Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - COLTS SQUAD SHOW: How Do the Indianapolis Colts Compare to the Rest of the AFC South?

Starting point is 00:00:00 I'm Jake Arthur and a happy opening day and sweet 16 day to you all. And I'm Zach Hicks and it's just the waiting game now. We're waiting out the NFL draft so the dead season, the NFL continues on. I'm Alan Pinkett, former Euler. And will this Colts team as it's constructed right now be a contender? We'll talk about it. Colts Nation, rise up. It's the Colts Squad, everything Indianapolis Colts every week.

Starting point is 00:00:30 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. All right. Hello and welcome to the Colts Squad Show. I am Jake Arthur, Indianapolis Colts beat writer for Roundtable Sports. I am joined by briefly was joined by the the legendary former Notre Dame Irish running back and former Houston Oiler Alan Pinkett. as well as my partner in crime on the Locked On Colts Daily show, Zach Hicks. And today we are getting, we're getting broad with the show today, Zach.

Starting point is 00:01:13 We're talking about kind of big picture stuff with the Colts and the upcoming season as well as what's been accomplished throughout the off season. So basically we're going to go through what our vibe check is for the upcoming season. expectations for some of the injured players because I think the Colts are kind of hanging their hat on quite a few of those guys this year. What matters most to contributing to wins in the NFL and where the Colts kind of fall in those categories? But we're going to lead off the show here talking about the Colts in the AFC South. You know, what the Colts have done this year, you know, they've made about 20 additions so far in March. that seems grand, but I mean, they've been very, very busy.

Starting point is 00:02:03 But where do they stack up with the rest of the AFC South essentially? So, Zach, when you look at the Jaguars, the Texans and the Titans, like for the most part, they've all been busy except for maybe not so much Jacksonville. But the AFC South has been kind of a hotbed for activity this month. Where do you see the Colts kind of stacking up versus what the rest of the division is done? Yeah, I think they stack up similar to wherever you would have had them. last season, you know, as a team that's firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot, fringe on the hunt for contending for the division.

Starting point is 00:02:38 But overall, I don't think anything that's happened with the Colts or with any of these other teams really moves the needle much for me in terms of like who's competing and who's not in this division. I still think the Tennessee Titans, although they made a lot of cool moves on the defensive side of the ball, I still think it's going to take some time for them. they're still a team that's trying to build that thing up the right way with Robert Sala. So we'll see if they're ultimately able to get there. But I don't really see them as much a playoff team this next season.

Starting point is 00:03:06 And in terms of like Houston and Jacksonville, I think they're largely the same teams they were last year. You know, you could say Houston has thrown a lot at the offensive line this offseason. But here's one thing with the NFL. If an offensive lineman is available in free agency, there's usually a reason why they're available in free agency. especially when like it isn't like a Will Fry's situation, right, where Will Fries was just overpaid, a good player that was overpaid. These are aging players that were kind of paid a little bit more than what they

Starting point is 00:03:37 are probably worth at this point in terms of Wyatt Teller and Brayden Smith and getting them in there. Very good players in their prime kind of over the hill and unavailable a lot in recent years. So none of what they just did on the offensive line really moves me too much. They're still going to win and they're going to live and die by their defense. and whatever Stroud can give them next season will be the big thing. And then when it comes to the Colts, like, yes, they're revamping the defense side of the ball, but they're running back largely the same offense with the same core focal points on offense.

Starting point is 00:04:08 You know, four of the five offensive line coming back, the main contributors on offense, and Alec Pierce, Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, Tyler, Tyler Warren, all of those guys are coming back. So I don't think anything in Freedency really changed my outlook on this division. There were some additions and subtractions made, but overall, like, outside of what, the Jaguars may be getting marginally worse with losing Devin Lloyd and A-chan. What's it Trevor A-chan, so you say he says?

Starting point is 00:04:35 A-T-N, A-T-N. He said it's A-Chan. Yeah, it's A-chan. Now that he's in New Orleans, he wants to be called by how it's really pronounced, he said. Yeah, Trevor A-chan. And so maybe they got, yeah, maybe they got marginally worse. But overall, I would say, this division is largely the same as what it was by the the end of last season. It just depends on what your opinion was on each of these teams going into

Starting point is 00:05:00 the offseason. I think not much has changed overall. So the sources I sought out, all the opinions seemed pretty subjective, you know, depending upon if you like the team or like the players. But I think what sticks out to most is the Texans, adding offensive lion depth. And to me, the Texans really didn't need that much. They're not that dynamic on offense. But when you got a badass defense that gets you the ball and you get, you know, more opportunities, kind of reminds me of the 85 bears where they didn't have that great

Starting point is 00:05:46 of an offense. Yeah, they had Walter Payton and Jim McMahon and Willie Galted wide receiver. but the defense just gave them so many opportunities. And if the offense continues to get opportunities, they're going to eventually break through and, you know, wear down the opponent's defense. And that's one thing the Texans are going to be known for again is their defense.

Starting point is 00:06:13 I mean, that was just one of those defenses, I wouldn't say for the ages, but it was definitely a stronghold. and the defense definitely controlled the game when it came to, you know, whatever opponent that they played. Jaguars didn't really do much, but the one thing that's being, you know, praised is the resigning of Monterec Brown. So now you've got two corners that are starters that will be Travis Hunter and

Starting point is 00:06:48 Monteric Brown. So they feel good about that. But, I mean, they were number one rush defense last year. So, you know, they feel good about it. Losing their running back, we'll have to wait and see because they signed another running back. And, you know, the league kind of feels like running backs are a down a dozen. That's why they don't want to draft until the fourth or fifth round, you know.

Starting point is 00:07:15 But I think with the, the job. Jags quarterback. I think I don't know what I would say about him. I expected him to be a lot better, but he hasn't been bad. So I think the Jaguars are going to be right where they were last year. And then the Titans, oh my God, they just need all kinds of wholesale changes. You know, what's interesting is it's what the Titans have done is similar to what the Colts have done on defense, where Lou Anarumo is grabbing up guys that he's played with.

Starting point is 00:08:05 Well, what is it, 12 of the 15 free agents that the Titans have signed have crossed past with either Sala or, the GM, Mike Burgundy. So the Titans are going with familiarity and guys that maybe that can come in that know the system or not just know

Starting point is 00:08:30 the system, but certain GMs run their team a certain way. And so there's some familiarity there that maybe because there's familiarity with the system and with the GM. and head coach that they can speed up their progress,

Starting point is 00:08:52 but the Titans just need a whole lot of help. So how do the Colts figure in with that? I think that right now they're still looking up to the Jaguars and the Texans. And if their quarterback can come back and if Daniel Jones can come back and be okay, then that will be the difference, I think. Yeah, again, it just comes down to what you thought, I think, by the end of last season. Like, I don't think any of these teams drastically changed too much. I know the Texans are trying to establish more of an identity running the football by trading for David Montgomery.

Starting point is 00:09:32 But in the modern NFL, trading for an older running back is just, it's just tough business. You know, the running backs, they break down so quick. Montgomery, like, he was fine last year, but he wasn't the David Montgomery that we know. that's why the lions were more comfortable trading him away. So we'll see how it works out for the Texans. You get a lot of wiggle room to play with when you have such a great defense that's so young. You can just throw whatever you want on offense and see what works, and you'll still probably be a playoff team.

Starting point is 00:10:00 So they'll have their opportunities, but I don't fully love everything they did. I would have got a little bit younger on offense and throwing a bunch of veterans at the problem. But at least they are trying to address the offensive line. that was a part of the issue there. So at least they're looking to address one of their big weaknesses. And we'll see if Braden Smith is done yet with the Texans. But I know done in Houston, that's a celebrated signing for them. They feel like it's a big upgrade for that team.

Starting point is 00:10:32 So who knows might be sweet revenge for Bratins with Smith twice a year. Yeah. I, the Texans are just kind of maddening to me because like I do like C.J. Stroud, and they've given him weapons, but they have consistently failed to give him support, if that makes sense. They make the, like last year, it felt like whatever they tried on the offensive line didn't work whatsoever. And now this year, you know, they're kind of going with older castoffs like you mentioned, Zach. And, you know, at running back, the Joe Mixing thing blew up in their face. And now they're going with an aging running back again rather than just simply, you know, using like a good pick on a running back or something.

Starting point is 00:11:19 You know, they keep making, you know, Woody Marks, Damien Pierce before him, Joe. They're making these like passable moves at running back instead of like trying to actually upgrade. So they're kind of maddening to me. I think if I was a Texans fan, I would question what they're doing a little bit. Well, I want to, sorry, just real quick. One thing I will say about the Texans, though, is they're probably the best drafting team in football the last couple years. Every single draft pick they make ends up being like a starting caliber, if not a Pro Bowl caliber player. You know, defense, but even on offense.

Starting point is 00:11:54 Like Air Surrey last year was a very good tackle for them that they brought in there. Both the receivers they drafted were very good wide receivers in their rookie seasons. Like they draft exceptionally well. So I understand, Jake, where it's like, yeah, draft a running back. higher, but I will push back a little bit on them, then not supporting C.J. Stroud, because if you have a GM who just doesn't miss in the draft, you're supporting everybody on your roster, especially the young quarterback. At some point, the young quarterback has to get it done, and he hasn't been able to get it done since his rookie season in the league. So, honestly,

Starting point is 00:12:28 just there's no excuses for him or for their offense not to be good enough next year because I mean, I know defense is regressible from year to year, and you can't count. on your defense being as good one year to the next, but there's no reason to expect a decline from that defense outside of injuries. So the offense just needs to be better for them this year. There's no excuses for their young quarterback. Yeah. I mean, if I'm being an apologist for him, which I am,

Starting point is 00:12:55 I mean, not that he's been perfect, but like I just don't see the clear plan of what they've been trying to do at offensive line. And it seems like what they tried to do last year obviously didn't work, and they were trying something totally like. off the page again this year. I'm just like, it seems like this is not how teams actually rebuild offensive lines and you're,

Starting point is 00:13:17 you're ruining what you had in this once offensive rookie of the year quarterback. And I think you just kind of have to be deliberate about it at this point. I wanted to talk about the Titans real quick, actually. And what you know about Robert Salazar. So last year for most of the year was a three-man race in the AFS, or three-man race in the AFC South with the cold. Shags and Texans and the Titans just being the little brother, obviously. Sorry, Alan.

Starting point is 00:13:43 Now, Alan, is this Texans or Titans that you are like, have your allegiance to? No, it's Titans. He said it. He said it before his Titans. I have no allegiance to the Texans. Okay. When the Texans, when the Texans came in town, there were several former Oilers that wanted to help them out.

Starting point is 00:14:05 and they were like, we don't need your help. But I understand they want to establish their own legacy, but they didn't want anything from the damn oilers or past oilers. So bump the Texans. And you know when they got payback when the Titans retired or put up on their ring of honor, Bum Phillips. and the Titans ring of honor. Then all of a sudden the Houston fans got mad

Starting point is 00:14:39 because all those games, bum Phillips won, was in Houston. But they don't want to honor Houston's pass with the Oilers. Houston's pass with the Oilers has now transferred over to Nashville. That whole thing's odd. All right, Zach, real quick, though. So how much longer are the Titans, the little brother.

Starting point is 00:15:03 So, like, if the Colts could count on any wins in a year, it's sweeping Tennessee and, like, fighting for everything else, it seems like, for the most part. So, I mean, new coaching staff in here, they got rid of all the hair in the entire building. Everyone's bald now. They got a new defense. Like, what's your gauge on Tennessee now?

Starting point is 00:15:24 Yeah, I mean, they're going for a new build right now. They hope that they have the young quarterback in place, and they have the new coach coming in. and they're trying to go like this Patriots model of buying a defense with the young quarterback. And as long as the young quarterback makes the proper steps going into year two, we can be as competitive as what the Patriots were last year. So we'll see how it all develops for them. I still think they're a little bit away.

Starting point is 00:15:46 I don't expect Ward to make that big a jump as May did from year one to year two. I just don't think they were similar prospects or they had similar rookie seasons even. But I think they have the right ingredients in place. it just all comes down to what Ward looks like by the end of year two and how Salah is able to get that defense going. So if all things go right for them, they can be as competitive as early as this next season. But I still think they're a little bit of ways away,

Starting point is 00:16:13 not too far away, but they're going to be a competitive team. I will say one thing that's interesting is you have a couple different models that work, you know, with a young quarterback. So the Patriots, they go get, you know, former Patriots. as defensive head coach with a young quarterback, and they make it to the Super Bowl. But you look at the Bears where they chose an offensive-minded coach and Ben Johnson to work with Caleb Williams,

Starting point is 00:16:44 and they made it what, just about, well, it wasn't all over to the championship game, but they went deeper in the playoffs, and they made a hell of a turnaround too. So I guess it's two schools of thought. There's two ways, you know, to make this thing work. I just don't know which one really translate into success. And so we'll see if the Titans model, you know, where the Vrable type of model works for them.

Starting point is 00:17:16 Coming up next, what gets your wins in the NFL and do the Colts have it here in just a moment? What if sports were traded like markets? Now you could post your sports IQ. to work in real time with Robin Hood prediction markets. It's not you against the house. It's you participating in a live market. You can buy or sell your positions live all game long. Use your sports knowledge in the moments that matter.

Starting point is 00:17:42 Robin Hood prediction markets changes the game. It's people moving the action so that when the momentum shifts, you can move with it. I always knew the game, but I never really had a dynamic way to apply that knowledge. But now I can actually take part live in a market powered by people. You're no longer just a spectator. Play-by-play, you decide. Trade every play with Robin Hood. Now available across the U.S.

Starting point is 00:18:04 Download the Robin Hood up now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trade involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robin Hood derivatives LLC, a registered features commission, merchant, and swap firm. All right, welcome back, everybody. So we are kind of getting big picture with the Colts right now, talking about what they've achieved in the offseason, how it looks for. versus other teams. But right now, we're going to talk about, you know, in the NFL right now,

Starting point is 00:18:37 what wins. There are some things that are classic. They travel. They get you wins, almost no matter what if you have that strength. But and just the, I guess we could talk about trends first if we want to, but just in general. Al, we'll start with you, obviously, as a former player here. But when you think about what wins in the NFL, like you, if you have this strength you're going to win more times than not. What is it? And do the Colts have it? Do they still like, what do they need to achieve to get to that point? Yeah, good question. You know how you heard me say in terms of what games you need to win, you need to win your first game, then you need to focus on winning your home games, and then you want to win your divisional games. And if you

Starting point is 00:19:31 do all that. And you just want a shot of being in the playoffs because hopefully you can catch fire in the playoffs. But I think what wins the most is being able to create mismatches with the teams in your division. You know, being able to dominate your division is the easiest way to get in the playoffs. So then you can assert that dominance on other teams that have other systems you, you may not match up with them well, but by that time, you know, if you've won your division, you've got enough confidence to where you don't care what kind of team you face.

Starting point is 00:20:10 But, you know, there is the obvious you want to have a strong defense, you know, and number two, you want to have a damn good quarterback. You know, those seem to be the winning formulas. Now, how do the Colts match up against the, you know, other teams. If the Colts can, if it can be the Colts from the first 10 games of the year last year, I feel pretty good. But if there's injuries with any of those frontline people, we saw what happened. You know, so I think the Colts is so quarterback dependent, you know,

Starting point is 00:20:56 but I think the matchups they have against the. the opponents in the AFC South are good when you can have a timing offense where Daniel Jones can get the ball out fast because what do you know about the Jaguars and the Texans? They will be in that backfield in a hurry. So the only way you can really capitalize on that is getting the ball out quick. And Daniel Jones was the only one who was able to get the ball out quick. You know, so to me, if you've got that Colts team from the beginning of last year, I feel good about what the Colts can do. But if you can't pick up the Blitz against these teams, then you'll be, you know, hanging out with the Titans.

Starting point is 00:21:46 That's true. That's true. I want to shout out two commenters right here for taking all of my points here. First one, best ways to stay healthy. It's the number one way to be good in the NFL. It's a tried and true method. the most important way. The biggest correlation that we see in the NFL between good teams and bad teams is who's the healthiest.

Starting point is 00:22:05 It's kind of dumb luck with there. But aside from just the dumb luck of being healthy and not healthy, coaching talent at quarterback, I'll actually adjust talent at quarterback a little bit to be quarterback that fits what the coaching staff is trying to do. Because I think we've seen that kind of shift in recent years. Like, yes, it's great to have the Pat Mahomes, the Josh Allen's that fit every single thing that happens in the NFL, but just having quarterback that fit your system, you know,

Starting point is 00:22:30 Sam Darnold with that Kubiak offense in Seattle last year was highly effective. Daniel Jones with Shane Steichen was, by all accounts, the top 10 quarterback in almost every single metric when he played last year. So think a quarterback who just fits what the coaching staff wants and then just hitting on your draft picks. Hitting on your draft picks is the number one way to be competitive in the NFL. The Seattle Seahawks are not Super Bowl champs without getting Nick MNM and Worry on rookie contracts without building their entire pass rush off of rookie contracts,

Starting point is 00:23:01 essentially, right? Like they were able to be risky and bring in Leonard Williams and, you know, to Marcus Lawrence through free agency and draft or three free agency and trade. But everybody else on that defensive line was brought in through the draft. They hit on a lot of draft picks there, Jackson Smith and Jigbaugh on the offense side of football, building that entire offensive line through the draft, right? We look at teams in the Colts Division, right? The Houston Texans have built that entire roster through the draft because they've been drafting at such a high level.

Starting point is 00:23:32 So in terms of do the Colts have these ingredients, I think that they have the combination you're looking for with coaching and the quarterback fitting what the coaching staff wants on offense. We saw that early last year. And no, I'm not in that camp where I think it was a fluke because they did it against four top 10 defenses in that stretch as well. You know, they looked good against three of them. I mean, in the Rams game, the one they looked bad against, they almost won that game. too. So I do think they have those two things. But do they have enough good players on rookie contracts? And can they stay healthy? I don't know about those last two because the Colts have not shown they can stay healthy in any season since I've covered this team. And then in terms of good players on

Starting point is 00:24:11 rookie contracts, you know, it's up to those guys to step up. You know, there was good, showings from Tanner Bordolini and McEnalves. I think Laotu Latsu took some steps last year. But there's got to be more. There's got to be some from Justin Wally. We got to see more from what Hunter Woller is going to have a bit of a role here. Can they get anything out of Jalen Carlis this season? JT to him a low-ow. Can they get something out of him on his rookie contract this next year? Atatamiwa, Adabori, on his last season of his rookie contract.

Starting point is 00:24:42 Can they continue to get that surplus value of good players on a rookie contract? That is absolutely vital for this Colts team. So shout out to our commenters for giving me my script there. But I think the Colts have some of the ingredients, but can they stay healthy and can they hit on their draft picks, that's going to be the biggest part going forward. And I will say they did hit on Tyler Warren. Absolutely.

Starting point is 00:25:04 So, I mean, that was a very good pick. And that just shows you how valuable first round picks are to an NFL team. Yeah, I think the health. I mean, we can't guarantee guys are going to remain healthy once they get back healthy. But some of the guys they are counting on like Daniel Jones. just rematching him with Shane Steichen and the guys around them. I think that will kind of take care of itself. But then when I look at what they really are missing compared to like what other successful teams have,

Starting point is 00:25:39 I just look at that pass rush. And I'm like, you know, you watch a playoff game with at least one really good team in it. And you're like, they got to the quarterback on third down consistently. Or like they disrupted the other quarterback consistently. the Colts in those big games can have ones where they don't even get a hit on the quarterback, you know? So I think you almost have to be obnoxious about addressing the pass rush if possible. I mean, it's a little late in the game at this point, but that doesn't mean they can't address it some more. I don't know, like, how much more effective it's going to be.

Starting point is 00:26:13 But, you know, the mention of the high draft picks as well, which is going to have to mean that Sauce Gardner this year is a big deal. I do think if Lou Aniromo gets his guys that could play man coverage, it is going to open up a lot of other things. Like there's so many layers to just the fact of like these corners need to say healthy. It's quite little. It's trickle down economics for this defense. You know what I mean? Just to put it that way. So no, I think for the Colts, be obnoxious about addressing the pass rush the rest of the way through if you can.

Starting point is 00:26:49 and then my God, if anyone can stay healthy, let's make it these corners, you know? Well, and the quarterback too, right? Well, of course. That's already happened, though. So it's like, you know, what can you do if it happens again? Yeah. No, health is just going to be vital.

Starting point is 00:27:05 Yeah, health is going to be absolutely vital. But I do think, like you said, just adding to that pass rush room will be big as well because even though the Colts were among the league leaders in Blitz percentage last year and six-man pressure percentage and man coverage while. blitzing, all of those things, right? Like those things that we love, we love looking at blitz percentage. It's fun. But every defensive coordinator in the history of the NFL would tell you that they would

Starting point is 00:27:29 rather not blitz. They'd rather be in a Houston situation, right? Where last year the Texans never had the blitz because they had two superstars rushing off the edge, right? You never have to blitz when you have DeNeil Hunter and Will Anderson. Now, the Colts don't have the easy answer of, you know, getting a top three pick to get Will Anderson and also having DeNeil Hunter wanted take a hometown discount to come to your squad.

Starting point is 00:27:51 So it is hard to get two players of that caliber on your team. But all that to say, if you can win with four, that makes life so much easier as a defense. So while Luana Rimo did show a lot of blitzing last year, and I think he's going to do more of it this next season, having layout too lot to emerge as like a true bucket getter, a guy who can win on the line and get sacks, that would be so much more valuable than anything else they can get from players.

Starting point is 00:28:18 So I completely agree. And he kind of falls in with that rookie contract surplus value. He's rookie contract. If he can give them even more value on that rookie contract, the Colts will be much better for it. Well, and I'll agree with you that blitzing is not something that defensive coaches necessarily want to do because there is that risk-reward aspect to it. You know, if you just leave those defensive backs on an island.

Starting point is 00:28:46 but, you know, I think the Colts had good foresight in going to get sauce gardener. And then we'll see if Mooney Ward comes back. I anticipate him coming back stronger than ever just because he didn't want to go out like that, you know, with the concussions and things. I expect him to come back, you know, with a big chip on his shoulder wanting to prove that, you know, he's worthy of the money that he's being paid. And if you can get good coverage from those two, then blitz away. And let's see what happens. But yes, it did get kind of tiresome watching the quarterback, the opposing quarterback, whoever the Colts were playing, just sit back there and read a book,

Starting point is 00:29:33 you know, order coffee and then throw the football. Yeah. All right, guys, coming up next. The Colts can't be as hurt next year. as they were this last year, right? This time of year, all you want is something warm, easy, and satisfying to eat. And that's why Home Chef has become such a go-to. It takes the stress out of dinner and it makes it simple to actually enjoy cooking again.

Starting point is 00:30:02 Home Chef makes cooking easy with fresh, pre-portioned ingredients, simple recipes, and meals that just taste great. Meals are quick from 30-minute recipes to oven-ready options when you don't want to think at all. They got tons of variety, over 30 meals each week to choose from, so it never feels repetitive. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering our listeners 50% off and free shipping for your first box plus free dessert for life. Just go to HomeCef.com slash Lockedon NFL. That's HomeCef.com slash Locked on NFL for 50% off of your first box and free dessert for life.

Starting point is 00:30:39 Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert. All right. Welcome back, everybody. Welcome back Purdue fans and congratulations on another elite eight. Congratulations to Derek, who is out in San Jose right now. He works for Purdue. So he is out with him at the moment. That's why he's not here. So you guys are riding a real high, which we're going to bring you back down to Earth because we're talking about Indianapolis Colts football here. So we briefly talked about guys coming back from injury. And it's not just Daniel Jones this year. So they just run through a list of guys who missed kind of significant time last year. and what we expect from some of these guys and what their impact can bring back to this team. So obviously, Daniel Jones, DeForest Buckner was on IR twice with the neck injury, ultimately that ended his season.

Starting point is 00:31:30 Sauce Gardner missed really most of the time since joining the Colts with a calf. Mooney Ward, concussions, IR twice as well, I think. Justin Wally tore his ACL over the summer, Hunter Woller, Liz Frank in the summer. Now, on the surface, those were rookies. We don't know how they would have done. But the Colts continued to tell us those guys would have been significant contributors.

Starting point is 00:31:53 Spencer Schrader, their kicker, after five games, he had just won AFC Special Teams player the month and then blows his knee out the next game. And then Jalen Carlis, who they hedge their bets on him being their all offseason. And then suddenly he factored in like zero percent at all to the plan throughout. of the year. So hopefully if that guy can stay healthy, then he could bring them something. I mean, we'll see if Lou Anirumo likes the look of a healthy Jalen Carlis going into training camp. We'll see. But Zach, that's a lot of guys coming back. A lot of guys who are counted on to be significant contributors. So what are your expectations for some of them and how big of a boost

Starting point is 00:32:37 can those guys be? Yeah, I mean, the expectation needs to be high for a lot of these guys because they're getting paid big money, right? The expectation needs to be in line with what the money is for them, right? So DeForest Buckner, while you want to have that grace of being like, yes, he's coming off a neck injury, and he's in his 30s, it's not the greatest combination in football. This is a guy getting paid well over $20 million per year to rush the quarterback. Like, there needs to be production there. And the NFL, like, again, it's a business at the end of the day. You can feel for a guy and say, like, it's unfortunate what's happening. But if you're going to play, you're going to decide to play and make that money, there needs to be production with it.

Starting point is 00:33:16 So, I mean, Buckner and Mooney Ward, I think of the two big ones where it's like, I don't really know what to think of them coming into this next season because, I mean, especially with Buckner, again, a major neck injury last year, tried to come back for one game. It didn't feel right. And then he had surgery on it to get it fixed up. Who knows what he looks like? Because one thing we all know about our bodies. And Alan, as a player, you can probably test this even more.

Starting point is 00:33:40 As we get older, it doesn't get easier to get back on the field, especially after major surgeries, right? Sometimes you can chalk up injuries to saying, like, you know, oh, that was bad luck that year. You know, I got a couple of nicks and bruises here, you know, this minor break here or something. And it just wasn't my year. But that doesn't mean like the next year, all of a sudden you're going to be completely healthy, perfectly fine. And back to what you were looking like when you were 23, you know, like your body wears with age. That's something we all know, obviously. but it's concerning when players who are like at around 30 years old or into their 30s are dealing with these major injuries like Mooney Ward and DeForest Buckner.

Starting point is 00:34:18 So I want to be optimistic. I want to say that these guys can be worth what they're getting paid this next season. But the injuries are a very concerning aspect of this, especially when Mooney Ward had said that what he's saying in his exit interview. He said like if I have one more concussion, I'll probably hang it up there. So there's one more concussion away from potentially. being off the team this next season. So those are concerning aspects with those players. When it comes to younger players like a sauce gardener,

Starting point is 00:34:46 like Justin Wally, again, it's concerning anytime guys have major injuries. But for a younger player, especially when they're like, I'm not saying an ACL injury is nothing anymore. That is a pretty big difference still. But it's not what it was back in, you know, the 90s or back in the 80s when it was a career ender. The ACL injury is much cleaner recovery than like the Achilles injuries. for instance. So with Justin Wally, we should hope that he can get back with with sauce gardener.

Starting point is 00:35:13 I don't even think he had surgery or anything on. I think it was just that that calf strain. So some 20 seconds in there and he'll be able to recover that with time. So those guys should be okay. Hopefully, again, time wears on the body. So it is concerning every time. But the two big concerns are DeForest Buckner and Mooney Ward. If the Colts can get anything somewhat near what their contracts are, I would call that a major win. If they can be. 80% of what we need them to be. I'll call that a major win because I'm very concerned about the health of those two players. And those two players are eating up a lot of cat space. Like you need them to be what you're paying them to be. So it's a really tough situation the Colts are in. But it's the nature of giving out big contracts to players. You know, players don't always maintain full health throughout their career. So you have to just kind of roll with it. And I hope more than anyone else that they're able to, you know, get back to where they were and give them give the Colts at least one more great season. Well, I'm probably going to sound like an echo, so I'll go a different direction and agree with you in terms of the longer you stay in the league, the longer it takes to get over a lot of the nicks and bruises and things you get in the game. I remember as a rookie.

Starting point is 00:36:29 Of course, I didn't play that much as a rookie. But shoot, I was full strength. After a Sunday game, I was full strength on Wednesday. By my sixth year in the league, I didn't feel good or ready to play until Friday in the week after a Sunday game. So, yeah, it does wear on you. And that's why, you know, the weight training and now all the addition of nutrition, hydration, diet. what's that little ring you wear that makes sure it monitors your sleep? All those, yeah, all those things now come in, come into play to achieve, you know, peak performance when you were there.

Starting point is 00:37:20 I know when I was in college, we didn't have the best nutrition at all. In fact, we ate the same food as the students ate. We just got more of it. I mean, every, I guess Wednesday, we would get a steak. And I wouldn't give that steak to my dog. That's how sorry that steak was. At Notre Dame. Yeah, at Notre Dame.

Starting point is 00:37:45 Well, for home games, for home games. When we went on the road, we stayed at the finest hotel. I mean, we put a show on. I had cable TV. You know, it was, we stayed in the best hotel. I mean, they would put out a spread for us. At home, I wouldn't even eat the meal they served us the night before. I'd go over to Wendy's and get a double cheese with everything.

Starting point is 00:38:10 Oh, yeah. But now that I've gotten older, I wish that we had more advances in nutrition to where I could have been even better because I would have been supplemented with the right vitamins, minerals, things that I needed. But I think I did all right. I think, you know, your mind is your biggest muscle when you're playing. And I remember going out to Colorado a couple times and we go out and play Air Force. They got the band there in the tunnel when you come out to go on the field and the band

Starting point is 00:38:51 is chanting, there is no air. There is no air. and you've heard about how in that, you know, that, I guess, way above sea level that the air is thinner. But I never, ever noticed that. But it's because mentally I was ready to play. So I wasted enough time on that to come back and agree with what Zach said. The guy that sticks out to me the most in terms of needing to have a great year is to Forrest Buckner. Because his play will have an effect on all the edge rushers.

Starting point is 00:39:33 If he can tie up those people in the middle, you know, that just, you know, freeze up those guys on the ends to do their thing. It gives, you know, them the opportunity to do more twists and stunts. As long as the Forrest Buckner can be that force in the middle, not to mention being a run stop. because, you know, I think the Colts were decent against the run. But after he was out of there, I feel like they're, they got gashed a lot on the run defense. But I do have to go back to those defensive backs in Anarumo's system.

Starting point is 00:40:16 If you got Moody Ward and Sauce Gardner in good health and they can cover to the best of their ability, It's going to be hard on a lot of offenses to have any kind of success when you got two locked down corners. So those are the players. I think the Colts need to have great years, and that will say a lot about the success the team is going to have. Because let's face it, defense is, you know, one third of the component that helps you win. And we anticipate the offense will be good, you know, hopefully, you know, keeping their quarterback healthy. And, you know, special teams, they were okay on special teams last year, but the defense is that

Starting point is 00:41:11 third component that if you've got that clicking, just ask the Texans and the Jaguars if defense made a difference in their games. Yeah, no, for sure. And one thing we haven't really talked about yet, Jake, is the quarterback injury. That's the big one here, right? And while we're talking about these other guys with their long injury history or recent injury histories like Buckner and Mooney Ward, arguably the longest, like the CVS receipt injury list of Daniel Jones's career is still looming over the Colts. And I mean, what's the stat that you always throw out there?

Starting point is 00:41:46 Jake, he's only had like one fully healthy season in the NFL, right? One complete season. Yep. Yeah. So him being healthy is going to be the most important thing for the Colts. And the Colts do say that he's passed that three-month mark. Yeah. You know, that's their gauge on whether someone's going to come back, okay?

Starting point is 00:42:04 And I guess what? He used the same doctor for his Achilles as Halliburton and also Jason Tatum. Yeah. Yeah. So we'll see. You know, that doctor might be rich. if all three of them come back and play well, the doctor is as if he wasn't already rich, you know,

Starting point is 00:42:30 but he'll really make a statement in the medical field in terms of, you know, folks will be trying to tear their Achilles on purpose just to go see this doctor. Tatum's already on a roll. Is that, like, you can't put your quarterback in bubble wrap, but like just with Daniel, like, if the, the fracture last year. I mean, in hindsight, do you put him on the shelf for a couple weeks, let him heal up before

Starting point is 00:42:58 you get it back out? Like in 2026, let's say, you know, he's back from the Achilles, but something comes up where he's very uncomfortable or he is compromised in some way but can play through it. Do you sit him for a week or two until whatever this is heals up? This is all hypothetical. But like, knowing what we know now, even though he already had. the history of injuries. Do you, this obviously derailed everything last year.

Starting point is 00:43:25 Like, do you kind of be more cautious for them this year? It depends what the injury is. If you know it can get better within a week, then sure, you said him for a week. But the thing with the fibula last year is that wasn't going to be a one week thing. That was going to last the rest of the season. So you're obviously. It was going to heal on its own, but playing through it wasn't supposed to cause further issue, basically. Right.

Starting point is 00:43:49 Well, that's the thing. it was going to heal on its own, but it would have healed throughout the course of the rest of the season. We're talking about a broken fibula here, right? It's not like, it was going to take weeks and weeks to heal. So the thing that they really were basically debating with Jones was like, we're either going to play them the rest of the way or not playing him at all. There's no in between with this. So it really comes down to like, yeah, if you're, if you can sit him for a week because he's got a bad scratch or something, I don't know.

Starting point is 00:44:15 Sure. Then you can, then you can bench him for the week. Wait, no. If you're sitting him because he has a bad scratch. scratch that I'm calling. I don't know, but I'm just saying, like, if it's something like that, if you can sit him for a week and be good, then sure. But if it's something like that again, like at the end of the day, Jones is on a one-year contract. And he knew what his, what his history was with injuries.

Starting point is 00:44:36 So he, I mean, you basically defer to the player in a lot of those situations. Like, what do you feel like you can do? How does your body feel? And ultimately, on a one-year contract in such a prove-it type season with the team trying to win, he decided to go back out there and the team was okay with that and it ended up being what it was so you know I think

Starting point is 00:44:56 if a similar situation were to arrive like unless we had the complete benefit of hindsight which we never do I think you still probably make the same decision it's like saying with you know while we bring up Halliburton here right does Halliburton suit up for that game seven knowing that the Achilles tears

Starting point is 00:45:12 he probably still does because it's his only it might be his only chance ever at a title you know so these players that just want to be on the field. They want to be out there. And if they feel like their body can go, they can. Sometimes the team has to step in and prevent that. But when a situation like that where he's playing for more and more money and playing for more security in his life, who are you to tell him that he can't, like, you know, like you can't play? So I don't know. I wish we had the benefit of hindsight on a lot of these things. He could save a lot of players' careers.

Starting point is 00:45:42 But unfortunately, we don't. And you have to make these tough decisions that sometimes don't work out. Yep, without a doubt. All right, guys, coming up next to wrap up the show, we are going to do a vibe check on the 2026 season. How do we feel going into things right now? Welcome to the five-hour energy flavor draft, with 18 different flavors to choose from, including new options like confetti craze,

Starting point is 00:46:11 fruity rainbow, or cotton candy. There is something for everybody. The board is set, the flavors are ready, and I've got my number one pick. for the five-hour energy flavor draft. That's right, we're going with confetti craze. It's got a delicious blend of rich and buttery, freshly baked confetti cake,

Starting point is 00:46:30 smooth vanilla frosting, and a sprinkle of sweetness in every sip. It's got sweet birthday cake-inspired flavor with notes of vanilla frosting and sugary sprinkles, a smooth dessert-like taste profile, and then, of course, a rich, indulgent sweetness from start to finish. Another one I've mentioned to you guys,

Starting point is 00:46:50 Rudy Rainbow. That's a good one I think is a contender. Reminds me a lot of runts, that candy from back in the day. But whatever flavor you choose, it's going to be guilt-free because five-hour energy shots gives you a boost with zero sugar.

Starting point is 00:47:05 So find your new favorite flavor of five-hour energy shots now available online at five-hour energy.com or on Amazon. All right. Welcome back to the show. everybody, it is officially time for a vibe check. So we've taken this very broad look at the Colts off season so far. It's not done. Obviously, we're four weeks away from the draft. There's still plenty of

Starting point is 00:47:34 stuff that can go on in free agency, especially in, you know, after the draft, whatever you miss out on in the draft that you hope to accomplish, but maybe didn't. There's still some free agents out there for that. It may not look how you want it to, but there are options. So with, all that said and there's still being some potential for playmakers to be picked up, what's your optimism level right now for this team in 2026, Zach? Probably the same as where it was by the end of last season, where, you know, we are still dealing with a lot of question marks on this roster, right? The injury at the quarterback position, the injuries to Buckner and Mooney Ward.

Starting point is 00:48:13 Even some of the younger players, like Wally and Soss Gardner having his season to very old with an injury last year. Woller, if you want to factor him in there. So there are a lot of question marks with this team. But ultimately, the moves they've made this offseason don't really change too much for me. Like, I think there's still an avenue for the defensive line to get better. I still think there's an avenue for the linebacker to get better. So I'm waiting C mode on those. But ultimately, how many games the Colts win or lose this next season are going to come down

Starting point is 00:48:42 to the health of those key positions and how those guys look on the field? So, yes, I want to see another pass rusher in here. Yes, I want to see some moves done at linebacker. And I still think there's going to be more moves made there to where I'm not going to be terribly concerned. But even if you were somehow able to add Jonathan Grenard at linebacker and add Jacob Rodriguez in the draft, you know, everyone's dream one-two punch there at those two spots, the Colts are still not making the playoffs without Daniel Jones performing like he did early last season and being healthy through 17 games.

Starting point is 00:49:12 They're still not making the playoffs. It de Forrest Buckner is a shell of himself. and doesn't look like what you need him to be. They're still not making the playoffs if Mooney Ward and Sauce Gardner can't stay healthy. So ultimately, it really comes down to those key players. You know, I think they're going to make some more moves with the draft and other players coming in here. But, you know, my vibes are still fine right now. It's just you're putting a lot on a guy coming off with torn Achilles,

Starting point is 00:49:39 which still concerns me at the quarterback position. But I did think that we saw some good moments from them early last year. So I'm purely in wait and see mode right now. I'm kind of neutral on this Colts team. I think they can be a good team, but they need a lot of things to break their way. But you can say that about every good team in the history of football, right? That they needed a lot of things to break their way. The good fall team, you know?

Starting point is 00:50:01 Seattle Seahawks is a very good football team last year. But, you know, do they win the Super Bowl if the AFC is in a complete train wreck throughout the whole year to where, I mean, they're playing a young Patriots team that was not ready for the moment in that Super Bowl. And then in the NFC in their division, I mean, yeah, they had to go through Stafford, who was awesome. The 49ers entire team got decimated the entire year, you know? So you do need some things to break your way. And that's just part of the game. And no one looks back at all-time great teams and says, well, the 85 bears only won because they had to play this team or because they stayed healthy. It's like, no, there's still the 85 bears, you know? So a lot of it is just

Starting point is 00:50:38 things breaking your way, things break in the positive way, and you can overcome anything. So I'm very neutral on this team. I'm not going to say I'm pessimistic. I think there are some good moments and good things that can come from this roster, but they need guys to stay healthy and guys perform up to their level that we know they're capable of doing. Well, I wish I was a lip reader because I didn't hear a damn thing you said. Ah, not again. One of my favorite things is technology is a wonderful thing when it works. But hopefully I won't repeat everything. that Zach said. But on an optimism level, if it was a scale of 100,

Starting point is 00:51:23 my optimism is at about a 75 right now, you know, because you do have one of the better quarterbacks when he's operating. Well, you've got one of the best running backs, and you've got a receiver core that can catch the ball, run good routes. I think for me to be above a 75, I would like to see one of two things happen on the offense where my optimism level can get up to 90.

Starting point is 00:51:56 And that is we need to find a replacement for Michael Pittman Jr. You know, somebody who's going to be reliable. And it's probably going to have to be a big body receiver. It doesn't have to necessarily stretch the field, but got to be surehanded. And so I'm hoping that this Malachi fields for Notre Dame somehow ends up on the Colts because I think he would be a perfect fit. If not him, I would love to see the Colts at another quality tight end and play that offense the way. Do you remember the Ravens used to have two tight ends and they had an age back? But they had two tight ends and they could hit you that way.

Starting point is 00:52:39 and they just beat you up while they're moving the ball down the field. They didn't necessarily stretch the field, although they did have one speed burner, you know, but I think that would be a fascinating offense to have, you know, somebody with the skill level of Tyler Warren also out there on the field, because it's going to put the defense in a bind. And I think it might make a Shane Steichen offense unstoppable, you know, from a physical standpoint, you know, because, you know, if those DBs get tired of tackling tight ends or big body receivers, they get tired of doing that mess.

Starting point is 00:53:21 So that would raise my optimism level a little bit on offense. On defense, I'm at about a 50 out of 100 in terms of optimism, but I say that knowing that there's a lot more things that are going to happen with this particular defense. I mean, we really don't have a true Mike linebacker yet. You know, and although in the Anirumo system, the linebackers, to me, have a limited role. You still need that guy in the middle that is going to be able to stuff to run, also be able to cover a tight end, cover a back out of the back field,

Starting point is 00:54:04 and be a tone setter, really. You know, someone who is like the hype guy for a band. You need that middle linebacker to be that guy. And, you know, maybe, lo and behold, you know, JTT will look like the player he did when it was at Ohio State. And I'm anticipating a lot to with this being what? This will be his third year or second? This third year. I sort of think about, you know, myself and the progression I was able to make, you know,

Starting point is 00:54:43 where I was learning in my first two years. And then that third year, I really felt like I became a pro, you know, in all the different areas of having to be a pro, how to practice, how to study, you know, and knowing that the way you make your money is making plays. So how to, you know, pick your spots to make plays and make impact plays, you know, because about a third year you realize that you like the lifestyle that you're living. And the only way to maintain that lifestyle is to make plays. You know, so you become an expert in making plays.

Starting point is 00:55:25 So defense still has a lot. I am real excited. I guess my optimism level in the defensive back. field. It probably sits at a 85 out of 100 because of the two guys you got back there, Sos Gardner and Mooney Ward. But, you know, if we can have them at full

Starting point is 00:55:47 strength, you know, my optimism is going to shoot through the roof. But right now, I would say at a 50 just because there's questions, but it's way too early for me to be projecting how this defense is going to be.

Starting point is 00:56:06 Yeah, I'm not entirely moved one way or the other. I do think they've probably taken a little bit of a step back as a team right now, just because I don't think they've replaced enough of what they've lost. They've replaced some guys one for one, but others that needed to be replaced. They haven't. But that will come. I'm just curious to see what it looks like, what type of player they fill that with. So, like, knowing that those guys.

Starting point is 00:56:33 guys will be replaced right now. I think it's very reliant on some of those guys that are going to come back and be healthy. I'm not optimistic about the pass rush right now. However, if Buckner can come back and be 60% of what he was and then Gardner and Ward are healthy, then I think that makes the pass rush look a lot better because guys have more time to get to the quarterback and then you have an interior push that you just didn't really have last year because of Buckner. So if those guys are healthy and contributing how you hope they do, realistically understanding, at least like from Buckner's point of view, that like Buckner is not probably going to be an all pro this year like he always has been before.

Starting point is 00:57:19 But if he's productive, then not I feel a lot better about it. But as long as like the draft isn't just full of guys who can't contribute in year one like we've unfortunately seen so often before. As long as you get some contributions from this draft class. And some of these guys who were banged up last year can come back and be more than half of what they were before at their best. Then I think you're in a better spot. Because again, some of the, like, they're going to replace Sire Franklin eventually. I'm eager to see what they're going to do about quidipa spot.

Starting point is 00:57:58 like I hope they don't just bite the bullet and be like, well, we added Arden Key. That was our guy all along. I hope that's not, you know, the case. But, I mean, we know this team and we know if they lose out on someone, they will kind of go with their tailtuck between their legs a little bit. But I have confidence they'll replace most of these guys. So right now, I mean, I think they should be competing for a playoff spot again by like week 18. But, like, I'm not ready to say that they will or should get in. I think they will be still competing at the end of the year.

Starting point is 00:58:33 But that's been the case the last couple years, you know. Right now, I just, I think they're still fighting to be around 500. Maybe it swings the other way in their 9 and 8 instead of 8 and 9. But they have some big things to accomplish over this next month. Yeah, one more thing I'll throw in here before we get out of here. A lot of what's going to happen this next season is going to come down. to the performance of the 2025 and 2026 draft classes. You know, how the 2025 class looks going into their year two,

Starting point is 00:59:03 what they can get out of Tyler Warren, but not just Tyler Warren, JT2M Lowellowow, Jalen Travis, you know, these guys, Justin Wally, Hunter Woller, can those guys either improve upon what they did last year or just get on the field in general this next season? And then what they get out of their upcoming rookie class because that's going to be a big boost that they can get. I know they don't have a premium pick in the first,

Starting point is 00:59:26 round. The earliest pick is in round two, but they still need some guys to come in here and be contributors right away. So Chris Ballard and his scouts, this is probably the most important draft of his career. Like they need a home run draft. They need to get guys in here who can play and contribute from day one. One guy that's not off the hook yet either is DJ Giddens. Like if he could take some sort of jump and add a dynamic element to this running game and be a true compliment to Jonathan Taylor, then that makes defenses have to be on their toes the entire game. They can't just take this breather once Jonathan Taylor takes a series off or something. You have this guy that could come in and be a serious threat against them.

Starting point is 01:00:10 So that's another guy who we've kind of stopped talking about just because he provided nothing last year. But if he can provide something, I think that could be a big deal for the office. He's got a block. He's got a block, man. They've played more specialty. He has to block. Play special teams.

Starting point is 01:00:24 That's right. All right, guys. So as you know, eventually we will get more optimistic about this stuff. You know, the next topics we cover, we might be a little more rosy. But we wanted to take kind of a big look at things today. So again, thank you guys for joining us again late tonight. Purdue fans. Congratulations again.

Starting point is 01:00:43 Remember, guys, if you don't already follow Lockdown Colts on social media. Also be sure to subscribe on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts. And be a friend, tell a friend. Have someone subscribe here. We would love your ratings and reviews as well. That helps boost the show up the charts. And with that, you guys have a great night. And we will see you for our regular daily show tomorrow.

Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - COLTS SQUAD SHOW: How Do the Indianapolis Colts Compare to the Rest of the AFC South?

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.