Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts' Parris Campbell, Kenny Moore, Bobby Okereke Discuss Their Future

Starting point is 00:00:00 It was move-out day for the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, and I was there to get the players' thoughts on a season gone wrong. I'll tell you guys all about it and bring you some of the conversations I had with a handful of those players today on 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. Thank you all for tuning in and making us your first listen of the day. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day.

Starting point is 00:00:55 Today's show is presented by PrizePix. PrizePix is daily fantasy made easy. Just pick two to five players, and if they score more or less than their PrizePix projection, then you can win up to 10 times your money on any entry. First time users can receive a 100% instant deposit match up to $100 with promo code LOCKEDON. That's prizepicks.com, promo code LOCKEDON. This is Jake Arthur of HorseshoeHuddle.com. Zach is focusing on some written content right now, especially with the Colts roaring into this head coaching search.

Starting point is 00:01:27 He's diving into draft season, of course. So stick with us at horseshoehuddle.com as well. We're cranking out a lot of stuff this week. Just trying to bring you guys top-to-bottom coverage of everything going on with the Colts right now. Today, the rest of the media and I were in the Colts' locker room to talk to the players about a season that could have been. Expectations in the preseason were much different than how things actually worked out. Really, I made it a point mostly to talk to upcoming free agents and just kind of gauge where their head's at going into this whole thing.

Starting point is 00:01:59 I'll bring you guys chats with Paris Campbell, Kenny Moore. Kenny Moore is not a free agent, but you guys will see that his situation is in flux, as well as Bobby Okereke and Ashton Doolin. So the players weren't the only ones to speak to reporters on Monday. I'm sure you guys have heard all about interim head coach Jeff Saturday also spoke to us. He gave his end of season press conference and it wasn't the first press conference involving him that kind of rubbed people the wrong way. So obviously in his tenure, the Colts were 1-7. They had a negative 80 point differential, I believe it was, overall. It just was a mess.

Starting point is 00:02:40 And to his credit, he did inherit a mess. He was thrown in from outside the organization with a week to prepare to get things going. So really nothing, nothing was his, you know, he didn't get to bring in any of his own influence, really other than that. He just kind of was flying by the seat of his pants, so to speak. But that still doesn't really excuse, you know, how things develop throughout the year. Things got much worse. I think we can all agree with that. And one of the big reasons he was brought in was his leadership and accountability. Now, by all accounts, he's been a good leader,

Starting point is 00:03:17 but, you know, outward to the media and everything, there has kind of been a lack of accountability. He kind of owned the fact that he was thrown into this and inherited everything and that not it's it seemed like his message was you know this wasn't how this whole thing went wasn't much of my own doing he did express strongly that if he does get the head coaching job moving forward that that there will be drastic change. And that's something I was really curious about because, I mean, obviously he's just kind of a figurehead in this whole thing in the last half of the season.

Starting point is 00:03:52 But what does a Jeff Saturday coach team look like with a full offseason to prepare his staff that he's brought in, this and that? And that was kind of another part of it. He doesn't really seem to be too keen of the offensive staff. At least that's not how it came off. So we'll see how that whole thing goes. He's going to spend his next whatever couple weeks preparing to, you know,

Starting point is 00:04:17 give his best shot in an interview for this job. And I think we all know Jim Irsay thinks the world of it. So he's got as good of a chance as any, despite how poorly this this back half of the season went now talking to some of the players we really heard a lot of support for Jeff Saturday especially from some of the veteran leaders like the really important guys in that locker room and I saw a lot of responses on Twitter from fans and things that said, who cares? That's what they're going to say.

Starting point is 00:04:47 And that's not necessarily true. Like we've we know how these players get their point across. And a lot of times they could be just noncommittal on things or give just like a bland answer. But these guys really did seem bought in to him. You know, they appreciated the accountability he brought to them and to the locker room because another thing we've heard from some of these players is not everyone's been on the same page. And having a guy like Saturday who is known for accountability and leadership,

Starting point is 00:05:18 he can help get things on the right track and everyone in the same direction. And that is another thing that he mentioned in his press conference. So, yes, often you're going to hear players voice their support, but this felt different. You know, they didn't have to do it. They didn't have to sound as bought into him as they were. So I'll just tell you guys that now. Like, we know what these players sound like when they're just giving coach-speak answers, and this didn't really sound like it.

Starting point is 00:05:47 So with that in the rearview mirror, we'll bring you more on that later in the week. We're going to have another show here, bring Zach in and another special guest. But next up is my conversation with Colts wide receiver and upcoming free agent Paris Campbell. This was a great season for him. He was finally able to stay healthy. He played all 17 games. First time in his four year career, he was finally able to stay healthy he played all 17 games first time in his four-year career he's been able to do that and he pretty much set career highs across the board and everything as a result we we saw the glimpses of that potential

Starting point is 00:06:14 he's of course still fast he attacks the ball he's a downfield threat he can generate yards after the catch he's a really quality player and definitely worth bringing back if they want to do that. Yeah, he just kind of reflected on what this healthy season meant to him, as well as how he plans to approach free agency. So here's our chat with Campbell. Contract here, you finally had the year you've been waiting for, you're healthy, you produced. How do things look for you, whether it's the next couple months or where do you see 2023 looking? Yeah, to be honest with you, I don't know. It's new for me, you know what I'm saying?

Starting point is 00:06:54 I know that it's a waiting game. I'll get together with my agent here soon. We've already been talking, so I'm pretty sure the next couple days I'll fly out to go see him, and we'll kind of set the ground and see what's there for me, get all the information I can, and then we'll take our next steps from there. But I'm going to try not to stress out. I'm an impatient person, so I just try to, you know, stay at peace.

Starting point is 00:07:25 Did you accomplish what you set out to this year? Yeah, I mean, I think my number one goal was just to be out there and be available for all 17. And, you know, I did that. And, you know, all the stuff in between. You know, I was blessed to be able to make plays. And given the opportunity, I feel like I made the most of them. So I'm happy with, obviously

Starting point is 00:07:45 individually, not happy as a team, but happy individually with what I was able to put out there on tape. As you reflect back, you were here a day after the season, 17th from you. How emotional is it for you, personally, to know that you've been able to do this?

Starting point is 00:08:01 It was super emotional. I was emotional before the game, yesterday, during the game, after the game, just because, you know, I've been through a lot. And, you know, I don't like to talk about, you know, what I've been through a lot. But, like, yesterday, it really hit me just I'm really, you know, playing in the full season. And sure, you know, you got people out there that say, well, that's what you're supposed to do. You know, well, my story is just a little bit different and um it's nothing nothing about my story nothing about my journey i would change um because i've grown so much from it i've learned so much from it and uh i'm just blessed blessed to be where i'm standing now and uh you

Starting point is 00:08:40 know contract year four year under my belt i'm able to be you know productive um you know, contract year, full year under my belt, able to be, you know, productive. You know, I couldn't ask for more. It was great to get that perspective from Campbell. It sounds like he'll look at what's out there on the market, but as long as the Colts play fair with this whole situation, that he would like to be back. And, of course, I don't see why the Colts wouldn't want him back. We've got more player combos coming at you here in a moment,

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Starting point is 00:10:18 He dealt with some injuries, and under this new defensive system with Gus Bradley, he just didn't look like that old instinctive lightning in a bottle player that we grew to know under Matt Eberflus in the previous scheme. So remember that Kenny had a contract dispute last summer. He wasn't there for the voluntary stuff like the OTAs and stuff like that, but he did come back for training camp. He reported for that and was a full participant and was a full participant throughout the year other than, than getting hurt really. With that in mind, I thought Moore's tone was really more reflective of someone who may or may not be back with the team next year. It sounded like he was a free agent and really wasn't sure whether or not he

Starting point is 00:11:03 wanted to be back. So take a listen and let us know what you think in the comments From your perspective we saw how good you could be last year Why do you think? Didn't work out What do you think was kind of the first sign that maybe it wasn't coming together? Why do you think it kind of didn't get on track? The position I'm in is very tough. And, you know, I do my best to hold everybody around me in high regard. I never want to be that type of person.

Starting point is 00:11:42 It just wasn't a year for 23 to have his best year. It just wasn't there. And that's something that I charged a game because, you know, 2022 doesn't define me as a player or a person. It was just, it wasn't there for me to be me. How frustrating is the last month of working and trying to get back on the field and just not being able to get back there? Yeah, I did my best to actually wear that blue and white again.

Starting point is 00:12:16 It's been a great journey being here for six years and obviously having a lot of success in the blue and white, wearing that 23 has been a true honor. Playing in Lucas Oil, the fans deserve so much more. Just having my last name in the back of that jersey, it means more than anyone could ever know. But when it comes to this 2022 season, very frustrated,

Starting point is 00:12:48 obviously having the injury at the end. I was definitely hoping to be back out there at least one more play for the guys. And that's pretty much all I cared about was the guys in the locker room, people that I cherish to the highest. So not being able to be back out there this past week, obviously it's been a home game, it definitely, it hit hard, it hit hard. You've got, I think, two more years under contract. One. Is that right?

Starting point is 00:13:20 One more year, okay. Do you feel like you'll be back here or do you feel like maybe the future is up in the air? Where are you at as far as kind of moving forward? Honestly, I don't know. I would love to be here in Indy, a place that I never thought it would even be potentially a league, you know what I mean? But nobody's safe in this business.

Starting point is 00:13:48 We already know how crazy it gets. And I am aware of that. I know personally that I've given all I could to not only this organization, but this community. And however way it goes, I know that I'll definitely have Andy as a home. So it's definitely been a true, true honor to be here. And I'm proud to say that I wore the blue and white. And I'm glad to say that I still do wear the blue and white.

Starting point is 00:14:29 We never got to talk to you back during the coaching change, but what was that like to go through? There's been a lot of changes this year, but Frank Ranks is the only coach you had played for a year until that happened. How did that all go over for you just during the season? Yeah, during the season. Well, I played for Pagano my first season and that coaching change happened and then obviously having a Frank Reich era. I'm used to having different coaches and

Starting point is 00:14:59 I'm thankful for all the coaches who have poured into me. And there's a lot of teachings from each of them. So it was a new experience having a new coach in Chase, Ashley during the season. However, having a guy like Coach Saturday come in, we didn't skip a beat when it comes to having a head coach. So it wasn't really an effect, I think. It was just another person up there, was another head coach, another leader,

Starting point is 00:15:28 another guy in charge. And we all respect that. And we all just wanted to play our best then for. Just lastly, I've been asked a lot of guys this, but just kind of what this year has been like to experience, just kind of emotionally, mentally, like it just, we talked a lot of guys this but just kind of what this year has been like to experience just kind of emotionally mentally like it just yeah we talked a lot something gets so much in the weeds about specific football stuff but just have you been able to kind of reflect on that since you've you've been out the past few weeks as far as what uh just as far as like, try to word this right away, just like, you would kind of push the season, I guess.

Starting point is 00:16:11 Do you feel like this is gonna linger with you? Honestly, last offseason was pretty tough because going out with the Raiders and then the Jags, and then obviously going out with Fuse leaving, it hit me home because Ewan Fuse is a coach that I definitely cherish deep down in my heart. That's a coach that I wanted to play my hardest for. We had a great run with Coach Ewan Fuse. And having that type of offseason, it sucked. Even though we did accomplish a lot achievement wise with seven

Starting point is 00:16:45 That was something to actually be proud of. But it was hard to be happy in the moment because we had a lot going on. As far as not making the playoffs last year, obviously training to this year, I feel like things were even worse. And emotionally, it was tough to endure. It's tough to to endure. I feel like I haven't really been able to express myself. I feel like I was basically in the shadows, obviously not having media availability.

Starting point is 00:17:24 I just haven't been able to express myself. And so, it is what it is at this point. But sometimes this offseason, I definitely wanna reset, refocus, restore. And I've done a great job about it. I will say later in the season, as far as dealing with my injury, I feel like my younger years is something that I would have, it would have definitely affected me more, year three, especially 2019 whenever I was hurt for the rest of the season.

Starting point is 00:17:58 I got hurt the same week, the same place, just a different foot this year, just like a 19. It affected me more in 19 than it did this year, and that's where I see growth. I feel very positive about that, and I'm proud of myself. After we spoke with Kenny Moore, I talked with upcoming free agent linebacker Bobby Okereke. He's, of course, had a career year but could be too expensive for the Colts when you factor in that fellow linebacker Shaquille Leonard is already making about 20 million dollars per season. I think Okereke should probably get over 10 million

Starting point is 00:18:35 a year with his new deal so that's gonna be quite a bit of money to be tied up in a linebacker group. The biggest x-factor really is Leonard's health. And, you know, is he going to come back and be himself? You know, there's just, there's a lot there because obviously you want a player like Bobby O'Kerrigan back, but it just may not be financially feasible to do so. So Bobby and I talked about his impending free agency, what draws him to Indy and what he's proved in his four years in the NFL. Contract year, you've gotten steadily better each year. You keep improving in every area.

Starting point is 00:19:12 This obviously isn't the season anyone wanted here. When you look at your future, whether it's the next couple months or the start of the 2023 season, what do you see? Just opportunity. Obviously, you gotta see how everything pans out with the coaches here and the staff, but Indy's been home to me. I grew up here as a professional football player. I love this city, I love this state, and I love the organization.

Starting point is 00:19:41 But yeah, a lot of opportunity. Obviously, I'll go into free agency and talk to my agent and really just assess all my options. You know, this is an opportunity for me to set myself up for financial freedom and a lot of financial success going forward. So, yeah, just take all my options in and just really figure out what's most important to me at the end of the day. So you mentioned the coaches.

Starting point is 00:20:04 How big of a draw is that in whether or not you come back? Is that a pretty big part of it? I think it will play a factor for sure. I mean, the relationship I have with Coach Smith is incredible. You know, he really looked out for me and made me a better player since I got here. And then Gus and the whole staff, I mean, they just did an incredible job this year. So the opportunity to work with them again would be definitely one I would take up. And so you've now gotten better in two different schemes.

Starting point is 00:20:32 I mean, 4-3, yes, but there's a lot of different components to it. Do you think you've put out a really good audition, I guess, for the rest of the league? For sure. I mean, especially coming in as a rookie, playing the same position. 3-4 right? Yeah well 4-3. I played 3-4 in college. So I have that whole Fangio tree. But yeah I came here with Fluse and that first defense playing the same position and then I played Mike the next two years and then playing Will this year. I think I've showed a good amount of position flexibility.

Starting point is 00:21:03 Just like Campbell it sounds like Okereke is going to test the market but would like to be back in India if everything is on the up and up there. Gus Bradley and linebackers coach Rick Smith and the defensive staff will be a big factor in whether or not Bobby Okereke returns. It sounds like he's really enjoyed his time there. But, you know, notice he pointed out that he's played in the Vic Fangio style of system before. So if Fangio winds up as a defensive coordinator somewhere in the NFL this year, keep an eye on that one as well, because Okereke is already very familiar with that system. Before we bring you our latest player interview of the day and wrap things up, heads up that it's almost tax time, and this show is sponsored by TurboTax.

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Starting point is 00:22:37 is required. See guaranteed details at TurboTax.com slash guarantees. Okay, so last up I spoke with another impending free agent, wide receiver Ashton Doolin. He's been an exclusive rights free agent and a restricted free agent before in his career. And the Colts just keep bringing him back. He's kind of a glue guy. Great special teamer, quality depth piece at wide receiver. He's got some talent there. He can stretch the field as well. However, this is going to be the first time that he's an unrestricted free agent and kind of control his own destiny. When you're an ERFA and an RFA, you're kind of dependent on what the Colts or the team you're a part of is going to decide to do with you. This way, Doolin can go out and do whatever he wants.

Starting point is 00:23:23 We spoke about how he's going to approach things. This was a contract year for you, 17 games down. Obviously, the team things didn't go as planned, but how did you set out to accomplish what you set out to this year? The season we have, I don't think anybody really accomplished what they set out to accomplish as a team, as a whole. I mean, individually, we always want to do well for ourselves. I just feel like if we don't do well as a team, I kind of only focus on what I did individually.

Starting point is 00:23:56 I always do better in all areas. But you said the way the season went, it kind of sucks for everybody. It's kind of just that mindset of nobody really accomplished what they accomplished in the game. But you can't take positive stuff from you know there's a brighter side of the two you know the effort we hear everything as far as preparing throughout the week each and every week to come out and play and put our best foot forward like I said you know the way the season goes it's kind of hard you know to find that positive light from a standpoint of, overall, you can always be happy or healthy at the end of the day.

Starting point is 00:24:27 Just continue to get along from there. This was obviously just a weird season overall. Lots of unprecedented stuff. Frank is out. That's the guy you've played for throughout your career so far. Jeff Sauer, this was an interim basis. He'll be interviewing to come back.

Starting point is 00:24:43 What did you think of the job he did? Obviously the record, you know, wasn't what any of you guys hoped, but what do you think of him coming back? I think he has the great mindset. You know, he fits the culture here. You know, he's a fighter for the next nine years. You know, he's been a core guy for this franchise as a whole. But I think he's done a great job.

Starting point is 00:25:03 You know, I think he's a likely candidate for it. I think he would do a great job. I mean, I think he's a likely candidate for it. I think he would do a great job. He's put the right foot forward. He did come in and step in in the midst of this hectic season. I think he's done a great job just being able to get guys on the same page, to bring forth that attitude, that winning attitude. So I think he definitely has the right mindset to be a good agent. Is this your first offseason being an unrestricted free agent?

Starting point is 00:25:26 Yes. So this is a new type of freedom for you in terms of free agency. What do these next couple months look like for you, do you think? You know, right now it's hard to say because there's a lot of uncertainty that goes on with our coach organization as a whole right now. And just some of you never know what happens next month. So I'm just going to sit back and do my part as far as just making sure I'm in shape and make sure my body is in the best shape it can be.

Starting point is 00:25:53 Whatever happens with that is in God's hands. I'm just going to go from there and hopefully we're in the right space. Hopefully it's here. Hopefully we know where it may be. But this is what I was praying for starting to do. So this is where you want to be? Oh, yeah. If everything works out properly. Yeah, if everything works out properly.

Starting point is 00:26:05 Yeah, if everything works out properly, I would love to be back. You never know, it's a busy day today. So I'd love to be back. It's lovely. Of course, we'll find somewhere else to go from there. But as always, I just want to look forward to myself as well and take care of my family as well. But basically, I would love to be back.

Starting point is 00:26:24 Quarterback obviously has been a revolving door this whole time. How much does that factor in for you as a receiver coming back? I think it's definitely something we have to take into account because essentially the quarterback gets to play, so it works hand-in-hand. I think

Starting point is 00:26:39 we're going to get that situated and we want to figure out where we're going with that. We'll be able to make a decision. But, you know, like I said, we just don't know right now. We're in the gray and in the clouds. So we'll figure that out, and we'll be having a more general understanding of what's going on next. All right, that's it for us, everyone. Tomorrow, Zach and I will be back, and we're going to have a really fun chat with Derek Schultz of Query and Schultz.

Starting point is 00:27:02 Kind of just unpack this whole thing. What's up with the Colts in this season? The head coaching stuff, Jeff Saturday's presser, Chris Ballard is going to talk on Tuesday. We'll have all about that coming to you guys. His end of season press conference is slated to be a bit entertaining, maybe a bit scathing, but we'll break it all down for you guys here. Make sure to follow at LockedOnColts, at JakeArthurNFL, and at ZachHicks2 on Twitter. Also subscribe to LockedOnColts on YouTube and wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts' Parris Campbell, Kenny Moore, Bobby Okereke Discuss Their Future

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