Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts' Matt Ryan, Offense Catches Fire in Training Camp

Episode Date: August 17, 2022

Quarterback Matt Ryan and the Indianapolis Colts' offense finally find a rhythm in training camp. Plus, Zach and Jake dive into which players are roster locks heading into Preseason Week 2 against the... Detroit Lions.Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQ🎧 Apple https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/id1151621306🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/6meP450baAtjX4rTENZ5ij🎧 Audacy https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts-daily-podcast-on-the-indianapolis-colts-21701🎧 Google https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vUFBZODk1ODUyODkyNQ🎧 Megaphone https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/lockedoncoltsFollow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, and @LockedOnColts!Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!DaveDownload the Dave app from the App store right now for an Extra Cash account and get up to 500 dollars instantly. For terms and conditions go to dave.com/legal. Instant transfer fees apply. Banking provided by Evolve. Member FDIC.BetterHelpIt’s not a crisis line, it’s not self-help, it’s professional therapy done securely online, available to people worldwide. And they have a special offer for my listeners: get 10% off your first month at Betterhelp.com/LockedOnEliasNFL season is right around the corner, so don’t wait! Find Elias Game Plan in the App Store or Play Store today!LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFLBuilt BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.BetOnlineBetOnline.net has you covered this season with more props, odds and lines than ever before. BetOnline – Where The Game Starts!Athletic GreensTo make it easy, Athletic Greens is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit athleticgreens.com/NFLNETWORK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:00:00 The Colts had their final tune-up before the Lions get to town, and the team also began cutting down its roster from 90 players. All that and much more on this episode of Locked On Colts. 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. Does anyone else just crank that theme in their car when they're listening to it, or is it just me? I don't know, you and I are jamming out when we're like hidden on the video here too this morning after i dropped my daughter off i i was listening to this again because i like to listen back like
Starting point is 00:00:53 for any mistakes that somehow crept through when i was tiredly editing man it's it's kind of a bop it is a bop it needs to be the whole show it It's like a 20-minute song, and then we just come in afterwards and talk about it. I love it. All right, Colts fans, thanks so much for tuning in today and making us your number one lesson of the day. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. I'm Jake Arthur, and I'm joined, as always, by my partner Zach Hicks here. For anyone who's new to the show, you know us from HorseshoeHuddle.com. I'm also a credentialed member of the Colts Media.
Starting point is 00:01:30 I bring you the scoop from training camp practice every day, except for today, and at the facility throughout the season. I'm also a member of the PFWA. Zach, why don't you tell everyone a little bit about yourself? Yeah, you know, I'm the film nerd for Horseshoe Huddle. I kind of made my name in the indie market through Stampede Blue at SB Nation. I've been a big draft nerd my whole life, you know, especially with, you know, Cover One last couple years, USA Today's Draft Wire. I worked with Locked On years ago in the Washington
Starting point is 00:01:59 market, so I'm sure you guys have seen me around just kind of being that snarky film guy on Twitter. Not you. You're not snarky at all. No, no, no. I'm very, I'm very approachable. No, it fits into Colts Twitter quite well. Anyway, with the hi, how are you is out of the way. Here's what we've got in store for you on today's show. We'll go over the Colts first round of roster cuts that they made Tuesday morning, as well
Starting point is 00:02:24 as how Tuesday's practice went down. And, you know, the Colts are gearing up for these two joint practices with the Lions. It was kind of chill today. And then, you know, there's five practices left, two preseason games. We'll tell you who we think are locks for the roster and who is still kind of in the thick of battle. So we'll go ahead and start out with the news from this morning.
Starting point is 00:02:45 The Colts made four cuts. They are awarded one extra roster spot right now before the season starts, a practice squad spot, a protected one for Marcel Dabo, who they got the German defensive back through the international player portal. So they don't have to do anything with him. They have that extra spot until, until the season begins. But they cut wide receivers, Isaiah Ford and Michael Young Jr. Offensive lineman, Brandon Kemp and cornerback Alex Myers. Really no surprises there. I think
Starting point is 00:03:17 Ford is one of their better third team and below receivers. But to me, that felt like letting a veteran go and find a new team. Right. It was kind of similar to the Jason Spriggs release right before this past preseason game. It's, you know, you're a veteran player, you're a veteran player that might be picked up by another team. So we're not going to hold on to you until the end of camp and release you right before the season starts. So you don't get a look somewhere else. So it's, it's kind of something that teams negotiate with agents where they say like, look, if if we know early on you're not going to make the team, we're going to release you early. That way you have that chance to pick up in another camp and maybe end up on a practice squad
Starting point is 00:03:53 or the bottom of a roster somewhere else. Yeah, I think Ford could certainly catch on somewhere. You know, he spent five years in Miami with the Dolphins. I thought he looked okay with the Colts. Him and DJ Montgomery looked like capable veteran backups. The rest of the guys, no surprises. Honestly, if you were asking me, they were probably each at the bottom of their respective position groups. Out at training camp today are Andrew Moore from horseshoehuddle.com. He was out there. He was filling in for me. He got his practice notes out there on horseshoehuddle.com. He was out there. He was filling in for me. He got his practice notes out there on horseshoehuddle.com, so please check those out if you haven't already.
Starting point is 00:04:32 He's also on Twitter at AndrewMooreNFL. So we're going to kind of steal his notes for today, just let you know what he saw. So players who are out, and reminder, this is the first practice since their preseason game, so you got guys dealing with the bumps and bruises. Cornerbacks Anthony Chesley and isaiah rogers are out rogers is going through the concussion protocol receiver kiki qt's got the groin our guy jojo doman offensive lineman dennis kelly's still out unfortunately and then defensive tackle chris williams is still on he's been out since the first practice right i don't know if it's like a high ankle sprain or what but it's i think it's something And then defensive tackle Chris Williams is still on. He's been out since the first practice.
Starting point is 00:05:07 I don't know if it's like a high ankle sprain or what, but I think it's something on that right ankle area. So if it's a high ankle sprain, then I guess this is the proper timeline. But I'm a little surprised he's not back. Yeah, and I think they said that your boy Forrest Ryan was back and DeMichael Harris, I believe, was back too, right? Yeah, so the guys who returned today, DeMichael Harris was finally back. He missed several practices. Forrest Ryan missed, I think, four or five.
Starting point is 00:05:32 And then Mike Strawn, we talked about him on yesterday's show. He made his debut. It was a full go as far as everyone could say. Seven on sevens, 11 on 11s. Looked decent, caught a few balls. He said after practice he had a knee scope to fix a torn meniscus. So that's why he was out so long. It happened during OTAs, but he's back,
Starting point is 00:05:54 and now kind of makes things interesting in the receiver room. Yeah, I think I saw today from Andrew's notes and from people talking that he did get some run with the first team. And I know you and I were speculating on that yesterday, on yesterday's show, saying, you know, maybe he does get some run with the first team and I know you and I were we're speculating on that yesterday on yesterday's show saying you know maybe he does get some run with the first team but he's I mean primarily going to be with Nick Foles but you know he could be a guy who makes some waves in this wide receiver five battle and it looks like from everything we saw today from camp notes and and people tweeting about it that you know Mike Strong looked pretty good out there honestly Nick Fals and sam ellinger
Starting point is 00:06:25 are the perfect quarterbacks for him to start out with because they're really aggressive like yeah they're not they're not getting reps to be the starters and being super careful meanwhile everything matt ryan does is working out the kinks and getting ready for the regular season the other guys let it rip and he's the type of receiver you can just let it rip with so honestly it's good for him to be matched up with those guys yeah yeah and looking at the notes and so I know you're probably about to jump into it here but it looked like you know the first day that you're not at practice it looks like the offense kind of figured some things out you know like well they always being big play after big play you know obviously that's all the interception that we can talk about here in a second but it looked like big play after big play. Obviously, that's all the interception that we can talk about here in a second.
Starting point is 00:07:05 But it looked like big play after big play, and the offense was kind of rolling a little bit today. The offense was really well without the pads on every time. Because I think it was last Thursday before the preseason game against the Bills, they had another lighter practice without pads, and the passing game took off once again. So pads again these next two days against a different team, we'll see how it goes. But we, we talked all, all about it yesterday.
Starting point is 00:07:30 What we want to see some of the highlights from Tuesday's practice. You had mentioned the interception Kenny Moore flew up and batted a pass out of the air and Julian Blackman came diving for it. Yet another great example of how these guys might just excel in this defense. We already knew about Kenny Moore, but Julian Blackman is really fitting into it well. Yeah, I bet we'll see a video of that from the Colts Twitter account or from the Colts YouTube account or something like that. They usually put the really cool plays and exciting plays out there.
Starting point is 00:08:02 So I bet we'll see a video of that later today or later yesterday when you guys are listening to this. Yeah. Don't worry about when we're talking and you're listening. Right. Right. Yeah. But so I guess right after that interception, Matt Ryan, he had a nice 35 yard shot down the left sideline to Michael Pittman, who had a double move. We've seen that a couple of times now. Pittman with the double move, Ryan on the pump, and it actually working out. And then Ryan also hit Naheem Hines on a nice wheel route for about a 65-yard touchdown.
Starting point is 00:08:36 Naheem had another big acrobatic catch before that, so it looked like, no surprise, a nice day from Michael Pittman and Naheem Hines. Yeah, Naheem Hines. Yeah, Naeem Hines, wide receiver two this year, or pass catcher two, however you want to put it. I mean, him and Michael Pittman Jr., I feel like are going to be the focal points of the passing offense. And we know we saw a little bit of that in the preseason game where every pass went to Naeem Hines. I know that was kind of the emphasis was just get the ball out quick, don't let Matt Ryan get hit. But, I mean, Matt Ryan was looking for nine hines, which was great to see.
Starting point is 00:09:07 Yeah, and Granson had a big day too as well. Man, I don't want to overreact or anything, but could he become tight end one at some point this season? It's not like Mo Alleycox is some long-established guy who we know is the top answer long term. I mean, they have very different roles, though. So it's the Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron type of thing to a lesser degree. I'm just giving you guys an example of how differently they play off each other.
Starting point is 00:09:40 But I don't know. At least the top tight end in the passing game. Yeah, no, the absolute dream is it becomes a Jack Doyle, Eric Ebron type of situation where Moelle Cox is doing everything in the blocking game while also making some catches in the passing game, but Kylan Branson is just excelling as a pass catcher. That's obviously what we want and what we hope, but yeah, no, Kylan Branson's been stacking a lot of really good days lately.
Starting point is 00:10:01 Had a really good preseason game as well. One of the few guys who didn't have a drop or get muddied by press coverage or anything like that had a really nice run after catch. So yeah, Kylan Granson, you know, we've talked about him a lot this offseason, obviously, you know, the Curtis Brooks show sponsored by Kylan Granson. But yeah, no, Granson, I think he has all the ability. If he can just keep those drops to a minimum, he can be a really good asset in the passing game for the Colts this year. Yeah, without question. He's definitely been on fire lately.
Starting point is 00:10:31 A couple more small points. Another good showing from Dio Dangbo and Ben Banigou. I guess Dio had a nice little pass breakup when he was rushing the quarterback. And Ben Banigou had another would-be sack. And then, and you can comment on that with this if you want, I'm sure, the kicking competition might be over after today. I think we might be able to finally put it to bed for you. Rodrigo Blankenship was 5 of 5 today, and I guess Jake Verity was 2 of 5
Starting point is 00:10:59 and had the missed point after on Saturday. So that's not great. And with only five practices left, I mean, what can Verity show that's going to unseat Blankenship? Yeah, I know you got to segue us out of here in a second, but my only comment on the kick and battle will say, I won't say that Blankenship is a lock right now, but I feel confident saying Verity, it will not make this team.
Starting point is 00:11:24 It's not, yeah. Oh, man. is a lock right now, but I feel confident saying Verity, it will not make this team. It's not. Oh man. Zach, kicks don't lie and neither do numbers. That's why I'm leaning hard on Elias nowadays. It's almost the start of the NFL season. I love this time of year. And if you're into sports betting or fantasy, you need a competitive edge to win. We try and help you out as much as you can, but who helps us? We highly recommend the Elias Game Plan app. It's the ultimate sports betting and fantasy companion for the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Elias Game Plan is the only sports app from the most trusted name in sports stats. Elias Sports Bureau, the official statisticians of U.S. Pro Sports Leagues, including the NFL. Their app lets you access team and player stats, head-to-head team comparisons,
Starting point is 00:12:10 and Elias insights from the Elias Sports Bureau's research team. This app really is your one-stop source for player news and league-validated player stats and team records. Elias has expert game analysis perfect for betting, building your fantasy team and impressing friends. It's perfect for the preseason. You get your player previews, you get to have it, you get to draft a winning fantasy team and you get the team previews. So you know what to expect as the regular season kicks off. I'm considered a fantasy expert myself, but I even need some help getting my ducks in a row sometimes. And Elias has come in clutch for me for sure.
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Starting point is 00:13:09 So offensive side of the ball, we talked about, you know, we think there's plenty of guys who are locks. There's some who are kind of tied up in these battles. Who do you think, you know, let's start from the topic quarterback. Who are your locks? And if any, as you go through the roster breakdown, who are kind of encapsulated in battles? Yeah, you know, so despite what a lot of people at Twitter would say
Starting point is 00:13:35 after this one preseason game, you know, you're going to get a lot of buzz saying Sam Ellinger should be the backup or should be the starter. Some crazy people are saying that stuff. You know, it's one preseason game. We got to understand some context here. The two locks to make this roster at quarterback, obviously Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan's not going anywhere.
Starting point is 00:13:53 And I'm pretty comfortable saying Nick Foles is a lock. Unless, I mean, unless he comes out and he's just completely dreadful the rest of the time we see him this offseason, even then I still think he's a lock. He's a veteran guy who has experience with Frank Wright. He's not going anywhere. But those are the two locks. And then for me, Sam Ellinger has, like,
Starting point is 00:14:14 I would say like a 15% to 20% chance to make the roster. If they feel like they have an extra roster spot, they will try to squeeze him on there. But I think he's a prime practice squad candidate for them. And then if another team around the league is really interested, they'll probably scoop him up. Yeah, that's the whole thing is, do they want to risk losing him? Because he is very much, I could see him being an attractive option for other teams. He's smart. You know, he was the number two all last year and he's mobile. Like there's not a lot not to like there as, as for him being your backup.
Starting point is 00:14:47 Yeah. The big thing I'll add on that before we jump to our next position though, is, you know, six round pick player. He did play as a backup last year, but if the Colts were so sold on him, they wouldn't have signed Nick Foles. Right.
Starting point is 00:14:58 There's a reason why you signed Nick Foles. So I could see the team definitely cutting him and being okay with that. But jumping to the running back position, I actually have three locks and I didn't think I would have three at this point in the off season. I thought it would take a couple of preseason games. I bet Jonathan Taylor is one of them. Yes. Jonathan Taylor and I am Hines are like at the top of any lock list you can have for this roster. But honestly, Philip Lindsay, I'm going to say is a lock at this point. Maybe he's not a big special teamer or a pass catcher but he's just the perfect third back to have that knows how to run the football you know put that in very simple
Starting point is 00:15:35 terms uh he's a very smooth runner he's perfect for if taylor or hines goes down you have that backup uh but behind him you know there could be a battle for RB4. You know, the Colts have rostered four running backs in the past. Deion Jackson has special teams ability. Tyson Williams is a good runner himself. Devontae Price has shown some things. So those three guys are battling it for a potential RB4 spot if the Colts end up keeping four. Yeah, I, at the beginning of camp, I wasn't so sold. I really only had Taylor and Hines as the only locks. And I thought Deion Jackson would be pretty safe. But Phillip Lindsay has been a pleasant surprise. It's been kind of a what has happened that last year or two, whatever,
Starting point is 00:16:15 where he's just kind of been in limbo. But he's been a really good runner for the Colts from what we've seen, even in practice, when it's hard to judge what's a good run and what's not but I think he's pretty safe and Tyson Williams has shown more as a runner this summer than than Deion Jackson has but special teams is the ultimate x factor like have they done have they grabbed enough special teamers elsewhere for it to matter? Or is Deion Jackson that important to those units? Right. I would lean three right now, but again,
Starting point is 00:16:48 I could see a Deion Jackson squeezing on as the fourth guy for special teams, but shifting over to wide receiver. And this is the most wide in battle there is. Cause I only see four locks right now, just for Michael Pittman, Jr. Paris Campbell, Alec Pierce, Ashton Doolin behind that. We have no clue. You know, the wide receiver five and or six on this team could be on another roster right now.
Starting point is 00:17:09 Like, we have no clue what's going to round out that group because there really hasn't been anyone who's taken it. You know, if you asked us a week ago, we'd say Kiki Cootie is wide receiver five. But after a lackluster preseason game, now he's missing time with injury. Who knows? Desmond Patman hasn't really taken control of that. And Mike Strawn probably has a good chance at it if he keeps playing well. But this is his first practice of the offseason.
Starting point is 00:17:33 So it's hard to say that he is going to take that wide receiver five spot. So, yeah, right now I think there's four locks. And honestly, this could be a prime spot where they, you know, trade for a bottom of the roster guy. They waiver claim someone. They sign a veteran. You they, you know, trade for a bottom of the roster guy. They waiver claim someone. They sign a veteran. You know, we've talked about that a lot. Or maybe Mike Strawn takes this spot. You know, I think there's a lot of options for wide receiver five and, you know, potentially wide receiver six.
Starting point is 00:17:55 Yeah, this is definitely the offensive. It seems like the offensive group that has the most change that we could see at the bottom of it. You know, when the waiver wires and stuff are really cracking at the end of the preseason but yeah patman qt and strachan uh patman and qt neither have really grabbed onto it i did give qt the nod for a while but with strachan back before you and i kind of expected him to be. It's open season again. I mean, last summer, the exact way it happened was Patman didn't show a whole lot. It was just kind of downfield sideline catches. And then Strawn had that uber summer,
Starting point is 00:18:37 and they both made it as five and six. Patman doesn't seem to have grown a whole lot, and then we don't know what to expect from Strawn in these last handful of practices and games. So it's wide open. Totally would not be surprised if someone from the outside comes in and becomes wide receiver five or six. And the next position group is the easiest one, tight end.
Starting point is 00:18:56 There's already four locks. We are already done with that position, and I am so comfortable saying there's four locks. I mean, there are four guys that are making it tight end. It's Miley Cox, Kylan Branson, Drew Ogletree, Jelani Woods. Those are the four guys. Nobody else has a chance. Unless they make a trade, they're going to keep four this year.
Starting point is 00:19:14 Yeah, I will say Michael Jacobson is absolutely a prime practice squad guy. Right. But, you know, there's no reason to think that it's not going to be these four and only these four. Right. And then jumping to offensive line, we'll go through this one kind of quick because we're running a little short in this segment here. But there are six 100 percent locks. I mean, without a doubt, locks. You're talking about Matt Pryor, Quinton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Danny Pinter and Braden Smith. And then Bernard Ryman is 100 percent making the team. Will Fries, I'd put it like a 98% lock. Like, I don't see him going anywhere.
Starting point is 00:19:49 But after that seven, you know, I think there is a little bit of clarity, but it's not full clarity yet. You know, we have Wesley French is playing really well, and he's been running with the second team. I think he's got an inside shot to make the roster. Dennis Kelly, even though he's missed most of camp, is a veteran player they brought in to be that backup right tackle. So he'll probably make the roster as well.
Starting point is 00:20:09 So I think they have their nine. But, you know, there is still some room where, you know, a guy like Josh Seltzner, who played pretty well in the preseason game, could take that spot from Wesley French. But as of right now, I think they have their nine who are likely making the roster. It just depends on what the rest of the camp happens for those guys. That's the exact nine I would think too.
Starting point is 00:20:28 I'd give French the edge over Seltzer, especially since French has done so well at center throughout the summer. Jordan Murray, you know, he didn't look all that great in the game. He's had some good times in practice. Alex Mollet and Ryan Vandemark don't seem to be threatening that much. So that'd be my nine as well. Yeah, yeah. So now we're talking about backups, guys.
Starting point is 00:20:51 And if you guys really love backups, I know you degenerates want to bet on this upcoming game here with the Colts versus Lions. All backups. So if you believe in Sam Ellinger enough to where he'll get a big enough lead before Jack Cohen blows it, you can bet on the Colts this weekend. The Lions are actually favored by one and a half points on BetOnline against the Colts. So again, if you're a big Sam Ellinger fan, you think Sam Ellinger is the greatest backup quarterback ever, go to BetOnline, bet on the Colts. BetOnline.net is the fastest and
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Starting point is 00:21:38 BetOnline continues to be the top online resource for all your sports wagering information. From live in-game betting to scores and podcasts, they have you covered. Head to BetOnline today and use your mobile device to learn more about the action happening. BetOnline, where the game starts. All right, let's talk some defense and talk some locks on defense
Starting point is 00:21:59 because some of the pushback I got when I made my thread on Twitter was about the defensive end group. I put five locks down for defensive end. Yannick Ngakwe, Quiddie Paye, Taekwon Lewis, Dayo Dengbo, and I put Ben Banigou as a lock. I think he's more of that Will Fries type of lock for me where it's like I'm 98% sure. I'm not going to say he's definitely making it,
Starting point is 00:22:23 but we can say with a degree of certainty that he's a lock. What do you think? Do you think I should have included Efedi Adenigbo in that as well? It's real tough. Yeah. But I just think Bandigoo would make it over Adenigbo at this
Starting point is 00:22:40 point. Both guys have had really good summers. I think both are also trade candidates even though that you know they're they're both free agents i think uh well a denig bow might be on a two-year deal um but yeah they're both trade candidates if they do if you know if they don't get cut but yeah that's that'd be my five the the whole defensive line i've struggled with this the whole time i'd keep a hundred of them like I would keep most of the bunch of of the ends and tackles I don't know it's it's easily the
Starting point is 00:23:11 toughest group to cut down yeah yeah one thing I'll say more about defensive end here is those are my five locks I do think they end up keeping six this year and I think which would be a denny yeah I would say a denny bow I'm at like 80 saying that he's gonna make the team like I'm pretty pretty good but Cam Cline played so well in this past game that I was like oh maybe Cam Cline I don't know because Cam Cline you know I want to throw some shout out to Cam Cline here because he made a case for himself this past game as a as you know I think he came into the NFL as like a 280 pound defensive tackle now he's at like 260 playing defensive end and he looked he looked smooth man he looked good so yeah uh he made a name for himself in that game and so that's why it kind
Starting point is 00:23:54 of muddies that a little bit but I do think Edenic Bowe is close to being a lock as well as the sixth defensive end jumping to defensive tackle I only had two locks because everything behind those two guys is so muddied right now. The two locks obviously being DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart. Behind that, man, I would say there's a slight edge to Curtis Brooks and Eric Johnson. But, man, it's so hard right there because Byron Cowart probably brings you the most as a run defender behind those guys. And RJ McIntosh has had some moments in camp I know he had a really bad preseason game but he's had some moments in camp it's tough man you have to weigh potential versus production where Cowart probably gives you the best player right now or Johnson and Brooks probably give
Starting point is 00:24:39 you the most potential and how much would you be willing to lose those two players if you put them on waivers so that it is a tough and then Chris Williams too Chris Williams we have no clue with that so I mean defensive tackle right now I mean there's two locks and there's probably an upwards of four to five that they keep and I I have no clue how they'll do it. So if I'm just putting on my, my GM hat and what I, what I think I feel the Colts would do just how they normally operate Buckner Stewart, obviously don't even have to mention that. I think Curtis Brooks and Eric Johnson both make it. They tend, they tend to keep rookie draft picks as long as they don't just look like butt during the summer. Both of these guys have looked pretty good. I think RJ McIntosh is up next. He's probably got the most run of any of the other depth guys
Starting point is 00:25:32 outside those rookies. Sabion Patton, I'm sorry, you're probably the odd man out. It's just a numbers game. Not that you've been bad. You're talking like he's listening to the show. He might, I don't know. We're getting big. Sorry, Sabian. We want to say nice things about you here, but we can't. Yeah. No. And then Byron, Byron Cowart, there's reason to like him as well, but it's just, if you're choosing between the veterans and it's McIntosh versus Cowart, I think it goes towards McIntosh. Yeah, you know, based purely off the preseason
Starting point is 00:26:05 game, I would say Cowart. But again, you've seen more in camp and camp's way more important in these preseason games. And also McIntosh kind of brings a little bit of run defense and pass rush where Cowart's almost purely run defense. So it depends on kind of what you want there. Yeah, that's again, the defensive line, that's the one that makes the roster projections the most difficult. Right, right. That's where we're going to disagree the most with our projections here on Horseshoe Huddle in the next couple of weeks. But going to linebacker, and this got a little pushback as well,
Starting point is 00:26:36 I actually had five locks at linebacker instead of four. And my fifth guy is kind of in that Will Fry's Ben Banigou where it's like I'm mostly sure but not fully sure. But the four guys who are 100% making this roster. Definitely are Shaq Leonard who might be on the pup to start the year. We don't know if he'll actually be on the 53 man roster. So we'll have to check on that. Bobby O'Kara K EJ speed, Zyra Franklin.
Starting point is 00:26:59 Those are your guys who are 100% making the roster. And then I had Jojo Doman as, again, like a 98% lock. I think it's pretty safe to say he's going to make the roster. I almost put Sterling Weatherford as kind of like a Fedde Odenik boat to me, where I'm like 70% to 80% on him right now. But Forrest Ryan is coming back. You said that he was playing pretty well. James Skalski had some good moments in the game as well.
Starting point is 00:27:24 So there are guys who could beat him out. But I do think Weatherford has the edge up on linebacker six if they end up keeping six. Yeah, so I'm in the same boat with Doman. Like, if I'm making a prediction, I think he is on the roster. But we're near the end of camp here. And I think Doman, so Doman was out today. Weatherford is really starting to heat up in the last week. Ryan is back.
Starting point is 00:27:50 Let's just say Doman's out for a few more days, and these other two guys keep – it gets so muddy. Like you said, you just don't know. But gun to my head, I think Doman makes it. He's looked really good. He's looked good in the past game, and then in the game against Buffalo, he was a decent run defender. So he's shown both sides of it. And we assume he's going to be a pretty good special teamer, but with Weatherford, he's got that potential. You know, it's, everyone seems to know that and he's starting to heat up. So
Starting point is 00:28:20 yeah, he's coming along as you would expect or hope. Right. I'm hoping Weatherford steps up and he's doing practices so we can move him up to lock because he's, you know, he's a good player going to corner. I think this is another area where the Colts could end up making a trade or you could say cornerback five or six is on another team right now. But I have four locks, obviously, Stefan Gilmore, Kenny Moore, the second Brandon face on and Isaiah Rogers. But behind that, it's tough, man. Marvell Tell did not have a great preseason game. Dallas Flowers flashed, but doesn't look like a rosterable player right now. Tony Brown probably has the inside track for cornerback five, but this is another spot where cornerback five or cornerback six might not be on the roster right now. Yeah, only those four I'd be comfortable saying are locks.
Starting point is 00:29:06 Tony Brown, probably fifth because he plays inside and out and is a very experienced special teamer. Marvell Tell has some room to grow, but I think he'd get the edge over Anthony Chesley, who was the other guy I would throw in there. Dallas Flowers looks more
Starting point is 00:29:21 like a practice squad guy, but someone you still want to work on and keep around. Makes Chris Wilcox the odd man out, but that one is very tough. If they're going to keep six, I think it's Tell and Brown. If they only keep five, I think it's Brown. Yep, I agree. And then going to safety here, obviously there's three locks, Rodney McLeod, Julian Blackman, Nick Cross. Armani Watts, I think, is likely safe. But Trevor Dembo looked amazing on special teams. Yeah, I don't think he offers much on defense at all. Like, he did not look great in the game on defense. But he had so many tackles on special teams where I'm like, you know,
Starting point is 00:29:59 maybe he could be the special teamer that beats out Armani Watts. It all comes down to what Bubba Van Trone says there. But that's why I left that one a little open. But I do think Armani Watts. It all comes down to what Bubba Van Trone says there. But that's why I left that one a little open. But I do think Armani Watts has the edge up there for safety four. I'd agree. And his main competition, you know, you mentioned Denbo as a special teamer. But Rodney Thomas and Will Redman. Thomas was initially listed as the second team free safety.
Starting point is 00:30:22 And Redman got a lot of snaps throughout camp two with the ones and twos. But I think I would feel best about Watts. Thomas and Redmond can both offer some corner assistance as well, but I don't know. Watts just seems like the safer bet if they're going to keep four. Yeah. Oh, and then Marcel Davos probably going to be on the practice squad.
Starting point is 00:30:45 Yeah. He's, he's got a protected practice squad spot, so they don't have to worry about that. Yeah. He's not, he's unless he is awesome. All of a sudden he'll just be on the practice squad this year.
Starting point is 00:30:55 They don't have to worry about that. It's a protected spot. Like when they wave him, no one else can, can take it. So, yeah. And then just to run through special teams real quick kicker
Starting point is 00:31:05 blake and shop blake and chip blake and shot blake and ship is probably at like 80 percent making the roster i mean they might grab an outside kicker but he looks pretty good right now uh sanchez rigaberto sanchez definitely the punter luke rhodes is definitely long snapper so i mean that's where you got it but i mean according to my account it was around 41 guys that i had as locks with about 12 spots that are up for grabs. So all those guys that we're talking about that are battling for bottom spots,
Starting point is 00:31:29 there's about 12 that are up for grabs by my count. And thanks again for making locked on Colts. Your first lesson today, everybody, however you play, get the latest NFL fantasy draft tips from locked on fantasy football and locked on dynasty. Plus starting August 22nd, we're bringing you daily top 10 list for fantasy draft tips from locked on fantasy football and locked on dynasty. Plus starting August 22nd,
Starting point is 00:31:46 we're bringing you daily top 10 list for fantasy draft week, locked on fantasy football and locked on dynasty available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcast. So that's it. I know Zach had to bring up kickers on his own for the first time. That's really tough. We'll be back with you guys tomorrow. The Colts have the lions coming into town for these two joint practices on
Starting point is 00:32:08 Wednesday and Thursday. They'll then have their preseason matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday. And make sure you guys are following at JakeArthurNFL on Twitter.com. So you can see all the updates from these joint practices. Like we said, these are the most important practices of the year. So you want to be having a Jake on notifications for definitely, definitely for this week, at least you can follow me on Twitter at sack cakes too, for all my preseason breakdowns, Gus Bradley breakdowns and such.
Starting point is 00:32:33 Find all of our written work over at horseshoehuddle.com. We're going to have roster projections coming out in the next couple of weeks. So that's where you'll see all this information that we just dumped on you guys really, really show up. Follow us on Twitter. Subscribe to the channel. We're almost at 800 subs right now, so halfway through the month of August. We're getting close to that goal to make 1,000 subs by the end of August to make this my header on Twitter. So we're getting there.
Starting point is 00:32:58 We're getting there. And then wherever you listen to the podcast, rate, review, subscribe. We appreciate all the love you guys have been throwing our way lately and just keep it up. Yeah, absolutely. Let's get to a thousand. Let's get weird on Zach's Twitter banner guys.
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