Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu Leads Trio of Surprise Starting Rookies?

Starting point is 00:00:00 It's Q&A time with a few weeks left until training camp begins, and you guys have some very interesting questions. 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. All right. Thanks for tuning in and making us your first listen of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. All right. Thanks for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts.

Starting point is 00:00:32 Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. And today's show is brought to you by our friends at FanDuel. Make every moment more. As playoffs wind down, the sports stop sporting like we want them to. But this summer, FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily. That's right. There's something for everyone every day all summer long. So visit FanDuel.com slash locked on to get started. What's up, pals? This is Jake Arthur and Zach Hicks from HorseshoeHuddle.com. I am your resident credentialed media member for the Colts, and Zach is our resident film expert.

Starting point is 00:01:10 Nobody is better. And on today's show, we opened up the floor to you guys for a little more Q&A session over on our YouTube page. We opened up the floor over on the community tab, Facebook, and Twitter as well. So reaching out to all branches here. And you guys gave us some really good stuff, almost too much to fit into one episode. So we kind of broke it down into personnel slash roster breakdown related questions, schematics and play calling,

Starting point is 00:01:38 and then miscellaneous slash let's get weird because there are a couple of good ones. So first up is from at big CG three address the Jalen Simpson, potentially starting rumors, please. So I'll start by saying, I haven't, I haven't heard those rumors. I mean, initially when they drafted him, I thought, and that could be a someone who could actually compete for a starting free safety spot because that does seem to be the starting spot that is most available. But at cornerback, I do not see that happening, at least not with

Starting point is 00:02:11 what I saw at OTAs and the mini camps. So far, he's running with the third group, seems to be competing. I figure in the long run throughout training camp with Daryl Baker Jr. for that spot. When I did a roster projection, I believe I left Simpson off just because I just haven't seen enough yet. And I need to see him battling with someone like Baker who he's not safe, but we know that as a guy they were comfortable with having on the roster all throughout last year. So I don't know about you, Zach, but I, I would say Simpson is closer to the roster bubble than starting. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:02:49 I think this comes from people thinking that he could switch back to free safety and be the best option at free safety on this Colts team. And to add some credence to that, I do think he's the most natural free safety on the roster. I mean, if you think of Julian Blackman, who's, you know, spent time at both free safety and strong safety in his career, if you think of Julian Blackman, who's spent time in both free safety and strong safety in his career, clearly looks better at the strong safety position. Nick Cross, when the Colts selected him in that draft a couple of years ago, it was more so to be

Starting point is 00:03:14 a strong safety. I know that he's basically locked in as that free safety starter right now, but he was a guy that was drafted to be a strong safety. So maybe Simpson, if you are seeing some kind of rumors like that, it's because people just think that he's the most natural fit there. But as of right now, the Colts have him as a cornerback. I expect him to work as an outside corner and maybe get some time in the slot as well. Maybe he can get some snaps back there at free safety. But for the most part, I don't foresee him starting this season,

Starting point is 00:03:43 especially when the biggest issue the Colts had in the secondary last year was tackling and tackling consistency. He was not a great tackler in college. He's a small guy, too. Like, it's not, you know, for a lack of effort. He's a very small player who just needs to bulk up and be a little more consistent with his tackling. For me personally, just from my own perspective,

Starting point is 00:04:02 I'd want a more sure tackler at free safety, and I think Cross probably fits that better than Jalen Simpson. Yeah, I'm not going to say it's not going to happen at all. There is a path for it, but I think it's kind of a bumpy path. Next up from at Colts Film Room and at War Mother, perhaps. They both had questions about the tight end room. Specifically, our buddy Colts Film Room said, do you guys have any nuggets about the future about the tight end room. Specifically, our buddy Colts Fulmer said, do you guys have any nuggets about the future of the tight end room?

Starting point is 00:04:30 Nothing new, but we did talk about this recently. Just kind of my base synopsis of what I imagine could happen if everything goes as planned. The Colts would probably carry four into the season, that being Jelani Woods, Granson, Ogletree, and Will Mallory. In that scenario, the young guys would stay healthy and prove capable of taking the role that Mo Alley-Cox has held. Because, I mean, obviously those guys are younger with a higher ceiling than Mo Alley-Cox, but, I mean, obviously those guys are younger, uh, with a higher ceiling than Mo Alleycox, but I mean, the Colts know they can trust him. Uh, there's interesting things they can do with them and they can count on him to block. Uh, but a guy like specifically drew Ogletree we've mentioned recently, um, probably has a straight line to that spot.

Starting point is 00:05:21 Uh, if, if all goes well. Yeah. I think a big thing with the tight end group is it's very much a, a wait and see approach with it. It's kind of the same with free all goes well. Yeah, I think a big thing with the tight end group is it's very much a wait and see approach. It's kind of the same with free safety as well. So I understand where the questions are coming with tight end and free safety because those seem like the biggest,

Starting point is 00:05:35 like most glaring holes on the roster right now. Like what's going to happen at these two spots? It's not necessarily because they don't have anybody to fill it, it's who's going to step up and give quality play at those spots. Can Nick Cross do it at free safety? Can Jelani Woods or Kylan Grant sit in her Drew Ogletree or Will Mallory, whoever it's going to be, can any of those guys do it at the tight end spot?

Starting point is 00:05:56 The biggest thing, obviously, is just seeing what Jelani Woods can do in training camp. When actual training camp starts up, he's back out there. The hamstring isn't bothering him. Can he look like a bona fide tight end one, or is it going to be a thing again where other guys on the roster are outplaying him? That's really the biggest X factor in this group. I don't think anything's particularly changed about that, but they do have the potential at tight end to have a bunch of guys who can do just different things. Jelani Woods being your deep threat, your vertical guy, Kylan Grancy being your RPO and underneath guy,

Starting point is 00:06:27 Will Mallory being your reliable over the middle type player, Drew Ogletree being your good blocker who has that chemistry with Anthony Richardson. They have the potential to fill out a good tight end room. It's just, can these guys get on the same page? Can they stay healthy? And can they take that next step forward in each of their games? Yeah, that's a group that is a total mystery until we see that they're healthy. Because we

Starting point is 00:06:50 kind of talked them up quite a bit this time last year, and then that just did not pan out because no one stayed healthy. Coming up next at Infinity 38, does Jalen Carlisle have a chance to get significant snaps at linebacker? Significant, I don't know. I do think he can win that third linebacker spot. I see a scenario there because they do need help and coverage in the middle of the field there at linebacker, so I could see that. Significant snaps, I could see only if, you know, maybe EJ Speed misses some time and you need –

Starting point is 00:07:24 and that will spot opens up maybe because, you know, Zaire is Speed misses some time and you need, and that will spot opens up maybe, because, you know, Zaire is pretty much set there at Mike. I don't anticipate it, but I do see him getting a bigger role than what is probably imagined right now, just because he kind of offers something not everyone else does behind him. Yeah, it depends what your definition of significant is, because typically the Colts starting linebackers will hit a thousand-ish snaps on defense. Like the two guys, like Zyra Franklin, EJ Speed, will both get close to a thousand snaps if they are healthy this next season.

Starting point is 00:07:57 Does Carlisle need to hit that for it to be significant snaps? Then no, he's not going to hit that. Like unless someone goes down in training camp, which knock on wood, we're not trying to talk about right now. But if significant for you is 200 plus snaps, then no, he's not going to hit that. Unless someone goes down in training camp, which knock on wood, we're not trying to talk about right now. But if significant for you is 200 plus snaps, 10 to 15 snaps a game on defense, I could totally see that. I mean, we saw Ronnie Harrison take a role similar to that late in the season. We've seen linebackers in the past with this team have similar roles, whether getting 10, 15, maybe 20 snaps a game, depending on the type of scheme that they're deploying in that week. I could see Carlisle having that kind of role in the team. So

Starting point is 00:08:30 if you say the over under is 200 for significant snaps, I think there's a pretty good chance that he could hit 200 or maybe get a little bit above 200 in his rookie season. Yeah, I think so too. And then our final one of this segment from at TommyN underscore Bond. I might be overly hyped, but I think the addition of Laatu truly takes the defense to another level. The Colts haven't had this type of edge rusher really all throughout Chris Ballard's tenure. What are your projections for him and the defense? And I think that's right. You know, we've talked about and not just us being really optimistic but i've heard

Starting point is 00:09:06 like other nfl guys like daniel jeremiah for example like other guys that cover the entire nfl talk about you know this is a talent wise this is like a bosa level type of prospect which is is accurate the big x factors obviously uh the health of his neck and you know his longevity but in terms of talent and ceiling and everything yeah you're you're looking at potentially the next great colts pass rusher behind freeney and mathis yeah my dog thinks so too um but yeah i that's the potential of it um we're just gonna have to wait and see what it does. I do want to say with that, though, like, let's give the kid a little patience because I don't think he's going to have like an enormous role immediately because he is part of a really deep group of pass rushers.

Starting point is 00:09:56 Yeah. Yeah. One thing I'll say really quick, because I know we got to get to our next segment, is if this Colts defense is going to be any good this year, it's going to start in the trenches with this defensive line. This defensive line needs to carry the load this season. And the one thing they lacked last year when it came to this is that closing

Starting point is 00:10:10 pass rusher. I don't care if Latu is a rotational guy, the first three quarters, but when the fourth quarter comes along him and Buckner and these guys up front need to be able to close out games. So I have the expectations that he can be that guy for this Colts team. I know, I know, like you said, you know, he's a young player, give him some time.

Starting point is 00:10:27 But I do think by the second half of his rookie season, I'm fully expecting guys like him and Buckner to be the catalyst to a good defensive season for the Colts. Absolutely. All right, so coming up next, we are going to get to discussing some more schematic things, things you guys wanted to know in terms like play calling and how each unit of the team could function. This show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Something I'm

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Starting point is 00:11:34 but I could benefit from it. A lot going on upstairs sometimes. And you know, I am again, guilty of comparing myself to others sometimes on social media. But you know, you don't know what's going on in those people's lives. Maybe their house is haunted. Maybe they got a ton of raccoons in their attic and their life's a living hell. We don't know. What they put on social media, bright and shiny. But you do not know what's going on behind the scenes, Zach. You just don't.

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Starting point is 00:13:07 All right, Jake, let's get back to our Q and a here. We're talking schematics. We're talking nerd stuff. That's why I am here, Jake. I'll leave you talking about the raccoons and the haunts.

Starting point is 00:13:18 I can say that because I've lived it. Okay. You've lived the haunted part. The raccoons. I was haunted by raccoons there you go oh man all right get us what's this first one here okay all right what's the first one here from at cj86 how different will shane steichen's offensive scheme look compared to last year now that anthony richardson is back leading the offense. And I mean, for me, just,

Starting point is 00:13:46 I mean, you got to look at those four games he was in there, but also that's a kid who was just starting to get his feet under him in his career, like getting the fire hose of information. You know, now I'm sure things mentally is probably slowed down for him quite a bit. So I would imagine there's probably even a little more that Shane could do in the offense with Richardson now. Yeah, I think, you know, when you really look at it schematically, I don't think too much changes on offense. Like obviously there was a lot of tailoring the offense to Gardner Minshew in terms of the RPOs and a little bit of the empty stuff just to make things easier for Minshew. But schematically speaking, I don't think too much

Starting point is 00:14:24 changes. Like Shane Steigen has more of his identity. He's obviously going to be flexible and add some variation to Anthony Richardson. When Richardson was out there, we got a little bit more pistol action in there. We got some really cool flex bone type stuff. And obviously the QB run game was a very interesting and fun addition when Richardson was on the field. But for the most part, Steigen is who he is. He's going to lean on those RPOs. He's going to lean on some RPRs, the inside zones in the run game. And in the passing game, it's going to be about explosive football

Starting point is 00:14:52 and building confidence in the short game to open up that big time explosive football down the field. But again, I think you can look at the obvious things like, you know, more QB runs, more diversity in just the play sheet, more diversity in what he wants to do. But I think it's going to be effective. It's going to be efficient. It's going to be explosive. At the end of the day, this offense is not going to face as much man coverage.

Starting point is 00:15:16 It's not going to face as much, you know, single high because they had that QB running threat with Anthony Richardson in the backfield. So it's not so much schematically going to change with this Colts offense, but more so what they're seeing on the other side of the field, where with Minshew, all you have to do is sit and press man coverage, and he's going to throw hospital balls all day. He's got to be worried about the RPO game. With Richardson, though, even if Richardson's not as accurate as a passer, as Gardner Minshew, you can't sit and press man coverage because the second he gets out of the

Starting point is 00:15:46 pocket, it's going to be a big play for, for the offense. So you have to kind of, you know, sit in more quarters, sit back a little bit, which opens up more of the underneath game. So the Colts will be able to adjust more so to what the defense is doing. And that's what Shane Steichen's prayed at. That will segue perfectly into this next question from our beautiful angel boy, Felipe Costa. With the players added to the offense, what are the biggest tweaks in play calling that you guys are expecting?

Starting point is 00:16:14 We'll kind of lean into the pass the game aspect of this. I think Zach mentioned recently the possibility of more three by one calls with a guy like A.D. Mitchell, which is something that Alec Pierce has done. But could we also see an uptick in usage of 12 and 13 personnel with a healthy Jelani Woods? Well, the big thing, if you're going to uptick in 12 and 13 personnel, is the tight ends need to be able to block. You can't do 12 and 13 personnel if your tight ends can't block. And as of right now, Drew Ogletree and Moelle Cox are really the only plus blockers that you have on the roster.

Starting point is 00:16:42 Like Kylan Granson, I think is effective in that, like that flexed out tight end role that can do some wham and trap type stuff. But for the most part, you know, you don't really trust him on inline blocking, but a July woods can come out here and be a strong inline blocker. That just his stock goes flying up. If he could be a good inline blocker this off season, but to answer Philippe's question, I mean,

Starting point is 00:17:03 there's so many different variations you can do with, with more guys out there. I mean, with A.D. Mitchell, if A.D. Mitchell can hit just a little scoach of his potential in year one, you know, you can combat a lot of those press man looks that you were getting last year. Again, in the Colts' worst matchups last season against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers were a tough defense for them as well. These teams were just bogging down the middle of the field and they were leaving their corners on islands out there. And Michael Pittman Jr. is a good wide receiver. Don't get me wrong, he's got to get his. But Pierce just wasn't effective enough at breaking down that press man and getting open, or he wasn't on the same page with Minshew. When you have a guy like A.D.

Starting point is 00:17:43 Mitchell, you can rely more on deconstructing that press man coverage and opening up more of your offense. So like, like Philippe mentioned, where I've said it a couple of times this off season, you can do more three by one stuff and, and throw some jump balls to A.D. Mitchell, or cause you just know that he can get by that press man and work his way vertical and stack his, his assignment there.

Starting point is 00:18:02 There's other ways that you can attack this man coverage with more effective wide receivers as well but that's really the big thing I think it's just getting more explosive with those two players back in the offense obviously again the addition of Anthony Richardson and a healthy Jonathan Taylor is a massive part of this as well so yeah there's endless possibilities who knows what Shane Steichen is cooking up right now yeah and like yeah no i was gonna say i know in years past he's he's gone to the oklahoma well in college he's gone to air force his college tape or whatever to to find some ideas he's gone to obviously his roots with north turner

Starting point is 00:18:35 he's gone to ken wizenhunt stuff like he's done a ton of different stuff in the nfl uh so who knows what he's cooking right now he could have gone to some high school film in Iowa or whatever, and he's going to come out in 14 personnel and just run it with tight ends. I don't know what he's going to be doing this year, but that's what makes covering him such a fun time. Yeah, he's honestly one of the most resourceful coaches I've ever heard about. They all do it. It would be stubborn to just stay in your own lane and do what, you know, which some do, but like that guy's not too big to take from a little bit from here and

Starting point is 00:19:10 there. I mean, it's, it's all for the betterment of, of the offense. Anyways, last one for this segment from another friend of the show at the last Belgians,

Starting point is 00:19:18 what do you expect to see in the red zone offense this year? We always stalled out there with Reich and things look really good with Steichen and Richardson last year. This has fantasy implications if we can guess who is getting the best shots at touchdowns down there. And, you know, someone else brought this up recently. I think it was a commenter on one of our videos. And, you know, the Colts have invested in these skyscraper pass catchers for the last several years under Ballard, but it was just never really utilized much in the red zone, which is where you would think it's done. And then again, last year, like the Colts with Anthony Richardson scored on every red zone

Starting point is 00:19:54 trip other than the one that he left in week one. So running the ball and spreading defenses thin and making them guess, I think is still going to be the name of the game. Yeah, yeah, for sure. To be kind of quick in this one, I think just the dynamic threat of Richardson and Taylor is going to be so much... It reminds me of what Cam was like with Jonathan Stewart and D'Angelo Williams back in his early days.

Starting point is 00:20:18 Even the MVP season, Cam Newton, where they were so deadly in the red zone because if you're a defense and you're facing, you know, the triple option, like RPR stuff, you're facing RPO stuff, you're facing regular read option, like that is a dangerous, dangerous thing to be stopping in the red zone, because any inch of space, those guys are so athletic and so quick and have that nose for the end zone. They're going to get in there. I mean, Anthony Richardson had quite a few rushing touchdowns last year

Starting point is 00:20:45 in his four games that he appeared in. Jonathan Taylor we know has a great nose for the end zone. I mean, he had the most rushing touchdowns in football back in his 2020 season. He hasn't been a slouch in that department the last two years either. So when they get to the red zone, that's an area where I expect the Colts to be great at this year with those two guys in the lineup. Now, the big thing is them staying healthy because last year when Richardson was not in the lineup, their red zone offense was kind of putrid.

Starting point is 00:21:11 It wasn't a great red zone offense whatsoever. And then we still actually saw some of their best moments be on those RPR triple option plays, like against the Cleveland Browns. I think there was one against the Titans as well where Minshew ran it in and the Buccaneers, I believe, as well. So I think just getting Richardson back makes this Colts red zone offense go from what, bottom 10 to top 10. And that difference alone could propel you from a top, you know, fringe top 10 scoring offense to maybe a top five scoring offense. I mean, that's really the big difference right there is turning some of those field goals into touchdowns. And I think just having Richardson on the field will turn a lot of these red zone trips into touchdowns for the Colts in 2024. Yeah, I would add that I think it's going to

Starting point is 00:21:53 be a big difference on third downs as well, which I mean, third down is just earlier red zone, essentially, you know, it's those money down. So coming up, it is our final segment where we get hypothetical. You know what? I love sports. I love them so much. I never want them to stop. But as the playoffs wind down, we get fewer games and then the sports aren't sporting like I want them to. But FanDuel lets me keep the sports going whenever I want. All I have to do is open the app and dream up bets anytime that I am in the mood. And this summer, FanDuel is hooking up all customers with a boost or bonus daily. That's right. There's something for everyone, every day, all summer long. So tonight, the fever hit the court again tonight in Vegas against the Aces. It's not looking pretty, according to the bettors.

Starting point is 00:22:41 13.5 point dogs to Asia Wilson's squad. So head over to FanDuel.com slash locked on and start making the most out of your summer. FanDuel, official sports betting partner of Major League Baseball. Okie doke. So up first is from at Kyle Winslow. This is an interesting one that we haven't been asked yet at all this offseason, so I'm glad to get to talk about it real quick. When is the new turf in Lucas Oil Stadium being installed? Do we know anything about the new turf, or are we going to lead the league in injuries for the

Starting point is 00:23:14 20th straight year, or will the new turf help? So I don't know exactly what kind of new turf it's going to be. I know they were taking it out before the U.S. swimming trials, which concluded last week, I believe. So the old turf's out. That turf was like some of the worst in the stadium in terms of player satisfaction. I think that was the slit surface or whatever it was called. But I think that's what was in MetLife. Players hate it. You can say it causes injuries. You can rebuke that. But, you know, at the end of the day, the Colts always seem to get some huge injuries at home. So that's out again. I don't know exactly what the new turf is, but they have put new turf inside their indoor training facility. I noticed, you know, it feels a little cushier uh just walking on it that could

Starting point is 00:24:08 be because it was brand new when we were in there um but it is it definitely is different from what they had in there before so I mean I hope there was some dialogue with the nflpa or its representation somewhat because again I know the nflpa was like totally against that type of the previous surface before. So hopefully it limits injuries and hopefully the players are, you know, a little more welcoming to it. I mean,

Starting point is 00:24:35 at the end of the day, you're still putting it on top of concrete at Lucas oil stadium, which is not chill. I mean, so it's not going to be perfect, but hopefully it's a little better for how the players feel the next day. And of course, obviously for injuries. Yeah. Yeah. I can't really say too much about when it's going in because you're more of our local expert when it comes to that kind of stuff.

Starting point is 00:24:55 But I will say, you know, the previous turf very much doesn't feel like they're putting it over top of concrete. It feels like they're putting concrete over top of it and that's where a lot of that's where a lot of the injuries kind of come in where you know look the the ACLs and Achilles injuries and taking a bad step or getting hit weird those injuries happen like it's part of football it's unfortunate it stinks it's the worst part about the game that we love but those injuries that can be avoided are the ones where you know a guy gets wrapped up he gets tackled and he falls to the turf but instead of falling on know, a little bit of cushiony field turf, he's falling onto a cinder block. And that's where, you know, the Colts quarterback last year gets tackled and hits his arm, his throwing arm on the turf. And look where we're at right now. You know,

Starting point is 00:25:41 he still is going through some pain in that shoulder. So maybe, you know, getting new turf in there, getting a little bit more cushion in there will be the right way to go. And again, I'd rather follow the NFLPA recommendations when it comes to the turf. So, yeah, you're going to have to keep us updated on that, Jake, because I'm not out there. I'm not too sure when it's going in. But I do think they said before this next season they're going to have the new turf. Yeah, they'll be playing on it this year so I mean now that the swim trials are done and the pool's out uh they're I mean maybe they're starting to put in the new surface now but it'll be in there uh by the time they're they're getting into those preseason games um so next question from

Starting point is 00:26:19 at ingram daryl 31 will the colts sign a veteran defensive back, whether that's a safety or corner? At this point, I don't know that they're going to sign a potential starter. Like, will they sign depth? Probably at this point. But my thinking was, you know, they just saw throughout OTAs and minicamp and everything, like basically, you know know the same setup that training camp is uh they had you know Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas back there and Cross got the

Starting point is 00:26:52 lion's share of the work at free safety with the first team if they were so dissatisfied with that film they probably would have pulled the trigger by now I mean we have a few weeks until camp I don't know what the holdup would be. I mean, players have to be willing to come in as well for the right price. But I think if they were going to sign someone that was potentially going to be a starting free safety, same with corner. Corner, I know they're confident in it. Safety, I don't know that they're as confident in it. They don't defend it as much as they do corner. But I think if they were going to bring in a new potential starting defensive back, they would have probably done it.

Starting point is 00:27:32 Yeah, I don't have a ton to say on this because we've talked about it. I mean, like, like, Daryl, you can go back to every single show we've done this offseason. We've talked about signing a veteran at safety pretty much all offseason. But for me, I would still give a one-year incentive-laden deal to Justin Simmons and tell him, hey, we're one of, like, three teams in the NFL that just runs cover three all day long and you're perfect for it. Like, come have a great year. Hit free agency next year and do your thing.

Starting point is 00:27:59 You know, that would be my pitch to him. But, again, I, you know, we've talked about it all offseason, about going out there and signing Justin Simmons and just upgrading this defensive back group. It doesn't look like the Colts are going to do that. So we've spent a lot of time talking about this, Jake. We've had whole episodes devoted to talking about this. I do think it's probably dead at this point, but who knows?

Starting point is 00:28:20 I mean, he's still, Justin Simmons is still out there. So the dream still lives. But at this point, I'm just hoping Nick Cross has the greatest season that I never expected from him in 2024. Yeah, I mean,

Starting point is 00:28:32 it certainly wouldn't hurt the defense to bring Simmons in. Last one of the day from at Nick Spaghetti 33. Now we're going to, we're going to change the rules here. Who are three past Colts players you would add to this team to elevate it? Quarterback isn't an option. Obviously we're gonna we're gonna change the rules here uh who are three past colts players you would add to this team to elevate it quarterback isn't an option obviously we're gonna go two

Starting point is 00:28:49 i pick one zach picks one uh go ahead and take yours oh man so so i want some more rules on it real quick okay yeah yeah it has to be a former player in their prime really or just at whatever point they were playing for the colts um to inject into this year's team to fill a hole or take them to the next level or whatever yeah so for me i do want to avoid like the obvious answers just because i want to be a dork about this and i think the two that keep coming to mind are obviously Dallas Clark because the tight end such a hole and just having a guy with that athleticism would be great but I think a really sneaky answer would be like Antoine Bethea at free safety over the top like him at free safety would really solidify a lot of the concerns I have at at the defensive backfield and just having that veteran

Starting point is 00:29:43 presence who knows what he's doing. So I think I would go with Bethea just to avoid the big obvious answer. Maybe Shaq Leonard in his prime. Yeah, honestly. But I think Bethea is kind of an underrated answer for this, and I think that's the way I want to go with this here, Jake. You can obviously go whatever way you want, but I want to go with Bethea just for that.

Starting point is 00:30:04 I feel like it just plugs such a big hole and just having that veteran leadership back there would be great. Yeah, Bethea is one of my favorite Colts players of all time. And obviously the first player I thought of was Bob Sanders, but that does feel like cheating. I'm going to go, this isn't going to be one that would blow the doors off or anything, but I think 2020 or 2022 stefan gilmore would be a huge asset to this team honestly that's you have the defensive front that you have um so the pass rush is going to be

Starting point is 00:30:36 a lot better than it was you know you won't have issues like terry mclaurin putting him on a poster because he had to cover for six seconds or whatever and then you have a guy who still was covering really really well and playing at a pro bowl level and I don't want like 33 34 year old Gilmore necessarily but the the year the Colts had Stephon Gilmore I thought he played awesome football yeah so you put that on this team alongside Kenny Moore and Juju Brents and you, you know, you've got Jalen Jones and Dallas Flowers for depth. And I really liked that, that secondary. I mean, you still have a hole at free safety and if it's any player, you know, I guess I would put Bob Sanders back there and you could move him and Julian Blackman around because Bob was an absolute eraser and could play in the box

Starting point is 00:31:22 or deep, whatever. But my non-cheating answer is stefan gilmore yes and all you guys in the comments can be like no take marvin take reggie well obviously guys obviously we would take jerome paython yes andy studebaker coming in to serve as the special teams alongside grant stewart that's going to be my pick but you guys let us know in the comment section who would you select select of non hall of fame players? Let's be a little bit fun with it there. Before we get out of here though, I do want to remind you guys that locked on has launched that first ever

Starting point is 00:31:51 national sports 24 seven streaming channel on YouTube. And now it's also available on the Amazon fire TV in the free fire TV channels. I've locked on sports today is here for you 24 seven covering the top sports stories of the day with the local experts of locked on. Plus our national shows covering every single league. Find Locked On Sports Today now available in the free Fire TV channels app. And if you guys don't already, make sure you're following at Locked On Colts,

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