1 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:07,120 Speaker 1: Football is about the Jimmy's and Joe's and x'es and o's. 2 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: Check New York Voto Voto A banker, Bruce, It's time 3 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:18,079 Speaker 1: to get out the chockboard and diagram some plays. Here's 4 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 1: what it all starts right here. That's why Jay money Christmas. 5 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: This is Inside Football with former Colts and NFL coach 6 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 1: Rick Venturie. Welcome to the twenty twenty four regular year, 7 00:00:33,880 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: and welcome to this first regular season installment of Inside Football. 8 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 1: Glad to be back. If you're new to this podcast, 9 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: where the heck have you been? But now the cults 10 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: are in regular season mode. There's a new weekly opponent 11 00:00:46,040 --> 00:00:48,479 Speaker 1: to break down. And that's what we're doing here on 12 00:00:48,520 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 1: Inside Football. That's what we do with Rick vent Turrey, 13 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 1: who has nearly thirty years of coaching background in the NFL. 14 00:00:55,680 --> 00:01:00,680 Speaker 1: I'm Matt Taylor inside the Indiana Union Construction Industry radio studio, 15 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: and it's all about the Houston Texans, the defending AFC 16 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:08,640 Speaker 1: South champions for the Colts. In week number one, Rick, 17 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 1: welcome to Week one. How you feel in the day, man, I'm. 18 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:13,959 Speaker 2: Telling you I am more than ready. I mean these 19 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:17,200 Speaker 2: two weeks, this two week gap between the preseason and 20 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 2: the regular season seems like an eternity in our world. 21 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,600 Speaker 2: But yeah, you know, I've always told you many times, 22 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 2: I've said three most exciting days in for me in 23 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,919 Speaker 2: the football season was always the opening day of training camp, 24 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:35,319 Speaker 2: opening regular season games Sunday, and then obviously when we 25 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:38,600 Speaker 2: get into playoffs, playoff football, those are the three just 26 00:01:38,760 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 2: most exciting moments. You know, this one because there's so 27 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 2: much build up, you know, and there's you know, there's 28 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,680 Speaker 2: the unknown, yet there's the build up. You've heard me 29 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 2: say it many times. It's part Christmas because we're opening gifts, 30 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:56,240 Speaker 2: but it can be Halloween like it has been for 31 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:59,600 Speaker 2: the last ten years for us, you know, where you 32 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 2: have a lot of horrors on that opening day. So 33 00:02:02,440 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 2: let's hope that's behind us and it's just a happy 34 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:05,920 Speaker 2: Christmas on Sunday. 35 00:02:06,040 --> 00:02:08,359 Speaker 1: Well, that's just it, Rick, And I know that you 36 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 1: look at the players in the locker room and even 37 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:14,240 Speaker 1: the longest tenured Colt and Ryan Kelly, he's only been 38 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: here since twenty sixteen. The losing streak in Week one 39 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 1: dates back to twenty thirteen. And I know you really 40 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,680 Speaker 1: can't pinpoint any one thing, but it is crazy. When 41 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 1: you look at the stat on its surface, it is 42 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 1: insane that this franchise unfortunately hasn't been able to get 43 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:33,360 Speaker 1: off to you know, the best of starts after week 44 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:37,000 Speaker 1: one since since twenty thirteen. I know all these guys 45 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:40,040 Speaker 1: haven't been here that entire duration, but it would be 46 00:02:40,120 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: nice to have, you know, that be kind of a 47 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:45,239 Speaker 1: footnote we can finally one day, hopefully coming up on 48 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,760 Speaker 1: Sunday around four four thirty, stop talking about that kind 49 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:49,000 Speaker 1: of thing. 50 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, let's let's let's hope we can brush that one aside. 51 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 2: I hate to even bring it up, but all of 52 00:02:54,760 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 2: a sudden, you're looking at it, right. I don't think 53 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,320 Speaker 2: it means that. I don't think it means a tinker's 54 00:02:59,360 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 2: damn to this Sunday. To be honest with you, I 55 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,360 Speaker 2: don't think any of that past really matters. So you know, 56 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 2: let's just go out and give it our best shot 57 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 2: here and get one Sunday. 58 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 1: Indeed, all right, before we get into the nitty gritty 59 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:11,960 Speaker 1: of the blueprints, that's what we're here to do today, 60 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:15,440 Speaker 1: the scouting report on the Texans. But let's discuss the 61 00:03:15,480 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 1: Colts big picture going into the regular season. If we 62 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:20,799 Speaker 1: can just real quick, give us your elevator pitch on 63 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 1: the Colts, and let's go both sides of the ball. 64 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 1: Let's begin on offense. Just what you saw in the 65 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 1: preseason and in practice in the month of August, and 66 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: the amount of excitement you have for Anthony Richardson and 67 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 1: that side of the ball going into Sunday. 68 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 2: Well, I really like it. You know. I think our 69 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 2: starting offensive line is really really strong. You know, I 70 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 2: think our tight ends are solid. I don't think it's 71 00:03:43,640 --> 00:03:48,200 Speaker 2: necessarily lights out, but it's also not a liability. I 72 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 2: think it's tight end by committee. I think you can 73 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 2: play that way. We know that JT. Healthy is an 74 00:03:55,480 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 2: elite ambient player that's going to give us the shots inside, 75 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 2: going to keep people honest, can hit home runs, hopefully 76 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:06,160 Speaker 2: has a big year. And then I think our wide 77 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 2: receiver corps, and I have to have a little caveat there. 78 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 2: I think when Downs is fully healthy and is a 79 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 2: part of that, I think our receiver corps could go 80 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:19,000 Speaker 2: from the worst element to the very best group on 81 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:22,919 Speaker 2: the team. So, you know, and I'm really happy with 82 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 2: the way that Downs or Mitchell came in and he 83 00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 2: and Downs to me can really really separate. They're guys 84 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 2: that we haven't really had. They can actually win one 85 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 2: on ones and really separate, don't necessarily need the scheme 86 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 2: to get open. And I thought that Pierce had a 87 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,839 Speaker 2: good camp. And I would say particularly in the fifty 88 00:04:43,880 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 2: to fifty ball, because Alex is always going to be used. 89 00:04:47,320 --> 00:04:49,280 Speaker 2: He's always going to be used on deep balls. I mean, 90 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 2: he's a big deep threat. He's going to get a 91 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:54,520 Speaker 2: lot of one on one coverage. We're going to run 92 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:57,520 Speaker 2: him deep, and so it's really vital that he can 93 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 2: go up and compete for the ball. And I thought 94 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 2: he did a really good job. I'm really interested and 95 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 2: excited to watch Anthony. I don't think we saw Anthony 96 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 2: in the in the camp. You know, we didn't run 97 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 2: him in any games, which was smart, no designer runs, 98 00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 2: only runs that he had to move out of the pocket. 99 00:05:18,640 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 2: But we've seen it in practice. We know what that means. 100 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 2: I think when he has that as part of his arsenal, 101 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 2: I think he plays better. You and I have talked 102 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 2: about this. I think they could really help him if 103 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:34,120 Speaker 2: we go quick pace, and you know, not just in 104 00:05:34,160 --> 00:05:36,839 Speaker 2: two minutes, just play that way, just play with quick pace. 105 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:39,800 Speaker 2: I think our defense is good enough to withstand it. 106 00:05:39,960 --> 00:05:42,159 Speaker 2: We had a three and out now and then, but 107 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:45,240 Speaker 2: I think he'll play better in that situation. I'm a 108 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 2: little I'm not concerned. I'm a little bit interested to 109 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:52,560 Speaker 2: see how he operates, you know, on the NFL third downs, 110 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:56,120 Speaker 2: you know, and in those situations where you know they're 111 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 2: pure passing downs there's no quarterback runs. I thought he 112 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:03,479 Speaker 2: was at little uneven in the summertime, but I think 113 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 2: he can handle that. And I think if anything, and 114 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:08,800 Speaker 2: we talked about this last week, you know, I think 115 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 2: he just was in a little bit of a hurry 116 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 2: in the dropback game. I think he can calm down 117 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:16,479 Speaker 2: a little bit make decisions, but he doesn't have to 118 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 2: make him you know, as Johnny Wood used to say, 119 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,720 Speaker 2: be quick, but don't hurry. You know, I thought at 120 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:23,720 Speaker 2: times that he kind of hurried things and he can 121 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:26,240 Speaker 2: let them develop a little bit. But you know, I 122 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:30,279 Speaker 2: certainly like the offense. The big key to our offense 123 00:06:30,839 --> 00:06:33,720 Speaker 2: is how Anthony plays. I think we have everything else 124 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 2: to be a competitor in a very competitive division, but 125 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 2: I think it all really is going to depend on 126 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 2: where he is exactly. 127 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:43,920 Speaker 1: I have no doubt about that. All right, then let's 128 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:47,480 Speaker 1: go over to the defensive side of the ball training camp, preseason. 129 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:49,559 Speaker 1: It's in the rear view mirror. I know you're really 130 00:06:49,640 --> 00:06:53,360 Speaker 1: high on the inside nine guys on defense, right, those 131 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 1: guys that play in the cone or the cylinder. I 132 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: know you love the pass rush now that it's accentuated 133 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 1: by leotue to What else did you learn about the 134 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 1: defense on the whole going into week one? 135 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:06,800 Speaker 2: Well, you're really right. I always call it, you know, 136 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 2: down the cylinder, they inside, you know, numbers, the numbers, 137 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:12,800 Speaker 2: you know. I like our front, I like it a lot. 138 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 2: I love our two linebackers, our two stack backers, and 139 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 2: you know, I think our safety position now that Cross 140 00:07:19,160 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 2: has played his way in and has been, you know, 141 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:25,679 Speaker 2: really a factor in the preseason to go along with Blackman, 142 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:28,320 Speaker 2: I think, and you put Kenny Moore in there as 143 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:32,800 Speaker 2: the nickel. You know, that's a real tough nine guys. 144 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 2: I mean, I don't think you have any athletic liabilities, 145 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 2: and I think you have playmakers in that regard. As 146 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 2: you said, I'm really excited about two guys really one 147 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 2: that we know a little bit about, but he's never 148 00:07:45,960 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 2: been able to be healthy. I'm really excited about Lewis, 149 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 2: you know, having a bigger role. I think he's a 150 00:07:52,040 --> 00:07:54,840 Speaker 2: really good rusher and of course lay two. I can't 151 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 2: wait to see him grow over the course of the season. 152 00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 2: You know, he's shown us some real spectacular skills at times. 153 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 2: And you know, now Sunday's a little bit different once 154 00:08:04,800 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 2: the you know, once the real games you know start, 155 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:09,840 Speaker 2: it's a little bit different. But he's a very skilled 156 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:13,200 Speaker 2: guy with a motor. Can't wait to see it. Uh. 157 00:08:13,240 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 2: And I think, you know, again, the biggest the biggest 158 00:08:15,800 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 2: issue I talked about. The number one key for offense 159 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 2: was how good does Anthony play? I think the number 160 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 2: one key on defense is can we modernize our defenses? 161 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 2: Can we get more sophisticated in the coverage, can we 162 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 2: pressure more? And can our corners hold up in those situations? 163 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 2: I think, you know one big you know one, you know, 164 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 2: all corner related and and I think modernization on defense 165 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 2: and Anthony on offense. And again, you know, it's a 166 00:08:43,760 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 2: it's a good looking team and it's in a really 167 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 2: really good division. I've studied this division all summer and yeah, 168 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:55,000 Speaker 2: it is really really good. It's really improved. Even the 169 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 2: Titans have had a real quiet, good offseason. I think 170 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:02,040 Speaker 2: Jacksonville will bounce back. We know on pay for the 171 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 2: Texans are good. So yeah, it's it is really gonna 172 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 2: be fun. We're gonna see all three of those opponents 173 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 2: in the first six Yeah. 174 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 1: I love that setup. That's a perfect segue to the 175 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: blueprints and let the games begin, baby, here we go 176 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 1: regular season. It starts on Sunday, Colts and Texans. You 177 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:23,440 Speaker 1: laid out the AFC South so beautifully right there, and 178 00:09:23,840 --> 00:09:26,440 Speaker 1: you know it's gonna be the first meaningful game since 179 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:29,079 Speaker 1: these two teams last met. That was all the way 180 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:32,680 Speaker 1: back in week eighteen. Rick, that was January sixth, and 181 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:35,280 Speaker 1: the Colts fell in that game twenty three to nineteen. 182 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:37,079 Speaker 1: That had a chance to win the game late. We 183 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: all remember that, trailed by six with just over a 184 00:09:40,640 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 1: minute to go, they pace fourth and won at the 185 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:47,040 Speaker 1: Texans fifteen yard line and then everybody again remembers that 186 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 1: incomplete pass that end of the season. So with that, 187 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 1: the Texans won the division with the record of ten 188 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:56,640 Speaker 1: and seven. The Colts missed the playoffs for the third 189 00:09:56,720 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 1: straight year, and now Houston with that their perceived as 190 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:02,440 Speaker 1: one of the best teams in the AFC going into 191 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:06,640 Speaker 1: the season. Because they have that foundational success. They also 192 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: made a lot of key additions in the offseason. C J. 193 00:10:09,960 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 1: Stroud threw for over four thousand yards. He was named 194 00:10:13,520 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 1: Offensive Rookie of the Year. Will Anderson another first round 195 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 1: pick last year, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of 196 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 1: the Year. And like I said, they didn't rest on 197 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:26,199 Speaker 1: their laurels. They were very aggressive in the offseason, sinsing 198 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: They've got this window of opportunity with c J. Stroud 199 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:32,559 Speaker 1: on a rookie contract, so they trade for wide receivers 200 00:10:32,559 --> 00:10:35,840 Speaker 1: to fon Diggs. They trade for running back Joe Mixon. 201 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:39,559 Speaker 1: On defense, they add veteran pass rusher daneil Hunter in 202 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:43,600 Speaker 1: free agency, and with all that firepower, they became the 203 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 1: first team in the history of the NFL to add 204 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: a player with at least one hundred catches, one thousand 205 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:55,199 Speaker 1: rushing yards, and ten sacks in the same offseason. Last year, 206 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,959 Speaker 1: rick they only had one primetime game that didn't come 207 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 1: into Week eighteen against the Colts. That game was flexed 208 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 1: this year. Going into the season, the Texans schedule features 209 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 1: six primetime games, marking the most for them in franchise. History. 210 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 1: So all of that up, I should say, Rick, all 211 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: of that adds up to a lot of hype in 212 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: h Town going into the season. So that's my big picture. 213 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:19,960 Speaker 1: What else do we need to know about your big picture? 214 00:11:20,040 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 1: Nugget wise on the Texans going into the game. 215 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:25,439 Speaker 2: I think that's right. I think that's well chronicled. I mean, 216 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:28,840 Speaker 2: you had, you know, the Demico ended up being Coach 217 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:32,440 Speaker 2: of the year, Stroud and Anderson you know, ended up 218 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 2: being Rookie of the Year on either side of the 219 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 2: of the of the game. Stroud ended up being tremendous 220 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 2: down the stretch. And then as you said, you know, 221 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 2: I think their general manager Casario has I think he's 222 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 2: really killed it both with draft picks, which he should. 223 00:11:48,320 --> 00:11:52,160 Speaker 2: They had very high draft picks, but you know, uncharacteristically 224 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:55,560 Speaker 2: they went out and really went after guys in free 225 00:11:55,600 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 2: agents and their impact guys as you just mentioned, you know, 226 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 2: when you go out get a hunter. Actually we didn't 227 00:12:01,880 --> 00:12:05,679 Speaker 2: even mention Autrey because he suspended, Yeah, al Shaer al 228 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 2: Si you know, then Diggs and then Mixing and and 229 00:12:09,600 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 2: of course Nico was the Colts killer last year. Tank 230 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:16,320 Speaker 2: Dell will be back, So you know you're exactly right. 231 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:19,960 Speaker 2: This is a team that looks really really good on paper. 232 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 2: It's hard to argue a lot of people have them 233 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:25,720 Speaker 2: in the top five in terms of rosters, in terms 234 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:29,040 Speaker 2: of teams for this season. Now, thank goodness. You know, 235 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 2: team games aren't played on paper. That's why you're playing 236 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 2: you know, during the week, that's why you play him 237 00:12:34,880 --> 00:12:37,240 Speaker 2: on Sundays. And you see, you know, you see it 238 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 2: what it was. It's amazing though, you know what a game, 239 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 2: how that matters? I mean, if you know, if we 240 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:48,360 Speaker 2: catch the ball on the fourteen and we take it 241 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:51,640 Speaker 2: in all of a sudden, the vision of the Colts, 242 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 2: you know, the division in the Colts and the Texans 243 00:12:54,880 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 2: is really totally different, totally and I do think I 244 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:00,959 Speaker 2: do think now the Texans and I'll talk about this 245 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:04,960 Speaker 2: as we close today, they're now in an expectation game. 246 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 2: This is a different world. I've been that animal. You 247 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 2: go from you know, the hunter to the hunted, and 248 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:14,600 Speaker 2: that can be really burdensome. I mean, all of a sudden, 249 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:18,040 Speaker 2: you know, every week now people are shooting at you. 250 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 2: You are the favorite. You know, when things go wrong, 251 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 2: you know a year ago it's things go wrong. You 252 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 2: go to the next one. Now, you know, all of 253 00:13:25,280 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 2: a sudden, there's a lot more pressure on everybody. So, 254 00:13:28,280 --> 00:13:31,439 Speaker 2: you know, I think when I look at them big picture, 255 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 2: the four big stats I look at, you know, they're 256 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 2: all pretty damn good. Points given up, they were number eleven, 257 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:41,079 Speaker 2: you know, the QBR he was fifteen, but he had 258 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:45,240 Speaker 2: one hundred point eight. In terms of passer rating. This 259 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 2: is where they're really good. They're point differential plus ten. 260 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 2: And then basically their penalties, they were thirty first, which 261 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 2: is bad. I just put a note to you that 262 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 2: you know, the strength. You know, we can talk about 263 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 2: players and scheme, which we're going to, but in the big, 264 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 2: big picture, the strength of the Texans is they are 265 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 2: number one in not giving the ball up. I mean, 266 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 2: they're less than one turnover a game point seven to zero. 267 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:16,640 Speaker 2: They're number one. So that's something you got to keep 268 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:20,640 Speaker 2: in mind. But the Achilles heel is that they are 269 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:24,360 Speaker 2: the they are very highly penalized. They are the number 270 00:14:24,440 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 2: thirty first team in the league. So that's a high 271 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 2: and a low, which I'm going to get to when 272 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:31,359 Speaker 2: it comes into the blueprints. 273 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 1: All Right, that's the big picture on the Texans. Let's 274 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 1: begin with the blueprints on those ten and seven Texans 275 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:40,760 Speaker 1: from a year ago. We begin with them on offense, 276 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 1: and as always, it starts with a quarterback play CJ. Stroud. 277 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:46,720 Speaker 1: He just turned in one of the best rookie quarterback 278 00:14:46,800 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 1: seasons in NFL history. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie 279 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 1: of the Year, became just the fifth rookie ever to 280 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: throw for over four thousand yards in his first season, 281 00:14:56,680 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: set a Texans rookie record for passing yards, and his 282 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:02,880 Speaker 1: two hundred and seventy three passing yards per game last 283 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 1: year led the NFL. He loves the deep ball. He's 284 00:15:06,360 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 1: really accurate down the field. He completed forty passes last 285 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 1: year at least twenty five yards, that was second most 286 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:17,120 Speaker 1: in the league, and he averaged over eight yards per attempt, 287 00:15:17,240 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 1: which was third in the NFL a season ago. And 288 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 1: you look at his weaponry on offense going into the season, 289 00:15:24,480 --> 00:15:29,280 Speaker 1: it is legit Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell Nicocollins at the 290 00:15:29,320 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 1: receiver positions. Dalton Schultz is his top tight end, Joe Mixon. 291 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: As we said, his primary rusher, Dix comes over in 292 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:40,880 Speaker 1: a trade was with the Bills last year. He's posted 293 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: at least six straight one thousand yard seasons. He's also 294 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:48,840 Speaker 1: just five yards away from ten thousand career receiving yards. 295 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:51,600 Speaker 1: Dell is back in the lineup. He had a fractured 296 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:55,080 Speaker 1: fibula late in the season, and he and CJ. Stroud 297 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 1: last year hooked up for seven touchdowns. And then Collins 298 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,280 Speaker 1: had the best year of his career last year over 299 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:06,119 Speaker 1: twelve hundred receiving yards, joined Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins 300 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: as the only players in Texans history to do that. 301 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:12,120 Speaker 1: And he also torched the Colts last year in two 302 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 1: games against Indianapolis. He had sixteen catches for over three 303 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 1: hundred and forty yards and two touchdowns, including that seventy 304 00:16:20,720 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 1: five yard or in Week eighteen to get the party 305 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 1: started at Lucas Oil Stadium. And on top of all 306 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 1: of that, as you said, the Texans really good at 307 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 1: taking care of the football. They only committed fourteen turnovers 308 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: all of last year, which was the best mark in 309 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 1: the NFL. Rick that was a big reason why they 310 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: went seven to three in one score games a season ago. 311 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:43,640 Speaker 1: So that's kind of the setup on the Texans offense, 312 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:45,720 Speaker 1: filling the gaps for us before you get into your 313 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:47,680 Speaker 1: must on Houston with the football. 314 00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's exactly right. I mean they've really helped themselves. 315 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 2: You know, a year ago it was really Collins in 316 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:57,720 Speaker 2: the Pips, and even though he had thirty percent thirty 317 00:16:57,720 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 2: three percent of his output all season against US, he 318 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:04,480 Speaker 2: torched us. But now they've really complimented him with the 319 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 2: return of you know, with the return of Dell and 320 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:11,520 Speaker 2: obviously the acquisition of Digs. I mean those are guys. 321 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 2: You know, you talked about a ten thousand yards sixty 322 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:18,840 Speaker 2: seven touchdowns for Digs and Dell was really impressive in 323 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 2: a short span, you know, with fifteen point one and 324 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 2: seven tds. Also, Schultz at fifty nine catches is really 325 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:30,240 Speaker 2: the sleeper of the four, and he's a little bit 326 00:17:30,240 --> 00:17:34,040 Speaker 2: of a comfort zone and situational guy. You know, Stroud 327 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,080 Speaker 2: had one hundred and thirty four passer rating against US 328 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:39,680 Speaker 2: in that second game. That's kind of all you have 329 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:44,239 Speaker 2: to know. You know, their defense has really you know, 330 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 2: it improved. Obviously we'll get into that in a minute, 331 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,159 Speaker 2: but I think the biggest thing you got to do. 332 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 2: You know, they really struggled to run the football a 333 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 2: year ago. I mean, if you look at their statistics, 334 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 2: you know they were twenty ninth in rushing per like 335 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:05,000 Speaker 2: three point seven. But you know, then they went out 336 00:18:05,000 --> 00:18:07,960 Speaker 2: and got mixing. As you said, a thousand yard rusher, 337 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:12,320 Speaker 2: you know, to to run the football. You know, he's 338 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:15,959 Speaker 2: a thousand yard runner, you know. And he's also a 339 00:18:16,160 --> 00:18:19,159 Speaker 2: very very good receiver. So they're going to hope to 340 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 2: make that better with the running game, which would be 341 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:27,160 Speaker 2: important because of the play action that they like to use. Again, 342 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:30,200 Speaker 2: very good skill guys, you know. I think in their 343 00:18:30,200 --> 00:18:34,359 Speaker 2: offensive line, we know Tunsel on the on the on 344 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:37,560 Speaker 2: the blind side on the left side is very solid. 345 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:41,159 Speaker 2: He's the perennial pro bowler. I think in terms of 346 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:44,040 Speaker 2: the other guys, I mean, I think they're all vulnerable 347 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:48,520 Speaker 2: Green Scrugs, Mason, and Howard as you go across left 348 00:18:48,560 --> 00:18:51,120 Speaker 2: to right. I think if they get in a game 349 00:18:51,160 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 2: where they have to throw, where they get behind, I 350 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:57,000 Speaker 2: think they are very vulnerable to our front, which I'm 351 00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 2: going to get into in terms of schematics. On their offense, 352 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:06,119 Speaker 2: first down, they're basically a simple run team. They're gonna 353 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 2: run zone plays. They run a little bit of counter 354 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:13,240 Speaker 2: trade back to the open side, a little bit of toss, 355 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:16,920 Speaker 2: and then occasionally they'll bring a fullback in, another tight 356 00:19:17,040 --> 00:19:20,120 Speaker 2: end in and go twenty two personnel and then they'll 357 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:24,120 Speaker 2: run some leads and some powers, but it's fairly simple. 358 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:29,200 Speaker 2: The passing game on first down is heavy play pass 359 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 2: and Matt they like to take shots. They're a touchdown 360 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:36,960 Speaker 2: checkdown team. On first down, he wants to throw it downfield. 361 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,480 Speaker 2: He's not afraid to throw it downfield. So he's gonna 362 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:43,680 Speaker 2: look to take the shot, whether it's to Collins or 363 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:47,200 Speaker 2: Dal or the digs downfield. If not, then he's gonna 364 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 2: check it down to a Shultz or to a mix in. 365 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 2: In that sense. The other thing they like a lot 366 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 2: on first down. They like to move the pocket with 367 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:59,400 Speaker 2: a complete bootleg, which is flat crosses, and then where 368 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:02,280 Speaker 2: they're killed shot and he hurt us with it a 369 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:05,159 Speaker 2: year ago. They like to boot but pull him up 370 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 2: at the tackle box and then throw it back to 371 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:11,439 Speaker 2: the other side with layer passes, so you get the 372 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 2: defense to move with them, but it's not a full 373 00:20:14,520 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 2: boot and then they throw it back to the short 374 00:20:17,040 --> 00:20:19,439 Speaker 2: side of the field. That's a big thing. When they 375 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,480 Speaker 2: get behind an the count they get in second and long, 376 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 2: then they're classic like everybody else. A lot of spread, 377 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:29,120 Speaker 2: a lot of quick throws, like to get the ball 378 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:32,280 Speaker 2: the Shultz real quick, you know, and it's gonna be 379 00:20:32,359 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 2: fluid at wide out. You know, Collins is gonna be 380 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:38,359 Speaker 2: the X. He's gonna be the weak side stationary jump 381 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:41,560 Speaker 2: ball one on one guy take this shot over the top, 382 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:43,879 Speaker 2: and then I think Dell and Digs are going to 383 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:48,040 Speaker 2: be interchangeable on the strong side. But again second and 384 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 2: long is get back. They're gonna throw the quick stuff, 385 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:54,080 Speaker 2: slant sticks, all that kind of stuff, and then third 386 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:57,679 Speaker 2: down again, it's all by down in distance. If it's short, 387 00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 2: you're gonna get a lot of balls to show, You're 388 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:02,400 Speaker 2: going to get a lot of balls to Collins in Dell. 389 00:21:03,000 --> 00:21:06,199 Speaker 2: If it's long, they like to push it downfield with 390 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:11,040 Speaker 2: deep ends or deep corner patterns to number two or 391 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 2: what we call big daggers on the inside. And obviously 392 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 2: there's always an underneath drag if it's not there. So 393 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:22,840 Speaker 2: that's kind of the predictability about them, you know. There again, 394 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:26,680 Speaker 2: thirteenth on the score, twenty ninth on the rush. That's 395 00:21:26,720 --> 00:21:29,919 Speaker 2: the worst part on the past number eight and the 396 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,320 Speaker 2: quarterback has a really good good rating all right in 397 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:37,439 Speaker 2: terms of the Colt's blueprint. The must Number one, we 398 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:41,159 Speaker 2: absolutely have to control the running game. Mixing or no mixing, 399 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,720 Speaker 2: we cannot. We have to make them prove that they've 400 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 2: improved the running game. We can't let them get going. Okay, 401 00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:51,120 Speaker 2: and they're going to try to drive it at us, 402 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 2: but our front has to control this. They've got good 403 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 2: running backs and mix in. You know, they got the 404 00:21:57,320 --> 00:22:00,800 Speaker 2: young kid coming in there, you know as a bat 405 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 2: Pierce as a pounder, and then Acres has looked good 406 00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:07,040 Speaker 2: in the summer. He had real good ball originally for 407 00:22:07,119 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 2: the Rams and got hurt. They let him go. So 408 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:12,120 Speaker 2: they got people. But you have to stop the run 409 00:22:12,200 --> 00:22:14,920 Speaker 2: for many reasons, not just to get ahead in the chains, 410 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:19,000 Speaker 2: but it also takes away that terrific play pass where 411 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 2: they get the big plays on first down. So that's 412 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 2: number one. Number two is you really have to control 413 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:30,120 Speaker 2: and minimize their receiver corps. You're not gonna shut it out. 414 00:22:30,200 --> 00:22:33,280 Speaker 2: This is this is not Collins in the Pips anymore. 415 00:22:33,320 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 2: I mean you've got a real top group and PID 416 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:40,359 Speaker 2: you know in Collins and Digs and Dell and the 417 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:43,679 Speaker 2: tight end. So the biggest thing is you have to 418 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:47,119 Speaker 2: mix and match. There's no one way you can't just 419 00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:49,640 Speaker 2: take away Collins. You got to You got to mix 420 00:22:49,680 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 2: and match your zones your man's. You want to stay 421 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:56,119 Speaker 2: on top of Collins. Don't they have confidence they can 422 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 2: get over the top because they have with him, Make 423 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:02,399 Speaker 2: sure you get on top of him with Dell, just 424 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:05,920 Speaker 2: don't give him any space. He's terrific with the ball 425 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 2: in hand and digs. You've got to be aware of him. 426 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:11,320 Speaker 2: It's going to be fluid. I'm not even sure because 427 00:23:11,320 --> 00:23:14,439 Speaker 2: we don't have enough pay on them with digs to 428 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 2: know exactly where he's going to be. So again, this 429 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:19,879 Speaker 2: game is one where you're going to have to really 430 00:23:20,000 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 2: mix and match your coverages. I think you want to 431 00:23:23,680 --> 00:23:27,200 Speaker 2: match really tight along with that number three. You got 432 00:23:27,200 --> 00:23:30,200 Speaker 2: to keep Stroud in check. And he is terrific young guy. 433 00:23:30,520 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 2: I mean sixty four percent big time passer rating, one 434 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:37,680 Speaker 2: thirty four passer rating against us in that last game, 435 00:23:38,119 --> 00:23:43,920 Speaker 2: quit silver, release, deadly, accurate, anticipates, and he's got enough 436 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:46,399 Speaker 2: movement to extend plays if he's got to get in 437 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:49,840 Speaker 2: out of trouble. But I think what's really important is 438 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:53,120 Speaker 2: you have to close the windows with him. We have 439 00:23:53,200 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 2: to play tight matchups or a Manda man coverage where 440 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:00,560 Speaker 2: there's no big window, because if you just decide, well, 441 00:24:00,560 --> 00:24:02,040 Speaker 2: they've got a lot of talent, so we're going to 442 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:05,120 Speaker 2: play soft and keep in front of us, he'll complete 443 00:24:05,119 --> 00:24:07,679 Speaker 2: a million balls, he'll shread you, and you don't want 444 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:09,960 Speaker 2: to let him get going. So you need tight windows 445 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:12,880 Speaker 2: in that respect. And then the other thing I think 446 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:16,400 Speaker 2: that's really important is we've got to get after him. 447 00:24:16,400 --> 00:24:18,280 Speaker 2: This is a team we've got to blitz. You know, 448 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:21,840 Speaker 2: we were very low in that last year fourteen percent. 449 00:24:22,240 --> 00:24:24,520 Speaker 2: That can't be this year. We've got to get after them. 450 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:28,320 Speaker 2: I think they're vulnerable to the blitz, vulnerable, particularly if 451 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:31,119 Speaker 2: you keep them behind in the chains. And no matter 452 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:35,159 Speaker 2: what as good as Stroud is historically over his career 453 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 2: in college, in his career here, his percentages and effectiveness 454 00:24:39,680 --> 00:24:43,640 Speaker 2: fall off a lot when you're bringing pressure on him. 455 00:24:43,960 --> 00:24:46,600 Speaker 2: The number four. I think this is obvious. I think 456 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:50,160 Speaker 2: we have to dominate their offense, offensive line. I think 457 00:24:50,200 --> 00:24:53,880 Speaker 2: our defensive line is better than them. And I think 458 00:24:53,920 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 2: the most important thing is we have got to get 459 00:24:56,560 --> 00:24:59,520 Speaker 2: after them. We've got to get after him, stop the run. 460 00:25:00,119 --> 00:25:04,600 Speaker 2: Front four and our front seven has to dominate this again, 461 00:25:04,760 --> 00:25:07,680 Speaker 2: don't be afraid to blitz and bring the heat. We've 462 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:10,400 Speaker 2: got to get after them. And then in the end, 463 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:13,520 Speaker 2: I think for our defense in general, the most important 464 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:16,679 Speaker 2: thing is keep the point total down. Can't be twenty 465 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:19,359 Speaker 2: eighth again. And to keep it down, there's three things 466 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:23,280 Speaker 2: we have to do. Number one, nothing easy because of 467 00:25:23,359 --> 00:25:28,400 Speaker 2: our mistakes. Plays will be made, but no unforced airs, right, 468 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 2: great red zone defense, you know we know what they're 469 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:34,600 Speaker 2: gonna do. And then do a much better job of 470 00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:38,080 Speaker 2: controlling quarterbacks and wide receivers. On the course of the 471 00:25:38,119 --> 00:25:40,439 Speaker 2: whole season we've not done a good job. We do 472 00:25:40,560 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 2: those three things, we'll get that point total down into 473 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:46,920 Speaker 2: the top fifteen, top ten, and we'll be moving. 474 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:50,000 Speaker 1: Along, no doubt about that. Well said right there, Rick Ventury. 475 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:53,879 Speaker 1: That problem for the Colts on defense twenty eighth in 476 00:25:53,960 --> 00:25:57,320 Speaker 1: terms of opponents scoring in each of the last two years. 477 00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:00,919 Speaker 1: That's Rick Ventury. This is Inside Football. I'm Matt Taylor 478 00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:05,159 Speaker 1: inside the Indiana Union Construction Industry radio studio previewing Colts 479 00:26:05,160 --> 00:26:07,679 Speaker 1: and Texans week number one. All right, let's head over 480 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:10,359 Speaker 1: to the defensive side of the ball. With Houston. Last year, 481 00:26:10,720 --> 00:26:13,080 Speaker 1: they gave up only twenty points per game a really 482 00:26:13,119 --> 00:26:17,000 Speaker 1: respectable number that kept them in games. In fact, they 483 00:26:17,040 --> 00:26:20,199 Speaker 1: held nine teams last year to under twenty points. They 484 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 1: were eight to one in those games. Really good against 485 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:26,520 Speaker 1: the run, they gave up only ninety six yards per 486 00:26:26,560 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 1: game defensively, which ranked sixth in the league. They were 487 00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:32,679 Speaker 1: also really good on third down getting off the field. 488 00:26:33,119 --> 00:26:36,800 Speaker 1: They allowed just a thirty five percent conversion rate. Will 489 00:26:36,880 --> 00:26:39,879 Speaker 1: Anderson was the NFL defensive rookie of the year. He 490 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:42,880 Speaker 1: was drafted third overall by the Texans. Had a really 491 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:45,680 Speaker 1: good year seven sacks, which was a club record by 492 00:26:45,680 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 1: a rookie. He had the most quarterback pressures among first 493 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:53,359 Speaker 1: year players last year. Then on the opposite side, like 494 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:55,680 Speaker 1: we talked about at the top, they added a coveted 495 00:26:55,720 --> 00:26:59,080 Speaker 1: free agent, d Neil Hunter, a four time Pro Bowler, 496 00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:01,920 Speaker 1: comes over from the Vikings. He had sixteen and a 497 00:27:01,960 --> 00:27:05,320 Speaker 1: half sacks last year. That was his third straight year 498 00:27:05,359 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: with at least fourteen sacks. They also picked up middle 499 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:12,359 Speaker 1: linebacker Aziz al Shier, who comes over from the Titans. 500 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:15,120 Speaker 1: He had a really good season last year, in fact, 501 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:17,879 Speaker 1: a career high one hundred and sixty three tackles That 502 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:21,080 Speaker 1: was a Tennessee record, the fifth most stops in the 503 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:25,120 Speaker 1: NFL and that secondary. They addressed that as well. They've 504 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:28,640 Speaker 1: got returners. They've got Derek Stingley and Jalen Petrie coming 505 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:31,400 Speaker 1: back at corner. So those are the veterans. They also 506 00:27:31,480 --> 00:27:34,919 Speaker 1: added two rookies, Kaylon Bullock, a third round pick, a 507 00:27:34,960 --> 00:27:38,240 Speaker 1: safety out of usc and then a second round pick, 508 00:27:38,640 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 1: Kamari Lassiter, a corner out of Georgia. Both of those 509 00:27:42,040 --> 00:27:45,880 Speaker 1: players were all conferenced last year in their respective conferences 510 00:27:45,920 --> 00:27:48,879 Speaker 1: and Rick they're going to play huge roles this season 511 00:27:48,920 --> 00:27:51,359 Speaker 1: early on for the Texans. So what else do we 512 00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:54,920 Speaker 1: need to know about the Texans on defense going into 513 00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:55,640 Speaker 1: Week one here? 514 00:27:55,920 --> 00:27:58,000 Speaker 2: Well, they certainly made it. As you said, they made 515 00:27:58,440 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 2: a big, huge improvement. You know, with Demikou, there's no 516 00:28:03,200 --> 00:28:06,480 Speaker 2: question about it. And they're not real, real complex Matt 517 00:28:06,480 --> 00:28:10,480 Speaker 2: burtis that Burke is the coordinator who incidentally has climbed 518 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:14,760 Speaker 2: Malt Kilimanjero for whatever that's worth. But anyway, they you know, 519 00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:17,960 Speaker 2: they they really improved and then they really went out. 520 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:19,879 Speaker 2: You know that you get a guy like Hunter with 521 00:28:20,240 --> 00:28:24,240 Speaker 2: you know, ninety two career sacks. Actually they're not going 522 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:27,000 Speaker 2: to have Autrey because of the you know, because of 523 00:28:27,040 --> 00:28:29,960 Speaker 2: the suspension, you know, but he's a guy that brings 524 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:33,320 Speaker 2: a lot of sacks to the table. They have the 525 00:28:33,440 --> 00:28:37,320 Speaker 2: rookie of the Year on the other side again, some 526 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:40,920 Speaker 2: of their key players. I really like al Shire. I 527 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:43,120 Speaker 2: think that's a great move by them. I think he's 528 00:28:43,160 --> 00:28:48,240 Speaker 2: a tackling machine hunter. Of course, I really like Stingley. 529 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:51,840 Speaker 2: Stingley is they're basically their left corner. They might use 530 00:28:51,920 --> 00:28:54,960 Speaker 2: them differently in the game, but he's basically been their 531 00:28:55,040 --> 00:28:58,080 Speaker 2: left corner. I think he's a premier player. I think 532 00:28:58,160 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 2: Petrie is a premier safety already who can also play 533 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:05,640 Speaker 2: the nickel. He plays both a big nickel and he 534 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:09,240 Speaker 2: plays safety. And you know, I think Ward is a 535 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:13,320 Speaker 2: real experience good safety. So I mean they're I think 536 00:29:13,360 --> 00:29:16,880 Speaker 2: they're They're solid. They have certain things they they They're 537 00:29:17,080 --> 00:29:20,880 Speaker 2: very well knit. They're not real complex, but they have 538 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,680 Speaker 2: a lot of tight matchup Chokov stuff within their basic stuff. 539 00:29:25,160 --> 00:29:28,560 Speaker 2: They play really hard. They reflect their head coach, who 540 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:32,320 Speaker 2: was really a hard playing linebacker in his day. You know, 541 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:36,880 Speaker 2: on early downs, uh, they're methodical, not exotic. You know, 542 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:40,280 Speaker 2: on the first down and second and five less, you're 543 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,160 Speaker 2: gonna see a lot of eight man front, corners undressed, 544 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 2: a lot of overfront bear all the things that we 545 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:50,600 Speaker 2: saw from him a year ago. Uh, they're gonna give 546 00:29:50,600 --> 00:29:53,040 Speaker 2: you those eight man fronts, try to stop the run 547 00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:58,160 Speaker 2: and get after the play action. As they get deeper 548 00:29:58,320 --> 00:30:01,240 Speaker 2: into the count, then you get a lot of quarters, 549 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:04,640 Speaker 2: a lot of four read but they match it hard underneath. 550 00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:07,520 Speaker 2: They don't make it easy for you underneath. And then 551 00:30:08,120 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 2: a lot of cover eight which is quarters strong and 552 00:30:11,360 --> 00:30:15,520 Speaker 2: roll weak. You know, there is some dogs in that situation, 553 00:30:16,440 --> 00:30:18,600 Speaker 2: but a lot of eight man front. Then when they 554 00:30:18,680 --> 00:30:21,640 Speaker 2: get on the on third down, you know, now there 555 00:30:21,800 --> 00:30:24,960 Speaker 2: is volume. That's where the volume comes. They like to 556 00:30:25,040 --> 00:30:28,640 Speaker 2: walk up either in their even front or they're odd 557 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:31,200 Speaker 2: front and give you that you know bluffer, you know 558 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:35,400 Speaker 2: bluffer blitz in those deals, you know, and they will 559 00:30:35,400 --> 00:30:38,800 Speaker 2: give you some coverage there. They'll play some some hard 560 00:30:38,920 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 2: manda man free, some five man pressure, some cover two. 561 00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 2: Like I said, there is volume in their third down 562 00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:49,000 Speaker 2: and if it gets real long, then they'll play a 563 00:30:49,000 --> 00:30:52,080 Speaker 2: little of that six high buzz and and you know 564 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:54,320 Speaker 2: they have used delta. Now I don't know what their 565 00:30:54,360 --> 00:30:57,800 Speaker 2: new configuration, you know exactly who would be the spinner, 566 00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:00,720 Speaker 2: but they've got plenty of guys to do that. Now, 567 00:31:00,760 --> 00:31:04,840 Speaker 2: as far as the Colts blueprint, I think number one, 568 00:31:05,360 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 2: and this is kind of this, this will violate what 569 00:31:07,880 --> 00:31:10,360 Speaker 2: you look at in the total stat If you look 570 00:31:10,360 --> 00:31:13,320 Speaker 2: at the total stat on this team, you're going to 571 00:31:13,360 --> 00:31:16,840 Speaker 2: see that they are number they're number eight in the 572 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:20,680 Speaker 2: rush in they're number two on rush per which is 573 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:23,560 Speaker 2: three six, which would tell you they're a great run 574 00:31:23,600 --> 00:31:26,880 Speaker 2: defense team. Well, they're not against the Colts, all right. 575 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:29,440 Speaker 2: They have not been able to stop us, and I 576 00:31:29,480 --> 00:31:33,560 Speaker 2: think that's critical. In Game one without JT, we had 577 00:31:33,560 --> 00:31:35,800 Speaker 2: one hundred and twenty five and we rushed for five 578 00:31:35,920 --> 00:31:40,480 Speaker 2: point five. With JT, JT had one hundred and eighty 579 00:31:40,560 --> 00:31:45,320 Speaker 2: eight yards rushing game. And so yeah, so I'm saying, 580 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:48,120 Speaker 2: you know, one number one, we got to run it 581 00:31:48,200 --> 00:31:50,560 Speaker 2: right at them. I you know, I think they're more 582 00:31:50,600 --> 00:31:53,960 Speaker 2: athletics than physical, you know. I think you can run 583 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:58,840 Speaker 2: it inside at Fodac Case and at Edwards again, I 584 00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:02,520 Speaker 2: think more athletic. Even their edge guys, I'm not going 585 00:32:02,560 --> 00:32:04,880 Speaker 2: to give them credit for stopping us on the run. 586 00:32:05,560 --> 00:32:07,840 Speaker 2: I think we got to really get right after it 587 00:32:07,920 --> 00:32:10,600 Speaker 2: and take it right to them. Like I said, they 588 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:13,640 Speaker 2: have not stopped the Colts. They've stopped everybody else, but 589 00:32:13,720 --> 00:32:16,880 Speaker 2: they haven't stopped the Colts number two. Right along with that, 590 00:32:17,400 --> 00:32:19,960 Speaker 2: you have to protect the edges on this team. If 591 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:23,440 Speaker 2: you put together you know, you put together Hunter, Anderson, 592 00:32:23,600 --> 00:32:27,360 Speaker 2: Hughes and Barnett, the four guys they can roll. They 593 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:30,120 Speaker 2: have one hundred and ninety three facts, so you know 594 00:32:30,240 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 2: it's not a surprise that they have really good guys 595 00:32:33,640 --> 00:32:36,480 Speaker 2: coming off the edge. That's why it's so important to 596 00:32:36,600 --> 00:32:39,640 Speaker 2: run that ball, keep them off balance, stay ahead in 597 00:32:39,680 --> 00:32:42,120 Speaker 2: account so you're not letting them just tee it up 598 00:32:42,520 --> 00:32:46,200 Speaker 2: and go, because those guys can really they can really 599 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:48,760 Speaker 2: get off the edge and really get them. The other 600 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:51,320 Speaker 2: thing I would add here and watching the playoff games 601 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:55,120 Speaker 2: last year, one thing I think is inside. As hard 602 00:32:55,120 --> 00:32:58,000 Speaker 2: as they play there, I think they're undisciplined on the 603 00:32:58,120 --> 00:33:01,240 Speaker 2: rush lanes. I think if it breaks down quick, I 604 00:33:01,240 --> 00:33:04,200 Speaker 2: think there will be holes to run inside. I thought 605 00:33:04,280 --> 00:33:07,800 Speaker 2: Lamar Jackson killed them in the in the playoff games 606 00:33:07,840 --> 00:33:10,320 Speaker 2: with inside scramble. Just put that in the back of 607 00:33:10,360 --> 00:33:13,080 Speaker 2: your resources, of your mind. I think that's gonna be 608 00:33:13,120 --> 00:33:16,720 Speaker 2: there if you need a critical play. Now. I'm gonna 609 00:33:16,720 --> 00:33:19,560 Speaker 2: stay away from Stingley as much as I can. I'm 610 00:33:19,560 --> 00:33:22,239 Speaker 2: going after Laster, and Laster is going to start at 611 00:33:22,280 --> 00:33:24,680 Speaker 2: right corner of the rookie you talked about from Georgia. 612 00:33:25,040 --> 00:33:27,960 Speaker 2: He's a really good football player, tells everything well, but 613 00:33:28,000 --> 00:33:30,480 Speaker 2: he can't run. He's four to six y five guy 614 00:33:30,560 --> 00:33:34,280 Speaker 2: coming out, and you know that's a red light to me. 615 00:33:34,520 --> 00:33:37,720 Speaker 2: I'm gonna go after him until he proves that he 616 00:33:37,760 --> 00:33:40,280 Speaker 2: can stop us. And where you want to go after him, 617 00:33:40,280 --> 00:33:43,280 Speaker 2: Matt is on first down, because on first down, as 618 00:33:43,320 --> 00:33:46,560 Speaker 2: I said before in the general breakdown, they're gonna give 619 00:33:46,600 --> 00:33:49,320 Speaker 2: you eight man front. They're going to undress those corners, 620 00:33:49,680 --> 00:33:53,800 Speaker 2: either man quarters or three deep zone. So whatever it is, 621 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:57,480 Speaker 2: there's gonna be opportunities to win your one on ones. 622 00:33:57,520 --> 00:34:01,080 Speaker 2: And so I'm gonna get after him big time in 623 00:34:01,200 --> 00:34:05,000 Speaker 2: terms of one on one personnel number four. They're gonna 624 00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:07,880 Speaker 2: play a lot of quarters against us. You know, once 625 00:34:08,080 --> 00:34:10,520 Speaker 2: if you threaten it all outside, you're gonna get a 626 00:34:10,520 --> 00:34:13,080 Speaker 2: lot of quarters. And so to me, I want to 627 00:34:13,120 --> 00:34:16,160 Speaker 2: go formation to the right and I want to work 628 00:34:16,200 --> 00:34:18,480 Speaker 2: away from Stingley and go with what we call our 629 00:34:18,560 --> 00:34:23,000 Speaker 2: quarter beaters, which are things like double post nine on 630 00:34:23,080 --> 00:34:26,960 Speaker 2: the outside corner route by number two, flat by number three, 631 00:34:27,480 --> 00:34:31,040 Speaker 2: big time daggers, all the four beaters plus I think 632 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:34,520 Speaker 2: you can beat them inside with the slot, working on 633 00:34:34,560 --> 00:34:36,759 Speaker 2: the mic, on that hard match in the corners, with 634 00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:40,160 Speaker 2: your jerk routes and some of your snapouts and wheels. 635 00:34:40,480 --> 00:34:43,800 Speaker 2: When you're in shorter yarded situations, they're gonna play man. 636 00:34:44,200 --> 00:34:47,160 Speaker 2: And actually the call that Stike and made in the 637 00:34:47,200 --> 00:34:49,920 Speaker 2: playoff game that we dropped the ball was the perfect 638 00:34:49,920 --> 00:34:53,239 Speaker 2: call fourth and one. They were Manda man and they're 639 00:34:53,280 --> 00:34:55,279 Speaker 2: gonna be Manda man. And we came in and ran 640 00:34:55,360 --> 00:34:58,000 Speaker 2: to rub. The wheel route was white there, wide open. 641 00:34:58,080 --> 00:34:59,759 Speaker 2: We didn't hit it, But what you learn from that 642 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:02,520 Speaker 2: is those were still good calls. You got to be 643 00:35:02,600 --> 00:35:05,839 Speaker 2: ready to go on that pick wheel. And I think 644 00:35:05,880 --> 00:35:08,680 Speaker 2: the last thing on offense is just keep in mind 645 00:35:08,719 --> 00:35:12,200 Speaker 2: the two things. One they're very good at, one they're 646 00:35:12,239 --> 00:35:14,800 Speaker 2: not very good at. And so I think number five 647 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:18,320 Speaker 2: and it's kind of the whole team, but offensively, play clean, 648 00:35:18,680 --> 00:35:22,480 Speaker 2: play a clean game. No penalties. Remember they're thirty first. 649 00:35:22,520 --> 00:35:25,360 Speaker 2: If you don't get penalized, they're gonna step on themselves. 650 00:35:25,440 --> 00:35:28,400 Speaker 2: They're gonna beat themselves in the course of the game. 651 00:35:28,719 --> 00:35:30,839 Speaker 2: And then you got to protect the football because they're 652 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:33,640 Speaker 2: not giving it up. You got to you gotta break 653 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:36,320 Speaker 2: even on that turnover battle, and then you're gonna be 654 00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:40,120 Speaker 2: fine again. They have two dish issues that define them. 655 00:35:40,320 --> 00:35:44,360 Speaker 2: You know, they have that plus turn ten turnover ratio 656 00:35:44,440 --> 00:35:48,040 Speaker 2: plus ten, but they're thirty four penalties per game, so 657 00:35:48,560 --> 00:35:52,760 Speaker 2: you know, along with controlling Stroud and theirs rusher dominate 658 00:35:52,840 --> 00:35:53,720 Speaker 2: those two areas. 659 00:35:54,360 --> 00:35:57,040 Speaker 1: All right, those are the blueprints. That's the look at 660 00:35:57,120 --> 00:36:00,040 Speaker 1: what the Texans have to offer on defense. Now the 661 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:04,000 Speaker 1: Colts offense can attack on Sunday in Week number one, 662 00:36:04,360 --> 00:36:07,520 Speaker 1: and again the Colts looking for their first Week one 663 00:36:07,840 --> 00:36:12,080 Speaker 1: opening day win since twenty thirteen. Yes, ten straight Week 664 00:36:12,120 --> 00:36:15,240 Speaker 1: one losses for the Colts, that's the longest active streak 665 00:36:15,239 --> 00:36:18,160 Speaker 1: in the NFL. In that regard and Ricka, it's an 666 00:36:18,360 --> 00:36:21,360 Speaker 1: enormous game right out of the gate. It's huge because 667 00:36:21,920 --> 00:36:24,000 Speaker 1: I mean we start with what happened last year in 668 00:36:24,040 --> 00:36:27,399 Speaker 1: Week eighteen. It's big for you know, what the game 669 00:36:27,480 --> 00:36:30,560 Speaker 1: represents in Week one, a barometer for the Colts to 670 00:36:30,640 --> 00:36:33,399 Speaker 1: start the season. You know, Chris Ballard said a few 671 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:36,359 Speaker 1: weeks ago, you know, paraphrasing here, but you know, it's 672 00:36:36,440 --> 00:36:40,160 Speaker 1: it's time. The roster is built very well. There's very 673 00:36:40,160 --> 00:36:44,719 Speaker 1: few perceived liabilities here, right. The Colts haven't won an 674 00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:48,960 Speaker 1: AFC South Championship since twenty fourteen, They've missed the playoffs 675 00:36:48,960 --> 00:36:51,640 Speaker 1: three years in a row. And if you look at 676 00:36:51,640 --> 00:36:54,200 Speaker 1: this game too, what's fun about it? In this regard 677 00:36:54,760 --> 00:36:58,000 Speaker 1: all the goals the Texans have this season, the Colts 678 00:36:58,040 --> 00:37:02,320 Speaker 1: have as well, because both teams are capable of having 679 00:37:02,360 --> 00:37:07,560 Speaker 1: a really fun, meaningful season. So that's why this game 680 00:37:07,600 --> 00:37:10,279 Speaker 1: on Sunday is big. It's big in the standings and 681 00:37:10,320 --> 00:37:13,080 Speaker 1: it's just it's enormous to set the tone for the 682 00:37:13,320 --> 00:37:15,880 Speaker 1: entire year against the team that essentially knocked you out 683 00:37:15,880 --> 00:37:17,040 Speaker 1: of the playoffs last year. 684 00:37:17,160 --> 00:37:19,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's no doubt about it. At this point, Sunday 685 00:37:20,239 --> 00:37:25,040 Speaker 2: is no longer about perceptions. It's strictly about it's strictly 686 00:37:25,080 --> 00:37:29,160 Speaker 2: about realities. Now, it's strictly about the team that plays 687 00:37:29,360 --> 00:37:32,359 Speaker 2: the best on Sunday. I think one of the big 688 00:37:32,440 --> 00:37:35,960 Speaker 2: keys here. You're gonna have emotion. I mean, there's no 689 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:39,440 Speaker 2: way that opening game, you know, particularly with the younger kids, 690 00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:43,600 Speaker 2: it is it is an emotional special day. So you're 691 00:37:43,640 --> 00:37:46,960 Speaker 2: gonna be on an emotional high and I think that's important. 692 00:37:47,400 --> 00:37:51,120 Speaker 2: But I think what's also important is that you maintain 693 00:37:51,360 --> 00:37:56,719 Speaker 2: your cool and you think execution for sixty minutes. More 694 00:37:56,760 --> 00:38:02,200 Speaker 2: of that thinking, every player, every code, all of us broadcasters. 695 00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:06,120 Speaker 2: Do your job, you know, don't make it a miracle. 696 00:38:06,320 --> 00:38:10,319 Speaker 2: Do your job. You know. I talked about so many 697 00:38:10,400 --> 00:38:13,520 Speaker 2: things today, but when it's all said and done, to me, 698 00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:17,239 Speaker 2: there's controllables in this game, and I call them the 699 00:38:17,320 --> 00:38:22,360 Speaker 2: Magnificent Seven. There's seven things that we can do and 700 00:38:22,440 --> 00:38:24,640 Speaker 2: that we're capable of doing, and if we do it, 701 00:38:24,800 --> 00:38:29,560 Speaker 2: we're gonna win. Number one, no stupid penalties, and you 702 00:38:29,600 --> 00:38:33,960 Speaker 2: know the difference that's pre snap, post snap, things that 703 00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:39,600 Speaker 2: are just just controllable. Number two, no turnovers. Take care 704 00:38:39,640 --> 00:38:44,600 Speaker 2: of the football. Number three. Dominate the line of scrimmage 705 00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:50,280 Speaker 2: both sides. Our fronts are better than their fronts. Dominate them. Okay. 706 00:38:51,040 --> 00:38:56,040 Speaker 2: Number four nothing easy, nothing, don't give up anything because 707 00:38:56,080 --> 00:38:59,759 Speaker 2: we make a mistake of communication or technique. If you 708 00:38:59,800 --> 00:39:02,200 Speaker 2: get beat, you get beat. Legitimately you go to the 709 00:39:02,239 --> 00:39:08,520 Speaker 2: next play. But nothing easy. Number five. Pressure stroud to death. 710 00:39:09,200 --> 00:39:13,279 Speaker 2: Don't sit, don't wait, don't hope you're gonna contain him, 711 00:39:13,800 --> 00:39:18,560 Speaker 2: Go break his rhythm, get after and pressure him to death. 712 00:39:19,920 --> 00:39:24,440 Speaker 2: Number six, win in the red zone. They're mediocre. Sixteen offense, 713 00:39:24,560 --> 00:39:28,200 Speaker 2: sixteen defense. Beat them in the red zone, and then 714 00:39:28,520 --> 00:39:31,520 Speaker 2: it will come down, just like it always does in 715 00:39:31,560 --> 00:39:34,480 Speaker 2: a giant matchup like this. It came down to the 716 00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:37,239 Speaker 2: last four minutes of the game. It'll come down to 717 00:39:37,360 --> 00:39:41,319 Speaker 2: who wins the fourth quarter. That's really key. These are 718 00:39:41,440 --> 00:39:44,319 Speaker 2: controllables and if we're going to retain it, we're going 719 00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:48,400 Speaker 2: to regain our greatness as a franchise. We've got to 720 00:39:48,440 --> 00:39:51,440 Speaker 2: control the division and the key to the South comes 721 00:39:51,440 --> 00:39:54,640 Speaker 2: to Lucas this Sunday. And I say it in a 722 00:39:54,680 --> 00:39:59,080 Speaker 2: way it's an over hyphed Texan team. Just remember everyone, 723 00:39:59,320 --> 00:40:02,839 Speaker 2: we were a pass and fourteen yards for changing this 724 00:40:02,920 --> 00:40:06,120 Speaker 2: whole perception, right, and we can change it with a 725 00:40:06,239 --> 00:40:10,200 Speaker 2: victory this way, and the fate is really in our hands. 726 00:40:10,239 --> 00:40:11,719 Speaker 2: We control our destiny here. 727 00:40:11,920 --> 00:40:15,000 Speaker 1: Oh hell yes, hell yes, Rick, right there. I mean, 728 00:40:15,040 --> 00:40:17,640 Speaker 1: I don't know how long you spend on that, but 729 00:40:17,760 --> 00:40:21,960 Speaker 1: that was really good. I know it's Wednesday slash Thursday 730 00:40:22,040 --> 00:40:25,080 Speaker 1: here getting ready for this game, but Sunday can't get 731 00:40:25,120 --> 00:40:27,640 Speaker 1: here fast enough. After I heard that, bad boy, that's 732 00:40:27,680 --> 00:40:32,040 Speaker 1: a great emotional, charged up speech to the troops getting 733 00:40:32,080 --> 00:40:34,279 Speaker 1: ready for this game right out of the gate. Man, 734 00:40:34,320 --> 00:40:37,440 Speaker 1: that was awesome. Rick Venturi right there. Can't tell you 735 00:40:37,640 --> 00:40:40,240 Speaker 1: how much I really enjoyed getting back to this groove 736 00:40:40,280 --> 00:40:43,640 Speaker 1: within this podcast. Enjoy the next couple of days before 737 00:40:43,680 --> 00:40:46,160 Speaker 1: we get to Sunday. Soak up all the hype going 738 00:40:46,160 --> 00:40:49,720 Speaker 1: into this game. And we are incredibly happy and excited 739 00:40:49,719 --> 00:40:51,720 Speaker 1: to have you back in the booth for year number 740 00:40:51,760 --> 00:40:56,040 Speaker 1: five with us on radio. So clap to that, congratulations 741 00:40:56,120 --> 00:40:59,040 Speaker 1: and look forward to all that you bring in terms 742 00:40:59,080 --> 00:41:01,600 Speaker 1: of the intensity on radio with us. Also, bring those 743 00:41:01,600 --> 00:41:04,280 Speaker 1: ham sandwiches for halftime. I love those in the booth. 744 00:41:04,640 --> 00:41:06,399 Speaker 1: I'm gonna take a picture of that this year. 745 00:41:06,680 --> 00:41:09,200 Speaker 2: I can't wait, man, I really can't wait. There is 746 00:41:09,280 --> 00:41:13,040 Speaker 2: gonna be so much fun. I'm so excited about just 747 00:41:13,120 --> 00:41:14,720 Speaker 2: being back in the business again. 748 00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:17,760 Speaker 1: Absolutely enjoy the weekend, Rick, and can't wait for Sunday. 749 00:41:17,840 --> 00:41:18,000 Speaker 2: Man. 750 00:41:18,000 --> 00:41:21,040 Speaker 1: We'll talk to you soon, all right, man, fantastic as always, 751 00:41:21,120 --> 00:41:23,480 Speaker 1: Rick vent Terry, right there, that's gonna do it for 752 00:41:24,080 --> 00:41:28,320 Speaker 1: this first regular season edition of Inside Football. Of course, 753 00:41:28,360 --> 00:41:31,000 Speaker 1: we'll be back doing it again breaking down the Green 754 00:41:31,040 --> 00:41:34,440 Speaker 1: Bay Packers for Week number two but until then, be 755 00:41:34,520 --> 00:41:36,680 Speaker 1: sure to listen to all the offerings on the Colts 756 00:41:36,680 --> 00:41:39,799 Speaker 1: Audio Network and on Sunday, we get you started with 757 00:41:39,840 --> 00:41:43,360 Speaker 1: the Colts pre game Huddle beginning at ten am. Countdown 758 00:41:43,360 --> 00:41:46,480 Speaker 1: to kickoff starts at noon. Then after the game it's 759 00:41:46,520 --> 00:41:49,120 Speaker 1: the Colts fifth quarter Huddle and all that can be 760 00:41:49,160 --> 00:41:53,120 Speaker 1: heard on our flagship stations in Indianapolis ninety three five, 761 00:41:53,200 --> 00:41:56,000 Speaker 1: one oh seven five the Fan ninety seven to one 762 00:41:56,080 --> 00:42:00,440 Speaker 1: Hank FM, and all along the Ascension Saint Vincent Radio 763 00:42:00,520 --> 00:42:04,880 Speaker 1: network in Colts Country. And then after the game, JJ Stangovitz, 764 00:42:04,920 --> 00:42:08,120 Speaker 1: Bill Brooks, They've got you on the Instant Reaction podcast 765 00:42:08,239 --> 00:42:11,320 Speaker 1: on Colts dot com, the Colts Mobile app and also 766 00:42:11,400 --> 00:42:15,160 Speaker 1: available on YouTube with the Instant Breakdown of Colts and 767 00:42:15,280 --> 00:42:19,640 Speaker 1: Texans Week number one for Rick Venturi, I'm Matt Taylor. 768 00:42:19,960 --> 00:42:22,640 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to Inside Football, and we'll talk to 769 00:42:22,640 --> 00:42:25,280 Speaker 1: you next week here in the Colts Audio Network