Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - EXPECTATIONS: Health of Sauce Gardner, DeForest Buckner Critical to Indianapolis Colts' Turnaround

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Indianapolis Colts defense could use a major facelift this offseason, and we're going to give you the primer for the Colts to do it. Let's get to it. You are Locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Welcome to the Locked on Colts podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Now the number one sports podcast network around. Hello, everyone. My name is Zach Hicks, your resident film nerd of Horsesuke.

Starting point is 00:00:37 Huddell.com and your favorite, I guess, sickly co-host these last couple days and a couple weeks here. It's been a rough winter for me, everybody. I've been struggling with my nasly voice, but I hope you guys at home are loving the new sound that I'm giving you guys here. And I'm joined, as always, by Jake Arthur, our boots on the ground at round table sports as well. And yesterday we gave you guys our offseason primer when it came to the Colts offense. Today, we were doing the same thing for the Colts defense. We're going to talk about in-house free agents, guys who are actually under contract, and then expectations for the Colts defense. And that is assuming that they do make some of these major additions and facelifts, like I said, to the defense,

Starting point is 00:01:22 because as it stands right now, going into next season with the current roster on defense, would not bode very well for the Colts. But we're going to get into it today. And Jake, unlike offense where it was kind of like too significant, free agents and then a bunch of guys that, you know, take them or leave them, essentially the rest of the offensive roster. On defense, there's a handful of guys who played a significant amount of snaps that are set to hit free agency. And honestly, Jake, it wouldn't shock me if like none of these unrestricted free agents are back for the Colts. Yeah, I'm looking at the list here. And when you look at guys who were like super productive and need to be brought back or fit the younger

Starting point is 00:02:05 faster thing that Chris Ballard said were the cupboard it's kind of bare there you look at Nick Cross and that's really the only guy where you're like yeah it'd be a good idea to bring him back but not at $15 million per year or something you know what I mean like yes the salary cap is going to jump over 20 million more dollars but you already needed number one you needed that nice little bump there for Alec Pearson Daniel Jones but you also still need to kind of clear some your own cap with existing players. So a safety, I don't know if they super fit into that mold right now, if they're going to be too expensive.

Starting point is 00:02:44 We have seen the Colts kind of relent and let some guys go that they really didn't want to because they got outpriced by competitors with Iowa, Dango, and Will Fries last year. That kind of feels like what could happen with Nick Cross this year. He's got some warts and coverage, but he's still very young ascending player. who's been one of the most consistent players for the Colts defense for a little while now. So I could see why the Colts would want him at the right price, but I could see why other teams would want them to. Like if there are already like high level defenses that think they could plug in a nice,

Starting point is 00:03:20 strong safety to become like a championship caliber defense, I'm throwing money at him. Because, I mean, you know how physical players who can tackle well from the secondary, like how well that meshes into high level defenses. Yeah, and it's difficult to have that blend of youth and experience. You know, 24 years old with over 2,000 defensive snaps in his career, that's very, very difficult to find on the open market, which is why I think he's going to get closer to that Trayvon-Mor-type contract that we saw more get around $15 million per year last year than something lower than that.

Starting point is 00:03:56 And also, when you factor in the Colts, you know, I know not every team does this, but I'm assuming the Colts operate some kind of capacity of this way is you kind of want to spread your money fairly evenly across the roster. You don't want to put every single dollar you have into the secondary and then have to go cheap on the D-line and vice versa. You know, you want to be able to spread it out. And when you look at the cold secondary, I mean, highly paid contracts to Kenny Moore, Mooney Ward, sauce Gardner is feasible contract this next season, but still around $10 million per year. And Cameron Vynum, those are all big contracts in the secondary. It's hard to ask.

Starting point is 00:04:31 had another big contract to that secondary when you're already paying all these guys so much money. So I think the Colts are going to give him an offer. I think it'll probably be in that $6 to $8 million per year range. If the market is just not great for him, which we have seen it be like that in the past four safeties, I could see an avenue for him coming back. But I just don't know if it makes the most sense for either side right now. I think he was a good fit overall last year. Like, yeah, the coverage did just kind of go downhill a little bit in the second

Starting point is 00:05:01 half of the season, but he was a chess piece for the defense. He was in the box over top. I did a lot of really fun things. And I still think he's a good player. So I would love to have him back. It's just difficult to make that money work, I think, with how much the Colts are going to have to put into the defensive line to improve it. So they don't have the benefit of rookie contracts where guys are exceeding value on rookie contracts to where they can pay a player like Nick Cross because they got to pay other positions. So yeah, I don't see it happening. But we'll see. Like, you know, the door is always open. I'm sure the Colts will want him back, but we'll certainly see there.

Starting point is 00:05:36 But after Nick Cross, Jake, we kind of get into this territory of guys where, like, yeah, if you, like, a couple of these guys, like at the right price, if you can get him back, like a Neville Gallimore, I thought played pretty well. I don't think you're going crazy about bringing him back, like, because I don't think he's like this star player, this hidden gem player. Like, he was a solid fourth defensive tackle for you, but it's not going to kill you either way. if he's back. Same kind of with Jermaine Pratt. He solidified the linebacker room, did some good things, but his past coverage left a lot to be desired. And I think that there's an avenue to go younger

Starting point is 00:06:12 at linebacker. But then we get to the defensive end trio of Quitty Pay, Samson, Ebukom, and Tyquan Lewis, where, in my opinion, Jake, and I think you would want one of these guys back. Personally, I don't want any of these three guys back. I just don't, I don't see the value they brought last year. all three of them took big steps back in Louana Rumo scheme. I think they were negative assets for most of the year. And I just think the Colts need to just revamp that entire room. And I would prefer not to have any of those three guys back. No, I'm with you.

Starting point is 00:06:46 I just think that they will be compelled to bring back like Taekwon Lewis. He seems like a lifer to me. You know how Brandon Graham keeps like retiring and coming back with the Eagles? Brandon Graham's like a Hall of Famer, though. Like Tyquan Lewis is like a bottom of the roster. That's how they build up guys. They're Hall of Fame people, and that really, that really resonates with them. Why couldn't I get a contract from the Colts?

Starting point is 00:07:09 I could have made like a decade long career out of it. No, I mean, Tyquan is someone who is beloved in the building, but like as far as performance goes, Quity Pay is an absolutely not for me at this point. This was, as far as we know, the healthiest he's ever been, the most he's ever played, but was statistically his worst year when they needed him the most. he kind of disappeared. Maybe he didn't fit into the defense. I don't know, but he had the same defensive line coach two years in a row.

Starting point is 00:07:39 Samson Ebbecom, we saw that one coming a million miles away being over 30 with the Achilles. He had like two sacks, of course. And then Tyquant had like three. And I think two of them were in one game. So it is time to move on and kind of tying back to the Knit Cross thing. I just don't think there's going to be the money there because you have to, throw a ton of money onto the defensive front inside and out. Because we've talked about, you know, Buckner and Grover are both going to be like 32 and

Starting point is 00:08:11 Buckner's got the neck. Like there's so much money that has to be allocated to more important spots. Your front seven just needs a facelift and safety maybe on the outside looking in. But yeah, you mentioned Jermaine Pratt. I love what he did for the Colts last year, but I think, you know, they're ready to move on. And he had some post on Instagram or something after the season that made it seem kind of final. It was more of like a thank you thing to Lou Anoromo. Gallimore had three and a half sacks for the Colts.

Starting point is 00:08:39 I would be pro bringing him back, but not many more. Cameron Mitchell is maybe fine if you want to bring him in to compete at corner and training camp. I don't have anything against that. Plus he's an RFA, so really no big deal there. But yeah, outside of those guys on defense, I'm fine with letting the lot walk. Yeah, no, for sure. And yeah, the restricted free agents, I'm always in the camp, but just bringing them back for the heck of it.

Starting point is 00:09:04 I mean, they're not going anywhere. You know, so Cameron Mitchell and Shagu, Alubi, especially with Alubi's play on special teams the last couple of years. I think he led the special teams and tackles again this season, had the blocked punt against the Raiders earlier in the season. So as long as Brian Mason says, like, yes, I want Shagu Alubi back. Cool, bring it back. Like, I don't, like, I don't care about the defense with that.

Starting point is 00:09:25 He's a special teamer, a very good player for them. Other names, though, Jacob Phillips, who got hurt in training camp and didn't play at all this year. Eric Johnson and his comeback tour had under 100 snaps on defense. He was okay, I guess, but he just didn't play, like, whatever. Like, again, if you bring him back on a vet minimum, that's fine. And then an interesting one, Jake, Rodney Thomas at safety, his play was better this season than what it had been the last couple years since his breakout rookie year. It didn't move me, though. I just, I don't think the ball skills are really there outside of on like those deep over the top passes.

Starting point is 00:10:02 I would prefer just to get another safety in here. And honestly, Ruben Lowry, I think intrigues me a little bit more as a younger player, you know. So it's like I would, I'm fine with moving on for Roddy Thomas as well. Yeah, I'm there with you. He hasn't done enough to be, you know, to not see what the next guy could do. Ruben Lowry, perfect example. I've been intrigued by him, but he was a healthy scratch like the entire year. at least want to see what he can do, like in training camp, because I have no gauge for what he

Starting point is 00:10:30 plays like, because we don't get to see the entire duration of practice during the season. And then you could say the same for Troy Washington as well. I know they're kind of intrigued by him. So one of those two guys, if they don't go find someone cheap and free agency or day three in the draft or whatever, go ahead. Yeah, no, for sure. But coming up, guys, we're going to look at this defensive roster. We're going to work from the hypothetical that pretty much all these guys could be gone.

Starting point is 00:10:55 what does the Colts defensive roster look like, and how many defensive ends do they need to add this offseason? That's what we're going to dive into next. If you have ever hired someone who looked good on paper but they just weren't the right fit, then you know how important it is to actually get that right. And when you want candidates who truly match what you're looking for, trust Indeed's sponsored jobs. Hiring, Indeed, is all you need. Stop struggling to get your job post seen on other job sites.

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Starting point is 00:13:01 We'll have the link right there for you as well. All right, Zach. So let me just run through this defense real quick. Some of the main players who are actually under contract for 2026. Because you're going to notice this whole thing is an asterisk, it seems, because it feels like some sort of red wedding event may be coming where like a lot of these guys, they're under contract now, but maybe that's not going to be the case. So your only notable defense ends are Latu and JTu and Lowe.

Starting point is 00:13:30 We like Dorel and Chami, but it seems like just us being silly more than anything. DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart at tackle with Atatamiwa, Attauari. Tim Smith as well, maybe he gets to crack back up nose tackle this year. They still need more, though. They're obviously linebacker. Zair Franklin and Austin Ajikai. I mean, you could say Jailen Karlai. but you could have said Jalen Carly's last year.

Starting point is 00:13:57 And I am ready to tell you who I am super intrigued by at linebacker. It's the Canadian they signed recently, Devin Verisute. When they signed him, I did probably too much research on him and I'm intrigued. I'm ready to be heard again. I just want them to give him a chance. But then at Corner, it's intriguing on paper. Sauce Gardner and Charverius Ward Senior, Kenny Moore, Justin Wally, Mackay Blackman, Jonathan Edwards.

Starting point is 00:14:22 But, you know, you throw in there that Jalen Jones, is like a perfect trade candidate. Like the guy even went healthy, couldn't buy playing time, even after playing really well against like D.K. Metcalf. And then safety is a little interesting as well. Cambynum, Hunter Woller. And then you get like Daniel Scott, Ruben, Lowry,

Starting point is 00:14:40 Trey, Washington. Like, it's an interesting group that I think is going to look quite different over the next several months. Yeah, no, the reins of Kastomir are certainly playing when it comes to defensive end right now. Because I think there's a perfect chance to gut that entire unit. Like we mentioned the first segment, let those free agents walk.

Starting point is 00:14:58 And really, your only notable guys on the roster, Laotu, Latu and JT2Malo. And even then, like, JT2Maloa was not a significant guy this past season. And I don't know how much Lou Anuromo is really like about him right now. So you have an opportunity to add three to four bodies to that defensive end room, whether it's free agency, whether it's the draft, whether it's both. I think they just need to add as many bodies as possible at defensive end. And honestly, you can look across this roster on defense and say that there's a need to add at every position group. You know, defensive tackle, I'd still love to find a very good, like, sturdy backup one tech, backup nose tackle.

Starting point is 00:15:38 You know, Grover Stewart led the NFL last year in Zero Tech snaps, like nose tackle snaps. Number one in the NFL, just under 100 nose tackle snaps. And I don't know if they have another guy, even if they were to bring back a Neville Gallimore. I don't think they'd have another guy who could still do that. You know, like Gallimore's not a nose tackle. So I wouldn't hate adding another like nose tackle guy in here, especially with Grover's ability to play some three tech on rundowns as well. I think he can do that.

Starting point is 00:16:08 Linebacker need a coverage guy who can play alongside Zaire Franklin. Obviously Hunter Woller can factor into this a little bit, but I want to get him out of a boot first before we talk positively about him. Like you mentioned at Corner, Jake has a lot of great names, but there's the question marks with Mooney Ward, the question with Jalen Jones, and also kind of a question with Justin Wally, right, what he looks like coming off of the ACL injury. And then at safety, if Nick Cross walks, they need another strong safety.

Starting point is 00:16:35 Again, Hunter Woller might factor in there. But let's get the seventh round rookie out of a boot first before we talk about that. Luckily, it seems to be a really good safety in linebacker draft for the Colts. They kind of time that up perfectly, but you've got to still hit on those draft picks. that's the avenue that you want to go about. Yeah. Let me, I guess let me throw this to you because on one hand, like if you were a bottom of the death chart guy last year, like you have no business probably playing this next

Starting point is 00:17:07 year other than if you're a young guy. But are there any like lower depth chart guys who they could have even been like future deal guys? Does anyone on here like intrigue you? Because you've got the couple of CFL guys. Ruben Lowry is someone we mentioned already. They have added a few linebackers since the season ended as well through future deals. Like does anybody here do it for you as other than just like a competitive camp body?

Starting point is 00:17:33 You're like, please talk about my Canadian linebacker is what you're trying to say right now. Even if you were like, even if you're like Viliami Fahoko Jr. is my guy. Like I, we need number one, it's our brand on the show. It is our brand. It's to root for the little guy. But like, does anyone on who, or do it for you as like a surprise at all. I mean, I'm still intrigued by guys like Tim Smith and Rubin Lowry.

Starting point is 00:17:57 I think those were guys of the Colts were high on last year. Smith, obviously on the practice squad the entire season. They spent a six-round pick on him. Lowry, they didn't even expose him to waivers after claiming him. So there is certainly some intrigue there. I still don't want to give up on Jonathan Edwards. I still think the coverage was there. It's just like find the ball in the air and there's something that he could do.

Starting point is 00:18:18 But in terms of like, you know, other guys they sign, like guys like John Bullock and Devin Verisou, I think, are competing more for special teams roles, which are very, very important. Like, I'm not trying to downplay those roles, but I think we're going to see a lot of additions when it comes to this defense, this offseason, especially from other teams in free agency. Yeah, so everyone, Devin Barrasup, the CFL linebacker, he was like the number two pick in the CFL draft was their conferences like rookie of the year. Seems like he should be pretty decent in coverage. But like Zach said, that more than likely is going to manifest itself in him being a

Starting point is 00:18:58 special teams player. I even reached out to someone on the team to be like, hey, is this anything or is this just a guy? And I didn't hear back about that. They looked at it and they were like, you degenerate texting me about a CFL linebacker. Like Jake, it's two in the morning on a Tuesday get out of here um no but i this is our chance to plant our flag on some of these guys to like say here i knew about him all the long uh but no bullock was god i want to say texans maybe but he was a special teams guy vaughn was with the colts during the training camp and then carly's like it seems so random but like maybe jeline carly's if he's healthy which he's not been in two years,

Starting point is 00:19:45 but if he has a healthy, like, summer, maybe actually has more of a role than he ever has before. Yeah, I mean, I think he might be the new Jolani Woods, but we'll see. I think that's kind of the route he's going at this point where it's like, it would be really nice to have him in the rotation, but we just, it's hard to really bank on that, you know, after two seasons at this point.

Starting point is 00:20:07 So hopefully he can put it together, but it's hard to really count on that given the track record. Yeah, but, that question. All right. So guys, what are expectations for this unit? Like, which ones are going to change the most? Which ones need to change the most? And if all goes well, and like the Colts add what they need to, what should we expect from this defense as the unit as it compares to the rest of the league? We'll talk about that in just a moment. The winter games are officially here. And if you're anything like us, you're locking in for the events that you only get to see on the

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Starting point is 00:21:21 Bandwool, play your game. All right, welcome back every dayers. We are talking Colts defense. So when you look at like the biggest needs on the Colts entire roster, most of them reside on the defensive side, defensive tackle, defensive end linebacker, assurance at corner, probably one more body, capable body at safety because Rodney Thomas is a free agent, Nick Cross is a free agent.

Starting point is 00:21:52 So likely, let's just say Nick Cross probably doesn't make it. So I guess first, when do you address safety there? Like, do you go day two of the draft? I think if you don't get Nick Cross back, it's probably more of a day two thing. I think you can get a veteran in free agency to, you know, be a stopgap player if the draft doesn't fall the way you want it to but yeah it's probably a draft need but then again they might have so many other draft needs that it's hard to really say where you go with a certain position but yeah i think getting like a veteran on the open market that can play a little

Starting point is 00:22:30 bit a la you know going back and back in history with ballard like the tj carry level of signing type player like a one year two to three million dollar contract that can just fill a role for you and then you go into the draft with that, I think makes the most sense for safety. But yeah, there's so many needs on defense. It's hard to really say which one you prioritize in the draft because some of these you're going to have to hit hard and heavy and free agency to fill those gaps. Yeah. One area I know I think I'd prefer to do the draft is linebacker. I think number one, Chris Ballard is pretty good at identifying linebackers in the draft. But you can, they're kind of like running backs where you can find them just about anywhere.

Starting point is 00:23:12 Like you could draft a linebacker late and they wind up starting for you. So that I'd probably go in the draft. Get a capable guy in free agency as well, though. Like someone, so you're not solely relying on rookies. And that's whether or not Zair Franklin is a cult or not. Because if we're talking about positions that could become greater needs, we don't know if Zy or Franklin makes it because they could make about $5 million bucks this year by getting rid of that contract.

Starting point is 00:23:40 Mooney Ward is probably the biggest what if because like as of the end of the season, he had one foot in, one foot out. We think DeForest Buckner is going to play. But, you know, Wally and Woller, while you want to kind of rely on them, they're coming back from injury. So I would definitely keep looking in the draft for linebacker. One area where I would kind of kill the spider with a hammer is defensive line. free agency draft throw all resources at it you're not even trying to get it yet to the level

Starting point is 00:24:15 to the depth of like philly last year or seattle this you need it playable it's not playable right now at all it already wasn't good it's not it cannot be used to go into 2026 how it is right now so you have to throw a ton of resources at the defensive line yeah when we talk about reliable pass rushers on this team going to the next season we can at least rely on the fact that layout to lot too solid you know maybe we can't go too much more above that right now but lot too is solid outside of that though what else can we rely on when it comes to rushing the pastor right de force buckner we have no clue what he's going to look like with an after the neck injury the one game we saw with him again this was prior to surgery but when he tried to gut it out against

Starting point is 00:24:57 sanfran he didn't look like de forst buckner anymore in that game and then you have at tommy wadaubore who is a lot of flash but the consistent he still needs to be there with him. And you can hope that he takes a next year leap, especially going into a contract season. We know how contract seasons affect players, obviously. But that's not really something that you can fully rely on. So, you know, when you're looking at like Seattle or Philly, right,

Starting point is 00:25:23 like you mentioned there, Jake, the teams that have won Super Bowls. It's not two, three, four guys that they could rely on to rush the passer. It was five, six, eight, like, you know, they were deep. They were very deep. past rushing units. And as of right now with the Colts, like, they're just so bare up front that I just think they need to throw as many of your sources as possible at the trenches, you know, whether it's signing one or or both of like an Ebokiti, boy Mawfe, you know,

Starting point is 00:25:53 heaven forbid a Jalen Phillips or a Trey Hendrickson. Those guys are going to get huge, huge contracts. But if you really want to solve the issue, right, throw as much money as you can at it. But yeah, I think that like an avenue like that makes sense. but then I wouldn't even rule out taking another one in the second or third round. Like I know Ballard hasn't had the greatest history of drafting that position, but what's the gambler's fallacy, Jake? Like the more, if it didn't go through the first 10 times,

Starting point is 00:26:19 that 11th time is the odds are in your favor, right? Like at some point it's got a hit in the draft, so maybe go with the gambler's fallacy there. But yeah, they just need to keep their own bodies at the trenches. And that's what we're seeing from these teams that are winning big and winning. It's like if you don't have the dominant quarterback or even if you do have the dominant quarterback, you've got to be able to win in the trenches. That is going to help you find a lot of success. It would be nice to have a first round pick to address the issue off the edge, but you can still find guys outside of round one.

Starting point is 00:26:51 Look at how Seattle built their pass rush and outside of that Texas defensive tackle, who was an absolute star in the Super Bowl, he was so, so good. but like guys like Derek Hall, boy Maffa, like those were second, third round guys off the edge. And then they had a lot of free agent additions in Uchena Nuwsu, to Marcus Lawrence, and I think Leonard Williams, I think they traded for him. But, you know,

Starting point is 00:27:17 they made as many additions as possible to build one of the deepest D lines in the league. I just think that you just got to keep throwing as many resources as possible at it. And when it's not working, reset and start over, they have a great chance to reset this offseason. and just add as much talent as possible. So whether it's a huge swing like a Trey Hendrickson or a bunch of little swings like

Starting point is 00:27:39 Ebikidi, Boy Maffa, or a handful of other these like mid-tier guys, Kalivan, Chasin is a free agent, like whatever that works, like just keep throwing resources at the D-line and hope that this can be the solution to a decade-long problem in Indianapolis. Now, this one is going to be a talking point until there's a resolution with him again this offseason, but Hendrickson with the Colts, he doesn't fit the younger, faster mold. I don't think you're going to have to pay 30 million for him anymore. But if you get him for like two years, 25 per year, would you do it? Because like, he's going to make your room better.

Starting point is 00:28:18 You know he's good, but he's a little older. He's 31 now. He's coming off core muscle surgery. But we have to talk about it because it's, it's, they're going to be connected to Colts and Hendrickson until something happens with him. Yeah, I could live with the deal like that as long as it's not just, we had Hendrickson, we have Lattoo and we have JTT and that's it. That's our whole deal.

Starting point is 00:28:41 Like, you know, and then a bunch of scraps behind them because relying on a player who just played what, like six games this past season to be healthy in his 30 plus year old season, the same issue we get in with Samson Evocom last year, right? Very different players, obviously. But I don't like overly relying on these older players to stay 100%. healthy. It's just, it's a young man's game for a reason in the NFL and you have to build the depth. So I'm okay with Hendrickson. Again, like, that's a lot of money for a guy who barely played last season, but like he's got a great track record. He's been a very good player for a while.

Starting point is 00:29:15 So I'd be fine with it. But again, the takeaway for me when you're watching these top teams is the waves of pass rush, not just a couple guys started. Like even Houston, right, with Will Anderson's Neil Hunter. They were great. Like, don't be. wrong two of the five best pass rushers in football. But having guys like Derek Barnett and was it Horton coming off the bench as well and a couple other defensive ends that allowed them to stay fresh is what really helped that unit like get pushed over the edge. So you got to have waves and waves and waves. And if Hendrickson is like the only move, I think that would be absurd. But if you can get at Hendrickson, get a couple by low guys and maybe still have another draft guy

Starting point is 00:29:56 in there, then I can live with that being the plan. of attack. Just throw resources at D-line, though. Like, please keep adding a D-line. Don't just give me, like, a re-signed quidipay in Sampsonabucom plus a draft pick in round four and say that we're good, because that's just not going to be good enough. Yeah, I think given the Colts track record and the fact that Ballard has not been able to find instant impact edges or guys who wind up developing at all, I think you have to get some veteran who you already, know is productive. It doesn't have to be Hendricks. And it can be Hendrickson, but like someone who you already know has a solid reputation in the NFL, I have to do that. And then you can get a couple

Starting point is 00:30:43 ascending guys, like projection guys. That's fine. But that can't be who you're relying on. That's who you have relied on for 10 years. And it hasn't worked. So I'm cool with getting like the expensive guy in Hendricks. And if you, again, if he doesn't have to play 800 snaps this year, you know what I mean? Because like I'm kind of at the point with Buckner where it's like you maybe just play him 20 to 25 snaps a game now. Like if you want your older players to be effective, you have to rotate them with not just scrubs.

Starting point is 00:31:16 Like you're going to have to rotate them with other solid players. So you're going to have to spend real money and real draft capital on that too. Yeah. And overall, your guys take away or our takeaway, least right now when it comes projecting this going forward. We got to see what they do this offseason because projecting it right now feels like a fool's errand. Like what can we project with the Colts defense?

Starting point is 00:31:37 I like the coaching staff. I like lot too and I like sauce. What else can I really project though with this defense going into next season? I think they want to play a lot of man. I think they're cool with blitzing every now and then. But it really comes down to the resources they spend this off season and what the defense looks like. So while offense is going to be all about continuity this off season,

Starting point is 00:31:57 Colts defense is going to be about a changing of the guard and getting a lot of pieces in here to help rebuild that side of the ball. But let us know what you think in the comment section. And thanks, as always, for tuning in today to Locked on Colts. We back yet again tomorrow afternoon. So make sure you subscribe to our show so you get all the latest episodes. And if you don't already, make sure you're following at Locked on Colts at Jack Hakes 2, all on social medias. And if you never miss an episode, then remember the Everydayer Club is built for you. get Locked on Colts audio ad-free plus members-only Discord access and much more.

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Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - EXPECTATIONS: Health of Sauce Gardner, DeForest Buckner Critical to Indianapolis Colts' Turnaround

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