1 00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:03,800 Speaker 1: Your work week is over. Plan called and said if 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:06,000 Speaker 1: you don't coming tomorrow, don't bother coming and run day 3 00:00:06,960 --> 00:00:12,080 Speaker 1: by day weekend. This is the Last Word, the offseason 4 00:00:12,160 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 1: Home of the Colts with Jeffrey Gorman and Matt Taylor. 5 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:17,840 Speaker 1: Welcome into the Last Word. We're brought to you by 6 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:20,759 Speaker 1: our friends at Fandel's Sports Book Download Depp today, make 7 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:23,759 Speaker 1: every moment more. I'm Jeffrey Gorman. We are joined each 8 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,840 Speaker 1: week by the Voice of the Colts, Matt Taylor. Matey, 9 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 1: we got a good one coming up dot tonight, Shoe. 10 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:31,600 Speaker 1: We're gonna talk about the coaching changes that are going 11 00:00:31,640 --> 00:00:34,680 Speaker 1: on here in Indianapolis and what we can look forward to. 12 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 1: We're gonna preview next week's NFL Scouting Combine with Jeff Foster, 13 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:42,279 Speaker 1: the president of the National Football Scouting and the NFL Combine. 14 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: He's an interesting cat and that is coming up around 15 00:00:44,800 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: the corner. We're also going to talk about potential quarterback 16 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:52,680 Speaker 1: movement around the NFL this offseason and what we could see. Now, Matey, 17 00:00:52,760 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: let's stay close to home, brother. We got some movement 18 00:00:54,920 --> 00:00:58,440 Speaker 1: of shaking going on in this coaching staff. Shane Steiken 19 00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: is saying, Hey, I need to fill the sting out 20 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: to do it with the best candidates around, and according 21 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:06,920 Speaker 1: to multiple reports first reported by ESPN, Steikin has hired 22 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:10,280 Speaker 1: Jim Bob Cooter as his offensive coordinator with the Colts. 23 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,440 Speaker 1: Cooter got his NFL start in Indianapolis as an offensive 24 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 1: assistant under head coach Jim called Well. He spent last 25 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: season as Jacksonville's passing game coordinator. He was the offensive 26 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: coordinator for a couple of years for the Lions, may 27 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: take twenty fifteen to eighteen. And like I said, he 28 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:28,560 Speaker 1: has some roots here. This cat funny story is in 29 00:01:28,600 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 1: the NFL because one man and one man only, and 30 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: that is Peyton Manning who hand picked him out of 31 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: Tennessee on the coaching staff, maybe in the graduate assistant role, 32 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: something along those lines. Mate. And he said, this cat 33 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 1: knows football. He knows how to break it down for quarterbacks. 34 00:01:45,080 --> 00:01:47,319 Speaker 1: I like him. Let's get him on the staff and Matte. 35 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 1: That was years ago under Jim Caldwell. And look at 36 00:01:49,600 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: Jim Bob Cooter now second time around here in Indianapolis. Yeah, 37 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:54,920 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it's interesting. I mean, this is a 38 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: guy that has a lot of experience first and foremost, 39 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:00,480 Speaker 1: but in the NFL, as you said, since two thousand 40 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: and nine, and you name it, he's done it. Quarterbacks coach, 41 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 1: running backs coach, passing game coordinator last year with the 42 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:11,679 Speaker 1: Jaguars offensive coordinator, and just like Shane Steikins worked and 43 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 1: developed a lot of great quarterbacks as you said, Peyton Manning, 44 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: Matthew Stafford with the Lions, Trevor Lawrence last year in Jacksonville. 45 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:21,679 Speaker 1: I think it's a smart hire by the Colts and 46 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 1: Shane Steike and you get an experienced play caller, has 47 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: experience working with different skill players making it work schematically 48 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,360 Speaker 1: no matter you know what cards are in his hand 49 00:02:32,440 --> 00:02:35,800 Speaker 1: if you will. So he's known for his football acumen. 50 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:38,960 Speaker 1: He's learned from a lot of great coaches and players 51 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 1: in his time in the NFL. So I think the 52 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 1: Colts are getting a big resource of ideas, experience and 53 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 1: they get a guy that, again that can make it 54 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: work with a lot of different players, and that's what 55 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 1: he and Shane Steike and will be tasked with doing 56 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:55,839 Speaker 1: with you know, whatever skill talent the Colts have coming 57 00:02:55,880 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 1: back in two twenty three and potentially a rookie quarterback 58 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: sitting there at number four in the draft as we 59 00:03:01,440 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 1: sit here and talk right now. Love what he did 60 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 1: with Jacksonville's quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Obviously you can see the 61 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: rise of that cat that young man Colts looking possibly 62 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,520 Speaker 1: to get a young quarterback for the twenty twenty three season. 63 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 1: I like it, mate, Tay, and I also fun fact 64 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:17,600 Speaker 1: about Jim Bob Cooter. I used to take some quarters off. 65 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:19,239 Speaker 1: I'm over at a local bar where we used to 66 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:21,760 Speaker 1: throw darts a couple of nights week. That's a true 67 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 1: story that's just played for So you are a better 68 00:03:25,320 --> 00:03:27,639 Speaker 1: dart player than Jim Bob Cooter. I find that hard 69 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 1: to believe, sir, Listen. He could hit his spots, but 70 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:31,919 Speaker 1: we would have some wars out there. And I've used 71 00:03:31,919 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 1: to meet old Billy Tier link up their Sonday is 72 00:03:34,080 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: a great John Tier Lincoln. He'd get liquored up. I'd 73 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 1: take a couple of dollars from him too. But we 74 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 1: were throwing darts, so I got a little bit of 75 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:43,240 Speaker 1: history with Jim Bob Cooter. It's it's good to have 76 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:46,200 Speaker 1: a really good you know who else a former cult 77 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:48,400 Speaker 1: player that is a really good dart player that ye 78 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 1: give Mike Pryor Yer. He smoked the one and only 79 00:03:53,040 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: Casey Valley last week at the Colts outing downtown at 80 00:03:56,160 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: punch Bowl Social Exactly, Mike Prior took Casey Valley in 81 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 1: a game of cricket for all that he was worth. 82 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 1: I love it, Mike Pryor, it doesn't matter. And give 83 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 1: him a ball or a stick or a dart, it 84 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 1: doesn't matter. He's talking at a professional athlete, doesn't matter. 85 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:12,200 Speaker 1: Let's make Yeah, let's get Jim Bob Cooter making some 86 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 1: athletes out of these athletic nflers. My question to you 87 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:17,680 Speaker 1: is this, and it's a simple one. It's at the 88 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 1: top of the list. Shane Stykin has said in his 89 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 1: press conference, Hey, I am here as the offensive coordinator. 90 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:25,279 Speaker 1: I'm here as the head coach. First, what does that 91 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:27,599 Speaker 1: do for Jim Bob Cooter? What does that do for 92 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 1: his play philosophy? What is he going to be responsible for? Mate? Yeah, 93 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 1: he's gonna have to help run the offensive meetings right, 94 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:37,599 Speaker 1: help put the passing game together. Basically, he's gonna have 95 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:40,560 Speaker 1: to take things off of Shane Stekin's plate and help 96 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: put the offensive game plan together. Pass protection, blitz pickups. 97 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 1: Those guys are gonna put the game plan together, form 98 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,800 Speaker 1: the offense based on the skilled players the Colts have. 99 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,839 Speaker 1: The quarterback that they have. Steikin is gonna call the 100 00:04:53,880 --> 00:04:56,520 Speaker 1: plays on game day, obviously, but he's gonna have input 101 00:04:56,600 --> 00:05:00,480 Speaker 1: along the way from Cooter in real time on game days. 102 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 1: But those three guys quarterback, offensive coordinator, head coach, and 103 00:05:04,880 --> 00:05:07,360 Speaker 1: Shane Steiken as the play caller, They're gonna put their 104 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 1: heads together on a weekly basis to kind of make 105 00:05:09,240 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 1: this thing work. Welcome back, Jim Bob Cooter, Shane Steikin 106 00:05:12,839 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: needing to fill out his staff. This is gonna be 107 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 1: a tough one. We're moving on to the special teams department. 108 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:21,159 Speaker 1: Mate Bubba Ventrone, the Colt special teams coordinator of the 109 00:05:21,200 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 1: past five seasons. It's been a great unit. Obviously. The 110 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: proof is in a putting. It's on his resume what 111 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:30,039 Speaker 1: Bubba Ventrone does to special teams in any team in 112 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:32,680 Speaker 1: the NFL for that matter. He's leaving to assume the 113 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: similar position with the Cleveland Browns. According to Mary Kay 114 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:38,320 Speaker 1: Cabot and Cleveland dot Com, he's also going to be 115 00:05:38,360 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 1: the name the assistant head coach to head coach Kevin 116 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:45,720 Speaker 1: Stefanski down in Cleveland. May Ta, Mayta, Mayta. How surprised 117 00:05:45,760 --> 00:05:48,599 Speaker 1: are you at this Bubba Ventrone news. I mean a little. 118 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 1: I mean, like like most coaches in the NFL, he 119 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: wants to be a head coach. So with the title 120 00:05:54,000 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 1: of assistant head coach, this is one step closer to that. 121 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,479 Speaker 1: He interviewed for the Colts or with the Colts for 122 00:06:00,480 --> 00:06:04,160 Speaker 1: their head coaching position, so that obviously speaks to what 123 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:08,040 Speaker 1: they think of him and his rising star in this profession. 124 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:11,280 Speaker 1: But Bubba has ties to Cleveland as well, right he 125 00:06:11,360 --> 00:06:13,719 Speaker 1: was a player there for four years. He was a 126 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: captain on special teams for two seasons, so it's tough 127 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 1: to see him go. And some will say this is 128 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:21,839 Speaker 1: a lateral move. Why would you want to leave a 129 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:24,279 Speaker 1: spot where you've been able to establish yourself as one 130 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 1: of the best special teams coordinators in the NFL. But 131 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,440 Speaker 1: I think in the end, Bubba again talked openly about 132 00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:32,600 Speaker 1: wanting to be a head coach in the National Football 133 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: League and now this is one step closer to that, 134 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: as he's the assistant head coach and will oversee special 135 00:06:38,960 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 1: teams in a place where he called home for four 136 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:44,039 Speaker 1: years as a player. Oh but well, regardless needless to say, 137 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: rather a big loss for the Colts. I mean big 138 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 1: loss for the Colts. Obviously, the new staff shapes around. 139 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: You have some surprises, some head scratchers and stuff with 140 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 1: any staff around the NFL. But like we said, his 141 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:56,840 Speaker 1: unit's always been around the top of the NFL as 142 00:06:56,839 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 1: far as special teams statistics go. And we see what 143 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,680 Speaker 1: he's done the pro bowler after a pro bowler. This 144 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: is one Matt. That's that's I think is going to 145 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:07,479 Speaker 1: be a big loss for the Colts. But hey, Styken 146 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 1: knows what he's doing. He's got his eye on some 147 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: cat right now. You know how this thing works. There's 148 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 1: guys that are in assistant positions right now across the 149 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: NFL or college that are going to get a call 150 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: from Shane Styken and say, hey, come on up, it's 151 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 1: time to play at the big leagues. No, that's that's 152 00:07:20,480 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: well said. I mean, the Colts were always among the 153 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: NFL's best on special teams since twenty eighteen when Bubba 154 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: Ventrone arrived on the scene under Frank Reich. I mean, 155 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: just this past season, the Colts ranked first in the 156 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 1: NFL and kickoff return average with Dallas Flowers and you 157 00:07:37,240 --> 00:07:39,920 Speaker 1: talked about it, the Pro Bowlers, the All Pro players 158 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:43,679 Speaker 1: under Bubba Ventrone. You go back to George Odom Ashton 159 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 1: Dulin was an All Pro player, Luke Rhodes the long 160 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:49,920 Speaker 1: snapper in the Colts. I think the biggest compliment that 161 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,520 Speaker 1: you can give the Colts on special teams under Bubba 162 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:56,760 Speaker 1: Ventrone is that they change the game. Four block punts 163 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 1: since twenty eighteen under Bubba Ventrone, all of them return 164 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 1: for touchdowns. The Colts actually lead the NFL and block 165 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:08,560 Speaker 1: punt touchdowns since twenty eighteen. They had seven special teams 166 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: touchdowns total since twenty eighteen, tied for first in the 167 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 1: NFL with the Patriots in that time. So you point 168 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:19,160 Speaker 1: to all of that, Plus Bubba was really big into 169 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 1: player development, right you look at at key players on 170 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: special teams that turned into big players on offense and defense. 171 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:29,040 Speaker 1: I point to guys like Zaire Franklin who started off 172 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:33,280 Speaker 1: as a core special teams player, Isaiah Rodgers, Zach Pascal. 173 00:08:33,360 --> 00:08:35,959 Speaker 1: The list kind of goes on from there. So Bubba's 174 00:08:36,000 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: definitely gonna be missed and the Colts are gonna have 175 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: a gap to fill. And the question is, now, how 176 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:43,280 Speaker 1: do you do that? Right, Is it going to be 177 00:08:43,640 --> 00:08:47,480 Speaker 1: assistant special teams coach Joe Hastings or is Shane Steiken 178 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 1: gonna have to lead a search outside the building to 179 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:52,440 Speaker 1: fill that void. But you know, Bubba Ventrone a very 180 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:56,199 Speaker 1: good special teams coach, and now he's climbing that ladder, 181 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 1: you know, one run closer to being a head coach, 182 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:01,559 Speaker 1: which is his desireed goal for him in his career. 183 00:09:01,800 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 1: Best of luck to Bubba Ventron. He's a good cat, 184 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 1: and Matt, I think he's gonna be a head coach 185 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: in this league somewhere, and I'm glad that he got 186 00:09:07,880 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: the position he did in Vegas. He's a team leader. 187 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 1: He's a raw rod guy. He's like one of the 188 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:14,439 Speaker 1: players you know out there. You see him working out 189 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: before games and the sprints that he gets in. You 190 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:19,199 Speaker 1: see how excited he was at practice with these guys. 191 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 1: Don't forget Frank Reich went down a couple of years 192 00:09:21,480 --> 00:09:25,200 Speaker 1: ago for six days with COVID. Bubba Ventrone stepped in, 193 00:09:25,320 --> 00:09:27,360 Speaker 1: ran the team up in Westfield, did a hell of 194 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:28,840 Speaker 1: a job at it. So I know we're going on 195 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:30,680 Speaker 1: and on about this guy, but he's worth it. I 196 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:33,440 Speaker 1: like Bubba Ventron and best of luck to him, mate, Yeah, 197 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 1: no question about it. He was a really good guy. 198 00:09:35,400 --> 00:09:38,320 Speaker 1: He came down here to visit with us on a 199 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:42,320 Speaker 1: weekly basis. We had that pregame special Teams Report. He 200 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:44,840 Speaker 1: was always really gracious with his time, a lot of 201 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:47,200 Speaker 1: good insight. But then after that, right after we would 202 00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:50,320 Speaker 1: hit the record button and stop with what we were doing, 203 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:52,600 Speaker 1: he would just come in here and shoot the ball 204 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 1: and talk ball, sort of off the record stuff. So 205 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:57,839 Speaker 1: from that standpoint on a personal level, you know, I'm 206 00:09:57,840 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 1: gonna miss that from Bubba Ventron, but wish him him 207 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 1: certainly the best of luck in his new endeavors there 208 00:10:02,640 --> 00:10:04,959 Speaker 1: with the Cleveland Browns. You can find out what's happening 209 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:06,920 Speaker 1: in the latest in Colts Country. All you gotta do 210 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 1: is go to colts dot com. The latest news brought 211 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 1: to you by guys like Matt Taylor, Uh Lara Overton's 212 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,560 Speaker 1: gonna give you the latest JJ stank. If it's Casey Valley. 213 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:17,839 Speaker 1: I might even throw something in there now and again, 214 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:20,160 Speaker 1: so you can find out all the information you want 215 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:22,280 Speaker 1: on Colts dot Com. When we come back, we're gonna 216 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 1: talk NFL scouting combine. We're gonna do that with Jeff Foster, 217 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:29,559 Speaker 1: the president of the National Football Scouting and the NFL Combine. 218 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:34,319 Speaker 1: Quick quick sidebar. Jeff Foster, former big man for the Pacers. 219 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 1: Is that correct? Is that the same Jeff Foster. It's 220 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:39,840 Speaker 1: like the same time every time we had John McLean 221 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: from the Houston Texas or the Houston it was, it 222 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,440 Speaker 1: was the same mishap. No, this is not This is 223 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:49,160 Speaker 1: not the twelve and ten Jeff Foster every night for 224 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 1: the Indiana Pacers. Just about to say, Jeff Foster, Yeah, 225 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:54,319 Speaker 1: he's a double double guy. But he's also going to 226 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:57,520 Speaker 1: tell us why he's excited about the Combine staying in Indianapolis, 227 00:10:57,720 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: and he's going to discuss the process of choosing the 228 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: three hundred plus players that will be invited to the 229 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:05,679 Speaker 1: Combine next week starts up Monday. This is the Last 230 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 1: Word one seven five Fan. We now return to the 231 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:13,959 Speaker 1: offseason home of the Colts. The Last Word with Jeffrey 232 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: Gorman and Matt Taylor from the Indiana Union Construction Industry 233 00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 1: Radio Studio. I think that it's a solid roster. I 234 00:11:22,840 --> 00:11:25,719 Speaker 1: don't think this team is as bad as the four 235 00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:28,679 Speaker 1: twelve and one. It is not a roster that is 236 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:33,199 Speaker 1: just a quarterback away, you know, from a run at 237 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:36,600 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl. In my opinion, the difference in football 238 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:41,360 Speaker 1: teams is the value of your top ten guys. The 239 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:45,120 Speaker 1: top ten guys on your roster determined winning and losing it. 240 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:48,160 Speaker 1: Of course, one of those ten has to be the quarterback. 241 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:51,839 Speaker 1: But we lack the loud players in that top ten. 242 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 1: We will be a hell of a lot better. Maybe 243 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 1: not on the first day, but if we get a 244 00:11:56,679 --> 00:12:01,280 Speaker 1: franchise playmaking quarterback, that will be a giant step forward. 245 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 1: But I can't say I'm not of the ill that 246 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: this roster is really ready to go, that all they 247 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: need is a quarterback. I really don't believe that. That's 248 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 1: our friend Rick ben Urry from this week's official Cults 249 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:16,600 Speaker 1: podcast on how close the Cults roster is to getting 250 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 1: back to the playoffs next season. This is the last 251 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 1: worder brought to you by our friends at Fan Duel 252 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 1: Sports Book. Download DF today and make every moment more okay. 253 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: Time now to hear from the president of the National 254 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 1: Football Scouting and the NFL Combine. Here's mate with Jeff Foster. 255 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:35,720 Speaker 1: The NFL Combine returns to downtown Indianapolis next week. The 256 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:38,320 Speaker 1: off season starting to ramp up. So let's preview the 257 00:12:38,320 --> 00:12:41,680 Speaker 1: combine next week with the president of the National Football 258 00:12:41,720 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 1: Scouting and the NFL Combine. Joining us now is Jeff Foster. Jeff, 259 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 1: thanks for the time today, sir. How are you ole? 260 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:51,560 Speaker 1: Thank you all right? So things are definitely heating up. 261 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: You're on fire right now with the combine in town 262 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 1: next week. There's a ton of balls you're juggling all 263 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:00,319 Speaker 1: year long, but certainly the week before the combine, Jeff. 264 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 1: How many consecutive combines does twenty twenty three make for you? 265 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 1: This will be number seventeen for me. Wow. So it's 266 00:13:09,559 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: so you're you're a well oiled machine to this point. 267 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: So how much how much planning goes into the combine 268 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 1: right when last year's combine finishes? Jeff? When are you 269 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:22,000 Speaker 1: on to twenty twenty three? Well, we don't always feel 270 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 1: like a well oiled machine, especially this week with the 271 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 1: players arriving in six days, but thank you. Yeah. You know, 272 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:31,920 Speaker 1: for us to focus immediately after the combine is really 273 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:35,280 Speaker 1: on dated delivery. And then, as a lot of people know, 274 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 1: we have the combine medical rechecks that come up right 275 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,760 Speaker 1: before the draft, so typically we will bring back somewhere 276 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 1: between thirty and fifty athletes, just to do one final 277 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 1: medical examination on those players. And that's really important to 278 00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 1: the clubs, just to have one final check either on 279 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:56,080 Speaker 1: something that the player came in with, something that was discovered, 280 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 1: or an injury during the event. So that's really our 281 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: focus up through the draft. And then in the summer, 282 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 1: we will connect with all of our partners, we do 283 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:11,040 Speaker 1: a survey with players who have participated training facilities, agents, 284 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 1: the league office, and we'll just all kind of do 285 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 1: a recap over the summer, and then we'll start planning 286 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:20,000 Speaker 1: right after that recap, making some adjustments to things where 287 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: you know, we can improve on our operations and most importantly, 288 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 1: improve on the player experience. Yea. As Jeff Foster, president 289 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 1: of the National Football Scouting also oversees the NFL Combine 290 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 1: back in town next week in downtown Indianapolis. And Jeff, 291 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:35,520 Speaker 1: like you said, you've been a part of this since 292 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 1: two thousand and six, every year from from then to now. 293 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: I mean, when you look at the combine now compared 294 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 1: to when you first started, can you believe what it's 295 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 1: become and just the importance it now holds with NFL 296 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 1: teams and players and agents in the media. It's like 297 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 1: the entire football world and about you know, a two 298 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:59,760 Speaker 1: block radius in downtown Indianapolis. Oh, the evolution is certainly 299 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,680 Speaker 1: in incredible and you know, I've been involved with it 300 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 1: for seventeen years, but that's not even half the history 301 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:07,120 Speaker 1: of the event. I don't know if you saw, but 302 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:10,920 Speaker 1: Bill Polian wrote an incredible article on the history of 303 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 1: the Combine recently and it reminded me not only about 304 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:19,800 Speaker 1: what it's evolved during my time, but certainly since its inception. 305 00:15:20,360 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: You know, when the Combine was first created and had 306 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: separate camps, and National Football Scouting was running their own camp. 307 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:28,520 Speaker 1: So that was really a great piece on the history. 308 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:31,800 Speaker 1: And what we tried to do specifically in the last 309 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: ten years is to not only not only evolved with 310 00:15:36,840 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: football and scouting on the football side of the event, 311 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 1: but also partnering with the league office and their partners 312 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:46,360 Speaker 1: to make this attemp pole event for the league. And 313 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:48,840 Speaker 1: that's really been one of the biggest challenges is making 314 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: sure that both of those evolutions run in parallel and 315 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 1: in a positive path, not only for the clubs and 316 00:15:57,040 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 1: the players, but also the fans that hopefully will be 317 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:02,760 Speaker 1: coming out next week, Yeah, Jeff, I mean obviously overseeing 318 00:16:02,840 --> 00:16:06,040 Speaker 1: the football side of the Combine, You're gonna go wherever 319 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: the event goes. But how much input did you have 320 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: in keeping the Combine in Indianapolis last year when there 321 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 1: was the threat of it being on the move? And 322 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 1: I guess how how real was that potential threat for 323 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:21,600 Speaker 1: the Combine to leave Indianapolis after being here every year 324 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:24,640 Speaker 1: since you know, the mid eighties. Well, we've talked about 325 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: moving it for you know, ten to fifteen years, if 326 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 1: not longer. But last year was really the first time 327 00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 1: that we went through the bid process, and I commend 328 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: the league for doing it in a professional manner and 329 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:40,400 Speaker 1: very similar to how they do their other events. And 330 00:16:40,480 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: it was very educational for me. I was involved meeting 331 00:16:43,960 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 1: with the other cities and really specializing on the medical 332 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:53,120 Speaker 1: evaluation piece. You know a lot of people see the 333 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:56,680 Speaker 1: players working out and the media component and all the 334 00:16:56,720 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 1: forward facing pieces, but really the biggest challenges for us 335 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:02,960 Speaker 1: are the logistics on the back end and specifically around 336 00:17:03,000 --> 00:17:05,879 Speaker 1: the medical exams and the medical testing. That is our 337 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 1: number one priority, and so working with partners like EU 338 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: Health here locally has really been our anchor to stay 339 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:17,560 Speaker 1: in Indianapolis. So my role was really looking at the 340 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:21,040 Speaker 1: different healthcare facilities in the cities where we are considering 341 00:17:21,080 --> 00:17:24,080 Speaker 1: moving to. And I have to give Visit India and 342 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:26,679 Speaker 1: Leonard Hoops and his team a lot of credit because 343 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:29,160 Speaker 1: you know, they had hosted this event for thirty five years, 344 00:17:29,760 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: and they certainly could have rolled over when this bid 345 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:36,960 Speaker 1: process was put out, but instead they put the best 346 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,840 Speaker 1: foot forward as they always do, and they created a 347 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:43,200 Speaker 1: bid that earned the opportunity to host it for two 348 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:46,440 Speaker 1: more years. And as we start the process here very 349 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:49,119 Speaker 1: soon for the twenty five and twenty six combine and 350 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:51,560 Speaker 1: the host city, I'm sure Indianapolis would do the same. 351 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:53,960 Speaker 1: I mean, I heard Adam Silver say it recently that 352 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:58,240 Speaker 1: nobody does big events like Indianapolis. Yeah, no question about that. 353 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 1: That's why it continues to come back. As Jeff Foster, 354 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:04,879 Speaker 1: president of the National Football Scouting and oversees the NFL 355 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 1: Combine as well. And I'm sure a couple of weeks 356 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:10,399 Speaker 1: ago around the Super Bowl, you know when Roger Gerdell 357 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: and de Morris Smith have their respective press conferences on 358 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:16,439 Speaker 1: the state of the NFLPA, the state of the National 359 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: Football League, Jeff Demorris Smith his comments on the future 360 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: of the combine, his thoughts of maybe getting rid of 361 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:30,359 Speaker 1: the combine or maybe downplaying it's importance in modern age. Instead, 362 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:34,160 Speaker 1: he'd like to establish some regional pro days potentially put 363 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:36,960 Speaker 1: on by the NFLPA. Kind of staunch and his support 364 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:40,760 Speaker 1: of draft prospects not needing to give up their medical 365 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:43,919 Speaker 1: rights as part of the combine process. What did you 366 00:18:43,960 --> 00:18:46,880 Speaker 1: think of of those comments when you first took those 367 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 1: in a few weeks back around Super Bowl time. Well, 368 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:52,560 Speaker 1: I think it's really important for all stakeholders, the NFL, 369 00:18:52,640 --> 00:18:56,400 Speaker 1: the NFLPA, the clubs, and the players to share their 370 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,480 Speaker 1: thoughts and hopefully we'll have an opportunity to sit down 371 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 1: and visit all of those stakeholders about how we do 372 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 1: things moving forward. But the combine was created long ago 373 00:19:07,240 --> 00:19:11,520 Speaker 1: for the number one purpose of collecting important health information 374 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 1: on the players, and that's still our number one priority today. 375 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 1: And not only is that important to the clubs who 376 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: are making these decisions during the draft, but they're also 377 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 1: important to the players because it's their health. So every 378 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,080 Speaker 1: year we will find a few things that a player 379 00:19:27,119 --> 00:19:29,640 Speaker 1: didn't know he had, and sometimes it impacts this football 380 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:32,840 Speaker 1: and sometimes it doesn't. But most importantly, we're able to 381 00:19:32,880 --> 00:19:35,560 Speaker 1: give them that valuable information to make sure that they 382 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:39,080 Speaker 1: live a healthy life, and the clubs use it not 383 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:42,359 Speaker 1: only for their draft decisions, but they also use this 384 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 1: information to be able to help the player at their 385 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:48,240 Speaker 1: facility when they do draft them. So the combine is 386 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 1: a really important part of the process. And you know, 387 00:19:54,320 --> 00:19:56,520 Speaker 1: again happy to sit down with all those stakeholders to 388 00:19:56,560 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 1: make sure that everybody's voice is heard and that we 389 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:04,119 Speaker 1: make smart decisions moving forward. But really at this point 390 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:07,080 Speaker 1: a week out, our focus is just making sure that 391 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:09,800 Speaker 1: the players have a great experience when they're hearing Indianapolis, 392 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:12,040 Speaker 1: no doubt about it. That's Jeff Foster with us and 393 00:20:12,160 --> 00:20:14,399 Speaker 1: staying with the process. Jeff, for those that don't know, 394 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 1: what is the typical process of determining the three hundred 395 00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:22,280 Speaker 1: plus athletes that are invited to combine and how scrutinized 396 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:24,960 Speaker 1: is that process going in, Well, that's one of the 397 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:28,119 Speaker 1: bigger challenges for us right towards the end of the 398 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:33,160 Speaker 1: college football season. And you know, really selecting the first 399 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:35,760 Speaker 1: one hundred and fifty players is not as challenge as 400 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 1: challenging as selecting the last fifty, right, So a number 401 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,439 Speaker 1: of years ago. We invite all thirty two teams to 402 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 1: participate in the selection process. So we allow all thirty 403 00:20:47,480 --> 00:20:51,160 Speaker 1: two teams to vote on the seniors in early December, 404 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:54,880 Speaker 1: and we will select the top one hundred and fifty 405 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:58,480 Speaker 1: to two hundred players based on those votes on the players, 406 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: and then we will reserve about one hundred seniors on 407 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:09,000 Speaker 1: what we call an under consideration list, So we'll still 408 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:12,600 Speaker 1: watch those players through their Bowl games, the All Star Games, 409 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: and then after the underclassmen declare in mid January, we 410 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 1: select the underclassmen again. They go through the same voting 411 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 1: process with the thirty two clubs that the seniors went through, 412 00:21:24,359 --> 00:21:27,080 Speaker 1: and then that's where we put the list together. But 413 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: there used to be a selection committee involved in this, 414 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:32,239 Speaker 1: but we really felt like the thirty two clubs are 415 00:21:32,240 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 1: the ones that are invested in this. They're the ones 416 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,679 Speaker 1: that need to see specific players, so they should be 417 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:40,119 Speaker 1: the ones in total selecting the players. So that's the 418 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:42,920 Speaker 1: plot of process that we've gone through. Um, it's not perfect. 419 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:45,879 Speaker 1: As you probably know, there's thirty to thirty five players 420 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 1: they get drafted every year we don't invite to the 421 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:52,160 Speaker 1: combine and I know that looks like a miss, and 422 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:55,879 Speaker 1: certainly to those players that is a miss. But oftentimes 423 00:21:56,800 --> 00:22:00,399 Speaker 1: we're selecting those players very early in the process again 424 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: early December, So from early December to the draft, you 425 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 1: still have the college bowl games, all Star games, Pro Days, 426 00:22:09,280 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 1: the Combine, thirty visits, and then the draft, so a 427 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:15,680 Speaker 1: lot can happen, and a lot of times that last 428 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:20,600 Speaker 1: fifty players. You know, we could select any of the 429 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:25,560 Speaker 1: fifty for the last twenty spots, and so it's very challenging. 430 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:28,280 Speaker 1: We hate to leave anybody out, and we talk to 431 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:30,600 Speaker 1: these athletes. We give the athletes the opportunity to call 432 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:33,399 Speaker 1: in and check them on their status. What we explain 433 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 1: to them is that we know it's disappointing if you 434 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:38,000 Speaker 1: may not be selected, but the end goal is not 435 00:22:38,080 --> 00:22:40,560 Speaker 1: participating in the combine. The end goal is making a 436 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:44,080 Speaker 1: fifty three man roster. And as it's proven every year, 437 00:22:44,119 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 1: there's thirty to thirty five guys they get drafted that 438 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:49,120 Speaker 1: we don't invite. So as long as those players are 439 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 1: all in the six and seventh rounds, we aren't too 440 00:22:51,920 --> 00:22:55,040 Speaker 1: concerned and we don't get too scrutinized over that. It's 441 00:22:55,080 --> 00:22:57,160 Speaker 1: when a player jumps up into the fifth or sixth 442 00:22:57,200 --> 00:23:01,080 Speaker 1: round or higher. That that's really where we look at 443 00:23:01,119 --> 00:23:02,760 Speaker 1: it as a miss. But like anything, we'll take a 444 00:23:02,760 --> 00:23:04,359 Speaker 1: look at the process and go back and try to 445 00:23:04,359 --> 00:23:06,720 Speaker 1: do it better next year. Jeff Foster, president of the 446 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:10,240 Speaker 1: National Football Scouting and the NFL Combine. Final couple of 447 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:12,399 Speaker 1: things with you, Jeff. For you, what is a typical 448 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:15,520 Speaker 1: day like for you during the Combine? How all over 449 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:18,639 Speaker 1: the place are you between the Convention Center and Lucas 450 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:21,720 Speaker 1: Oil Stadium and so on and so forth. Well, we 451 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:24,000 Speaker 1: have a very small staff. We only have five full 452 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:27,959 Speaker 1: time employees, including myself, so we're spread a little bit thin. 453 00:23:28,080 --> 00:23:30,560 Speaker 1: But normally the front end is a little bit more challenging. 454 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 1: You know, we use about one hundred and fifty club 455 00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:37,719 Speaker 1: personnel to operate the event. So one of my jobs 456 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 1: early in the week is to work with and train 457 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:44,560 Speaker 1: those groups. So, for instance, we have scouts to come 458 00:23:44,600 --> 00:23:47,359 Speaker 1: in from different teams and serve as group scouts to 459 00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:50,520 Speaker 1: help facilitate the players throughout the different stations, throughout the 460 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:52,280 Speaker 1: different days and the time that they're here. It didn't 461 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 1: so that's really the biggest challenge for me. But once 462 00:23:56,040 --> 00:24:00,400 Speaker 1: the event starts, it really kind of operates itself. UM, 463 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:03,080 Speaker 1: and we myself and the rest of our staff and 464 00:24:03,400 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 1: the club personnelity help us are really just in a 465 00:24:06,800 --> 00:24:10,480 Speaker 1: support role. Um And UM, you know it's fun. It's 466 00:24:10,480 --> 00:24:12,920 Speaker 1: fun to see it all come together. But yes, it's 467 00:24:13,119 --> 00:24:16,760 Speaker 1: they're they're long days and we are you know, all 468 00:24:16,760 --> 00:24:20,719 Speaker 1: over the place between the different secure venues. Um. But 469 00:24:20,760 --> 00:24:22,639 Speaker 1: we're looking forward to a good week and um, you 470 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:25,240 Speaker 1: know a lot of exciting opportunities, um, not only for 471 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:28,159 Speaker 1: the players, but this year for the fans, you know, 472 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:30,560 Speaker 1: through the new Combine experience that the league's launching. No 473 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:33,520 Speaker 1: question about that final thing, Jeff. For you, what is 474 00:24:33,560 --> 00:24:36,840 Speaker 1: your favorite part of the combine? Is it? Is it 475 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 1: watching on the field drills in the competition there or 476 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:44,199 Speaker 1: is it or is it off the field right the conversations, 477 00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:48,240 Speaker 1: the nightlife and all the discussions that happen all over 478 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:50,439 Speaker 1: town that sort of shape the off season of the 479 00:24:50,520 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 1: NFL and all that happens, you know, right here in 480 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: downtown Indianapolis. Well, for me personally, UM, it's seeing a 481 00:24:57,320 --> 00:25:00,280 Speaker 1: lot of colleagues and friends from the different clubs you 482 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:03,440 Speaker 1: know that we've worked with over the years. We don't 483 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:06,680 Speaker 1: participate in the nightlife since you know, our days and 484 00:25:06,840 --> 00:25:09,600 Speaker 1: nights are long working on the different operations of the event, 485 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 1: but we certainly hear the stories. But for me from 486 00:25:13,280 --> 00:25:16,520 Speaker 1: a professional standpoint, you know, we have two favorite moments. 487 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:20,080 Speaker 1: One is when I receive a text and all the 488 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:23,440 Speaker 1: text will say this year is three nineteen and that's 489 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:25,879 Speaker 1: the total number of players. So when the three hundred 490 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 1: nineteenth player has landed in Inniapolis, our staff will get 491 00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:33,400 Speaker 1: a text because operationally that's probably the biggest show stopper 492 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:35,919 Speaker 1: for us, as if a player does not arrive because 493 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:39,280 Speaker 1: of whether or travel or you know, any of the 494 00:25:39,480 --> 00:25:43,119 Speaker 1: variables in the travel components. So for us, that's a 495 00:25:43,119 --> 00:25:46,000 Speaker 1: big relief. Once we have the three hundred nineteen here 496 00:25:46,080 --> 00:25:49,680 Speaker 1: on property, we know, you know, we can finish strong. Um. 497 00:25:49,760 --> 00:25:53,400 Speaker 1: So that's our favorite communication of the staff. And then 498 00:25:53,440 --> 00:25:56,560 Speaker 1: of course, uh, you know, the finish is always a relief. No, yeah, 499 00:25:56,600 --> 00:25:59,480 Speaker 1: for sure, it's it's all coming up next week downtown 500 00:25:59,520 --> 00:26:03,000 Speaker 1: inn and that combine yet again in twenty twenty three. 501 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:06,200 Speaker 1: That's Jeff Foster, the president of the National Football Scouting 502 00:26:06,240 --> 00:26:09,480 Speaker 1: and the NFL Combine. Jeff, thanks so much for your time, 503 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:12,320 Speaker 1: your insight leading into another combine for you, best of 504 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 1: luck and hope that all the logistics go into town 505 00:26:15,760 --> 00:26:18,360 Speaker 1: and that three nineteen texts you're talking about that comes 506 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 1: sooner than later. Thanks Matt, look forward to seeing everybody 507 00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:24,040 Speaker 1: down to Lucasoil Stadium. Great stuff from Jeff Foster. Love 508 00:26:24,119 --> 00:26:27,480 Speaker 1: that the NFL Combine is here in Indianapolis. Matte, you 509 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:29,960 Speaker 1: love it too. You get down there on Monday. I've 510 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:32,960 Speaker 1: seen you grind for the week finding out the latest 511 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:35,920 Speaker 1: and greatest. I mean you're sniffing around other teams out there, 512 00:26:36,119 --> 00:26:38,320 Speaker 1: trying to get the insight track. You love this time 513 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:40,760 Speaker 1: of year, Matete, Well, it's fun. The NFL has done 514 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:43,080 Speaker 1: a really good job with the Combine over the course 515 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:45,879 Speaker 1: of time of turning it in. You know, if you 516 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:48,200 Speaker 1: cover the league, if you're a beat writer, or you're 517 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:50,560 Speaker 1: an analyst, or if you're a draft guy or you 518 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:54,000 Speaker 1: cover college football, I mean, it is a must attend 519 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:57,920 Speaker 1: event because the coaches all speak, the general managers are 520 00:26:57,960 --> 00:27:00,280 Speaker 1: all made available to the media, so it's it's like 521 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:02,760 Speaker 1: a State of the Union in the off season for 522 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:05,359 Speaker 1: thirty two teams. Plus you have all of again the 523 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:09,360 Speaker 1: draft analysts down there, so players, the prospects themselves are 524 00:27:09,359 --> 00:27:12,480 Speaker 1: made available and then at night, right, it gets really 525 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:15,400 Speaker 1: interesting with the agents and the gms and the coaches 526 00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:18,320 Speaker 1: all talking and you know, the scuttle button, the rumors 527 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:21,560 Speaker 1: that all are discussed at the dinner tables of all 528 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:25,320 Speaker 1: of these steakhouses downtown. So it's it's really fascinating what 529 00:27:25,359 --> 00:27:28,120 Speaker 1: the NFL Combine is turned into. It's just as much 530 00:27:28,119 --> 00:27:31,479 Speaker 1: about football on the field with the workouts as it 531 00:27:31,600 --> 00:27:34,879 Speaker 1: is off the field, with all the conversations that go on, 532 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:38,439 Speaker 1: you know, Tuesday through Friday downtown Indianapolis next week. So 533 00:27:38,480 --> 00:27:40,119 Speaker 1: it's really fun to be a part of and just 534 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:43,040 Speaker 1: sort of witness how it all unfolds. It is, don't 535 00:27:43,040 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 1: forget an NFLPA. On the other side, they're saying, hey, 536 00:27:45,480 --> 00:27:47,359 Speaker 1: maybe we can do away with the NFL combine. I 537 00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:50,439 Speaker 1: didn't just have individual workouts for upcoming players that are 538 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:53,240 Speaker 1: potential prospects for the NFL. So I'd hate to see 539 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:55,480 Speaker 1: that thing go. But Matt, both sides are talking about 540 00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:57,280 Speaker 1: that stuff. But like you said, it's a great convention. 541 00:27:57,320 --> 00:27:59,560 Speaker 1: Everybody can get down there and say hi really quick 542 00:27:59,560 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 1: before we move on. Mate, in your familiar Dockers and 543 00:28:02,680 --> 00:28:04,960 Speaker 1: Colts polo, what do you think you could run the 544 00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:07,440 Speaker 1: forty in right now today? Do I have to wear 545 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:10,120 Speaker 1: the dockers in the polo or can change? No? You're 546 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,119 Speaker 1: wearing dockers at a polo? What are you running at 547 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:16,280 Speaker 1: forty in? I'm breaking five? Oh well, I will break five. 548 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 1: God is my witness. I will break five. God, I'd 549 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:21,439 Speaker 1: put the mortgage on that one. Bell. I love you 550 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 1: can do that right now. I got you clocked in 551 00:28:23,560 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 1: at a quick five two. Right now in my own head, 552 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:33,600 Speaker 1: I can I am sub five. Okay. We might love 553 00:28:33,480 --> 00:28:35,840 Speaker 1: me this, We might do that. Don't forget fans. You 554 00:28:35,840 --> 00:28:39,000 Speaker 1: can download the Colts Official Podcast. Every week we're featuring 555 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:41,920 Speaker 1: the latest news, analysis, insight, and interviews regarding your Colts. 556 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:44,120 Speaker 1: This week, we talked with Shane steik In about the 557 00:28:44,160 --> 00:28:46,520 Speaker 1: style Shane steik In higher, as well as the state 558 00:28:46,520 --> 00:28:50,120 Speaker 1: of the Colts this offseason with Colts Radio analyst Rick Ventori. 559 00:28:50,240 --> 00:28:52,560 Speaker 1: We heard him earlier right here on this show. Our 560 00:28:52,600 --> 00:28:56,480 Speaker 1: free agent podcast series Tracker It continued this week as well. 561 00:28:56,640 --> 00:28:59,320 Speaker 1: We're looking at the free agency profiles of defensive lineman 562 00:28:59,400 --> 00:29:02,960 Speaker 1: Ben bann Go and wide receiver Paris Campbell. That's an 563 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:05,720 Speaker 1: interesting one. Also, inside the Draft started this week as well. 564 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:09,560 Speaker 1: Draft preview featuring Luke Easterling from the Draftwire and the 565 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 1: USA Today. Can check all that out right now on 566 00:29:11,720 --> 00:29:14,680 Speaker 1: Colts dot Com, the Colts Mobile Appen, the Colts Audio Network, 567 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:18,080 Speaker 1: anywhere you download your podcast. This is the Last Word. 568 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:19,720 Speaker 1: Were brought to you by our friends at Fan Duel 569 00:29:19,760 --> 00:29:23,120 Speaker 1: Sports Book. Download the f today you can make every 570 00:29:23,160 --> 00:29:25,320 Speaker 1: moment more. When we come back, we're going to take 571 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 1: a look at the Forum Credit Union question of the Week. 572 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:30,840 Speaker 1: We're also going to talk about some quarterback movement around 573 00:29:30,840 --> 00:29:34,080 Speaker 1: the NFL and what could be happening this offseason. This 574 00:29:34,200 --> 00:29:36,520 Speaker 1: is the Last Word with Matt Taylor. I'm Jeffrey Gorman. 575 00:29:36,800 --> 00:29:42,120 Speaker 1: Ninety three five one oh seven five The Fan. We 576 00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:45,640 Speaker 1: talk Colts football every Friday on the Last Word, the 577 00:29:45,760 --> 00:29:49,400 Speaker 1: Offseason Radio Home of the Colts with Jeffrey Gorman and 578 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:53,960 Speaker 1: Matt Taylor from the Indiana Union Construction Industry Radio Studio. 579 00:29:54,800 --> 00:29:57,480 Speaker 1: Welcome back. This is the Last Word ninety three five 580 00:29:57,640 --> 00:29:59,840 Speaker 1: one oh seven five The Fan, brought to you by 581 00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:03,880 Speaker 1: our friends at Fandel's Sportsbook. Download the app today, Make 582 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:07,240 Speaker 1: every moment more, mate, Why did you pull some Derek 583 00:30:07,280 --> 00:30:11,040 Speaker 1: and the Dominoes out of your rolodex for this Friday Show. Yeah, 584 00:30:11,080 --> 00:30:13,640 Speaker 1: I was scrolling through what I had and I hadn't 585 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 1: heard that song in a long time. You talk about 586 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:17,960 Speaker 1: a deep cut. I thought it sounded good, so I 587 00:30:17,960 --> 00:30:20,120 Speaker 1: thought it was appropriate today to bring it back out 588 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:24,640 Speaker 1: resurface a non lyrical Derek and the Domino's Blue song 589 00:30:24,760 --> 00:30:29,040 Speaker 1: Fantastyte his own version of Antique Road Show. I love it. Okay, 590 00:30:29,520 --> 00:30:32,480 Speaker 1: time now for the Forum Credit Union Question of the Week, cold, 591 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:36,040 Speaker 1: said coach stage Shane Steiken. He oversaw the Eagles offense 592 00:30:36,080 --> 00:30:38,160 Speaker 1: and I led by Jalen Hurts, who accounted for three 593 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:40,880 Speaker 1: hundred and seventy four yards as well as three hundred 594 00:30:40,920 --> 00:30:44,360 Speaker 1: four passing in seventy rushing yards and four touchdowns in 595 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:48,320 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. Wow. Three hundred 596 00:30:48,360 --> 00:30:51,040 Speaker 1: four passing, seventy rushing. Nice day, Jalen. I mean we 597 00:30:51,080 --> 00:30:54,440 Speaker 1: forget about it wasn't enough right? What jeez? That was 598 00:30:54,520 --> 00:30:57,400 Speaker 1: in the Super Bowl too. Only two other quarterbacks mate 599 00:30:57,440 --> 00:31:01,120 Speaker 1: in Super Bowl history have accounted for least three hundred 600 00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:05,480 Speaker 1: and seventy yards on offense and four touchdowns. Who are they? Wow? 601 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:08,960 Speaker 1: So Jalen Hurts did it. He joined this elite club, 602 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:11,640 Speaker 1: and I'm gonna say this to you. Maybe did it 603 00:31:11,720 --> 00:31:15,040 Speaker 1: on the same team as two different quarterbacks but for 604 00:31:15,120 --> 00:31:18,520 Speaker 1: the same franchise. Oh wow, So two quarterbacks with at 605 00:31:18,600 --> 00:31:22,520 Speaker 1: least three hundred and seventy yards of offense four touchdowns 606 00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:24,600 Speaker 1: just in the Super Bowl, correct, right when you're asking, 607 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:27,160 Speaker 1: and both of these quarterbacks did it played at the 608 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:30,440 Speaker 1: time for this one team. That's a good hint right there. 609 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:34,320 Speaker 1: If you don't get this, Monte left one left and 610 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:37,920 Speaker 1: then the other one when I alight, I love your hands. 611 00:31:37,960 --> 00:31:40,520 Speaker 1: You're so helpful on this. While I was gonna go 612 00:31:40,560 --> 00:31:43,240 Speaker 1: with Joe Montana so he would be the righty and 613 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:46,040 Speaker 1: then Steve Young would be the lefty. Right. That's it. 614 00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:48,040 Speaker 1: The only players to account for at least three hundred 615 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:50,880 Speaker 1: and seventy yards total offense and four touchdowns in a 616 00:31:50,920 --> 00:31:55,240 Speaker 1: Super Bowl Jalen Hurts at Shane Steikins development right there. Gosh, 617 00:31:55,240 --> 00:31:57,560 Speaker 1: we have that coming to Indianapolis. Don't forget that. Joined 618 00:31:57,560 --> 00:32:01,200 Speaker 1: in in unison again by Steve Young and Joe Montana. 619 00:32:01,280 --> 00:32:04,760 Speaker 1: Incredible super Bowl Like you said, though, just wasn't enough. Hey, 620 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:07,160 Speaker 1: you can visit the credit Union Forum credit Union rather 621 00:32:07,200 --> 00:32:09,360 Speaker 1: fan forum section of cools dot com. You can interact 622 00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:12,080 Speaker 1: with other fans online. You might even run into Matt 623 00:32:12,120 --> 00:32:14,600 Speaker 1: Taylor and Casey Valie. They like to surf around the 624 00:32:14,600 --> 00:32:17,160 Speaker 1: internet a little bit. See what you guys are talking about. 625 00:32:17,200 --> 00:32:20,240 Speaker 1: You can post the topic and participate in various discussions 626 00:32:20,240 --> 00:32:23,600 Speaker 1: regarding the Colts Forum Credit Union helping members live their 627 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:26,800 Speaker 1: financial dreams. Don't forget. Last word is brought to you 628 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:30,320 Speaker 1: by our friends at Meyer Meyer, the official supercenter of 629 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:33,480 Speaker 1: the Indianapolis Colts, proud sponsor of hundreds of local sports 630 00:32:33,480 --> 00:32:36,840 Speaker 1: teams across the Midwest. May take time for the NFL 631 00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:41,360 Speaker 1: Big story. Like every offseason, we are centered around the quarterback. 632 00:32:41,440 --> 00:32:44,480 Speaker 1: Young quarterbacks in line to make some big money. Joe Burrow, 633 00:32:44,520 --> 00:32:47,120 Speaker 1: the Jalen Hurts. We just spoke off to Attack of Bayeloa, 634 00:32:47,400 --> 00:32:51,200 Speaker 1: Justin Herbert. They've completed their seasons. They all are eligible 635 00:32:51,240 --> 00:32:55,600 Speaker 1: for extensions. Lamar Jackson eligible for free agency next month. 636 00:32:55,840 --> 00:32:59,040 Speaker 1: He's talking big money. He played the entire twenty twenty 637 00:32:59,080 --> 00:33:02,080 Speaker 1: two season on the year option after his rookie contract. 638 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:04,800 Speaker 1: After he and the Baltimore Ravens they failed to come 639 00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:07,720 Speaker 1: up with an extension. Don't forget they can franchise tag 640 00:33:07,800 --> 00:33:12,400 Speaker 1: him as well now. Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers, the Packers, 641 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:14,720 Speaker 1: what are they doing? Is that a divorce? I heard 642 00:33:14,800 --> 00:33:18,760 Speaker 1: Rodgers just came out of solitary confinement, which which is 643 00:33:18,800 --> 00:33:20,880 Speaker 1: the dark ages for him to clear his mind? May 644 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:23,280 Speaker 1: take what do you see the pictures of that joint? 645 00:33:23,280 --> 00:33:25,960 Speaker 1: And look I didn't actually I actually this. All I 646 00:33:26,000 --> 00:33:28,640 Speaker 1: heard is this. He had full electricity in there. So 647 00:33:28,760 --> 00:33:30,600 Speaker 1: get out of here. Okay, you didn't go to a cave. 648 00:33:31,000 --> 00:33:34,040 Speaker 1: You didn't do Yeah, I guarantee you had somebody bringing 649 00:33:34,120 --> 00:33:36,920 Speaker 1: you something to drink, like lemon water or something while 650 00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:40,560 Speaker 1: you were there. He starts dropping stuff off a We 651 00:33:40,680 --> 00:33:43,960 Speaker 1: got other names around there. Remember last season, Deshaun Watson, 652 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:47,680 Speaker 1: Baker Mayfield, Matt Ryan right here in Indianapolis, Russell Wilson 653 00:33:47,720 --> 00:33:50,120 Speaker 1: to Denver Tom Brady, what's he going to do? I'm retired. 654 00:33:50,160 --> 00:33:53,239 Speaker 1: I'm not retired. This season, we got Jimmy Garoppolo out there, 655 00:33:53,320 --> 00:33:57,040 Speaker 1: Daniel Jones. That's an interesting quarterback situation in New York. 656 00:33:57,120 --> 00:33:59,720 Speaker 1: Geno Smith, who had a great year, Baker Mayfield, who's 657 00:33:59,720 --> 00:34:01,520 Speaker 1: gonna end up on a roster. What do you think 658 00:34:01,560 --> 00:34:05,120 Speaker 1: of this offseason? Mattee end More importantly, let's stay here 659 00:34:05,400 --> 00:34:09,360 Speaker 1: in Indianapolis because if you know, all the prognosticators are correct, 660 00:34:09,400 --> 00:34:12,040 Speaker 1: and Colts grab a young arm in this upcoming draft 661 00:34:12,080 --> 00:34:15,640 Speaker 1: with their first pick, a young quarterback. Rather, you gotta 662 00:34:15,719 --> 00:34:17,919 Speaker 1: have somebody behind him that can kind of mentor them 663 00:34:17,960 --> 00:34:20,160 Speaker 1: and it kind of bring them through the NFL process. 664 00:34:20,360 --> 00:34:22,880 Speaker 1: So we're also looking for a veteran help here in 665 00:34:22,920 --> 00:34:26,240 Speaker 1: my personal opinion, Mattey, Yeah, this all impacts the Colts, 666 00:34:26,840 --> 00:34:29,200 Speaker 1: you know, directly, and directly however you want to look 667 00:34:29,239 --> 00:34:31,640 Speaker 1: at it. But yeah, you're right. I mean, the guys 668 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:35,359 Speaker 1: on unrookie deals that are eligible to sign extensions, they're 669 00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:38,080 Speaker 1: either going to get paid this offseason or next offseason. 670 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:40,800 Speaker 1: There's no doubt about that. And it sounds like there's 671 00:34:40,840 --> 00:34:44,160 Speaker 1: so much tension right now between the Ravens and Lar Jackson. 672 00:34:44,760 --> 00:34:47,600 Speaker 1: It's it's tough to see him going back there. Played 673 00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:51,040 Speaker 1: last year on a fifth year option of his rookie contract, 674 00:34:51,080 --> 00:34:53,560 Speaker 1: and he wants to be Jeffrey in that neighborhood of 675 00:34:53,640 --> 00:34:57,120 Speaker 1: Deshaun Watson who got that fully guaranteed contract last year, 676 00:34:57,160 --> 00:35:00,920 Speaker 1: two hundred and thirty million dollar deal, which just set 677 00:35:01,040 --> 00:35:03,520 Speaker 1: everything all out of whack. I mean, that is just 678 00:35:03,600 --> 00:35:08,040 Speaker 1: in another planet in terms of quarterback deals, So that's 679 00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:10,640 Speaker 1: going to be fascinating to see how that all plays out. 680 00:35:10,719 --> 00:35:13,680 Speaker 1: But you know, going back to the other guys, Jimmy Garoppolo, 681 00:35:13,840 --> 00:35:17,480 Speaker 1: Daniel Jones, Gino Smith, Baker Mayfield, these are all guys 682 00:35:17,480 --> 00:35:20,680 Speaker 1: that are gonna hit free agency potentially. I would think 683 00:35:20,719 --> 00:35:24,520 Speaker 1: that Gino Smith and Daniel Jones, those guys you wouldn't 684 00:35:24,520 --> 00:35:27,080 Speaker 1: think go anywhere. But the Giants also have to contend 685 00:35:27,560 --> 00:35:31,040 Speaker 1: with Sequon Barkley, and you can only tag one player 686 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:34,600 Speaker 1: between your quarterback and your start running back, and typically 687 00:35:34,600 --> 00:35:36,799 Speaker 1: if you can't get something done with the quarterback, you 688 00:35:36,880 --> 00:35:41,040 Speaker 1: prioritize QB over running back with the franchise tag. So 689 00:35:41,480 --> 00:35:44,080 Speaker 1: this is really fascinating as it always is in the 690 00:35:44,120 --> 00:35:47,919 Speaker 1: offseason centering around quarterbacks. And like you said, if these 691 00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:51,000 Speaker 1: free agent quarterbacks signed with teams that are in the 692 00:35:51,080 --> 00:35:54,279 Speaker 1: mix potentially for quarterbacks in the draft, that would help 693 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:56,920 Speaker 1: the Colts in terms of the amount of competition there 694 00:35:56,920 --> 00:35:59,800 Speaker 1: would be in getting a top quarterback in the draft. 695 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:02,680 Speaker 1: Right when you think about teams that could potentially move 696 00:36:02,760 --> 00:36:07,040 Speaker 1: up in front of the Colts to grab a franchise quarterback, 697 00:36:07,120 --> 00:36:10,439 Speaker 1: so less teams the top ten that need quarterbacks would 698 00:36:10,440 --> 00:36:13,160 Speaker 1: help the Colts in terms of any leverage they would 699 00:36:13,160 --> 00:36:15,000 Speaker 1: want to use and moving up if they choose to 700 00:36:15,040 --> 00:36:18,600 Speaker 1: go that route. So you're exactly right. As always, quarterbacks 701 00:36:18,600 --> 00:36:21,319 Speaker 1: in the offseason, those are front and center, and it 702 00:36:21,400 --> 00:36:24,600 Speaker 1: definitely impacts a team like the Colts that could be 703 00:36:24,640 --> 00:36:26,759 Speaker 1: in the mix for a franchise guy sitting there at 704 00:36:26,840 --> 00:36:30,280 Speaker 1: number four or potentially moving up even higher. Surprise, surprise, 705 00:36:30,400 --> 00:36:33,560 Speaker 1: we may see something happening around draft time, something before that. 706 00:36:33,640 --> 00:36:35,839 Speaker 1: Who knows, but I think some big names, some big 707 00:36:35,880 --> 00:36:38,400 Speaker 1: moves are gonna happen. What's gonna happen with Ryan Tannehill 708 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:40,560 Speaker 1: down in Nashville? Is he going to be back up 709 00:36:40,640 --> 00:36:41,920 Speaker 1: somewhere or is he going to try and be a 710 00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:45,400 Speaker 1: starter somewhere? A lot of offseason questions. Obviously, it's Colts 711 00:36:45,400 --> 00:36:48,040 Speaker 1: first front end center. We've got a coaching staff to 712 00:36:48,040 --> 00:36:49,960 Speaker 1: fill out. We're gonna keep you updated with the latest 713 00:36:50,120 --> 00:36:52,200 Speaker 1: at Colts dot com. This is the last word on 714 00:36:52,400 --> 00:36:54,439 Speaker 1: ninety three five and one oh seven five to fan. 715 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:56,959 Speaker 1: A big thanks to Jeff Foster for joining the show. 716 00:36:57,040 --> 00:36:59,279 Speaker 1: Matey had fun as usual. What are you up to 717 00:36:59,440 --> 00:37:04,120 Speaker 1: this weekend? Just watching some hoop tonight doing some girls 718 00:37:04,200 --> 00:37:07,719 Speaker 1: basketball State Championships tomorrow doing some play by play on 719 00:37:07,760 --> 00:37:10,759 Speaker 1: the on the hardwood tomorrow afternoon at gamebridge Fieldhouse. So 720 00:37:11,280 --> 00:37:15,600 Speaker 1: excited about that. Indiana prenew tomorrow night at Mackey Round two, 721 00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:18,239 Speaker 1: so be watching that and just kind of hanging out 722 00:37:18,239 --> 00:37:20,400 Speaker 1: all weekend, so looking forward to it. Why don't you 723 00:37:20,440 --> 00:37:22,440 Speaker 1: take us out as Mark Albert would if he had 724 00:37:22,520 --> 00:37:25,680 Speaker 1: Jennifer Young hitting a three pointer from the baseline for 725 00:37:25,840 --> 00:37:28,319 Speaker 1: some high school here in Indiana. We'll just take it 726 00:37:28,320 --> 00:37:31,040 Speaker 1: out because coming up next after this is ESPN Radio. 727 00:37:31,160 --> 00:37:34,160 Speaker 1: Hey take it away, Mark Albert and the Fairfield down 728 00:37:34,280 --> 00:37:38,120 Speaker 1: by one against Courton Central in the three A two 729 00:37:38,640 --> 00:37:44,080 Speaker 1: twenty three girls basketball State Championship. Across the timeline, it 730 00:37:44,200 --> 00:37:47,759 Speaker 1: is Kaylee Dillon over to Gothrop at the horn for 731 00:37:47,880 --> 00:37:53,960 Speaker 1: the win. Yes, Gothrop from downtown Fairfield knocks off Cordon 732 00:37:54,160 --> 00:37:59,840 Speaker 1: Central and downtown Indianapolis. Maytay please do? The whole tournament 733 00:38:00,080 --> 00:38:03,200 Speaker 1: is Marv Albert. It'll go viral. Have a great weekend. 734 00:38:03,480 --> 00:38:05,719 Speaker 1: Be safe, folks. This is the last word on ninety 735 00:38:05,760 --> 00:38:08,080 Speaker 1: three five and one oh seven five the Fan. Coming 736 00:38:08,160 --> 00:38:16,200 Speaker 1: up next ESPN Radio. We'll talk to you next week. 737 00:38:20,400 --> 00:38:20,440 Speaker 1: Do