Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - COLTS SQUAD SHOW: Is Indianapolis CLOSER to making a quarterback decision? | Colts vs. Packers recap
Episode Date: August 16, 2025Are the Colts any closer to making a decision at quarterback after wrapping up their second preseason game and training camp? The Squad discusses that, plus standout performances against the Packers a...nd a look at the big position group decisions looming in the near future. Find and follow Colts Squad Show and Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms: 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/ 📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQFollow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and 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!5-Hour ENERGYGo to 5hourenergy.com today and use promo code LOCKEDONGOLF to receive 20% off your order. This offer is only valid until September 30th on one order and cannot be used with other promotions. The code is not good on subscription orders.Yahoo FantasyPresented by YahooFantasy #YahooPartner. Play Now at https://yahoofantasy.com/lockedonnfl.GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get $150 in BONUS BETS when your first $5 BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com/lockedonnfl for 50% off your first year.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)
Transcript
Discussion (0)
Welcome to the Colts Squad Show.
I'm your host, Derek Schultz,
and I think the Green Bay Packers
just got another illegal formation penalty.
And I'm Zach Hickson.
Speaking of that,
yes, I love watching my referees play out there.
It was a really good time tuning in,
watching my favorite, the stripes out there,
just having a blast.
Alan, pick it here.
I tell you, the refs not only got a lot of good airtime,
a lot of good plays were taken away.
Pulse Nation, rise up.
It's the cool.
Colts Squad, sponsored by game time. Everything Indianapolis Colts every week. Covering all the big hits
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time to squad up. The Colt Squad Joe starts now.
To the Colts Squad show here on the locked on Colts Network, fresh off a heartbreaking Colts preseason
lost to the Green Bay Packers. I'm your host, Derek.
Schultz have been a sports talker in Indianapolis for many years. I'm joined by Alan
Pinkett, a nerd name legend, former NFL running back, and your everydayers know Zach Hicks
from Locked on Colts and everyone's favorite film buff. Jake Arthur's going to hop on with us once
he concludes his locker room duties at Lucas Loyal Stadium. Before we get started, though,
I want to remind you today's episode brought you by Game Time. Download the GameTime app,
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On today's show, as we always do, our live postgame reaction shows are going to wrap up Colts Packers
and tie a final bow on training camp by talking.
about if the Colts are any closer to making a quarterback decision.
We saw both quarterbacks play in the first half today in Anthony Richardson and Daniel
Jones. Obviously, we'll talk about how they look. Zach will give his thoughts on that.
Alan will give his thoughts as well. And when a decision could come, because pretty soon
here, eventually a decision is going to have to be made on who's that quarterback one.
Guys, the injuries today. Oh, so many to go through. We only have an hour. So we'll see if we can
actually fit in all the injuries, unfortunately, that the Colts suffered today. And what that
could mean for the guys behind the players that were hurt because there were a couple of
really serious ones there, including Blake Freeland, standout performers from today's game
between the Colts and Packers and some of the toughest position group decisions. So we have
an awful lot to get to, boys. But as always, let's start with the quarterbacks. A lot of
good today, I think we saw. A lot of good, which is good, because you haven't always said that
as far as this battle has been concerned so far here in training camp. You know, the way Daniel
Jones started it, Zach. I thought, oh, God, is it going to be one of those games? But then he had a really
nice long scoring drive. And then Anthony Richardson, you said it on Twitter, maybe one of the better
drives that we've seen from him in quite a long time on his second possession. Yeah, the two
drives back to back where you get the Daniel Jones second drive and then the Anthony Richardson first drive,
I thought was a really good string of drives for both of those guys. I mean, starting with Daniel
Jones, really good bounce back from a poor effort on that first. Not poor effort, just a poor showing
on that first drive where you had the fumbled snap where it looked more on the
quarterback than on the center there and then the really bad misthrow to Tyler Warren
down the right sideline that should have been a big chunk play just didn't end up working
out because he overthrew it you get to his second drive and it starts off with a couple of
really nice reads on RPO's getting that ball out hot to his receivers you get a couple
chunk plays down the field one to Tyler Warren up the left sideline a couple other really good
throws to Michael Pittman Jr. And then they weren't able to finish it off at the
touchdown, but I thought they just moved the ball really well. And that was with him being
like just the catalyst of that entire drive. They think they ran the ball only one time on that
drive. So it was all throwing on that drive, get the ball into the red zone and get a field goal
there. And then Anthony Richardson comes out there and kind of even like one ups them, especially
when you factor in that Richardson was out there with the backups, where Daniel Jones is out there
with most of the starters, Richardson comes out and just does everything that you want to see from
Anthony Richardson. A couple of left sideline throws where he is setting perfectly to that left
sideline on the money throws. That tight end throw to the deep corner throw to Drew Ogletree
was a really, really nice back shoulder pass from him. And they were able to cap it off with a
touchdown from Tyler Goodson. So I really liked what I saw from both these quarterbacks today.
I think Richardson gave you a little bit more overall because he had the one drive where he was
efficient underneath, but you also got a couple
flash plays from him where Jones, again, I still think
that vertical throws were a little bit off or a little bit
late, and like the Tyler Warren throw was a good
completion, but we probably want that a little bit crisper.
And in a real game, Tyler Warren might have taken a pretty bad hit
there on the sidelines. So I think it could have been better
there, but overall, I think both these quarterbacks put their best
foot forward. And I think the Colts have all the information
they need to make a decision at quarterback prior
to this next week. So hopefully we get that decision from Shane Stike and his staff sometime
early this week. But I think they've gotten a lot of good data on these quarterbacks all
off season and both these guys put their best foot forward in their final showing before that
decision. Well, I think Daniel Jones was efficient. You had mentioned efficient in terms of
Richardson. But, you know, Daniel Jones gives us that all the time. He's, he's reliable in the role
that he plays, and I thought he did fairly well. But with Richardson, what I was looking for
was, you know, was he going to have command of the offense? You know, was he going to do a lot of
the little things, right? Was he going to be mechanical? Because Richardson, let's face it,
just presents more of a wow factor when it comes to the quarterbacking position. And I got to
tell you, the defense responds, too, especially when there's like an RPO, you know, it makes
the defense hesitate just a second because you don't want a big old six, four, 244 pound guy coming
out there to run you over. So I think Richardson has the advantage that way. He looked nice
and crisp, you know, running the place. And I think the best pass he threw was that one to Ogletree,
because he threw it before the receiver even turned his head.
So that anticipation that I spoke about last time we talked,
and that's just knowing the offense, knowing your receivers,
knowing where they're going to be.
And as a good receiver, you know that if you turn your head
and you see the ball on its way,
that chances are you're probably not going to get your clock clean.
Ball's not going to be late.
Ball's early.
So you're going to have a chance to make the catch
and potentially make a move.
So really impressed with the throw he made to Oval Tree down the field because it was great anticipation.
And if he can show more of that, then there is no question who the starter is going to be because Richardson is more of a threat running the football.
And contemporary professional football does involve the quarterback being able to be elusive, get Dan field and make some plays with his legs.
you know, and he's supreme to Daniel Jones in that regard.
But he had to clean up a lot of things that I think he did clean up in this game.
He just looked more in command, you know, running the offense, doing the little things,
and look like a guy if I'm a running back in that huddle, it's like, okay, I can follow this guy.
Yeah, and you mentioned it, Alan, and that's the biggest thing for me.
I mean, we can sit here and talk about accuracy and all these other things,
making the right reads, like all these things that obviously are,
to competent quarterback play that Anthony Richardson needs.
But I think something else, guys, that he needs is just to look like he is poised
and in command. And I thought he looked poised and in command and in rhythm.
You know, sometimes he'll have a great throw. And then the next play, he'll put something
at somebody's ankles or over their head or, you know, whatever else or not make the right
read. And it just felt like he was kind of stacking the good throws on top of one
another on that first drive, Zach. Yeah. And I think the best part about Anthony Richardson, too,
in this showing was when he had some poor moments when the moments weren't great well you know when he had
the rpr decision where he held the ball too long on that third down and had the penalty which took away
the first down he comes back the next play with a scramble for the first down on third and ten a really
really nice scramble to get them past the sticks you go back to his very last drive where i know the play
didn't count but the plays before that he's had balls bat at the line of scrimmage a couple of pressures
uh but then he comes back with that absolute beauty to anthony gould down the field which was the best
play of the game by either team that got taken away for a penalty on that. So I liked his ability
to bounce back from the negative plays, but also like you mentioned, Derek, on his first drive,
just the ability to string together completions and keep that drive efficient. That was, I think,
one of the most efficient drives we've seen from Richardson in a long time, arguably in his NFL
career. And I know it's preseason. They're playing against the Packers backups. The Colts had most of
their backups out there, too, with Richardson, to be fair on both sides. But still, you just want to
see the processes be correct with Anthony Richardson. That's what I saw on that first drive was
the processes were good, mechanics were good, the accuracy was on point. So everything you
want to see from Anthony Richardson following that Thursday game against the Ravens last week where
he got knocked out early because of a mistake comes back in this one. Doesn't make many mistakes,
doesn't make the big mistake especially, and leads them to the only touchdown drive of the
preseason from either of these cold quarterbacks. So I think Anthony Richardson did everything
he could to really put his best foot forward and make this a decision for the Colts.
And Shane Seichen's going to have to choose between, look, Daniel Jones gives us more efficient
offense.
We can stay ahead of the sticks, but we're probably not going to convert many if we're in
third and five plus with Daniel Jones.
Whereas when you look at Anthony Richardson, yes, you lose a little bit in the sustainability
of drives, in the success rate of drives.
But he is the guy where you're in third and 10, third and 12, you have a better chance
of converting with him.
like we saw in that final play that he had in this game to Anthony Gould.
If it wasn't a penalty, that's a 38-yard gain on third and 10 backed up on your own six or seven.
You're just not getting that with Daniel Jones.
You are getting that with Anthony Richardson.
So it's going to be a decision for Shane Stuyken, which option he wants to go with there.
But I'm glad it's a decision because of how both these guys played positively today.
You know, and sometimes you can make a good decision when something bad happens.
When he got sacked, that was clearly a bust by the office.
offensive line. And a lot of times, you know, just take the sack and live to play the next
down, which I thought was good on his part instead of scrambling and trying to make a hero
play, take the sack, you got another down. So that to me spoke to, you know, maybe there's
a little maturity starting to creep in in his third year that, you know, not every play
is going to be a good play. And sometimes the defense wins. The defense clearly won on that
particular play. But, you know, I look at body language a lot. And after that sack,
he wasn't demoralized. He just got up, got back in the huddle, went to the next play. So
that to me is a sign of maturity. Like I said, sometimes bad things happen in the game. And you
just have to flush it and go to the next play. Yeah, you know, honestly, guys, and it's rare that
I've been saying this for either of these quarterbacks, I was left wanting more with Richardson.
Like, when they got the ball back, after the turnover, I'm thinking,
this is perfect.
A red zone situation, right?
I mean, I think they're on the 22 or 23,
but essentially a red zone situation,
which he has struggled with in camp.
And because of the penalty,
that one never really kind of got going.
And then, you know,
then he had a two-minute offense chance at the end.
I thought, oh, wow, this is great
because he looked great in the two-minute offense
and to cap the joint practice with the Packers.
And then that one kind of never got off the ground.
So I'm nitpicking a little bit.
It was still a great day overall from Anthony Richardson.
But it was kind of like, you know,
I sat down to have the great meal and I was still a little bit hungry
afterwards and I mean that like in a positive way if that makes sense yeah I mean again it's so it's
much better than what we got last Thursday I think Richardson especially needed this I think what
Daniel Jones did today was kind of what we know and expect from him where he came out there made
the plays that were available and open to him didn't do it didn't push anything didn't go crazy
had a couple misses here and there a very Daniel Jones showing if Daniel Jones didn't play in
this game we'd have the same opinion as we had coming in of Daniel Jones but because Richardson had
that showing last Thursday against the Ravens where on his fourth play made that mistake with the
bullets flying and we haven't really seen anything else from him in the preseason. He needed, again,
this kind of showing to put his best foot forward. So I really like that Richard was able to come
out here and do what he did. And personally to me, because again, you saw in this game the ability
to go down there and get a touchdown by leading an efficient offense and then you also saw the wow
plays, for me, that should decide the quarterback, the quarterback conversation here where like, look,
this young player that you need to get better on first and second down has shown that this
offseason.
He's shown it in a preseason game now.
I don't know what else more he has to prove at this point.
And if it doesn't work out, you have this very stable thing in Daniel Jones behind him anyway.
You can always go back to the Daniel Jones.
But you owe it to yourselves to give Anthony Richardson this shot, especially when he's coming
out here and doing this.
Like if he completely imploded in this game and went like one of 10 passing and was just abysmal,
then I understand going with Daniel Jones.
But him coming back out there, being healthy, putting that best foot forward, like I said, 10 times here in this segment here, and showing this cold staff that he can do it in an actual game setting as well.
I think you owe it to yourselves to give him this one more chance.
And look, if he blows it, then again, you have this very, very stable thing in Daniel Jones behind him.
But you have to swing for the fences first before you, you know, come back to Earth and try to just get on base after that with Daniel Jones.
Well, you know, I'm in agreement with you.
But by virtue of the fact that he's the fourth pick in the draft,
you know, upper management has some pressure on them because they made the pick.
So he's got a lot longer leash to show if the guys upstairs are brilliant or if they're dumb.
So he's going to get plenty of opportunities.
But I think in this case, I think he showed enough for them to say, yeah, we owe this guy a chance to show.
what he potentially can do in a real live situation.
When do you think that decision will come?
Do we think we'll have clarity on that this week?
Because I'll make it a queen sweep.
I'm in agreement too.
At this point, these guys aren't going to separate any more than they already have.
I think the default is to just go with Richardson anyway
because I think there's more to gain there and you can always fall back to Jones.
So I think we're all in agreement here.
but do we get that decision in an hour?
Do we get it later this week?
Does that happen at some point?
I mean, it's got to happen at some point, Zach,
but is it imminent the decision?
Yeah, personally, I would like to get that decision on Monday or Tuesday at the latest
because you want to get a good chunk of practices in
with your true starting quarterback,
getting all the reps out there with the starting offense,
especially when, again, you have a new starting center,
you have a new starting right guard,
you have receivers working back from injury.
I know that they've been working together all off season,
but get the full reps in now while you can here in August,
and then obviously leading into that first game.
I don't want them to drag this into the week of the first game, for instance,
because then you're splitting reps in a week where you need to get, you know,
the right play calls on time and the chemistry really built up there.
So I would like it regardless of who they pick.
I would prefer to be like Monday, Tuesday this week,
go into this final preseason game, knowing who your starter is,
and just building those reps in practice that you've already kind of worked on,
but like fully giving those reps to your true starter, now the rest of camp.
Yeah, I kind of like it being up in the air, just in terms of the gamesmanship for the opponent,
you know, the opponent having to prepare for both quarterbacks.
I kind of like it being up in the air, but internally, internally,
letting them know, okay, AR, you're the starter, and or make it, when you can,
come out to the press, announce it as a 1A and 1B.
You know, both guys are in our mind starters.
We're going to give them both them the same amount of tickets to disperse to people
because that's how you determine the starter from a backup is a number of tickets.
But I'd say 1A, 1B just to keep the defense on their toes and have to prepare for more things.
but inside those walls, they will know who the starter is.
Yeah, I'm fine with them not telling me.
They can go the whole week without telling me.
I just want someone to know inside the organization by the next couple of days.
Me, I mean, look, Adam Schefter is going to get it to us regardless the second decision is made
because that's just his job.
He's in the walls, basically, of every facility.
But I would like just the decision internally at least be made here as soon as possible.
Like, let these guys know where they stand.
and go from there.
And the important thing is that we're coming off two very good performances.
I think Daniel Jones, I know we barely touched on him, but I thought Jones was
outside of the first series is good today.
And I thought Richardson was mostly very good today.
And that's better than picking the least underwhelming quarterback.
So I think the Colts are in a good spot to make that decision right now.
But while there were things like the quarterback play to be encouraged about on the field today,
we'll have something that we're all feeling very discouraged about in the wake of Colts Packers.
We'll tell you what that is next when the Colt Squad show returns.
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And we're back on the Colts Squad Show. Thanks so much for joining us right after Colts
and Packers. I'm your host Derek Schultz alongside Zach Hicks from Locked on Colts.
and Jake Arthur should be joining us.
He's over at Lucasolo Stadium right now
with the post game press conferences and all of that,
so he should be here before the conclusion of the show.
And then, of course, Alan Pinkett,
the former Notre Dame legend and longtime NFL running back
as well as we are not only talking Colts Packers,
but just talking about where the Colts sit now,
two thirds of the way through the preseason
and with training camp now in the rearview mirror.
And guys, like I said, you know,
a lot of encouraging things on the field today.
And we'll talk about some of the other standout performers
and things like that.
But I don't know how, you know,
Outside of the quarterbacks, I think the number one storyline, Zach, the injuries is just brutal.
Braden Smith had a groin injury.
Brake-Freeland left the game with a serious leg injury in the offensive line.
They're already pretty banged up.
Tyler Goodson, who's been one of the best stories of the offseason for the Colts,
scored a touchdown today, left with his arm in a brace, was listed with an elbow injury.
Hunter Waller, who's been another great camp story, seventh round pick.
He left with a foot injury.
Jonathan Edwards, who's fighting for one of those last quarterback spots.
He had a concussion.
I think I'm missing a couple of others.
that ended up out.
I mean, that's just the list that I had.
The walking wounded right now are the Colts.
A very quiet start to camp as far as the injuries are concerned.
But man, the last seven to ten days really, really rough.
Yeah, it's just been unfortunate, man.
It's the unfortunate part of football.
And there's no one really to blame.
I know a lot of people will say, oh, it's on the training staff
for not making these people impervious to injuries somehow.
You know, injuries just happen.
It's a physical game and they tend to happen.
You could obviously do things with the field to make injuries, you know,
ability lesser, but it's just unfortunate what it is now.
And yeah, the Colts are dealing with what?
They're cornerback like five or six out there on the outside.
And then we go to strong safety and they're down to,
I don't even know who's going to be out there at strong safety going.
Daniel Scott, Ronnie Thomas going to strong safety.
I don't want him at strong safety.
I guess you flip over behind him to strong safety and put Thomas at free because
Woler and Cross are both out right now.
I don't know what happens with the ninth offensive lineman.
now with Blake Freeland likely out for, I'm guessing, the entire season.
And then also with Tyler Goodson being a potentially serious injury because they put the aircast on his elbow,
which typically signifies a break.
I don't want to speculate anything on here.
I'm not a doctor, but that did scare me a little bit when I saw how they wrapped that up.
How does this change the running back room?
Does Khalil Herbert get a chance to get back in there?
Oh, but he also didn't play today with an injury.
So maybe he doesn't.
At least his family had a really strong game.
a couple of really good strong performances all season.
Is that enough to be a guy they trust as RB3 when the regular season comes around?
They are really banged up right now.
Hopefully, like, I guess luckily they have like three weeks until week one.
So they have time to get healthy.
But as of right now, you know, you see these injuries piling up and you see more opportunities
now for guys at the bottom of the roster.
And some of these guys really stood up.
So it's good to see for that.
But you just want these guys to get healthy.
hold them out as long as you can now. First week is in three weeks and get them ready for that
first game. But man, let's get some healthy guys out there. It's tough right now. You know,
a hundred years ago when I played training camp, we hit every day. I mean, we would be lucky to
have, you know, just to practice in shorts and t-shirts with our helmets on. But I don't know
if more people got injured
way back when I played
or now it seems like the
injuries are the same
and it just seems like
training camp takes its toll
no matter if you're hitting
every day or not hitting every day
you're still putting the strain
on the body
but again with the injuries
that they sustained
you got to have that
next man up mentality
and if you are
fourth on the death chart or fifth on the death chart, you have to, as much as you hate to see
one of your brothers go down, it's your chance to step up. So you take opportunity any way
you can. And looking at the running back room, to me, it looks like that Ulysses Bentley is the one
guy who said, this is my chance to step up. I thought he played well last week, you know,
against the Ravens.
But, you know, he was good out of the backfield catching passes.
He ran with, you know, some determination.
And so to me, it looks like he's trying to make his mark,
despite the fact that there are injuries there.
And it's just going to have to happen across the board.
Again, I mentioned the defensive backroom has been hit the hardest.
So the linebackers and the defensive line are going to have to play even harder.
But fortunately, you do have time.
And there's a lot more people I'd love to see out on the field at least one time before the regular season that haven't been there yet.
So, you know, hopefully they can get good reps in practice, you know, get their body to a position where they're ready for a game so that when they come out on the first game of the regular season, they're smoking.
Yeah, and Ulysses Bentley the 4th, besides being part of the Colts all-time, all-name team, if he were to make the team.
Slippery and SEC guy?
Yeah, you know, you never know.
You know, guys come off, especially running backs, kind of go from off the radar or on the radar very quickly.
It'd be an interesting story.
But, Zach, how much does this impact these roster decisions?
Because now, you know, I'm thinking even if you make the team, just with where the injury situation is, you're probably not feeling great.
if you're 51, 52, or 53, because then when the other waiver wires kind of go on,
I mean, you're not feeling great no matter what, but especially considering that there are
going to be some de facto roster additions that if the Colts were more healthy than this,
some of these players would not be included on the final 53, Matt.
Yeah, absolutely.
I think the number one position we got to talk about is cornerback right now because with the
cornerback room, Wally's out for the season.
So he's not going to count towards any roster, like, cut down thing, because he is currently
out for the season, but Jalen Jones and Juju Brents, we don't know how long they're going to be
out.
You know, this could be an IR situation for either of these guys.
It could be them back next week.
But as of right now, they are taking up spots on the roster and then not playing at all.
We don't know how long they're going to be out.
So then that factors in, you could take like seven or eight corners now because you're
going to need injury replacements for those guys.
So players like Chris Lamont steps up today, has a really great game and makes a great case
to make the team.
Jonathan Edwards was getting run with the first team,
but then left this game with concussion as well.
I think Alex Johnson had a pretty solid showing
through two preseason games as well.
So you don't know, like if those guys make the initial roster,
though, how long are they going to be on the team?
And then another thing we have to factor into that, too,
is that Tyler Goodson went down with an injury
that could be a pretty serious one.
That's your start at Gunner.
What's the next position coming up for Gunner?
If it's not going to be Goodson at running back,
it's probably going to be a corner.
So now all of a sudden this cornerback depth chart is not only factoring who can play on the field on defense, it's also factoring who can play Gunner because they're going to need another guy out there.
So now, again, a guy like Duke Shelley, who I think has been a tackling machine at Corner this off season, maybe he becomes a guy that could step in there at Gunner.
And then another position we haven't talked about, too, is just the offensive line with Blake Freeland.
I know that he was not likely going to win that swing tackle job, especially when Travis stepped in at left tackle.
but the Colts traditionally like to keep
9 to 10 offensive linemen
and right now I'd say they really only have 8
with Freeland down and only one tackle
to back up their two starters
which by the way neither of them played today due to an injury
or Smith played and then got hurt
Ryman didn't play today because of presumably an injury
there so they're going to want a fourth offensive tackle
now is that going to be Luke Tanuda
who came in there and was fine
replacing Blake Freeland
or do they go more of the veteran route
to have just a stable presence
as your ninth guy.
But then you have the other argument, like, what stable veteran tackle is out there in August
in the NFL when nobody has good tackles across the league?
So, yeah, there's a lot of things to consider.
And I do think that, like, those last five or six spots on the roster, given how much
we, how little we know about the injuries, could be in such turmoil the first, like,
couple weeks of the season just because they got to keep moving guys on and off the roster,
placing guys on IR, bringing in waiver claims.
I think there's going to be a lot of movement when it comes.
to the bottom of this Colts roster because of the injuries.
And I would say that when you look at the offensive linemen
and you look at the defensive backs from an overall team sort of scope,
you're going to have more defensive backs, you know, playing special teams.
So maybe you keep more of those and maybe you pick a guy up off the street
to play right tackle or backup left tackle because they won't have to play.
as much special teams.
I think about the continuity of the entire team
and you've got more wiggle room
when you can bring in an offensive lineman
than, say, bring in a defensive back
and he's got to learn coverage that he's never seen before.
So there's going to be plenty of moves
that the people upstairs are going to make
that they, I hopefully feel,
will be for the benefit of the overall team.
But it's just, it's hard to hold that roster spot when dude hadn't taken a snap.
It's just hard to hold that because you got to have some reassurance that, look, this person that I'm paying,
they got to be able to go out there and make it happen, even though they haven't gotten out on the field.
So there's a little bit of trust involved there, too.
So I don't envy the position of management with this particular roster.
But I figure if there's going to be places where they've got to make some moves,
I would probably pick up an offensive lineman, you know, at the final cut, then pick up another D.B.
Yeah, I mean, I think I're going to pick up a couple of people, ultimately, whereas they might not have.
I mean, certainly a corner.
And that's what stinks about this whole conversation, guys, is that, you know, you're looking at six weeks ago,
you were looking at this depth chart being like, man, and Wally and Jones and Brent's, and then
And Womack, oh my God, he's played a whole bunch.
And he knows this team, even though obviously a new scheme and all that.
And then you add Ward.
And now it's just, yeah, you still got Ward at the top.
But the rest of it just feels like it's a mass unit.
And I think some of those players have performed admirably considering.
I mean, Jonathan Edwards, we just mentioned left with a concussion.
He's had some moments.
Alex Johnson had the great play in Baltimore and has been okay.
You know, the guy's fighting for these jobs have performed pretty well.
but you just don't want to be in a position
where you have to rely on those guys.
Those are supposed to be like extreme depth guys
and now here we are.
But with offensive linemen, it's the same thing.
It's kind of like, you know, Alan, we were talking about glasses
because luckily I located mine.
They're kind of like the burner glasses.
Offensive linemen, you know, the backups are just the ones
that you leave around the house.
You want to, the Colts always want to carry 10 guys
because they just want to have a big pool
to kind of reach into.
And now, unfortunately, they're going to
have to probably reach pretty deeply into it,
especially at tackle.
Let's talk about the game when we come back.
Who's surging at the right time and who needs to turn it around as the Colts wrap up camp
and start to wrap up the preseason in a couple of days?
We'll play stock up and stock down next on the Colts squad show.
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lowest price, guaranteed. And we're back on the Locked On Colts Squad Show. I'm your host, Derek Schultz.
Thanks so much for hanging with us on this very warm Saturday afternoon in the wake of Colts and Packers,
Zach Hicks from Locked-on Colts here as well, as is Alan Pinkett, and we hope
to be joined by Jake Arthur at some point before the conclusion of today's show.
The Colts ended up losing to the Green Bay Packers, 23 to 19.
I think that was the final score.
It's a preseason game.
So I'll be honest, I don't really care.
Jolani Woods had that great catch from Jason Bean.
We thought it was a catch.
Turns out it wasn't a catch.
So the Packers end up winning in thrilling fashion.
So the Colts fall to 0 and 2 in the preseason.
But let's talk individual performers, guys.
Some stock up, stock down.
And I don't necessarily just mean the last three and a half hours, what we just saw.
But maybe take into account the joint practices against Green Bay, maybe like the last week
or so, somebody stock up and stock down.
I swear, Zach, I'm not doing this to be trolling.
Somebody that's way stock up for me, Spencer Schrader, 56-yard field.
I mean, he is firmly, firmly the Colts kicker.
And that's what you want to see.
You want to see somebody go out and win the job.
Props to Spencer Schrader, he went out and he won the job.
Yeah, Derek, I will say this.
The only thing I hate more than a kicker is a bad kicker.
So as long as he's making his kicks, you know, we're fine.
We're fine.
As long as it's what people say about it like a good left tackle is like as long as I never hear your name,
you're doing your job.
Well, as long as I never hear Spencer Schrader brought up in a conversation the rest of the season,
I think we're doing pretty good with him this season.
So, yeah, hats off to Spencer Schroeder.
Like all joking aside and all my typical kicker hater stuff here aside,
hats off to him for coming out and having a great camp.
And, you know, I think Brian Mason said,
He made like over 87% of his kicks in camp so far.
He's only missed one kick in the preseason.
And that's with taking, what, 350-yard kicks?
Very good job from Spencer Trader.
And I'm glad he's been able to win this job here.
But going to positions I actually like here now, Derek, talking about cornerback.
I think Jonathan Edwards and Chris Lamonts have really done a lot this offseason to move themselves up the depth chart.
And I wanted to say it at the end of the last segment, but I know we were getting close on time there.
But, you know, Edwards was a guy where earlier in the preseason, it was like, yeah, this could be a player that we could sneak on the practice squad, a six foot one, 200-pound guy who runs a 4-4.
Like, this is a good developmental piece for this team.
Now we're almost out of the preseason.
And we're at the point where it's like, oh, my gosh, like he got a concussion.
That stinks for our team going forward.
And it's not only because he's like the only healthy guy, it's because he's had a pretty good camp.
He's been getting run with the first team, a lot of camp.
he's still a young intriguing player so i think edwards has just put his best best foot forward i think
think that's just what my catchphrase going to be today uh it keeps coming back to my head but chris lamon's
a player who has been a free agent most of the off season here the colts needed more help in that db room
with recent injuries he comes in here takes kenny moore's place the second kennie goes down
and he just does what he's been doing the last couple years where it's just steady good special
teams play a good tackler can make plays on the ball a little bit grabby for some reason that was
the only penalty they weren't throwing today was pass interference on the defense, it felt like.
But I can live with that in the preseason.
Like, I'd rather you just be physical with receivers, again, just do what you can to show up for
this coaching staff.
And this is the guy that they know.
So Chris Lamont, Jonathan Edwards, I think they really have helped themselves, especially
with the injuries in front of them.
But the stock is very high for both those guys.
And I wouldn't be shocked to see both those guys make the initial 53.
Well, Derek, I share your Spencer Strater and love for other reasons that the fact that he was smart enough to lead UCF and go to Notre Dame for a year.
So I'm always going to heap praise on those that come from the Golden Dome.
But in all seriousness, that's a heck of a weapon.
When you know, once you get close to the 50 or cross to the 50, you're going to get poor.
points. And, you know, that's just one of those, if that picker can be that reliable,
it just makes all the difference in the world for an offense. But sticking with the offense,
I would have to go with Anthony Gold. You know, I think that, you know, he's just made his presence
felt not just on returns, but every single quarterback has found him some kind of way.
Yeah, they've found a way to get the ball to them, and that's another, if you can be reliable,
I don't know how many reps he's going to be able to get, you know, with a pitman and the rest of the receivers there.
But he's proven to be reliable.
He's built that trust with all the quarterbacks that, you know, that slot position, you know,
is going to be, you know, like the checkdown or the sure catch because I don't want to.
want to go 18, 20 yards down the field.
But gold has proven to be elusive after he catches it, too.
So it's just another weapon for the receivers to have, you know,
and you can't have too many of them because you don't want to have one guy that's so good
that he's going to get doubled and nobody catches a pass now.
So I think, you know, by them spreading the love and being able to include another receiver to the already very good stable of receivers that they have, it's only going to help them and help both quarterbacks too.
You know, the quarterbacks can't have enough weapons either to throw the football too.
Absolutely. Sorry for the, I have a camera issue there.
My webcam went out for a little bit there.
But yeah, I agree with you.
You know, Gould and just the receivers in general.
have had a really impressive, I think, training camp and offseason so far.
But one that I was actually just kind of leaning towards stock down.
And I don't want to be too harsh of a greater here because,
but we've praised him on the show.
So I want to make sure, like my bar of expectations for A.D. Mitchell is rising as
has risen.
And for me, Zach, it's just kind of like, I want to see him put it all together when the lights are on.
And I understand the preseason is not really the lights are on,
but the preseason is more lights on than I'm in.
shorts in Westfield at you know 11 in the morning on a wednesday um and i just haven't quite seen
it from him when the lights are on and i'll leave my judgment until the actual season starts but as
we're waiting you know we see the traits and we see the potential with ad mitchell but i want to see
it kind of in game time sort of consistently come for him and i'm still sort of left wanting more
yeah i think i said on our wednesday show when we went when we did that one where it's like the thing
with A.D. Mitchell is he is so good when he's the primary target, when he is the guy
involved in the play, when the ball is going to him, but he needs to improve away from the
ball when he is either not the main target when he's blocking, when he's running those
rub routes, when he's just staying on side. I mean, I'm not trying to be too snarky with that
one, but that was a big hit to this close offense in that first half, was just not lining up
correctly and staying on side. That's the easiest thing you can do in the NFL is just line up
pre-play. So, I mean, I guess you can't tell that from watching this game. That's one of the
easiest things you can do. But it is. I promise. One of the easier things. But yeah, with A.D.
Mitchell, it's just things need to click in terms of the full package for him. Right now,
he has shown, I think, this preseason, that he can be a really good specialist, a guy that you
bring in and maybe gets like a 30% target share when he's on the field that he did last year,
because when you throw him in the ball, he is a really good player. It's just we need to get him
more involved with doing the little things. This is where our
Pollock Pierce really shined as a player for the Colts in his first couple of years where
even when they had Gardner Minchu out there, they had Matt Ryan out there, guys who
couldn't get him the ball in the vertical plane like he wanted, he was still out there
blocking extremely well.
He was still out there doing the little things, hitting his peas and cues and cues and
making the offense effective.
And one of our commenters saying exactly what I actually told a couple people the other
day, A.D. Mitchell's kind of what Ben Mathuron was a couple years ago for the Pacers, where
he has this so unique skill set that makes him different.
different from every other player in that receiver room.
But when it comes to how the system is played, he's kind of the outlier in the system.
So he needs to learn how to play within the system and be a complementary player
instead of just being a guy who performs well when he is targeted.
So, yeah, I think A.D. Mitchell has all the talent in the world,
but there just needs to be so much of his game that's cleaned up.
I thought in that Ravens game that he was struggling quite a bit when it came to what he was doing
on RPO plays and getting to his landmarks and helping guys.
get open and then I think that carried over today where again when he wasn't the main guy we got
that really bad holding play that that wiped I mean Anthony Gould I mean 80 Mitchell needs to buy Anthony Gould
some dinner or something this week because he took away like 60 receiving yards from Anthony Gould in
this game from holding and from the off sides so maybe they need to make up in the locker room
because I'd be upset if I were Anthony Gould but yeah it just needs to get better away from the ball
needs to get better when you are not the main target and that comes with maturity but it is
something where, again, we've had this conversation with Anthony Richardson. We've had
this conversation with other players. The NFL is not for long if you can't figure this stuff
out. So he does need to figure this stuff out. But again, it's still preseason. This is where
you iron this stuff out. We're not going to see 30 penalties a game in the regular season,
hopefully. So get it out of your system now and be much cleaner come regular season time.
The holding penalty was unfortunate. And when I saw them flag him, I immediately thought he
you, Zach, about what you do away from the football, away from the play, what's your responsibility
is. And yes, some of the calls were a little ticky-tack could have gone either way, but you don't
put yourself in that position when you're not, you know, on the side of the play. So, and those
are things you're going to learn. And I'm in agreement with you also that he owes dinner to
Anthony Gold.
Right.
Yes.
I'm trying to think of other stock down.
I think some of the guys fighting for like that fifth linebacker spot, Shigoo,
Alubi and Austin Ajake, I thought they've had their struggles in this preseason.
Alubi with that just dreadful mistackle and open field when he was running with the threes out
there that led to the Packers first score, or I guess it was their field goal before half time.
Ajake got beat really bad on the wheel route and some of his run fits have been not as ideal.
so I would say kind of stocked down with those linebackers there.
And then I still kind of think just the nose tackle,
whatever the heck the backup nose tackle is,
I think Tim Smith had a good day today because he forced that fumble.
But overall, just like, there's nobody that's stepping up in terms of that backup
nose tackle.
I think the run defense was better today,
but they're still not really that guy where I'm saying like,
oh, cool, like Eric Johnson's taking that job or Josh Tupo is taking that job
or Tim Smith is taking that job.
And I guess I would say just stock down to all those guys.
this was a prime opportunity to get a roster spot.
And I just don't know if any of those guys have really taken it.
Tim Smith took a step in the right direction today, though.
I will say that for him.
But overall, through camp, I would say stocked down for like that backup nose tackle behind Grover Stewart.
And hold that thought, Zach, because we're going to talk about exactly that when we come back.
One of the toughest position group decisions looming here for the Colts.
We'll discuss when the Colts Squad show continues.
And back for a final time here on the Colts squad show, sponsored by Game Time.
I'm your host Derek Schultz, Zach Hicks from Lockedon Colts and Alan Pinkett, former NFLer and all-time leading rusher when he left Notre Dame.
He says 100 years ago.
It wasn't that long.
It wasn't 40 years ago.
Let's go ahead and we'll get that right there.
And we'll also share some, I have some last observations from Colts Packers for a couple of just kind of like almost like bullet points tidbits type things before we exit stage.
here for our Colts Squad show.
But, you know, I wanted to talk about the position groups, guys, that that'll come down
to the toughest decisions.
I think we've spent a lot of time on, on cornerback being one of those.
But I think the linebackers, in a way, is going to be tough.
Just to fill out the depth, I think we have an idea of, you know, Bachi and Franklin
and the guys at the very top, McGrone, et cetera.
But when you kind of look at the back, you're thinking of yourself, you know,
are some of those guys even on the roster right now, Zach?
are those still yet to be determined maybe waiver wire pickups at least one as far as that's
concerned? Yeah, and this is actually something I bounced around with Jake when we did our
roster projection was do the Colts only keep four linebackers? I think that's hard to do that
because Carlize is hurt right now and Franklin's been banged up all preseason. So I do think
it's hard to make that argument. But when you're looking at this, you have four guys that have
made their case to make the team in McGrown, Bacchi, Carlize, and Franklin. Honestly, Carlyse has
it made a big case, but just because you invested in him where they did last year,
he's going to make the team.
Right, right.
Those are your four guys that make it.
But outside of that, I don't think another guy has stepped up to make the roster.
And when you factor in that this defense is not going to run three linebackers on the field,
pretty much ever.
It's going to be a lot of nickel.
It's going to be dime.
Hunter Woller is going to play some linebacker as well.
So you could factor him in that linebacker room.
I don't know if you feel the pressing need to keep one of a Luby or a jockey in the final
cutdowns.
So this might not just be a, you know, a jockey versus a luby.
It could be a jockey versus a luby versus just nobody at that fifth linebacker spot.
And I think that will ultimately come down to when Carlize is back and when Franklin's in a full go in practice.
Because, yes, we can certainly get like another special teamer out there.
But in terms of like playing on defense, there's four guys ahead of them now that are going to play on defense.
And it would take a massive string of injuries, which knock on wood can certainly happen.
but I don't think that we're going to see this fifth linebacker play defense, and unless this is like a true elite special teamers, like maybe they view that like a luby like that. I don't know if they're going to feel like a pressing need to keep that fifth guy.
Well, I think until Franklin gets in there full time, we're going to continue to see these other guys. And I think that's going to be one of those decisions that comes right down to the wire. So it's open competition right now because Franklin, there's.
proven he can be reliable and he can, you know, make all the plays.
And it is nasty on that final day, you know, don't be surprised that they only keep three
linebackers, especially because that, you know, strong safety nickel position can be sort
of a hybrid linebacker position.
But those guys just have to see if you've heard this phrase before.
Put your best foot forward.
Yeah.
Alan's taking my whole thing here.
To try and ensure a spot and make it so that four linebackers is without question the way to go.
The other one too, guys, and this is far, you know, cornerback and offensive line and some of these, these are high stakes, right?
The fourth and fifth tight end aren't high stakes.
But I think we know what the tight end depth chart looks like.
But, Zach, with the way he's played, I understand that he's in there with Jason Bean.
And generally, if you're playing with Jason Bean, that probably doesn't speak well to your chances of making the roster.
But, man, I feel like Jelani Woods has done everything you could have asked him to do for the most part this offseason.
And there's probably not going to be room at the end for him.
Could he get onto the practice squad?
Or maybe is this just a case where he's auditioning for somebody else?
I think it's the case where he's probably auditioning for someone else.
I think they've made their decision with that tight-end room.
I think it's going to be Will Mallory, but I'm with you.
Like, it is so difficult to cut a former top 100 pick who has been plagued by injuries the last two years, for sure.
Like, hasn't touched the field in the regular season game in the last two years, but he's doing everything right right now.
Like, he's making plays in camp, making plays in the preseason, really showing out for whoever his next team is going to be.
It's just at the end of the day, you know, you need your tight ends to be either an outstanding specialist or they need to be like all-around guys.
So like Warren's your all-around guy, Ogletree and Mo.
or your big time blocking specialist.
And then you get Will Mallory,
who is more of your, like, reliable pass catcher.
I think Woods really needed to show out
that he could be like an elite player
on the vertical plane this offseason
to make a case for that final roster spot.
And it just didn't really happen.
And the thing is you can't keep Woods over
like a Moe Alley Cox or a Drew Ogletree
because then you only have one blocking tight end on the roster
and you want to be a running football this year.
You need at least two blocking tight ends on the roster.
I know Tyler Warren's kind of a bit of both, but still, you want, like, guys who could protect Warren and keep Warren as a pass catcher.
So, yeah, ultimately, I think that this is him auditioning for other teams.
Maybe you can call a team like Miami who has had a lot of tight end issues this offseason and get, like, a late pick or get one of their roster bubble guys back at the end of it.
But it does feel unfortunate, though, that Jolani Woods is probably going to be on the outside looking in.
Just because I think he's done everything right this off season.
And it's just you have Warren coming in, who's your shining new toy.
You have Will Mallory.
He's had the best camp of his life.
And those are the two guys that he's been fighting with.
And I just don't know if there's another way for him to make this roster outside of beating one of those guys.
And I just don't see it happening.
Well, Derek, I think you were smart in pointing out the fact who Jelani Woods was catching passes from.
Hadn't caught a pass from Anthony Richardson, hadn't caught a pass from Daniel Jones.
you know, so that is sort of one of those tell-tale signs that, hey, buddy, we're probably
going to let you go.
And I think that was the decision made early, early that he was going to be the sacrificial lamb.
But what a huge specimen, you know, tight ends just to me, those are your enforcers on offense,
unless, and I'm not discounting Quentin Nelson, you know, because that's, without a doubt,
your enforcer on offense.
But in terms of somebody beating up, you know, some of those defensive backs and linebackers
and being an enforcer on the field, tight end does that better than any other position.
And this guy is such a physical specimen, but you've got some really good ones on the death
chart ahead of them.
And usually when you're listed fifth, there's not much room for you to grow.
So I think what he's doing, at least what he's doing, at least,
what it looks like when I watch him is auditioning to, you know, be on another team.
Keep making plays.
That's how you make it on a team.
Just keep making plays.
Before we wrap up today, I had some other just things that I jotted down during the game.
And yes, I'm old enough where I still have like a yellow legal pad.
And I actually, when I'm not, you know, hyperventilating on Twitter,
I reach over and grab the yellow legal pad and jot some things down.
Something that I mentioned that kind of stood out to me.
and this is just one play, but it kind of underlines where we are with this player.
You know, everybody knows Laotu Latu's had a great camp and has really flashed
and has had a boatload of sacks.
In fact, they've whistled some plays dead.
I know Jake has talked about this.
That would be sure sacks.
He had even more than what he's been given.
But, man, Zach, that whiff on Malik Willis, and it's just kind of been his M.O.
Like he has to start turning those pressures into sacks.
It's almost like, to a lesser degree, you know, A.D. Mitchell can get open.
Can he catch the ball and produce with it?
Um, pressure's are great, but you want to be able to close the deal and too often, I feel like during his rookie year, especially we saw Latsu get back there, um, but not be able to close the deal.
Yeah, my snarky response to that is we got to start whistling the play down when he touches the quarterback as well in the actual games.
Like that might help him get those sack numbers up.
But yeah, I'm optimistic for Latu, Latu, but I do think that this was going to be an issue that was going to take some time because a lot of the mits sacks are coming from him not being this like elite elite athlete.
very good athlete. Don't get me wrong. But some of it is to do with like just the lack of
Ben, the lack of power and those two things coming together when he's trying to wrap up the
quarterback. And especially someone like Malik Willis, Malik Willis is a one of one athlete at
quarterback. He's not Anthony Richardson, but he's as close as you get to like that Richardson,
Lamar Jackson level of athlete back there. So it's hard to go like too crazy about him missing
that sack because a lot of guys miss sacks on Malik Willis. But at the end of the day, when it's
an issue that showed up last year and it's carrying now into this game, it is a reason
to be a little bit concerned.
So, yeah, it is certainly one of the plays in the first half where I was also like, man,
like we got to finish those this year, lot too.
He's going to have a full season to show that he can finish plays like that, but that was
a concerning moment where it's like everything right to get the pressure, but we got to finish
those plays.
That is the difference between winning and losing is those big time negative plays, especially
nowadays on defense like defense is not going to just smother teams and hold them to 50 yards a game
maybe like back when allen played you know where some of these defenses were just fantastic and
able to do that nowadays like a lot of winning on defense is forcing negative plays and taking the
ball away and sacks are a huge part of that when it comes to the defensive linemen so look pressures are
awesome they can impact quarterbacks and they can force turnovers and they can force incomplete passes
But the real great pass rushers, obviously, are the guys who get the sacks, force the fumbles, and take the ball away for your defense.
Yeah, the ones that complete the job making $40 million.
Right, exactly.
You know, and that's an elite group.
But, you know, I will say keep up the pressure, you know, because if you continue to put pressure, the odds are you're going to cash in a couple of times.
And hopefully one of those times he cashes in is going to be one of those really, really important plays late in the game where you didn't expect him to be the one to bring the pressure.
So just keep bringing the pressure and getting close.
You know, he keep getting close.
He's going to get pushed up enough to be able to tweak whatever it is he needs to do to finish off the sack.
But continuing to get to pressure is going to be more important to me than him getting.
to say. I also had
you and Travis starting as something of note
and then Blake Freeland went down so that kind of
took that out of the equation anyway
I guess, but good to see that the Colts had made a
decision there and something else
that I know a couple of other people noticed
this as well. Sam Womack was
out there pretty late in the game and
you're kind of wondering, you know, we're
trying to shuffle the back of this cornerback
room and he's the guy that has significant playing
experience yet you wonder if maybe he's losing some
ground in that cornerback battle. Yeah,
one thing we have to note again with how
Louis Anirot likes his cornerbacks.
He likes them big, long, and fast.
Those are the most important traits for him at corner.
And this is why I think we've seen a Jonathan Edwards go from intriguing preseason guy
to, oh, crap, this guy might make the roster because he's 6-1, he's 205 pounds, and he runs
a 4-4.
Like, he might be raw when it comes to the technical aspects of it, but he's a guy who
can fit in this system where you're looking at Sam Womack, who's more, what, 5-8, 5-9, a buck-80,
buck 90 and I think he's got some good football in him and I think he can play in this league for sure
but it wouldn't shock me where Luana Rumo comes in and just prefers an athlete like Jonathan Edwards
or just prefers a Chris Lamont as your reserve slot guy so I just think it's going to come down
to the numbers here and and even with the injuries at corner I don't know if Womack is a lot to make
this roster I would be shocked if they did cut him like don't get me wrong because of what he did
last year was admirable and i think it's hard to cut a veteran like that with all the
injuries you have at corner but i think if everyone was healthy i would probably lean
edwards over him in terms of what anorumo wants just purely off that that size like speed
profile like that is what he wants the most and some upside attached with that too yeah right younger
player too so i i love samuelback i really enjoyed his film last year but in terms of this
system where they're going to want guys who are physical at the line of scrimmage who can
turn and run, I just think that this is going to be a big thing for this system.
And we actually have a comment here saying that Justin Wally was only 510.
Wally was a bit of an outlier, but blazing speed, like very, very fast player, long arms,
and had good size over 200 pounds as well.
So even the height being a little bit shorter, he kind of more so fit Luann Rumo than like
a Womack who is short, skinny, and not really like the longest.
player either. So yeah, I think Edwards probably has the inside track on him. I just don't know
if it's going to matter with all these injuries right now at corner because you're probably
going to need like eight guys on the initial 53 with all the injuries they got.
I'm going to come at it at a different angle. I mean, average career in the NFL, is this still
three and a half years? Yeah. Okay. Well, all right, the reason it's three and a half years,
unless it's changed and I need to read my notes.
The reason is three and a half years,
because if you make a roster in your fourth year,
now you qualify for a pension.
Oh, yeah.
You know, all right?
So if you've got one guy in his fourth year
and a rookie and the talent level is equal,
who are they going to pick?
All right?
They would rather not have to make that pension contribution.
In fact, to make it past four years,
you have to have such extreme value to the team
because they would rather turn the roster over
and it would save them some money on the back end.
But if they're equal, they're equal to probably go with the rookie.
That's a fantastic point.
Now, I talk to agents all the time about this
where, like, I'm hoping for these bottom of the roster guys
to hit that fourth year, right?
Because personally, I want everyone to get their pension.
Like, make sure you're getting that pay.
And as someone who's player first over teams,
I want these guys to get their pension.
But that's why we see like, oh, why so-and-so still a free agent at 28 years old?
He played some good snaps for the team.
It's because he's probably at that three and a half.
He's at that four-year mark in terms of playing it.
And it's better just to get a guy on here for, what, 20K guaranteed as a priority-free agent
and that you don't have to pay a pension to.
So, yeah, that is certainly part of it.
I have been part of those conversations with agents a lot over the last couple of years.
And that's why we see more of the Jonathan Edwards making it than seeing like,
Oh, so-and-so was a good player last couple years.
Why is you not back?
Well, Edwards is younger and cheaper and better for the pension stuff.
An interesting caveat for sure.
By the way, it's worth noting that Alan went double the average time with his NFL career.
I just want to throw that out there, six, seven years there.
Great job, Alan, back in the day.
Thanks for joining us on the Colts Squad Show.
Had a lot of fun recapping Colts Packers again.
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