Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - LOCKED ON COLTS 9/2/19: 53-man roster takeaways, Brian Hoyer signs as QB2, and looking ahead to Colts vs. Chargers

Episode Date: September 2, 2019

On today's episode, Zach Hicks of Stampede Blue stops by to breakdown all the latest Colts news as he always does each Monday. First up, what were the big surprises as Indianapolis trimmed the roster ...down from 90 to 53? Really, not that much, but Hale Hentges extended the Colts' UDFA streak to 21 years after defeating Ross Travis. Also, offensive line depth remains a concern if injuries occur.Next up, what does the signing Brian Hoyer mean for the Colts' QB room? Jacoby Brissett will be the starter, but Hoyer signing for three years, $12 million indicates he's their long-term solution at QB2 over Chad Kelly. What does that mean for Swag Kelly? Likely practice squad bound over Philip Walker, unless someone else claims him first. And if you look over the other options available, Hoyer was easily their best option.Finally, it's time to preview a regular season game! What are the biggest keys to the Colts going into LA and surprising the Chargers? This is a matchup that will be won in the trenches, and Indianapolis holds the edge on both sides in my opinion. Before we go, what is Zach's prediction? We will receive predictions from all of our guests throughout the week, so make sure to keep track! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 Hello, everybody. Welcome back into Locked On Colts, probably Locked On Podcast Network. Happy Labor Day, everyone listening out there. We are back for our regularly scheduled Monday through Friday episodes, and it's finally game week, which is very nice to say, finally breaking down a game here. But we have on our usual Monday guest, Zach Hicks of Stampede Blue. How are you doing today, Zach? Good, man. Enjoying the holiday and, you know, glad that the preseason's over and we're finally getting into the regular season. Yeah, finally. That's for sure. I know we've been covering on the last three Mondays here, just in preseason's over and we're finally getting into the regular season. Yeah, finally.
Starting point is 00:00:25 That's for sure. I know we've been covering on the last three Mondays here just in preseason and going through the slog of that. But obviously Andrew Lucknews threw a wrench in everything. But now we're moving on towards the season. The Colts are going to be one of the more intriguing teams in the fall this year now after the Andrew Lucknews. But let's start off first, Zach, with the 53-man cutdown.
Starting point is 00:00:40 Was there any surprises to you? I think the only real one to me was maybe tight end four. That was really the most intriguing battle all year, all preseason between Ross Travis and Hale Hentges. I think the Colts staff just preferred Hale Hentges and his blocking prowess over Ross Travis. Was there any other surprise to you? Yeah, I mean, there was a little bit of a surprise,
Starting point is 00:00:57 but not too much considering what the Colts have been saying all season. Even though I really wanted to be Ross Travis. I liked Ross Travis a lot. I thought that he brought a little bit more than Hale Hentges did, and I thought Hentges could get to that practice squad, but it doesn't really shock me because all offseason they've been saying how they want to be that running football team and how they want to, you know, really accelerate running the football, and Hale Hentges really does provide a lot of support in that area. He's a lot like Ryan Hewitt was last year, except that he probably has some better receiving chops. So it was a little bit of a shock to me just because I personally like Ross Travis a little bit more,
Starting point is 00:01:33 but I think if you kind of read the signs of what the team was saying all offseason, it definitely seemed like Hale Hentges had the inside track. Another position that I was kind of surprised by but I mean if you look at the NFL nowadays outside Philadelphia a lot of teams struggle with this aspect were you surprised that maybe the Colts didn't reload the back of their offensive line that second unit there they kept Jake Eldred camp on the practice squad Larry even Clark Josh Andrews made the three-man roster Evan Bain was traded as well I know you were a fan of Bain I also thought that Bain was ahead of Andrews but he got traded the Dolphins for a conditional pick. What was your reaction to how they retooled
Starting point is 00:02:07 or maybe not even retooled, just kept that same eight-man unit the same? Yeah, so we knew kind of going into this offseason that they liked LaRaven Clark and they also liked Joe Haig. So I didn't figure they were going anywhere. I know a lot of fans don't like LaRaven Clark, but I do think he made some positive steps last year. And even though this preseason was a little rough, I still think that they view him at least somewhat highly. And didn't Joe Hayes just play so many different positions? I think that it was a no-brainer to keep him. I was a little shocked how high they're on Josh Andrews just because all preseason and
Starting point is 00:02:38 all offseason, honestly, I've never really seen it with him. I do know that he does fit this team a lot better than what Edvin Bain did, just from an athletic standpoint. You know, if he had to come in for Ryan Kelly or someone, it wouldn't be such a big drop-off in the pool game or in the outside run game. But, you know, I like the decision to only keep eight. You know, maybe they could have claimed another guy or two, but honestly, with O-line depth so weak league-wide, you know, it would be tough to claim a guy because if they're getting cut from a team, how valuable really are they in a league that's starved for offensive line depth? So they probably did keep the best three backups they could get on the market. Evan Dames probably better than Josh Andrews, but probably not for the system. That would be my only
Starting point is 00:03:21 complaint. But, you know, overall, I like that they only kept eight you know they didn't keep nine or ten and kind of force themselves to keep that despite um you know how Ballard likes to have uh that depth on the offensive line I like that they didn't kind of force themselves to carry guys who didn't really earn a place on the roster so I did like that but you know we'll see how this depth goes throughout the season I like Haig and Clark's not too bad so hopefully nobody gets hurt though we can you can just see the starting five all year. Yeah, the Colts all-in has definitely went from worst to first pretty much for the rival Quentin Nelson, Braden Smith last year. You added Mark Lewinsky to that mix. Are you still a little worried? I know after watching Priest, and I think I asked you this last month, Zach, but after watching the Raven Clark, I know
Starting point is 00:04:01 he's a guy who they're a little higher on than most, but I'm really worried here if Costanzo gets hurt or one of those guards that Quentin Nelson gets hurt I'm really worried about that depth what do you think the offensive line more so than ever now if someone gets hurt on that front five they're kind of in trouble there yeah but again it's kind of like that league wide you know outside of the Eagles maybe and even the Eagles you know they'd be going from all pro or pro bowl caliber players to, you know, low level starters or backup level guys. So it's not like their drop off is that great, but they're known as having the best depth in the league. The Colts are no different from any other teams where they just don't really have the depth. And it's just an issue league wise.
Starting point is 00:04:40 It's not really too much you can do about it outside of drafting, you know, putting high draft capital into linemen, even when you already have your five starters. So it's kind of how it is. It's kind of how it is in the NFL nowadays. It kind of sucks. And and you don't really you know, you're in a bad you're in a bad place if you suffer an injury. But I think the Colts will be fine. You know, I think Joe Hague is very capable backup. And I think Clark is at least serviceable. He's definitely going to be a big drop off if Casanzo or Smith get hurt, but I do think that those guys are at least decent backups to where they can kind of survive an onslaught, but we'll see how it goes. I mean, again, it's just an issue league-wide and you just don't want linemen to get hurt in today's NFL.
Starting point is 00:05:20 It's a really big issue if linemen get hurt in today's NFL. Yeah, absolutely. And I wanted to hit on another interesting roster move they made, Zach, and that was waiving their special team ace, Chris Milton, for another one from Buffalo, Ryan Lewis. He also bounced around Arizona. He also in New England for a little bit on their practice squad. He was an undirected free agent out of Pittsburgh, I believe, two years ago in the 2017 draft.
Starting point is 00:05:40 What was your thoughts on that? Because I thought at this point Chris Milton secured a roster spot, but when I went back and watched the game, the fourth preseason, I know it's a tough thing to watch just going through that game when there's not a lot of guys going to make the roster in that one. But it surprised me a little bit that Chris Milt was playing so late in that game, and maybe we kind of should have sounded the alarms a little bit when that was happening.
Starting point is 00:05:57 Yeah, the biggest thing with Milton is I know a lot of people are upset about that because Milton's been on the team for so long, and he really is one of the best special teams you know aces or gunners in the league the biggest issue though is you know it's important to have that special teams ability but at the end of the day you need to have some kind of upside to play corner and he really doesn't have it like he he cannot play on defense I mean I think one of his few snaps last year was him getting uh beat by Dante Moncrief against the uh the Jaguars for that huge touchdown. I think he had another one where Hopkins beat him pretty easily. So I think he only had a
Starting point is 00:06:30 few snaps last year and he got beat for two scores. He's just not a viable corner on defense. And for a team like the Colts, where they have depth and they are a talented team, you can't really be, I don't want to say wasting roster spots, but you don't want to have guys who is so like so limited upside and guys who can only do like one thing. You need that kind of versatility on the back end. You need the upside. And I think a guy like Ryan Lewis or the guy that claimed from Buffalo, I think that he kind of has the upside.
Starting point is 00:06:58 He's an athletic guy. He's kind of the bigger corner, like, like the other guys on the roster. And I think that he can play special teams and also play a little bit on defense. So, you know, overall, I think the guy they claimed is better than Milton. It's just Milton just doesn't have the upside of the corner. So I'm not too shocked that they got him. Chris Ballard said in his presser yesterday alongside Frank Reich
Starting point is 00:07:18 that he expects Lewis to kind of take his spot, Chris Milton's. And I think another guy we should talk about for a second here and weight your opinions on in preseason was Marvell Tell, the third. I thought he did actually pretty well and gained more confidence each week. Do you think Tell's emergence over the past couple weeks kind of made Milton more expendable to you? Yeah, and honestly, I thought Tell was going to be pretty safe regardless this offseason, unless maybe Collins and Harrison
Starting point is 00:07:40 have outstanding offseasons, you know they're not expecting him to play right away they're just expecting him to kind of be that developmental guy on the back end of the roster some versatile depth and I think that he the way he grew from preseason game one to preseason game four and even from practice one to practice 14 or 15 whatever it was I think he showed a lot of growth there and I saw and he showed a lot more comfortability so yeah it definitely makes that decision a lot easier, having a guy like that, who's not only athletic but also kind of that lengthy, bigger mold, and can do a lot of things in the back end, play safety, play corner, play special teams.
Starting point is 00:08:15 Yeah, I think having a guy like Tell in the back end really makes a guy like Milton expendable. I think before we dive into the big news from today about the quarterback, the backup quarterback they signed, I wanted to get your thoughts just on your preseason winners so far because I haven't had a chance to talk since the last week. I think for me personally, Zach, it was probably Deion Kane was one of the big guys for me, Kamoko Ture, EJ Speed. Any other stats you had over the past month or so as far as preseason action goes?
Starting point is 00:08:38 Yeah, so Speed is probably the biggest one for me just because I didn't know what to expect him coming into this preseason, but he kind of showed in that fourth preseason game that he was, you know, too good to even be out there. He looked just way faster and way better than everybody on the field. So I think he really showed a lot. You know, there's other guys, Deion Kane did a lot. I think Zach Paschal in some limited playing time on special teams and also on offense, I think he kind of secured his spot. Christian Hogan, even though he got cut, I think he kind of secured his spot uh Christian Hogan even though he got cut I think was really a star of this offseason and again it's it's a very
Starting point is 00:09:10 it's a shame that they didn't have more spots on the roster for him and then I guess we're gonna have to go with Hale Hentges too I mean Hale Hentges came into a very loaded tight end room where he was tight in five maybe even tight in six coming into the offseason and and he stood out in the preseason with a couple really nice catches and some reliable catches and looked really good blocking out there. So he really earned his roster spot in the preseason and in the offseason camps. The opening week of the NFL is brought to you by Mack Weldon. Mack Weldon is a premium men's essentials brand
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Starting point is 00:10:31 my code LOCKEDON, L-O-C-K-E-D-O-N to get a free shot at $1 million with your first deposit. That's code LOCKEDON, only at DraftKings, and make it rain. Yeah, Hale Hentges for sure stood out to me, especially at training camp we were there just it seemed like he was always catching the ball he really does look a lot like Jack Dually and even
Starting point is 00:10:48 Dually I mentioned after I think the third preseason game he's a Jack Dually 2.0 so some nice words from Jack to say about Hentges there but we should dive in Zach to the big news from today which was signing Brian Hoyer the Patriots quarterback backup to Tom Brady over the past two years to a three-year 12 million dollar deal I've seen a lot of unnecessary pushback because, I mean, if we're talking about other backup candidates to talk to, Zach, there was Brock Osweiler, David Fales. There was pretty much just a lot of guys off the street, like Brandon Whedon, especially another guy like that. Did it surprise you as far as the pushback to that?
Starting point is 00:11:21 And also, I think the deal itself is really not that bad. Yeah. you as far as the pushback to that? And also, I think the deal itself is really not that bad. Yeah, so the pushback didn't really surprise me, even though I'm not pushing back, and I don't think there should have been pushback. But it doesn't really surprise me just because I know a lot of people don't understand kind of what Hoyer is. And that is, Hoyer is a low-level starter slash high-level backup in this league. He's one of the better backups that you can have in this league. And I know a lot of people the better backups that you can have in this league. And I know a lot of people don't want to say that because they look at his career numbers.
Starting point is 00:11:48 But, you know, you can do so much worse for a backup. This guy has gotten teams to the playoffs. He's won some football games. He's made some big-time throws. He's looked pretty good in some games. Like, there's not many backups across the league. It's kind of like what I said. I don't know if I said it on this podcast or my podcast last week from when the Colts went to Jacoby after Andrew Luck retired.
Starting point is 00:12:10 You know, across the league, backups are not that great. You know, if Aaron Rodgers goes down, they go to Tim Boyle as their backup. If now Tom Brady goes down, they go to Jarrett Stidham. You know, it's just not great across the league. And to go to a guy who has taken the team to the playoffs or has won games on his own and has kind of been around the league, kind of hit the minds of Belichick and other great, you know, coaches across the league, I think that's just very invaluable. So I actually really like the deal. And $4 million a year, especially for a team with a Colts cap situation,
Starting point is 00:12:44 is absolutely nothing. Even if he was, you know, if you were going for a team with a Colts cap situation, is absolutely nothing. Even if he was going to a team that had no cap room, that's still nothing because backup quarterbacks, that's their going rate now. I mean, Tyrod Taylor, I believe, signed a two-year, $12 million deal. It's just kind of what high-level backups are going for, and that's what Hoyer is. He's a high-level backup, and he's going to be a player who, if Jacoby Brissett has to miss one or two games,
Starting point is 00:13:06 he can keep the team afloat and maybe even win those games and keep the Colts in the playoff race. So I really like the signing. I think he's a smart backup, and I think he's a player who, unlike a lot of backups in the league, is very capable of winning games if he's called upon for any reason. Yeah, I definitely think he was one of the better options, probably even the best option out there for what the Colts were looking for. Maybe it's a one-year deal if they want to get him after this year. Maybe if they came all three years, I think he's a really legitimate quarterback option for them. But we were on the same page here.
Starting point is 00:13:32 I noticed you tweeted this out. I tweeted it out as well, right, when we saw the news. I think with Hoyer signing for three years, $12 million, and he's making $4 million per year. You look at Jacoby Brissett's contract now for this year, it's only $2 million. Are you expecting some sort of extension or at least a pay upgrade for Brissett here soon? Because I think I'm feeling the same way as you are. Yeah, they certainly can do it. I mean, the Colts have the space to do it.
Starting point is 00:13:54 It would be really cool to see just for this year if they gave him an increase, maybe like a one-year extension just for this year to bump his penny up. But, you know, again, I kind of said this before, like weeks ago actually was, I don't really see an incentive for Brissette to sign an extension right now. The main reason is quarterback market is, is just so, so high and so in need, everyone needs quarterbacks. And we saw Jimmy Garoppolo a couple of years ago. You know, he has five big games behind the quarterback in the history of the NFL.
Starting point is 00:14:24 So if I'm Jacoby Brissette, I don't sign anything unless it's just for this year to give me some more money, maybe one that goes into next year as well. But I'm sure the Colts are looking to it. I mean, if they are really as high as what they're saying to us on a guy like Jacoby Brissett, then I could definitely see them trying to get an extension done. But if I'm Brissett and if I'm any kind of agent that's working with him, there's no chance I'm taking one until the end of the year. Before we go into our preview, Zach,
Starting point is 00:14:48 I wanted to ask you just a quick extension question for a couple other guys. Do you expect any others to happen here before the next week or so? Maybe Costanzo, Kelly, or anything they're done right now? I wouldn't expect anyone unless maybe they want to give Doyle one, but I don't see the incentive on the Colts side. Doyle's probably the only one that makes sense because I don't think his value can really go up, or a guy like Eric Ebron can make his value go higher if he has another great season, or Anthony Costanzo, if he gets close to the free agent market, he could be
Starting point is 00:15:15 making huge money because the going rate for left tackles is so high. And same with Ryan Kelly, because he's a young offensive lineman. So I don't really see any of those guys getting extensions just because it wouldn't be wise on their part to do that. But, you know, if the team wants Jack Doyle back for next year, I could definitely see them going that way because I see that his value is not really going up and they could extend him. But I would say my most accurate guess would be that they're probably done for this offseason. The NFL season begins this week, which means Crossover Wednesday is back. For the entire regular NFL season, you will get a special episode every Wednesday as the hosts from opposing sides meet up to preview the excitement of the games happening that week.
Starting point is 00:15:49 Find your favorite team wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure not to miss the NFL listeners' favorite segment throughout the year. Guys, let's have a chat real quick. Remember the days when you were always ready to go? Now you can increase your performance and get that extra confidence in bed. Listen up. BlueChew.com, that's blue like the color blue. BlueChew brings you the first chewable with the same FDA-approved active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis, so you know they work.
Starting point is 00:16:09 You can take them at any time, day or night, even on a full stomach. And since they're chewable, they work with it twice as fast as a pill, and so you can be ready whenever an opportunity arises. Again, that is BlueChew.com for all the latest information. Yeah, it's certainly going to be intriguing to watch how that plays out next week or so, but I think I'm in agreement with you there. I think they might just hold off and see what happens the rest of the season, but it's certainly going to be intriguing to watch how that plays out next week or so. But I think I'm in agreement with you there. I think they might just hold off and see what happens the rest of the season. But it's time to dive into, finally, Zach, just a game preview to talk about some regular season action games that actually matter here.
Starting point is 00:16:33 The Colts, all of a sudden, with Andrew Luck's retirement, they went from, I think, three-point underdogs to six-and-a-half now, according to Bovada in Vegas. And one of your thoughts on just your three main keys to the game, because I looked over, I saw a tweet from Evan Silva today at Roto World. The Chargers offensive line looks pretty bad right now. They have a really bad rotation, an undirected free agent at left tackle. They have a guy who is a veteran journeyman at right tackle right now. Melvin Gordon's not going to play. Durham James is going to play. This feels like a matchup where the Colts could easily steal a game
Starting point is 00:16:58 without Andrew Luck out there. Yeah, I completely agree. And to kind of start with that Vegas line I know I'm not a huge better I've just barely even turned the betting age but the one thing I've always known about betting is the home team always gets that plus three kind of swing so with Andrew Luck you know the Vegas basically saw these two teams as as even teams now they kind of see the charge a little bit better which I think is fair I mean we don't know which Cooper set is yet, but I'm completely with you. I think that with the Chargers got players who were out with Melvin Gordon out,
Starting point is 00:17:30 with their left tackle, Russell Okung out, with Derwin James out, with other players kind of banked up on that team. I think they're very vulnerable. And another thing that I think they're kind of vulnerable with people I'm talking about is we kind of saw last year the Patriots kind of laid the blueprint down to kind of, you know, annihilating thatating that defense I mean there's not really another word for it they just got shredded that entire game on quick passes getting that ball out quick right at their linebackers kind of attacking them and then running like power running right down their throat and I
Starting point is 00:17:58 think the Patriots really kind of showed that blueprint there and I'm sure Frank Wright you know had him all off season to kind of study that one game and seeing what the Patriots did I think that I think the Colts are going to have an advantage there and I know a lot of people are projecting like Chargers to win and the Chargers are a really talented team so I'm not going to put anything past them but I definitely think this is a game the Colts can kind of come in here and and quote-unquote shock the world I think they can they can win this game for sure. Let me ask you this because I feel like this is not only for week one but also really the rest of the season, maybe the first month or so of the season. How much motivational factor now?
Starting point is 00:18:29 I know maybe teams are playing off the Colts a little bit since Luck's gone, but I feel like this might be the opposite effect where the Colts are actually going to rally around Jacoby Bruce and actually be even more motivated and even more pissed off, so to say, that people are doubting them. Do you think that could happen with this team? Maybe they could start off 3-0, 4-0. Maybe that's possible with them just because of the motivational factor that they're going through? I mean, it's certainly possible. They can play with anybody. I know they have a tougher schedule,
Starting point is 00:18:51 but they have the talent to play with anybody. And, you know, I don't really play too much about the pissed off thing just with the NFL because, you know, these guys are all getting paid millions. But, you know, they could definitely have it in the back of their mind. I don't think they need much extra motivation. They definitely had that last year. But, you know, to see this group even hungrier would be crazy. So, yeah, they could definitely rattle off a couple wins here, especially if Brissette is as good as what they're saying. I know they're really high on him, and they really believe in him.
Starting point is 00:19:17 So if he really comes out, and not at Andrew Luck's level, but even three-fourths of what Andrew Luck was, then I think this team could definitely rattle off some wins earlier in this year. Yeah, I think that's an underlying factor everyone could watch if we're here listening to this. But what would you say are your biggest keys to the game, Zach? Maybe two or three that you're really looking forward to. Because I think for me personally, I think it's going to be the trenches,
Starting point is 00:19:38 either the Colts offensive line versus the Chargers defensive line, the Chargers offensive line versus the Colts defensive line. I feel like really the trenches in this game is really going to decide it. Yeah, no, that's certainly the biggest factor. My thing will be just establishing the run early and keeping Brissette clean. If that's, you know, the offensive line just playing out of their minds like they did last year, or Frank Wright kind of scheming up quick passes and getting the ball out quick. Keep Jacoby clean.
Starting point is 00:20:04 Let him get that confidence in game one of like, hey, I can get the ball out here. I can step up in the pocket and I'll stay clean. You know, just kind of build that confidence for the whole team. But I think establishing the run is going to be a big way to do that. And I do think that that's going to be a very big emphasis for the Colts in week one. So I think winning on the ground will be the biggest key to victory in week one. How much pressure do you think is on a guy like Marlon Mack this year? I mean, maybe not so pressure is the wrong word there, but I feel
Starting point is 00:20:28 like he has to take another step up this year. Do you think that Mack is capable? Because I mean, obviously, from what I saw in training camp and being there most of the days, he'll see he's actually gained some muscle mass this year. He's really preparing himself for that bell cow role. What's your expectations for a guy like Marlon Mack this year? Expectations are still high. I know, you know, the fantasy community, he's dropped a little bit because of Andrew Luck. And I know kind of league-wide the hype isn't as big now because of Andrew Luck's retirement.
Starting point is 00:20:52 But, you know, Marlon Mack showed a lot last year, especially late in the season. He showed that he can really be that bell cow in this offense. And I think if this All-Wins line is even better under Howard Mudd, which they certainly have the ability to be, yeah, I definitely think that Marlon Mack can still have that big season. As long as Jacoby Brissett is better than average, like I said, three-fourths of what Andrew Luck was or even 50% of what Andrew Luck was,
Starting point is 00:21:14 I think Marlon Mack's going to have a big year this year. He just needs to stay healthy and kind of continue to build on what he did late last season, and he's going to have a big season. Looking to the opposite side of the ball for a second Zach what are your expectations here for the defense against a guy like Philip Rivers here because I know the Colts are gonna have a murderer's row of quarterbacks elite quarterbacks are gonna have to play against this year and Philip Rivers is the first one there from Colts fans you might not be following much of Philip Rivers even though maybe you should because I think he's one
Starting point is 00:21:39 of the more underrated quarterbacks in the league what should they expect when they see Philip Rivers even though he's gonna have a worse offensive line from them, probably a lot years prior, what do you think they should do to stop him? Yeah. So Rivers, the biggest thing with Rivers is even though he has a bad offensive line this year, he is that vet. He's that really smart, savvy vet. He knows how to get around stuff like that. And then on top of that,
Starting point is 00:22:00 he has one of the best route runners in the league in Keenan Allen has one of the better jump ball players in Mike Williams, and also a really good tight end, Hunter Henry. So they're still a good team. They're still a really good football team. I think the biggest thing is just getting after him early. And it's, you know, not letting up those big plays, kind of let them have to think and duck down the field like the Colts were so great at last year
Starting point is 00:22:18 and just getting after him early. You know, hit him a couple times early in the game, make him kind of second guess at offensive line and second guess what he's seeing out there. And I think that's a good way to rattle him. We saw it a couple games last year where he really got rattled early in games. He was able to fight back because he's such a good player. He's Philip Rivers. But I think rattle him early, let the offense get a nice little lead there. I think that'll go a long way to winning this game. Final few questions here for you, Zach. Appreciate the time as always. What do you think
Starting point is 00:22:45 as far as the offensive line goes from the Chargers? Like we've rattled off those names there. It's not really an elite unit. It's more so a below average unit in the NFL. This seems like a big game where new arrival Justin Houston, also Danico, I think was the best player in camp. If those two on the left side can really do their damage, it's going to be a long day for them. I feel like this is a big game for them to flex their muscles, so to say, Autry and Houston. Yeah,
Starting point is 00:23:07 absolutely. Houston's really got to show out. And he did last year, even against Russell Okung when Okung was playing against the Chargers. You know, he still had a couple of good games, a couple of good rushes against him. So now going against,
Starting point is 00:23:19 you know, a replacement level left tackle, a guy who is not a starter in what we kind of talked about earlier in a league that really values offensive line depth and they don't have much offensive line depth. You know, the guy that he's going to be facing, I don't even know the player's name. I don't even know if Chargers fans or anything know this guy's name. So we'll see.
Starting point is 00:23:36 Justin Houston is a borderline Hall of Fame talent for a reason. And he's going to be able to go to work against a backup level left tackle. And I think that's going to be the most exciting matchup for Colts fans to watch in week one. It's just how well this new signing is going to be able to do against a backup-leveled tackle in the league. Before I let you go, Zach, we might as well finish off with prediction. We're going to give every weekly guest prediction here throughout the week. What do you lean right now as far as September 2nd here at almost 2.30 p.m.? Where are you leaning right now as far as Colts charters if you want to give a prediction out?
Starting point is 00:24:09 Yeah, so I'm going to go 23-21. I think the Colts get up like 23-7 kind of going into the second half, and the charters make a late push. But I think the Colts are able to hold them off. I think the Colts kind of come out firing, and, yeah, they get that big lead early. But, yeah, 23-21 is my final prediction. Colts win I like it I like it and I I'm right there with you I really think that it's going to be
Starting point is 00:24:29 a close game but I think the Colts could really flex their muscles here earlier on this game just with the the upgrades at offensive line defensive line I think they have a lot of advantage over charters here so I'm going to actually go with 24 to 16 I think it's gonna be a really intriguing defensive battle it's gonna be one where I think the first team to 24 or 25 win this game. So if you guys want to already do something, you should be doing it already, go follow Zach on Twitter, add Zach Hicks too. And Zach, appreciate the time. We'll be recapping the Chargers game this time next week.
Starting point is 00:24:55 Awesome, man. Sounds great. Can't wait for it.

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