1 00:00:01,639 --> 00:00:03,440 Speaker 1: The NFL never sleeps. 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:05,880 Speaker 2: He's gonna watch down field picked off by the Colts. 3 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:09,119 Speaker 1: The luster is ever evolving, and it's all about finding 4 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:09,680 Speaker 1: the edge. 5 00:00:09,840 --> 00:00:13,560 Speaker 2: He's at the thirty thirty five thirty. Please go out sideline. 6 00:00:13,680 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 2: He's got a chance twenty ten five touchdowns. 7 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: This is the last Word. The offseason home of the 8 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:22,799 Speaker 1: Indianapolis Colts. 9 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 2: Kick us on its way header put the up parts. 10 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 3: Its call twin Paul Gamey. 11 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: Now here's Matt Taylor and Casey Valier. 12 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 2: Here we go the last Word. The off season radio 13 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:42,920 Speaker 2: home of the Innianapolis Colts, airing inside the Indiana Union 14 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:46,600 Speaker 2: Construction Industry Radio Studios every Friday night. I'm Casey Valier, 15 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:49,639 Speaker 2: joined by Matt Taylor, live here on ninety three five 16 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:53,000 Speaker 2: and one seven five the Fan. Matt Taylor, good to 17 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 2: have you back this week. I hope Disney treated you well. 18 00:00:55,960 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 3: Disney treated me fantastically. Mickey Goofy and the gang. They 19 00:01:01,600 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 3: were great to me as I stood in line for 20 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:07,600 Speaker 3: hours on end right and I did four parks over 21 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:09,479 Speaker 3: the course of a week. And I think the step 22 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:11,840 Speaker 3: or the pedometer meter or whatever they call it, you know, 23 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 3: whatever that app is on your phone. It was somewhere 24 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:17,680 Speaker 3: over ninety thousand steps Holy over the course of four days. 25 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:20,040 Speaker 2: How the kids fare out, I mean they have you know, 26 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 2: all their dreams made true? Absolutely? Yeah, Oh yeah, that's 27 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 2: the man's magical man, isn't it. You get what you 28 00:01:25,880 --> 00:01:29,920 Speaker 2: pay for. I tell him, they had better, they had 29 00:01:29,959 --> 00:01:32,319 Speaker 2: better come true. Right otherwise what are we doing? 30 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:35,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, you're down a leg and an arm and I'm 31 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:39,960 Speaker 4: selling blood. After the show, Oh, I'm glad you had 32 00:01:39,959 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 4: a good time though. Indeed it was you know, those 33 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:43,319 Speaker 4: lasting memories. 34 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 2: I mean when you start having kids and all that stuff, 35 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 2: those things they go pictures, So that is that is awesome. 36 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:51,200 Speaker 2: Glad to have you back in the fold. And it's 37 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 2: been a busy week. So you came back in a 38 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 2: very very busy time because the annual NFL Owners Meetings 39 00:01:57,280 --> 00:01:59,640 Speaker 2: was this week. We've talked about it all week. There's 40 00:01:59,680 --> 00:02:02,840 Speaker 2: been things that have happened. We've got new information, we've 41 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 2: got rehashing of old information, we've got potential rule changes, 42 00:02:06,400 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 2: all of that. So we're gonna try and hash out 43 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:11,359 Speaker 2: everything that we talked about all week into one big show. 44 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 2: And we're gonna do it by starting off before we 45 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 2: get into you know, we're gonna hear from Chris Ballard. 46 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: We're also gonna start with a little game you have created, Matt. 47 00:02:19,639 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 2: And I always say this, your brain just constantly is 48 00:02:22,880 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 2: rolling and working. Sorry, so you game up with this 49 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 2: idea of the Colts topic wheel. Yeah, you gave me 50 00:02:29,960 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 2: some I don't know, crap or whatever yesterday thinking that 51 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:34,880 Speaker 2: it wasn't gonna work out. I think it's gonna be 52 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 2: just fine. I think you got to give yourself a 53 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 2: little bit more of the benefit of the doubt. See, 54 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 2: I think it's gonna be pretty not all home runs. Hey, 55 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 2: as we know, that's all right, you know, just. 56 00:02:42,320 --> 00:02:44,919 Speaker 3: A couple of solid singles that gets you on base 57 00:02:44,960 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 3: and keep the line moving here. So, yeah, the wheel 58 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,920 Speaker 3: of Colts Topics. We're gonna spin the wheel break down 59 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 3: whatever topic and they're all important topics, but whatever one 60 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:56,600 Speaker 3: they land on, that's what we're gonna break down. 61 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 2: So are you read right? I can't wait. Let's go 62 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 2: ahead and get it going here. Let's in the wheel 63 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 2: spin number one. Oh oh, carl Ers Gordon still feels 64 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 2: the urgency. Oh okay, so carl ersay she feels the urgency. 65 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 2: At the end of last season, Colts principal owner and 66 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 2: CEO Carly Ersay Gordon. She stretched the urgency from the 67 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 2: franchise and how it has never been higher considering the 68 00:03:24,200 --> 00:03:28,079 Speaker 2: team has missed five postseasons in a row. They spoke 69 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:31,040 Speaker 2: this week about how she still remains confident that the 70 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:33,799 Speaker 2: best way to lean into that urgency is to try 71 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:37,120 Speaker 2: and duplicate what the Colts did last season before those injuries, 72 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 2: you know, to Daniel Jones, to Forest Buckner and so 73 00:03:40,280 --> 00:03:42,880 Speaker 2: on and so forth, And where where do you send 74 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 2: on that? Because I think the urgency has definitely been 75 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:48,040 Speaker 2: there and it's been met with clearly, they targeted what 76 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 2: they wanted to do and what they wanted to replicate. 77 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, she doubled down on it, and you know, she 78 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,839 Speaker 3: used a good metaphor this week. You know, last year 79 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 3: was like, you know, the Colts are eight and two 80 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:58,880 Speaker 3: and then off to this great start and then, as 81 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 3: you said, a bunch of players get hurt. It's like 82 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 3: watching a movie and then having to put or push 83 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,280 Speaker 3: the pause button and not finding out how the end 84 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 3: of the movie ends. It's like not knowing, you know, hey, 85 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 3: Marty McFly gets the DeLorean up to eighty eight, does 86 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 3: he get struck by lightning? Right, does he get to 87 00:04:14,440 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 3: the clock tower? Does he go back to nineteen eighty five? 88 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 3: So the Colts are doubling down on that urgency. That's 89 00:04:20,279 --> 00:04:22,919 Speaker 3: why they went big on re signing Daniel Jones and 90 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:25,919 Speaker 3: Alec Pierce and the rest of the roster. Knows what 91 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 3: time it is. You got a lot of core players 92 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,080 Speaker 3: on this team that have been here for a long time. 93 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 3: They're going into contract years. 94 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 2: Absolutely, that cliffhanger, if you will, we all know what 95 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:35,359 Speaker 2: that's like. 96 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:36,159 Speaker 3: Imagine that. 97 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:38,279 Speaker 2: We all felt it last year. I mean, the offense 98 00:04:38,400 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 2: was rolling and then it just gets cut short and 99 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:42,760 Speaker 2: then all of a sudden everything changed. So you know, 100 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:45,160 Speaker 2: I'm kind of with her. I'm anxious to kind of 101 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 2: see what the rest of that movie looks like. All right, 102 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 2: let's spin the wheel for number two. Oh, where we're going, 103 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:56,160 Speaker 2: prize wheel? What do you think? Case state of the 104 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:00,280 Speaker 2: Colts defensive line? All right, hey, oh, Rod, I this 105 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 2: one because both and that's kind of been one of 106 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 2: the biggest topics we heard Carliers, Gordon, Chris Ballard, they 107 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 2: spoke about the defensive line. We know the Colts have 108 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 2: lost Quitty pay Samson, Ebacom Taekwon Lewis is still a 109 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 2: free agent. Those players have been kind of replaced, if 110 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 2: you will, buy additions in Ardent Key, Michael Clemens in 111 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 2: free agency. But I think the Colts definitely acknowledged that, 112 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 2: you know, they pursued heavy free agent and Trey Hendrickson 113 00:05:25,320 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 2: ultimately he signed with the Ravens. Carli ers Gordon, she 114 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 2: mentioned that the path we need is obviously defensive line. 115 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,599 Speaker 2: I think that's the clear path as far as what 116 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 2: the pieces we need, and I feel there's a lot 117 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 2: of great opportunities in the draft. That's Carly talking about 118 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 2: where they can go. I think she's spot on because 119 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:44,080 Speaker 2: that's still an area that we've seen some additions, but 120 00:05:44,120 --> 00:05:46,360 Speaker 2: definitely an area they're going to probably continue to target. 121 00:05:46,480 --> 00:05:48,240 Speaker 3: And you know, when you hear Carly talk and when 122 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:51,239 Speaker 3: you hear Chris Ballard this week talk about the defensive line, 123 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:54,320 Speaker 3: I feel smarter now because Chris Ballard basically said the 124 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 3: same thing I've been saying for weeks. The guys they 125 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:01,360 Speaker 3: have brought in, specifically on the edge profile as guys 126 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 3: that are fast, that bust their tail, that give you 127 00:06:04,080 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 3: good rotation, but they haven't been those game wreckers. So 128 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,880 Speaker 3: it's pretty clear that they're looking to supplement that in 129 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:13,919 Speaker 3: the draft. That's still a major opportunity coming up. But 130 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 3: also what is clear Casey to me, the one guy 131 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 3: the Colts are really banking on taking a big leap 132 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:22,479 Speaker 3: this year is Leaatu Lats. They need it for him, 133 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 3: but they need it for the development of this pass rush. 134 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:27,440 Speaker 2: Absolutely. That is you know, when you think about it, 135 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:29,679 Speaker 2: it's that third year. A lot of times they say 136 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 2: it takes that second or third year for everything to 137 00:06:31,880 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 2: kind of click. So you know, if if you can 138 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:36,120 Speaker 2: get that out of Latu Lats, it makes a lot 139 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,280 Speaker 2: of those worries if you will go away for sure. 140 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:42,160 Speaker 2: All right, it's been the wheel for number three. At 141 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:47,680 Speaker 2: that topic, what do you think offense slow down? Evolving 142 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:50,359 Speaker 2: roles on offense? There you go, Joe, I call it 143 00:06:50,360 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 2: a little offensive style here. Now. The Colts were forced 144 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:55,960 Speaker 2: to make some tough decisions. They had to trade away 145 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,920 Speaker 2: Michael Pittman junior on offense. That's a big role you've 146 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 2: got to replace. But ultimately, when you do things like that, 147 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:04,000 Speaker 2: it's kind of like business when you have to sign 148 00:07:04,120 --> 00:07:07,560 Speaker 2: Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce and Shane Steiken talk this 149 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 2: week about how they look at what Michael Pittman's workload 150 00:07:10,960 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 2: and contributions have been and how he expects them to 151 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 2: kind of divide the targets that Pittman received last year. 152 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 5: You know, but with him, you know, the party and 153 00:07:18,640 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 5: obviously Tyler Aleck, you know, Josh, you know, getting more 154 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 5: targets for those guys this spring and going into training camp. 155 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 5: You know, I'm excited for those guys. 156 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:28,880 Speaker 2: Opportunity to ken Josh play outside. 157 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 5: Yeah, we'll look into that. I think we're going to 158 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,040 Speaker 5: look into that, you know, this offseason, and so we'll 159 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:35,480 Speaker 5: get those reps and OTAs in training camp and go 160 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 5: in there. 161 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, that'll be interesting to see what they do with 162 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 2: Josh Downs. He mentioned Tyler Warren in there as well. 163 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 2: That will definitely get some more targets. And ultimately that's 164 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 2: what it's going to be because without Michael Pittman, you 165 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 2: elevate the role of Alec Pierce, so he kind of 166 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 2: slides in to get a lot more of those targets. 167 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 2: It also means that guys like Josh Downs, Tyler Warren 168 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 2: will get a little bit more and we've talked about it. 169 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 2: Nick Westbrook, A Kine Ashton Doolan. Some of those guys 170 00:07:57,400 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: also will get elevated roles. 171 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't think one guy is going to get 172 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 3: all of the targets that Michael Pittman Junior routinely got 173 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 3: in his six years with the Indianapolis Colts. They're going 174 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 3: to replace him through a committee of guys and some 175 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:12,559 Speaker 3: really good players that are already here, Like you said, 176 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:16,040 Speaker 3: Warren and Downs, and certainly Alec Pearce's role is going 177 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,520 Speaker 3: to be heightened. I don't know if Pearce's targets are 178 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 3: going to go up astronomically, because I think it's going 179 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 3: to be divided pretty evenly amongst the guys that are 180 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 3: already you know, bonafide playmakers within this offense. 181 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 2: For Daniel Jones, all right, let's spind the wheel for 182 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:34,520 Speaker 2: number four. What do you think? Well, I don't know 183 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 2: what's left. That's a good question. Richardson's future, Okay, Anthony 184 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:43,000 Speaker 2: Richardson's future. We know that Anthony Richardson has requested a trade. 185 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,319 Speaker 2: In this week of the league meetings, the Colts addressed 186 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 2: the future of the former fourth overall pick back in 187 00:08:48,160 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 2: twenty twenty three. Now, the trade has not developed to 188 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 2: this point. I think ultimately what we came away with 189 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:55,199 Speaker 2: this week is that there is a chance that if 190 00:08:55,200 --> 00:08:58,160 Speaker 2: nothing develops, that Richardson will be back with this team 191 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:01,320 Speaker 2: as if he were still normal guy under contract. 192 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I think it's important to keep this in 193 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 3: mind as it relates to this situation. The Colts don't 194 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:09,840 Speaker 3: have to trade Anthony Richardson, right, I think you know 195 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 3: his representation and Anthony himself wants to go to a 196 00:09:14,200 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 3: situation where he can possibly start or compete for a 197 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 3: starting job. But the Colts need something equitable in return, right. 198 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:23,679 Speaker 3: They don't just want to trade him to trade him. 199 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 3: They need something back in return that makes sense, probably 200 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 3: looking at at best a Day three draft pick. But 201 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:34,240 Speaker 3: to me, Anthony Richardson's ceiling we talked about this earlier 202 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 3: this week. His ceiling is just still so high and 203 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:40,280 Speaker 3: he is still so raw. So you know, if he's 204 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:42,600 Speaker 3: not traded by the Colts, I don't personally think it's 205 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 3: the end of the world, because you can still continue 206 00:09:45,440 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 3: to harness him and develop him as best you can 207 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 3: until you have to make a hard and fast and 208 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:54,120 Speaker 3: final decision on him, which for the Colts in this case, 209 00:09:54,200 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 3: isn't until the end of the upcoming season when his 210 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 3: rookie contract is over. 211 00:09:58,040 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you don't want to just give him away 212 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 2: either part of it too. It's got to work for 213 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 2: both parties. And I think that's why you know, you're 214 00:10:03,800 --> 00:10:06,440 Speaker 2: really weighing all of the possibilities and making sure that 215 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,080 Speaker 2: it works for both sides. Here. Now, let's do we're 216 00:10:09,160 --> 00:10:10,840 Speaker 2: kind of up against it here, Matt, so let's do 217 00:10:10,880 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 2: one final spin on the wheel. Let's do it. Belief 218 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 2: in Wooler and Wally. 219 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:23,839 Speaker 3: By the way, that wheel needs some WD forty or 220 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:25,320 Speaker 3: something rickety. 221 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:26,960 Speaker 2: I don't know. I've been in the attic for like 222 00:10:27,000 --> 00:10:29,560 Speaker 2: two decades. That adds to it. I think. I think 223 00:10:29,559 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 2: that's what I like about it most with this wheel, Waller, 224 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 2: Waller and Wally. There you say that time exactly. That 225 00:10:38,320 --> 00:10:41,160 Speaker 2: kind of doubles as our MJ Company's Rookie report for 226 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:44,400 Speaker 2: those those guys were rookies a year ago. Now, all 227 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 2: three of the Colts leaders, Carl Ors Gordon, Shane Steichen 228 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 2: and Chris Ballard made sure to bring up both Hunter 229 00:10:50,559 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 2: Wohler and Justin Wally when speaking about the prospects of 230 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 2: the upcoming twenty twenty six season. Now, Both guys were 231 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 2: rookies last year injured in training camp, had to miss 232 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:02,960 Speaker 2: their entire rookie seasons, and they both got off to 233 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:05,640 Speaker 2: kind of similar starts. They looked really really good, looked 234 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 2: like they're continued going to be involved in the defense 235 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:11,559 Speaker 2: as rookies. But as I mentioned, those injuries cut of 236 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 2: everything short. So when you look at both of these guys, 237 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,200 Speaker 2: I think Hunter Wohler, he's definitely in play. We heard 238 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,440 Speaker 2: Shane Steiken talk about it, in play to kind of 239 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:21,360 Speaker 2: take that starting role from Nick. What we saw in 240 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 2: Nick Cross last year, and then with Justin Wally, he 241 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:26,439 Speaker 2: was a guy who was kind of slotted in early 242 00:11:26,520 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 2: on as a guy that could start. So I'm anticipating 243 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:32,600 Speaker 2: both these guys really competing to start. One year two 244 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 2: rolls around for them. 245 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:35,280 Speaker 3: I mean, at the very least, it's like two extra 246 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:38,440 Speaker 3: draft picks in twenty twenty six because they didn't play 247 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:41,720 Speaker 3: at all in twenty twenty five. Both guys, like you said, 248 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 3: coming off injuries, Wally is gonna play. It's just a 249 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:49,320 Speaker 3: matter of where. The Colts secondary was completely ransacked last 250 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 3: year due to injury, so it's really important the Colts 251 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,840 Speaker 3: have as many playmakers there as possible. 252 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 2: Last year proved that. 253 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 3: And then Wohler, like you said, completely in the mix too, 254 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,200 Speaker 3: compete for the strong safety position, I should say, and 255 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 3: that competition with guys like Janya Thomas and Jonathan Owens 256 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 3: or the Colts signed and free agency. He could be 257 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:12,960 Speaker 3: that dime linebacker in the Louiannarumo defense to match up 258 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 3: with receivers. So I mean, those guys are gonna be 259 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:20,080 Speaker 3: hugely important next season considering all of the changes on 260 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:23,199 Speaker 3: that defense personnel wise the Colts have already experienced here 261 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:23,839 Speaker 3: in the off season. 262 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:27,000 Speaker 2: There you go. You're rookie update presented by MJ Companies, 263 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:30,320 Speaker 2: your future in focus. What do you think about the wheel? Matt? 264 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:32,800 Speaker 2: I thought it was a success, Like I told you 265 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:36,600 Speaker 2: I had. I had very high expectations for it. You know, 266 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 2: you said a bunch of singles. I'll give you some doubles. 267 00:12:38,520 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 2: There you go. I thought it was pretty good, so 268 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 2: well done. I really like the wheel. We'll bring that 269 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:44,679 Speaker 2: one back, Colt is a topic wheel. I like it. 270 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 2: Let's let's keep let's keep doing that every couple weeks. 271 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:49,240 Speaker 2: I really like the topic wheel. Maybe we can get 272 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:51,319 Speaker 2: some WD forty on it. If you suggest but I 273 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:53,559 Speaker 2: did like the wheel, so well done, send it to 274 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:56,600 Speaker 2: an antique shop. Well, there he goes. Time for our 275 00:12:56,640 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 2: first break. Here we come back. We're gonna hear from 276 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 2: Chris Ballard. He sat with our Lara Overton this week 277 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:04,559 Speaker 2: in the league meetings in Arizona, and he's going to 278 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:06,520 Speaker 2: talk about why it was so important to re sign 279 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 2: Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, and also what he thinks 280 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,440 Speaker 2: about the Colts defense and the depth on that side 281 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:13,559 Speaker 2: of the ball heading into the draft. That's all right 282 00:13:13,559 --> 00:13:14,920 Speaker 2: here on the Last Word, and we come back on 283 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 2: ninety three five and one oh seven five the Fan. 284 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:22,680 Speaker 1: This is your weekly fix on Colts football, The Last 285 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: Word with Matt Taylor and Casey Valier from the Indiana 286 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,560 Speaker 1: Union Construction Industry Radio Studio. 287 00:13:29,800 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 2: The Last Word is brought to you by Meyer Meyer, 288 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:34,640 Speaker 2: the official super center of the Innanapolis Colts and proud 289 00:13:34,679 --> 00:13:38,040 Speaker 2: sponsor of hundreds of local sports teams across the Midwest. 290 00:13:38,120 --> 00:13:39,959 Speaker 2: Welcome back here to the Last Word ninety three five, 291 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 2: one oh seven to five The Fan from the Indiana 292 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:45,480 Speaker 2: Union Construction Industry Radio Studios. I'm Casey Value joined by 293 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:47,720 Speaker 2: Matt Taylor, and it's time to get to an interview 294 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:50,920 Speaker 2: that our Lara Overton did the Colts Reporter with general 295 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:54,319 Speaker 2: manager Chris Ballard at this week's league meetings in Arizona. 296 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:58,200 Speaker 6: From league meetings in Phoenix, joined by general manager Chris Ballard, Chris, 297 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:01,040 Speaker 6: you've made a number of moves this off season, most 298 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 6: notably re signing Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce. What position 299 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:07,479 Speaker 6: does that put the team in as you continue. 300 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:11,080 Speaker 7: To build toward the season. Look, it's always important our 301 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 7: own guys, you know, and we consider Daniel one of 302 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,960 Speaker 7: our guys now you know, here for a year. But look, 303 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 7: you don't look the quarterback position. We all know the 304 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 7: importance and we were extremely pleased with what we saw 305 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 7: from Daniel, so we felt comfortable moving forward with him 306 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 7: and then getting Alec back. We saw the progression each year. 307 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:39,000 Speaker 7: It was fun to watch. We think there's more in him. 308 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:43,320 Speaker 7: He's still young, and we think he'll continue to take steps. 309 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:45,600 Speaker 7: He's one of the most explosive players in the league. 310 00:14:45,640 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 7: He's proven that over two years. So getting them back 311 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:52,800 Speaker 7: offensively gives us some continuity, which I think is important. 312 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 7: Be fun to get them both, you know, back out 313 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 7: on the field and going Once Daniel gets healthy and 314 00:14:57,880 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 7: ready to go. 315 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:00,960 Speaker 6: You mentioned getting Daniel health and a few weeks ago 316 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 6: at the Combine you mentioned how significant the three month 317 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:08,520 Speaker 6: mark is in an achilles recovery. That's a significant benchmark 318 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 6: for that injury. Where is Daniel in his recovery process. 319 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 7: It's in a great place. I mean, look, nobody's gonna outworking. 320 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 7: He almost got to pull the reins back in on 321 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 7: him a little bit. But so far, so good. 322 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:21,920 Speaker 8: I mean, like. 323 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:26,320 Speaker 7: Time heals any injury. So we'll take it to each 324 00:15:26,480 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 7: day by day and continue to rehab. He's doing a lot. 325 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 7: He's he's actually able to throw and do some things 326 00:15:35,200 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 7: with his upper body, some other body mechanics that we 327 00:15:37,400 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 7: were working on last year that he was working on, 328 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 7: so he's able to kind of get some things done 329 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 7: that I think he didn't realize at the start that 330 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:45,840 Speaker 7: he's gonna be able to do. 331 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 8: So that's been good. 332 00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 7: But one thing you don't ever worry about is his work. 333 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 7: His work ethic, Like he is going to work and 334 00:15:51,360 --> 00:15:56,080 Speaker 7: he cares about not only the team's performance, but his performance. 335 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 7: And you know he understands him being healthy he's going 336 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:00,120 Speaker 7: to be a big part of that. 337 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:03,760 Speaker 6: You mentioned Alec and his development, and it has been 338 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:08,080 Speaker 6: regarded as how much he has developed as a complete receiver, 339 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:12,160 Speaker 6: his entire skill set beyond just being that signature deep 340 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 6: ball threat. With this opportunity he now has the departure 341 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 6: of Michael Pittman Junior as well. What opportunity is him 342 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 6: is that for him to showcase. 343 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 7: That well, I mean, look, I mean I give Reggie 344 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:28,000 Speaker 7: a lot of credit, you know, Shane and Jimbob, but 345 00:16:28,040 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 7: they've done a tremendous job not only developing you know, 346 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 7: what he's strong at and what he could at allow 347 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 7: him to do it, but also the you know, becoming 348 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 7: a complete receiver, being able to you know, run the 349 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:41,840 Speaker 7: entire route tree, which I think you know, Alec can do. 350 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,160 Speaker 7: And look, I was very close with with with pitt 351 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 7: and Lord knows, our relationship is one of very honest 352 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 7: and I always liked that with him. I always knew 353 00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 7: where he stood. So it was tough to move on, 354 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 7: but you know, that's part of this thing. And when 355 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:04,159 Speaker 7: you got Alex under a big you know, big number, 356 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:06,960 Speaker 7: and then we have, you know, another player that I 357 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 7: think Josh Downs is really good and I think I 358 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:14,320 Speaker 7: think the ability to uh now with you know, with 359 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:17,439 Speaker 7: Josh and Alec. It gives him a chance to have 360 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:19,480 Speaker 7: more targets, you know, going forward. 361 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:23,720 Speaker 6: Pitt one of a few departures this offseason offensively, Braden 362 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:27,520 Speaker 6: Smith another. Both of those guys were key starters in 363 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:30,479 Speaker 6: their Colt's tenure. For you, how do you envision feeling 364 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 6: filling both of those starting roles. 365 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:34,800 Speaker 7: They have both good players Braiden Braiden, you know, really 366 00:17:36,040 --> 00:17:39,359 Speaker 7: take the player out of it, just proud of who 367 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:42,040 Speaker 7: he is, what he stands for, what he went through 368 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:44,160 Speaker 7: and how he came out the other side of it better. 369 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 7: And then now he's become a real advocate for things 370 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:52,240 Speaker 7: that people go through, you know, mental health issues that 371 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:54,520 Speaker 7: people go through, and I'm really proud of him for that. 372 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:58,400 Speaker 7: And then the player, I mean, Braiden outstanding. He's I've 373 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:00,200 Speaker 7: always say, always been one of the most un under 374 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:03,800 Speaker 7: rated tackles in the league, said that every year, but 375 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:05,919 Speaker 7: saying that, we have a lot of faith in Tony. 376 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:08,919 Speaker 7: We've drafted some young players that have got you know, 377 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 7: got their feet wet. It'll be fun to watch, you know, 378 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:14,239 Speaker 7: Jalen Travis continue to developed. Got to see a good 379 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:15,840 Speaker 7: snapshot of it at the end of the year. And 380 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 7: we like what we saw, so we think he's got 381 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 7: really good upside, But have a lot of faith in 382 00:18:20,800 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 7: Tony and what his ability to develop and continue the tradition. 383 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 8: Of having a strong old line. 384 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:30,800 Speaker 7: That'll be a position we don't we won't ever go 385 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 7: short there. 386 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:34,240 Speaker 6: There was plenty of turnover the last few weeks along 387 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:37,159 Speaker 6: the defensive line as well. What did you identify in 388 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 6: the personnel that you've now brought into that group? 389 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 7: Well, I mean, like one of the things like depth 390 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:47,199 Speaker 7: is so important in this league, Like you can't like 391 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:50,840 Speaker 7: to expect four guys to get through a seventeen game 392 00:18:51,080 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 7: into the playoffs. It's impossible. So we wanted to make 393 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 7: sure we added depth, especially inside. You know, Buck and 394 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 7: Grover we are still special, special players, but getting a 395 00:19:03,800 --> 00:19:07,600 Speaker 7: little older. So the ability to add you know, Nandi 396 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 7: and Kobe and Tillery, we think all of them are 397 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 7: going to really help us. Plus Tommy coming back, which 398 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:15,920 Speaker 7: we thought he took another step. And then on the edge, 399 00:19:16,359 --> 00:19:18,840 Speaker 7: you know, having Jalen back, having a lot to who 400 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 7: we think, you know, we think a lot two is 401 00:19:20,520 --> 00:19:23,359 Speaker 7: going to take a whole other step. But adding Arden 402 00:19:24,280 --> 00:19:27,800 Speaker 7: and Clemens, who both play extremely hard, we think it's 403 00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:29,639 Speaker 7: we think they're both really good fits for what we 404 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:32,359 Speaker 7: want to do. So we feel like we have a 405 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 7: good foundation. Now, you know, we still have Tom left, 406 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 7: and we have the draft and moving forward into the 407 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 7: season when you can still acquire players. So we feel 408 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:42,439 Speaker 7: good about where we're at and the guys we've added, 409 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:43,960 Speaker 7: but we still got some work to do. 410 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 6: Defensive departures. Zire Franklin and Nick Cross not only very 411 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:52,600 Speaker 6: impactful players, but very reliable players for you in the 412 00:19:52,640 --> 00:19:55,160 Speaker 6: time that they were with the Colts, your two leading 413 00:19:55,200 --> 00:19:57,880 Speaker 6: tacklers last season. How do you feel those steps? 414 00:19:58,119 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 7: Well, look, see, I couldn't be more like seventh round pick. 415 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 8: Special teams captain. 416 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:10,840 Speaker 7: You know, for four years he just bus he buses 417 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:13,120 Speaker 7: telling special teams just a chance to play on defense, 418 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:16,679 Speaker 7: ends up ascending and then everything he does, you know, 419 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:23,000 Speaker 7: off the field, it's pretty incredible, pretty incredible guy. But 420 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:28,040 Speaker 7: saying that, we've got some young guys in the locker room. 421 00:20:28,040 --> 00:20:29,800 Speaker 7: You know, he brought in Gaither Davis, who we like, 422 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:32,880 Speaker 7: Blues had him, so he knows his skill set really well. 423 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 7: There's still a couple of guys in free agency that 424 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:36,520 Speaker 7: you know, we'll still consider. 425 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:39,520 Speaker 8: We'd really like to see j C. 426 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:42,400 Speaker 7: Jc's got to stay healthy, but we think he's got 427 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:44,439 Speaker 7: the skill set to be a really good inside backer. 428 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:47,119 Speaker 7: And look, there's been other years we've gone into this 429 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 7: really young, and we're not afraid to go into it 430 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:53,600 Speaker 7: with a young player as long as they win the 431 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 7: job and can execute what Lew and them want. We 432 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:58,879 Speaker 7: feel good about kind of the guys. We have some 433 00:20:59,040 --> 00:21:01,360 Speaker 7: young players, but also some guys that are still out there. 434 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,879 Speaker 6: And plus the draft, this will be your fourth draft 435 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:07,520 Speaker 6: without a first round pick, but you have a track 436 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:12,760 Speaker 6: record of maximizing those Day two and Day three picks. 437 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:15,800 Speaker 6: What is a common thread for you and your staff 438 00:21:16,280 --> 00:21:20,760 Speaker 6: in terms of identifying talent to be quality starters and 439 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:23,160 Speaker 6: impactful players in those latter rounds. 440 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:24,920 Speaker 8: We got a great group and they work. 441 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:27,960 Speaker 7: I mean, they do a great job of identifying what fits, 442 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:30,800 Speaker 7: you know, through the years. I mean I think back to, 443 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:33,600 Speaker 7: you know, the years we got you know, Jonathan and Pitt. 444 00:21:35,440 --> 00:21:39,159 Speaker 7: What was the other year we didn't have it any 445 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:41,400 Speaker 7: think off the top of my head, But we've done 446 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 7: really well in the in the you know, second round on, 447 00:21:45,080 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 7: not that we haven't done good in the first, but 448 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:49,160 Speaker 7: second round on. And I give my staff a lot 449 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:51,640 Speaker 7: of credit for that. They do a great job identifying 450 00:21:51,680 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 7: who fits what we want defensively or offensively, and they 451 00:21:56,520 --> 00:21:58,719 Speaker 7: work really hand in hand with our coaches to make 452 00:21:58,760 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 7: sure we're you know, when we're drafting and taking that player, 453 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:04,000 Speaker 7: that we have a vision for who he's going to be. 454 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:07,120 Speaker 7: You know, right now we have seven picks. I would 455 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 7: guess that we end up with more. So we'll see, 456 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 7: you never know one draft day. 457 00:22:14,560 --> 00:22:17,360 Speaker 6: Carly has long been involved in all of these processes, 458 00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 6: free agency, the draft, personnel, roster building. This being her 459 00:22:23,119 --> 00:22:27,200 Speaker 6: first off season as principal owner. How has her role 460 00:22:27,240 --> 00:22:29,520 Speaker 6: in those decisions evolved over the last year. 461 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 7: Well, she's in charge. Jim mister Ursay was in charge. 462 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:38,240 Speaker 7: There's just a there's just a difference. She's in She's 463 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:42,760 Speaker 7: in charge along with you know, her sisters. So it's 464 00:22:42,800 --> 00:22:45,199 Speaker 7: it's different when you sit in that chair. It just 465 00:22:45,359 --> 00:22:51,000 Speaker 7: it is because now ultimately you're part of the decision 466 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,840 Speaker 7: making process, which she always was, but now the ultimate 467 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:57,040 Speaker 7: you know, say hey, I approve what you're doing, let's 468 00:22:57,119 --> 00:23:03,439 Speaker 7: move forward. And she's great. I've said this multi times, 469 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 7: but like she is a deep, deep thinker. She doesn't 470 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 7: just see one level of a problem. She she can 471 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:14,560 Speaker 7: see three four levels out and so she asks really 472 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:18,760 Speaker 7: good questions. I think the work she's put in over 473 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:22,600 Speaker 7: the last at least since I've been here, in terms 474 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:26,480 Speaker 7: of spending time in football, not not just in scouting 475 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 7: or coach like, in every area of football allows her 476 00:23:31,720 --> 00:23:37,400 Speaker 7: that education over that time period really allows her to ask. 477 00:23:38,800 --> 00:23:42,440 Speaker 8: Deep thought provoking questions. 478 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:46,400 Speaker 7: When we're making decisions, and that is very valuable. Yeah, 479 00:23:46,560 --> 00:23:48,960 Speaker 7: very very grateful for her and grateful for her knowledge. 480 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,280 Speaker 7: And then the work, Like I have so much respect 481 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:55,320 Speaker 7: of the work, Like she put the work in, and 482 00:23:55,359 --> 00:23:56,879 Speaker 7: now she's going to see the fruits of the labor 483 00:23:56,960 --> 00:23:58,639 Speaker 7: now that she's you know, in charge. 484 00:23:59,000 --> 00:24:01,760 Speaker 6: Chris, really pre appreciate the time. We'll get to talk 485 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:02,520 Speaker 6: here in a few weeks. 486 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:04,359 Speaker 7: During the NFL drown Yep, thank you. 487 00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 2: Larra Overton with Chris Ballard, the Colts general manager, at 488 00:24:08,560 --> 00:24:10,560 Speaker 2: the league meetings in Arizona. If you want to hear 489 00:24:10,560 --> 00:24:12,720 Speaker 2: that full conversation, you can find it on the Colts 490 00:24:12,720 --> 00:24:15,280 Speaker 2: YouTube page in Colts dot com. And Matt I thought 491 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 2: it was interesting when he talked about the draft strategy 492 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:21,840 Speaker 2: we've become accustomed to Chris Ballard and stockpile and draft picks, 493 00:24:21,880 --> 00:24:23,879 Speaker 2: and it sounds like that's definitely in play. 494 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:26,560 Speaker 3: It's definitely in play. It's in play every year, but 495 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:28,640 Speaker 3: I definitely think it's in play this year. I mean, 496 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:33,680 Speaker 3: just generally philosophically, Chris Ballard always talks about wanting more 497 00:24:34,320 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 3: shots of the dartboard, more darts of the dartboard, because 498 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 3: the more times you have, you know, the more throws 499 00:24:39,320 --> 00:24:42,159 Speaker 3: you have, the better odds you have of just hitting 500 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:44,760 Speaker 3: on guys. And this might be the year for the 501 00:24:44,800 --> 00:24:48,919 Speaker 3: Colts to have a higher quantity of draft picks, considering, 502 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 3: you know, needing to fill depth at some important positions 503 00:24:52,600 --> 00:24:56,439 Speaker 3: like linebacker, offensive line, maybe a fourth running back, just 504 00:24:56,600 --> 00:24:59,840 Speaker 3: considering the amount of talent the Colts have seen leave 505 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:03,119 Speaker 3: the team this offseason, either through free agency or trades. 506 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:05,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, one name I throw out there and we'll see 507 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:08,159 Speaker 2: what happens. When you know, all of the off season 508 00:25:08,240 --> 00:25:10,720 Speaker 2: training and training camp rolls around. But Hunter Wohler was 509 00:25:10,760 --> 00:25:12,600 Speaker 2: a seventh round pick a year ago, so you can 510 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:15,280 Speaker 2: see how beneficial some of those draft picks can be 511 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:17,560 Speaker 2: if they turn into starters. That is a lot of 512 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:19,280 Speaker 2: bank for your buck right there late in the draft. 513 00:25:19,320 --> 00:25:21,920 Speaker 2: So that was interesting. There by Chris Ballard sitting down 514 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:24,800 Speaker 2: with Colt reporter and our friend Lara Overton, we come back. 515 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:27,200 Speaker 2: We'll give you the Forum Credit Union Question of the Week, 516 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:29,320 Speaker 2: which is all centered around the first wave of free 517 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 2: agency and whether or not the Colts are better than 518 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 2: where they started at the end of the twenty twenty 519 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:36,639 Speaker 2: five season. We'll get into that right here next on 520 00:25:36,680 --> 00:25:38,680 Speaker 2: the Last Word ninety three five one oh seven five, 521 00:25:38,760 --> 00:25:39,240 Speaker 2: the Fan. 522 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:43,840 Speaker 1: Welcome back in case you forgot. This is the Last 523 00:25:43,880 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: Word with Matt Taylor and Casey Valier in the Indiana 524 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:49,840 Speaker 1: Union Construction Industry Radio studio. 525 00:25:49,840 --> 00:25:51,680 Speaker 2: And we're back here on the Last Word ninety three 526 00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:54,160 Speaker 2: five one oh seven five the Fan. Join the Colts 527 00:25:54,200 --> 00:25:58,120 Speaker 2: and Republic Services for the annual Free Electronics Recycling Day. 528 00:25:58,160 --> 00:26:01,120 Speaker 2: Mark your calendar for Saturday, May fifteenth and bring your 529 00:26:01,200 --> 00:26:05,280 Speaker 2: unwanted electronics to Lucas Oil Stadium between eight am and 530 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,280 Speaker 2: twelve pm. Not only will you be helping the environment, 531 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:11,320 Speaker 2: you'll also have the chance to win a Colts autographed item, 532 00:26:11,440 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 2: meet Colts cheerleaders, and blue in the first four hundred 533 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:19,359 Speaker 2: cars will receive a free clear stadium bag and stadium cup. 534 00:26:19,480 --> 00:26:23,520 Speaker 2: Visit Colts dot Com slash recycle to learn more. All right, Matt, 535 00:26:23,560 --> 00:26:26,359 Speaker 2: it is time for the Forum Credit Union Question of 536 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:29,080 Speaker 2: the Week, and it is this after the first wave 537 00:26:29,200 --> 00:26:32,439 Speaker 2: of free agency. Are the Colts better now than they 538 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 2: were at the end of the twenty twenty five. 539 00:26:35,160 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 3: Well, thanks for the layup, I know, right, I mean 540 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,160 Speaker 3: to say they're definitively better. I think, to be fair, 541 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:43,119 Speaker 3: I'm not trying to cop out of the question or 542 00:26:43,119 --> 00:26:46,000 Speaker 3: the answer here, but I think that's only gonna be 543 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:49,719 Speaker 3: fairly answered by October or November this upcoming season, Right, 544 00:26:49,760 --> 00:26:51,680 Speaker 3: I mean, if they're eight and two or better, then yeah, 545 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:54,200 Speaker 3: they're better. But the only thing you can say now 546 00:26:54,280 --> 00:26:58,160 Speaker 3: definitively is that they're different. Yeah, right, I mean offensively 547 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:01,800 Speaker 3: they bring back nine to eleven starter. Defensively though, is 548 00:27:01,800 --> 00:27:04,200 Speaker 3: where they've had to make a bunch of tough decisions 549 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:07,480 Speaker 3: reinforce the interior of the defensive line. They took a 550 00:27:07,480 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 3: big swing for Trey Hendrickson. They didn't land it. They 551 00:27:10,840 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 3: mentioned that this week at the owners meetings. Now they're 552 00:27:13,600 --> 00:27:16,200 Speaker 3: gonna have to rely on that pass rush by committee 553 00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:20,159 Speaker 3: and hope again that Liatu Latu can take that big jump. 554 00:27:20,680 --> 00:27:22,880 Speaker 3: It's one of those things we'll have to see. I mean, 555 00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:26,080 Speaker 3: the biggest questions right now for the Colts is what's 556 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:28,280 Speaker 3: Daniel Jones gonna look like at the beginning of the 557 00:27:28,320 --> 00:27:31,480 Speaker 3: season coming off the torn Achilles and is the pass 558 00:27:31,560 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 3: rush gonna be consistent enough to affect the game? Those, 559 00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:36,879 Speaker 3: to me are the biggest questions to answer as to 560 00:27:37,400 --> 00:27:39,800 Speaker 3: whether or not the Colts are definitively better than they 561 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:40,439 Speaker 3: were last year. 562 00:27:40,520 --> 00:27:43,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it's well said because a lot of 563 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:45,679 Speaker 2: the you know you talk about defensively, when you just 564 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:48,240 Speaker 2: look at it on paper, I mean, it's really hard 565 00:27:48,320 --> 00:27:51,440 Speaker 2: to find that concrete evidence that you're better or worse 566 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:54,680 Speaker 2: because there's just a lot of unproven things there. Not 567 00:27:54,720 --> 00:27:57,440 Speaker 2: necessarily saying that it can't be proven, it's just you 568 00:27:57,680 --> 00:27:59,720 Speaker 2: got to see some evidence before you can fully say that. 569 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:02,720 Speaker 2: When you lose, you know, Zaire Franklin's Jermaine Pratt is 570 00:28:02,720 --> 00:28:05,919 Speaker 2: still a free agent. Also, offensively, you know, Michael Pittman 571 00:28:05,960 --> 00:28:08,679 Speaker 2: goes away. A lot of that is why you know, 572 00:28:08,720 --> 00:28:11,400 Speaker 2: I agree with you completely that October November you can 573 00:28:11,440 --> 00:28:13,879 Speaker 2: really decide on where this team is. Well, there you 574 00:28:13,920 --> 00:28:16,520 Speaker 2: go the Forum Credit Union Question of the Week, and 575 00:28:16,640 --> 00:28:19,160 Speaker 2: fans you can visit the Forum credit Union fanfum section 576 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:21,680 Speaker 2: of Colts dot com to interact with other fans online, 577 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:24,800 Speaker 2: post a topic, and participate in various discussions regarding the 578 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:28,320 Speaker 2: Colts Forum credit Union helping members live their financial dreams. 579 00:28:28,359 --> 00:28:31,680 Speaker 2: The busy weekend in Indianapolis. We've got bunnies and we've 580 00:28:31,680 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 2: got basketball the bees. 581 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:33,720 Speaker 5: Baby. 582 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:38,480 Speaker 2: Here we go, Easter weekend with the Final Four in Indianapolis. 583 00:28:38,480 --> 00:28:40,200 Speaker 2: I can't wait for at all. It's gonna be a 584 00:28:40,200 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 2: lot of fun. I hope you got the Easter eggs 585 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:43,840 Speaker 2: ready and packed and ready to go for your giddos, 586 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 2: packed and ready to go. Here we go, all right, 587 00:28:46,200 --> 00:28:49,440 Speaker 2: Well up next, we've got pacers and hornets for Matt Taylor. 588 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:51,320 Speaker 2: I'm Casey Value. Thanks a lot for joining us here 589 00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:53,120 Speaker 2: on the Last Word. Ninety three five and one oh 590 00:28:53,080 --> 00:29:14,440 Speaker 2: seven five the fansh