Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts' BEST & WORST Offseason Moves: Where Charvarius Ward, Daniel Jones Fall

Episode Date: May 27, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts had an oddly aggressive offseason, adding guys like Charvarius Ward, Camryn Bynum, Daniel Jones, and Tyler Warren. What were the guys' favorite and LEAST favorite moves? Additio...nally, the roster could still be improved, so what moves are still needed to be made? Become a Locked On Colts insider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who's around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box! JOIN HERE! Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQLocked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/ Follow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOn_SI, as well on TikTok and Instagram! Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!FanDuelRight now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 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)Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 The Indianapolis Colts signing cornerback, Charvarius Ward and drafting tight end Tyler Ward are by far and away the two biggest moves of this past off season. Let's get to it. You are locked on Colts, your daily Indianapolis Colts podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network,
Starting point is 00:00:24 your team every day. Thank you all for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day. Today, the podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new customers can get $200 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. Hello, everyone. My name is Zach Hicks, your resident film nerd of HorseshoeHuddle.com. And my partner, Jake Arthur, is our credentialed crocs on the ground for the site. He'll be out there at Minicamp tomorrow.
Starting point is 00:00:57 So he's really working out those crocs in these coming days here. Barefoot like Jonathan Taylor, baby. There you go. There you go Jake today guys We have fun show planned for you. We're talking about the moves of the offseason for the Colts we're gonna break down our best moves for the Colts our worst moves and moves that we still would like to see the team make because While we do have a good idea of how this 53-man roster might shake out come come this offseason There are still a few positions up in the air and we still want to see the Colts maybe do something about a few of these positions here.
Starting point is 00:01:30 But to kick off this show, let's start with our best move or I guess our personal favorite moves essentially for the team, Jake. I have mine. You have yours. Let's let's kick it off with yours here. What was your biggest and best move for this Colts team in the twenty twenty five offseason? Well, it's the one that we all said they needed to make basically since, I don't know, October. And that was drafting Tyler Warren in the first round. So throughout the entire draft process, we had to find new ways to put a spin on who they should draft in the first round.
Starting point is 00:02:04 But it almost always came with the caveat of if Tyler Warren isn't available. And luckily for the Colts he was, Colston Loveland went number 10 to the Bears and it got a little touch and go there. But they were able to land him and they absolutely needed it. I mean, they did still have some guys with upside on the roster at Titan, but you just the time is up for waiting on that. And it was very clear that they were missing that element of not only their offense, but the passing game and just in general, because everybody was so role-based and they had
Starting point is 00:02:40 to use so many different bodies. I mean, outside of injuries, they would regularly use like three or four tight ends depending on the matchup. So you have a guy with Tyler Warren, where you really only have to use one or two like it and just maybe they figure out between Drew Ogletree and Mo Ali Cox, who they like more, and then just let that person and Tyler Warren ride. But as far as blocking goes, they have one guy that can Warren ride. But as far as blocking goes, they have one guy that can cover it now. As far as receiving goes, they have one guy that can cover it. I mean, last year they were last in receptions in the NFL among tight ends and reception rate. Titans only caught 52% of the targets they were thrown. That's
Starting point is 00:03:20 bad. And then they were second from last in yards. And that's because oddly enough, like every reception they would ever have was like a chunk play. So they just needed it so bad. And now I think obviously with the enormous caveat of, but the quarterback position, everything else on the offense is relatively complete. We could see what a good Shane Stiken offense looks like if they get adequate quarterback play. I'm not going to say above average or awesome, but just baseline quarterback play. I think adding a guy like Tyler Warren just completely unlocks the offense. Yeah, no 100%. And it's kind of funny though when it comes to the selection of Tyler Warren because you know,
Starting point is 00:04:04 there have been draft picks in the past that we have like predicted to the Colts, obviously, like not just us in general, but like Colts fans, too. Like, I think, you know, if we're talking like the month of the draft, the Anthony Richardson and Quentin Nelson picks were pretty easy to predict. And if you want to even go further back in the month of the draft, I mean, I think everyone in Colts Nation was calling for Quiddie Pay being a great fit for the Colts during that draft one. But when it comes to Tyler Warren to the Colts,
Starting point is 00:04:30 that was like written in the stars for like a year, it felt like. Like he felt like the perfect fit for this team, exactly what the Colts and Chris Ballard would covet. And he fit the position that the team needed the most, especially on offense. So yeah, Tyler Warren was just kind of written in the stars for so long.
Starting point is 00:04:47 And to see him be available, come their pick on draft day, we all kind of knew who that pick was going to be, and it's gonna be Tyler Warren. So even though it was so obvious and we kind of ran the Tyler Warren topic into the ground all off season, it didn't make the move any less significant for the team. Like he really does fit everything this offense was looking for.
Starting point is 00:05:07 It did almost like not not by any means a let down, but it almost didn't feel exciting anymore by the time it happened because it felt like such a foregone conclusion and the thing that had to happen. Right. It would have been a let down if it was just about any other outcome it felt like. But it felt just like, okay, yes, this is business as usual. That was a box we needed to check in the off season to move on to the next thing. So I mean, luckily it happened for them. But arguably the other most significant move of the off season happened a month beforehand.
Starting point is 00:05:41 Yeah, you know, it's kind of funny, like in a similar ish vein, Charvarius Ward signing at cornerback was kind of the same thing as Tyler Warren, whereas like similar to Warren, like I did a film room on Warren before the draft, like the day before the draft, and the Colts ended up taking him. Charvarius Ward was the only guy,
Starting point is 00:05:59 only free agent I did a film room on before free agency kicked off, and he was the guy the Colts ultimately ended up signing. He was a guy that a lot of us were really saying the Colts need to go out and get. But they were able to close the deal and get that number one corner. And for me, this is the most impactful move the Colts made this offseason because their defense has just needed a guy like this for so long. Like even if Gus Bradley were still here, they needed that top number one corner. I recently did a film run where I watched every single snap of Jalen Jones from this past season.
Starting point is 00:06:28 Look, Jalen Jones, a good corner, like a really solid corner, probably the best case scenario you can get out of a seventh round pick. But athletically, he's just not a guy who can match up with number one wide receivers. He can't move with the Justin Jefferson's and the Nico Collins of the world. And the Colts really didn't have a guy on the roster who could take away those options or at least make those options work a little bit. When you get a guy like Travarious Ward, I mean, this is a guy who's two seasons removed
Starting point is 00:06:53 from an all-pro season. One of the best seasons in recent NFL history, I think, when it comes to, like, just cornerback play, had sky-high pass breakups, a lot of interceptions, really disruptive player, was traveling with number ones for a good chunk of that season as well. Like he did a lot of things great for the 49ers two years ago and the Colts kind of got him on a relatively cheaper deal because he had that down year with horrible tragedy in his life and obviously we hope
Starting point is 00:07:21 the best for him going forward just from a personal and from a player's standpoint. But the Colts were able to get him on a pretty decent deal because of that. And they're getting a legit, you know, all pro caliber corner that's still kind of at the end of his prime right now. And you only get him for essentially like the three year deal, but essentially a two year contract. The Colts can get out of it if there is anything negative. So at the end of the day, they're getting an all-pro caliber player at cornerback, which is one of the most
Starting point is 00:07:47 important positions on the team. And if all goes wrong, you still can get out of this deal within two years. So I think this was the perfect like swing for the fences type move that Chris Ballard can make in the off-season. You're getting a high character guy who's had to earn everything in the NFL, who's become an all- pro caliber player and a guy who can travel and harass number one wide receivers and just make life easier for the rest of your defense. So it opens up what Louie and Arumo
Starting point is 00:08:14 wants to do going forward. And it makes this Colts defense so much better. Like their floor is so much higher when you have a guy like Travarious Ward. So, you know, Tyler Warren's great. I don't want to put too much expectations on a rookie tight end in year one, though. But the guy I want to put expectations on is the all pro corner that they're bringing in here to be their number one guy. And I think he's going to be a fantastic player for their team. Yeah. On paper, this is an even bigger corner signing than Xavier Rhodes or Stefan Gilmore. And even more so than when they traded for Bonte Davis back in the day, because Gilmore was already like well over 30, already
Starting point is 00:08:50 like near the end. Xavier Rhodes was coming off like the rockiest stretch of his career, essentially. And Bonte Davis was like a really good like pro-ball level corner. But Charvarius Ward is like an all pro top five caliber corner. So yeah, this is excellent. And this one is, I mean, there was nothing to not like about it to begin with, but it's grown on me as the off season has progressed. Because we've kind of seen the Colts plan come into place for the secondary. Louie Anarumo obviously was kind of the first domino there in January, beginning of February, whatever.
Starting point is 00:09:26 But you know, I spoke to Chris Hewitt recently, and we've seen the other things they've done at corner, especially drafting Justin Wally and then doing some of the other things at corner. They weren't satisfied and they needed to bring in like new types for Louie and Arumo and Traveris Ward with absolutely slam dunk type of corner for this defense. They had big plans for him. They haven't, before they even saw him take a snap on the practice field for them, they said, we want you shadowing receivers
Starting point is 00:09:57 in certain matches. So the Colts believe in this and just what we've seen from Ward in the recent past, obviously you need to see what happens because last time, last year he just was not there mentally. But last time we saw him really engaged, he was one of the best corners in the entire league. So I'm really all in on this.
Starting point is 00:10:18 We know how much coverage helps the pass rush and those things work in concert. Both the Colts can get an improved pass rush, we know their coverage is better. So I'm just excited to see how the entire defense feeds off of a move like this. Yeah, for my money, Travarious Ward is a top 10 fringe top five cornerback in the NFL. The Colts getting him on the open market is a huge win for me. And no matter what they did in the draft, even if they trade up to the first pick and got one of those guys, I think the ward signing still would have
Starting point is 00:10:47 been the biggest move of the offseason for them just because he is so he is that kind of gravitational pull as a player like he is going to make this defense better and he allows Luana Romo to be Luana Romo. By far and away, one of my favorite moves the Colts have made in the Chris Ballard era. Yeah, without a doubt. So guys coming up next, you can't win them all. We didn't love every move that the Colts made. So let's talk about our least favorite moves of the off season.
Starting point is 00:11:16 The NBA playoffs are in full swing. We're about midway through the Eastern conference finals that the cold or pacers are going to inevitably win. And every night delivers highlight worthy performances, major momentum shifts and can't miss moments. conference finals that the inevitably win and every n worthy performances, major can't miss moments, whethe shot or a breakout player a better time to get in o
Starting point is 00:11:36 makes it easy to stay in tip off and live with pl trends and same game parl ways than ever to play smart and win big. So tonight at 8 p.m. back at Gamebridge Field House. The Pacers are two-point favorites in this one, narrow favorites. We'll see how it goes over under of 220 and a half points. I mean this rivalry is getting heated. People are fighting in the stadiums, they're dumping trash on each other outside. In a healthy way, go ahead and throw your money at Fandl
Starting point is 00:12:10 and let them know what you think. So you don't have to get involved in all the toxicity of this really nasty renewed budding rivalry again. So again, go to Fandl. If you're new to Fandl, it's the perfect time to sign up. Head to Fandl.com and place your first $5 bet. If it wins, you'll get $200 of bonus bets. So make every moment more of Fandle, official sports betting partner of the NBA. All right, Zach. So there are, as far as individual players goes, the Colts have picked up.
Starting point is 00:12:45 There's really only one that's been polarizing. I mean, I think everyone's pretty on board with with Traveris Ward, Cam Bynum, for the most part, the guys they drafted. But there's one guy who drew a major line in the sand. So I'll let you go ahead and take it away with what was your least favorite move of the all season. Yeah, I mean, I know I've been just beating this drum since the minute the move was made, but I just, I personally can't get behind the Daniel Jones signing.
Starting point is 00:13:12 And I just don't like it. Like I know as we get closer to the season, everyone talks themselves into every move for their team and we get excited about it. But for me, you know, when I'm looking at this Daniel Jones signing, he was basically given the money to be a big upgrade over Joe Flacco and Gardner Minshew and what they did for this team the last two years. And personally, I just I don't see him as an upgrade over those
Starting point is 00:13:37 two options. Like I guess I guess on paper, the former top 10 pick pedigree kind of pushes Anthony Richardson. But you know, this was a guy who was available halfway through the season last year because he was released from his team. Like if the Colts really, really liked him, you could have just grabbed him on the open market when he was cut. You could have claimed him on waivers when he was waived. But I know there was a lot more with that. I'm being facetious here, but I just I just don't see it with Daniel Jones.
Starting point is 00:14:04 I don't think he's a guy who's decisive enough to be as good in the quick game. As Gardner mentioned, I don't think he's poised enough to be good enough in the as good in the deep game or on third downs as Joe Flacco was. And I just see a player who, you know, they're selling us as this competition in the offseason for Anthony Richardson. Look, I'm not saying Anthony Richardson is that much ahead of him because Richardson has struggled through two seasons with the Colts. But again, if you're trying to sell me
Starting point is 00:14:31 that he's some different tier of player than Joe Flacco or Gardner Mintchew, I just don't see it. I see him as a guy on a similar tier of those guys, and he's getting significantly more money and more of an opportunity to win a starting job than those two guys did. And I just don't, I just can't be sold that he's a better option than even those two guys
Starting point is 00:14:50 were. Personally, like again, I know that a lot of this signing is for the optics. It's for the optics of pushing Richardson, of trying to get the best out of Richardson and, you know, all the media hoopla with that kind of stuff there. But I think when we're really looking at the film of Daniel Jones, we're looking at what he feasibly brings to the team and what he could feasibly do if he did get an opportunity. My expectations are like lower than what we got out of Gardner Mintchew and Joe Flacco and I don't like that the money was given to a guy who I think is lower than those two as a player. So yeah, I'm just not a fan of the Daniel Jones signing.
Starting point is 00:15:27 Look, when it comes to quarterback takes with the Colts, anytime I'm negative, I hope I'm wrong because quarterbacks will make or break your season. So me, you know, turning on Anthony Richardson recently, like some people are saying, and being low on Daniel Jones, I hope I'm dead wrong on both of them. But ultimately, man, there's nothing inspiring about Daniel Jones. Even his good season with the Giants, a lot of it was first read or scramble, and it's just not sustainable for a quarterback
Starting point is 00:15:54 who's not very athletic. Maybe people think he's athletic just because he has to run more because he's a horrible thrower, but that's essentially what it is with Daniel Jones. I would have preferred Gardner Mintchew back honestly Like I think Gardner Mintchew would have led the Colts to more wins if he had an opportunity this year because of that familiarity With Shane Steichen because of his ability in the short game. Yes, the deep ball is atrocious
Starting point is 00:16:16 Yes, I would have cried for for Alec Pierce and his potential if Gardner Mintchew got chance again But I do think he's a better quarterback than Daniel Jones, and he got a fraction of the money. So yeah, I just can't get behind the Daniel Jones signing. I would have preferred anyone else at that price tag. And ultimately, I think your team is better if you go get a Mintchew at whatever he got and go sign another free agent for the extra $10 million.
Starting point is 00:16:41 And you would have saved it on a comp pick. They lost a fourth round comp pick for Daniel Jones to like, oh man, it's just like I get it optically I get the signing because you had to do it optically but that's that's $18 million or whatever it was invested into just a media hoopla thing that you're going for like I just don't like I can't talk myself into it whatsoever. that you're going for. Like, I just don't like, I can't talk myself into it whatsoever. Yeah, I'll say I don't hate it. It probably wasn't my preferred option. I'm gathering like for me, you don't like the move whatsoever,
Starting point is 00:17:15 but probably the money was maybe the biggest issue. Yeah, if you gave him what was given to Minchou or Flacco the last two years, fine. Back of quarterbacks get a little too much anyway. And I would have been okay with it. But again, the money being so much more than what they gave to quarterbacks who honestly I think are better fits in this system than him
Starting point is 00:17:35 in Flacco and Mintchou, that's really where I draw the line in this hand. Okay, yeah, so with me, my thinking with the quarterback situation was basically what else are they going to do? Like if you went for a Justin Fields or a Sam Darnold with which a lot of people wanted, those aren't really competition moves. Those are guys who are going to start like with Justin Fields, maybe not as much,
Starting point is 00:18:01 but he had the option to take more money and a starting spot with the Jets, basically. So the Colts didn't want to pull the plug on Richardson. They wanted to legitimately give him a shot. So there just wasn't much more out there. And I mean, I think they truly do have a belief in Daniel Jones that he could legitimately push Anthony. They've seen Flacco, they've seen Gardner. I don't think they have huge faith in Gardner, but I don't know. Like, I just don't know what else was out there. The money probably was a bit much,
Starting point is 00:18:36 but they also felt like they were in a bidding war, although Minnesota did offer more money. So- I would have let Minnesota offer that more money, you know, like that would have been the other thing of it is though. Anthony has missed 17 games because of injury. You gotta have someone else to go out there 100%.
Starting point is 00:18:53 I'm going to let you get to yours real quick because we're going to spend the whole show talking about this 100%. They needed somebody. Yeah, I would have preferred someone who could throw the football a little bit better. It is all I'm saying here. I mean, look, I'm not, I'm not super for the move to me. I'm just like, eh, what can you do?
Starting point is 00:19:10 This isn't the off season to have to have this problem. If you want to light 18 million on fire, just giving it back to Gardner. It's not, it's not, no, Gardner was not fun. I, you mentioned that you see Daniel Jones, wait until you see Daniel. I mean, I was never a Jones family coming into the draft. I thought he was overrated. I was like this guy just throw a sideline fades. He doesn't do anything else. And you know, not much is transpired. But I like number one, I hope Anthony wins
Starting point is 00:19:40 the job and and because that's where the upside is, and that we don't really have to see Jones in the first place, but You know it is what it is like. I'm just like It's someone who started 6970 games whatever it is, but my my thing that I really disliked this offseason was Not taking the linebacker situation more seriously so taking the linebacker situation more seriously. So basically the Colts are up and like it's not like they didn't try like there were guys in the draft that they liked and it just didn't work out.
Starting point is 00:20:13 I don't think they had a huge pool of guys that they love but like the guys they did the timing just wasn't there throughout the draft. Free agency they probably could have done something but similar to the Anthony Richardson thing, they kind of had to be careful with the caliber player they brought in because they do want Jalen Carlisle to be there will. And they've also said, you know, under Louie and Arumo, they're going to be running so much, you know, nickel and dime that they're not going to need linebackers as much, yada, yada, yada.
Starting point is 00:20:40 But like if you just add good players to your defense, they will find ways to get on the field. You know, I mean like you shouldn't just discount a position. I know they love Zaire and he never would have been replaced this offseason. Jalen Carlisle, we both talked about super in favor of him getting the nod. My thing is you're taking a clear position of it doesn't, it lacks depth and it's not necessarily a strength. It's just like they didn't even really try. Now I know Hunter roller is, is mainly a safety, but he's gonna play some dime linebacker when it comes up. But it's
Starting point is 00:21:14 like both guys right now, both of your starting linebackers are basically out until training camp with injuries. That's not great because it's a position you told us you didn't really need to mess with too much all off season. And then, you know, hopefully they're back by training camp, but I mean, if they get hurt during the season, how comfortable do you feel with that? Or like, you can say that you like Shegu Aloubi and you like Cameron McGrone
Starting point is 00:21:44 and you think Hunter Roller can get out there, but like why have to roll the dice there? Why not give yourself some insurance and be like, okay, we're good now. You could turn this into a position of relative strength by just adding another capable veteran. That's all it took. This is a position where this is a we like our guys position. Yeah, again, I think they probably would have added guys at certain
Starting point is 00:22:10 situations would have arisen earlier in the offseason. But that doesn't mean you stop trying. Yeah, yeah, no, I completely agree and I would add on to that, but I ran way too long on my Daniel Jones hate so coming up. Jakes gonna tell us on exactly what
Starting point is 00:22:24 position he thinks the Colts should add at prior to the season. I wonder what position is going to go with in this final segment. All right. Locked on Colts every day as we are back talking all about what position we like to see the Colts add at prior to the season, because there are still moves to be made out there. There's still some veterans that are on the open market that could help this team. So Jake, you know, is there a position in that you think the Colts should add some competition at?
Starting point is 00:22:55 Yeah, so linebacker seems like you know, it's right for the thick in there. Yeah. Yeah, I recently heard someone talking about how they needed to add linebacker. So yeah, for sure. Thank that. Yeah. So if you would have like rewound right after the draft, I could have talked myself into it a little bit like that. They didn't need anyone to threaten to start really. Like I didn't love the depth, but case or Asura, whatever you, you bring another
Starting point is 00:23:22 capable person in and then you're fine. But now that both of your starters are out this off season, again, they're out, this is not expected to go into the regular season, but it shows you how fragile the position is now because when we go there to practice tomorrow, it's probably going to be Shagoo Aloubi and I don't know who else. Probably Cam McGrone. I would guess would be your starter. How much do you love that? Zachibi and I don't know who else. Probably Cam McGrown, I would guess, would be your other starter.
Starting point is 00:23:46 How much do you love that, Zach? You probably don't. No, it's not great. Things can happen in the NFL. And again, they could discount the position all they want, but you don't have to. Like there are still guys out there. And again, the off season is not done.
Starting point is 00:24:00 But to me, like I wasn't super on board with the Jermane Pratt thing because he was a little too similar to Zaire Franklin. They had some similar issues and I don't love the idea of like signing a guy who is like you're probably going to have to start him. But at this point I'm like man, the depth is pretty shaky now that we know these guys aren't like ironclad health wise because again Carlis is rehabbing something now, but he also missed like sevenclad health wise. Cuz again, Carlis is rehabbing something now, but
Starting point is 00:24:25 he also missed like seven games as a rookie. We haven't seen him yet for a full season. So Jermaine Pratt, I wouldn't hate it. I mean, you would love for maybe the Bengals to cut him. And then you pick something up there because, I mean, they got Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter and Orrin Burks, like they have replaced him essentially. So eventually maybe they'll cut him.
Starting point is 00:24:50 Kaiser Wright's a guy we've mentioned before, Joann Bentley, this even ended early last year due to a pec injury. But those are three guys who you sign them and they're probably starting or at least like really nipping for playing time there. But then there's some more modest guys who have started before and played series snaps before but they're more so going to be special teams guys who can play if you need them to. Duke Riley, Chris Barnes, they're both guys who've been there and done that and have played decently. That's more of the flavor for me. I don't really wanna add guys who you almost have to start.
Starting point is 00:25:27 But yeah, Duke Riley is a guy I was in love with coming out of LSU back in the day. His career has not gone the way I thought it did, but he's played tons of special teams, has played decent ball, and then Chris Barnes has done the same for the Cardinals recently, I think the Packers before. So linebacker, do it. Yeah, no, I can see your passion for linebacker right now, Jake. I just let you talk for like
Starting point is 00:25:49 10 straight minutes. I've been, I've only been complaining about it and feeling worse about it for like the last two weeks, so I had to get it out. Yeah, I will say I'm wondering if they are waiting out the Jermaine Pratt situation with the Bengals because Pratt has been pretty vocal about how much he loves Luana Rumo. The Bengals slow play everything, which is obvious. I mean, T Higgins took three years to get an extension. We're looking at Jermaine Pratt right now. We have no clue what's going on there. Trey Hendrickson is starting to attack the team in the media. The Bengals slow play everything to a stupid degree, and this is what we're seeing as a result of that. So who knows what happens with the Jermaine Pratt situation,
Starting point is 00:26:27 but I do wonder if the Colts are waiting on that because I think if he does get released or cut, I do think the Colts would be an obvious destination. I think Anne Rimmel and Pratt would both be a fan of that reunion there. So there is still time for the Colts to improve upon that, but I will at least say at Linebacker, while I'm not super intrigued or excited
Starting point is 00:26:49 about the prospects of a Seguu Uluwubi or a Cameragrone or Hunter Woller starting games at Linebacker, I feel better about those guys than whatever the heck I feel about the backups at safety. So my big addition is bring me somebody who can play safety at an NFL level to be their third or fourth safety. So my big addition is bring me somebody who can play safety at an NFL level to be their third or fourth safety. I mean, we can sit here all off season and don't worry, we will because this is who we are. People will be excited about Hunter Wohler and Trey Washington and Daniel Scott
Starting point is 00:27:17 because I've been waiting years to get excited about Daniel Scott again. We'll be excited about them come training camp because that's who we are as people. We get excited about the low end guys. But realistically, the odds of one of these guys being a competent third safety for the team, I guess Ronnie Thomas is also in there as well. But Ronnie Thomas, I'm mostly out on obviously, as you guys can tell, for the Colts. So the odds of any of those guys being a competent third safety for this team are very, very low. And we've seen it with this Colts team in the past. You know, when you are one injury away from a non-roster bowl player starting games for you, it can kill you.
Starting point is 00:27:54 They got so lucky last year at corner where we were saying it prior to the season, like we're fine with Juju Brents and Jalen Jones starting out the year as your top two corners, but they are one injury away from guys who should not be starting in the NFL starting games. And that one injury happened to Juju Brents. We saw a couple games of Dallas Flowers post Achilles that was just not ready to play on the NFL. And it cost them that Jaguars game in a big way. Yeah, but they got super, super lucky with Samuel Womack being at NFL caliber player. So outside of getting just super lucky at safety, they're playing with fire again
Starting point is 00:28:31 at another defensive position in the secondary. Whereas like guys like cross and Bynum have been extremely healthy in their careers at this point. Knock on wood, obviously knocking on wood as I say that. But again, you're playing with fire. Like if one of those guys goes down with injury, like if cross goes down, Hunter Wollers are starting strong safety as of right now. No, absolutely not. Like we can't do that in the NFL. And then at free safety, if Bynum goes down, we're back to Rodney Thomas or Daniel Scott. If Daniel Scott can make it to the regular season, Trey, I like Trey Washington. I really do, but I don't want him starting games tomorrow.
Starting point is 00:29:09 Like, come on, like, let's, let's get somebody in here. I know Von Bell's probably on speed dial right now for this Colts team because him and Lou Andrew are just best buddies. But like, I want some, I got to feel comfortable about this safety position. Please bring me somebody who knows how to play football. Like just just a guy who's been there done that for a little bit as a third safety I'm terrified of playing with fire at safety. We saw in 2018 with this team when I mean gosh they had a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs where
Starting point is 00:29:39 they were starting a free agent off the street in the box. Yeah JJ Wilcox was starting games in the playhouse for them. Like please don't do this at safety. Please don't do this. They just bring in somebody who has been there done that. Like even if they get, I think if Trey Washington comes in, looks like awesome and just beats that guy out in camp. Awesome.
Starting point is 00:30:01 I'm all for it. But like let him beat somebody out in camp. Like let's not put him up against Daniel Scott and his leg injuries like let's put him up against like a guy who's capable playing in the NFL and go from there. So yeah, like how you feel about linebacker? I'm terrified looking at. I almost said right guard depth honestly for this episode and then I forgot about safety and it made me angry all over again. I went
Starting point is 00:30:22 back to safety for it. So yeah, please bring me a safety, please. Somebody, somebody you can play. I'm with you. And this one is almost as egregious or probably more because there's a super recent example of them having issues at safety last year. And that's when Julian Blackman had that shoulder injury in what week one or week two
Starting point is 00:30:43 and had to play the entire year through it. And it didn't look good. There was no one behind him who they could turn to to be confident, to play a competent football. And that's kind of happening again. Like you said, who's starting if cross or Bynum gets hurt. It's the NFL. No one is made of titanium. You know, like someone's going to get hurt at some point. I mean, we hope not. I mean, those guys have been pretty healthy, like you mentioned, but it's the NFL, man. Like you, it's, you just don't have to say we have young and experienced
Starting point is 00:31:18 guys that we like, like you can have confidence in who you're going to. We're not saying go get Justin Simmons because that's what you probably should have done last year. I mean, he's still out there, but like there's guys out there who could play football. You mentioned Bob Bell is out there. He at least speaks Louie and Arumbo's language. Right, right.
Starting point is 00:31:37 Man, Rich Wheeler in our comments right here, bringing up my PTSD with Andrew Sendejo. I completely forgot that Sendejo played here. That was awful. I haven't, don't worry. That was the worst experience. Yeah. Like just I don't want to be in that situation again where it's an Andrews and day or JJ Wilcox or I mean, I know Mitchell worked out for them back in that 2018 season, but like more as just a vibe than actual player, you know, like bring me somebody in the off season who knows what they're doing and let's go from there.
Starting point is 00:32:07 But yes, I'm terrified about safety. Jake's terrified about linebacker. I also hate Daniel Jones, but don't worry. We're optimistic about Charvarius Ward and Tyler Ward. So you guys let us know in the comments section your favorite move of the off season for the Colts, your least favorite move. And obviously what movie still want to see. Are you as worried about linebacker and safety as Jake and I are? Let us know in the comment section below and thank you guys for making Locked on Colts your first listen today and every day.
Starting point is 00:32:32 Now for your second listen, check out Locked on NFL Scouting. The NFL draft is over, but the roster moves and news never stop. Host Kyle Krabs and Joe Marino will make you the most informed NFL fan this all season. Find Locked on NFL scouting on YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcast. And as you guys can tell, I'm actually healthy because I could get through that entire spiel right there without dying. So finally you guys can hear my real voice again. If you guys want to become a locked on Colts insider and chat this directly and get that insider screw, follow the link in our show notes. And if you don't already make sure you're following at locked on Colts at Jay Garth or in a film at Zach Hicks to all on Twitter. Also subscribe to
Starting point is 00:33:05 us on YouTube. Every list your podcast. We love your guys. We're in the views of well, and we'll catch you guys back here later this week.

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