1 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:09,879 Speaker 1: Football is about the Jimmy's and Joe's and x'es and o's. 2 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 2: Check mill York votoot. 3 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 3: Thank you, Bruce. 4 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,680 Speaker 1: It's time to get out the chockboard and diagram some plays. 5 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:20,800 Speaker 1: Here's what all starts right here. Let's play day money. 6 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:23,439 Speaker 2: Christmas going on out here. 7 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: This is Inside Football with former Colts and NFL coach 8 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: Rick Venturie. 9 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 2: Training camp is in the rearview mirror, and preseason is 10 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:36,600 Speaker 2: done and over and now it's the calm before the storm. 11 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 2: Roster cuts have been made, the initial version of the 12 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 2: twenty twenty four Indianapolis Colts has been set, and we're 13 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:47,200 Speaker 2: just over week away from the NFL regular season twenty 14 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:49,880 Speaker 2: twenty four. We got a lot to break down, per usual. 15 00:00:50,200 --> 00:00:53,320 Speaker 2: Thanks for coming back here on Inside Football with Rick Venturrey. 16 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 2: I'm Matt Taylor and we are inside the Indiana Union 17 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 2: Construction Industry Radio studio today. Please to be on the 18 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 2: horn now with Rick, who has nearly thirty years of 19 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 2: NFL coaching background. RV welcome back today. You like these 20 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 2: these two weeks or so off between preseason and regular 21 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 2: season football nowadays? 22 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:13,399 Speaker 4: Oh? I really do, Matt. 23 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:14,680 Speaker 5: I would have loved to have it. 24 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:16,839 Speaker 4: In my day, everything was so. 25 00:01:16,880 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 5: Bunched into one week. Yeah cut, no doubt. 26 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:23,960 Speaker 3: Your your acquisition, your waiver wire, and yet you were 27 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:24,840 Speaker 3: getting ready. 28 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,640 Speaker 5: For the you know, all important opener. 29 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:28,360 Speaker 4: I think this. 30 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 3: Really gives everyone, and it's better for the. 31 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 5: Game this way. 32 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 3: I think it gives everyone a chance to make their 33 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 3: subtractions yep, you know, those being the cuts, possible additions. 34 00:01:41,560 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 3: You're always gonna pick up, you know, one or two 35 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 3: players on the waiver wire, and you can do that, 36 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:52,880 Speaker 3: you know, again without the pressure of that game week, 37 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 3: which really is until next week when you're really full 38 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 3: metal jacket on the Texans. 39 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 4: And so yeah, I really like that. 40 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:03,400 Speaker 3: Plus I think it gives you a couple of practices 41 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 3: still to be competitive, I think, which will help. 42 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 4: It's just kind of amazing. I mentioned this to you last. 43 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 3: Week going into it, going into the cut date, and 44 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 3: I mean this sincerely. I had more over the years, 45 00:02:17,240 --> 00:02:20,359 Speaker 3: over my twenty seven years in the league active coaching, 46 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 3: I had more arguments and battles over those last three 47 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 3: guys on the roster that fifty to fifty three than 48 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 3: I did the rest of the year. Because you have 49 00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 3: so many forces pulling one way or another. Special teams 50 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 3: has such an impact, and you're dealing with marginal players, 51 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:43,280 Speaker 3: you're dealing with gray area where it's a bit subjective, 52 00:02:43,400 --> 00:02:46,400 Speaker 3: you know, in that sense. So again, it was always 53 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:49,240 Speaker 3: a very tough week to me. This would have really 54 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 3: given me peace of mind to make even better decisions. 55 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:54,760 Speaker 3: And then you know, then game plan week you're on 56 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 3: your own. 57 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:57,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, no doubt about that, well said. All right, So 58 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,399 Speaker 2: a lot to get into today on this podcast, Rick, 59 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 2: As we mentioned the roster set the Colts had to 60 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:07,160 Speaker 2: make their final cuts on Tuesday. Let's begin there first, 61 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:10,080 Speaker 2: talk about some roster construction before we kind of wrap 62 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: up the preseason and talk about big picture things going 63 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 2: into week number one. First off, just some tidbits here. 64 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 2: As everybody knows, I mean, expect the roster to be 65 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:22,480 Speaker 2: fluid in the coming days. The Colts, just like every 66 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 2: team of the NFL, scours the waiver wire. By the way, 67 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 2: the Colts, they are fifteenth in the waiver process, which 68 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 2: is exactly the draft order last spring, by the way, 69 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 2: that's how that works. But Samson Ebicom and Cameron mcgroen 70 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 2: were the two players the Colts put on IR with 71 00:03:39,720 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 2: designations to possibly return later this season. Ebcom has a 72 00:03:44,400 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 2: slight outside chance of returning very late in the season. 73 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 2: Of course, he tore that achilles tending back in late 74 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:55,400 Speaker 2: July or red in the infancy of training camp. Jelanie 75 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 2: Woods will miss a second straight season. He was placed 76 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 2: on ir with the turf toe in and he was 77 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 2: not one of those designated players to return, so his 78 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 2: season is over. Sam Ellinger makes the roster as the 79 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:11,960 Speaker 2: team's third quarterback after the NFL vetoed a plan adopted 80 00:04:12,000 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 2: by the owners that would have permitted a team to 81 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 2: carry a third quarterback on the practice squad and then 82 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:21,120 Speaker 2: elevate him with an unlimited number of times on game day. 83 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 2: The Colts also have They've got ten offensive linemen, ten 84 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 2: defensive linemen, which reflects Chris Ballard's commitment and belief that 85 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 2: you got to win up front in the trenches, and 86 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 2: then offensive lineman Dalton Tucker. He's one of seven rookies 87 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 2: to make the cut and the only undrafted free agent 88 00:04:39,440 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 2: on the roster. That means the Colts have had at 89 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:45,400 Speaker 2: least one UDFA make the Week one roster in twenty 90 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,920 Speaker 2: four of the past twenty six seasons, so that's kind 91 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,360 Speaker 2: of the layout of how things went down on Tuesday. 92 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 2: Of course, we're taping this on Wednesday before Chris Ballard 93 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 2: meets with the media later on this afternoon. So, Rick, 94 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:02,360 Speaker 2: after you looked at the roster cuts, what jumped off 95 00:05:02,360 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 2: the page on offense when it comes to guys that 96 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 2: made the team or maybe didn't make the squad after 97 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:09,040 Speaker 2: the preseason. 98 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:12,280 Speaker 3: Well, I don't really on offense. To me, it was, 99 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 3: you know, just pretty much chalk. I mean, it was 100 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 3: almost I didn't have any surprises. I think the the NFLPA, 101 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 3: you know, made the quarterback situation. 102 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 4: They made that decision for us. 103 00:05:25,480 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 3: I mean, they made it to where, you know, you've 104 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 3: got to have the emergency quarterback on the fifty three 105 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 3: man rosters. So I think in that sense that they 106 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,760 Speaker 3: provided the you know that Ellinger is on the team, 107 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 3: not on There was speculation and I had it that 108 00:05:41,080 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 3: he might be on the practice squad, but now and 109 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 3: I think that that cost tole a position on the 110 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 3: fifty three. I mean, I think that would be the 111 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 3: only issue that you know, to me, would have been 112 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 3: a decision. To be honest with you, I'm in total 113 00:05:56,279 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 3: sync with the six receivers totals sink with the running backs. 114 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 4: Like I said, ho would have. 115 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 3: Been maybe an option if you didn't take Ellinger right 116 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 3: and then. And I'm totally in sync with the offensive line. 117 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:16,200 Speaker 3: I thought that Tucker really played his way on I 118 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 3: thought in some ways Matt he probably was the best 119 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 3: offensive lineman interior wise backup that that actually played over 120 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 3: the course of the whole preseason. And Pinter has experience 121 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:33,279 Speaker 3: at Garden Center Bordolini. If he can get that foot ready. 122 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 3: You know, he looked pretty good in the one game 123 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 3: that he played extensively. So you know, again we are 124 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:42,039 Speaker 3: what we are. You know, I'm not thrilled to death 125 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 3: with the backup edgees, but you know, at this point 126 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:48,200 Speaker 3: that's who you are, you know. I really there was 127 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 3: very little surprised to me. And once they vetoed the 128 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 3: practice squad emergency quarterback that to me it was just fixed. 129 00:06:57,200 --> 00:06:59,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, let's stay there. You had the injuries to Wesley 130 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:03,039 Speaker 2: Wrench and Josh Sills in the preseason, so that meant 131 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:06,599 Speaker 2: the Colts needed to find some new interior backups for 132 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:09,880 Speaker 2: the upcoming season. So you do have undrafted free agent 133 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 2: Dalton Tucker, Danny Pinter as well. Those are your options there. 134 00:07:13,960 --> 00:07:16,720 Speaker 2: But along that offensive line. Rick, You've got three rookies, 135 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:19,960 Speaker 2: a player in Pinter who didn't play last season, and 136 00:07:19,960 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 2: then Blake Freeland, who had an up and down camp 137 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 2: to say the least. So how much are you watching 138 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 2: early on that the depth of that offensive line and 139 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 2: and how much of that is is kind of underlined 140 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: for you going into the regular season. 141 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:34,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's that's kind of the that's kind of the 142 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 3: upside downside position on this team. You know, we're gonna 143 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 3: get into this later. I mean, I think our starting 144 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 3: offensive line is outstanding. I mean, I think it's outstanding. 145 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 3: I think it'll rank with you know, and I'm not 146 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 3: alone on that. I think that's a consensus. 147 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 4: You know. 148 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:55,800 Speaker 3: It's it's really as good as anybody in the league. 149 00:07:56,000 --> 00:08:00,160 Speaker 3: And yet I'm I'm really concerned with the backup. I 150 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 3: I don't think we're very deep at all. And I'm 151 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 3: really concerned because I thought our edge guys struggled, you know, Freeland, 152 00:08:08,320 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 3: although he you know, he hung in there a year ago, 153 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 3: so maybe he can find it real quick. You know, Gonsalves, 154 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 3: I thought he struggled in the game. He played extensively 155 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:21,360 Speaker 3: on the edge, actually looked better at guard. If you 156 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 3: want to know the truth. So, you know, like I said, 157 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 3: it's upside downside. I think it's a terrific starting lineup. 158 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 4: I think it's not. 159 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 5: Very deep at all. 160 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:33,720 Speaker 3: So let's just hope that, you know, let's just hope 161 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 3: that we go through one of those years where those 162 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:36,440 Speaker 3: guys do stay healthy. 163 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 2: Right, Yep, no doubt about that. I think it was 164 00:08:38,280 --> 00:08:41,520 Speaker 2: twenty nineteen the year the Colts had the same. Yeah, 165 00:08:41,760 --> 00:08:46,080 Speaker 2: five offensive starting lineup combinations. But you know, knock on wood, 166 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:48,880 Speaker 2: hopefully that's the case. But attrition, Yeah, in the trenches. 167 00:08:48,920 --> 00:08:51,319 Speaker 2: That always is a factor throughout the course of a 168 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 2: seventeen game marathon. All right, you've got the roster in 169 00:08:54,440 --> 00:08:56,880 Speaker 2: front of you, Rick, let's go to the defensive side. 170 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 2: Which defensive player who didn't make the team was probably 171 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:04,439 Speaker 2: the hardest decision the Colts had to make in your estimation, well, I. 172 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 3: Thought the toughest in the to me, the surprise decision. 173 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 3: This is a surprise decision. It shouldn't be a total 174 00:09:11,440 --> 00:09:15,959 Speaker 3: surprise because we're always going to go heavy with defensive linemen. Okay, we're, 175 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 3: in my opinion, over heavy, but that's beside the point. 176 00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 3: We're always going to go heavy. There but you know, 177 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:25,959 Speaker 3: if I were taking a team, I would have and 178 00:09:26,400 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 3: maybe you know, it might be because raykwon Davis. Still, 179 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 3: you know, there's a little bit of suspect us there 180 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 3: after missing so much time. 181 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:36,960 Speaker 4: I'm so happy that he did get in and. 182 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,760 Speaker 3: Playing that last game because I think he's critical. But 183 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 3: as far as the decision make, I would have had 184 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 3: a hard time keeping Brian and letting Abraham go. Okay, 185 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:50,640 Speaker 3: I would have had a really hard time with that 186 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:56,119 Speaker 3: because I just felt I just feel like that that basically, 187 00:09:56,520 --> 00:10:00,080 Speaker 3: unless we acquire somebody, which I think we probably will, well, 188 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:03,200 Speaker 3: we don't really have if we play a game tonight, 189 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:06,800 Speaker 3: we don't really have a backup to Kennymore. 190 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:06,880 Speaker 5: At the nickel. 191 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 3: You know that, And you're playing the nickel now. 192 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:10,320 Speaker 4: Seventy percent of the time. 193 00:10:10,400 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 5: It's more important to. 194 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 3: Have a backup nickel than than than a third linebacker, 195 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:18,080 Speaker 3: to tell you the truth. And so I'm I'm really 196 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 3: kind of surprised. I thought Abraham played well enough to say, 197 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 3: you know, he can be the backup and he's gonna grow, 198 00:10:24,800 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 3: you know, but instead they went with Brian, And to me, 199 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 3: the only reason I'm putting him in the game is 200 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 3: if and we'll go right back to like we did 201 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:36,960 Speaker 3: last year. It couldn't stop anybody, I you know, and 202 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 3: and if Raykwon Davis isn't ready because you know, basically, 203 00:10:40,559 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 3: I'm gonna play that eight. I'm not gonna play nine guys, 204 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:45,520 Speaker 3: for God's sake. I'm gonna play that eight. And I'll 205 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 3: even be careful how I play seven and eight. The 206 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 3: other thing on defense, the other thing that's kind of 207 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:54,679 Speaker 3: interesting to me, And it happened quick, so they were 208 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 3: definite about it. I'm still a little surprised at the 209 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:02,200 Speaker 3: Harrison thing, to be honest, because, like to me, that 210 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 3: last guy on defense would have been would have been 211 00:11:06,520 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 3: a decision between Harrison, Carlis, Denbo, and Stewart. I would 212 00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 3: have that to me, would have been the decision on 213 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:24,320 Speaker 3: the fifty third guy. Now, Denbo Stewart obviously have real 214 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 3: special teams value. Carliles is the guy that we're looking 215 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 3: as a real upside I don't think he's there right now, 216 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:35,480 Speaker 3: but you're looking at an upside guy. But you know, Harrison, 217 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,319 Speaker 3: he's made legitimate players last year. 218 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 5: I'm just watching the. 219 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 2: Game so much time at the end of the season, 220 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 2: and they were experimenting with him this summer as a 221 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:46,760 Speaker 2: possible starter at free safety. 222 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:50,080 Speaker 3: So what I what I and what I liked about that. 223 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 3: What I liked about that is you have him on 224 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 3: the team. You've got a guy that can play that will. 225 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 3: You've got a guy that can play. 226 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 5: Safety, at least strong safety. 227 00:11:58,040 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 3: And I'm watching the Texan game from next year and 228 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 3: he comes in the third corner, he comes off that 229 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:05,720 Speaker 3: edge and gets the back. You know, I'm like, you 230 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 3: know that. And again, to me, amongst those four guys, 231 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 3: you know, there would have been the odd man out 232 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 3: and I'm not sure in my book he would have 233 00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,480 Speaker 3: been that guy, but he is. So again, those are 234 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:21,200 Speaker 3: the only questions on defense, you know. Everything else to 235 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 3: me is chock is in terms of actually just making 236 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:26,400 Speaker 3: the fifty three man roster. 237 00:12:26,600 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 2: Let's stay in the secondary. The Colts ended up waiving 238 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:34,160 Speaker 2: three players from their most recent draft class, including a 239 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:38,480 Speaker 2: couple of corners, Mike Abraham and Jalen Simpson, which means 240 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:40,560 Speaker 2: now the Colts are pretty much running it back with 241 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:44,160 Speaker 2: their secondary from last year. By the way, as we're 242 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:48,160 Speaker 2: taping this right now, the Colts have claimed Samuel Wollmack 243 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 2: off of waivers. He was waived by the forty nine ers. 244 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 2: Just a quick synopsis on him. He's in year number 245 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:58,439 Speaker 2: three out of Toledo, played twenty three games, has one start, 246 00:12:58,520 --> 00:13:02,319 Speaker 2: been primarily a special team player. But again in essence 247 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 2: here you're pretty much running it back with the same 248 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:08,520 Speaker 2: secondary with Kenny Moore of the second and Jalen Jones 249 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:12,040 Speaker 2: and Juju brientz Rick. So just your thoughts on the 250 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:14,840 Speaker 2: same guys that tried to grow up in short order 251 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:16,719 Speaker 2: last year that are trying to do the same thing 252 00:13:16,800 --> 00:13:19,760 Speaker 2: this year. As you know, Jones and and Brent's are 253 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 2: going into year number two and they're playing pivotal roles. 254 00:13:22,760 --> 00:13:25,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, and they really didn't have camps. I mean, you know, 255 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:30,760 Speaker 3: I thought actually as far as actual playing time, actual 256 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 3: perference in the training camp, you know, Baker to me 257 00:13:35,720 --> 00:13:37,679 Speaker 3: was the best day in and day out. I mean, 258 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 3: he was at the absolute best of the four. What 259 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,839 Speaker 3: I didn't like was I didn't think they did a 260 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 3: very good job of press. I know, we want to 261 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 3: press more. Didn't do a very good job on the 262 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 3: line of scrimmage. Thus were in trail positions all the time. 263 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:56,280 Speaker 3: We had an inordinate amount of penalties. Each guy at 264 00:13:56,360 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 3: least had one critical penalty every day, so you know that. Obviously, 265 00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:06,520 Speaker 3: the corner position is my biggest, biggest concern on this team, 266 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 3: to be honest with you, and so we'll just have 267 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:11,320 Speaker 3: to see how that goes. And you know, if you 268 00:14:11,360 --> 00:14:13,680 Speaker 3: were going to make a move, you you know, the 269 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:18,760 Speaker 3: Coats made the decision. Actually in March they said, you know, 270 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:21,520 Speaker 3: we're good enough to win out there. So now you know, 271 00:14:21,640 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 3: now you're accountable one way or another. The only other 272 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 3: thing that we didn't add, it's a playback, except that 273 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 3: a year ago we did keep that extra nickel. You know, 274 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:35,360 Speaker 3: it was Tony Brown for a while, then it was Lamon's. 275 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:39,080 Speaker 3: So you know when I when I said before that 276 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 3: I would I would have made the decision the other 277 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 3: way between Brian in Abraham. But it wouldn't necessarily have 278 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:48,120 Speaker 3: been Abraham. It would have been Abraham or Lamont because 279 00:14:48,680 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 3: in every decision they went with veterans not rookies. So 280 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:54,640 Speaker 3: you know, but I still think that we went with 281 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:57,480 Speaker 3: and maybe the new kid coming from San Francisco has 282 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:00,880 Speaker 3: some nickel ability, but I think that's that's a void 283 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 3: that kind of scares me. 284 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 2: All right, Rick, I want to double back to to offense, 285 00:15:04,600 --> 00:15:08,120 Speaker 2: as we said that the Jilanni Woods news really unfortunate 286 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 2: for him. It's really unfortunate for the team considering what 287 00:15:11,320 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 2: they thought they might be getting with his unique skill set. 288 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 2: But again placed on season ending injured reserve a turf 289 00:15:18,600 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: toe injury that he suffered in that second preseason game 290 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 2: against the Cardinals. All of this coming off a season 291 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 2: last year where he didn't play a snap had multiple 292 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:32,000 Speaker 2: hamstring injuries. What is Woods looking at now with the 293 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 2: Colts and his future and what are the Colts looking 294 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:36,800 Speaker 2: at with the options they have going into the season 295 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 2: at tight end? 296 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,960 Speaker 3: Rick Well, you know, I mean in one way, it's 297 00:15:41,120 --> 00:15:43,320 Speaker 3: really tough, and it's a gut punch and it's just 298 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:46,200 Speaker 3: a gut punch to Jilani. You know, a guy that 299 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 3: we thought, you know, was going to end. 300 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 5: Up being the best, the most. 301 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 3: Talented, the guy we felt like could block the edge 302 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 3: and get vertical, you know, and it just didn't happen, 303 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,360 Speaker 3: It didn't unfold, and then the injury to cost him 304 00:15:58,360 --> 00:16:00,480 Speaker 3: another year is just terrible. 305 00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:01,760 Speaker 5: It's it's a gut punch. 306 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 3: You know, where his future is from there, you know 307 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:08,400 Speaker 3: that's going to be really in question in another way, 308 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,840 Speaker 3: and not necessarily a good way, but it clears up 309 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 3: the position because now you don't have to choose, you know, 310 00:16:15,600 --> 00:16:17,000 Speaker 3: who is one through four? 311 00:16:17,160 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 5: You have one through four, and. 312 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 3: You know there isn't greatness there at any position. But 313 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 3: there's guys that have different kinds of skills. I think 314 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:28,320 Speaker 3: the primary two guys, you know, will be Moalley and 315 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 3: we'll be Grantson and then you know, and running you 316 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:32,920 Speaker 3: want to play two tight ends and a running down, 317 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:35,160 Speaker 3: it's going to be Ogle. 318 00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 4: Tree, you know. 319 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:38,120 Speaker 3: If you want to get another pass receiver in there. 320 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 3: Sometimes on the inside, you know, you go with Mallory personally, 321 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 3: and this this is just I'm just preaching to the 322 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:49,520 Speaker 3: winds here. I like, like the Texans and like both 323 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:52,760 Speaker 3: teams would much rather have three tight ends in a 324 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 3: fullback because we don't really have an interior blocker like 325 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 3: Doyle used to be a guy that you could play 326 00:16:59,680 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 3: as a full back and we don't. 327 00:17:01,240 --> 00:17:01,960 Speaker 5: Really have that. 328 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:07,200 Speaker 3: In that that takes away some running offense against modern 329 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:07,920 Speaker 3: day defense. 330 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 4: But in a sense, we are what we are. 331 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:12,439 Speaker 3: I think we can get I think Mo did a 332 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:13,960 Speaker 3: little bit of that last year. 333 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 4: And so you know, we you know, we got to 334 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 4: go with it. 335 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 3: We're not great to tight end, but it's also not 336 00:17:19,880 --> 00:17:21,440 Speaker 3: I don't think it's a liability either. 337 00:17:21,880 --> 00:17:22,199 Speaker 5: All right. 338 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:24,640 Speaker 2: So again that's the skinny from Rick Vin Terry right 339 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 2: there on the roster breakdown, the initial fifty three man roster. 340 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:31,600 Speaker 2: But let's talk about your areas with the Colts. Rick, 341 00:17:31,680 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 2: thirteen practices in the month of August, three joint workouts, 342 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 2: three preseason games. The big question is, and we'll remain 343 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:42,560 Speaker 2: that until we see it on September eighth, Rick, where 344 00:17:42,600 --> 00:17:45,920 Speaker 2: is Anthony Richardson? You know, last week against the Bengals 345 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:49,080 Speaker 2: he played twenty five snaps, eight for fourteen in the 346 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 2: passing game, a touchdown pass on the first drive of 347 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:54,199 Speaker 2: the game, but also through a pick six on the 348 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,560 Speaker 2: next drive. So big picture question, Rick, how do you 349 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 2: sum up Richardson's pre seas and just your thoughts on 350 00:18:01,920 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 2: him going into a mega game right out of the gate. 351 00:18:05,720 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I think the two biggest areas of 352 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:12,560 Speaker 3: that that I will be nervous about, not necessarily you know, scared, 353 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:15,640 Speaker 3: but nervous about, will be where is AAR five? 354 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:17,680 Speaker 5: And you know, where are corners? 355 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:22,000 Speaker 4: You know, just somewhat I've seen and I don't know. 356 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:24,920 Speaker 3: That it's fair because they used him differently this year 357 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:27,840 Speaker 3: than they did as a rookie. I don't know that 358 00:18:27,920 --> 00:18:32,480 Speaker 3: it's a fair evaluation. They put much more emphasis with him, 359 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 3: particularly in games on the dropback game, you know, trying 360 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 3: to reform the you know, be find the dropback issues, 361 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:42,439 Speaker 3: you know, whereas a rookie, he came in here and 362 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:44,480 Speaker 3: they ran him. They ran him in all those zone 363 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:47,639 Speaker 3: reads and man, he was impressive, and I think it. 364 00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:50,399 Speaker 3: I think it even made his passing game better. I 365 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:53,640 Speaker 3: didn't feel like as a rookie that he was uneven. 366 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:54,040 Speaker 5: I was. 367 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 3: I thought he was way ahead of the count. But 368 00:18:56,520 --> 00:19:00,439 Speaker 3: I think this summer there's been undevenness in this play. 369 00:19:00,960 --> 00:19:01,159 Speaker 5: You know. 370 00:19:01,200 --> 00:19:04,199 Speaker 3: I'm hoping when they get the whole package, you know, 371 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 3: and his legs are part of it, that all of 372 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 3: a sudden it's different, you know. I think I think 373 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 3: the more no huddle, the more fast pace You've mentioned this, 374 00:19:15,440 --> 00:19:18,800 Speaker 3: I totally agree. The more fast pace that he plays 375 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:21,399 Speaker 3: with I think it helps him and it reduces how 376 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 3: much defense you see defensive coordinators splinter down against fans 377 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,160 Speaker 3: fast pace, and I think he plays just a little 378 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 3: bit more on instinct, doesn't try to overthink it. You 379 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 3: know what I've noticed in the dropback game. I've noticed 380 00:19:34,960 --> 00:19:40,720 Speaker 3: two things. I've noticed inconsistency reads in inconsistency and accuracy. 381 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 3: And when I look at it, when I analyze it, 382 00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:46,080 Speaker 3: it's when I when I look at him now, and 383 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:48,119 Speaker 3: I think they've coached the heck out of him to 384 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 3: be a quick decision maker, just really you know, quick 385 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:53,000 Speaker 3: find it. 386 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 4: And he's a smart guy. 387 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:56,120 Speaker 3: It's not like he's not. But I think they've really 388 00:19:56,560 --> 00:19:59,360 Speaker 3: worked in the off season the NFL part of the game, 389 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:03,199 Speaker 3: quick to s visions and you know the old Johnny 390 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:08,919 Speaker 3: Ludin quote, you know, play quick, but don't hurry. I 391 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:12,840 Speaker 3: actually feel like that he's playing in a hurry okay 392 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:15,800 Speaker 3: in the dropback game, and you know, at times it 393 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 3: works to like if he gets a blitz, you know, 394 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 3: like he did on the first series, and he gets 395 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:22,679 Speaker 3: it out real quick, it looks great. But like on 396 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 3: the option route the miscommunication, he didn't have to throw 397 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:28,520 Speaker 3: it that quick. He could have let it develop, you 398 00:20:28,520 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 3: know what I'm saying. And then when he doesn't have 399 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 3: it right away, he feels like he's got to make 400 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:36,120 Speaker 3: a secondary decision, and that's when he tends to make 401 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:41,639 Speaker 3: the the the incompletion kind of the airmail throw or 402 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:46,160 Speaker 3: overthrows to a running back in the first level, and 403 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 3: so I think they just got to settle him down 404 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 3: a little bit, you know. You know, I like, I 405 00:20:50,760 --> 00:20:53,679 Speaker 3: always love that term, you know, play quick, but don't hurry, 406 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:56,760 Speaker 3: and I feel like he's in a hurry. I just 407 00:20:56,800 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 3: feel like he's hurried too much. And so I think 408 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 3: that going to be important. I think I think the 409 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:04,639 Speaker 3: fact that against the Texas, you're going to turn him loose, 410 00:21:05,119 --> 00:21:07,399 Speaker 3: you're going to play him. You have to have an 411 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:11,840 Speaker 3: a component with him. I know people fear injury, and 412 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:14,640 Speaker 3: it was smart not to do it in preseason, that's 413 00:21:14,680 --> 00:21:17,640 Speaker 3: for sure, but when you get into regular season, that's 414 00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:19,280 Speaker 3: just got to be part of your offense. And I 415 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:23,000 Speaker 3: think he's better for that. Certainly, it makes the whole 416 00:21:23,080 --> 00:21:26,119 Speaker 3: team better. And then I think what that does is 417 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,320 Speaker 3: that makes the play action game really good, you know, 418 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,400 Speaker 3: which then makes his job a lot easier. 419 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 2: Now you mentioned that tempo that richardson and we've talked 420 00:21:34,760 --> 00:21:37,879 Speaker 2: about this before. The tempo in which he seems to 421 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:41,240 Speaker 2: be playing his best is when the offense is kind of, 422 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:43,320 Speaker 2: for lack of a better term, in that two minute 423 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:46,640 Speaker 2: offensive mode, how much, how much should that be featured? 424 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:51,280 Speaker 2: How prevalent should that be outside of those two minute 425 00:21:51,320 --> 00:21:52,640 Speaker 2: and four minute situations. 426 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:55,919 Speaker 3: Well, unless your defense falls on its face, which I 427 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:59,359 Speaker 3: don't think it will. You know, the only thing about 428 00:21:59,359 --> 00:22:03,119 Speaker 3: going no if you don't have a solid defense, what 429 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:05,439 Speaker 3: you do is is if you're three and out, you 430 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 3: put the defense on the field twice as much and 431 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 3: with twice as much time. That's kind of a big 432 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,439 Speaker 3: picture view that as a head coach you have to 433 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:17,119 Speaker 3: think about. But I think we're solid, and so I 434 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 3: see no reason not to play a lot of no huddle. 435 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 3: To tell you the truth, because again you just touched 436 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,480 Speaker 3: on the two things. The first thing is and I've 437 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 3: been that defensive coordinator calling him against the Bills and 438 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 3: the K gun and all that stuff, And I'm telling you, 439 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:35,280 Speaker 3: no matter what you think, you end up pairing down 440 00:22:35,680 --> 00:22:38,200 Speaker 3: the amount of defense you play when there's fast temple 441 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:44,199 Speaker 3: because you can't have a miscommunication your sophisticated defenses that 442 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,760 Speaker 3: takes some check with me, you kind of eliminate and 443 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 3: so that eliminates that tough stuff for him. And then 444 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:54,120 Speaker 3: it's just there's just something about him. He just seems 445 00:22:54,160 --> 00:22:56,480 Speaker 3: to and we saw it even when he was having 446 00:22:56,480 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 3: a bad day. He resurrected it with a two minute 447 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:03,040 Speaker 3: drill and Cincinnati in the in the practices is once 448 00:23:03,080 --> 00:23:06,439 Speaker 3: he gets playing fast, it's just like the instinct takes 449 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:09,440 Speaker 3: over and he's not overthinking it all right. 450 00:23:09,480 --> 00:23:12,680 Speaker 2: Elsewhere on offense, Rick, going into the season, Oh, if 451 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:14,679 Speaker 2: you look back at last year, you know the Colts 452 00:23:14,680 --> 00:23:18,320 Speaker 2: obviously deficient at times. Yeah, and the big plays and 453 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,080 Speaker 2: you know guys on the outside being able to separate. 454 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:23,919 Speaker 2: You know, some of that was the Gardner Minshew effect. 455 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:25,840 Speaker 2: And we don't need to go down that road again. 456 00:23:25,880 --> 00:23:28,640 Speaker 2: But where are the Colts at in that regard going 457 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:29,639 Speaker 2: into the regular season. 458 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:32,520 Speaker 3: Well, I think we've got a chance to be just 459 00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:35,600 Speaker 3: light years better. I think first of all, you know 460 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:40,119 Speaker 3: with richardson now and once you add the running development, 461 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:45,320 Speaker 3: the zone read, the RPOs, you know, the predetermined runs. Now, 462 00:23:45,520 --> 00:23:48,480 Speaker 3: what you've done. Okay, first of all, what you've done 463 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:51,320 Speaker 3: is you've created. Now here's the stress you put on 464 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:54,240 Speaker 3: the defense. I'm going to simplify it. There's two ways 465 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:56,480 Speaker 3: you can play him. You can play them and you 466 00:23:56,520 --> 00:23:59,200 Speaker 3: can try to play soft on the edges and kind 467 00:23:59,240 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 3: of play the old option football that you and I 468 00:24:01,880 --> 00:24:04,560 Speaker 3: remember when you played the wishbone and the veer and 469 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:07,960 Speaker 3: those outside backers or defensive ends kind of played that 470 00:24:08,040 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 3: what we call hang and break flutter technique. Now, when 471 00:24:11,760 --> 00:24:15,120 Speaker 3: you do that and you soften that inside, you give 472 00:24:15,160 --> 00:24:19,440 Speaker 3: your home run hitter Jonathan Taylor more chances to get 473 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 3: in space. Right now, So you know, Richardson's runs have 474 00:24:23,600 --> 00:24:26,359 Speaker 3: an effect on how they play the front seven. Now, 475 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:28,920 Speaker 3: if they go the other way, if they just load 476 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:32,760 Speaker 3: it and play nine inside, play those safeties type and 477 00:24:32,880 --> 00:24:36,920 Speaker 3: spin them, which I probably would do against us, then 478 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:41,280 Speaker 3: what you've created is one on one situations on the outside, 479 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 3: one on one, and that's what you want. So I think, 480 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:46,119 Speaker 3: I think you have a chance to pick up the 481 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:51,000 Speaker 3: explosive plays from Richardson, which makes an effect on Taylor. 482 00:24:51,560 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 3: And then I think, and here's what I see our 483 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:57,120 Speaker 3: receiver record of me when we get downs back. Now 484 00:24:57,320 --> 00:24:58,879 Speaker 3: we have to get that's the cab ya. We have 485 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:02,199 Speaker 3: to have downs back because he's critical. I think we 486 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:05,400 Speaker 3: can survive till he gets back. But to be elite, 487 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:08,000 Speaker 3: I think our receiver corps has a chance to go 488 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:11,120 Speaker 3: from worst position on the team to first I think 489 00:25:11,119 --> 00:25:13,359 Speaker 3: it has a chance to go from worse to first 490 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:16,399 Speaker 3: because there are three things that I've seen, and Pittman 491 00:25:16,480 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 3: isn't known. Pittman isn't inside do all the dirty work. 492 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,840 Speaker 3: He'll catch volumes between the numbers. But here's what you 493 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:25,840 Speaker 3: have big play wise, I think Pierce is playing better 494 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:29,320 Speaker 3: than he ever has, and and particularly what I've liked 495 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:32,040 Speaker 3: about him is the fifty to fifty ball. He's really 496 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:35,359 Speaker 3: competed for it better than ever with his speed, you 497 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:37,600 Speaker 3: got a chance on one on one to get plays 498 00:25:37,680 --> 00:25:44,960 Speaker 3: or interference penalties. I think Downs is an absolute outside, inside, seen, inside, 499 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:48,719 Speaker 3: over route guy can catch it and run it. I 500 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:51,840 Speaker 3: think he's if he can stay healthy the whole season, 501 00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:54,920 Speaker 3: big play guy. And of course I think Mitchell brings 502 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:57,560 Speaker 3: us something that we just haven't had, and that is 503 00:25:57,640 --> 00:26:01,240 Speaker 3: an all purpose guy outside the numbers that can run 504 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 3: by you, that can make a tough catch. And he 505 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:07,480 Speaker 3: and Downs are by far the best separators we have. 506 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 4: I mean, Nate, you get one on one, they. 507 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:12,119 Speaker 3: Can separate from you. And so all of a sudden 508 00:26:12,640 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 3: to me, a healthy Downs and all and all those 509 00:26:16,800 --> 00:26:19,480 Speaker 3: things put together, I think we have a chance to 510 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:21,399 Speaker 3: be much much more explosive. 511 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:23,159 Speaker 2: All right, then let's go over to the defense. We 512 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:26,200 Speaker 2: talked about the defensive line. You know, the consistency there 513 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:29,640 Speaker 2: between the Forest Buckner and Grover Stewart, but needing some 514 00:26:29,840 --> 00:26:32,919 Speaker 2: stability because those guys can't play every snap and you 515 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:35,120 Speaker 2: know they're getting getting kind of up there in terms 516 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:36,720 Speaker 2: of age, but still want you know, two of the 517 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:41,320 Speaker 2: best players interior wise along defenses. But we talked about 518 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:44,919 Speaker 2: Rake One Davis and Ata Tomawata Barre. So you know 519 00:26:45,040 --> 00:26:48,359 Speaker 2: those guys coming in and giving Buckner and Stewart a 520 00:26:48,400 --> 00:26:51,040 Speaker 2: breather so that the defense doesn't lose its edge against 521 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:54,200 Speaker 2: the run. Let's go linebacker Zaire Franklin and e J. 522 00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:54,800 Speaker 5: Speed. 523 00:26:54,840 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 2: They make up one of the best linebacker tandems in 524 00:26:57,800 --> 00:27:00,439 Speaker 2: the NFL. Rick, But what's your conference level and the 525 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:02,800 Speaker 2: rest of that group at the linebacker spot. 526 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:03,720 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, I. 527 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:06,320 Speaker 3: Think that's a that's a little bit like the offensive line. 528 00:27:06,520 --> 00:27:10,400 Speaker 3: I think it's a I think our our first two 529 00:27:10,400 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 3: guys are our two stack guys. You know, I think 530 00:27:13,800 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 3: they're entering the premier linebacker to some I really do. 531 00:27:18,119 --> 00:27:21,600 Speaker 3: I you know, I love those guys. I've loved him 532 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:24,480 Speaker 3: when we when we signed them. Uh, to me, they 533 00:27:24,520 --> 00:27:27,679 Speaker 3: had all the elements. How they ended up, you know, 534 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:31,439 Speaker 3: on that third day is really unimportant. The fact is 535 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,360 Speaker 3: that this that ballad is a master of the third day. 536 00:27:34,480 --> 00:27:36,800 Speaker 3: And he he brought those two guys in. 537 00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:38,800 Speaker 4: I mean, do you think about Zayer. 538 00:27:39,119 --> 00:27:42,040 Speaker 3: He wasn't even our first seventh, he was our second seventh. 539 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 3: And they and and they just and they do it all. 540 00:27:45,600 --> 00:27:48,800 Speaker 3: I mean, they've got you know, Zaire has great leadership. 541 00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:49,600 Speaker 4: You know, he's a. 542 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:54,280 Speaker 3: Brilliant football guy out there and a tremendous tackling machine. 543 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:56,120 Speaker 5: I think speed was. 544 00:27:56,119 --> 00:27:58,040 Speaker 3: Just I think it took too long to get him 545 00:27:58,040 --> 00:28:00,560 Speaker 3: in there. I think he can do it. I think 546 00:28:00,600 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 3: he can play the pass. I think he can blitz. 547 00:28:03,600 --> 00:28:05,960 Speaker 5: You know, he's a huge man. You know this. I 548 00:28:06,000 --> 00:28:08,160 Speaker 5: mean you get up to speed and you get next 549 00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:08,640 Speaker 5: to him and. 550 00:28:08,560 --> 00:28:10,600 Speaker 3: You're like kind of shocked at how. 551 00:28:10,480 --> 00:28:11,000 Speaker 5: Big he is. 552 00:28:11,440 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 3: And those two guys are I think are terrific. 553 00:28:13,920 --> 00:28:14,600 Speaker 4: Like I said, I. 554 00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:17,320 Speaker 3: You know, I'll take those two with any two probably 555 00:28:17,359 --> 00:28:20,960 Speaker 3: in the league now. I think Alubi is a kid 556 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:23,960 Speaker 3: that can play in spots, you know. I think, you know, 557 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:26,640 Speaker 3: like he's the third guy in the base I think, 558 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:27,679 Speaker 3: which is good that's. 559 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:28,440 Speaker 5: A thirty percent. 560 00:28:29,280 --> 00:28:32,280 Speaker 3: I don't believe that he is in their class. If 561 00:28:32,520 --> 00:28:35,640 Speaker 3: if he had to play sixty minutes, I think he'd 562 00:28:35,640 --> 00:28:37,560 Speaker 3: give you a good day's work. I think in a 563 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:41,160 Speaker 3: shorter you know, in a shorter span, in a snapshot, 564 00:28:41,560 --> 00:28:45,760 Speaker 3: he'll be productive like he was. And he's definitely third. 565 00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:49,280 Speaker 3: You know, I think Carlisles is a guy with talent 566 00:28:49,400 --> 00:28:53,160 Speaker 3: and upside. You know, I really question if he's ready 567 00:28:53,240 --> 00:28:55,600 Speaker 3: to do much right now, and he didn't get a 568 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 3: ton of preseason work, so you know he'll be a 569 00:29:00,080 --> 00:29:03,440 Speaker 3: he'll be more of a prospect. And then Stuart, really, 570 00:29:03,960 --> 00:29:06,720 Speaker 3: you know, Stuart is a guy that you don't want 571 00:29:06,720 --> 00:29:09,200 Speaker 3: to play very much. He's a terrific special teams guy, 572 00:29:09,600 --> 00:29:12,120 Speaker 3: but he's he's a guy that you know doesn't handle 573 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:14,520 Speaker 3: space very well if he really has to play linebacker. 574 00:29:14,560 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 3: But again, his value, as we know, is on special teams. 575 00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 3: But I think in a sense, and I think it's 576 00:29:22,080 --> 00:29:24,800 Speaker 3: a position we don't ever talk about. We I think 577 00:29:24,800 --> 00:29:27,960 Speaker 3: we feel secure with those two guys, but they're to me, 578 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:30,280 Speaker 3: it's like the offensive line, there's a big drop off 579 00:29:30,400 --> 00:29:31,880 Speaker 3: once we get past those two guys. 580 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:35,080 Speaker 2: Rick, I want to close out specifically on defense. Let's 581 00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:37,680 Speaker 2: go back to the secondary spot. We talked about those corners, 582 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:40,080 Speaker 2: but I want to wrap up with the safeties. And 583 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,560 Speaker 2: this is just straight to the point. Rick is Nick Cross? 584 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:46,120 Speaker 2: Is he ready for seventeen games as the starters. 585 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:47,240 Speaker 5: I think he's got to be, Matt. 586 00:29:47,320 --> 00:29:49,000 Speaker 3: I think he's really got to be. And I you 587 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 3: know what, I'm gonna buy it. You know, it's tough 588 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:55,040 Speaker 3: when that's like when I go bet on the horses 589 00:29:55,120 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 3: and you've got great pedigree. You know, He's had a 590 00:29:58,320 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 3: couple of seconds. 591 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 4: In a but I'm ready. 592 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:04,600 Speaker 3: You know what, I tell you what, I take my 593 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:06,440 Speaker 3: hat off. I really took my hat off to him, 594 00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:08,640 Speaker 3: you know. And we talked about this last week. I mean, 595 00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:12,840 Speaker 3: you know, after the down situations, I think everybody. 596 00:30:12,440 --> 00:30:13,880 Speaker 5: Wanted him on the next train. 597 00:30:13,720 --> 00:30:17,640 Speaker 3: Out and he just he really played well in the 598 00:30:17,720 --> 00:30:20,280 Speaker 3: two games, and I think the Colts were really smart 599 00:30:20,760 --> 00:30:24,960 Speaker 3: in making him play extended even when everybody else wasn't 600 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:26,960 Speaker 3: in there, and just get in there and say hey 601 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:31,080 Speaker 3: win it, just go play. I particularly was happy with 602 00:30:31,120 --> 00:30:34,640 Speaker 3: the Ladder game. I personally would love to see him 603 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:37,479 Speaker 3: a little bit more strong safety with black men at 604 00:30:37,480 --> 00:30:41,280 Speaker 3: free safety, but in reality, they will be interchangeable the 605 00:30:41,280 --> 00:30:45,080 Speaker 3: more split safety you play, and formations can force you 606 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 3: to be free and strong. So but the only thing 607 00:30:48,160 --> 00:30:52,720 Speaker 3: I will say is we moved those guys around in 608 00:30:52,800 --> 00:30:56,120 Speaker 3: the preseason, and I think that was really smart because 609 00:30:56,160 --> 00:31:00,400 Speaker 3: you take that final inventory on who's best where. But 610 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:03,520 Speaker 3: when you get into regular season, it's totally different game. 611 00:31:03,600 --> 00:31:09,160 Speaker 3: The game is more complex, formation, variants, movement, and so 612 00:31:09,320 --> 00:31:14,600 Speaker 3: it's not the the preseason is simple. It's simplistic football. 613 00:31:14,880 --> 00:31:17,680 Speaker 3: So you got to be careful with that decision. I 614 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:20,720 Speaker 3: think we put a cross strong safety and just leave 615 00:31:20,800 --> 00:31:21,160 Speaker 3: him there. 616 00:31:21,280 --> 00:31:22,040 Speaker 4: You know what I'm saying. 617 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:24,520 Speaker 3: And black men at free safety, I don't think you 618 00:31:24,600 --> 00:31:25,760 Speaker 3: wanted to blackmen. 619 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:26,440 Speaker 5: It wouldn't matter. 620 00:31:26,480 --> 00:31:30,240 Speaker 3: You can play black men either one interchangeably in a game. 621 00:31:30,400 --> 00:31:33,640 Speaker 2: And he's got wants to play free safety. 622 00:31:33,680 --> 00:31:35,960 Speaker 3: That's where he I want and I want him to 623 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,480 Speaker 3: be free safety because you know, I've said this so 624 00:31:38,520 --> 00:31:41,560 Speaker 3: many times that that last line of defense, I want 625 00:31:41,600 --> 00:31:44,160 Speaker 3: it to be flawless. And he's a guy that can 626 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:47,840 Speaker 3: handle wide receivers deep, he can handle breakouts, and he 627 00:31:47,920 --> 00:31:50,560 Speaker 3: can come off that back end and come up and 628 00:31:50,600 --> 00:31:53,720 Speaker 3: blow your your your your tail up. For some you know, 629 00:31:53,800 --> 00:31:57,000 Speaker 3: some big plays. Plus, I don't think you want to 630 00:31:57,200 --> 00:32:01,280 Speaker 3: overburden Cross with moving or round too much because, as 631 00:32:01,320 --> 00:32:04,600 Speaker 3: I said, once you get in that Pensing game, that 632 00:32:04,760 --> 00:32:08,120 Speaker 3: is a whole different game than that preseason. 633 00:32:08,280 --> 00:32:10,320 Speaker 2: Ye have no doubt about that. Well said, all right, 634 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:13,280 Speaker 2: let's go special teams. Rick the Colts. They really don't 635 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:17,040 Speaker 2: seem to have too much worry or panic over the 636 00:32:17,080 --> 00:32:19,000 Speaker 2: fact that Matt Gay went one for four in the 637 00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:22,400 Speaker 2: preseason and and game work. But in joint workouts and 638 00:32:22,400 --> 00:32:24,880 Speaker 2: in practice he was clutch as always. So do you 639 00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:26,760 Speaker 2: stand in line with the Colts. Matt Gay is going 640 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:29,760 Speaker 2: to be Matt Gay, you know, consistency wise, and you know, 641 00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:31,480 Speaker 2: for lack of a better term, live up to the 642 00:32:31,520 --> 00:32:33,960 Speaker 2: back of his football card going into the regular season. 643 00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:40,680 Speaker 3: My come in on that is, come on, man, I understand, Hey, 644 00:32:40,720 --> 00:32:43,040 Speaker 3: I get it. I I you know, I saw him 645 00:32:43,080 --> 00:32:46,040 Speaker 3: win games for us and and and then I saw 646 00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:50,160 Speaker 3: him you know, certainly not kick to the reputation I 647 00:32:50,160 --> 00:32:52,000 Speaker 3: would have I would have liked to see it a 648 00:32:52,080 --> 00:32:56,600 Speaker 3: little bit better in the preseason because you know, you know, 649 00:32:57,000 --> 00:32:59,120 Speaker 3: you can do anything in practice. I mean, you know, 650 00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:01,240 Speaker 3: it's just that's why you got to be real careful. 651 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:03,640 Speaker 3: I think both of us have learned from twenty two. 652 00:33:03,760 --> 00:33:07,360 Speaker 3: Let's don't over evaluate practice. I mean in preseason, he's 653 00:33:07,400 --> 00:33:11,280 Speaker 3: just because they're when you're not tackling, when everything isn't live. 654 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:13,760 Speaker 5: When the lights aren't on, it's it's different. 655 00:33:13,840 --> 00:33:14,520 Speaker 4: It's different. 656 00:33:14,920 --> 00:33:18,680 Speaker 3: And so game competition is still your number one evaluator. 657 00:33:18,840 --> 00:33:21,240 Speaker 3: And you know, I want him to find it. I'm 658 00:33:21,360 --> 00:33:24,520 Speaker 3: I've been a little and I think we all have been. 659 00:33:24,800 --> 00:33:26,920 Speaker 3: And I think the cold, if they were candid, would 660 00:33:26,960 --> 00:33:29,440 Speaker 3: tell you they were a little surprised. They thought that 661 00:33:29,480 --> 00:33:32,240 Speaker 3: you know, this was this was in c men. I'm 662 00:33:32,280 --> 00:33:35,800 Speaker 3: not sure yet, but you know, hope, hopefully that they 663 00:33:35,960 --> 00:33:37,960 Speaker 3: that having no concerns. 664 00:33:37,480 --> 00:33:38,240 Speaker 5: Is the right way to be. 665 00:33:38,600 --> 00:33:41,400 Speaker 2: What does what's the old school ball coach? And you 666 00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:42,760 Speaker 2: think of the new kickoff rules? 667 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:46,240 Speaker 3: Hi, the old school ball coach absolutely loves it. I 668 00:33:46,400 --> 00:33:50,200 Speaker 3: think it's you know, it's added a play. It'll be 669 00:33:50,240 --> 00:33:53,400 Speaker 3: interesting to see. You know, some teams may just kick 670 00:33:53,440 --> 00:33:55,440 Speaker 3: it in the end zone and put it on the thirty. 671 00:33:55,800 --> 00:33:57,800 Speaker 3: You know, if they if they would despice that rule 672 00:33:57,880 --> 00:33:59,960 Speaker 3: up a little bit more right, they may have put 673 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:02,280 Speaker 3: that they may have put that touchback on the thirty five. 674 00:34:02,360 --> 00:34:04,160 Speaker 2: I agree with you because I'm just. 675 00:34:04,320 --> 00:34:06,400 Speaker 5: Really punished it, and I agree you. 676 00:34:06,680 --> 00:34:09,600 Speaker 2: I'm just playing Devil's advocate there because you're right at 677 00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:10,120 Speaker 2: the thirty. 678 00:34:10,239 --> 00:34:12,239 Speaker 3: I don't, you know, as a defensive coach, I don't 679 00:34:12,239 --> 00:34:14,000 Speaker 3: mind you getting the ball in the thirty you know, 680 00:34:14,120 --> 00:34:16,120 Speaker 3: you know, I don't. It doesn't now you get it, 681 00:34:16,239 --> 00:34:18,520 Speaker 3: you start getting at that thirty five forty, Now that 682 00:34:18,560 --> 00:34:21,880 Speaker 3: feels shortens. I know it's one first down, but I 683 00:34:21,880 --> 00:34:24,240 Speaker 3: think I think they could have made that rule better 684 00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:27,960 Speaker 3: that you know, any touchback it goes to the thirty five, 685 00:34:28,080 --> 00:34:30,880 Speaker 3: you know, goes to the thirty five. But I like 686 00:34:30,960 --> 00:34:33,640 Speaker 3: the rule, you know, I don't think we've seen the 687 00:34:34,000 --> 00:34:36,000 Speaker 3: you know, the total exploitation of it. 688 00:34:37,000 --> 00:34:37,160 Speaker 4: You know. 689 00:34:37,200 --> 00:34:39,319 Speaker 3: I think people got returning the ball a little bit 690 00:34:39,320 --> 00:34:42,760 Speaker 3: better as the preseason went on. I think it changes 691 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:46,399 Speaker 3: a little bit your personnel makeup. I think three four 692 00:34:46,480 --> 00:34:50,719 Speaker 3: teams that carry four linebackers and then usually eight. I 693 00:34:50,719 --> 00:34:52,959 Speaker 3: think they have a little advantage in this in terms 694 00:34:53,040 --> 00:34:56,480 Speaker 3: of the coverage itself, because it's all about we. You 695 00:34:56,520 --> 00:34:59,160 Speaker 3: and I talk about this, and I think fans understand it, 696 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:01,960 Speaker 3: but it's a all about you know. Ten Oklahoma drills 697 00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:04,440 Speaker 3: right up there on the thirty five yard line, and 698 00:35:04,600 --> 00:35:07,880 Speaker 3: rather than having to have gunner type guys, what you 699 00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:10,920 Speaker 3: want is short area guys that can shed a block, 700 00:35:11,440 --> 00:35:14,080 Speaker 3: you know, and make a hit within a five yard area. So, 701 00:35:14,600 --> 00:35:17,360 Speaker 3: you know, I just think it is it is. You know, 702 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:19,600 Speaker 3: we're talking about it, and we're talking about it during 703 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:21,880 Speaker 3: the game, and you know, I am, I'm always looking 704 00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:24,920 Speaker 3: forward to it, and so I will just be I 705 00:35:25,000 --> 00:35:28,080 Speaker 3: think the key is how many teams will just let you. 706 00:35:28,040 --> 00:35:29,759 Speaker 2: Have it on the thirty right, Because I don't know 707 00:35:29,800 --> 00:35:32,640 Speaker 2: what the final numbers ended up being, but after two 708 00:35:32,760 --> 00:35:38,000 Speaker 2: weeks of preseason games, the average starting field position line 709 00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:42,040 Speaker 2: after the kickoff was the twenty eight point three yard line, 710 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:45,640 Speaker 2: which which does make me think that some special teams 711 00:35:45,640 --> 00:35:47,759 Speaker 2: coaches are going to say, just kick the ball in 712 00:35:47,760 --> 00:35:49,879 Speaker 2: the end zone, give up the thirty yard line. Let's 713 00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:53,239 Speaker 2: not worry about you know, all this, you know, personnel 714 00:35:53,280 --> 00:35:55,880 Speaker 2: shuffling we have to do and roster mechanics. Just kick 715 00:35:55,920 --> 00:35:57,840 Speaker 2: the ball in the end zone and let's go play defense. 716 00:35:58,239 --> 00:35:58,680 Speaker 5: Agreed. 717 00:35:58,760 --> 00:36:00,319 Speaker 3: I'm with you on that, And that's what I think. 718 00:36:00,360 --> 00:36:03,560 Speaker 3: The next step is is to punish the touch back more. 719 00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:07,040 Speaker 2: Right, Hey, last thing in terms of the old school 720 00:36:07,080 --> 00:36:10,760 Speaker 2: ball coach in you Rick, and I guess everybody's getting 721 00:36:10,840 --> 00:36:13,120 Speaker 2: used to this as well, just like the new kickoff rule. 722 00:36:13,160 --> 00:36:15,160 Speaker 2: But what are your thoughts in the Guardian cap they 723 00:36:15,160 --> 00:36:17,799 Speaker 2: they look funky, but you know what, we're seeing more 724 00:36:17,840 --> 00:36:21,120 Speaker 2: and more players in frontline players, you know, guys like 725 00:36:21,200 --> 00:36:23,799 Speaker 2: Jonathan Taylor and Kylon Grants, and they were testing them 726 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:25,759 Speaker 2: out in the preseason on a game field. What what 727 00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:28,440 Speaker 2: did you think in terms of how they looked? I mean, 728 00:36:28,480 --> 00:36:31,520 Speaker 2: did it did it take away anything from how the 729 00:36:31,600 --> 00:36:34,759 Speaker 2: game looked esthetically or you know, how how it was 730 00:36:34,800 --> 00:36:37,320 Speaker 2: presented to you, because it is a little bit different 731 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:38,240 Speaker 2: if you look closely. 732 00:36:38,280 --> 00:36:40,160 Speaker 5: I guess no, you know, I. 733 00:36:40,080 --> 00:36:42,640 Speaker 3: Mean it's you know, it's it's it's better than the 734 00:36:42,719 --> 00:36:45,880 Speaker 3: practice look. You know, but the practice look it reminds 735 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:48,080 Speaker 3: you of like those old leather helmets. 736 00:36:48,120 --> 00:36:48,640 Speaker 5: You know that. 737 00:36:49,120 --> 00:36:51,200 Speaker 3: I guess the University of Illinois is gonna wear one 738 00:36:51,239 --> 00:36:52,080 Speaker 3: this year or something. 739 00:36:52,120 --> 00:36:54,800 Speaker 4: But you know, you know, they're they're they're they're. 740 00:36:54,640 --> 00:36:55,680 Speaker 5: They're funky looking. 741 00:36:55,840 --> 00:36:57,400 Speaker 4: Even the even the game. 742 00:36:57,280 --> 00:37:01,440 Speaker 3: Style you know that you know, kind of on top there, 743 00:37:01,800 --> 00:37:05,960 Speaker 3: but you know what, the risk that's exactly right. It's 744 00:37:05,960 --> 00:37:08,840 Speaker 3: just like the kickoff. Well, there's no question the kickoff 745 00:37:08,920 --> 00:37:13,120 Speaker 3: rule has has done something for safety. So anything that 746 00:37:13,320 --> 00:37:16,520 Speaker 3: is safer for our players that keep our top players 747 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:19,440 Speaker 3: and all our players on the field is great for 748 00:37:19,520 --> 00:37:22,160 Speaker 3: the game. That that that that's so important for the 749 00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:25,040 Speaker 3: future of the game because the safer you make it, 750 00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:29,040 Speaker 3: the more you have participation at the ground, you know, 751 00:37:29,120 --> 00:37:32,239 Speaker 3: the ground levels of kids playing. I'm going out to 752 00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:35,319 Speaker 3: uh the Little Miller's tonight, got a big one out 753 00:37:35,320 --> 00:37:38,000 Speaker 3: there in Howilton Southeastern. I'll be on my way out there, 754 00:37:38,000 --> 00:37:41,440 Speaker 3: and a little bit for so and the more kids 755 00:37:41,440 --> 00:37:45,160 Speaker 3: that will play, you know, instead of other sports as 756 00:37:45,239 --> 00:37:47,279 Speaker 3: when they feel and when we kind of go through 757 00:37:47,280 --> 00:37:49,440 Speaker 3: this cycle that the game is safe again. 758 00:37:49,880 --> 00:37:52,680 Speaker 2: Now well said right there. Yeah, very interesting to see 759 00:37:52,760 --> 00:37:55,120 Speaker 2: you know how that evolves and you know what the 760 00:37:55,160 --> 00:37:57,880 Speaker 2: analytics say in terms of concussions going down and all 761 00:37:57,960 --> 00:38:01,000 Speaker 2: of that stuff. All right, lastly, Rick, as we close 762 00:38:01,040 --> 00:38:04,120 Speaker 2: out here week one on the near horizon, and you know, 763 00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:07,600 Speaker 2: we're always eager for the regular season because you know, 764 00:38:07,680 --> 00:38:11,600 Speaker 2: quite frankly, it's been so long since we've had meaningful football. 765 00:38:11,680 --> 00:38:13,799 Speaker 2: But you just always want to see, you know, what 766 00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:16,279 Speaker 2: your toys look like unwrapped under the Christmas tree, if 767 00:38:16,320 --> 00:38:18,680 Speaker 2: you will. That's what weak one's all about. But the 768 00:38:18,719 --> 00:38:21,120 Speaker 2: fact that it is a home game, and it is 769 00:38:21,200 --> 00:38:24,319 Speaker 2: against the Texans after what happened last year, and you know, 770 00:38:24,360 --> 00:38:26,919 Speaker 2: you've had some trash talking that's been happening on both 771 00:38:26,920 --> 00:38:29,839 Speaker 2: sides of the fence here in the offseason. How much 772 00:38:29,840 --> 00:38:32,799 Speaker 2: are you anticipating that first game? I mean, how much 773 00:38:32,840 --> 00:38:35,279 Speaker 2: football is crawling out of your skin right now? Knowing 774 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:36,360 Speaker 2: you still got a week to go. 775 00:38:36,960 --> 00:38:38,920 Speaker 4: Well, I could send you by outline tomorrow. 776 00:38:40,880 --> 00:38:42,160 Speaker 2: I have no doubt about that. 777 00:38:42,680 --> 00:38:45,600 Speaker 3: That's how that's how exciting and and really it's not 778 00:38:45,680 --> 00:38:46,800 Speaker 3: because it's not panic. 779 00:38:46,840 --> 00:38:49,600 Speaker 4: It's just I'm just totally excited. 780 00:38:49,120 --> 00:38:52,680 Speaker 3: You know. I mean, you know, I watched our game again, 781 00:38:52,880 --> 00:38:55,880 Speaker 3: that that final game last year, and I mean, you know, 782 00:38:55,960 --> 00:38:59,680 Speaker 3: we're a drop path and fourteen yards away from winning 783 00:38:59,680 --> 00:39:03,239 Speaker 3: the Vision, you know, and all of a sudden it's Texas. 784 00:39:03,520 --> 00:39:03,759 Speaker 5: You know. 785 00:39:03,880 --> 00:39:06,879 Speaker 3: I will say this, The Texans, you know, have made 786 00:39:07,120 --> 00:39:11,279 Speaker 3: five or six really impactive mood moves in the offseason. 787 00:39:11,640 --> 00:39:14,120 Speaker 3: And we will get into that next week in detail. 788 00:39:15,200 --> 00:39:18,400 Speaker 3: And so I mean, you couldn't over you couldn't probably open, 789 00:39:19,640 --> 00:39:23,600 Speaker 3: you know, with a tougher team on paper. But you know, 790 00:39:24,160 --> 00:39:26,440 Speaker 3: and I want to make this point next week. I've 791 00:39:26,440 --> 00:39:31,200 Speaker 3: been through this where you weren't a perennial winner like 792 00:39:31,280 --> 00:39:34,440 Speaker 3: Houston went through all those years, bad years, and then 793 00:39:34,480 --> 00:39:37,440 Speaker 3: you have that one kind of breakout year where you 794 00:39:37,480 --> 00:39:40,360 Speaker 3: know it's ten and seven, they win a wild card game, 795 00:39:40,840 --> 00:39:43,560 Speaker 3: and then all of a sudden, then you make some moves. 796 00:39:43,840 --> 00:39:46,200 Speaker 3: All of a sudden, you're considering the top five teams 797 00:39:46,200 --> 00:39:49,440 Speaker 3: in the NFL, and now you know, it's a little 798 00:39:49,480 --> 00:39:52,719 Speaker 3: bit different mentally, you know, you know, they played basically 799 00:39:52,719 --> 00:39:55,760 Speaker 3: on house money last year. Now, all of a sudden, 800 00:39:56,280 --> 00:40:00,960 Speaker 3: you have great expectations, and I've seen t go backwards 801 00:40:00,960 --> 00:40:03,040 Speaker 3: in that next year, so you know, I mean I 802 00:40:03,400 --> 00:40:05,719 Speaker 3: think that, I mean, that's an issue, and I'm sure 803 00:40:05,800 --> 00:40:08,400 Speaker 3: Damiko will do a good job with it. But you know, 804 00:40:08,560 --> 00:40:12,120 Speaker 3: it's it's a different ballgame, you know, now, all of 805 00:40:12,120 --> 00:40:15,720 Speaker 3: a sudden, when you've become the hunted rather than the hunter, 806 00:40:15,840 --> 00:40:19,640 Speaker 3: I mean, it's it's it becomes different. And I don't 807 00:40:19,680 --> 00:40:21,000 Speaker 3: know that we've you. 808 00:40:20,920 --> 00:40:21,560 Speaker 4: Know, and I don't. 809 00:40:21,800 --> 00:40:24,239 Speaker 3: I don't think we can evaluate our team until a 810 00:40:24,239 --> 00:40:26,680 Speaker 3: week from Sunday. I just don't because I don't think 811 00:40:27,080 --> 00:40:30,839 Speaker 3: that you can evaluate Richardson, you know, by what we've 812 00:40:30,880 --> 00:40:34,400 Speaker 3: seen in preseason. I think I think we'll see a 813 00:40:34,440 --> 00:40:35,759 Speaker 3: different kid on opening Day. 814 00:40:36,120 --> 00:40:39,080 Speaker 2: Well, the countdown is on and we're definitely here for it, 815 00:40:39,120 --> 00:40:42,239 Speaker 2: and we hope that this podcast helped to get through 816 00:40:42,280 --> 00:40:45,080 Speaker 2: the next couple of days before football is back in 817 00:40:45,719 --> 00:40:47,560 Speaker 2: full swing. Although we do have a full slate of 818 00:40:47,560 --> 00:40:51,040 Speaker 2: college football this weekend. High school football is going into 819 00:40:51,040 --> 00:40:54,200 Speaker 2: week number two here in Central Indiana, and then NFL 820 00:40:54,280 --> 00:40:58,359 Speaker 2: football is back next week after Labor Day, and next week, 821 00:40:58,360 --> 00:41:00,600 Speaker 2: by the way, we'll be giving you the cult blueprints 822 00:41:01,040 --> 00:41:03,760 Speaker 2: to beat the Houston Texans right here on Inside Football 823 00:41:03,800 --> 00:41:06,239 Speaker 2: as Rick breaks it all down for us. So can't 824 00:41:06,280 --> 00:41:07,960 Speaker 2: wait for it all to be here, Rick, have a 825 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:10,360 Speaker 2: great weekend coming up, and happy Labor Day to you, 826 00:41:10,480 --> 00:41:11,280 Speaker 2: I should say. 827 00:41:11,600 --> 00:41:14,440 Speaker 4: Okay, Matt can't wait to be talking about those Texans 828 00:41:14,480 --> 00:41:14,919 Speaker 4: next week. 829 00:41:15,080 --> 00:41:15,520 Speaker 5: You got it? 830 00:41:15,560 --> 00:41:18,120 Speaker 2: Looking forward to it again, Rick Ventury right there, and 831 00:41:18,160 --> 00:41:21,960 Speaker 2: then I'll do it for this edition of Inside Football. 832 00:41:22,440 --> 00:41:25,600 Speaker 2: We'll be back next week week one previewing the Colts 833 00:41:25,719 --> 00:41:28,840 Speaker 2: and the Texans right here on the Colts Audio Network. 834 00:41:28,920 --> 00:41:32,040 Speaker 2: So long, everybody, have a great, long extended holiday weekend,