Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts WIN 26-23 in Season Finale over Jacksonville Jaguars
Episode Date: January 5, 2025The Indianapolis Colts win 26-23 over the Jacksonville Jaguars to secure an 8-9 record in 2024. The Colts have now missed the playoffs in four straight seasons and many coaches/front office members ar...e on the hot seat. Join Zach as he breaks down all the action from the Colts' Week 18 season finale against the Jaguars. 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! LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn Dot Com slash LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Turbo TaxReady for stress-free taxes and the most money back, guaranteed? Head over to TurboTax.com today and get matched with your Expert—who’s ready to take your taxes off your plate, so you can focus on your day.LinkedInLinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNFL. Terms and conditions apply.PrizePicksDownload the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFLGametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.FanDuelYou can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet, and you’ll get started with TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.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)
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The Indianapolis Colts win a meaningless snooze fest to end the season.
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 post game listen of the day. Thank you all for tuning in and making us your first post-game listen of the day. Hopefully
you guys all enjoyed your nap during that one
because it was a tiring game to watch
for sure. This is your daily podcast covering
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Hello, everyone.
My name is Zach Hicks, your resident film nerd over at horseshoehuddle.com.
And we are here talking Indianapolis Colts victory Sunday, our last victory Sunday of
the year.
Obviously, you know, this is a victory that not many people
were expecting or not. I won't say expecting, but not really rooting for because, you know,
they got to eight and nine. They hurt their draft pick a little bit. I think they only dropped from
like 11 to 15. So nothing too crazy or anything like that, especially in this draft class where
there's not many top end talents. But the Colts got back to their eight and nine.
So, yeah, fun times, fun times.
We're not going to spend too much time talking about this actual game, though,
because this game really isn't the juicy topic of today's episode.
Nobody really cares about the Jaguars and Colts game.
So we'll start off this show talking about the game itself.
We'll preview Black Monday coming up tomorrow, which is the day where head coaches and front
office people typically get fired.
So we'll talk about how the Colts might be involved in Black Monday for the first time
in a couple years.
And then we'll preview a little bit of what's to come this offseason with the Colts and
what we need to see from them and kind of what we got coming for you guys here on Locked
on Colts offseason.
But let's start with the game.
Obviously, there was a game played this Sunday.
Unfortunately, the Colts won 26 to 23 in overtime over the top five picking Jacksonville Jaguars.
And I think this just put a perfect bow on what kind of team the Colts were this year.
They were not a team capable of taking care of business against
bad teams. Like, yes, they won this game, but it had to be by, you know, the thinnest margins,
and they did a couple of bounces to go their way, and they had to take the Jaguars to overtime
against Mac Jones to get it done. It just kind of showcased what kind of team this Colts team
is this year. The Colts played six games this season against teams picking in that
top five. Their point differential in those six games was zero. Their point differential of zero
against six times that they played a team in picking in the top five this year. So that just
shows what kind of caliber team this Colts team is. They are perfectly capable of making it a game
against the bottom feeders of the NFL. And,
and then they lost by multiple scores to multiple playoff teams this year as
well.
So again,
it's just what this Colts team is.
They they've shown it time and time again this season.
And when somebody tells you who they are,
you should believe them.
But yeah,
the Colts have merged victorious.
I know I'm sounding all negative in this episode,
but you know,
the Colts have sucked the life out of me a little bit these last couple of weeks, especially last week. So we've got to still get our shots in with this
Colts team. The Colts won the game though. Joe Flacco had a solid performance in what could be
his final game in the NFL. You know, the Joe Flacco ride this season wasn't anything that we
wanted to see this year, but overall he was fine.
He was kind of everything that we expected when he came to Indy.
Be a steady backup, capable of winning some games,
and he would also lose you some games, obviously,
because he's not this starting caliber quarterback anymore.
He was perfectly fine today.
Had a couple of nice throws.
Really nice throw to Alec Pierce early in the game to open up the scoring.
Kind of plateaued a little bit after that, but for the most part, he was fine.
I think when we look at Jonathan Taylor, his end of the season, he had such a strong finish
to this season aside from the drop touchdown against the Denver Broncos.
I think if that doesn't happen, we're talking about Jonathan Taylor fully being back as
some elite running back.
I think his last four games this year,
he finished with over 600 yards rushing total in the last four games.
Like he has been fantastic for the Colts down the stretch of this season.
It's just unfortunate that that gets like kind of like all that positive just
gets dissipated in the background of his dropped touchdown against the Denver
Broncos. But another really strong game in this one.
I don't like seeing him with like 35 carries in a meaningless week 18 game.
You know, don't add so much tread to the tires of a running back in a game like this.
But, you know, 170 yards rushing, a really good day from Jonathan Taylor.
Alec Pierce just adding to what was a breakout season for him.
I think he came up just short of 800 yards total on the season,
but a really, really good season from Alec Pierce.
And again, we've talked about on the podcast a couple times this year
where he was the one player the Colts added competition to in the offseason.
They brought in A.D. Mitchell to push him
and potentially supplant him in the starting lineup.
And what happened, Alec Pierce became the best version of himself, the best version that we've seen of him in the NFL.
Again, nearly 800 yards receiving this year, broke his his career high in touchdown receptions in a season, had another great catch today for a touchdown,
had another big catch in overtime as well, which kept the drive alive and ultimately helped the Colts get the victory. So Alec Pierce, fantastic season for him. One of the few bright
spots on the Colts team that really took a step back in 2024. Josh Downs was Josh Downs.
Michael Pittman Jr. was Michael Pittman Jr. The offensive line was fine. I mean,
you want them to be a little bit better against a really banged up Jaguars defensive front.
But the Colts were banged up on the front as well.
I mean, they were starting Mark Lewinsky.
They had Blake Freeland out there at right tackle.
So, you know, it wasn't going to be perfect, obviously, from the Colts offensive line.
So, yeah, perfectly fine day from the Colts offense.
You want to see a little bit more maybe against a really bad Jaguars defense.
But what are you going to do?
Joe Flacco's in there at quarterback.
Like you're not going to be some high octane offense.
And they were perfectly fine out there to get the win.
Colts defense, kind of much of the same that we've seen the last couple of weeks with the Colts defense,
where, you know, finally the Colts offense is finding some rhythm.
Like early in the season, the Colts offense couldn't score on anybody.
But the Colts defense was stepping up and holding teams down.
Now when the Colts offense is starting to move the ball and score a little
bit,
we're seeing the Colts defense get a little bit leaky and allowing sustained
drives and,
and flustered in the,
in the red zone and,
and not getting the turnovers they were getting early in season.
They had one turnover today,
but still wasn't as much as you want to see against like a Mac Jones. So yeah, I mean, they got the win today, but 23 points to a Mac Jones-led
offense is not what you want to see. That first Jaguars drive of the day where they went right
down the Colts throat for a touchdown was quite frankly embarrassing. I don't think we can really
say embarrassing too much with this team after what happened with the Giants last week, but pretty embarrassing, I think, on that one too.
Yeah, I just want to see a little bit more, obviously, from the defense, but it's a unit
where the defensive line has super under-impressed this season.
The linebackers haven't been what we expected.
The defensive backs, I think, have overperformed for most of the season, but they kind of came
back to earth these last two weeks.
So yeah, it's kind of what we kind of come to expect with this Colts season, but they kind of came back to earth these last two weeks. So yeah, it's, it's kind of what we, what we kind of come to expect with this Colts
defense where they don't tackle really well.
They let a lot of, you know, big plays happen.
They're kind of leaky in the run game and it really comes down to turnovers with them,
but they got enough.
They did enough to get the win today.
Nice sack by Zyra Franklin on Mac Jones and end the game. Did a good job of holding Mac Jones' arm down so he couldn't throw that ball away, which led to the fourth and
22, which ended the game in overtime. So yeah, much of kind of the same with this Colts offense
and defense. And then I guess if we're going to special teams, Matt Gay, I don't know why the
Colts ever kick a field goal over 50 yards with him.
The Colts should just anticipate 50-plus yard field goals not being in field goal range anymore. How many times does he have to miss from 50-plus this season for the Colts to be like,
you know what, maybe we're not in field goal range.
If you're under fourth and 10 and it's like a 55-yard field goal or 52-yard field goal,
just go for it.
He's not going to make it.
At least you give yourself a better chance of going.
I mean, this is in a dome, too.
We saw the Jaguars kicker knocking in a couple of 50-plus yarders today. I think the Jaguars kicker probably has more 50-plus yard field goals in Indy this season than Matt Gay does.
So, yeah, special teams, they they got to make some changes there.
I don't expect Brian Mason to be back after the season.
Matt Gay, we'll see what the Colts do with that contract,
if they have an out in that contract or what.
But yeah, just one of those games for the Colts.
I don't even, like, I know we won the game
and I should be more pumped and excited right now,
but oh man, it was such a drag
to watch. Like you guys can let me know in the comment section, what did you think watching this
football game? Because outside of the first drive for both teams where it looked like it was going
to be a shootout, oh my gosh, it was so boring to watch for me. I was, I was taking a nap. It felt
like, um, I switched over and played some Madden for a little bit of halftime. And then when the
game started back up, I let out an audible groan and then had to turn it back to the game just so I
didn't miss anything. Outside of the couple throws to Alec Pierce, I really didn't feel much of
anything in this game. But let me know in the comment section what you think. Were you guys
filled with apathy like I was? Or did you guys enjoy this win? Did you guys love seeing the win?
Let me know there in the comment section.
But coming up, we're going to talk about Black Monday coming up tomorrow,
where we can expect maybe some coaching changes
or some front office changes coming from the Indianapolis Colts.
We have a new report from Adam Schefter to talk about.
So we do have a lot to talk about coming up here in a second.
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All right, Locked On Colts every day or so. We got the actual game out of the way here. We're
not talking about the game right now. We are talking about Black Monday, which is coming up
tomorrow. We can expect multiple coach in front office firings around the league and including the guy that was across from us in this game in Doug Peterson. I wouldn't expect him to be
back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but any Jaguars fans that are listening right now, you can let us
know what you're thinking on that one there. Obviously all fans are welcome here, but do the
Colts make any moves tomorrow? I think it's possible. I think it's very possible. I think
obviously the one move that we're kind of expecting the Colts to make is that defensive
coordinator, Gus Bradley. It's been three years. The Colts have ranked in the bottom half.
That's actually being generous. The Colts have ranked in the bottom like 10 to bottom five in
almost every defensive category since he's been here in Indianapolis. So we don't expect him to be back next season.
So that's one change that we could see with this Colts team at a minimum.
But do they make the big move?
Do they make the big move of Chris Ballard?
Is Chris Ballard going to be back for year nine?
I know ninth time is a charm, guys, but I don't know.
I'm still 50-50 on this.
I don't know if the Colts have the guts to actually
make the move. He's been the invincible man since he's been here in 2017. He survived the 2021
collapse. He survived the 2022 disaster, and he's still here in 2024 as of right now. So
is Chris Ballard finally going to go down, or is this going to just maintain, stay the course,
you know, run it back again for 2025 and then we have the same conversation again after next season?
Again, I'm 50-50. There was an Adam Schefter report today and when he was talking about who's
safe and who's not safe with certain teams and he did mention that there is, you know, he's saying the Colts could potentially move Chris Ballard out and bring in
Ed Dodds,
just an internal promotion of Ed Dodds to be the general manager.
So it would be kind of like the continuity and maintaining the course,
which we all hate and none of us actually want,
but it would get rid of the man at the top in Chris Ballard and kind
of, you know, again, kind of find the new fall guy to appease all of the fans who are
calling for his firing right now.
And while I don't think this is the right move and I don't think it's a good move by
any means, I think the Colts need a hard reset.
They need to really just yank the rug out from all of this and just start over and
really rebuild this thing back up. I do think that is a very feasible and logical thing that the Colts
feel like they're made to do. Like that feels very Colts to me, which is firing Chris Ballard
and bringing back Ed Dodds and then bringing in maybe a new defensive coordinator with Shane
Steichen, but keeping a lot
of the same pieces. That feels very Jim Irsay. That feels very Indianapolis Colts to me. So
while I don't want the Colts to do that, I think it's very possible. And I think that's really the
one way we're going to get rid of Chris Ballard this offseason. I don't think there's any other
scenario with Jim Irsay's health, with how much the Colts believe in continuity, with how much they believe
in Shane Steichen for whatever reason. I don't think we're going to see these massive wholesale
changes with the Colts. That being said, Jim Irsay and this Colts organization are very,
very privy to fan opinion, to former player opinion, to media opinion.
They do listen quite a bit to a lot of that stuff.
So hearing all of the boos in the stadium today,
I mean, there were so many boos in this game.
I think that is going to play a factor in this. Hearing Pat McAfee and multiple other former players
going hard against this organization,
I think that's going to play a factor.
Hearing a lot of the disdain for Chris Ballard,
I think is going to play a factor here.
But I don't think it's going to play a factor in the whole reset,
burned it all down that we all want right now with this Colts team.
I do think it will more so be they will sacrifice Chris Ballard,
potentially, potentially.
I have to see it to believe it. Chris Ballard, potentially, potentially. I have to see it to believe it.
Chris Ballard has survived a lot.
It's really, really hard for me to envision him not being here.
But I do think it's a very easy win for this organization to say, hey, look, we hear you
guys.
This is unacceptable.
Now let's get Chris Ballard out.
But it's still kind of cheaper and nicer to bring up Ed Dodds and kind of keep the same
way that they've been operating.
So it's like a way to give everybody an easy win
and something for the most optimistic fan to get optimistic about again
without making the wholesale changes that cost a ton of money
and obviously lead to a lot of dead cap and resetting the roster.
So I think that's really, really possible with what's going on with
this team. I think that's almost certainly what's going to happen, but we'll see. We'll see. We'll
see. I do think, again, it's a very easy win to move Chris Ballard out of the front office,
whether that's moving him to a different role or, you know, again, firing him and then
just promoting internally. I could totally see that tomorrow. But aside from that, I don't see
any like massive changes. I don't think Shane Steichen will be fired tomorrow on Black Monday.
Certainly could be possible, but he's still under contract until 2029. It's tough for the Colts to
be paying so many contracts for guys that are not going to be here, especially if they fire Chris Ballard as well.
So I don't think Shane Steichen is going anywhere.
I do feel comfortable saying Gus Bradley won't be back.
I think we can all kind of predict that stuff.
And then in the front office, again, I'm kind of 50-50.
I could see Ed Dodds taking over for Chris Ballard,
but also I could see Chris Ballard back because he survived everything up to this point.
So it's hard to really do a full prediction.
But just my, I mean, again, one quick prediction is Gus Bradley certainly won't be back.
We've just seen too much in recent weeks.
And then the New York Giants game, I think, really sealed his fate.
Like Gus Bradley will not be back with the Colts as defensive coordinator, but everything else is up in the air. So let us know in the comment section,
guys, what we think the Colts are going to do on Black Monday. I mean, we'll be back with you guys
tomorrow to break down what the Colts did and what they didn't do. But you guys let us know,
what would you do? Personally, again, I would want want to clean house i want to start over with a lot of aspects of this team from roster uh to coaching to front office i think the colts need
a hard reset at this point but yeah let us know in the comment section what you think i can see a
lot of you guys are very uh you know passionate about this right now so uh yeah definitely let
us know in the comment section what you think. And we'll probably
talk about some of your guys' comments tomorrow, depending on what the Colts actually end up doing
on Black Monday. But coming up, guys, we're going to preview a little bit of the offseason,
what we have planned for you here on Lockdown Colts. And again, that's going to change with
whatever happens with the front office and the coaching, but we're going to kind of break down
a little bit of what's to come here this offseason with the Indianapolis Colts.
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All right, Locked On Colts everydayers, we are back.
We're talking Indianapolis Colts.
And yes, there was a game this Sunday. I'm not too privy to talk about it anymore because it's in the books. It's officially done. The Colts 2024 season is officially over. And now we are going into the offseason where the Colts most likely, I think it's looking like they're going to have the 15th pick yet again, like they had last offseason where they got the best pass rusher in the draft last
offseason. But yeah, they are going to have that middle of the first round pick yet again.
They have several internal free agents coming up. I have a list right here. It's what Ryan Kelly,
let's see, pull them over here. We got Ryan Kelly, Morale Cox, Joe Flacco, EJ Speed, Julian Blackman, Ashton Doolin, Dio Adangbo, Will Fries.
So a handful of internal free agents that if Chris Ballard is still here as general manager,
we'll probably see him try to bring those guys back.
If they make a move at general manager, we could see some changes and some potential changes to the way that they like to operate with free agents.
But for me personally, I would probably only re-sign Will Fries out of that group.
I think the rest of the guys, I think you're good with them going.
But yeah, they have quite a few things coming up this offseason.
And it's going to be really interesting to see how they navigate.
With how this fan base is right now,
how are they going to navigate everything that's going on?
You know, because they have fans coming to this final game,
audibly booing everything that's going on,
from the head coach to the players on the field to decisions on the field.
They're making their presence very known. And shout out to the fans getting out there and
letting their opinion be heard.
I mean, it's a big part of the NFL process and going out there and booing a game like
this.
I totally get it.
Totally get it.
Especially when the tickets were as cheap as they were.
Get out there and get some boos down.
But it's going to be hard for the Colts to sell a lot of people unless they do something
drastic this offseason. So not even just talking about what you guys can expect from us, but what
can we see from the Colts coming this offseason? Again, I think they need to do something flashy
or there has to be some kind of splash with the Colts this offseason because people aren't going
to be bought in to what's going on.
I mean, even the most optimistic fan is looking at this being like, hey, Shane Steigen through
two years is a 500 coach, which is okay-ish, but like you want more than that, obviously,
from your Don Shula head coaches like Jim Irsay likes to call him. So they need more than just a
500 coach who leads his teams to collapses late in the season.
When it comes to Chris Ballard, it could be year nine of him. It could be, you know, an Ed Dodds
or whoever it's going to be. But whoever that's going to be a general manager, there needs to be
something with the talent on this team. There needs to be some kind of move that gets people
excited because you can't even get excited about Richardson or Steichen anymore, in my opinion,
because there just hasn't been enough from those two guys to really inspire confidence or inspire excitement. So there needs
to be some kind of move. This Colts team is a little bit devoid of talent right now. They have
three pro bowlers this season, but I mean, besides what Jonathan Taylor, Quinton Nelson, and DeForest
Buckner, you don't really have many big-time impact players.
Whoever is a general manager this next season is going to have a lot on their plate.
There's going to be some big changes that need to be made,
and hopefully it's not Chris Ballard, but if it is Chris Ballard,
then he needs to make those changes.
You can't be so attached to this roster and bring back these guys where,
I mean, look, the last two weeks they've allowed 60, what, 68 points combined to the Jacksonville Jaguars with Mac Jones and the New York Giants
with Drew Locke. I mean, this is not a good football team. They need to change some things
here going forward. And I think whoever, you know, is bringing it in, whoever's going to be in charge
needs to get it done. And look, we have one of these comments here from, from Darth Raider. I know I haven't been super active with the comments, but I'm trying to get through
this episode here. Who says here, if we sign LeJarius Sneed or Hunter or we trade up for
Marvin Harrison Jr., we wouldn't be having these Ballard conversations. But the thing is, none of
those things happened. None of those things happened. So that's why we are having these
conversations with Chris Ballant.
I think that's what he meant with that there.
But I do think there needs to be some sort of splash this offseason.
And I'm not saying that you always need to listen to the fans and just do what the fans
want because, look, there's a reason why we're not employed by the NFL.
But I think it's something that you have to sell to the fan base.
You have to sell something, whether that's a trade up in the draft, whether that's a
new quarterback coming in, whether that's a big free agent signing, whatever.
There has to be some way of selling it. It could be a big hire a defensive coordinator. Maybe they
get Robert Saleh, and that changes people's perspective. I don't know, but there needs to
be some kind of splash from the Colts this offseason, And I think they'll do it as long as it's not Chris Ballard, a general manager.
So, again, we'll see.
Again, I'm 50-50 on Ballard.
Anthony Richardson, I expect him back with the Colts next season,
but he will get pushed probably in the offseason by a free agent quarterback.
Shane Steichen probably will stay.
And we'll see.
We'll see what the Colts end up doing this offseason.
What you guys can kind of expect from us though, is our typical off season content.
Uh, now we don't know how much build a Ballard type stuff we'll do because again, we don't
know if Chris Ballard will be back, but, uh, we're going to be jumping headfirst into,
you know, should that, should these internal free agents be back?
Uh, should the Colts pursue certain external free agents?
We'll get a lot of people's opinion from, you know, like around the league.
Like we'll get like national guys on here to really talk about the Colts
and give their opinions here.
But we'll see.
We'll see what happens with this Colts team.
I feel like this team is very, very stagnant right now.
It's really stale.
I think I can tell just from looking at your guys' comments on here
that you guys feel the same way. So we'll have to see what the Colts end up doing. But tomorrow is
a big day. Tomorrow is obviously the huge day for the Indianapolis Colts and Black Monday because
we get to see if they actually are committed to making these changes or if they're going to stick
with the status quo. So to kind of, again, rehash what I said in the last segment,
I expect Richardson to not go anywhere.
I think Richardson will still be part of the Colts next season.
I think Shane Steichen will be here next year.
I don't know if Chris Ballard will,
and I feel pretty comfortable that Gus Bradley won't be here.
There needs to be some changes, and we will start seeing them tomorrow.
But again, all this is kind of speculation.
Tomorrow we'll get more concrete stuff.
So I'm going to leave it at that for today.
You guys let me know your thoughts on this final game
and on the Indianapolis Colts future in the comments section.
And Jake and I will be back tomorrow, obviously,
to talk all about the moves or the moves the Colts don't make on Black Monday
and what we can expect from this team, obviously, even going forward.
Thank you guys, as always, for making Locked on Colts your first listen today and every day.
Next, go find Locked on NFL.
First, the Madman Tyler Rowland kicks off your morning with a double shot of NFL espresso.
And then stop by the barbershop with Tony Wiggins for some real NFL talk.
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We love your guys' ratings and views.
I want all of you guys to stay safe during the snow.
Be careful out there.
It's supposed to be pretty crazy.
And we'll catch you guys back here tomorrow afternoon.