tough out at home with how dependent their system is on motion and avoiding pre-snap penalties and keeping ahead of the sticks. So when they're in that home environment, that dome environment where the Colts fans have been awesome this season. And then you guys listening who have been going to the games, I mean, I can hear you screaming through the TV, even though I have it on low volume, I still can hear you guys screaming through the TV.
Starting point is 00:56:46 I just think that's so valuable for this team this year. I think they're going to be tough to beat at home, especially for a team like the Cardinals who play some undisciplined football. We're going to see the Cardinals get some penalties racked up, and I think the Colts are going to take advantage. Well, I don't expect them to be complacent because newsflash, winning is a lot of fun. Yeah. All right. And when you win, it's like a drug sometimes. It's addictive. And so you want to keep doing those things that are going to make you win. And right now on offense, you know, it's so much pressure on the defense because they can't single anybody out. And everybody eats on this offense. And it's so hard to predict what the culture are going to do. I guess what? I saw a stat where their number,
Starting point is 00:57:36 two in the league because of what what they gain on first down they average six point yards six point one yards a kid or per yards per i wish i could talk her play six yards per play on first down so we talk about staying ahead of the sticks you know they do an excellent job of it but again you know when when you get that momentum of winning you don't get complacent you want to just stay out there and keep whooping that ass yeah now they've also got really strong leadership where you know these guys were good leaders before but you got to have the right guys around you who want to be led you know the the coaching staff around you has to give you guys the you know the freedom to express yourselves and everything and they've got it in this building now
Starting point is 00:58:28 like charverius ward de forest buckner quentin nelson has taken his leadership to another level this year you know cam bynum like they've just got guys all across this roster who are keeping their teammates engaged motivated ready to play at a moment's notice and like this is i mean i'm in the locker room every day guys like i i just don't recall a more together and cohesive team like this in a long time like guys interacting who you would never think like i've seen Quentin Nelson interact with a safety. And like you've got guys from like all different areas of the depth chart interacting and celebrating each other on the field and everything,
Starting point is 00:59:13 whether it's in practice or in a game. And it's like this team is together. And they're like they're really a group playing for each other. And it's, I mean, Alan, this is really a use statement. If you can back me up on this. But like they're really, really, really good teams aren't teams with a bunch of individuals. They play together and they play for each other, and it feels like this team finally has that. Well, it becomes a family, and you don't want to let your family members down.
Starting point is 00:59:43 And you want to play for something that's bigger than yourself. And that's, you know, when you have that cohesion among players that you wouldn't expect to have, you know, a right guard and a safety, what the hell do they have to talk about? But they're talking, but they're in the same family. And, you know, when your best players are towing the line, you know, you can't be that one that gets out of line. You don't want to get out of line. You know, it's sort of like Tom Brady was always compliant at New England.
Starting point is 01:00:19 And if anybody could have complained to Belichick, it sure enough could have been him. And he would have been justified in doing so. But he towed the line, which made everybody else. toe to the line and all that made them win more and they were happy winning so again it's fun to win it's like this show alan we have a legendary running back like yourself that left one of the legendary programs as an all-time leading rusher and three non-athletes and yet we just we just gel right yes we do like a family you're on the locked on close squad show non-athletes come on man this is the picture of male health right here you know how good i am at beersby derrick
Starting point is 01:01:00 Lock us in for your midweek show every Wednesday night at 9 o'clock. Don't forget we're also your place for live game recaps following each and every Colts game this season. So we're going to be back with you on Sunday to recap the game against the Cardinals right here on the Lockdown Network. But until then, keep it locked on Jake and Zach every day on Lockdown Colts. Check out our other awesome team and squad shows for more NFL Insight on Lockdown Platform 2. And be sure to follow at Lockdown Colts on socials and check out other great Lockdown Colts content on YouTube and TikTok. And we'll see you next time right here on the squad show. Thank you.
Starting point is 01:01:32 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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