1 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:16,079 Speaker 1: This is our AFC South edition of the OTP. I 2 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: might keep with Amy Wells by how are you Amy? 3 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,600 Speaker 1: Just fine? Thank you? How are you well? I'm doing well. 4 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,079 Speaker 1: And our first guest on this AFC South edition of 5 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:28,040 Speaker 1: the OTP is the voice of the Indianapolis Colts. His 6 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:30,760 Speaker 1: name is Matt Taylor. Welcome sir, Thank you, good to 7 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:32,680 Speaker 1: be here. Well, it's great to have you with us. 8 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 1: Welcome to Indy. Well, it's again, it's wonderful to be 9 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:40,440 Speaker 1: with you and to be talking about the division. As 10 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: this year gets ready to begin and we kick off 11 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 1: another season, the one hundredth season of the NFL. The 12 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 1: Colts slow start a year ago after the loss to Cincinnati, 13 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:55,960 Speaker 1: a win at Washington, and then four straight losses and 14 00:00:56,000 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: then what a rally outside of an aberration and a 15 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 1: shutout loss at Jacksonville, are reeling off nine of ten 16 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 1: to end the season and to make the playoffs. Great 17 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,360 Speaker 1: year for the Colts. Did you see it coming when 18 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:15,399 Speaker 1: your ball club was one in five? No? No, I 19 00:01:15,440 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 1: didn't see one in five either, right, right, So I 20 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 1: mean at the beginning of the season, if we can 21 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: just go back a little bit, no one really knew 22 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:24,240 Speaker 1: how good the Colts were going to be really, I mean, 23 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:27,600 Speaker 1: people talk about expectations and they talk about wins and 24 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 1: losses in the projections, we had no idea where to start. 25 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 1: Let me just stape you for a second, because they 26 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:36,960 Speaker 1: were picked last by a lot of people in the division. 27 00:01:37,000 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 1: But I think it was mainly because of what you're saying. 28 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 1: People people didn't know what well. I mean, you had 29 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 1: a first time head coach, right, three first time coordinators, 30 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:49,120 Speaker 1: and all the different phases, plus the X factor of 31 00:01:49,240 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: you know, how good is Andrew Luck? Is he going 32 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 1: to come back? If he does come back, how long 33 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:55,600 Speaker 1: is it going to take him to come back to 34 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: Andrew Luck form right where you know, we saw him 35 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:01,600 Speaker 1: be prolific up until twenty fourteen. Prior to the injury, 36 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 1: you had eleven draft picks, You had so many first 37 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 1: and second year players there. There again, there was no 38 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 1: way to really fully predict how good the Colts were 39 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:13,639 Speaker 1: going to be. But they were in all of those games. 40 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:16,960 Speaker 1: Early on the one in five start, they were really 41 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,200 Speaker 1: unfortunate because they were so banged up. They had a 42 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 1: ton of injuries to key players. But after that, after 43 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: that Jets game, they really kind of squandered one there, 44 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: they got, they let one go. They had an all 45 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,200 Speaker 1: team meeting, and not not to say that's the end 46 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: all be all, because I think that's kind of overblown 47 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:37,000 Speaker 1: over radio works too easy. Yeah, guys get together and 48 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:38,919 Speaker 1: they kind of have a come to Jesus moment. But 49 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:43,239 Speaker 1: I think that helped. Guys got they got, they got 50 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 1: more healthy to key players coming back to the lineup 51 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:49,079 Speaker 1: plus two. Must be honest, the schedule kind of lightened 52 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 1: up a little bit. They took advantages of advantage of 53 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:54,919 Speaker 1: some bad teams. But yes, I didn't see one in five. 54 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,040 Speaker 1: Also didn't see nine of ten to make the playoffs. 55 00:02:57,320 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 1: Now that it's over and very clearly in the rearview mirror, 56 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 1: how frustrating for you as a team employee who knows 57 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 1: these people, who is familiar with the situation and maybe 58 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: has more information than the average fan or outsider. How 59 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 1: frustrating was the Andrew Luck saga for you? Well, it was. 60 00:03:17,639 --> 00:03:21,280 Speaker 1: It was tough because you know, I had just as 61 00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 1: much information as everybody else did. Because Andrew Luck's a 62 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 1: very private person. He keeps everything close to the vest. 63 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: He doesn't like the attention to be just on him. 64 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 1: And for the last two and a half three years. 65 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:34,400 Speaker 1: That's really what it was all about. It was all 66 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:38,720 Speaker 1: about Andrew Luck individually as a player. And it was 67 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: kind of frustrating for me because I had to be 68 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 1: a mouthpiece just like what you guys are. You have 69 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: to be a mouthpiece of spokesperson, so to speak, on 70 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: behalf of the organization, and you just sometimes you run 71 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: out of different ways to say the same thing. You know, 72 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: you have to approach it at a different angle. But 73 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: I think this season as a whole for Andrew Luck 74 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 1: was such a comeback tour, right. I mean, he played 75 00:04:00,480 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 1: so well it didn't take long for him to come 76 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 1: back to true for him. I mean it was Week 77 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 1: one against Cincinnati. He throws over fifty passes over four 78 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:13,200 Speaker 1: hundred yards. We knew right then, Okay, this guy's back, right, 79 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: we knew this Andrew Luck is back to being Andrew Luck. 80 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: And this past season he would always smile. Even during 81 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: that one in five stretch, he was smiling. He was 82 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:25,440 Speaker 1: in a good mood even though the team was in 83 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: a bad place. We wasn't taking advantage of the practice time, 84 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 1: and he wasn't taking advantage of the meeting time and 85 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:34,320 Speaker 1: all the all the things guys really don't enjoy doing 86 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:36,919 Speaker 1: in the NFL. He was relishing because that had been 87 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:38,719 Speaker 1: taken away from him. You know, he was in a 88 00:04:38,839 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 1: dark place. He admitted that, you know, mentally he didn't 89 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 1: know if he still loved football. He had to find 90 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 1: that out and come to find out he still loved football, 91 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: and football loved him. And the fact that he didn't 92 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:53,800 Speaker 1: miss a practice all year, didn't miss a game, was 93 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:55,839 Speaker 1: a huge feather in his cap considering all that he'd 94 00:04:55,880 --> 00:05:01,679 Speaker 1: went through. Can you ever remember a raft as good 95 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: as the colts two thousand and eighteen draft with Quentin Nelson, 96 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:14,159 Speaker 1: Darius Leonard, Braydon Smith, Turey, Lewis, Hines, Wilkins, Adams, Franklin, 97 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:17,280 Speaker 1: I'm down the line. Can you ever remember anything now? No? 98 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:19,720 Speaker 1: I mean, as long as I'm been doing this, that 99 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: is by far the most impactful draft in the history 100 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: of the Colts, maybe the division, and I'm sure it's 101 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: up there in recent past of most impactful drafts in 102 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 1: the NFL. I mean, you start with Quentin Nelson, who 103 00:05:32,120 --> 00:05:34,839 Speaker 1: might be the best, one of the best guards in 104 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:37,520 Speaker 1: football right now. I think he's got he's got a 105 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,240 Speaker 1: chance to be a Hall of Fame player considering you know, 106 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 1: his measurables, and you mean, he's already a Pro bowler, 107 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 1: a first team All Pro and he got votes of 108 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 1: crying out loud for offensive Rookie of the Year. I mean, 109 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 1: it's just unheard of Darius Leonard Rookie of the Year 110 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 1: on the defensive side of the ball, and no one 111 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: really knew who the heck he was because he was, 112 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 1: you know, an FCS guy South Carolina State. But that 113 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 1: just goes to show how important the Senior Bowl and 114 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: all the offseason workouts are. And then you got Braden 115 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 1: Smith coming in Week five. He moves out from guard 116 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: to tackle and then the rest is history there. So 117 00:06:12,080 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 1: I think the Colts the draft class. I read that 118 00:06:14,279 --> 00:06:16,840 Speaker 1: the Colts draft played the most snaps of any other 119 00:06:16,960 --> 00:06:20,320 Speaker 1: draft in the in the NFL last year, and you 120 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:23,159 Speaker 1: compound that with what the Colts did in twenty seventeen. 121 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:26,679 Speaker 1: You got Malik Hooker, you know, some other impactful guys 122 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:30,720 Speaker 1: in that draft class. So once this once these twenty seventeen, 123 00:06:30,800 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 1: twenty eighteen, twenty nineteen draft class for the Colts, once 124 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: those guys are two three years into the league, then 125 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:38,360 Speaker 1: I think you're gonna see the Colts be a little 126 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:41,359 Speaker 1: bit more aggressive in free agency to go out and 127 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:44,719 Speaker 1: supplement the roster because right now you know they're they're 128 00:06:45,279 --> 00:06:47,120 Speaker 1: believe it or not. Even though they made the playoffs 129 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:49,520 Speaker 1: last year, there's still somewhat in this build mode. They 130 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:51,240 Speaker 1: want to build the culture, they want to build through 131 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:55,160 Speaker 1: the draft, developed guys, resign their own until they're at 132 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 1: that point, I think they'll be pretty prudent in free agency, 133 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,120 Speaker 1: put a value on guy. They're not going to go 134 00:07:01,160 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 1: outside of those parameters as far as how much they 135 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 1: value them, and they're not going to overpay just to 136 00:07:05,800 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 1: get talent just to make a splash. But I think 137 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:10,360 Speaker 1: in a couple of years they're gonna be able to 138 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 1: supplement the roster by bringing in some key talent, some 139 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 1: big name free agents that they think can take them 140 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: over the top at the moment whenever. That is, so, 141 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:23,440 Speaker 1: what's missing? If you could name one position, one piece, yeah, 142 00:07:23,480 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: what is it? I think there's two pieces. I think 143 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:30,239 Speaker 1: upfront along the defensive line, edge play is a huge need. Obviously, 144 00:07:30,280 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 1: every team says that you can't have enough pass rushers, 145 00:07:32,520 --> 00:07:35,520 Speaker 1: just like you can't have enough good interior offensive lineman. 146 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 1: The Colts again, we talked about at the beginning of 147 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 1: a segment, no one really knew how good the Colts 148 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: were going to be. Same thing on defense, No one 149 00:07:43,840 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 1: knew how good the Colts were going to be on 150 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 1: that side of the ball because Matt Eberflewis was the 151 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,400 Speaker 1: first time coordinator, so many young guys, plus they're playing 152 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:55,440 Speaker 1: a four or three pretty passive defense where they give 153 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 1: up a lot of zone completion. They don't get after 154 00:07:57,840 --> 00:08:00,200 Speaker 1: the quarterback of Ton as far as the blitz is concerned. 155 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 1: But they did get thirty eight sacks last year, but 156 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 1: twenty two of the thirty eight sacks came in four games, 157 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 1: and only eleven and a half of those sacks came 158 00:08:08,040 --> 00:08:09,760 Speaker 1: off the edge. So they need somebody to kind of 159 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,920 Speaker 1: compliment what they're getting from Jabal sheared because sheared, even 160 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 1: though he didn't have double digit sacks, he's he's consistently 161 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: getting after the quarterback. He's there. Sacks don't tell the 162 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:22,960 Speaker 1: whole story in terms of how good of a edge 163 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 1: pressure you are. So I would say you have to 164 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: get somebody in this draft because we know that. You know, 165 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:31,360 Speaker 1: edge rushers don't grow on trees. The good ones rarely 166 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: hit free agency, so you're gonna have to draft somebody 167 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:37,360 Speaker 1: in the second, you know, first second round. The Colts 168 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:39,640 Speaker 1: have three picks in the first two rounds, which is good, 169 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:44,240 Speaker 1: So you're almost relegated to getting pass rushers in the 170 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: draft and hoping they turn into elite players two and 171 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 1: three years down the road. Matt, the Colts have twenty six, 172 00:08:49,679 --> 00:08:52,880 Speaker 1: thirty four, fifty nine, eighty nine, and then they also 173 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 1: have picks one twenty nine, one thirty five, one sixty four, 174 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,520 Speaker 1: one ninety nine, and two forty. With all that available 175 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 1: and knowing what you know about where they are now, 176 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 1: do you think the Colts could be a candidate to 177 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 1: package those picks and maybe try to go up and 178 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: grab a specific player potentially, you know, I mean, you know, 179 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: Chris Ballard likes draft picks, and like I said, at 180 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 1: this stage in the game, he wants to build through 181 00:09:19,040 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 1: the draft, and last year he turned nine picks into eleven. 182 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: I think he's probably more inclined to go that way 183 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:27,199 Speaker 1: to get more draft picks than to give some up 184 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:30,440 Speaker 1: to get impactful players higher in the draft. Now that 185 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:32,200 Speaker 1: being said, you never know, I mean, they could just 186 00:09:32,280 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 1: love somebody off the edge in this draft. Class and 187 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 1: then kind of, like you said, package a deal to 188 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 1: go up and get a guy. But I think that 189 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:42,160 Speaker 1: he's going to just going off my gut. He's going 190 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 1: to keep those top three picks in the first two 191 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:48,079 Speaker 1: rounds and he's really been honest. We need help off 192 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 1: the edge, and we also need help at wide receiver 193 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:52,920 Speaker 1: because I mean, t Y Hilton's a bona fide number 194 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 1: one wide out. Outside of that, Dontrell Imman's a free agent, 195 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 1: Ryan Grants a free agent, Chester Rogers a restricted free agent. 196 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:02,679 Speaker 1: They're still in search of that number two guy that 197 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:04,839 Speaker 1: the Colts kind of got away with that last year 198 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 1: because of how effective and efficient the tight ends were. 199 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 1: But I think they're gonna need that number two guy, 200 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:15,480 Speaker 1: that clear number two guy next year. You brought up 201 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:18,079 Speaker 1: Dion Kane, you know, he tore his ACL last year. 202 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 1: He was a second round pick. They're still kind of 203 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 1: high on him. But when his availability when when's that 204 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:26,880 Speaker 1: going to be next year? So that number two guy 205 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:30,079 Speaker 1: in the wide receiver corps is huge. You mentioned it earlier. 206 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 1: First time head coach, first time coordinators in all three phases, 207 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:36,480 Speaker 1: where do you expect to see the biggest change between 208 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: year one and year two in terms of coaching and 209 00:10:39,000 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 1: the way that the team kind of operates. You know, 210 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:43,679 Speaker 1: I think this offense is just going to take the 211 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:46,880 Speaker 1: next step, you know. And it's scary because they finished 212 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:50,920 Speaker 1: fifth in terms of points, they were top five in yards, 213 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 1: I mean all the different measurables. They were a very 214 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 1: good team. And we saw last year obviously the four 215 00:10:56,200 --> 00:11:00,319 Speaker 1: teams that represented that were represented in the conference championship games. 216 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:03,240 Speaker 1: They were one through four in terms of offense, scoring, 217 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:06,960 Speaker 1: total yards, everything like that. So I think another year 218 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:09,680 Speaker 1: under Frank Reich, another year for Andrew Luck and his 219 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,720 Speaker 1: understanding of what this offense is where he's trying to 220 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:15,440 Speaker 1: go with the football, plus another year of growth with 221 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:18,680 Speaker 1: this offensive line, which was just so good last year. 222 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 1: No one saw that coming. Going from fifty six sacks 223 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: allowed down to eighteen is just remarkable. So I think 224 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:28,360 Speaker 1: they can only be better. And for the first time 225 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 1: in nine years, the Colts have all five of their 226 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 1: starting offensive lineman coming back from one year to the next. 227 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:39,440 Speaker 1: That's unheard of, I mean nine years for they just 228 00:11:39,480 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 1: haven't been able to figure that part of the offense out. 229 00:11:42,440 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 1: Now that they have, Now that Andrew Luck knows he 230 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: can be comfortable. He can hold on to the football 231 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: if he chooses to a little bit longer, but he 232 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 1: gets rid of the ball. You know, the receivers for 233 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:55,439 Speaker 1: the most part, won their one on one matchups last year. 234 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:57,680 Speaker 1: We talked about the tight ends. I just think this 235 00:11:57,840 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: offense is poised to really take the next step. And 236 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 1: it's scary because they averaged twenty eight points per game 237 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:06,560 Speaker 1: last year. I think they can be well over the 238 00:12:06,640 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: thirty threshold in twenty nineteen. I like that he says 239 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 1: it's scary, like he has to play the Colts twice 240 00:12:12,000 --> 00:12:15,000 Speaker 1: as well. And here's the scary part. To end with 241 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 1: Matt Taylor. His ball club reportedly has over one hundred 242 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:21,560 Speaker 1: million dollars in salary cap ru Right, yeah, I'm not 243 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 1: interested in that. Well here's here's where we end with 244 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:28,319 Speaker 1: Matt Taylor. So in free agency, do the Colts go 245 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:34,000 Speaker 1: get a huge name or two or do they go 246 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:38,040 Speaker 1: pick and choose a bunch of guys to fill spots? Right? 247 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 1: What do you think? Because I mean they have the 248 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 1: choice to absolutely sure, And we understand Chris Ballard's going 249 00:12:43,880 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 1: to save a bunch of money for the future. He's 250 00:12:45,760 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: a smart guy. But at the same time, could you 251 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:53,559 Speaker 1: see them going and making a big splash in free 252 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 1: agency being willing to spend that dough on a massive 253 00:12:57,120 --> 00:13:00,960 Speaker 1: contractor too, I could see them spending money on one guy, 254 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:03,160 Speaker 1: and again it's it's a guy that they think at 255 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 1: a certain position puts them over the top. But for 256 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 1: the most part, again, Chris is all about culture. It's 257 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:13,680 Speaker 1: building through the draft, developing guys, resigning your own guys. 258 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: And when he factors in free agency, you're not only 259 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: getting the contract, you're getting the player, but you're also 260 00:13:22,280 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 1: getting that guy individually. You're getting that guy's character. And 261 00:13:25,559 --> 00:13:28,080 Speaker 1: that's what Chris is all about. Because the locker room knows. 262 00:13:28,440 --> 00:13:31,680 Speaker 1: You can't full the locker room. If you give a 263 00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,080 Speaker 1: major contract to a guy that doesn't come in and 264 00:13:34,160 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 1: bringing every day and he doesn't earn it and he's 265 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 1: not producing, he's not a good fit. That sends a 266 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: message to your locker room. That sends a message to 267 00:13:42,920 --> 00:13:45,600 Speaker 1: the rest of the guys that hey, you know what 268 00:13:45,720 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: the heck, what do I have to do now to 269 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: get a big contract. So when you give extensions to 270 00:13:49,559 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: guys like Adam Vinatari and Mark Lewinsky and Jack Doyle, 271 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 1: that sends the message that this is the way to 272 00:13:56,640 --> 00:13:59,240 Speaker 1: do it. These guys are the right fits. These guys 273 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 1: practice the way. These guys are good characters. If I 274 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:05,079 Speaker 1: want to get my contract extension with the Colts, I 275 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:09,680 Speaker 1: need to model myself after those guys. So he, I think, 276 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 1: more so than other gems. He factors that in. And 277 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 1: with that said, he's going to covet those draft picks, 278 00:14:16,679 --> 00:14:19,560 Speaker 1: and I think he's more inclined to stockpile picks than 279 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:21,440 Speaker 1: to give some up to go up in the draft. 280 00:14:21,840 --> 00:14:24,840 Speaker 1: But there are some intriguing names, especially at at white Out. 281 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 1: You know, like we said, I don't think the pass 282 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:28,800 Speaker 1: rushers are going to hit the open market. I think 283 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 1: some of the Whiteouts will. That's a need for the Colts. 284 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 1: So we'll see how aggressive he is. Moving right along 285 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,200 Speaker 1: from Matt Taylor with the Colts to Aaron Wilson from 286 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:41,840 Speaker 1: the Houston Chronicle. Aaron, nice to see you, Good to 287 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 1: be seen. Thanks for being here with us. We want 288 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 1: to talk to you a little bit about the Houston Texans. 289 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 1: You're the man with all the information, and I want 290 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:52,160 Speaker 1: to start with last year's season. What stuck out to 291 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: you the most about the Houston Texans in twenty eighteen. 292 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 1: The nine game winning streak that really jumps out to me, 293 00:14:57,960 --> 00:14:59,840 Speaker 1: and the fact that they were able to turn it 294 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: after a really rough start and everyone was thinking this 295 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:05,040 Speaker 1: is gonna be another last place year, and all of 296 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 1: a sudden they become the hottest team in the NFL. 297 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:09,200 Speaker 1: And they had some luck along the way. I mean, 298 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: you know, they'll tell you that as well. You know, 299 00:15:11,000 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 1: miss field goals with the opponents and balls bouncing their 300 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: way and penalties sometimes going against the opponent. But I 301 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 1: think that they did come together and you saw Deshaun 302 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 1: Watson recapture some of his rookie form where he was 303 00:15:24,960 --> 00:15:27,400 Speaker 1: on fire before he tore his ACL but he made 304 00:15:27,400 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: it back and had a year where he eventually got 305 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 1: added to the Pro Bowl roster, and I think they 306 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:34,640 Speaker 1: have a very bright future. Obviously with him throwing too, 307 00:15:34,720 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: DeAndre Hopkins and the offensive line still a problem, but 308 00:15:39,120 --> 00:15:42,720 Speaker 1: they managed to muddle through despite a lack of pass protection. 309 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,680 Speaker 1: He got sacked more than any other quarterback in the 310 00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 1: NFL sixty two times, and defensively, the big story was 311 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:52,600 Speaker 1: JJ Watt and he was one of the candidates for 312 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:54,600 Speaker 1: NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Between to Andrew Luck. 313 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:57,720 Speaker 1: But yeah, JJ had a real resurgent year and had 314 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:00,040 Speaker 1: had so many bad injuries, and he was admittedly a 315 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: career crossroads. So that come back and some new players 316 00:16:03,640 --> 00:16:06,640 Speaker 1: like Tyron Matthew, what he brought to the defense. I 317 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: think all that stuff stuck out to me. But when 318 00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:11,640 Speaker 1: you look at it at the end, like everyone in 319 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:14,440 Speaker 1: the division, and they came up short against the Colts, 320 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 1: and I think that everyone's kind of chasing them because 321 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,520 Speaker 1: they're just, you know, seemed like they're just a little 322 00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: step above right now with Andrew Luck and some of 323 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 1: the things they've got going with their offensive line. Right now, 324 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 1: we just had Matt Taylor with us and he was 325 00:16:28,760 --> 00:16:34,480 Speaker 1: outlining everything about the Colts that was unbelievably rosy. They 326 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 1: have forty seven draft picks, they have one hundred million 327 00:16:37,880 --> 00:16:41,360 Speaker 1: dollars in cap room, they have their whole offensive lineback. 328 00:16:41,920 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 1: Is this entire division in your mind now chasing the 329 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:48,800 Speaker 1: Colts for twenty nineteen? Right We're in Indianapolis, and I 330 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:51,080 Speaker 1: think the road to the Nancy South Division title goes 331 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: through Indianapolis. When you think about where they are, the 332 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 1: way they're set up with Chris Ballard, excuse me, with 333 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: their cap space, with his approach to being really picky 334 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:06,360 Speaker 1: about free agency and generally not taking I would say 335 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 1: undue risks and having Andrew Luck now back to being 336 00:17:10,280 --> 00:17:12,520 Speaker 1: Andrew Luck, which is the biggest thing that they have 337 00:17:12,600 --> 00:17:14,680 Speaker 1: going for them, besides that offensive lines. When I think 338 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:19,640 Speaker 1: about the Colts and way everyone else stacks up, everybody's 339 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:21,879 Speaker 1: you know, not far from them, especially the Titans and 340 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:24,560 Speaker 1: the Texans. The Jaguars obviously have a lot of work 341 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:27,720 Speaker 1: to do, but I think you've got to look at 342 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:29,960 Speaker 1: them as the front runner in the division and that's 343 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:33,399 Speaker 1: not going to change until we see some dramatic improvements, 344 00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 1: you know, say from the Texans with their offensive line, 345 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: and the Titans a little more subtle tweaks that they need. 346 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:41,359 Speaker 1: And but you know, they're not far and you know 347 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:44,480 Speaker 1: they have a very competitive team and really good team 348 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 1: building philosophy with John Robinson. So yeah, I expect them 349 00:17:47,520 --> 00:17:49,440 Speaker 1: to be in the thick of it, and it's it's 350 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:52,479 Speaker 1: fairly wide open for the Texans. Do you think that 351 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 1: free agency or the draft are going to be the 352 00:17:55,320 --> 00:18:00,960 Speaker 1: biggest The biggest things have the most packed in the offseason, 353 00:18:01,520 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: probably free agency because you know, they have some really 354 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:08,200 Speaker 1: important decisions with game changing kind of guys Jadavian Clowney. 355 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:11,639 Speaker 1: They are trying to negotiate a long term deal that 356 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 1: looks unlikely, and they are expected to place the franchise 357 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:18,719 Speaker 1: tag on him by the Tuesday deadline. So what I 358 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:21,080 Speaker 1: expect is they have Clowney back and then they have 359 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 1: an either or situation with Tyron Matthew or Kareem Jackson 360 00:18:24,320 --> 00:18:26,560 Speaker 1: trying to get back. They probably can't pick, probably don't 361 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:29,480 Speaker 1: want back both guys under their budget, but they've got 362 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:31,680 Speaker 1: to go out and get some offensive lineman. With rookies, 363 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 1: it's always a crapshoot. Even though they have first round 364 00:18:35,080 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: and second round picks this year clean two second rounders. 365 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:39,880 Speaker 1: I just don't see them as a kind of team 366 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,080 Speaker 1: that you just have a plug in play all the 367 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 1: time because they have a good roster. So yeah, you 368 00:18:45,320 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 1: might have an impact from a rookie tackle, and I 369 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,400 Speaker 1: think they will draft an offensive tackle in the first 370 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:54,640 Speaker 1: or second round and a corner. But I just think 371 00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,560 Speaker 1: that free agency is the way they've got to augment 372 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:58,639 Speaker 1: this thing. And they've got seventy eight million in cap space. 373 00:18:58,680 --> 00:19:01,720 Speaker 1: They have enough money to go out and spend with 374 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: Brian Gaine. Last year, he had cap space two and 375 00:19:05,040 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 1: he was kind of a I think a bargain shopper. 376 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:11,439 Speaker 1: And I think this year, because they've won the AFC South, 377 00:19:12,080 --> 00:19:13,840 Speaker 1: I would imagine that you know he's going to be 378 00:19:13,880 --> 00:19:17,159 Speaker 1: aggressive and want to make that push to take this 379 00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:20,600 Speaker 1: team up a notch. And otherwise, you know, you got 380 00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: to feel like you're close. You just won the division. 381 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,840 Speaker 1: You've got, you know, one of the better young quarterbacks, 382 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:29,200 Speaker 1: so why not just go all in and spend some money. 383 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,199 Speaker 1: And I expect Gain to be maybe more aggressive than 384 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:35,280 Speaker 1: he was a year ago. Aaron Wilson, Houston Chronicle. You 385 00:19:35,400 --> 00:19:36,919 Speaker 1: touched on it, but I want to get you to 386 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 1: crystallize it a little further hit on the Houston Texans 387 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:46,280 Speaker 1: needs for this offseason. Offensive line is one cornerback is 388 00:19:46,320 --> 00:19:49,040 Speaker 1: one A and as we were talking about with the 389 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:52,479 Speaker 1: offensive line, they really need to replace a lot of guys. 390 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 1: And I think that other than Nick Martin and Zach 391 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:58,360 Speaker 1: fault In their center and their right guard, every other 392 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 1: position is up for grabs and they need to upgrade. 393 00:20:01,680 --> 00:20:04,120 Speaker 1: I think Martinez, ranking last year's third round pick, will 394 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:06,960 Speaker 1: kick inside from tackle and be the left guard. But 395 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: Julian Davenport. He led the team in penalties. He was 396 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: one of the lowest ranked offensive lineman in the NFL 397 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: according to for Football Focus and just what we could 398 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:21,159 Speaker 1: see watching the games. He struggled at left tackle, and 399 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 1: I think they've got upgrade there. Ideally he's a backup 400 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 1: and then they're starting right tackle. Was a former undrafted 401 00:20:26,960 --> 00:20:30,600 Speaker 1: free agents map Latch and State Kindle Lamb. His contract 402 00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:33,439 Speaker 1: is up, and you know, he wasn't very ranked. It 403 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:35,360 Speaker 1: wasn't ranked very highly either, so I think they've got 404 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 1: to get better there. And you look at the offensive line, 405 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:40,520 Speaker 1: they just they don't have anyone that's a Pro Bowl linement. 406 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:43,040 Speaker 1: They don't have anyone that's an alternate. They don't have 407 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:45,480 Speaker 1: anyone that's been a first round draft pick. So they've 408 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:47,400 Speaker 1: got to invest in the offensive line. And then after 409 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 1: that at cornerback, because you look at the Texans and 410 00:20:51,600 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 1: they get beat deep. They didn't have speed, They have 411 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:57,360 Speaker 1: older corners and Jonathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson and Kevin 412 00:20:57,440 --> 00:21:02,159 Speaker 1: Johnson was on injured reserve and he's always hurt. So yeah, 413 00:21:02,200 --> 00:21:06,240 Speaker 1: their cornerback situation is a problem, and they've thrown money 414 00:21:06,280 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 1: at that before, but they haven't had the right guys, 415 00:21:09,320 --> 00:21:12,560 Speaker 1: and they're very good at safety. I think they're just 416 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:14,399 Speaker 1: they're a weak team at corner and they've got to 417 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:16,800 Speaker 1: get better there. As far as anything else, I mean, 418 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:18,720 Speaker 1: there's some things you could like to have. You'd like 419 00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:20,000 Speaker 1: to be a little better at tight end, you'd like 420 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:22,639 Speaker 1: to be a little better backup running back. But I 421 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:24,919 Speaker 1: don't see them in the lady On Bell sweepstakes. I 422 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 1: think that they've been linked to him, and I think 423 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:31,639 Speaker 1: it's incorrect. You know, they're fine with Lamar Miller. I 424 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 1: don't expect them to just cut Lamar and replace him 425 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:37,040 Speaker 1: with Bell. I think that's sort of fantasy football thinking 426 00:21:37,080 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 1: and contrary to the way that brand Gain is gonna operate. 427 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 1: We saw Deshaun Watson play well but also play injured. 428 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:49,119 Speaker 1: A healthy Deshaun Watson, how good can he be? I 429 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 1: don't think there's any real ceiling on his potential. When 430 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 1: you think about Deshaun and the multidimensional skills he has. 431 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 1: He's a true dual threat quarterback. He can escape pressure, 432 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,440 Speaker 1: you can make a play on his own, and he's 433 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,160 Speaker 1: someone that I think is starting to see the game 434 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: even more in terms of reading defenses and getting better 435 00:22:07,680 --> 00:22:10,560 Speaker 1: looking off defensive backs. That's some of the most young 436 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: quarterbacks have problems with. But I think he's a smart guy. 437 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:16,640 Speaker 1: He studies the game. Does he sometimes make a mistake, sure, 438 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:19,320 Speaker 1: but all quarterbacks do. And he's a very young quarterback, 439 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:21,720 Speaker 1: hasn't had a lot of starts. So when I think 440 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:25,199 Speaker 1: about DeShawn and you know, kind of his potential and 441 00:22:25,680 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 1: what he might do, I think he's capable of being 442 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:31,520 Speaker 1: an MVP type of quarterback. Is he Patrick Mahomes, No, 443 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:33,640 Speaker 1: No one is at this point. You know, he's set 444 00:22:33,680 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 1: the world on fire. But you look at Watson, you know, 445 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:39,200 Speaker 1: is he that far behind? No, He's an interesting player 446 00:22:39,240 --> 00:22:42,080 Speaker 1: and I think he'll continue to thrive in their system. 447 00:22:42,119 --> 00:22:44,639 Speaker 1: And they've tweaked some things with the coaching staff. They 448 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:46,960 Speaker 1: have a new offensive coordinator. I think Bill Brown will 449 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:49,639 Speaker 1: still be the play caller, but I think some of 450 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:52,399 Speaker 1: the changes they've made will help Deshaun Watson. Let me 451 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:54,880 Speaker 1: ask you about Tim Kelly, because we know that name. 452 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:58,880 Speaker 1: Titans tackled Dennis Kelly. His brother is Tim right, who 453 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:01,880 Speaker 1: has been named as the offensive coordinator at the Houston Texans. 454 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:05,040 Speaker 1: Do you think there will be many changes to what 455 00:23:05,119 --> 00:23:07,719 Speaker 1: they do based on the fact that Belle O'Brien's an 456 00:23:07,760 --> 00:23:11,919 Speaker 1: offensive guy. I don't see them overhauling the offense dramatically. 457 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:13,679 Speaker 1: I think that they're going to continue to try to 458 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:17,760 Speaker 1: do things to tailor it to Deshaun Watson's skill set. 459 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:20,520 Speaker 1: So this will be their third year with him and 460 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 1: their second full off season with him where he was 461 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:26,080 Speaker 1: this time where he's not rehabbing and he's fully healthy. 462 00:23:26,160 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 1: So this is the first time since his rookie year 463 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:32,160 Speaker 1: they've had that situation and they're preparing him. His rookie year, 464 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:35,120 Speaker 1: he wasn't preparing to be the starter with Kelly. He's 465 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:37,919 Speaker 1: someone that's really had a meteoric rise. He was a 466 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:41,639 Speaker 1: graduate assistant at Penn State. He's paid his dues. He 467 00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:44,400 Speaker 1: was a quality control guy, he was an assistant offensive 468 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:48,119 Speaker 1: line coach. He keeps getting promoted, and O'Brien feels like 469 00:23:48,119 --> 00:23:50,800 Speaker 1: he's a future head coach. He doesn't say that lightly. 470 00:23:50,920 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 1: Usually he only says that a guy's like Mike Vrabel. Normally, 471 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:56,680 Speaker 1: he doesn't just toss that around, like, yeah, I could 472 00:23:56,680 --> 00:23:59,400 Speaker 1: see him being head coach. So because he sees leadership 473 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:03,320 Speaker 1: from him. What we don't know about him is can 474 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 1: he called plays? And should he be calling plays and 475 00:24:06,920 --> 00:24:09,639 Speaker 1: that kind of thing, because he just hasn't had the background, 476 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:11,639 Speaker 1: and I think he's got to grow into that. But 477 00:24:12,040 --> 00:24:15,040 Speaker 1: do see him doing is collaborating on building the game 478 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:17,920 Speaker 1: plans and being an extra set of eyes bore O'Brien 479 00:24:18,040 --> 00:24:20,639 Speaker 1: and giving him advice and talking with him and standing 480 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:23,879 Speaker 1: next to him on the sidelines, and eventually, you know, 481 00:24:23,880 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 1: when they feel comfortable letting him, you know, try it 482 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:28,560 Speaker 1: out and call a play. And I wouldn't even be 483 00:24:28,600 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 1: surprised if they did that in the preseason, just to see, Okay, 484 00:24:32,440 --> 00:24:34,119 Speaker 1: what would you do here in the second half with 485 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 1: the backups? How would you handle this situation? I think 486 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:39,680 Speaker 1: that would be good for him and good for his development. 487 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 1: You mentioned Mike Vrabel and the leadership skills that everyone 488 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:46,679 Speaker 1: in Houston saw. Is there anyone who is surprised by 489 00:24:46,760 --> 00:24:49,359 Speaker 1: the success that he had with the Tennessee Titans in 490 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 1: his first year as a head coach. I wouldn't say 491 00:24:52,000 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 1: that anyone's surprised. What I saw from him was great 492 00:24:56,640 --> 00:25:00,520 Speaker 1: people's skills and being a leader of men, And it's 493 00:25:00,520 --> 00:25:04,239 Speaker 1: hard to really understand those intangibles unless you're around him. 494 00:25:04,320 --> 00:25:06,480 Speaker 1: Like you guys are all the time and you see, okay, 495 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,800 Speaker 1: this guy has a direct impact on someone's confidence or 496 00:25:10,200 --> 00:25:13,840 Speaker 1: their ability to maybe figure out something on or off 497 00:25:13,840 --> 00:25:16,639 Speaker 1: the field, or have a guy coming to his office, 498 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,360 Speaker 1: have an open door policy and have a talk with, 499 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:21,600 Speaker 1: you know, coach maybe about something you know, whether it's 500 00:25:21,600 --> 00:25:23,720 Speaker 1: on the field or off the field that is affecting 501 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:27,199 Speaker 1: them and having that perspective as the next player. And 502 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 1: it's hard to put a value on it. It's just 503 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:32,760 Speaker 1: you know that it is. And I don't think that 504 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 1: he was in a good situation healthwise when he was 505 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:38,800 Speaker 1: a defensive coordinator, so he didn't shine in his one year, 506 00:25:38,840 --> 00:25:42,119 Speaker 1: but he had already kind of made his bones with 507 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:43,840 Speaker 1: what he did with the Patriots, with what he did 508 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:46,879 Speaker 1: as a position coach, and just kind of behind the 509 00:25:46,920 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 1: scenes what people knew of him. So it's not surprising 510 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:52,840 Speaker 1: because I think that he's just in you know, kind 511 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:55,440 Speaker 1: of military terms, he's a better general than he is 512 00:25:55,480 --> 00:25:58,200 Speaker 1: a lieutenant. And I think that when he's in charge, 513 00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:03,560 Speaker 1: that's more his natural personality role being in a secondary role, 514 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:06,800 Speaker 1: being you know, a guy that is in a you know, 515 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 1: support type of situation and delegating, um, you know, and 516 00:26:11,400 --> 00:26:13,960 Speaker 1: having to take some mortars too. I don't think that's 517 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:16,520 Speaker 1: his strong suit, but I think being a boss that's 518 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:21,160 Speaker 1: Mike Rabele. We wrap up our OTP tour of the 519 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:24,480 Speaker 1: AFC South with Philip Heilman from the Florida Times Union. 520 00:26:24,520 --> 00:26:27,879 Speaker 1: He covers the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thank you for joining Amy 521 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:30,520 Speaker 1: and me. Hey, looking forward to it. We're appreciative of 522 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:33,400 Speaker 1: having you. Jacksonville was picked to win the division by 523 00:26:33,440 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 1: almost everybody last year, and that didn't work out. Nothing happened, 524 00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:42,520 Speaker 1: something happened, a lot of things happen, and yet I 525 00:26:42,560 --> 00:26:46,480 Speaker 1: think all of us still have tremendous respect for where 526 00:26:46,560 --> 00:26:50,359 Speaker 1: this team is because, honestly, Philip, if they can answer 527 00:26:50,359 --> 00:26:53,800 Speaker 1: a couple of questions in this offseason, it feels like 528 00:26:53,840 --> 00:26:56,520 Speaker 1: they can get right back in the mix. In your opinion, 529 00:26:56,880 --> 00:26:59,720 Speaker 1: What are the questions they have to get answered? Well, certain, 530 00:26:59,800 --> 00:27:02,199 Speaker 1: Let's starts with the quarterback position. They are going to 531 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:04,439 Speaker 1: release Blake Bortles. They haven't done it yet, but it 532 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:08,320 Speaker 1: is going to happen. It's a when, not an if situation. 533 00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 1: So after that, it's okay, what do you do to 534 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:16,159 Speaker 1: better that position? Do you try to acquire veteran and 535 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:18,720 Speaker 1: a Nick Foles. Do you use your seventh overall pick 536 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:21,000 Speaker 1: to possibly move up or do you stay put and 537 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:24,280 Speaker 1: get a guy like Dwayne Haskins, Kyler Murray. They've been 538 00:27:24,359 --> 00:27:27,480 Speaker 1: rumored to be interested in Drew, Drew Luck, Daniel Jones. 539 00:27:27,480 --> 00:27:29,920 Speaker 1: So there's a lot of quarterbacks, a lot of possibilities, 540 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:32,359 Speaker 1: but that's the one position certainly that they have to 541 00:27:32,359 --> 00:27:34,119 Speaker 1: get figured out because that was a huge problem for 542 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:36,600 Speaker 1: them last year, and you know, it really kept them 543 00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:39,000 Speaker 1: from being that, you know, division, you know, competitor that 544 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:40,640 Speaker 1: a lot of people thought they would be. We've heard 545 00:27:40,680 --> 00:27:43,680 Speaker 1: a lot about the nick Foles to the Jags. How 546 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:46,640 Speaker 1: realistic is that? Well, it seems like it just got 547 00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:48,639 Speaker 1: a lot more realistic today when Howie Roseman said that 548 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 1: they are not going to franchise tag nick Foles, which 549 00:27:50,760 --> 00:27:53,199 Speaker 1: means for the jag Whears, there's going to be no 550 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:55,600 Speaker 1: compensation necessary to get him in terms of having to 551 00:27:55,600 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 1: trade somebody. There's a lot of rumors of do you 552 00:27:57,640 --> 00:27:59,119 Speaker 1: give up a pick, do you give up you know, 553 00:27:59,160 --> 00:28:01,439 Speaker 1: possibly leonardnet a guy who didn't really work out so 554 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:02,960 Speaker 1: well for them last year. Well, guess what, you don't 555 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:04,440 Speaker 1: have to do any of that. Now, all it is 556 00:28:04,440 --> 00:28:07,359 Speaker 1: is money, and can they come to an agreement? Is it? 557 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:10,000 Speaker 1: You know, in the fifteen, sixteen, seventeen million dollar ranges 558 00:28:10,040 --> 00:28:12,440 Speaker 1: that appetizing enough for the Jaguars and Nick Foles. I 559 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 1: don't think they're gonna go much higer than that. I 560 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:15,879 Speaker 1: don't think they would even you know, consider in the 561 00:28:15,880 --> 00:28:18,199 Speaker 1: twenty million plus range, which I just don't know if 562 00:28:18,200 --> 00:28:19,639 Speaker 1: there's gonna be a market for Nick Foles. You look 563 00:28:19,640 --> 00:28:21,159 Speaker 1: around the league, there's not a lot of teams at 564 00:28:21,200 --> 00:28:23,400 Speaker 1: this point, particularly you know, with Denver trading for Joe 565 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:26,920 Speaker 1: Flacco that need a veteran quarterback. Miami doesn't seem like 566 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 1: they're interested in going that route. And that leaves a 567 00:28:28,600 --> 00:28:30,040 Speaker 1: very few number of teams as a lot of them 568 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:32,439 Speaker 1: are NFC East teams, which the Eagles are in that division? 569 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:34,439 Speaker 1: How likely, and you know, they don't really have a 570 00:28:34,480 --> 00:28:37,080 Speaker 1: saying it anymore, But can the Redskins afforda Nick Foles 571 00:28:37,119 --> 00:28:39,480 Speaker 1: with Alex Smitzcondrick still there? The Giants said today that 572 00:28:39,480 --> 00:28:41,840 Speaker 1: they're gonna stick with Eli Manning, and if that's true, 573 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 1: you know, how interested would they being a Nick Foles? 574 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:45,560 Speaker 1: So suddenly you know there's not a huge market for 575 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:47,760 Speaker 1: him if the Jaguars can get him at an appealing price, 576 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:49,440 Speaker 1: I think it's certainly something they would kick the tires 577 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:53,520 Speaker 1: on aggressively. Cap Wise, they can certainly find a way, 578 00:28:53,600 --> 00:28:57,240 Speaker 1: or anybody can find a way. But do the Jaguars 579 00:28:57,320 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 1: have cap concerns that they will have to make other 580 00:29:01,600 --> 00:29:04,760 Speaker 1: moves in order to get some things straight for a 581 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:07,800 Speaker 1: Nick Foles as it doesn't appear on paper that they're 582 00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:11,440 Speaker 1: a team with a lot of extra caproo Yeah, no, uh, definitely. 583 00:29:11,480 --> 00:29:13,200 Speaker 1: Their belt is a little bit tighter this year than 584 00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:14,880 Speaker 1: it has been in years past. But they have guys 585 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 1: who they can move on from. I think Mulley Jackson 586 00:29:17,360 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 1: that's an eleven million dollars savings if they cut him, 587 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:22,160 Speaker 1: I full expect that right tackle Jeremy Parnell that's six 588 00:29:22,280 --> 00:29:25,480 Speaker 1: more million to Sean Gibson. Their free safety also gets 589 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:26,960 Speaker 1: to you in the four or five million dollars range. 590 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:29,160 Speaker 1: Carlos Hide, a guy they traded for last year, didn't 591 00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:30,760 Speaker 1: really work out, wouldn't surprise me. I have to move 592 00:29:30,760 --> 00:29:32,440 Speaker 1: on from him another four million, So you can start 593 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:35,400 Speaker 1: stacking it where they get into the thirty mid thirties range, 594 00:29:35,400 --> 00:29:37,400 Speaker 1: where you could sign a Nick Foles still have a 595 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:39,320 Speaker 1: little room to make some other moves as well. But 596 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:42,000 Speaker 1: you know, certainly, you know, Dave called with a GM today, 597 00:29:42,000 --> 00:29:43,840 Speaker 1: so that they can be as aggressive as they want 598 00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:45,400 Speaker 1: to be in free agency. I don't know if that's 599 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:47,560 Speaker 1: one hundred percent true, but certainly I think they can 600 00:29:47,600 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 1: get some things done if they if they find and 601 00:29:49,520 --> 00:29:51,560 Speaker 1: you know, identify the guys that they want. The Jags 602 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:54,760 Speaker 1: have been known as a defensive team. What do they 603 00:29:54,800 --> 00:29:57,920 Speaker 1: need to do in the offseason to get back to 604 00:29:58,040 --> 00:30:00,400 Speaker 1: that defense that we know in two thousand nine. I 605 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 1: think it starts with the linebackers, Miles Jack in the 606 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:04,600 Speaker 1: middle and Telvin Smith on the week's side. Last year, 607 00:30:04,600 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 1: I just did not think played very well. I thought 608 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:08,800 Speaker 1: they were inconsistent. You just didn't see many of those 609 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:11,400 Speaker 1: splash plays, those game changing plays. Miles Jack has a 610 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:14,520 Speaker 1: pick six in Week one, which essentially seals the Giants game, 611 00:30:14,560 --> 00:30:15,880 Speaker 1: and then you just don't really hear from him for 612 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:18,040 Speaker 1: a while. Telvin Smith, the thing that stands out most 613 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:19,600 Speaker 1: is how many tackles that he missed. I think it 614 00:30:19,680 --> 00:30:22,560 Speaker 1: really starts. You know, they've got the saxon Ville monitor 615 00:30:22,600 --> 00:30:24,120 Speaker 1: and they had so many sacks the year before. But 616 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:26,120 Speaker 1: I think the linebackers play a really big role in that, 617 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:29,840 Speaker 1: not only in you know, creating disruptive you know plays, 618 00:30:30,520 --> 00:30:33,520 Speaker 1: but turnovers. Their sacks were down a huge number last 619 00:30:33,560 --> 00:30:35,120 Speaker 1: year from the year before. Their turnovers were down a 620 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:36,840 Speaker 1: huge number from the year before. You're not going to 621 00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:38,720 Speaker 1: get the you know, the high you know, the seven eight, 622 00:30:38,840 --> 00:30:40,640 Speaker 1: nine defensive touchdowns year after year like they had in 623 00:30:40,680 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 1: twenty seventeen. You know, I don't think that's realistic, but 624 00:30:43,160 --> 00:30:45,200 Speaker 1: certainly you've got to have more than seventeen takeaways. You've 625 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:46,760 Speaker 1: got to be more than you know, the low thirties 626 00:30:46,800 --> 00:30:49,680 Speaker 1: and sacks overall. So they need more of those disruptive plays. 627 00:30:49,680 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 1: And I think it starts with the linebackers. All right, 628 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:55,360 Speaker 1: so overall needs, you've hit quarterback, you've hit linebacker. Give 629 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:58,840 Speaker 1: us the overall picture of what you think the needs 630 00:30:58,920 --> 00:31:02,360 Speaker 1: focus would be for Jacksonville this offseason, Philip. I think 631 00:31:02,360 --> 00:31:04,080 Speaker 1: they've got to find a tight end. They brought in 632 00:31:04,080 --> 00:31:06,840 Speaker 1: Austin Safarren Jenkins last year did not work out. Eleven 633 00:31:06,880 --> 00:31:09,000 Speaker 1: catches for ninety yards and one touchdown in five games 634 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:11,920 Speaker 1: before he was injured. They opted not to pick up 635 00:31:11,920 --> 00:31:13,760 Speaker 1: his option. I don't think he'll be back. It's possible 636 00:31:13,800 --> 00:31:15,280 Speaker 1: they could leave the door open for that, but they've 637 00:31:15,320 --> 00:31:17,480 Speaker 1: got to find on whether you know, it's in the draft, 638 00:31:17,520 --> 00:31:19,960 Speaker 1: which it does appear to be a very good draft 639 00:31:20,000 --> 00:31:22,280 Speaker 1: for tight ends, whether it's t J. Hawkinson, IRV Smith, 640 00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:25,240 Speaker 1: the kid from Stanford, kid from UCLA, there's a lot 641 00:31:25,280 --> 00:31:28,200 Speaker 1: of good tight ends. I think that's specifically for the offense, 642 00:31:28,200 --> 00:31:30,440 Speaker 1: would help unlock a lot of doors. Everybody knows that 643 00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:32,200 Speaker 1: tight ends are game changers. They can do so many 644 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:33,719 Speaker 1: things in the run game, in the past game, they 645 00:31:33,720 --> 00:31:36,160 Speaker 1: give you so many options. The Jaguars, we're running through 646 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:38,720 Speaker 1: the Blake Bells and James O'Shaughnessy's of the World last year, 647 00:31:38,720 --> 00:31:40,040 Speaker 1: and that's just not going to get it done for you. 648 00:31:40,120 --> 00:31:42,520 Speaker 1: So I think tight end on offenses where you really 649 00:31:42,560 --> 00:31:45,320 Speaker 1: have to start, and then on defense, you know, I 650 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:46,960 Speaker 1: think they have the guys in place. I think it's 651 00:31:46,960 --> 00:31:50,000 Speaker 1: more tinkering than anything else. Like I said before, I 652 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:51,760 Speaker 1: think it's just more to guys playing up to the 653 00:31:51,840 --> 00:31:53,640 Speaker 1: level that's possible for them and making more of those 654 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:56,840 Speaker 1: impact plays. Do you get the impression that the Jags 655 00:31:56,880 --> 00:31:59,600 Speaker 1: are one or two pieces away from being back to 656 00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:02,920 Speaker 1: what they were in twenty seventeen or do you feel 657 00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:05,680 Speaker 1: like there's a lot of rebuilding that needs to be done. Yeah, 658 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:07,040 Speaker 1: I mean I don't know if it'll be a lot 659 00:32:07,040 --> 00:32:08,680 Speaker 1: of rebuilding in terms of time. I do think they 660 00:32:08,720 --> 00:32:10,600 Speaker 1: could be competitive and it wouldn't shock me if they 661 00:32:10,600 --> 00:32:12,880 Speaker 1: are in the AFC South race next year. But I 662 00:32:12,920 --> 00:32:15,600 Speaker 1: think it's more than a piece or two. Certainly quarterback, 663 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:18,400 Speaker 1: I think you've got to find another running back behind 664 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:20,760 Speaker 1: Leonard Fournett, assuming that he's around. Like I said, tight end, 665 00:32:20,800 --> 00:32:23,479 Speaker 1: I still think you need to you know, the right 666 00:32:23,480 --> 00:32:26,720 Speaker 1: tackle situation, probably losing him, You're probably losing Aja Can 667 00:32:26,720 --> 00:32:28,400 Speaker 1: at right guards. So those are two of your starting 668 00:32:28,520 --> 00:32:30,360 Speaker 1: offensive winman who need to be replaced. They need to 669 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:32,360 Speaker 1: find more depth on the offensive line. That's a position 670 00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:35,240 Speaker 1: that they's got, you know, shattered with injuries last year. 671 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:37,000 Speaker 1: So you know, I don't think it's a piece or 672 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:38,760 Speaker 1: two away. I think maybe it's four or five six 673 00:32:38,800 --> 00:32:41,640 Speaker 1: pieces to really be the team that they thought they 674 00:32:41,680 --> 00:32:44,520 Speaker 1: were coming out of that twenty seventeen season. But you know, 675 00:32:44,560 --> 00:32:47,080 Speaker 1: I think they can probably get to where they need 676 00:32:47,120 --> 00:32:49,160 Speaker 1: to be at many positions have to take some Gambles 677 00:32:49,160 --> 00:32:50,920 Speaker 1: and you know, maybe not be as comfortable as they 678 00:32:50,960 --> 00:32:53,360 Speaker 1: wanted some others, But you know, it's a division that 679 00:32:53,440 --> 00:32:55,400 Speaker 1: I don't think it's getting any easier, but I do 680 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:57,480 Speaker 1: think the Jags can at least give themselves an opportunity 681 00:32:57,520 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 1: to be competitive. Philip Pileman, how different will the Jacksonville 682 00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:04,120 Speaker 1: Jaguars offense be with John D. Filippo. I think it'll 683 00:33:04,160 --> 00:33:08,360 Speaker 1: be a lot different. I think you'll see I've been advocating. 684 00:33:08,400 --> 00:33:09,719 Speaker 1: I think a lot of people have that they need 685 00:33:09,760 --> 00:33:12,240 Speaker 1: to open it up a little bit more. The downfield 686 00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:14,120 Speaker 1: passing game just wasn't there last year, and there were 687 00:33:14,120 --> 00:33:16,880 Speaker 1: many reasons for it. The offensive line just did not 688 00:33:17,000 --> 00:33:19,680 Speaker 1: provide much protection. Cody Kestler was in there for Blake 689 00:33:19,680 --> 00:33:21,360 Speaker 1: Bortles late in the year and that was just really 690 00:33:21,400 --> 00:33:25,360 Speaker 1: not his mo. It's hard to say without knowing who 691 00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:27,240 Speaker 1: the quarterback will be. I think you'd have a better 692 00:33:27,280 --> 00:33:29,400 Speaker 1: answer for that once the quarterbacks in place. But if 693 00:33:29,440 --> 00:33:30,960 Speaker 1: it is a veteran and Nick Foles, I think you'll 694 00:33:30,960 --> 00:33:32,920 Speaker 1: see more of those downfield shots. Trying to get DD 695 00:33:33,000 --> 00:33:36,520 Speaker 1: Westbrook involved. They have a second year receiver in DJ Chart, 696 00:33:36,520 --> 00:33:38,360 Speaker 1: where they drafted in the second round last year, thinking 697 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:39,800 Speaker 1: that he would be a big play threat. I think 698 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:41,800 Speaker 1: that's a guy you want to get more involved. And 699 00:33:41,840 --> 00:33:44,160 Speaker 1: then if Fournett's healthy, it all starts with him still, 700 00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:46,800 Speaker 1: I think you clearly. I think he played twenty to 701 00:33:47,120 --> 00:33:49,280 Speaker 1: thirty percent of the offensive snaps last year, which is 702 00:33:49,320 --> 00:33:52,440 Speaker 1: just a very small amount missed eight games, So starts 703 00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:53,880 Speaker 1: with Fournett. But I do think they need to open 704 00:33:53,880 --> 00:33:55,200 Speaker 1: it up more in the passing game and get some 705 00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:57,480 Speaker 1: of those young receivers involved down the field. I want 706 00:33:57,480 --> 00:34:00,280 Speaker 1: to ask about four neck. Have they gotten everything things 707 00:34:00,320 --> 00:34:02,880 Speaker 1: straight with all of that? Do they feel good with 708 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:06,640 Speaker 1: Leonard Fournette? Does Leonard Fournette feel good with them? They'll 709 00:34:06,680 --> 00:34:09,200 Speaker 1: tell you that they feel good with Leonard Fournett, and 710 00:34:10,520 --> 00:34:12,520 Speaker 1: if you take them at their word, then yes. But 711 00:34:12,880 --> 00:34:14,800 Speaker 1: Leonard Fournett still, as far as I know, has a 712 00:34:14,920 --> 00:34:18,040 Speaker 1: grievance open with the league about them going after avoiding 713 00:34:18,080 --> 00:34:20,879 Speaker 1: his guarantees because of the suspension from the Buffalo game 714 00:34:20,920 --> 00:34:22,640 Speaker 1: last year where he got kicked out for fighting then 715 00:34:22,640 --> 00:34:25,440 Speaker 1: suspended the next week. So to me, I don't know 716 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:27,560 Speaker 1: really how comfortable you can be with a guy who 717 00:34:27,640 --> 00:34:29,920 Speaker 1: still has a you know, appending you know, it's not 718 00:34:29,960 --> 00:34:32,279 Speaker 1: a lawsuit out against them, but certainly, you know, sort 719 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:35,360 Speaker 1: of you know, a disagreement over them going after his 720 00:34:35,440 --> 00:34:37,560 Speaker 1: money or you know, potential future earning. It's not anybody 721 00:34:37,560 --> 00:34:39,960 Speaker 1: that he has made. So they'll say, yeah, kumbay yah, 722 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:42,400 Speaker 1: we had a meeting after the season. Everything's good, hugged 723 00:34:42,440 --> 00:34:45,239 Speaker 1: it out. Yeah. I don't know how much I believe that, 724 00:34:45,800 --> 00:34:47,719 Speaker 1: But for Leonard Fournette each it's time for him to 725 00:34:47,719 --> 00:34:50,319 Speaker 1: be a pro, come back, be in shape. You know, 726 00:34:50,360 --> 00:34:52,600 Speaker 1: the injuries are one. You know, it's hard to blame 727 00:34:52,600 --> 00:34:54,160 Speaker 1: a guy for being injured, but take care of your 728 00:34:54,160 --> 00:34:56,480 Speaker 1: body beforehand to give yourself the best chance to avoid 729 00:34:56,520 --> 00:34:58,799 Speaker 1: some of those injuries, and then just be the team 730 00:34:58,840 --> 00:35:00,520 Speaker 1: captain that they thought he was to be las year 731 00:35:00,520 --> 00:35:02,080 Speaker 1: when the team voted for him, because he was far 732 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:04,960 Speaker 1: from it last year. You mentioned the AFC South and 733 00:35:05,080 --> 00:35:08,360 Speaker 1: how it's becoming a more competitive conference. Do you see 734 00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:12,120 Speaker 1: that continuing to trend in that direction, that the teams 735 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:14,960 Speaker 1: are becoming more and more competitive with Yeah, I mean, 736 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:17,360 Speaker 1: I don't know how anybody could look at Indianapolis and 737 00:35:17,440 --> 00:35:20,400 Speaker 1: not expect another really good season for them. You know, 738 00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:22,560 Speaker 1: Andrew Luck looks like he's back to being himself. They've 739 00:35:22,560 --> 00:35:25,000 Speaker 1: got a ton of cap room. You would expect them 740 00:35:25,040 --> 00:35:27,200 Speaker 1: to you know, be very active and for agency and 741 00:35:27,239 --> 00:35:29,920 Speaker 1: bringing some other really good guys. I don't think Deshaun 742 00:35:29,960 --> 00:35:31,880 Speaker 1: Watson is getting any worse. I think he's going to 743 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:34,520 Speaker 1: continue to, you know, be a really good guy. They're 744 00:35:34,560 --> 00:35:36,360 Speaker 1: sort of more top heavy where they've got you know, 745 00:35:36,400 --> 00:35:40,600 Speaker 1: the Watt Clowney, DeAndre Hopkins and then some guys who 746 00:35:40,600 --> 00:35:42,880 Speaker 1: I think you're a little bit then at some other positions. 747 00:35:42,880 --> 00:35:44,440 Speaker 1: But I don't think Houston's suddenly going to be a 748 00:35:44,440 --> 00:35:46,719 Speaker 1: six and ten team. And then obviously the Titans, I think, 749 00:35:47,120 --> 00:35:49,920 Speaker 1: you know, year after year, at least from the Jacksonal perspective, 750 00:35:49,960 --> 00:35:52,640 Speaker 1: you say, you know, that's a team that last year 751 00:35:52,640 --> 00:35:55,919 Speaker 1: I thought, did what Jacksonville wanted to do significantly better. 752 00:35:55,960 --> 00:35:57,360 Speaker 1: They want to punch you in the mouth and be 753 00:35:57,400 --> 00:35:59,360 Speaker 1: that physical, smash mouth team. The Jaguars were that in 754 00:35:59,400 --> 00:36:01,960 Speaker 1: twenty seven and couldn't you know, really do it again 755 00:36:01,960 --> 00:36:04,239 Speaker 1: in twenty eighteen. Tennessee was exactly what they wanted to be, 756 00:36:04,800 --> 00:36:06,480 Speaker 1: at least in those games against jackson It feels like 757 00:36:06,520 --> 00:36:09,120 Speaker 1: every time I see the Titans they look like freaking 758 00:36:09,160 --> 00:36:11,200 Speaker 1: world beaters because they're really laying it to the Jags. 759 00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:14,800 Speaker 1: Here's the thing about the AFC South, only team in 760 00:36:14,840 --> 00:36:18,400 Speaker 1: the NFL last year with three teams with winning records, 761 00:36:18,880 --> 00:36:21,319 Speaker 1: and the team that didn't have a winning record was 762 00:36:21,320 --> 00:36:24,880 Speaker 1: the club that was predicted to win it, you know, 763 00:36:24,920 --> 00:36:27,400 Speaker 1: before the season, and the team that was ten minutes 764 00:36:27,400 --> 00:36:29,840 Speaker 1: away from going to the Super Bowl the year before 765 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:33,200 Speaker 1: should have gone. And then it's the only division in 766 00:36:33,239 --> 00:36:37,200 Speaker 1: football where all four teams have been to the playoffs 767 00:36:37,239 --> 00:36:39,920 Speaker 1: in the last two seasons. So for all of the 768 00:36:40,040 --> 00:36:43,040 Speaker 1: jokes about the AFC South for years, oh a bunch 769 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:46,120 Speaker 1: of you know, losers. And I mean, right now, who 770 00:36:46,160 --> 00:36:49,880 Speaker 1: else is there? Yeah? I mean who? Because Jacksonville was 771 00:36:49,920 --> 00:36:53,160 Speaker 1: the team at five and eleven on the bottom of 772 00:36:53,160 --> 00:36:56,239 Speaker 1: the pile and they were hardly hapless, right, I mean 773 00:36:56,640 --> 00:36:58,920 Speaker 1: that was like yeah, well, I mean they did they 774 00:36:58,960 --> 00:37:02,000 Speaker 1: didn't have a great year, admittedly, but it was not 775 00:37:02,920 --> 00:37:04,880 Speaker 1: it was not a bad football team. It was a 776 00:37:04,920 --> 00:37:07,239 Speaker 1: team that had a bad year. Yeah, I mean, I 777 00:37:07,280 --> 00:37:09,759 Speaker 1: think this division is gonna be nuts. Yeah, I mean, 778 00:37:09,760 --> 00:37:11,200 Speaker 1: I think it's stacks right up there with you know, 779 00:37:11,239 --> 00:37:13,720 Speaker 1: you would say the AFC West Kansas City, the Chargers, 780 00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:15,719 Speaker 1: particularly the Broncos can get back in the mix a 781 00:37:15,719 --> 00:37:17,520 Speaker 1: little bit. It'll be interesting to see what the Raiders do. 782 00:37:18,239 --> 00:37:20,319 Speaker 1: That's a division that clearly has a ton of talent. 783 00:37:20,360 --> 00:37:22,080 Speaker 1: I think the AFC's health the ranks right up there. 784 00:37:22,600 --> 00:37:25,520 Speaker 1: The NFC North. You would expect the Packers with the 785 00:37:25,640 --> 00:37:28,480 Speaker 1: new head coach, to you know, be competing for a 786 00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:30,359 Speaker 1: playoff spot. The Bears look like they've got a nice 787 00:37:30,400 --> 00:37:32,560 Speaker 1: young nucleus. I don't know how the Vikings didn't make 788 00:37:32,560 --> 00:37:35,680 Speaker 1: the playoffs last year, so that's another competitive division. But sure, yeah, 789 00:37:35,719 --> 00:37:37,359 Speaker 1: I think the AFC's help was sort of the butt 790 00:37:37,400 --> 00:37:39,239 Speaker 1: of a lot of jokes for many years, but a 791 00:37:39,239 --> 00:37:41,080 Speaker 1: lot of really good young players and some teams that 792 00:37:41,080 --> 00:37:43,160 Speaker 1: I think are gonna be competitive, not just in twenty nineteen, 793 00:37:43,200 --> 00:37:45,680 Speaker 1: but twenty twenty and beyond. Philip Pile, but Florida Times, 794 00:37:45,680 --> 00:37:47,759 Speaker 1: you'd you do a great job. Hey, thank you, thank 795 00:37:47,800 --> 00:37:50,600 Speaker 1: you so much for sharing the Jacksonville perspective. We've talked 796 00:37:50,600 --> 00:37:53,680 Speaker 1: to AFC South on this edition of the OTP for 797 00:37:53,760 --> 00:37:56,440 Speaker 1: Amy Wells. I'm Mike Keith, and thanks for joining. It's 798 00:37:56,520 --> 00:38:04,239 Speaker 1: on the OTP. A comet coming day. Gre