Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts POSITION BATTLES Beginning to Take Shape

Episode Date: May 12, 2025

The Indianapolis Colts' roster is at capacity now, and some major questions about it are beginning to develop some clarity. This and so much more on today's Q&A episode! Become a Locked On Colts insider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who's around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box! JOIN HERE! Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms:🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQLocked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-nfl/ Follow Jake and Zach's written work on HorseshoeHuddle.com, and give them a follow on Twitter @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOn_SI, as well on TikTok and Instagram! This episode is brought to you by Monarch Money. Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNBA for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.Monarch MoneyTake control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.FanDuelRight now, new customers can get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

We got our first look at the Indianapolis Colts rookies with Minicamp now in the books and it seemed to spark some minds because today we are answering your questions all about it. 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 day. This is your daily podcast covering your Indianapolis Colts, part of the Locked On Podcast Network,

your team every day. And this episode is brought to you by Monarch Money. Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at MonarchMoney.com for 50% off of your first year. What is up y'all? This is Jake Arthur of HorseshoeHuddle.com. Your eyes and ears, your boots on the ground there,

your credentialed member for the site. And today we are taking your questions because you know it's been a little bit. The draft is in the rear view mirror. The rookies have gotten in there for rookie mini camp now. I was able to go out there and check that out over the weekend and so there's a lot of questions now. I personally feel like I know a bit more about this roster and some of the position battles and kind of what the pecking order probably is and what the team seems to want to happen.

I feel like I'm a little bit smarter in that aspect now. And you guys certainly had questions about that. Uh, so we're going to go over kind of some random questions you had just about whatever, what the Colts, whether it's stuff about in the season, what have you, uh, things down the road as well, uh, some player development stuff. Um, you had a lot of questions about that. But first, we're going to kind of get into specific by blue sky to say that, but I'm just saying things are going well over there. So this first one is from tremble tremble on blue sky. Any camp battles that excite you more than others? Linebacker just seems like a terrifying battle to me. Just wanted to add that it's also wild how often Chris Ballard is confident that someone can be a better starter than the person that they failed to beat for the job so I think a lot of

people kind of share that sentiment tremble tremble I will say just addressing the linebacker portion of it first I really don't think there was any battles mostly to be had there at linebacker. Obviously, Jalen Carlis and Zyra Franklin are going to be your your primary two starters. I don't think they're going to be in base very often, but when there is a Sam on the field, I think it's going to be Shagu Aloubi. And then after that, you're really going to see like what Hunter Wohler has to offer Joe Batchi, the newcomer who I think those two are mostly going to be special teamers a lube as well But those are probably the three I would see most likely coming into play linebacker after Franklin and Carlis

Now a couple people did mention Especially with this comment being a terrifying battle that Zira Franklin and Jalen Carlis are both banged up right now. So Zaira Franklin recently had a cleanup on his ankle and they're hopeful that he's going to be back around time for training camp. That's really not concrete yet. Jalen Carlis has been nursing a shoulder that he had issues with throughout last season.

So both of their two starting linebackers who they did not sign competition for really much adequate depth for those guys are going to be on the shelf basically until training camp. We'll see if they can get back a little sooner, but you basically have this albatross of time in between mandatory mini camp in mid June and then the end of July when training camp starts. So probably not going to see those guys until camp. And hopefully they're both back by then. But, you know, I mentioned Hunter Woller.

That's only kind of in theory that he's going to be getting some linebacker snaps. Like he might get some looks and I'm maybe some dime linebacker stuff. But I think he's primarily going to be with the safety group so I'm with you I think linebacker is probably the position this year that for some reason they think the depth there is fine and it's just perhaps not it seems a little bit like what they did to the safety group last year so we'll see it's it's certainly not great to say you, it just didn't work out adding much linebacker depth in the draft, but we're only going to use two linebackers anyways, and oh yeah, those two linebackers aren't available right now.

So that's a little bit iffy, uh, but to answer the last part of your question about other position battles that I'm, I'm pretty interested in, uh, RB two. Between DJ Giddens and Khalil Herbert. That one interests me a lot. Uh, whatever the pecking order is going to be at defensive end because they certainly have some guys there that can compete, uh, and then cornerback three. You got Justin Wally, Jalen Jones, Samuel Womack, Juju Brents. I think that one is the most intriguing because that in defensive end has the most participants involved and you truly don't know how it's gonna shake out.

So looking at RB two real quick, DJ Giddens, just from what I'm picking up since the draft, the Colts really, really, really like Giddens to the point where I think if he looks good, by the time Jonathan Taylor's contract runs out, I mean, that's, that's a couple of years down the road, but I think they really liked Giddens and they think there's no reason he should have been there. They're in like the fifth round and that he could be starting material.

I mean, obviously not necessarily for them against Jonathan Taylor, but I think they love him as a one to punch with Taylor now. And if he were to start for them long term, if something happens to Taylor or, you know, Taylor's contract obviously runs out, I think they would be fine with Giddens. It seemed to really, really like him defensive end. I think Quidipay is going to start at one spot. You think Laiatu Latu probably will start in another one. But then what else happens there? You know, they love Samson Evycombe, but even if he's going to play some giving a 30 year old guy coming off an Achilles injury, starting snaps doesn't seem wise.

Like I would compress his snaps and get more quality snaps out of him than a quantity of snaps because you also don't you don't need him to play a ton of the snaps you have a lot of guys there. Tycoon Lewis factors into that as well. Isaiah land is probably the odd man out if he's even able to make the roster. But they just got a lot of guys there. JT to a Malo out. How is he going to factor into this thing? So I think they have all the reason in the world JT to a Malo out. How is he going to factor into this thing?

So I think they have all the reason in the world to get to him a low out out there. But at the end of the day, really deep position groups like defensive end and corner. As corny as it sounds, it really is going to come down to who gives him the best chance to win. I don't think they're super worried about development right this moment. Like part of that, that responsibility has to fall on the players to kind of do their part to get up to snuff and get ready.

I mean, they're gonna develop the guys as best they can on the practice field and like behind the scenes. But playing time is gonna be earned based on who gives the team the best chance to win. And then cornerback three. So I think Jalen Jones obviously is going to get the first shot to start. I think the equity that Juju Brents had as a guy who automatically starts when he's healthy, I think that's probably gone

for two years now. He's basically not been healthy at all. Justin Wally is a guy who they picked in the third round, who is basically hand picked for this defense and is really only the only corner to that where that's the case so far. Lou Anna Rumo is inheriting Jalen Jones and Juju Branson, Samuel Womack. The only one that has been picked for Anna Rumo's defense to actually play is Wally.

I mean, Corey Valentine is a special teams guy, so that doesn't really count. But I think well he has a serious leg up. I think he's mostly going to see work in like dime sets. I don't necessarily think he's going to get that cornerback three spot right off the bat, but I do think he's definitely going to get some playing time this year.

And then these next two that will round out this first section. Both kind of have to do with the right side of the line. The Nick Sutton from Blue Sky said, is there any convo on moving Braden Smith back to guard from right tackle? Obviously great when he's healthy at tackle, but maybe to help with injuries and to let Matt Gonzalez and Jalen Travis compete at right tackle. And then Timmy Butler from Twitter said, do you guys think Matt Gonzalez could be a better guard than tackle? So kind of wrapping these two together, um, just short and sweet on Braden Smith.

No, he's not going to move inside to guard. Uh, I think they're just going to let whatever happens with Braden Smith. I think they're just going to let it play out. Uh, I think it's likely that this is his last year, just because I think they respect him enough to allow him to maintain that starting spot at right tackle. But at the same time, they they have guys in house who if they develop properly like they hope they do, then they have a succession plan for Smith. If he gets injured or if he makes it to the end of his contract and they

move on. I mean, we saw that with Ryan Kelly this off season. In my opinion, if I'm just projecting what's gonna happen over the next year or so, I think they would like Jalen Travis to be that starting right tackle of the future after Braden Smith's contract is up. And then Matt Gonzalez to be the starting right guard, which I think starts now. in Matt Gonzalez to be the starting right guard, which I think starts now. Um, drafting Jalen Travis allowed the Colts, the flexibility to take Gonzalez out of that swing tackle spot and plug him into right guard. We're now Jalen Travis and Blake Freeland can battle for that swing spot.

We haven't spoken super highly of Blake Freeland on here, but I do think the Colts still have some hope that he can put up at least a little bit of a fight and take a next step in his development. I mean, because he was, I mean, kind of more of a raw, athletic, big, lengthy offensive tackle type when they drafted him. I think they thought he would have been a little more developed by now, but I think they still have some hope there. So long-term, I think it's Jalen Travis at right tackle after Braden Smith is done with the team, probably after this one year contract and then Gonzalez right guard for the foreseeable future, which obviously means Tanner Bordellini at center. So guys, that was a good one, good round there.

Coming up, we're gonna talk about some more specific like player development questions that you guys had. And there's some good ones on here. We're starting to open up the brain banks a little bit. So we'll talk about that in just a moment. You guys ever check your bank account and wonder where did all of my money go between dining out, online shopping and entertainment. It's easy to lose track. We can all be a little bit impulsive in our spending. For me, it's in my family's DNA, so no shame there. But that's where Monarch Money comes in. It's your personal CFO, giving you full visibility

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finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONNFL at MonarchMoney.com for 50% off of your first year. at monarchmoney.com for 50% off of your first year. That's monarchmoney.com, code LOCKONNFL for half off of your first year. All right, diving into some player development questions now. This one's from Chicago LP on Blue Sky. Any predictions for favorites from the rookie class who the fans and media will like from a media or from a personality standpoint? So luckily I have gotten a chance to talk with most of these rookies at least a couple times by now

Overall pretty serious group of dudes Not a lot of like real fire quotes in these guys, but that's I mean, that's okay Like they're there to play football. They're not there, you know, expound on their life story all the time and just think about giving all these passionate quotes all the time. So I think from a perspective of just going out

and handling business, guys will like that. But from the guy who's probably got like the biggest personality of the group and is the most bubbly, I think that's Justin Wally. I think you guys are going to like him a lot now until he starts playing more. You're probably not going to see a lot of soundbites and stuff from him. Uh, but Justin Wally is, he definitely seems like a great kid who's just, just kind of oozes joy.

And I think you guys will like him a lot once he starts playing a bit. Jalen Travis also really, really smart dude. He he's he's a pretty decent quote as well. Again, he's kind of in the Wally thing where you're not going to hear much until he starts playing a bit. But really interesting story. He's kind of got a sophisticated, like off field background in like politics and

a lot of other non football stuff like Bobby O'Carrakay had. So he's got an interesting story. I think you guys will probably like Jalen Travis a bit as well. Uh, and then our guy fan of nuance on blue sky, which returning players from last year's roster are the most likely to have a huge surprising jump and playing time. I think we can predict Tanner Bordellini and Matt Gonzalez, but are there any quiet surprises in your estimation?

So I think the ones that everyone else are probably thinking at the same time is like, why are two lots of obviously, um, obviously in line for more playing time, but if we're talking surprises, some of these might even surprise me, but like, I can see the path for these ones. Uh, Anthony Gould at wide receiver, no one's really talking about him. He's I mean, you can already really pencil him in as probably you're starting kickoff and punt returner. And across the NFL there were I think Brian Mason told us the other day it was

like an eight year high and big plays on kickoff returns. So you've got an explosive guy there and on offense, if Josh Downs gets nicked up and they don't necessarily wanna throw AD Mitchell into that spot in the slot right away, I do think Anthony Gould could do a couple things offensively. Like last training camp, he did really, really well. He had a good report with Joe Flacco

connecting on a lot of deep balls. So if Gould doesn't go into the doghouse again and like make some mistake on kickoff returns that basically turns him into a healthy scratch for half the season, then I think that Gould Gould can do some things. Dalton Tucker. So if we assume Mack and Zalvez is going to be the starting right guard, then I think his backup is probably going to be Dalton Tucker. And I mean, Tucker got in for what was that like five or so games last year and

looked pretty good as a rookie UDFA early until the wheels kind of fell off there. But I mean, you can assume some sort of natural progression in year two. So Tucker could see the field in case of injury and could look pretty decent doing so if, if he does have to get out there and then Shagu Aloubi, I think we're going to see more of, uh, the Colts really didn't do anything at linebacker after losing EJ Speed and Grant Stewart. So I think you're probably going to see Aloubi at minimum in his same special teams role,

maybe an uptick in usage there. Um, but I think he's penciled in as the third linebacker now. So you're probably not going to see a lot of base defense. Uh, but when you do see some classic, you know, base four or three defense from the Colts, I think a Louie is probably going to be out there. Uh, good chance he sees the most defensive playing time that perhaps he has in his career.

And I mean, Zyra Franklin and Jalen Carlis aren't out there right now. So guess who is about to get a ton of reps throughout the off season to get ready for the regular season? That's a Louie. So those are three guys I could definitely see kind of a path to them getting on the field. It kind of all involves injury. I don't think there's any natural, sneaky progressions we'll see from guys that are going to be by design.

But in case of injury, I think those three guys could really kind of step up. This next one from Chickenwing3300 on YouTube. Assuming Anthony Richardson and Chris Ballard stay, how will the wide receiver room look in two to three years? Who would we sign long term or let go? So if you're looking at Regents over the next couple years after the season Alec Pierce is going to be a free agent and then in

2027 Michael Pittman jr. And Josh Downs are going to be free agents. So Josh Downs being the slot receiver. I don't think it's going to go anywhere. I think the Colts, as long as he stays relatively healthy, I think the Colts would be fine keeping him around for life. You could say the same thing with Pittman as well. But I think A.D. Mitchell is like the biggest X factor here. If A.D. Mitchell continues to not grow, then I think it's an easy decision for the Colts

to bring back both Pittman and Pierce for the foreseeable future. But if A.D. Mitchell begins to look like the guy that they thought he was gonna be when they drafted him, then it makes those guys a little more expendable because Mitchell, last year and probably this year as well was really supposed to be like kind of a direct threat to Alec Pierce's role. But really Mitchell has the ability to have an all around game and do everything like an

an X receiver is supposed to do like the Colts initially envisioned for Pittman. So So Mitchell really could do just about anything that you hope out of those three primary receiver roles. He's really good in one on one can be pressed with ease. It's just basically what happens after the ball has been thrown. That is like you just don't know what is going to happen with him. And I know Zach went into that at length recently, but I Mean downs is the only one I can say with certainty that the Colts would want to keep around for life But when it comes to Pearson Pittman over the next couple years, it just totally depends on what 80 Mitchell shows you Obviously, I think the Colts would like both of them back

But if Mitchell is starting to look like a star, there's only so much room there to be had. This last one really quick we'll dive into from Chromani W on Blue Sky. Are there any previous examples of edge rushers who have had the finesse but lacked the power in their rookie years who were able to gain the required play strength that we're hoping to see from my out to lot to this year and How do we feel about that happening for lot to? So I was trying to think of some guys in the past who were either just like super Raw and they came in the NFL and they developed into really good players over time or like play strength was their main issue which

Lots who's not a small guy like his play strength isn't a huge issue, but it's definitely the thing that needs to catch up more to make him a more effective player. So to Neil Hunter, when he was coming out, he got drafted out of LSU by the Vikings. He was so raw. He was such a random edge player. Like you could see the physical gifts, but he had like no rush plan. And then over the next few years, he started to develop this superhuman body and he became super strong and he was still explosive. And so, Denil Hunter became just an incredible player

after that. I think that's an easy one to kind of telestrate to. And Leonard Floyd as well. Leonard Floyd coming out of Georgia back in the day looked almost like a stick figure coming off the edge with very little play strength. He was like, he was all explosion basically. And he developed, I mean, play strength has never become his calling card and it's never become really a strength either. Uh, but he became strong enough to be an effective player. I think he's had multiple double digit sack seasons.

He's not necessarily a star, but he's definitely a coveted player who teams will bring in to be their second or third pass rusher coming off the edge. So there's definitely hope for lot two. Even if he doesn't develop like a bunch more play strength, like I'm really not concerned. I think he has a really high floor. Um, even if he would, he, if he would have just finished a few more plays last year, I think people would be questioning his, you know,

development a little less, but I really wasn't dissatisfied with what we saw from lots of last year. I thought it was a good start to what hopefully is more to come down the road. So coming up guys, we are going to address a few more random questions that you guys have. What will consider it a bit of a lightning round? All right, so ignore the dog. She's trying to put in her two cents out there. So this next one is from ZB2306 on Twitter.

The Colts have been historically slow starters during the Chris Ballard era. the the the the the the the the

the the the about saying how long it was anymore. Is there an ideal week one matchup for the Colts to break the week one curse and finally start the season on a positive note? So one of them, I'm totally okay with the Colts going week one in Jacksonville every year until the streak is broken. Our guy, Kenan on over on Twitter mentioned that today, and I cannot agree more. Just give the Colts Jacksonville, week one in Jacksonville,

until you can kill two birds with one stone. Why not? Why not? But no, if you're wanting to get off to a strong start and get a win under your belt right away, I think Tennessee is another very wonderful matchup that the Colts have on the schedule this year. Home or away doesn't really matter. They've swept them each the last two years.

I mean I expect Tennessee to be a little bit better this year with Cam Ward. Obviously they've made some okay moves, but I thought they had a good off season last year and they were bad. So Seattle is another one that I think the Colts could certainly win. I mean, Sam Darnold, I think is gonna be a decent player. They added Graze Abel, which was nice, but they still have some questions across the board there. And then Pittsburgh, they don't have a quarterback.

So the Colts beat them with a quarterback last year in Justin Fields. So should be an even more winnable matchup, I would think. So Tennessee, Jacksonville, Seattle, and Pittsburgh, those would be the teams that I would say would be probably the best matchups for the Colts in week one. Next one from Blake 14 Jeffers on Twitter. Could Shane Stike and keep his job if Chris Ballard gets fired after another disappointing season? So as time has gone on, you know, we used to kind of think Anthony Richardson, Chris Ballard, Shane Steichen were a package deal,

but I do think there is room for some detail there for the Colts to consider if they do consider letting go of any of these three guys at any point after the season. consider if they do consider letting go of any of these three guys at any point after the season. Um, so specifically if Stiken keeps his job, Ballard is fired though, that one's a little more interesting cause it feels like Chris Ballard is the one that has nine lives, you know? Um, so I think what would have to happen is for like Shane's psych and to be getting the absolute most

out of the offense and the quarterback position. And I think it would have to be somewhat reminiscent of 2023 where there really weren't many gripes about Shane Stiken after 2023. We're like, wow, he got, he milked everything out of the quarterback position with Gardner Menchu. The Colts were a fourth down away from getting to the playoffs. I think we would have to say Shane did a really good job with what he was given and that the offense did well. But like, I think the moves that Chris Ballard would have made,

that the moves he made this off season, those would have to look like, you know, busts, you know, either cam Bynum and or Charvarius Ward would have to look like kind of crappy signings for whatever reason, which I do not expect to happen. But basically would have to be like, Shane Stikin got the offense and the team looking better than what he was given around him. And that that there would have to be like clear flaws and what the Colts did this offseason or like the positions that they've ignored like linebacker depth would come back to bite them or I don't know like something happened to Nick cross or Cameron buying them and then the fact that they don't really have many safeties behind them would become a huge problem.

Again it's probably the furthest stretch. I don't really see any of it happening, but, you know, we'll see crazy. Crazier things have happened when it comes to the head coaching position with the Indianapolis Colts, as you guys well know. This next one from Cody S. Bunch of numbers on Twitter. Do you guys think that the Colts have any players that fans might be taking for granted? The first one that comes to mind is Zyra Franklin. Love the show fellas. So I think the Zyra one is

fair. I do. So here's the thing with Zyra. A lot of people don't agree with like the stuff he would say on the podcast and then like kind of his antics with like doing the fake handshake of Pat McAfee after the week 18 win, some of the stuff he would say on Twitter and like mainly the fact that like things were burning down for the cults around him and he was like pointing out stats and stuff like that I think is super fair to not like but the fact that people have not liked that they've kind of allowed it to bleed over into him as a player and by no means is Zaire a perfect player because I've every time I've talked about Zaire from the most part I mentioned. Yeah, I mean, he's got to clean up a lot of the tackling things and there were a couple things down the stretch

late last year that did not look great on film when it came to his effort, it didn't always look awesome. But a lot of people, I think, act like Zaire is like some below average player, and I just don't think that's true. I think he's super productive. You can see that he's gotten better in coverage, like especially the mental aspect. And the guy affects the game in a lot of ways. You look at what he does, he creates a lot of turnovers.

I just think he's a lot more productive than people give him credit for. Other guys who I just maybe think aren't talked about enough or there's probably a misconception about them. Grover Stewart, I think everyone is just kind of used to him being awesome. And so he doesn't always necessarily get the love he needs, but the dude is truly a dominant nose tackle in the NFL, in the league where there's just not a lot of them. Michael Pittman Jr, I think he's done the routine so well for so

long that whenever he makes a mistake, it gets amplified a lot. And I think people think he's a lot more expendable than he really might be. And I kind of feel for Pitt because he is he's never had a good quarterback situation here other than when he was a rookie with Philip Rivers in 2020. And so his peak has never lined up with good quarterback play. And we've seen him be able to do anything a receiver should be able to do throughout his career. It's just it's been bits and pieces of it in different seasons

and it's never been able to be put together in one year. So I unfortunately don't think that we have seen the best of Michael Pittman Jr. in one year because of the quarterback play. Mo Malley-Cox as well. Now don't get me wrong, this would never be the guy I would want to be leading the receiving threat of a tight end room like the Colts thought he was gonna do after Jack Doyle, but he is truly one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL without question. I think a lot of people around the league

would tell you that as well. And then Laatu Laatu, I kind of touched on that earlier. I think because of what Jared Verst did and what Chop Robinson did that it made Laatu Laatu, I kind of touched on that earlier. I think because of what Jared Verstead and what Chop Robinson did that it made Laatu look a lot worse. And he was the first defensive player taken in the draft. But they don't all develop at the same rate. I don't think this is the same thing that we're looking at with Anthony Richardson here,

where there was a clear drop off in year two. Or Laatu didn't miss a bunch of time or anything like I think his developments coming around fine. And I, I expect to see a pretty decent jump from him in year two. I just think we probably need to be a little more patient with a lot too. And then next one here from sack of shots on Twitter, could Julian Blackman be resigned for depth purposes? No, I'm pretty confident that one is not going to happen. That one comes up a lot.

Don't count on it. I don't think that one's happening. I imagine he'll probably sign somewhere. You know, I don't know what his his recovery is right now from his shoulder. But once he has a clean bill of health and you know, so there's I think he has had a couple visits at least this year. He's a talented player. I expect him to go somewhere. I don't think he's going to have to like sit out all year or anything, but I do not think that it's going to be with the Colts. And then our last one for today from

Kyle Winslow on blue sky crossover Pacers Colts question does the press have any influence on media availability do you guys get to request or suggest you want to interview do Colts players draw straws or volunteer or rotate etc so I don't know how the Pacers do it I only have credentials with the Colts but like this time of year where we're not in the locker room every day. And, you know, we'll get some mini camp and OTA availability again, starting next week. But basically the Colts PR team kind of gives us the player. We don't get every player every day right now during this limited portion of the off season.

But they're really, really good about giving us the players who are important for you guys to hear from. You know, guys who there's been a major change with them recently or some sort of news or just the main star players of the team. Now, if there's someone we haven't gotten to talk to yet who we think you guys need to hear from, then we can request it and they'll oblige. But during the season, there are a couple guys, like two or three guys who only talk on like one day of the week. Other than that, everybody else in the locker room really has to be available upon request any day of the week. We're in there Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays. any day of the week. We're in there Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays. And that goes for after games in the locker room as well. Now, for the most part,

we don't badger a lot of these guys every day. Like if we get what we need to hear from them, a day or two, but yeah, generally, if we request something or we request someone that we think needs to be heard from. It's, you know, as long as it's a reasonable request and we're not like ripping guys down, you know, ripping their door down every day, like we'll get what we need there. So again, I don't know how the Pacers do it.

I do know that if you're referring to the Tyrese Halliburton thing the other day, he should have spoken. I think Nate Atkins had a really good tweet after that. The NBA is such a star driven league. Again, there's only five players on the court at a time. And Tyrese Halliburton is an all league player. He's gotta be out there, especially after losses. It's not a great look afterwards.

And again, sometimes I know it's like a media being the enemy thing and like us getting butter. And that's really not it because our job is to send information to the fans. And when a star player when a team's best player isn't speaking after a playoff loss, it's just not a great look. Like I understand like Tyrese is there all the time after every game which is great which she's supposed to be but yeah like you got to be available after after a playoff loss so that is it for today everybody now we actually got a ton of questions so I'm gonna try actually roll the leftover ones over to another episode yes for tomorrow because we've

got a lot of really really good ones today so another episode for tomorrow. Cause we've got a lot of really, really good ones today. So thanks again for making Locked on Colts your first listen today. Now for your next listen, check out the Locked on NFL Scouting podcast. The NFL Draft is over, but the roster moves and news never stops. Host Kyle Krabs and Joe Marino will make you the most informed NFL fan this offseason. Find Locked on NFL Scouting on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you guys want to become a locked on Colts insider and chat with us directly, get the inside scoop, ask us your questions whenever.

Follow the link in our show notes. When we do Q&A episodes like this, those guys, the insiders get the first dibs on questions. So definitely, definitely well worth everything. And if you don't already follow at locked on Colts at Jake Arthur NFL and at Zach Hicks too, on Twitter, we're also on tick tock and Instagram as well. Also, please be sure to subscribe on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts. We would love, love, love your ratings and reviews as well.

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