quick thoughts on the game

[omahacolt]

1) AR was alright. bomb to pierce was a great throw. many others not great. high passes, off target passes but looked comfortable back there. he isn't Luck. we are going to see some growing pains. lots of them. but it should be fun.

2) oline looked decent. freeland with the starters was a downgrade from smith obviously. he had some good snaps and some bad snaps. pretty much what you would expect. overall i was happy with him. the left side looked fine

3) fries not having real competition is a fucking problem. a problem we see with ballard every year. a glaring issue he refuses to fix. i expect fries to be better than last year but he should have some competetion. he has none.

4) eyikor or whatever his name is was garbage. we need guard help

5) this secondary is going to be rough is my guess. its preseason so whatever but with the youth movement, we will have some bad games.

6) pass rush was garbage as usual. we kind of knew that would be the case though.

7) hambright, the lt, was not bad. he looks like a guard playing lt but he is quick and has some power to him. he was interesting to me.

8) that stuard lber was everywhere. he should make the team. good day for him.

9) minshew looked good. really polished in the offense.

10) its preseason. i think we all know where this team sits. lack of depth is an issue that ballard should be held accountable for. lots of holes on this team.

[Dewey 5]

The Gay kicker sucks

[ChaosTheory]

I forgot we had tickets to the fucking Ninja Turtles today so I missed it. Saw highlights so I only saw the good from AR, not the bad. Even the highlights showed some poorly placed balls. Did he ever look indecisive or start running too soon?

Was really wanting to see the young DBs. How did they look?

Saw Nelson running to pick guys up which sounds trivial but it's something he stopped doing last year.

Grant Stuard was already on the team. He was the ST stud we got from TB. I didn't realize that he went to my high school. Remember seeing articles here when he was drafted.

[JAFF]

I forgot we had tickets to the fucking Ninja Turtles today so I missed it. Saw highlights so I only saw the good from AR, not the bad. Even the highlights showed some poorly placed balls. Did he ever look indecisive or start running too soon?

Was really wanting to see the young DBs. How did they look?

Saw Nelson running to pick guys up which sounds trivial but it's something he stopped doing last year.

Grant Stuard was already on the team. He was the ST stud we got from TB. I didn't realize that he went to my high school. Remember seeing articles here when he was drafted.

I dont think Nelson could do that his leg was so screwed up

[IndyNorm]

I forgot we had tickets to the fucking Ninja Turtles today so I missed it. Saw highlights so I only saw the good from AR, not the bad. Even the highlights showed some poorly placed balls. Did he ever look indecisive or start running too soon?

Was really wanting to see the young DBs. How did they look?

Saw Nelson running to pick guys up which sounds trivial but it's something he stopped doing last year.

Grant Stuard was already on the team. He was the ST stud we got from TB. I didn't realize that he went to my high school. Remember seeing articles here when he was drafted.

The new ninja turtles movie looks awful, but that discussion I'm sure belongs on another board.

AR looked pretty decisive for the most part except for his int where he double clutched and then threw to a spot where no Colts were in the vicinity. McKenzie said in an interview later in the game that the pick was his fault and once he and AR are on more of the same page wouldn't be happening. Not sure if he's correct or just sticking up for AR, but either way it was good to hear. He really only went downfield once, and that was a really good throw that Pierce dropped at the goal line.

The DBs made some plays, but struggled at times too. Kind of hard to get too much of a read w/ Josh Allen, Diggs, and Davis sitting.

The OL did look better, and Jackson had a couple of nice runs. We did get stuffed on 4th and short w/ no push on the right side of the OL.

[Oldcolt]

AR didn’t get injured and we now have sort of a baseline to root from for improvement. Good day all in all.

[JAFF]

Rainman at LT didnt suck.

[IndyNorm]

3) fries not having real competition is a fucking problem. a problem we see with ballard every year. a glaring issue he refuses to fix. i expect fries to be better than last year but he should have some competetion. he has none.



Hit the nail on the head. Great example of Ballard's biggest weakness.

[JAFF]

Hit the nail on the head. Great example of Ballard's biggest weakness.

No one has depth at every single position. If you spend money at one position, you needed to get a bargain at another position. For every guy who looks like Tarzan and makes plays there’s another who looks the part but plays like Jane.

Every team has holes, thats what the cap does.

[Butter]

Rainman at LT didnt suck.

I think he can be a solid LT for us.

[omahacolt]

I forgot we had tickets to the fucking Ninja Turtles today so I missed it. Saw highlights so I only saw the good from AR, not the bad. Even the highlights showed some poorly placed balls. Did he ever look indecisive or start running too soon?

Was really wanting to see the young DBs. How did they look?

Saw Nelson running to pick guys up which sounds trivial but it's something he stopped doing last year.

Grant Stuard was already on the team. He was the ST stud we got from TB. I didn't realize that he went to my high school. Remember seeing articles here when he was drafted.

db's were pretty bad. darrell baker made a play.

richardson seemed to make good decisions. the game didn't seem to big for him. he didn't seem nervous. looked pretty comfortable back there.

[omahacolt]

I think he can be a solid LT for us.

i don't worry about him at all

[omahacolt]

The new ninja turtles movie looks awful, but that discussion I'm sure belongs on another board.

AR looked pretty decisive for the most part except for his int where he double clutched and then threw to a spot where no Colts were in the vicinity. McKenzie said in an interview later in the game that the pick was his fault and once he and AR are on more of the same page wouldn't be happening. Not sure if he's correct or just sticking up for AR, but either way it was good to hear. He really only went downfield once, and that was a really good throw that Pierce dropped at the goal line.

The DBs made some plays, but struggled at times too. Kind of hard to get too much of a read w/ Josh Allen, Diggs, and Davis sitting.

The OL did look better, and Jackson had a couple of nice runs. We did get stuffed on 4th and short w/ no push on the right side of the OL.
jackson looked damn good to me. i like that kid

[IndyNorm]

jackson looked damn good to me. i like that kid

Agreed. That run he made where he was stuffed at the line and bounced it out to the left for an ~8 yard gain was damn impressive. JT is going to be kicking himself and (hopefully) firing his dumb fuck of an agent if Moss and Jackson can stay healthy b/c as long as the OL plays halfway decent we should have a pretty good running game between those 2.

[IndyNorm]

No one has depth at every single position. If you spend money at one position, you needed to get a bargain at another position. For every guy who looks like Tarzan and makes plays there’s another who looks the part but plays like Jane.

Every team has holes, thats what the cap does.

No one expects us to have quality depth at every position. But the OL was a complete shit show last year, and while it did get better later in the year it still wasn't good (gave up 14 sacks in the final 4 games). Couple that with knowing that nothing stunts a young QBs develop more than getting the shit beat out of him, and it's not hard to figure out why we shouldn't be happy with Ballard doing pretty much the bare minimum at OL this offseason. This is especially true at IOL where all he's brought in are a couple of UDFAs.

[Bojack]

I think in the grand scheme of things, not a bad outing at all for the guys. Richardson made a boneheaded throw, but overall I liked his prescence in the pocket and his mobility when he had to move. Think the OL will be better than some might think also.

Still a toss up of course about who the starting RB is going to be, to me at least it is. I like Hull and Jackson, maybe platoon them? We will see but yes do think Jackson probably has slight edge right now.

On a side note I watched this game at a local bar and almost got into a fight with a Bills fan because he spilled his beer all over me, prick.

Thanks.

[CletusPyle]

0-1....Fire Steichen!

[YDFL Commish]

A lot of talk on how Olubi was tearing it up in camp. He was lost out there today.

[JAFF]

i don't worry about him at all

Neither do I, but he is not covering my blindside.

[bigalbert]

Thanks for the synopsis, couldn’t watch the game. Are we going to have a replay of the 3-13 season Payton led us to his first year? If we go with Minshew don’t our odds increase dramatically? Mahomes sat his rookie year and watched and learned. AR has 13 games under his belt as QB.


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[apballin]

Same here.. had to work and couldn’t watch

Since when do we play at 1 o fuckin clock ??

Can’t even get a prime time game in the fuckin pre season

[Chromeburn]

After watching all the rookie QBs play… I kinda think AR did the best so far. Bad INT, good deep ball throw, good run to the 5. They were moving the ball and he seemed to get more comfortable the more he played.

[Hoopsdoc]

There’s a lot to like about AR’s game. He has some limitations for sure but he’s decisive and has good awareness.

It’s up to the coaches to put him in a position to succeed. Scheme some easy throws for him. RPO”s and such.

I know it can be done because Baltimore did it with Lamar and AR reminds me a LOT of Lamar.

I really like the kid.

It won’t be a boring season, that’s for sure.

[omahacolt]

Thanks for the synopsis, couldn’t watch the game. Are we going to have a replay of the 3-13 season Payton led us to his first year? If we go with Minshew don’t our odds increase dramatically? Mahomes sat his rookie year and watched and learned. AR has 13 games under his belt as QB.


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we arent winning anything with minshew. minshew isn't alex smith. AR needs reps. he needs experience. a 3-13 season is fine. but i imagine we get closer to 6 wins

[omahacolt]

watching again so may add some things.


i did miss that malik turner was a standout as a wr later in the game before going out with an injury

[omahacolt]

on the int, fries and freeland did not adjust to the blitz properly. which looked like a mistake by fries. freeland took the blitzer but fries let the de go free while trying to get upfield to the lber.


this kind of miscommunication killed us last year.

[Oldcolt]

I absolutely love Richardson's attitude. He seems to be enjoying himself, takes responsibility for his play without getting down on himself and sees why he make the mistakes he made. Now if he can not repeat (I think we all feel he will) them we are on our way. I liked how the interception didn't seem to phase him when he came back (a trait that the first great Colt QB, Johnny Unitas, had big time as do all great QBs) the next series. The pass that Pierce dropped (WTF?) was a thing of beauty that we haven't seen since old man Luck retired. It is really nice to have such an arm back there for the Colts. I am excited about where this is going, excited to watch this young man develop. He seem like such a really nice human being, the kind of guy I would love to see become a billionaire. I have big time hope that is starting to turn to belief in him.

[IndyNorm]

One more comment on Richardson. I didn't like seeing him lower his shoulder on the 1 run, especially in a preseason game. He needs to step out of bounds there. Taking a hit wasn't worth the extra yard there.

[Racehorse]

watching again so may add some things.


i did miss that malik turner was a standout as a wr later in the game before going out with an injury

I had to check to see who #12 was. The guy was just making plays. Yes, it was against backups, but that is better than disappearing against them. My only complaint about the guy is that a couple of catches were 1 yard short of moving the chains, and he did not get that yard with an extra effort, but that is just nitpicking.

[Chromeburn]

Pff oline ratings from the preseason game

Bernhard Raimann - 84.6
Quenton Nelson - 83.0
Ryan Kelly - 79.7
Will Fries - 30.7
Blake Freeland - 28.8

Looks like Raimann may work out. Be great to have a solid LT again.

[CletusPyle]

Not that it really matters, and I am too lazy to look it up, but the Colts have to have one of the worst win/loss records in preseason in the league!

[Mr. Session]

One more comment on Richardson. I didn't like seeing him lower his shoulder on the 1 run, especially in a preseason game.

The kid can absolutely run behind his pads though, I'll give him that.

He's got quick feet. His stride length looks like it's a lot shorter than it should be given his size, but his feet are always on the ground.

I can't find a clear answer at 5 AM over here but I am genuinely curious about what his squat and clean #'s look like.

[Ironshaft]

Pff oline ratings from the preseason game

Bernhard Raimann - 84.6
Quenton Nelson - 83.0
Ryan Kelly - 79.7
Will Fries - 30.7
Blake Freeland - 28.8

Looks like Raimann may work out. Be great to have a solid LT again.

Which, of course, is the reason we ran to the RIGHT on the 4th and 1 attempt that we got stuffed on....

Freeland will learn and will, hopefully, be a solid swing tackle who does not have to play much this season. Smith's return will help but we really, really needed to upgrade the RG position and did not....

[ChaosTheory]

The kid can absolutely run behind his pads though, I'll give him that.

He's got quick feet. His stride length looks like it's a lot shorter than it should be given his size, but his feet are always on the ground.

I can't find a clear answer at 5 AM over here but I am genuinely curious about what his squat and clean #'s look like.

This SI article (https://www.si.com/college/florida/football/florida-gators-anthony-richardson-gervon-dexter-freaks-list-2022) from August '22 says he ran 4.4, cleaned 325lbs, and squatted 500.

Haven't seen anything from '23 but you can imagine those numbers got better for 20-year-old developing. I mean, he gained what, 11 pounds just between the combine and training camp?

[Oldcolt]

Which, of course, is the reason we ran to the RIGHT on the 4th and 1 attempt that we got stuffed on....

Freeland will learn and will, hopefully, be a solid swing tackle who does not have to play much this season. Smith's return will help but we really, really needed to upgrade the RG position and did not....

Guard is such an easy position to upgrade, especially over Fries. I have no idea what Ballard is thinking and have zero faith in his offensive line evaluations since last year debacle.

[Oldcolt]

[QUOTE=Mr. Session;271004]The kid can absolutely run behind his pads though, I'll give him that.

He's got quick feet. His stride length looks like it's a lot shorter than it should be given his size, but his feet are always on the ground.

He is an athlete unlike what I was prepared for. I was thinking along the Luck line of athlete, powerful and fast but not very elusive. Runs into and over people and takes/gives big time hits. AR is so athletically gifted he moves like a much smaller man, seemingly avoiding being hit directly, unless it is at the end of a play where he wants a few more yards. I do wish he would just step out of bounds. Hopefully his elusiveness helps his longevity. There is a lot to like about how he plays and handles himself.

[Chromeburn]

Guard is such an easy position to upgrade, especially over Fries. I have no idea what Ballard is thinking and have zero faith in his offensive line evaluations since last year debacle.

This is a problem for every team. The league has an oline shortage problem. They are a couple injuries away from total disaster. The drop off from 1st team to 2nd is substantial.

[Oldcolt]

This is a problem for every team. The league has an oline shortage problem. They are a couple injuries away from total disaster. The drop off from 1st team to 2nd is substantial.

I understand that and don't expect miracles. Maybe Fries is the best we can do but I would at least wish he was actually competing with someone for the job.

[JAFF]

Not that it really matters, and I am too lazy to look it up, but the Colts have to have one of the worst win/loss records in preseason in the league!

That was especially true during the Manning years. You dont win Super Bowls in August, you can totally fuck yourself in preseason

[Chromeburn]

I understand that and don't expect miracles. Maybe Fries is the best we can do but I would at least wish he was actually competing with someone for the job.

We might. See if anything happens when cut downs start. But I think he will be better when Smith is back in there. RG is a fairy easy piece to cover with competent center and tackle play. If our biggest complaint is RG and oline depth were aren’t in that bad of shape.

[ukcolt]

Unless one of the starters goes down for the season, then we are going to be struggling.

We really don't have a 6th guy who i would trust to play any meaningful snaps on the Oline at the moment. Pinter maybe, but if he is next to Fries, can see that being a mess.

[Hoopsdoc]

This is a problem for every team. The league has an oline shortage problem. They are a couple injuries away from total disaster. The drop off from 1st team to 2nd is substantial.
Risner is a pro bowler and he’s sitting at home unsigned. He’s fairly young too.

Ballard just doesn’t wanna spend the money.

[Brylok]

Risner is a pro bowler and he’s sitting at home unsigned. He’s fairly young too.

Ballard just doesn’t wanna spend the money.

I've never understood why the Colts just sit on their money. Do all the teams do this? I understand having some left over cap space, but we always seem to be cap space champions instead of bringing in guys who could do a job.

[ChoppedWood]

I've never understood why the Colts just sit on their money. Do all the teams do this? I understand having some left over cap space, but we always seem to be cap space champions instead of bringing in guys who could do a job.

Man when you look at the lack of depth effectively across the board and the lack of spending of the cap and the suck of the team... a lot of arrows point toward one dude who has been the staple for this period of time... he has to be the worst GM in the league.

[Brylok]

Man when you look at the lack of depth effectively across the board and the lack of spending of the cap and the suck of the team... a lot of arrows point toward one dude who has been the staple for this period of time... he has to be the worst GM in the league.

I'm not willing to go that far, but it's frustrating. Remember when Costanzo retired and we needed a LT and Leno from the Bears was available? He even gave it a thumbs up on social media, but nah, we'll just suck for a year. We need o-line help right now but, nah. Maybe after some people get cut (I don't really mind that). And then they go out and spend money on Matt Gay and he misses a 28 yarder. Why spend that money when we could have just kept McLaughlin? It's just weird.

[Butter]

Man when you look at the lack of depth effectively across the board and the lack of spending of the cap and the suck of the team... a lot of arrows point toward one dude who has been the staple for this period of time... he has to be the worst GM in the league.

You nail the bad takes, congrats.

[Chromeburn]

Risner is a pro bowler and he’s sitting at home unsigned. He’s fairly young too.

Ballard just doesn’t wanna spend the money.

Then why hasn’t any other team signed him, because every team has depth issues? Literally every fan base except maybe the eagles are complaining about it.

[ChaosTheory]

Risner is a pro bowler and he’s sitting at home unsigned. He’s fairly young too.

Ballard just doesn’t wanna spend the money.

Risner is specifically the one guy I've pointed out this off-season that I'd be interested in.

That said, from I what I read earlier in the year, he was a projected $9m-$10m guy (JT franchise tag money). Could be, probably is, a deterrent.

Beyond that, who knows... But Chris Ballard doesn't manage the other 31 teams and their collective 1,643 roster spots that Dalton Risner is not occupying. What's wrong with the entire league?

[Racehorse]

Risner is specifically the one guy I've pointed out this off-season that I'd be interested in.

That said, from I what I read earlier in the year, he was a projected $9m-$10m guy (JT franchise tag money). Could be, probably is, a deterrent.

Beyond that, who knows... But Chris Ballard doesn't manage the other 31 teams and their collective 1,643 roster spots that Dalton Risner is not occupying. What's wrong with the entire league?

I have not checked lately, but I think all but seven teams were in the red against the cap. This is part of what is driving the low RB salaries this year, and the lack of veterans at other positions getting the big contract they want.

[ukcolt]

Dalton Risner was not good last year, the Bronco's didn't want to resign him.

I am going to reference PFF rankings, which are not the be all and end all, but give some sort of indication. And Risner last year had a 61.1 grade. Fries in his first year starting earnt a grade of 58.4. So not a huge amount less than someone people are saying is the best guard on the market. I would like to think that Fries will improve with a years worth of experience.

Yes i want some competition for the spot, but Risner on a $2 or $3m a year deal would be fine, but he isn't going to sign for that sort of money. The money Risner wants he needs to be grading in the high 70's or 80's and he has been nowhere near that. Overpaying for talent is the quickest way out of a job for a GM, and creates cap hell.

[JAFF]

I'm not willing to go that far, but it's frustrating. Remember when Costanzo retired and we needed a LT and Leno from the Bears was available? He even gave it a thumbs up on social media, but nah, we'll just suck for a year. We need o-line help right now but, nah. Maybe after some people get cut (I don't really mind that). And then they go out and spend money on Matt Gay and he misses a 28 yarder. Why spend that money when we could have just kept McLaughlin? It's just weird.

Matt Gay was good 2 ago and he was good last year. First preseason game with new holder and snapper with 40 mph winds. If he hasnt gotten straighten by opening game, then I will join you.

Gay was a better kicker than McLaughlin and the Colts may struggle to get into the end zone. He gives then a better chance to get some points.

[Brylok]

Matt Gay was good 2 ago and he was good last year. First preseason game with new holder and snapper with 40 mph winds. If he hasnt gotten straighten by opening game, then I will join you.

Gay was a better kicker than McLaughlin and the Colts may struggle to get into the end zone. He gives then a better chance to get some points.

I honestly don't care as long as we have a capable kicker. I'm just curious about the financial choices the team makes. I have no agenda or anything. Just want to be good again.

[IndyNorm]

Matt Gay was good 2 ago and he was good last year. First preseason game with new holder and snapper with 40 mph winds. If he hasnt gotten straighten by opening game, then I will join you.

Gay was a better kicker than McLaughlin and the Colts may struggle to get into the end zone. He gives then a better chance to get some points.

I think the point Brylok was trying to make wasn't that Gay isn't an upgrade over McLaughlin. As long as that 28 yard shank is an aberration and Gay kicks like he has the past 2 seasons then he certainly is an upgrade. It was that OL should have been a priority over K in the offseason considering that OL was a MUCH bigger problem than K was last year (at least it was after we finally dumped Specs) and having a good OL is much more important to the development of a QB than K is.