Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts Could Finally Benefit from Andrew Luck's Retirement

Starting point is 00:00:00 The name Andrew Luck has popped up yet again, but this time it could actually work to the Colts' benefit. 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. What's up, everybody? Thanks for joining me today. And thanks for making us your first listen of the day. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Today's show is sponsored by BetterHelp, which connects you with a licensed therapist who can take you on that journey of self-discovery from

Starting point is 00:00:55 wherever you are currently. Visit betterhelp.com slash locked on today to get 10% off of your first month. I am Jake Arthur of horsesorseshoeHuddle.com. I am your resident credentialed media member of the site, just kind of bringing you the inside scoop from behind facility doors. On today's show, I feel like it's kind of the elephant in the room at the moment. We gotta talk about this Andrew Luck situation.

Starting point is 00:01:22 We're gonna see if there was some potentially wrongdoing, if the Washington Commanders were trying to pull a fast one on the Colts. And then afterward, we're going to discuss some of the Colts' winners and losers of the offseason based on the moves that they've made so far. So first, talking about this Andrew Luck thing, let's just give you some background, tell you where this even came from to begin with. So ESPN's commanders reporter, John Kime, recently wrote that the commanders phoned about Andrew Luck last offseason when they were looking for a solution, ultimately came into Carson Wentz. John Kime said he didn't really get too much into specifics right there. He said they phoned about Luck, but that was news to Colts owner Jim Ursae, who tweeted later that day.

Starting point is 00:02:14 I'll show you here. He said, if any NFL team attempted to contact Andrew Luck or any associate of his to play for their franchise, it would be a clear violation of the league's tampering policy. So why does that matter? Basically, Andrew Luck retired, but he is still contractually obligated to the Colts. I believe he's still got two years and almost $25 million left on his contract. So if he was going to come back and play, he's not a free agent. He's not free to sign with anybody.

Starting point is 00:02:48 His rights belong to the Colts. They would have to trade him. So if the commanders reached out to Luck or his representatives directly without getting with the Colts first, that would be tampering. So in response to all that, following up Kimes' report, following up Jim Ursae's's tweet espn's stephen holder friend of the show we've had him on here a couple times uh he wrote a cold source said that the team is unclear about the nature of the conversations but it is seeking to learn more about what exactly

Starting point is 00:03:17 transpired and whether any tampering occurred so this is a big deal because we've seen a couple teams get penalized pretty heftily for it. If heftily is a word, if not, we're going to go with it. So just in this last draft, for example, the Miami Dolphins had to cough up their first round pick as a result of tampering around, I believe it was Tom Brady. So they had to give up their first round pick. And then the Eagles and Cardinals had came to an agreement on their own without the league handing down punishment. So the Cardinals had reached out to Jonathan Gannon after the NFC championship game, which they were not allowed to do. And so the two sides decided they would swap third round picks,

Starting point is 00:04:06 which was a difference of quite a bit in the Eagles' favor. And then Arizona is also giving a 2024 fifth round pick to the Eagles. So if the commanders did tamper with luck, then you can kind of expect something to come of it, whether it's something they arbitrate themselves or if an investigation comes down from the league. We're not even really to that point yet. I guess the Colts are still kind of on a fact finding mission, seeing what occurred. However, Colts owner Jim Irsay has been very outspoken about commanders owner Daniel Snyder's wrongdoings over the time. And he was really a key voice in getting Snyder to eventually sell the team,

Starting point is 00:04:51 which he is in the middle of right now. So if Snyder's organization did something like tamper and try to get Andrew Luck without contacting the Colts first, you could definitely expect Ursae to want there to be a penalty for that. So that is why this whole thing is even a big deal. Again, we've seen recent examples of why it matters and the punishment that can come down from it. So that's definitely something to keep an eye on. I don't think we've heard the last of that, whether it's, you know, a source coming out and saying that they don't expect the Colts to pursue it any further or to take it a step further, that they are submitting an investigation to the league. We'll really want to keep an eye on that and see how it goes.

Starting point is 00:05:39 I just really don't think this is going to die quietly into the night. So definitely we'll see about that. Next, if the Colts were a stock market, which player stocks have taken the biggest hit and which ones are on the rise currently? But first, this show is sponsored by BetterHelp. When you're juggling quite a bit and trying to help those around you make their lives easier or just help out, that kind of means you could put yourself on the back burner as a result it's important to give yourself a little time and grace though otherwise you could get burned out therapy can give you the tools to find out more find more balance in your life so that you can keep supporting others without leaving yourself in the dust i've not personally been to therapy, but if and when I do, I think

Starting point is 00:06:25 this would be a big thing for me to tackle and work on, you know, that work-life balance or just how to shuffle things around and prioritize what matters most. If any of you guys are thinking about starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It's entirely online, which is awesome because it means you don't have to get dressed up or go see anyone in person it's designed to be convenient flexible and suited to your schedule just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with with a licensed therapist and switch therapist anytime at no additional cost if you're just not really jiving with the one that's assigned to you find more balance with better help visit betterhelp.com locked on today to get 10 off your first month that's betterhelp h-e-l-p dot com slash locked on

Starting point is 00:07:15 and every day remember to hang out with us here this week uh zach is going to be back and he's going to introduce and explain his latest series that he's got over at horseshoehuddle.com uh some of you guys have maybe seen it. It came out this morning. It's talking about empty theory and just the ways that Shane Steichen and the Colts can hit the ground running with their new quarterback, Anthony Richardson. So again, go to horseshoehuddle.com. Check out the start of the series.

Starting point is 00:07:41 And here, if you guys aren't already, please like and subscribe. All right. So I'm kind of eager to find out what you guys think about this one. So in advance, leave some comments here. The winners of the Colts off season so far. So first up, I've got Jonathan Taylor. First thing being he's healthy now, which is great. He had that procedure on his ankle. He should be good to go. He's feeling great. We've heard from him a couple times. So he's got Shane Steichen now as his head coach,

Starting point is 00:08:11 who just led one of the best running teams in all of football with Jalen Hurts, got the most out of Miles Sanders. I think Jonathan Taylor is a huge winner from having Shane Steichen. And to even go further with it, his quarterback is now Anthony Richardson. So that opens up a lot of RPO opportunities. Teams have to account for both players in the run game now. So I think this is going to resemble a lot more of 2021 Jonathan Taylor when he led the league in rushing than it did last year when the line was terrible. He was banged up and things just weren't working. We actually most recently did our episode on

Starting point is 00:08:51 bold predictions, and I said that I think Taylor's going to lead the league in rushing again, so keep an eye on that. Last, the Colts probably could have done a little more with this, but they do have some O-line depth now. They re-signed Carter O'Donnell. They added Freeland in the draft, Witt in the draft. So they've got a couple more guys in there. I think they're excited about Dakota Shepley on the interior. Danny Pinter is a depth piece, as we've seen that he probably should be. They've got a new O-line coach in Tony Sperano Jr. So I can't imagine the O-line not being a little better this season. So thumbs up for Jonathan Taylor so far. Alec Pierce, another one I've got for you.

Starting point is 00:09:34 Reason being, I think he fits very well with Anthony Richardson. Pierce is a big target, you know, 6'3", 6'4", blazing speed. He's a downfield guy, and that's what Richardson likes to do. I think Richardson is going to find plenty of opportunities to hit Pierce on the outside downfield. And again, don't forget Pierce is a really good contested catch receiver as well. So all that should work in his favor. He kind of landed a quarterback that really fits with him. Up next, a couple offensive linemen in Bernard Ryman and Will Fries. Biggest reason for those two is they were not replaced in the offseason. The Colts did not

Starting point is 00:10:11 sign any new starting left tackles or a new starting right guard. Those guys do have competition now. As I mentioned, Blake Freeland, I don't know if he's going to start on the left or right side with the depth pieces. I didn't mean start, but like if he's going to begin getting looks at left or right tackle in practice, but he's obviously going to push Bernard Ryman a little bit there. Will Fries, there's Emil Ekior, the undrafted free agent from Alabama who might give him a little competition. But overall, the Colts bypassed clear options that were out there to start over each player, and they didn't take it. So that's a vote of confidence for both players. Next up,

Starting point is 00:10:52 linebacker Shaquille Leonard, kind of for the same reason. The Colts wouldn't sign anyone to replace Leonard, but they could have made a move that would have been evident to all of us that things weren't looking great for Leonard. Like if they would have, if they would have re-signed Bobby Okereke to the deal that he got with the Giants or signed another linebacker like Tremaine Edmonds or someone, a really notable linebacker, it probably would have been a sign that Leonard wasn't going to be returning anytime soon. But the fact that they didn't make any big moves kind of tells me they still have confidence that he'll be back sometime this year. No idea when that is. We're still kind of getting the, he'll be ready when he's healthy kind of stuff. He's not fully,

Starting point is 00:11:35 he's not fully practicing yet, but we'll see where that goes. And you know, that I also think the Colts would, are still confident in Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed. But I think if they didn't think Leonard was going to be back, I think they would have made at least one more substantial move to kind of clear up the linebacker group. Another one, Kenny Moore II. Reason there is, you know, we pretty much thought he was a goner. Like, we did not really think that he would be back on this roster in 2023. The Colts did not want to trade him, and there was some reassurances to him and commitment.

Starting point is 00:12:13 It seems like both sides now are bought in to continue the future. Kenny Moore, he's told us there were some tough talks with Chris Ballard, Gus Bradley, everybody in the organization. And it sounds like guys are on the same page now. And likewise with the Colts, it sounds like they really want him to be a big part of their defense moving forward as well. So he's still got to perform. But again, the Colts didn't make any big moves to get a clear nickel to replace him or anything. They do have Julian Blackman who can contribute there as well.

Starting point is 00:12:45 But everything we've heard is that Kenny Moore is going to be a big part of this. And another layer to that is he had the contract dispute last offseason where he didn't participate in the voluntary stuff. We really haven't heard anything about that this offseason. He's been in the building. He's spoken with the media. So it seems like everything is on the straight and narrow there. Next up, second year safety, Nick Cross.

Starting point is 00:13:11 So it seems like the Colts are going to give him a chance to earn that role at strong safety back. They did not replace Rodney McCloud with anyone who would be like a guaranteed starter. They didn't even bring McLeod back in the first place. And that was the guy who replaced Cross in the lineup last year. Gus Bradley kind of likes those clear defined safety roles, free safety, strong safety. They've got a couple of proven guys in Rodney Thomas and Julian Blackman, but they're both free safeties generally. That's not to say that Bradley couldn't move Blackman to strong safety and have Rodney Thomas starting at free,

Starting point is 00:13:50 but I think they really want to see Nick Cross come in and grab that role and just not give it back. I think they have every intention to let him earn that role, so Nick Cross is a big winner. And then focusing on a couple of coaches, Shane Steichen, head coach, he got his guy. Clearly from what we've seen, Anthony Richardson is the guy he had his eye on most. And here at Locked on Colts, Zach talked all about it, how these two are the perfect marriage, and it has come true. So Steichen got the guy he can mold into being his absolute prototypical quarterback from his system. He could do a little bit of everything. He's got catching up to do as a passer, but that athleticism is for real. So Shane Steichen, big winner. He got

Starting point is 00:14:39 his quarterback that he wanted. And then another coach, these guys don't get a lot of love all the time, but special teams coordinator, Brian Mason. We've talked a little bit about this lately as well. Special teams coordinator, big, big winner this off season. The Colts, you know, they got Matt Gay, one of the most accurate kickers we've seen lately. They signed him to the biggest free agent kicker deal in NFL history. The Colts re-signed some key special teamers in Ashton Doolin, in EJ Speed. They signed outside free agents like Isaiah McKenzie, who has been a special teams player and return man throughout his career. They've got Josh Downs, who's a return specialist, Darius Rush, Jalen Jones, Daniel Scott.

Starting point is 00:15:24 They drafted a bunch of really good special teams players. Plus he's getting Rigoberto Sanchez back as his punter. So there's not a lot that has gone wrong for Brian Mason so far in his tenure as the Colts special teams coordinator. Of course, they've got to play the games first, but the Colts have definitely given him some ammo to have a nice special teams unit there. So next up, which Colts arrows are pointing down after the moves that the team has made this offseason right after this? OK, so I know we introduced this as winners and losers, but I just really don't like to call anyone loser.

Starting point is 00:16:02 It feels it feels very rude. So we'll consider it that their stock is pointing downward. It's taken a hit after the moves that the Colts have made. So first up, this one is kind of obvious, but I think he knew this was coming. Gardner Menchu, the Colts signed this quarterback to potentially be the starter if things fell through with the quarterback situation,

Starting point is 00:16:25 if they didn't get someone in the draft that they wanted to be their clear franchise cornerstone. If that was going to happen, Minshew was going to kind of fall to the wayside and be the starter or backup, start until the rookie was ready. And that's what's happened. The Colts now really don't need Minshew to be the starter. That's not to say he may not begin the season as the starter if Anthony Richardson isn't ready. But it really sounds like the Colts have every intention of getting Richardson ready to start. It's just up to him and whether he can get up to speed quick enough. Again, Minshew might get some snaps this season, but it's only a matter of time until Richardson

Starting point is 00:17:06 is the guy. Again, that's not a big shock. He had to know that coming into Indy that, yes, he's currently the starter when he signed, but if they get someone in the draft, he's probably going to get shuffled down a little bit. So that one's a little obvious. Next up, running back Deion Jackson. I've always really liked Jackson's game. I think he's a good between the tackles runner, really good pass catching back, which can prove to be invaluable, especially after they traded away Naheem Hines. You need that guy in the backfield who can just kind of catch everything and keep the chains moving. So they drafted Evan Hull on day three, and I've seen Hull in a couple practices already, and I really don't know that there's much that Jackson

Starting point is 00:17:52 brings that Hull doesn't. So the Colts did sign Jackson to an extension right after the season, but I don't know how much weight that's going to carry if a rookie like Hull is providing the exact same thing. I think Hull is providing the exact same thing. I think Hull's probably a little more explosive. He's really athletic. He catches everything thrown his way. He is a special teams player, just like Deion Jackson is. And that's what got Jackson on the Colts roster in the first place, was his special teams ability. So I just really don't see anything Jackson does that Hull doesn't also do. And so I think this is going to be a key battle during training camp. You know, RB3, RB4 is not really a sexy camp battle to keep an eye on.

Starting point is 00:18:36 But I really like what I've seen from both players. Obviously, a very, very, very small sample size for Hull. But I get Jordan Wilkins vibes when I watch him. So we'll see how that goes. But it definitely threatens Jackson the most. Zach Moss being a guy they traded for last year, and he's their best pass protecting back. So I really don't think it affects Moss as much as it does Jackson. Next up, Isaiah McKenzie. Free agent addition this offseason, not signed to a really big deal, is less than $2 million. But at the time, he was replacing Paris Campbell and was

Starting point is 00:19:13 the Colts' no-doubt slot receiver. Unless they were really going to usher Ashton Doolin into that, it looked like Isaiah McKenzie was going to be the starting slot receiver. And then they drafted Josh Downs. Downs has, other than Anthony Richardson, there hasn't been more buzz about any Colts player, especially a rookie, other than Downs. He has been outstanding in the couple of practices I've seen of him. He's caught everything. He is so shifty, has great short area quickness. He doesn't look like a rookie out there so far. You know, he's been practicing against other rookies, but he looks way beyond the other guys. You know, he looks like a second or third year vet out there. So I imagine he's going to earn a role right away because what he's going to be asked to do is something he already is really, really good at. He doesn't really have to grow into that. So his floor that he's at right now

Starting point is 00:20:12 is already really good. I think he could contribute right away. So that obviously is going to affect McKenzie. Now, I think there will be opportunities for both of them to have a role. They'll probably both be on the field at the same time when things get spread out a little bit. But when you look at the fact that McKenzie is also potentially a kickoff and punt returner, the Colts have other guys to do that. You know, Dallas Flowers is there. Josh Downs can do that.

Starting point is 00:20:40 He's been practicing as a punt returner in practice as well. So both of McKenzie's key roles have had competition added to it that probably has a much, much higher ceiling and more longevity with the Colts than McKenzie does. Another guy I just mentioned, but Dallas Flowers, the cornerback. Reason being, heading into the draft, the Colts had a big need at cornerback, and Flowers was kind of penciled in as a starter on the outside with Kenny Moore inside and Isaiah Rogers on the other outside spot. But now the Colts invested in Juju Brents, Darius Rush, and Jalen Jones. Those are all three guys who have pretty similar profiles to Flowers. They're all big, over six foot.

Starting point is 00:21:26 They're really athletic and they're physical. So the Colts basically just drafted three guys that directly compete with Dallas Flowers. Really, the only advantage he has on them is that he's already been in the league for a year. He's a really quality return specialist. So I don't know how much that's going to be affected because he deserves the chance to be the starting kickoff returner when the season starts. But as far as defensive snaps go, I don't know how many he's going to get. I mean, Jalen Jones probably won't contribute much on defense initially. It'll probably be more so Brents and Rush as the rookie cornerbacks that really see snaps.

Starting point is 00:22:06 But unless there's injuries, I really don't see a clear path for Flowers to see a ton of snaps now on defense like he was slated to before the draft began. Last up, a couple smaller names, but still guys who have had their spots threatened nonetheless. Safety is Marcel Dabo and Trevor Denbo. So Dabo was a practice squad player last year, but he worked his way up the ranks on the depth chart last summer in training camp. And he was kind of a name to watch coming into this training camp. Not that he isn't still, but he was an international pathway player, really athletic, just a pretty intriguing prospect to add into the Colts safety room, probably more of a special teamer initially. And then Denbo did have a spot after he was on IR. He's, you know, kind of supposed to be a special teams demon out there,

Starting point is 00:23:00 but both of these guys spot on the roster has been threatened now by the drafting of daniel scott the rookie safety out of cal so scott he looks like everything brian mason wants in a special teams player uh i asked trisk ballard after the draft about the role for daniel scott and it primarily being special teams but ballard said they could really see him contributing on defense as well. So it's just a crowded safety room. I don't know how many they're going to keep. Obviously, you want Julian Blackman and Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas.

Starting point is 00:23:38 But how much more room is there for Dabo, Denbo, and Scott? Special teams is going to be a huge factor in this all. I think it will be the deal breaker for any of the three. So three probably pretty good special teams players. But who is going to fall in line with what Brian Mason wants the most? So we'll keep an eye on that as well. If the RB3, RB4 battle wasn't sexy, safety four or five isn't really going to be either. But again, these are bubble roster spots to keep an eye on. So it is important at the end of the day. So that is all we've got for you, everybody.

Starting point is 00:24:11 Every dayers, Zach is going to be back tomorrow as we continue yakking about how the Colts will look under this new regime, Shane Steichen, Anthony Richardson, and so on. And we're going to dive into some of the topics that you guys have really been wanting us to tackle. So if you don't already follow at Locked on Colts, at JakeArthurNFL, and at Zach Hicks too on Twitter, also please subscribe to Locked on Colts on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts. We'd also love your ratings and reviews. You guys have been showing us so much love lately.

Starting point is 00:24:42 We have hit the charts, the United States sports podcast charts, and especially the NFL podcast charts. We can't thank you guys enough. You guys have done so well there. You know, the ratings and reviews help move us up even further. So we would be very, very grateful if you guys would keep that up for us. But other than that, Zach and I will see you guys tomorrow.

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Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts Could Finally Benefit from Andrew Luck's Retirement

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