1 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: Well, welcome into instant reaction. 2 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:11,760 Speaker 2: In Indianapolis Colts podcast, Casey Value joined us always. 3 00:00:11,600 --> 00:00:15,360 Speaker 1: By Colt's Ring of honor wide receiver Bill Brooks. Bill, 4 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 1: we've got some news. We have got some news. 5 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 2: And it's before that, you know, the official league year 6 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 2: starts with all the free agency frenzy, and it is 7 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:29,800 Speaker 2: Alec Pierce re signing with the Indianapolis Colts. He announced 8 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 2: it live on the Pat McAfee show. Now, according to reports, 9 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 2: it's a four year extension. We don't know all the 10 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 2: language on all of that, but we do know that 11 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 2: Alec Pierce is returning to Indianapolis four year deal. 12 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:43,360 Speaker 1: And Bill, there's a lot of places to go. 13 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 2: But I figured starting out one of the ways I 14 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:48,760 Speaker 2: kind of viewed him as, if you will, like a 15 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 2: blue chip free agent m hm, he's a guy who 16 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 2: sometimes in free agency you get the guy who is overpaid, 17 00:00:57,240 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 2: has it, you know, maybe has performed at at a 18 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 2: high level, but not at the elite level. I feel 19 00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 2: like Alec Pierce is young continuing to I mean every 20 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 2: year he has elevated his game year after year, and 21 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 2: I talk about, you know, everything that he's been. Luckily, 22 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:15,320 Speaker 2: we get to see him on a day to day 23 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 2: basis and what he does inside the locker room outside 24 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:20,800 Speaker 2: he fits everything that you'd want. 25 00:01:20,640 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 1: In a free agent, and now he returns for the Colts. 26 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, I agree with you, Casey, and that's I'm happy 27 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 3: that Alec is back with the Coats. I'm very happy 28 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 3: to hear that because after last week hearing that, you know, 29 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 3: he said he might kind of test the market and 30 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,319 Speaker 3: see what's out there and wanted to, you know, do 31 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 3: the best for himself. That he's coming back to the 32 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 3: coast being back in the fold. But as you mentioned, Casey, 33 00:01:41,400 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 3: he's a young guy that has shown that he can work, 34 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:48,880 Speaker 3: he can develop his skill as a wide receiver, he 35 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 3: can improve, he can't get better, and he's done those things. 36 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 3: And not just that, but he's a good teammate. He's 37 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:59,280 Speaker 3: well liked in the locker room. The quarterbacks like him. 38 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 3: He's a guy that just goes out and does his 39 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 3: job day in and day out. He works at it 40 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 3: during the week. He listens to Reggie and the coaches 41 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,080 Speaker 3: so he can be on the same page as of 42 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:12,280 Speaker 3: course the quarterback and the rest of the offense. And 43 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 3: he's going out there and produced. I mean, that's the 44 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 3: bottom line, he has produced. He has made big plays 45 00:02:17,560 --> 00:02:21,480 Speaker 3: for this team throughout his career and continues to grow 46 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 3: and get better, and his numbers got better as the 47 00:02:24,639 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 3: years went on, and this year catching over one thousand 48 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:30,520 Speaker 3: yards for the first time and averaging over twenty one 49 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 3: yards per catch this year. So Alec has just done 50 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 3: a nice job. And that's what you want. You want 51 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 3: to see young guys grow and develop and then become 52 00:02:38,919 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 3: one of those guys that, you know what, He's a 53 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 3: guy that they can depend on and the guy that 54 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 3: they want to have on the team. And he's not 55 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 3: going to cause any problems in any troubles. 56 00:02:49,520 --> 00:02:51,640 Speaker 2: And with that you talk about him going over one 57 00:02:51,639 --> 00:02:54,359 Speaker 2: thousand yards for the first time in his career, he 58 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 2: does so on just forty seven catches. And you know, 59 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 2: we looked into some you know, Taylor and myself, we 60 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:04,080 Speaker 2: dove into some research over the last month or so 61 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,520 Speaker 2: kind of leading into this free agency period with Alec 62 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:09,359 Speaker 2: Pierce and putting the numbers to what the rest of 63 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:10,320 Speaker 2: the NFL has done. 64 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 1: And this is a nugget that really I thought was impressive. 65 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 2: Only three players in the last thirty years have had 66 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 2: over one thousand yards receiving on less than fifty catches. Wow, 67 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 2: in a season. He joins DeShawn Jackson, who we all 68 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:28,120 Speaker 2: know is that elite down the field. I mean, you 69 00:03:28,160 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 2: talk about yards per reception, that's one of the things 70 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 2: that DeShawn Jackson did, and then Mike Williams did it once. 71 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:35,280 Speaker 1: With the Chargers. That's it though. 72 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 2: That's the list, so it shows you how impressive he 73 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 2: was able to do it on you know that minimum. 74 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 2: I mean you talk about over not even one hundred targets. 75 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: That is one thing that he mentioned with Kay Adams 76 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 2: last week when he was on that up in Adams podcast, 77 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 2: you know, talking about heading into free agency and what 78 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 2: all of this means. And ultimately he knows that when 79 00:03:54,840 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 2: you get that area where you are a premier free agent, 80 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:01,840 Speaker 2: a team is paying you a lot of money, that 81 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 2: role changes. 82 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 1: So his role is going to change. 83 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,320 Speaker 2: Within the Colts offense from what we've seen over the 84 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 2: previous handful of years while he's been here, and in 85 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaker 2: large part because you know, there are some games where 86 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 2: you know, maybe he's got a few targets, maybe one 87 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:18,800 Speaker 2: or two catches as the number one receiver in this 88 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 2: you know landscape that we're playing. Where do you think 89 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 2: the biggest area of his change, area of his game 90 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 2: is going to change when you look at what that 91 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 2: role is going to be heading into twenty twenty six. 92 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 3: Well, we know he can go deep. We know he 93 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 3: can get the deep ball, and that's why maybe the 94 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 3: attempts aren't there because you're not gonna throw a ton 95 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 3: of balls down the field. So I look at Alex's 96 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,640 Speaker 3: production to come not more of, but be added to 97 00:04:45,720 --> 00:04:48,640 Speaker 3: what he already does. Is at that mid range game, 98 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 3: that fifteen to twenty yards, that going down fifteen twenty yards, 99 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,159 Speaker 3: running a dig route coming across the middle, running that 100 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 3: over route across the field from one from the right 101 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 3: side always to the left side, maybe about fifteen twenty 102 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:04,720 Speaker 3: yards down the field, that twenty yard comeback on the sidelines. 103 00:05:04,839 --> 00:05:07,359 Speaker 3: Things like that, Those are gonna be the plays that 104 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:10,039 Speaker 3: I think that you're gonna see a lot more of 105 00:05:10,160 --> 00:05:12,480 Speaker 3: Alec doing out there in the football field, being able 106 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:15,960 Speaker 3: to catch a place. Like you said, when you're that 107 00:05:16,000 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 3: type of receiver, now that you're getting paid that type 108 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,039 Speaker 3: of money, they're gonna look for you to make some 109 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 3: more plays. And for you to make some more plays, 110 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 3: you're gonna have to do some other things besides just 111 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 3: go deep, and he can do that. You saw him 112 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 3: improved on that year after year. So I don't see 113 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:33,839 Speaker 3: that being a problem for Alex going out there doing that, 114 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:37,040 Speaker 3: making those big plays, and he has that opportunity to 115 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 3: make those plays at the mid range game, those could 116 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:42,600 Speaker 3: turn to big explosive plays down the field, meaning run 117 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 3: after the catch, catching the ball at fifteen to twenty 118 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,679 Speaker 3: yards and then running for fifteen to twenty more yards 119 00:05:47,680 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 3: down the field. Because Alex's a big guy, fast guy, 120 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 3: uses his body very well and catching the ball, screening 121 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:58,720 Speaker 3: out defenders to catch the ball, and using his hands. 122 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,720 Speaker 3: So I see Ali doing those things, and I see 123 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,839 Speaker 3: him only improving and getting better at it working with 124 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:06,200 Speaker 3: Reggie and other coaches. 125 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 2: Now I label you as an expert because you played 126 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 2: in the NFL at this receiver. Hey, Billy, you, I 127 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 2: know you're as humble as they get, but an expert, 128 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 2: but you were in the ring of. 129 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,039 Speaker 1: A lot more expertise than what I have. 130 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 2: But I think over the last I would say, you know, 131 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 2: a couple months of the previous season, you really started 132 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:33,640 Speaker 2: to see that part of his game be utilized. You know, 133 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 2: I think about that I can't even remember what game 134 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 2: it was, but that fourth down conversion where it was 135 00:06:39,040 --> 00:06:41,840 Speaker 2: over the middle, like fourth and nine, you had to 136 00:06:41,880 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 2: have it, and there it was. To Alec Pierce was 137 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,719 Speaker 2: almost like they really started to see the evolution of 138 00:06:48,240 --> 00:06:51,719 Speaker 2: who are our best players, our best weapons making sure 139 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:54,799 Speaker 2: we get the ball in their hands. And our colleague 140 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 2: Rick Van Turrey, he always talks about the ambient players, 141 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 2: and he from I would say from day one, he 142 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:04,479 Speaker 2: loved Alec Pierce and he talked about how what he's 143 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:07,080 Speaker 2: able to do it makes him that ambient player, the 144 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:12,400 Speaker 2: two tailend all guy for defensive coordinators. And I think 145 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:14,920 Speaker 2: that is one thing about Alec Pierce's game that is 146 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 2: only going to grow because you've seen what he can 147 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 2: do in a limited role, and now if you expanded 148 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 2: a little bit more, all of a sudden, you could 149 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 2: really check into some of that untapped things you didn't 150 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 2: know you. 151 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 3: Had exactly do that. And also that helps the offense 152 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 3: as well. I mean, because if the defense is going 153 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:32,400 Speaker 3: to say, okay, Alix is gonna go deep, we can 154 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 3: play at defense to stop him and not worry about 155 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 3: anything else with what Alic can do. But when Alex 156 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,960 Speaker 3: starts doing some other things. It changes the defense that 157 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 3: to stop thinking differently now that okay, now they have 158 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 3: another weapon that can do not just only go deep, 159 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,160 Speaker 3: but he also can run across the field. He also 160 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 3: can run those mid range routes. But it also opens 161 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 3: up everything else for the other guys as well. Knowing that, 162 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 3: you know, you have Tyler Warren that can run on 163 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:58,760 Speaker 3: the kneath stuff, you have Josh Downs that can do something. 164 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:00,880 Speaker 3: So you have those guys guys out there that can 165 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 3: do some other things. And having Alec back into the 166 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 3: offense and doing more than what he didn't pass, it's 167 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 3: only going to be a plus for the offense. 168 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:12,960 Speaker 2: Now we're on instant reaction here reacting to Alec Pierce 169 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 2: announcing that he's returning to the Colts, and last week 170 00:08:16,240 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 2: we found out the Cults are using the transition tag 171 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:21,679 Speaker 2: on Daniel Jones. Now, this still leaves a door open 172 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 2: for you know, the contract, you know, chatter back and 173 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 2: forth between he and the Colts on a long term deal. 174 00:08:28,680 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 2: So we don't know, you know, where those stand as 175 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 2: we were recording this, but that is probably the anticipated 176 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 2: goal on trying to get something more long term done 177 00:08:37,040 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 2: with Daniel Jones. But we had talked about it during 178 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 2: our free agent capsules on you know, whether it's our 179 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 2: daily update that airs locally here or you know, our 180 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:50,640 Speaker 2: podcast leading up to this, that Daniel Jones was almost 181 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:53,480 Speaker 2: like that lynch pin if you will, for Alec Pierce 182 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:57,800 Speaker 2: coming back, because we saw that relationship really grow. And 183 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 2: I think I mentioned this to you how ironic it 184 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:02,680 Speaker 2: is because a year ago there were a lot of 185 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 2: people nationally that said, well, Daniel Jones doesn't really push 186 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 2: the ball down the field, so it might mean that 187 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 2: Alec Pierce is going to see, you know, a decreased role, 188 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:14,800 Speaker 2: if you will, And I think we totally saw. 189 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 1: That be the opposite. 190 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 2: Both of these guys flourished inside this offense. And I 191 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:22,080 Speaker 2: think you really saw that relationship between Daniel and Alec. 192 00:09:22,800 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 2: And you know this, like I said, you played receiver. 193 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:27,640 Speaker 2: You know how important it is to have, you know, 194 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 2: that rapport with a quarterback. 195 00:09:29,280 --> 00:09:31,000 Speaker 1: Yes, So how important. 196 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:33,560 Speaker 2: Was that you think for Alec Pierce returning to play 197 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 2: with Daniel Jones because they already have that chemistry built in. 198 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:38,440 Speaker 3: I think it plays a part. I think it definitely 199 00:09:38,440 --> 00:09:40,480 Speaker 3: plays a part. And you know, depending on how you 200 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:44,600 Speaker 3: are as an individual, as Alec how he relates to Daniel, which, 201 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:48,240 Speaker 3: for what I see, they relate very well together. They 202 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 3: have a good report in the football field. I said, 203 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,199 Speaker 3: Alex good person in the locker room. Daniel seem like 204 00:09:53,240 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 3: a good person in locked So they have a good relationship. 205 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 3: But from what I know, and that's an important piece 206 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:00,720 Speaker 3: for Alex to be able to come back, feel comfortable 207 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:03,439 Speaker 3: with the quarterback he's playing with, knowing that, hey, he 208 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 3: understands me. He understands my body language. He knows when 209 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 3: I do this on the field that I'm probably gonna 210 00:10:08,360 --> 00:10:10,880 Speaker 3: break my route here, I'm gonna do this. He understands 211 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 3: my speed, he understands when to throw the ball up. 212 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 3: So let me go get it to go for those 213 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 3: fifty fifty balls, I can come down with it. So 214 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 3: that's a big part of I think Ali making a 215 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 3: decision to come back, because you know, if you goes 216 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 3: somewhere else, a different team, you start all over again, 217 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:30,000 Speaker 3: like a rookie. You start fresh. You gotta learn the quarterback. 218 00:10:30,040 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 3: The quarterback has to learn you. You have to learn 219 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 3: your teammates, You have to learn the whole new offense. 220 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 3: You have to learn the city, the team, the other 221 00:10:37,280 --> 00:10:39,800 Speaker 3: people in the building. So it makes a big difference. 222 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 3: People might not think that's a lot, but that plays 223 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:44,680 Speaker 3: on a person when you have to go somewhere new 224 00:10:44,800 --> 00:10:47,920 Speaker 3: and learn things all over again. He's coming back here, 225 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 3: he knows that he had a good relationship with Daniel, 226 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,600 Speaker 3: he knows Reggie Wayne very well, he knows his teammates 227 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 3: very well. So it'll be a lot easier for him 228 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:00,679 Speaker 3: to come back and feel comfortable picking up from where 229 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 3: he left off and just hopefully improving from there and hopefully, 230 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 3: you know, having Daniel back and going from there and 231 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:09,440 Speaker 3: this hopefully the offense can pick up from where they 232 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:12,040 Speaker 3: left off when they were eight and two and hopefully 233 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:14,319 Speaker 3: do a lot of better things in the last seven 234 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 3: weeks of the season. 235 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:16,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, sorry about you talk about that eight and 236 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:19,360 Speaker 2: two start, I mean those first ten weeks, you know. 237 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 2: I think he mentioned it on the Pat McAfee show 238 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 2: today that we were the best offense in football, we 239 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:27,840 Speaker 2: were the best team and they were rolling because how 240 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:31,040 Speaker 2: they were playing, I mean, it was historic levels. And 241 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,120 Speaker 2: I think there's no reason to think that they can't 242 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 2: get back to that, especially you talk about, you know, 243 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 2: those relationships and being able. 244 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:38,839 Speaker 1: To pick up right where you left off. I think 245 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:39,440 Speaker 1: that is key. 246 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:41,640 Speaker 2: But one of the things you mentioned there was teammates, 247 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:46,600 Speaker 2: and the Colts made the big trade to acquire Sauce Gardner. Yep, 248 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 2: and you know it was you know, injury riddled, and 249 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,360 Speaker 2: you know, you could talk about the way the last 250 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 2: half of the season went. 251 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: But Sauce and Alec are very close. 252 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 2: Yes, they played college together collegiately at Cincinnati. They are 253 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 2: both avid gone And I thought it was really really 254 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 2: funny last week. And I'm going to quote a tweet 255 00:12:03,760 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 2: from Sauce Gardner when all the trade talk was going on. 256 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,000 Speaker 2: He said, and this is quote from Sauce Gardner, should 257 00:12:10,040 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 2: I lock Alec Pierce in my basement and force him 258 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:15,400 Speaker 2: to sign the contract papers? Well, I'm gonna tell you 259 00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 2: this right now, Sauce, it work because you know how 260 00:12:18,240 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 2: important it is for those relationships. And whether you call 261 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 2: it tampering, legal, tampering, whatever, the NFL terminizes it. That's 262 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 2: not even a word I just created that terminizes. That's 263 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 2: clearly not a word, So don't use that out there. 264 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:35,079 Speaker 2: But there is chatter and you can get in those 265 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 2: bonds with these guys, and I think that is also 266 00:12:38,640 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 2: an area that really helped in turning this as well, 267 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 2: because Sauce Gardner clearly a good friend of Alec Pierce. 268 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:48,600 Speaker 2: They talked glowing about each other when Sauce wasn't here, 269 00:12:48,679 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 2: and then when Sauce was here they golfed together. We 270 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:54,439 Speaker 2: saw the pictures, So I think that is also another 271 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:56,560 Speaker 2: piece of it. And Sauce he is going to be 272 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 2: an indie for some time as well, because when you 273 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:01,080 Speaker 2: talk about that trade, he had already had that you know, 274 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 2: big time extension involved, So he's going to be an 275 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 2: indie long term. So I think having kind of those 276 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 2: cornerstone pieces on the outside it's going to help both 277 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 2: of them. But I think that relationship is also part 278 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 2: of the reason why Alex's returning. 279 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, people, you know, don't understand the relationship 280 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 3: that players have with one another, you know, and of 281 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 3: course Alec and Sauce go back to college day, so 282 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 3: you know that's important for you when you're thinking about 283 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:25,439 Speaker 3: where you're going to go, what team you're going to 284 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:29,000 Speaker 3: be with, and you know, Alex has those relationships with Sauce, 285 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:32,000 Speaker 3: and it makes it a lot easier being in a 286 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 3: comfortable environment, right, being able to learn and being able 287 00:13:35,160 --> 00:13:37,720 Speaker 3: to flourish. Those things help you flourish by being in 288 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 3: a comfortable environment and having some friends around that you 289 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 3: can bounce things off of. But also, I mean, let's 290 00:13:43,600 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 3: face it, Sauce and Alec go go against each other 291 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:48,199 Speaker 3: in practice what I want, So that's what you want. 292 00:13:48,400 --> 00:13:50,840 Speaker 3: That's a little trash talking about amongst each other. So 293 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:52,599 Speaker 3: it's fun, and that's what you want to have. You 294 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:54,199 Speaker 3: want to have fun in practice. You don't want to 295 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 3: be something that's boring and mundane all the time. So 296 00:13:57,240 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 3: you have some friends that you can do some different 297 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:01,560 Speaker 3: things with and I think that plays a part in it. 298 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 3: And it's going to be very important for this team 299 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 3: to get people that really like each other, you know 300 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,280 Speaker 3: what I mean, and really enjoy being around each other, 301 00:14:10,360 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 3: not just because you're playing football, because you dislike the 302 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 3: person who they are. And I think Alec, you know, 303 00:14:17,440 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 3: love likes the people that he's around, and they like 304 00:14:19,720 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 3: Alec and that makes a big difference, and that's what 305 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 3: you That's the type of chemistry you want on your 306 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 3: team where guys like each other and enjoy each other 307 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:28,680 Speaker 3: and go out and play for one another. 308 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:32,000 Speaker 2: Now, as we're recording this, the new league year officially 309 00:14:32,040 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 2: begins on Wednesday at four, So there is going to 310 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,480 Speaker 2: be roster construction that's going to continue to make its way. 311 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 2: And you know, we're we're not talking about all the 312 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:42,880 Speaker 2: other moves or things that could happen here and there. 313 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 2: We're really diving into just Alec Pierce returning. But one 314 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 2: of the things that I wanted to talk to you about, 315 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 2: and I mentioned that he goes back to playing with 316 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:54,680 Speaker 2: Sauce at Cincinnati. When you look at what Alec Pierce 317 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 2: has done since the Cold strafted him four years ago 318 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:00,720 Speaker 2: out of Cincinnati, kind of a raw time with a 319 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:03,360 Speaker 2: lot of upside and potential, and he's really grown into that. 320 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 2: What have you seen out of Alec Pierce? Because the 321 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 2: area of his game that we saw really elevated in 322 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:12,040 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five, kind of some eyes started opening up 323 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:14,280 Speaker 2: around the league. But I feel like we've been talking 324 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 2: about this for the last couple of years. 325 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:18,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, we have. I mean, we knew that Alec was athletic, 326 00:15:18,720 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 3: he could jump, he could run, big body guy, strong, 327 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:25,960 Speaker 3: long armed guy. As I said, he could run, we 328 00:15:26,040 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 3: saw and we knew that he can go deep and 329 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:31,280 Speaker 3: catch the deep ball, especially the fifty fifty ball, he 330 00:15:31,280 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 3: could jump very high. But what we've seen is Alec 331 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 3: developed the other things that you need to do to 332 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:40,440 Speaker 3: be a successful receiver in the National Football League. Being 333 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 3: able to come off the ball, being able to when 334 00:15:42,960 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 3: you do run deep routes, be able to stack that defender, 335 00:15:45,480 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 3: get in front of him so you can get deep 336 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 3: ha position on him. Be able to run those routes, 337 00:15:50,080 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 3: get into your break and come out of those breaks. 338 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 3: Very important for a receiver as a start the middle 339 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 3: of the route, getting into the top of the break, 340 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 3: then coming out of that break creating some separation. And 341 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 3: I think we've seen that from Alec develop over the years, 342 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:07,080 Speaker 3: and those are the things that to me, I enjoy watching. Yes, 343 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 3: it's nice to see Alec make those fifty to fifty 344 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,440 Speaker 3: ball catches and come up with the big catchers and 345 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 3: the big touchdowns like that, but I enjoy to see 346 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 3: the technique part of running a route, as far as 347 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 3: getting into your break, coming out of your break, starting 348 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 3: with your start and coming off the ball, and being 349 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 3: the defender at the line of scrimmage and things like that, 350 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 3: and then getting your body and position to make a catcher. 351 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:33,920 Speaker 3: The water off the defenders is going to try to 352 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 3: swap the ball down and pick it off. Those are 353 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 3: the things that I like to see, and Alec has 354 00:16:38,720 --> 00:16:41,680 Speaker 3: gotten better at those things year in and year out, 355 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 3: and he continues to work in those things, and to me, 356 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 3: that's the fun part about Alec that I like seeing 357 00:16:46,880 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 3: how he has developed them. Looking forward to see him 358 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 3: do some other things out there in the football field 359 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 3: as well. Going forward. 360 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 2: Now, find a couple of things with your bill. Reggie 361 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:58,560 Speaker 2: Wayne is the receiver coach, yes, And I think from 362 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:03,560 Speaker 2: a personal and pesal standpoint with Alec Pierce, there is 363 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:06,880 Speaker 2: a very high amount of respect from both he and 364 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:10,679 Speaker 2: Reggie Wayne. I think Reggie Wayne demands a lot for 365 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:13,520 Speaker 2: what the room is supposed to look like and how 366 00:17:13,520 --> 00:17:16,320 Speaker 2: they're supposed to act. And I think that Alec Pierce 367 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:18,640 Speaker 2: is kind of that perfect guy to kind of show 368 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 2: that because he has been challenged year in and year out, 369 00:17:22,840 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 2: you know. I mean, it's one of those things that 370 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:27,679 Speaker 2: nothing is given to you, and Reggie Wayne is a 371 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,639 Speaker 2: guy that knows that better than anybody. I Mean, he 372 00:17:30,720 --> 00:17:33,000 Speaker 2: came in here with Mike with Marvin Harrison right there 373 00:17:33,040 --> 00:17:35,280 Speaker 2: and it was like, hey, if you want to make 374 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:36,600 Speaker 2: it in this league, you've got to figure out a 375 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:40,280 Speaker 2: way to get yours, Yes, and Reggie Wayne is that guy. 376 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:43,959 Speaker 2: So I think part of that too, that that expectation 377 00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:47,479 Speaker 2: for what was demanded out of the receivers that Reggie 378 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:50,399 Speaker 2: Wayne just constantly puts on them. I think that is 379 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 2: so big. And also having that as a sounding board 380 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 2: for Alec Pearce is only going to continue to help 381 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,320 Speaker 2: him grow and that is probably one of the reasons 382 00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 2: that he has grown into what there's receiver we see today. 383 00:18:00,680 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's big because Reggie it's not only a coach 384 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 3: that demands something from those individuals, demands a lot for 385 00:18:07,720 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 3: those individuals, but he sees a lot in those individuals 386 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 3: and that's why he demands so much. He sees the 387 00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:15,399 Speaker 3: athletic ability that those guys have, he sees how smart 388 00:18:15,480 --> 00:18:17,720 Speaker 3: they are, he sees that these are the things they 389 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:20,440 Speaker 3: can do to be good to help this team win. 390 00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,200 Speaker 3: And like Reggie's played at the highest level and he's 391 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:25,639 Speaker 3: done it, and he's you know, I don't want to 392 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,439 Speaker 3: get off on Yeah, we don't know I can go 393 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,199 Speaker 3: out in there. Yeah, I don't want to get off 394 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 3: of that tangent where ready should be in the Hall 395 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:35,960 Speaker 3: of fame should be. But but he demands a lot 396 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 3: from those guys because he sees the talent that they have, 397 00:18:39,119 --> 00:18:42,399 Speaker 3: and Reggie expects that because it ready expected out of himself. 398 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 3: So it's easy for him to go out there and 399 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:46,680 Speaker 3: expect those guys to play at a high level each 400 00:18:46,720 --> 00:18:49,440 Speaker 3: and every week. So I think it's good for Alec. 401 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:50,840 Speaker 3: I think it's good for the young guys. I think 402 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:53,239 Speaker 3: it's good for any receiver coming in here, whoever's going 403 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 3: to be a receiver on in Indianapolis coach to have 404 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:57,639 Speaker 3: Reggie as a coach because he's going to demand the 405 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:00,800 Speaker 3: most out of you, so you give them most and 406 00:19:00,880 --> 00:19:03,000 Speaker 3: help this team win. And it's only going to help 407 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 3: you as an individual. But of course it's going to 408 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 3: help the team. So I think it's a good I 409 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:10,719 Speaker 3: think it's a good fit with Alec and Reggie together 410 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 3: as out as Reggie being the coach and it's trying 411 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 3: to coach Alec and seeing how Alec has developed over 412 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 3: the years, given a lot of credit to ready for that. 413 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:20,440 Speaker 2: Now, the final thing I want to talk to you about, Bill, 414 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 2: and I'm sure in some ways you're maybe a little 415 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,360 Speaker 2: surprised it took me this long to talk about it, but. 416 00:19:26,560 --> 00:19:28,120 Speaker 1: There is a personal connection. 417 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 2: Yes, Alex's little brother Kayden is going to be joining 418 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:35,280 Speaker 2: the Purdue boiler Makers next year. You know, me is 419 00:19:35,320 --> 00:19:39,360 Speaker 2: a big and there's a part of me that maybe 420 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:41,120 Speaker 2: that also played into it. 421 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:43,359 Speaker 1: We know that family is a big thing for the Peers. 422 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:46,840 Speaker 2: The Piers family is you know, and I mean you 423 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:50,480 Speaker 2: talk about athletes, it's incredible. But yes, being from Chicago, 424 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:53,840 Speaker 2: you got brother going to Purdue. Everybody's still right here 425 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 2: in the Midwest. I think that might played a little 426 00:19:55,840 --> 00:19:56,400 Speaker 2: bit of role as. 427 00:19:56,600 --> 00:19:59,040 Speaker 3: That that could play something into it. You know, you 428 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:02,199 Speaker 3: know Alec and know during his free time can go 429 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:05,600 Speaker 3: up to Purdue and see little brother and see what 430 00:20:05,640 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 3: he's doing, how he's doing, or go watch a game 431 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:10,680 Speaker 3: and uh, rud on his little brother. The little brother 432 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 3: come down and of course watch a football game and 433 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:17,160 Speaker 3: Rude has a bigger brother on and go from there 434 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:20,159 Speaker 3: and the family comes down. So yeah, close knit family, 435 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 3: nice family. So I'm sure for mom and dad is 436 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:26,479 Speaker 3: a little easier to kind of hit the spots they 437 00:20:26,520 --> 00:20:29,480 Speaker 3: need to hit to to see. Uh, both those guys play. 438 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 3: But it's neat that probably has something to do with it. 439 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:36,359 Speaker 3: But I'm sure. I'm glad Alec has signed back, and uh, 440 00:20:36,680 --> 00:20:38,560 Speaker 3: he'll be close to family absolutely. 441 00:20:38,600 --> 00:20:38,719 Speaker 1: Well. 442 00:20:38,760 --> 00:20:41,520 Speaker 2: That is uh, that is one little thing that I 443 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:43,640 Speaker 2: don't know necessarily if it played a huge role. 444 00:20:43,720 --> 00:20:45,800 Speaker 3: No, no, but you know what, it doesn't hurt. It 445 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 3: doesn't hurt. 446 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:49,640 Speaker 2: I was excited to hear that he was joining and 447 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 2: keeping Alec here is pretty impressive and that's one thing 448 00:20:52,520 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 2: that we. 449 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 1: Wanted for sure. But like we said, we are at 450 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:55,359 Speaker 1: the instant. 451 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 2: It's an instant reaction here talking about Alec Pierce coming 452 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:02,159 Speaker 2: back to the indian Napolis Colts four year extension. He 453 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:05,359 Speaker 2: announced it with Pat McAfee today. Massive news for the Colts, 454 00:21:05,359 --> 00:21:08,000 Speaker 2: but number fourteen, it's going to be back in Indianapolis 455 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:09,400 Speaker 2: heading into twenty twenty six. 456 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 1: For Bill Brooks, I'm Casey Valie. 457 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,639 Speaker 2: Thanks a lot for joining us here on instant reaction 458 00:21:13,760 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 2: in Indianapolis Colts podcast