Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts: How To Fix This Disastrous Offensive Line

Starting point is 00:00:00 Let's talk a little bit more about the biggest issues plaguing the 2022 Indianapolis Colts. I'm joined by yet another special guest to dive into some of the burning questions that have been running rampant across the fan base. 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. Thank you Colts fans for tuning in and making us your number one 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 episode is brought to you by BetOnline.

Starting point is 00:01:01 BetOnline has you covered this season with more props, odds, and lines than ever before. BetOnline, where the game starts. This is Zach Hicks and I'm joined by yet another special guest, my esteemed colleague, Andrew Moore. You guys have probably heard him on here a couple times, and also he works with Jake and I over at Horseshoe Huddles. So, you know, we're keeping it within the family here. You know, we're bringing someone from the family on. But today I have Andrew jumping on with me.

Starting point is 00:01:20 We're going to talk a little bit about Frank Reich's press conference and the news and updates that he gave us. Plus we're going to dive into the main issue of this Colts offensive line yet again. I know we can't stop talking about the offensive line on here. And before we get into all this, I do want to say the shout out. I did promise last episode that whoever had the best comparison for my bald head will get a special shout out on here. So Jeff Cena from our YouTube comment section. Jeff has been a loyal listener since day one with us. He compared me to the Mr. Clean, but it was to the new Mr. Clean.

Starting point is 00:01:56 I don't know if you guys have seen that commercial yet, that Mr. Clean where it's like slow motion and like all sensual. That's what he compared me to. So I just thought that was a great compliment. So Jeff Cena, just bonus points for you. And then I think there was a guy on Twitter. I think it was a good friend, Cold Sky Jake, said that I should cosplay as Avatar the Last Airbender for Halloween.

Starting point is 00:02:17 So that was a good one too. I want to give a shout out to that one too. I mean, all you need is that blue arrow right down the center of the head. You got it covered, man. Yeah, Andrew, do you have a good one for me? What do I look like? What do I look like? Oh, man. Get back to me at the end of the episode.

Starting point is 00:02:31 I'll start churning some ideas as we talk here. All right. All right. Before we go too off the rails, we do have to jump into some news and notes. And one of those, pretty much the biggest news and notes that we have here for this one is Frank Reich had his press conference following the, you know, kind of the mini bye that the Colts had after their Thursday night victory over the Denver Broncos. A couple of things that he talked about kind of stood out to me. One of the things that he mentioned was I think Joel Erickson did a great job of just putting him on the spot right away, talking about the issues of the offense and saying, like, what is going on with this offense right now? Because this is the worst we've ever seen this offense under the cold or with

Starting point is 00:03:08 the Colts under Frank Reich. And Frank said, had a really good answer to it. He said, what we've talked about more than anything else that's giving us a problem is we're just getting behind the sticks, not just on third down, but even on second down a lot of second and long third and long, you're giving defenses a chance to pin their ears back. You're swimming upstream. We've just got to be more efficient on first and second down.

Starting point is 00:03:28 I think that's a fair assessment. I think, you know, it's kind of funny. I think basically what that quote comes down to is we just got to move the ball a little bit better, but they are getting so far behind the stick. We're seeing a lot of second and 10, second and 11, third and 10, third and 11, and it's just really killing this team. Yeah, absolutely. And I think, I think it's multiple different reasons why they're getting behind the sticks. I mean, first of all, let's, let's talk about what's going on on the field. Simply the Colts office just needs to execute better. And there's been

Starting point is 00:03:58 multiple instances of them getting behind the sticks this year, but we'll, we'll just go back to the first, the first drive of the game against the Broncos. I mean, it was a quick out to Naheem Hines in the flat, and Naheem just drops it. Then you do second and long, run it up the middle with Naheem for two-yard gain or something like that. Then within a matter of a minute, you're in a third-nate situation when your offensive line hasn't been able to block and you know, this Broncos defense is going to bring the house on you. So it's, it's tough when you're getting so far behind and this team hasn't been able

Starting point is 00:04:32 to rely on a Jonathan Taylor run on first down that gets them five to six yards. It just hasn't happened yet. So the better that they can execute. And then I, my second point is the play calling. I think Frank Wright can definitely help in those instances of getting them into better situations or scheming guys open to make, just make the offense easier on first down. To get some positive yardage out of that, it can really make a difference for this team going forward. Yeah, Wright was asked about the quick passing game and how that was a staple in years past. It's not really there this year. He did say that that is kind of the bread and butter. They're just not executing right now, which again, I can't fault him for that because

Starting point is 00:05:12 yeah, they're not executing at all right now. Frank Reich was also asked about his evaluation and comfort level with quarterback Matt Ryan. For that, he said that his comfort with Matt Ryan as their starting quarterback is still very, very high, especially after watching the film. And I think he also mentioned something in that quote about playing the position for a long time. He knows what to look for. So he feels comfortable with everything, Matt Ryan. I know we've been kind of critical on this podcast of Matt Ryan, you know, and not to the point where we're going to bury him and say that he can't turn it around. But, yeah, I mean, it's always good to have that confidence in your quarterback, even if you're just saying that for the media.

Starting point is 00:05:47 Right. And, and I know you watch the film every week, I watch the film focusing in on Matt Ryan, every single week. And it's, it's just such a stark contrast from when Matt Ryan does have time and he can sit in the pocket and deliver a throw on time, versus when he's got two to three guys right in his face. And I mean, and really any quarterback is going to have that issue, but especially with Matt Ryan, he's not a Patrick Mahomes, a Lamar Jackson, a Josh Allen who can escape that and make a play down the field. He's 37 years old. He's never been an overly mobile quarterback. You can ask him to move a little bit in the pocket, but he's not a guy that can just create things on his own.

Starting point is 00:06:27 And that's in the situation that the Colts keep putting him in and he hasn't been able to deliver. And then I think, I mean, just watching as the weeks have gone on, watching the film, you see him pressing more and more, trying to maybe not necessarily put the team on his back, but kind of just be the superhero and try to make every single play. He's like, okay, my offensive line is breaking down, but I got to deliver this throw.

Starting point is 00:06:53 And that's when you get into some of those sticky situations where he holds onto the ball a little bit too long and he makes one of his 11 fumbles that he has had this year. So it's a tough situation for Matt Ryan to be in because I think if this offense was, even if this offensive line was performing at an average level, I think we'd be having a completely different conversation about Matt Ryan. But because they've regressed to 2017 levels, it seems like,

Starting point is 00:07:23 the conversation has completely changed and and matt ryan's feeling the brunt of of the failure by by the protection from the offensive line to the backs the tight ends and so on and so forth yeah definitely no i i do think that this offense will eventually turn around but we are getting to the point where we don't really have the room to keep saying that you know frank reich did kind of address that today too he did talk about how you know eventually this stuff needs to turn around like he he said that the fumbles if you look at Matt Ryan's like entire career these fumbles would tell you that it's a fluky thing but it's the one time that we've seen it with Matt Ryan so how fluky can it really be so yeah that's really interesting and then talking about that offensive line which we're going to

Starting point is 00:08:01 talk about even more in segment two Frank Reich wasich was asked if bernard ryman will be the left tackle going forward frank reich said and i quote we've talked we've had small conversations over the weekend there were no formal meetings we were all getting rest and doing some work on our own we'll have those discussions this week here and then early on later today tomorrow we will solidify what our plan will be going forward so you guys might even by the time you hear this podcast, they might have solidified who their offensive line is going to be, but, um, you know, they're still talking about the right guys to put out there, Andrew. I mean, we're going to, again, you don't have to talk too much here, but cause we're going to talk more in segment two, but yeah, it's still a conversation here going into week six about who the right five guys are out

Starting point is 00:08:40 there at offensive line. It really is. And, and I know some people would say, well, shouldn't you know that already? And probably, honestly, yes. But when you look back, say, like 2018, when they were shuffling parts around the offensive line, it took till week five or six where whenever that game against New England was, where Braden Smith was forced to play right tackle, they got Mark Lewinsky in there at right guard, that they finally found which five worked together, and then things took off. Do I think that this offensive line can reach those levels? Probably not, not with the current group that they have. There's not an Anthony Costanzo out there

Starting point is 00:09:17 that's shored up the left tackle position or anything like that. But if you're the Colts, you can't stop trying until you find the best group that's out there and and I do I do credit the coaching staff for making a big move they know that it's this what was happening the first couple weeks of the year the same lineup it's not working and it's not going to get any better so throw Raymond out there see what he's got shift up some things in on the interior we saw fries at right, now Braden Smith. Does Matt Pryor go to right guard?

Starting point is 00:09:47 Does Fries come back? We'll have to see. But at least they know that it's not a strength to this team, and they're trying desperately to make it a strength or even just make it serviceable at this point. Absolutely. And guys, coming up, we're going to talk even more about that. But one quick thing I wanted to add here before we get out of this segment is he was that

Starting point is 00:10:07 Frank Reich was asked about some injury updates, you know, regarding Jonathan Taylor, Quitty Pay, Knight and Hines. He didn't have an update for us as of Monday's evening, Monday evening when we're recording this podcast. So we will know more about those injuries going forward in the week, but he didn't have one for us there. If you guys want to check out this presser along with, I think, there's some other players like Alec Pierce talked,

Starting point is 00:10:28 Stephon Gilmore talked. If you guys want to see all that, I think the Colts YouTube channel does have that. Before we get into our main segment of the day and talking about this Colts offensive line and the chaos that it is, you know, fall is chaos in your pants. You're overheating one second and freezing the next to be ready for anything. You need underwear that can handle everything.

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Starting point is 00:12:14 your first listen every day. Make sure you check out NFL Key Predictions every Friday on Locked On NFL. Locked On's local experts give you the inside scoop on the five biggest games of the NFL weekend, including Sunday and Monday night football. Plus betting advice from the field's leading experts that online follow NFL key predictions every Friday on locked on NFL available on the app, YouTube or ever get your podcast. All right, Andrew, let's jump into this offensive line that we all love. I know you guys are probably sick of hearing about this, but it really is.

Starting point is 00:12:49 I mean, I guess we could just keep talking about the defense and be really happy. But honestly, this Colts team this year is going to go as far as this offensive line. If the offensive line can at least get to below average levels, I'm begging for below average levels, the Colts are going to win this division. But if they continue what they're doing, which all evidence kind of points to that happening, the Colts are not going to make the playoffs there. I mean,

Starting point is 00:13:17 they'd be lucky to even be in playoff contention. You can't survive in the NFL scoring 12 points a game. You know, they're scoring 12, 13 points a game. You can not survive in the NFL. So points a game you know they're scoring 12 13 points a game you cannot survive uh in the NFL so Andrew I know you watch some film you're doing your Ryan's review and stuff like that what was your takeaway from this Thursday's game with the offensive line just kind of the offensive line uh on the year so far man I did not I don't think any of us expected to

Starting point is 00:13:41 be talking about the offensive line being the weakness of this team. I mean, I think we all expected it to have some ups and downs with a new left tackle and a new right guard. But for it to be as atrocious as it has been all season long, don't think any of us could have said that. It's it's it's when you turn on the film, it's a variety of issues. It's guys getting beat one on the film it's a variety of issues it's guys getting beat one-on-one it's communication issues and it really i think it just comes down to a lack of trust between the whole unit i mean you see guys like like matt prior going out and just not even being able to get a hand on one on these speed rushers and it's and it's incredible to think that he

Starting point is 00:14:23 last year played tackle, and I think played tackle at a decent level, nothing world-breaking. But he was a guy that could come in and you could trust that, okay, we'll be okay at that spot. This year it's just completely flipped where they moved him over to the left side against the Broncos. And, I mean, again, whether it was Bradley Chubb, uh, Baron Browning, he couldn't get a hand on them. And, and I think his issues have stemmed and made Quinton Nelson

Starting point is 00:14:52 when he was over on the left side, Quinton Nelson, wasn't as great. We've seen Ryan Kelly take a step back. Brayden Smith has had some issues because of what's going on with right guard. It's there's no cohesion with this unit and i think that's the biggest thing and until they can get a five that they're comfortable with that sticks this is going to continue to happen and and that's why when you when people talk about well quentin nelson's not playing at his level yes but at the same time the offensive line is five guys playing as one and if you're not going in cohesion, just one of those guys messes up on the play, it's going to mess up the entire play.

Starting point is 00:15:33 Yeah, absolutely. That's really well said. It's kind of a lot of things that we've been harping on here on this show. And one player that I do want to kind of focus on, and you mentioned him a couple of times there, is Matt Pryor. Going into this Broncos game, I think anyone would tell you what's the weakest link on the Colts offensive line and i feel like everyone would tell you danny pinter you know it wasn't you know the first three weeks it was danny pinter as the fall guy every issue was danny pinter uh you know the communication issues all danny pinter because everyone's trying to is freaking out about danny pinter uh and then you go into this thursday night game where matt prior the last two weeks was okay not not good by any means but he was fine they move him over to that right side and i mean i don't even know if abject disaster covers it uh this was like chas green la raven clark uh who's that web

Starting point is 00:16:20 who's that web guys for marcus web jim mar. Jamarcus Webb. It's like that level of disaster is what the Colts got. Maybe even worse because I think Matt Pryor gave up the most pressures in pro football focuses on the season or maybe in the last couple of years. You have eight pressures in the game. A lot of ones where he just wasn't even touching defenders, like you said. And I know I talked about this the last two episodes a little bit, but I really want to go into detail on this a little bit more. Matt Pryor was terrible like I am not trying to let him off the hook by anything I'm about to say but Chris Strasser uh Kevin White I mean whoever made that decision you know Frank Reich whatever to switch him from left tackle to right tackle after an

Starting point is 00:17:01 entire off season of work at left tackle after the first four games at left tackle is such a disastrous decision that is so insanely dumb to to switch like Chris Ballard I think was asked this offseason about switching uh Braden Smith over to the left side and playing left tackle and he said that's like switching your hands as a hitter in baseball or switching your hands throwing uh throwing a football I can can't remember exactly which analogy he used. So you're going to say that in the offseason, and then on a short week, you're going to flip Matt Pryor back to right tackle after all offseason working at left side. No wonder he wasn't getting a hand on an extremely explosive pass rusher in Baron Browning.

Starting point is 00:17:40 Baron Browning had the edge, had that quick jump, but Matt Pryor was going backwards with every single step. And he's not a great athlete as it is. He's not a good athlete. I'm not even going to give him great. So that Thursday night was the perfect embodiment of a bad decision and a poor performance. And it led to just a disgusting, disgusting day in pass protection on that right side. Yeah. And I think, I think the biggest thing too, is if you're Matt Pryor, you would have to think his confidence is probably next to zero. And, and I mean, yes, he should take responsibility. He's the one that's out there to execute, but the coaching has,

Starting point is 00:18:23 the coaching staff has not done him any favors making him he's, he's a guy that should be playing guard and they thought a backup right guard should be their left tackle this year just malpractice on the coaching staff's part on the front office for putting him in that position and now because of his confidence being so low that's why when i see people on twitter saying just put matt prior at right guard i don't even know if that's a good possibility or a good decision right now because of how low his confidence is. I don't know if we're really going to see that much improvement. So, I mean, he was out of position, Danny Pinscher, who is more of a backup center. They thought he was going to be good at right guard. Another guy that's out of position. When people talk about the offensive line and how each position is different as far as technique, what goes into it and everything, a lot of people brush that off and say, oh,

Starting point is 00:19:10 it's just alignment, but that's not the case. And I think you're seeing that more than usual, or it's just sticking out like a sore thumb this year because you can't just plug and play guys on the offensive line unless you're a Hall of Fame Hall of Fame caliber player like Quentin Nelson I think if if Quentin got moved out to left tackle he would still struggle a little bit until he gets his footing underneath him yeah definitely and to close out this segment real quick we're just going to talk about what we would kind of do to fix this offensive line again nothing we say does or means anything but I do think you and I have a very similar kind of starting lineup that we

Starting point is 00:19:45 would go with and at least run with for a couple of weeks here. Left tackle, I think we both agree that Bernard Ryman is probably the way to go there. I wouldn't mind Dennis Kelly being out there just because Dennis Kelly has experience, but Ryman did kind of settle down in the second half. I thought he played better there and I'm more interested in seeing his development than anything else. Left guard, Quinton Nelson. Center, I would still keep Ryan Kelly. I know a lot of people have been saying put Danny Pinter in there. He's looked better, but honestly, Ryan Kelly against the Texans was the best any center has played for the Colts this year. And the Colts offense always moves the ball in the second half. So I'm not going to give that second half production to Danny

Starting point is 00:20:20 Pinter being out there. So I'd still keep Ryan Kelly. Right guard, I would go Will Fries. I just think that he's the best pass protector. Yes, in the run game, he's going to struggle. But against Jeffrey Simmons, I didn't remember him getting beat cleanly too often. Even when Simmons was beating him, he was still in front. He wasn't on his back like Danny Pinter against the Chiefs. So I would take that.

Starting point is 00:20:41 And then you've got to move Brayden Smith back to right tackle. I know Brayden Smith had an okay game on on thursday shockingly but he's so much more valuable as a below average right tackle than as an average guard like you need you know below average right tackle out there but do you agree that that's probably the best lineup going forward yeah absolutely i i mean in regards to raymond i mean, you drafted him in the third round to potentially be a guy that can play left tackle and be, I'm not going to say a cornerstone franchise left tackle, but he could be a solid starter. And I think that's what the Colts hope he turns into. So yes, there's going to be growing pains, but there's going to be growing pains with any rookie left tackle. You got to go put him out there. And you're right. right he did settle down in the second half I saw a lot better reps out of him in the second half I don't want to move Nelson or Kelly I think Nelson you don't move a hall of famer from his position while he has been playing down I think it's a lot of what's going on around him that's caused that because when you still turn on the tape he's still doing Quentin Nelson type things

Starting point is 00:21:42 Ryan Kelly again Danny Pinter to me is a good backup center, but he's not Ryan Kelly. Ryan Kelly, while he has been down, he's a three-time pro bowler. And you got to kind of have faith that once things settle down around him as well, kind of like with Nelson, I think you'll see Kelly start to do well. I'm on board with Will Fries. I've seen quite a bit of development from him from year one to year two. Thought he played well against Tennessee. Not outstanding, but I think he held his own. And Braden Smith, I think it goes back to that same

Starting point is 00:22:13 area with Nelson and Kelly. All the communication. If Braden Smith isn't constantly worrying about what the right guard is doing next to him, he can focus on his guy and his guy alone. So, yeah, I think that would be the best group moving forward, and I think that's what they should stick with throughout the season. And then in the offseason, because you're not going to find anything out on the street right now, that's when you go and attack a left tackle and a right guard and make this offensive line whole again.

Starting point is 00:22:45 Yeah, definitely. Definitely. So coming up guys, we're going to do a little buy sell rapid fire here with Andrew while we have them. But first I really want to talk to you guys about bet online. Bet online is your number one source for football betting info this season.

Starting point is 00:23:00 Find all the latest player developments, team matchups, news podcasts, and in-depth articles analysis on every game you can find. And as always, BetOnline remains your continued source for all your sport wagering information, with live betting and up-to-the-minute scores for every sport out there. The fastest and easiest way to check in on all your favorite games and events, including MLB, MMA, boxing, and even golf. Colts right now open as two-point favorites against the Road Dogs, Jacksonville Jaguars.

Starting point is 00:23:30 I don't know how you guys are feeling about that matchup. I'm not going to tell you which way to bet either way, but that line is out there for you. You can go to BetOnline today and bet on that. So head to BetOnline.net or use your mobile device to learn more. BetOnline, where the game starts. All right, Andrew, we're going to do some buy or sell. I have six buy or sells. They're going to be about the Colts team or about individual players. You didn't hear these beforehand, so you're going to get your natural reaction and we'll see if that

Starting point is 00:24:02 ends up making us go to like 45 minutes on this podcast. We'll see. Knowing us, we do like to talk a little bit, but first one, a little bit of a fun one. I'm sure the fans will love this one. Buy or sell. Matt Pryor is starting in week six against the Jaguars. I'm going to sell that. i think that the colts are going to make a big change and i think you if you're looking at how he performed i think there's no way you can put him back out there on the field so i i think braden smith goes back out to right tackle and we have either will fries or danny pinter at right guard okay okay yeah i was thinking maybe they throw him back out there at left tackle for ryman but honestly if again if it up to us, we wouldn't play him after that last one. But who knows?

Starting point is 00:24:50 The Colts are a little stubborn, especially when they just divvied out, you know, a nice tiny little contract prior to making a starter. So that one will be interesting to see. Now let's go a little, you know, macro here. We're going to talk a little bit big picture with a certain player. Colts rookie receiver Alec Pierce has been on a tear the last three weeks I mean if you take his last three weeks of production and extrapolate that over a whole season he's on pace for over 1200 yards receiving even with no production the first two weeks he's on pace for around 800 yards

Starting point is 00:25:18 this year so buy or sell Alec Pierce over 800 yards receiving this season? I'm going to sell that one. I think he comes close. And I love Alec Pierce. I think he is doing a phenomenal job. I think at this trajectory, the Colts have found a number two or a compliment to Michael Pittman Jr. for years to come. But I'm going to sell it. I think I want to see that this offensive line really come together

Starting point is 00:25:43 before I start projecting big numbers for the wide receivers outside of Pittman, who we know is going to get numerous his chances. Cause he's the number one, I'm going to go around seven 50. I think he just misses it, but I still think that, that Pierce is going to put up some pretty decent numbers this year. No.

Starting point is 00:25:59 And for all you guys listening there, if he does hit that 800 yards or even seven 50, like Andrew projects here, that would be the third most receiving yards by a receiver under Frank Reich with the Colts, obviously trailing just 2018 T.Y. Hilton and 2021 Michael Pittman Jr. So that would be a phenomenal season either way. But I'm with you. I think that's kind of 50-50.

Starting point is 00:26:19 I could either go him getting – I could be talked in either way. But as of right now, he's playing some great football. Let's talk about another young player. Quidipe is likely to be out for a bit. You know, it might be an IR situation. We'll get an update here in the next couple of days. The guy stepping into his role, Dio Adangbo. Buy or sell the Dio Adangbo breakout with Quidipe out.

Starting point is 00:26:42 I'm going to buy it. I like what I've seen from Dio Adbo breakout with Quidipe out. I'm going to buy it. I like what I've seen from Dio Dangbo. I think he fits very well in at the big end position. He's great against the run. You're seeing him start to formulate a plan with his pass rush moves. Really like where Dio's coming. That Achilles is healed up. There's nothing holding him back.

Starting point is 00:27:02 He just needs the reps. So I'm all in on Dio Odengbo. Dio Odengbo, one and a half sacks the last two weeks, and that's more in the sub role. So now with him expanding to a starter role, we can see it, guys. We can see it. It might be finally time. Let's talk about another young player. I know I can't get enough of these young players. Buy or sell. Rodney Thomas II is a legit starting starting free safety he's more than a flash in the pan oh this one's tough I'm going to I'm going to err on the side of buy I really like his traits and he's a guy that that plays very smart doesn't seem like he's a rookie out there and he's out

Starting point is 00:27:39 there with Rodney McLeod who's again very a nice veteran safety that's coaching him up. Do I think that he stays as the starter once Blackman has been cleared to play? No, I think Blackman comes in, but I think that the Colts have found somebody that he could probably play either safety spot, but especially that deep safety where Blackman plays. And I think they've got a great depth piece there for the foreseeable future. Definitely, definitely. Yeah, it's another one where I could go either way, because I am really liking what I see, where Blackman plays. And I think they've got a great depth piece there for the foreseeable future. Definitely. Definitely. Yeah. It's another one where I can go either way.

Starting point is 00:28:06 Cause I am really liking what I see, but there's still some hesitancy, you know, seventh round rookie hasn't really been tested too much. So I'm very, very interested in seeing him going forward. Now let's go to more units here. Buy or sell this Colts defense right now.

Starting point is 00:28:21 I think in DVO way and a lot of metrics is is right around top 10 in the NFL. 10th, 11th. I think they're 11th in EPA per play. I think they're in the top 10 in DVOA. Buy or sell this Colts defense finish the year as a top 10 unit. I'm all in on that. I'm going to buy that because a guy that's the heart and soul of this defense hasn't been out there for besides a half or a quarter and a half, and that's Shaquille Leonard. I of this defense hasn't been out there for besides a half or a quarter and a half. And that's Shaquille Leonard. I think this defense started out a little bit slow.

Starting point is 00:28:49 Again, they're learning a whole different scheme. And while it's not, while it's not a complete one 80 of what they've been doing, there are still some, some various intricacies of this Gus Bradley system that are, that are a pretty big change from, from what they're used to. So when they're getting more comfortable, you see guys not thinking as much. They're starting to play a little bit faster. Zyra Franklin has been pretty good in terms of filling in for Shaquille Leonard. But I think you're going to see once Shaq gets back,

Starting point is 00:29:19 this defense is going to have a little bit more fire to him. Hopefully we see Isaiah Rogers get into that starting role and get more and more snaps like we're starting to see. Dio Ascension, Quiddy Pay coming back. We're starting to see a fully healthy DeForest Buckner and what he can do now. I think not only can this Colts defense finish top 10, I think they'll be close to top five.

Starting point is 00:29:42 I don't know if they'll get there, but maybe between five and seven. Awesome. Love it. Yeah, I had it in like eight to 14 ranges where I kind of have so I could kind of go either way with that. But I love the optimism. I love this defense right now. I do love this defense. Last one I have for you. And it kind of goes with what our second segment was by yourself. This Colts offense slash offensive line does just enough for the Colts to get into the playoffs. Man, this is tough. This is the toughest one out of all of them. Oh, man. Because I think the defense is good enough.

Starting point is 00:30:14 I think the defense is good enough. I think the quarterback is good enough when he has time. But just how you started the show, this team is to be go as far as the offensive line takes them. As of right now, I probably have to sell that. And, and I think it's just because the way I have it showed me so far in the season that they can, they can do that. Yes. They beat Kansas city.

Starting point is 00:30:37 Yes. You beat Denver. You had a chance to beat the Tennessee Titans all with this offensive line, but at the same time, things aren't getting better. And the more you're putting on film, the more blitzes this offense is going to see, the more stunts this offensive line is going to see. And until they can stop it, it's going to be a problem. So as of right now, I'm going to sell. I'm going to err on the side of selling.

Starting point is 00:31:02 Give me like 55% sell, 45% buy. But yeah, it's going to be all predicated on how this offensive line, how Frank Reich, Chris Strausser, and this unit fixes themselves. And if they don't, it's going to be a very long roller coaster type season for this Colts offense. Well said, well said. Well, that's all we have for today, guys. I will be back with you tomorrow with another brand new guest star. So that should be a fun time. And thanks again for Andrew for joining the show and filling in for Jake. You know, I always need someone to kind of level me out here.

Starting point is 00:31:33 And I always love having you on. So follow Andrew Moore NFL on Twitter. You and Jake both have the NFL. I have just two. Andrew Moore NFL at Zach Hicks 2 and at Locked On Colts. also subscribe and follow to the horseshoe huddle pages. I know Andrew's doing a lot of stuff with the podcast, with our, with our main channel and stuff like that.

Starting point is 00:31:52 And also subscribe to our show here, locked on quotes on YouTube. Thanks again for making locked on quotes. Your first listen every day. Now make your second listen to Peacock and Williamson NFL show. Brian Peacock and former NFL scout, Matt Williamson, give you the expert NFL analysis in less than 30 minutes.

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