1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:01,800 Speaker 1: Steven Holder joins us on the program now. 2 00:00:01,840 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 2: He is on the Java House Cold Brew Coffee guest line, 3 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,319 Speaker 2: and he probably needs plenty not only of Java House 4 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 2: is Cold Brew coffee, but also some of the Wrangler 5 00:00:10,360 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 2: Energy drink just to be able to keep up with 6 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:17,200 Speaker 2: what is happening right now because we have some just 7 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 2: under three hours left before the franchise tag can be placed, Steven, 8 00:00:22,200 --> 00:00:24,760 Speaker 2: I will simply throw it to you in this blanket statement. 9 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 2: Is there any new news to report at this point? 10 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 3: I would say news is a is a you know, 11 00:00:36,120 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 3: moving target. I don't think anything substantive has happened, but 12 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:45,680 Speaker 3: their conversations continue, That's what I would say, and I 13 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 3: think everything is on the table even with just three 14 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 3: hours to go. I fully expect the Colts will use 15 00:00:54,280 --> 00:01:00,160 Speaker 3: a tag today, can guarantee it. But unless something change 16 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 3: is here in the next three hours, I anticipate Daniel 17 00:01:03,760 --> 00:01:08,279 Speaker 3: Jones or Alec Pearce will get a tag of some kind. 18 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:11,039 Speaker 3: And when I say a tag, I'm talking about the 19 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 3: franchise tag and the transition tag, which is also a possibility, 20 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 3: particularly for Daniel Jones, that a little lower salary, less 21 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:24,760 Speaker 3: protection for the player, etc. But I think one of 22 00:01:24,800 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 3: those two tags will be assessed today by the Colts 23 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 3: by four pm. That is my expectation. As for who, where, 24 00:01:33,760 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 3: what and how, that's all fluid right now. 25 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:41,039 Speaker 2: Okay, Steven, let's begin with this. And I did a 26 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 2: long dissertation on this earlier. 27 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: Okay, but. 28 00:01:47,200 --> 00:01:49,480 Speaker 2: It has been a while and I don't even know 29 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 2: when the last time it was that a franchise let 30 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 2: alone the Colts had going into free agency, perhaps the 31 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 2: top at not one, but two different offensive positions, because 32 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 2: I think we could safely say that Daniel Jones is 33 00:02:06,680 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 2: the top quarterback free agent available and Alec Pierce is 34 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 2: the top wide receiver free agent available. So with that 35 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 2: in mind, as the Colts go into it, if they 36 00:02:19,600 --> 00:02:22,040 Speaker 2: had to, if Chris Ballard is saying to himself, I 37 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:23,640 Speaker 2: have this tag right here, I can use on one 38 00:02:23,639 --> 00:02:27,280 Speaker 2: of these two guys. I would prefer to use it on, 39 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 2: which Thus I need to prioritize making sure that I 40 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:35,160 Speaker 2: get locked in and I'm signing one of these guys 41 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 2: to a deal. Which player is the one that Chris 42 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:41,799 Speaker 2: Ballard wants to nail down under his own contract so 43 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:43,639 Speaker 2: that he can use the tag on the other. 44 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 3: This is the most difficult part of all of this, 45 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 3: and so I just think a definitive answer is really difficult, 46 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:57,919 Speaker 3: even for the Colts on this, because I can make 47 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 3: a compelling argument either way and neither one would be wrong. 48 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 3: Think about it, Is it more important to have your quarterback, 49 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:11,359 Speaker 3: have certainty at quarterback and ensure that you're going to 50 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 3: have your quarterback next season? And is that more important 51 00:03:16,040 --> 00:03:20,520 Speaker 3: than retaining the top wide receiver on the market, but 52 00:03:20,639 --> 00:03:23,640 Speaker 3: also having doubt about whether you get your quarterback back, 53 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:28,200 Speaker 3: in which case does it even matter that you get 54 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 3: that wide receiver back? I mean, I think I may 55 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 3: lean a little more towards the quarterback, even though I don't. 56 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 3: I am not here to convince you that Daniel Jones 57 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 3: at his possession is a better player than Alec Pierce. 58 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 3: I'm not making that argument. I think the argument is 59 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 3: position positional value. And the truth is, you know, where 60 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 3: are they left? What are they left with? If Daniel 61 00:03:56,040 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 3: Jones gets out of the building where the Colt's going? 62 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 2: Right, that's right and right, Stephen, here here's to me 63 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 2: the real predicament, all things given equal, it's a no brainer, 64 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:13,040 Speaker 2: you tag Pierce, because the amount of money that you 65 00:04:13,080 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 2: have to pay him then might even be under market 66 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 2: value of what he would get elsewhere. I mean, ceedee 67 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:23,280 Speaker 2: Lamb's getting thirty five you know, t Higgins is it 68 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:27,880 Speaker 2: twenty eight? Jamar Chase is at high thirties. So to 69 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,440 Speaker 2: have to pay Alec Pierce for a year at twenty 70 00:04:30,480 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 2: eight million is market value and maybe even a little 71 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:36,160 Speaker 2: bit under. So no harm, no foul, I agree. But 72 00:04:36,600 --> 00:04:39,719 Speaker 2: if you're doing that, you run the risk of losing Jones. 73 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 2: And if you lose Jones you are completely screwed. Whereas 74 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:46,599 Speaker 2: if you lose Pierce, it's not a great optics look, 75 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 2: but it is somewhat survivable, agreed. 76 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:54,359 Speaker 3: And so that's exacintely right. And so here's another variable 77 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 3: I would throw into the pot that I think maybe 78 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:02,360 Speaker 3: we're talking ourselves into tagging Jones being the move. Here's 79 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:05,720 Speaker 3: another variable, and this is very, very very important, and 80 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 3: I haven't stressed it enough. Alec Pierce wants to have 81 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 3: the quarterback situation. I don't want to stay locked up, 82 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 3: but he wants to have some certainty about the quarterback 83 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 3: situation before he signs. That is very important to him. 84 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:27,640 Speaker 3: I'm telling you that with firsthand knowledge. So what I 85 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:31,359 Speaker 3: am saying is if you tag Daniel Jones and you 86 00:05:31,440 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 3: are working in working earnestly toward getting an extension done there, 87 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:41,320 Speaker 3: which you would continue to do after attacking him, that 88 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 3: at least makes Alex Pis more inclined to do a deal. 89 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:49,680 Speaker 3: If you tag Alex Pearis, well you could tag him 90 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 3: and then he doesn't have a choice. But maybe he's 91 00:05:53,000 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 3: less inclined to sign a long term deal. Maybe you 92 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 3: get him on the tag this year and maybe he 93 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 3: says next year, Cyanara, I don't know. This is very hypothetical. 94 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:07,520 Speaker 3: I'm just saying I do think you at least keep 95 00:06:07,600 --> 00:06:11,719 Speaker 3: Alec Pierce in play if Alan, excuse me, if Daniel 96 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 3: Jones is relatively certain to be in the building next year, 97 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:19,160 Speaker 3: next season, does that all make sense? 98 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:26,280 Speaker 1: Yeah? I mean, okay, the Stephen, do you believe. 99 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 2: This is probably neither here nor there, But do you 100 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 2: think that Chris Ballard when the Colts were seven and one, 101 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 2: eight and two, and you knew at that point that 102 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 2: Alec Pierce was going to be a free agent at 103 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:42,600 Speaker 2: the end of the year, and you knew, like, oh, 104 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:45,200 Speaker 2: you know what, this guy's he's starting to find now 105 00:06:45,240 --> 00:06:47,360 Speaker 2: he's the guy that we drafted out of Cincinnati. 106 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 1: He's really coming along here. 107 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 2: And Daniel Jones, boy, this guy's just been found house money. 108 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,039 Speaker 2: This is wonderful. Brought him in to compete with Richardson 109 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 2: and now here we go. Do you believe at that 110 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 2: point that Chris Ballard thought to himself, you know, there's 111 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 2: a really good chance on franchise tag deadline day, I'm 112 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 2: gonna have a real tough thing to deal with here. 113 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 3: I don't know that it clicked at that moment, but 114 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:17,000 Speaker 3: but I would say this, Daniel Jones, excuse me, Alex 115 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:20,520 Speaker 3: Pierce has I think for a while it's been clear 116 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 3: that he wanted a lucrative extension that was not hard 117 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:28,800 Speaker 3: to predict. I think the number has gone up in 118 00:07:28,880 --> 00:07:31,600 Speaker 3: terms of, you know what it's ultimately. 119 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 1: Going to be. 120 00:07:32,440 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 3: It's certainly higher now than I anticipated. But I mean 121 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 3: we knew it was gonna be. I've been saying for months, 122 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 3: this guy's going to get a contract well into the 123 00:07:42,840 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 3: well over twenty million dollars a year, like far more 124 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 3: than Michael Pittman. I think we've been saying that for 125 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 3: quite some time. It turns out it could be significantly higher, right, 126 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:58,080 Speaker 3: So maybe there was there was some inkling about that. 127 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:01,640 Speaker 3: I think that Daniel Jones part has always been sort 128 00:08:01,680 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 3: of difficult to settle on because number one, the injury 129 00:08:06,160 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 3: has made it a little bit convoluted. 130 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:08,679 Speaker 1: For sure. 131 00:08:08,880 --> 00:08:12,200 Speaker 3: I don't know this, but I would imagine the injury 132 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 3: is a big sticking point here. Not that they're arguing 133 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:17,280 Speaker 3: over the fact that, well, you're hurt, so we should 134 00:08:17,280 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 3: pay you less, but there's certainly guaranteed money that hinges 135 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 3: on that injury, how he comes back from it, all 136 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:30,120 Speaker 3: those things. Those are small things, but big variables when 137 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 3: you talk about the negotiation and naty gritty details of it. 138 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:39,559 Speaker 3: So anyway, I'm off the subject, but hopefully that answered 139 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 3: your original question. 140 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:44,480 Speaker 2: Lost in all of this Stephen Holders my guest ESPN 141 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:46,160 Speaker 2: dot com, where you can read his work. He's on 142 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 2: the Java House Cold Brew Coffee guest line. Lost in 143 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 2: all of this, Steven. A year from now, two years 144 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,280 Speaker 2: from now, we look back and we say, you remember 145 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 2: that time that Holder was on with Query and they 146 00:08:56,960 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 2: were talking about the franchise tag and it was all 147 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:00,400 Speaker 2: about Daniel Jones and Alec Pierson. 148 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: Alec Pierson, Daniel Jones. Man. 149 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 2: What we didn't realize is that simmering underneath all of 150 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 2: that was a bigger storyline within the Colts that we 151 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 2: all fell asleep on because we buried the lead. 152 00:09:12,440 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 1: What would that. 153 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:22,240 Speaker 3: Be, Well, I think the defense being reshaped. I think 154 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:26,920 Speaker 3: that's going to happen. I would say the combine. Most 155 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 3: of the conversations about the Colts centered on the two 156 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:33,080 Speaker 3: guys we've already talked about. The other thing, though, that 157 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:37,840 Speaker 3: I heard from people, one of a couple of whom 158 00:09:38,200 --> 00:09:41,920 Speaker 3: are very good sources. The other thing I heard is 159 00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 3: that the Colts are going to be very active and 160 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 3: a lot of their free agency is going to be 161 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:54,319 Speaker 3: spent on their defense. And I am anticipating a relatively 162 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:59,920 Speaker 3: a relatively aggressive free agency period from them, centered most 163 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 3: on their defense. Now that doesn't mean they're going to 164 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 3: go out and sign every household name, that's not what 165 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:08,880 Speaker 3: we're talking about, but it does mean being active and 166 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 3: really reshaping the personnel on that defense. I think you 167 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 3: should anticipate that. We'll see what it looks like in 168 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:21,040 Speaker 3: the end. But but that is something I do think 169 00:10:21,240 --> 00:10:24,199 Speaker 3: we haven't talked enough about because we've been caught up 170 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 3: on this. You know, these shiny objects on offense, But 171 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:30,840 Speaker 3: you should look for that as well in the coming weeks. 172 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 2: Hypothetical situation back to the topic A Okay, for whatever reason, 173 00:10:38,520 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 2: Daniel Jones decides, you know what, I'm just an adventurous guy. 174 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:46,960 Speaker 1: I'd like to live somewhere different. I like warm weather. 175 00:10:47,080 --> 00:10:51,840 Speaker 2: So Daniel Jones takes a lesser contract offer and signs 176 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 2: with insert name Arizona. I'm just throwing a name out 177 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 2: generically speaking, Okay, Daniel Jones shocks the world and he 178 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,520 Speaker 2: becomes foot ball Miles Turner, and he leaves, and the 179 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 2: Colts are like, oh my goodness. At that point, can 180 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 2: the Colts go back to Anthony Richardson and say, you 181 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 2: know about that trade thing, we told you to go 182 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 2: ahead and explore. Let's let's go ahead, and the hand 183 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:17,240 Speaker 2: is your phone. We're going to delete your bumble app 184 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:20,680 Speaker 2: or has that? Have they crossed that river? Now there's 185 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:22,280 Speaker 2: no there's no point coming back. 186 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:24,720 Speaker 1: That's a great question. 187 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 3: Uh huh. I think I think at that point it's 188 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 3: it really is up to Anthony Richardson, don't you think. 189 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 3: But I mean for him, it would it would be 190 00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:41,439 Speaker 3: the best option. Because I do not see now whether 191 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 3: whether the Colts would make that determination. I have no idea, right, 192 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 3: but let's say they did under this very, very hypothetical situation. Granted, 193 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 3: I think if the Colts were to approach him under 194 00:11:56,280 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 3: this hypothetic, under this hypothetical, I think if you're Anthony Richardson, 195 00:12:00,440 --> 00:12:03,199 Speaker 3: you probably have to swallow your pride and say, this 196 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 3: is probably the best situation for me. And here's the deal. 197 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:11,199 Speaker 3: I do not believe that he will be a starting 198 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 3: quarterback next year, which is not to say he won't 199 00:12:14,040 --> 00:12:17,640 Speaker 3: eventually get another shot. I think that's possible, but I'm 200 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 3: talking about next year. I think his situation next year 201 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,240 Speaker 3: is going to be one of let's work on you, 202 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,600 Speaker 3: and maybe the goal is you play in twenty seven 203 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:32,559 Speaker 3: and find yourself, you know. I think that's what we're 204 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:38,199 Speaker 3: looking at here. So is staying with the Colts and 205 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 3: riding in on a white horse. Maybe for Daniel Jones, 206 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:47,760 Speaker 3: is that preferable? Yeah? Probably if you're a guy who's 207 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 3: competitive and wants to play right now, I would say, yes. 208 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 2: Do you think, okay, any chance of this? And I 209 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 2: don't know, Steven, how much you've talked to Anthony Richardson 210 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 2: or his representation, And I want to be clear, I 211 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:03,439 Speaker 2: don't know Anthony Richardson. 212 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 1: I mean, you do. 213 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 2: You've been around it a lot more than I. I 214 00:13:06,679 --> 00:13:10,160 Speaker 2: think we should. We should point out that some of 215 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:13,720 Speaker 2: the challenges that Anthony Richardson has had in Indianapolis, some 216 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:16,800 Speaker 2: of those are his fault. Some of those are the 217 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 2: byproduct of bad handling of the way that the Colts 218 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 2: handled it, in my opinion, but I don't think that 219 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 2: there is any evidence anywhere and we should point it 220 00:13:26,920 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 2: out that Anthony Richardson is a bad guy. 221 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:31,640 Speaker 1: We've seen bad guys. We've seen guys. 222 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:36,560 Speaker 2: That their own attitude, their own selfishness comes into play, 223 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 2: and that's what does them in. I don't believe that 224 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:40,680 Speaker 2: to be the case in any way with him. Would 225 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:41,280 Speaker 2: you agree with that? 226 00:13:43,000 --> 00:13:45,240 Speaker 3: Oh, one hundred per I don't think that's that issue 227 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 3: at all. In fact, the fact that they are working 228 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:51,520 Speaker 3: with him and trying to accommodate him and have told 229 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 3: him and have told his representation you know, we will 230 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:59,079 Speaker 3: accommodate him and do what's best for him. I mean 231 00:13:59,120 --> 00:14:01,040 Speaker 3: that you do that because he is a good kid. 232 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 2: So go ahead, Okay, So with that, if the Colts 233 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 2: had a situation, and this is very hypothetical, but if 234 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 2: the Colts had a situation where Anthony Richardson looked like 235 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 2: he was in line to be the starter here because 236 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 2: Daniel Jones left, or Daniel Jones has a health setback, 237 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 2: whatever it may be. Do you believe it's possible that 238 00:14:24,600 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 2: Anthony Richardson could still opt to go to another franchise 239 00:14:28,120 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 2: where he is not the clear cut starter as opposed 240 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 2: to getting the opportunity again here, just because of the 241 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 2: way everything has unfolded. 242 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 3: Right, Well, it's a couple things. Number One, this ultimately 243 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:51,240 Speaker 3: is still a fulse decision because they they own his rights, 244 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:55,400 Speaker 3: so they would ultimately have to relinquish that and say 245 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:57,960 Speaker 3: we're going to trade you. So ultimately, even though they've 246 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 3: given him this authorization to talk to other teams, so 247 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 3: therefore there's no tampering involved all that, right, I mean, 248 00:15:04,640 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 3: they have authorized that, that is true. That doesn't mean though, 249 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 3: that that a deal is guaranteed. They still have to 250 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 3: agree to the deal. So that's the first thing I'd say. 251 00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:19,320 Speaker 3: The second thing is, you know, it might be it 252 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 3: really just boils down to I think what his options are. 253 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:28,560 Speaker 3: You know, if if his options are I don't know, 254 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 3: go to the RAMS maybe and be rehabilitated by Sean 255 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:35,800 Speaker 3: McVay or something. And I don't know, I'm just you know, 256 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:36,640 Speaker 3: who are spitballing? 257 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 1: Right? 258 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 3: Maybe that's appealing to him, Maybe he feels like that's 259 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 3: something he needs. I don't know, because the development hasn't 260 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 3: happened here and it is not all the Colts fault, 261 00:15:48,080 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 3: as you laid out, but but there has been a 262 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:55,040 Speaker 3: failure on the Colts part too. Like, let's be very clear, right, 263 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 3: they have not developed him, and no matter who's fault 264 00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:04,040 Speaker 3: is it is, it is in large part the responsibility 265 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:06,520 Speaker 3: of the team to figure out how to get more 266 00:16:06,560 --> 00:16:08,520 Speaker 3: out of a player. They didn't do that, right, So 267 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 3: the Colts hands are dirty, His hands are dirty, and 268 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:16,200 Speaker 3: you know, does that would that influence him to do 269 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 3: something different and something unexpected? Perhaps? 270 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 2: Okay, Steven, By the way, your colleague Adam Schefter has 271 00:16:24,960 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 2: just recently said that he now anticipates the tag we'll 272 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,520 Speaker 2: go to Jones because there is still a gap between 273 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 2: what Jones is wanting and what the Colts where they 274 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 2: are right now? Would you concur with that sentiment? 275 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 3: That's been my expectation probably the last forty eight hours, 276 00:16:45,160 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 3: is that we're heading forward a tag for Daniel Jones. 277 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 3: Now I would add if they don't in the meantime 278 00:16:52,920 --> 00:16:58,160 Speaker 3: get a deal with Alec Pierce, It's like if that 279 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 3: doesn't happen today, I would and he doesn't get tagged, 280 00:17:02,880 --> 00:17:07,280 Speaker 3: I would predict that his situation rolls into next week. 281 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:09,680 Speaker 1: You're talking about Alex Pearser. 282 00:17:09,359 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 3: Jones, Alex Pierce, and that would enable him to the 283 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 3: beginning on Monday to speak to other teams. And then 284 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:18,359 Speaker 3: it gets real. 285 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:21,920 Speaker 2: There have been somebody just asked me this question. My 286 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:23,720 Speaker 2: buddy Scott asked me this, Steve, and I wanted to 287 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:25,440 Speaker 2: bring you in on it. And this might be far 288 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:29,320 Speaker 2: beyond certainly it's beyond my intellectual capability. That would not 289 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 2: mean that it's beyond yours, because yours is more grat 290 00:17:33,000 --> 00:17:36,159 Speaker 2: you know, more vast than mine. But the Colts have 291 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 2: said in the past that when there are big contracts 292 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:43,439 Speaker 2: that escrow accounts come into play with the cash up front, 293 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 2: you know, the signing bonus and that kind of a thing. 294 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 2: Is there any chance that that sort of a language 295 00:17:51,520 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 2: contractually could be a hold up? In other words, players 296 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 2: are saying, no, I don't want escrow funds or accounts 297 00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 2: with a signing bonus or guaranteed money and that sort 298 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:03,159 Speaker 2: of thing, and that could be a financial or a 299 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:04,400 Speaker 2: conversational hold up. 300 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 3: I mean, I don't know in this particular case. What 301 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:14,080 Speaker 3: I would say is it hasn't been a huge impediment 302 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:18,280 Speaker 3: in the past. Now, the the Colts are known to 303 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:21,119 Speaker 3: do some things like I'll give you an example with 304 00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:25,280 Speaker 3: the Jonathan Taylor extension a couple of years ago. One 305 00:18:25,280 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 3: of the things they did, and he's not the only one, 306 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:31,280 Speaker 3: and they're not the only team, to be clear, but 307 00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:34,159 Speaker 3: one of the things they did was they split his 308 00:18:34,240 --> 00:18:37,200 Speaker 3: signing bonus. And I can't even remember. I can't remember 309 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:39,439 Speaker 3: what happened yesterday, so I don't even remember what the 310 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:42,359 Speaker 3: amount of his signing bonus was. But let's say, let's 311 00:18:42,359 --> 00:18:46,919 Speaker 3: say signing bonus was ten million dollars. My understanding with 312 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:51,560 Speaker 3: that was he got the first half of that, I 313 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:55,479 Speaker 3: don't know, within seven days, and the second half was 314 00:18:55,520 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 3: actually backloaded to be paid like ninety days later. Now, again, 315 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:04,840 Speaker 3: they're not the only team that utilizes, you know, sort 316 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:09,399 Speaker 3: of mechanisms like that, but they do do things like that, 317 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:15,199 Speaker 3: and that lowers the initial hit right of It's like, 318 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 3: you know, when you get those credit cards with you know, 319 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:21,080 Speaker 3: sixty day same as cash or one of those finance deals. 320 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:21,560 Speaker 1: I don't know. 321 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:24,480 Speaker 3: You buy some furniture, right, hey, sixty day same as cash? 322 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:26,640 Speaker 3: Well sare if you give me free money, I will 323 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:30,679 Speaker 3: take that. But you know, I don't think it's a 324 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:32,960 Speaker 3: huge deal for the player. If you're getting the money 325 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:36,080 Speaker 3: that you want, it is guaranteed you're just going to 326 00:19:36,160 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 3: have to wait a few months. I mean, I think 327 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 3: players are willing to accommodate that. But the coach have done, 328 00:19:43,400 --> 00:19:47,000 Speaker 3: have done such things in many cases. And whether they 329 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:49,439 Speaker 3: do that because of the cash low issue, I cannot say. 330 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:53,359 Speaker 3: I don't see the books, but that at least gives 331 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 3: you some information as you try to make head or 332 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:56,440 Speaker 3: tails of things. 333 00:19:56,520 --> 00:20:01,320 Speaker 2: Do you believe Alec Pierce? He would not be opposed 334 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 2: to being here, But Alec Pierce, Now, if the Colts 335 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:09,960 Speaker 2: are getting into a bidding war with other franchises, I 336 00:20:09,960 --> 00:20:12,439 Speaker 2: think it's fair to say that Alec Pierce his market 337 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:16,800 Speaker 2: value is probably somewhere around thirty five per okay, thirty 338 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 2: five million per year. You tell me if you disagree 339 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 2: on that number, Steven, are the Colts prepared to pay 340 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:25,000 Speaker 2: whatever it's going to take or do you believe that 341 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:28,200 Speaker 2: Pierce literally goes out on the open market and goes 342 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:28,880 Speaker 2: to highest bidder. 343 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,160 Speaker 3: So I don't know if we're at thirty five yet. 344 00:20:33,200 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 3: I would say the conversation I had at the combine 345 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:40,639 Speaker 3: or multiple conversations, was the question is can he get 346 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 3: to thirty And the answer is possibly, And frankly, you 347 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:51,920 Speaker 3: know it's early. Okay, they haven't technically had those negotiations 348 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 3: with other teams yet. Now have other teams probably signaled 349 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:00,920 Speaker 3: what they'd pay. Yeah, let's be honest, they know. But 350 00:21:01,520 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 3: I do think it becomes actually more real beginning Monday, 351 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:09,640 Speaker 3: when you can actually have negotiations, They can actually put 352 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:11,920 Speaker 3: an offer in front of you, and then you can 353 00:21:11,960 --> 00:21:14,359 Speaker 3: get you know the actual structure of that offer and 354 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:16,640 Speaker 3: know what you're dealing with. So I think I think 355 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:19,400 Speaker 3: the question was Kenny gets a thirty million per year? 356 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:25,359 Speaker 3: The answer is possibly, yes, very possibly. And then the 357 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:27,040 Speaker 3: rest of your question, I'm sorry when you go to 358 00:21:27,040 --> 00:21:31,960 Speaker 3: the highest bidder. Alex Parris wants to be here, but 359 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,720 Speaker 3: this is a one's in a lifetime opportunity, and I 360 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 3: just think the longer you are out there on the 361 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:44,399 Speaker 3: open market and able to talk to others, the more 362 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:48,239 Speaker 3: it becomes possible to see yourself going somewhere else. And 363 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:51,639 Speaker 3: I know that that's not a really concrete answer, but 364 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 3: that's just how this works. Man. You know, when you 365 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:59,960 Speaker 3: start dancing with other people, you know, you start to 366 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 3: see maybe the possibilities, and maybe you start loving the 367 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:05,000 Speaker 3: one you're with a little less. 368 00:22:05,040 --> 00:22:05,800 Speaker 1: That's all I'm saying. 369 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,280 Speaker 4: Steven, earlier in the conversation, you mentioned that the Colt's 370 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 4: primary focus and free agency is probably going in direction 371 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:15,640 Speaker 4: of the defense. Well, in order to do that and 372 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:18,359 Speaker 4: to maintain the adage of that, Chris Ballard said of 373 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:21,199 Speaker 4: wanting to get younger and faster. Most of these guys 374 00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 4: that hit the open market that are younger to command 375 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:27,080 Speaker 4: top dollar just because they're entering their prime. And we're 376 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:30,520 Speaker 4: sitting here talking about contracts with Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce. 377 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:33,160 Speaker 4: How the heck are the Colts going to generate enough 378 00:22:33,160 --> 00:22:38,120 Speaker 4: cap space to make all this happen magic, That's right. 379 00:22:39,680 --> 00:22:42,119 Speaker 3: I mean, they'll use the same approach I use with 380 00:22:42,160 --> 00:22:46,080 Speaker 3: my checkbook. It's just money, you know, I don't know. Look, 381 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:48,480 Speaker 3: I would say I would say this, they they have 382 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:52,119 Speaker 3: the ability to do that. In other ways, it really 383 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:56,320 Speaker 3: is less about the cap and more about cash, not 384 00:22:56,480 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 3: just for them but for everybody. 385 00:22:58,080 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 1: Right. 386 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:03,399 Speaker 3: For example, let's take a look at Quinton Nelson's contract. 387 00:23:03,480 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 3: Quinton Nelson has a twenty four million dollar cap number 388 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 3: this year, sixteen million dollars in base salary, blah blah blah, 389 00:23:13,119 --> 00:23:18,800 Speaker 3: like you could you could actually very easily do an 390 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:22,639 Speaker 3: extension here and get that cap number down, and it 391 00:23:22,680 --> 00:23:25,800 Speaker 3: could be like a fake extension. Although he's probably due anyway, 392 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:28,680 Speaker 3: he's probably due for an extension, But you could extend 393 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,840 Speaker 3: that and you could get that cap number down easily 394 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:34,960 Speaker 3: by like another ten million dollars. There are ways to 395 00:23:35,000 --> 00:23:37,080 Speaker 3: do it that are not hard. I'm sure you could 396 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:39,320 Speaker 3: do the same. You could certainly do the same with 397 00:23:39,359 --> 00:23:42,480 Speaker 3: Michael Pittman, which I anticipate you could do it with 398 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:48,000 Speaker 3: the likes of the Forrest Buckner. There are ways, I think, 399 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:50,280 Speaker 3: if if there's a will, there's a way to do it. 400 00:23:50,400 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 3: The CAP's not the problem. The money actually going out 401 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:57,760 Speaker 3: the door is usually the bigger issue for the Colts 402 00:23:57,840 --> 00:23:59,520 Speaker 3: and for all teams, frankly. 403 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:01,840 Speaker 1: Even finally for Colts fans. 404 00:24:01,840 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 2: Stephen Holdermi guest ESPN dot com, the website where you 405 00:24:04,960 --> 00:24:06,879 Speaker 2: can read his work. You also see him on ESPN 406 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:12,359 Speaker 2: Television and he's on the Java House Colbrew Coffee guest line, Stephen. 407 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:15,840 Speaker 2: In terms of the NFL calendar, the Combine is wrapping up. 408 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:18,960 Speaker 2: The draft is obviously upcoming in six weeks or so, 409 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 2: and this is the tag deadline day for the franchise tag. 410 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:26,240 Speaker 2: But what is next on the calendar for the Colts 411 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:28,919 Speaker 2: in terms of the work that Chris Ballard and the 412 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 2: Brass have to do, in terms of dates that we're 413 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 2: looking for things transactionally to take place. 414 00:24:35,920 --> 00:24:38,439 Speaker 3: Yeah, so today's obviously a big day. As you said, 415 00:24:39,080 --> 00:24:45,000 Speaker 3: the next mile post is Monday. That is when free 416 00:24:45,000 --> 00:24:49,360 Speaker 3: agents can have their agents take calls from other teams. 417 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:55,080 Speaker 3: Impending free agents, right, they can take calls from other teams, 418 00:24:55,080 --> 00:24:59,000 Speaker 3: They can negotiate, they can structure new deals. And that 419 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:01,679 Speaker 3: is why on Monday you are going to start seeing 420 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:06,399 Speaker 3: player X has agreed to terms with Team X and 421 00:25:06,440 --> 00:25:08,719 Speaker 3: we'll sign on Wednesday. You'll start seeing that on Monday. 422 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:13,040 Speaker 3: On Wednesday of next week, so eight days from now, 423 00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:17,160 Speaker 3: that is when the market actually opens the new league year, 424 00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 3: trades can commence and become official, actual new contracts can 425 00:25:24,560 --> 00:25:27,919 Speaker 3: be signed. And then everybody who's a free agent or 426 00:25:27,960 --> 00:25:30,639 Speaker 3: scheduled to be a free agent then is actually a 427 00:25:30,680 --> 00:25:34,119 Speaker 3: free agent, and if you are his original team, you 428 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:37,280 Speaker 3: no longer have control over that situation. So that's what 429 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:38,960 Speaker 3: you used to look for here. In the next few weeks. 430 00:25:39,080 --> 00:25:44,560 Speaker 3: Beyond that, we're also headed to the owners meetings I 431 00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 3: believe on March twenty eighth, and anticipate hearing from Carl 432 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:51,320 Speaker 3: Ersa Gordon at that point as well. 433 00:25:51,920 --> 00:25:54,560 Speaker 2: All Right, Steven, we appreciate the time as always, and 434 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:56,960 Speaker 2: the clock is a tick and we'll see whether or 435 00:25:57,040 --> 00:26:01,240 Speaker 2: not this tag gets placed. If they do on Daniel Jones, 436 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:05,639 Speaker 2: we will find out about it when, well. 437 00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:10,000 Speaker 3: Pretty soon after it happens. Frankly, the deadline four pm. 438 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:11,960 Speaker 3: So that's the best I can tell you. I don't 439 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:13,640 Speaker 3: think it would take long for the word to get out. 440 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:17,600 Speaker 3: But my understanding was they were going to continue working 441 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:20,200 Speaker 3: through the you know, up until the deadline, to try 442 00:26:20,200 --> 00:26:22,280 Speaker 3: to work something out today with both these guys. So 443 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:25,920 Speaker 3: I don't think it'll be a decision that that won't come. 444 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:27,880 Speaker 3: I think it will be a decision that comes down 445 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 3: at the last minute. 446 00:26:29,119 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 2: That way, all right, Steven, will let you get on 447 00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:33,679 Speaker 2: and I appreciate it as always, all right, you got it, 448 00:26:33,680 --> 00:26:33,959 Speaker 2: all right. 449 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 1: Steven Holder joining us on the program.