Let’s make no mistake…this season is about one thing…

[Kray007]

Molding Anthony Richardson into a top tier, NFL quality Quarterback; a Quarterback who can make all the throws and who’s capable of routinely executing a signature 12 play, 80 yard drive.

If they accomplish that, Ballard can spend draft day concentrating on filling holes on D. He can look for the next Troy Polamalu or Sauce Gardner. He doesn’t have to deal with the niggling tickle, the siren song of casting around, trying to find a gem at QB amid the dreck.

If they accomplish that, Chris Ballard is probably a little more willing to delve into the veteran free agent market. He could be uncomfortable with the idea of building a roster through free agency, but he might be willing to spend on one or two pieces if he thinks they’re the kind of moves that push Colts over the top and into the promised land.

If they accomplish that, 2025 could be the start of the kind of run we saw, 20 years ago, under Peyton Manning.

[Discflinger]

Trading baaaaaaaaaaaack...

Which isn't always bad...but STFU! It's only week 3!

[apballin]

We will never see another run like we saw with Manning, he’s the goat and it’s not even close. The stretch of dominance Manning had will never be duplicated.

If we’re talking about this season and what their plans are, I have no clue but if having him throw it 30 times a game was it they should’ve let all the free agents walk and started from scratch

[Dewey 5]

Molding Anthony Richardson into a top tier, NFL quality Quarterback; a Quarterback who can make all the throws and who’s capable of routinely executing a signature 12 play, 80 yard drive.

If they accomplish that, Ballard can spend draft day concentrating on filling holes on D. He can look for the next Troy Polamalu or Sauce Gardner. He doesn’t have to deal with the niggling tickle, the siren song of casting around, trying to find a gem at QB amid the dreck.

If they accomplish that, Chris Ballard is probably a little more willing to delve into the veteran free agent market. He could be uncomfortable with the idea of building a roster through free agency, but he might be willing to spend on one or two pieces if he thinks they’re the kind of moves that push Colts over the top and into the promised land.

If they accomplish that, 2025 could be the start of the kind of run we saw, 20 years ago, under Peyton Manning.

Agree with all of this except the Ballard part. He needs to go.

[ChoppedWood]

Agree with all of this except the Ballard part. He needs to go.

Averaging 235 given up on the ground- league worst
Averaging 72.5% completion rate- 2nd worst in the league


This dude's build from the inside out- is a fucking enormous failure! HE MUST BE SHITCANNED!!!

[CletusPyle]

I agree, the Colts do not appear to be a team that has a goal of winning the division, in fact if they keep playing the way they have been they may get the number 1 pick! I am so disappointed in the product on the field, and I don't see Steichen as the long term answer here, he seems to be taking a step backward this season, right now....this is not a good football team!

[Chromeburn]

Averaging 235 given up on the ground- league worst
Averaging 72.5% completion rate- 2nd worst in the league


This dude's build from the inside out- is a fucking enormous failure! HE MUST BE SHITCANNED!!!

Running game league wide is about to have a rennaisance. Soon won’t be just the colts struggling with it.

[ChaosTheory]

We will never see another run like we saw with Manning, he’s the goat and it’s not even close. The stretch of dominance Manning had will never be duplicated.

Yeah, gotta pump the brakes expecting AR to reach that level. Good thing is, we got to experience that run. Bad thing is, it'll likely not happen again.

Only the Patriots have had more wins in a 5-year span. Only the Patriots and 49ers have had more wins in a 10-year span. Technically, the Colts had the record for wins in a given decade until the 2010's Patriots topped it.

We're hoping for Josh Allen caliber, which is a different level. Fans want AR to have Allen's year-three leap in year-one. Understandable, but need to be realistic.

[rm1369]

Running game league wide is about to have a rennaisance. Soon won’t be just the colts struggling with it.

So Ballard and Bradley are visionaries!

[rm1369]

Molding Anthony Richardson into a top tier, NFL quality Quarterback; a Quarterback who can make all the throws and who’s capable of routinely executing a signature 12 play, 80 yard drive.

If they accomplish that, Ballard can spend draft day concentrating on filling holes on D. He can look for the next Troy Polamalu or Sauce Gardner. He doesn’t have to deal with the niggling tickle, the siren song of casting around, trying to find a gem at QB amid the dreck.

If they accomplish that, Chris Ballard is probably a little more willing to delve into the veteran free agent market. He could be uncomfortable with the idea of building a roster through free agency, but he might be willing to spend on one or two pieces if he thinks they’re the kind of moves that push Colts over the top and into the promised land.

If they accomplish that, 2025 could be the start of the kind of run we saw, 20 years ago, under Peyton Manning.

There is no doubt ARs development is the most important thing for this season. Wouldn’t having the ball more than 20 mins a game help? Wouldn’t having a defense get the ball back quickly help him and the offense get a rhythm? Wouldn’t having a D get some stops, get some short fields help? Do you want him learning that to win he has to play Superman? Because that’s the way this team would win right now - AR playing great. Through two games Ballard’s next year approach is actively hurting ARs developmen IMO.

For the life of me I can’t understand why some people believe Ballard will change when the QB is in place. Hopefully thinking is the only explanation, because he’s shown nothing else. What is the draw back to getting vets now? If AR fails everything starts over. So why the fuck would you not be doing everything you can right now to make it as easy on this kid as possible?

[apballin]

The only thing I can think of is they want him to have as many throwing reps as possible and quickly to speed up his timing and feel for defense speed and reading coverages. Otherwise the offense should have gone through Taylor the first 2 games as we all expected.

This was the approach with Cam Newton and Andrew Luck when they entered the league and after 4 games it seemed things started clicking for both, only difference is those 2 had a lot more experience than AR so we’ll see how it pans out but these next couple games are going to be very pivotal in his development/ confidence and career in my opinion

[YDFL Commish]

There is no doubt ARs development is the most important thing for this season. Wouldn’t having the ball more than 20 mins a game help? Wouldn’t having a defense get the ball back quickly help him and the offense get a rhythm? Wouldn’t having a D get some stops, get some short fields help? Do you want him learning that to win he has to play Superman? Because that’s the way this team would win right now - AR playing great. Through two games Ballard’s next year approach is actively hurting ARs developmen IMO.

For the life of me I can’t understand why some people believe Ballard will change when the QB is in place. Hopefully thinking is the only explanation, because he’s shown nothing else. What is the draw back to getting vets now? If AR fails everything starts over. So why the fuck would you not be doing everything you can right now to make it as easy on this kid as possible?

Because Ballard wants all choir boys. At some point he's gotta turn the locker room over to the vets. He's letting the entire team down by not showing a desire to win.

Get them some damn help when they need it!

[Chromeburn]

So Ballard and Bradley are visionaries!

Running is going up. Not hard to predict. Dline are lighter. Linebackers are safety size and safeties are small and fast. Offenses are struggling to score against two deep looks, scoring is the worst it’s been in 20 years. Offenses have to adjust and we will likely see more RPO and running game. Hell the packers installed a power running game over the usual zone blocking they do just for this game.

[Mr. Session]

Running is going up. Not hard to predict. Dline are lighter. Linebackers are safety size and safeties are small and fast. Offenses are struggling to score against two deep looks, scoring is the worst it’s been in 20 years. Offenses have to adjust and we will likely see more RPO and running game. Hell the packers installed a power running game over the usual zone blocking they do just for this game.

I feel like I've been hearing about this for 10-15 years now and it's finally showing up.

I have to wonder if it's not tied to the fact these teams do not practice as much, but I find the arguments for why we're seeing this really fascinating and fun.

[apballin]

I feel like I've been hearing about this for 10-15 years now and it's finally showing up.

I have to wonder if it's not tied to the fact these teams do not practice as much, but I find the arguments for why we're seeing this really fascinating and fun.

I believe the defensive guys are getting pissed at the paydays these offensive guys are receiving and they’re taking out their frustrations on the field

[Indystu2]

I have to wonder if it's not tied to the fact these teams do not practice as much, but I find the arguments for why we're seeing this really fascinating and fun.

I was thinking about this too. Less actual game practice time. With less preseason games, it will likely take teams longer to get their sh*t together. The progress we used to see in week 2/3 we may not see until week 4/5 now. Yes, some teams have started out good, but overall, it seems like teams just need more time on the field, actually in games. I am not saying the Colts are going to be good this year, just that I am holding off on writing them off until I see more. It's just 0-2 right now. We are what are record says we are.

[Chromeburn]

I feel like I've been hearing about this for 10-15 years now and it's finally showing up.

I have to wonder if it's not tied to the fact these teams do not practice as much, but I find the arguments for why we're seeing this really fascinating and fun.

We were in a passing era for awhile there. But all the vets have retired. Everyone is complaining now about QB development. Brady had a big spiel on it recently talking about how kids are not developed anymore. I think the running game is going to have to come back some. League is always about adjusting to what defenses do to stop them. If they are all going light, run the ball.

[ChoppedWood]

We were in a passing era for awhile there. But all the vets have retired. Everyone is complaining now about QB development. Brady had a big spiel on it recently talking about how kids are not developed anymore. I think the running game is going to have to come back some. League is always about adjusting to what defenses do to stop them. If they are all going light, run the ball.

Roger Goodell is not about to let this continue for much longer, it is a very real safety concern. At some point we're going to have to protect these ball carriers because safety is paramount!

What do you think, by week 8 he institutes a new rule limiting total team rushes to 20 per game?

Thank God we have a guy like him that is so focused on player safety to save this game from itself.

[Racehorse]

Roger Goodell is not about to let this continue for much longer, it is a very real safety concern. At some point we're going to have to protect these ball carriers because safety is paramount!

What do you think, by week 8 he institutes a new rule limiting total team rushes to 20 per game?

Thank God we have a guy like him that is so focused on player safety to save this game from itself.

He would do it to spare the defenders, who are lighter than the backs, but your point is still valid.

[apballin]

We were in a passing era for awhile there. But all the vets have retired. Everyone is complaining now about QB development. Brady had a big spiel on it recently talking about how kids are not developed anymore. I think the running game is going to have to come back some. League is always about adjusting to what defenses do to stop them. If they are all going light, run the ball.

Titans and Ravens already tried this

Offense sells tickets, fantasy football is good for ratings, all that’s happening now is teams are treating week 1 and 2 as preseason and treating preseason like camp and camp is nothing more than a parade for fans

[Chromeburn]

Roger Goodell is not about to let this continue for much longer, it is a very real safety concern. At some point we're going to have to protect these ball carriers because safety is paramount!

What do you think, by week 8 he institutes a new rule limiting total team rushes to 20 per game?

Thank God we have a guy like him that is so focused on player safety to save this game from itself.

That would be hilarious if he did that. But no I don’t think he will. League has a QB health problem though. Last year was a record year for injuries.at some point something has to give, maybe another incentive to do more running also.

[Colts And Orioles]

Trading baaaaaaaaaaaack ......

Which isn't always bad ...... but STFU !!! It's only week 3 !!!





o


In addition to the Colts beating the Bears today, the Texans were crushed by the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 34-7 ....... so I agree with you, it's way too early to be making presumptions as to whether or not the Colts should be thinking of shrugging off the importance of the season and to strictly focus on the development of Anthony Richardson. In fact, part of a young quarterback's development IS presuming that the team can win and possibly go deep into the post-season. If that's added pressure on Richardson and the team, then I believe that it's all the better in the long-run.

o

[Dam8610]

I said it in the game thread today, but since this thread is about AR's development, I think it's good to say here too. AR is showing three main issues:

1) Accuracy, typically being high on throws. There have been quite a few throws in 3 weeks that Richardson has missed by a lot, usually being high on the throw. Being high often indicates bad footwork, but I haven't seen bad footwork. Is it just that he needs to learn to dial back his arm?

2) Bad Reads. No other way to put this, examples include passing up a TD to Ogletree today to throw an INT into triple coverage and the INT last week on a predetermined throw to Pittman that killed a drive. I haven't watched this week yet, but there were also a lot of open receivers AR passed up against GB. This is the issue that reps and film will fix the easiest.

3) Hero Ball. I could be wrong on this, but it seems like AR is trying to maximize each play. This leads to plays like the one today that was nearly a strip sack turnover. It also causes things like not taking the underneath routes and holding the ball too long leading to sacks. If you watch every dropback against GB, there are at least 5 open crossers Richardson either never sees or doesn't go to because he's trying to make a bigger play. This is an issue that will take coaching and film to fix, but it is fixable.

These three issues, as stated above, are fixable. They are also the reasons that Carson Wentz went from MVP candidate to bust. The other piece of this that concerns me is that AR looked more developed in his fourth and fifth games last year than he has at any point this year. I understand development isn't linear, but regression is concerning, especially if the previously reached high point wasn't the level of play that is needed, either.

[YDFL Commish]

I said it in the game thread today, but since this thread is about AR's development, I think it's good to say here too. AR is showing three main issues:

1) Accuracy, typically being high on throws. There have been quite a few throws in 3 weeks that Richardson has missed by a lot, usually being high on the throw. Being high often indicates bad footwork, but I haven't seen bad footwork. Is it just that he needs to learn to dial back his arm?

2) Bad Reads. No other way to put this, examples include passing up a TD to Ogletree today to throw an INT into triple coverage and the INT last week on a predetermined throw to Pittman that killed a drive. I haven't watched this week yet, but there were also a lot of open receivers AR passed up against GB. This is the issue that reps and film will fix the easiest.

3) Hero Ball. I could be wrong on this, but it seems like AR is trying to maximize each play. This leads to plays like the one today that was nearly a strip sack turnover. It also causes things like not taking the underneath routes and holding the ball too long leading to sacks. If you watch every dropback against GB, there are at least 5 open crossers Richardson either never sees or doesn't go to because he's trying to make a bigger play. This is an issue that will take coaching and film to fix, but it is fixable.

These three issues, as stated above, are fixable. They are also the reasons that Carson Wentz went from MVP candidate to bust. The other piece of this that concerns me is that AR looked more developed in his fourth and fifth games last year than he has at any point this year. I understand development isn't linear, but regression is concerning, especially if the previously reached high point wasn't the level of play that is needed, either.

Agree with everything said. But I'm sure as hell glad He's a Colt instead of Levis.

[sherck]

I said it in the game thread today, but since this thread is about AR's development, I think it's good to say here too. AR is showing three main issues:

1) Accuracy, typically being high on throws. There have been quite a few throws in 3 weeks that Richardson has missed by a lot, usually being high on the throw. Being high often indicates bad footwork, but I haven't seen bad footwork. Is it just that he needs to learn to dial back his arm?

I don't remember where I saw it but just before the game, someone showed video of AR from the first two weeks where instead of his hips being perpendicular to his target, his hips are often parallel to his target on many of his bad throws.

He has enought upper body strength to still muscle the ball to his target but it often has the "throwing across his body' effect and his accuracy is poor.

Fixable? Yes, but the video mash up clearly showed that his body was not cleanly aligned for the throw he was trying to make.

[Dam8610]

I don't remember where I saw it but just before the game, someone showed video of AR from the first two weeks where instead of his hips being perpendicular to his target, his hips are often parallel to his target on many of his bad throws.

He has enought upper body strength to still muscle the ball to his target but it often has the "throwing across his body' effect and his accuracy is poor.

Fixable? Yes, but the video mash up clearly showed that his body was not cleanly aligned for the throw he was trying to make.

Went back and watched for that, you're absolutely right. Happens on the Downs airmail at the end of the half, as well as every high throw. The perfect throw to Granson, his back hip swung out. So this is quite clearly just a mechanical issue for an otherwise really accurate QB. They just need to coach him to plant his back foot in such a way that his hips are in the right position. I think scheming up some designed rollouts to the right will help with this as well, as he'll naturally have the correct footwork for those throws.

[YDFL Commish]

Let's look at the AR struggles in this context:

AR has a 49.3% completion percentage and has 7 career starts.

Trevor Lawrence has a 52.8 completion percentage and has 53 career starts.

[Dam8610]

Let's look at the AR struggles in this context:

AR has a 49.3% completion percentage and has 7 career starts.

Trevor Lawrence has a 52.8 completion percentage and has 53 career starts.

I think everyone here wants AR to be better than Lawrence.

[IndyNorm]

I think everyone here wants AR to be better than Lawrence.

You beat me to it. Lawrence and the Jagoffs have been a shit show since Lawrence got hurt in their Bungles loss ~2/3 of the way through the season last year.

Of course the Jagoffs will beat us at least in Jax w/out any problem.

[TheMugwump]

I don't remember where I saw it but just before the game, someone showed video of AR from the first two weeks where instead of his hips being perpendicular to his target, his hips are often parallel to his target on many of his bad throws.

He has enought upper body strength to still muscle the ball to his target but it often has the "throwing across his body' effect and his accuracy is poor.

Fixable? Yes, but the video mash up clearly showed that his body was not cleanly aligned for the throw he was trying to make.

The comparisons to Josh Allen do not start and stop here, but this is the exact same issue he had coming out of Wyoming and his first season. That, and length of stride. Short stride = overthrows. Especially with that cannon on his right shoulder.

And fixing footwork may not be easy during the season, on the fly so to speak. It will get fixed though.

[Racehorse]

I think everyone here wants AR to be better than Lawrence.

He will be...in time

[Discflinger]

Gawd, let's hope so.

[Colts And Orioles]

I agree with everything that you said ...... ) but I'm sure as hell glad that he's a Colt instead of Will Levis.





o


We'll get a chance to see Levis against the Colts' defense on Sunday.



Titans QB Will Levis (Shoulder) Set to Start vs. Colts on Sunday

(By Grant Gordon)

https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-qb-will-levis-shoulder-set-to-start-vs-colts-on-sunday

o

[omahacolt]

o


We'll get a chance to see Levis against the Colts' defense on Sunday.



Titans QB Will Levis (Shoulder) Set to Start vs. Colts on Sunday

(By Grant Gordon)

https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-qb-will-levis-shoulder-set-to-start-vs-colts-on-sunday

o

put Levis in for DFS boys. career day upcoming

[ChoppedWood]

put Levis in for DFS boys. career day upcoming

I have a ton of confidence in Gus, I have zero doubt he can prevent Levis from having a better game than Goff had a couple weeks ago when he statistically had the best game of all time. Yep, I think Levis will have an incompletion tomorrow. Book it!

Bullshit aside, the very first play he has them lined up giving 10 plus in cushion, on that play Steichen owes it to the franchise to call a TO and fire his ass on the spot!

[IndyNorm]

put Levis in for DFS boys. career day upcoming

Levis' passing O/U is only 203.5. It's like money in the bag right there.

[Racehorse]

Levis' passing O/U is only 203.5. It's like money in the bag right there.

Somehow, he only got to 95 yards passing.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


We'll get a chance to see Levis against the Colts' defense on Sunday.



Titans QB Will Levis (Shoulder) Set to Start vs. Colts on Sunday

(By Grant Gordon)

https://www.nfl.com/news/titans-qb-will-levis-shoulder-set-to-start-vs-colts-on-sunday

o
o


Outside of the disgraceful play in which the Colts' defense gave up a TD on 3rd-and-19 from the 24-yardline, the Titans' offense did almost nothing ...... their other TD was aided by a Flacco INT deep in Colts territory, and the FG that they got was aided by a phantom illegal hands call by the referees on a 3rd down.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(COLTS vs. TITANS, 10/13)


Outside of the disgraceful play in which the Colts' defense gave up a TD on 3rd-and-19 from the 24-yardline, the Titans' offense did almost nothing ...... their other TD was aided by a Flacco INT deep in Colts territory, and the FG that they got was aided by a phantom illegal hands call by the referees on a 3rd down.

o
o


(ONE WEEK LATER)


Levis sustained a right shoulder injury diving for a first down in The Titans' Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins.



Titans to Start Rudolph Over Ailing Levis vs. Bills

(By Turron Davenport)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41889416/source-titans-start-rudolph-ailing-levis-vs-bills

o

[YDFL Commish]

Somehow, he only got to 95 yards passing.

Levis was truly terrible. He locks on to one read and that's where the ball is going, unless he makes any one of his characteristic dumb ass mistakes.

He reminds me of Curtis Painter.

[Hoopsdoc]

Levis was truly terrible. He locks on to one read and that's where the ball is going, unless he makes any one of his characteristic dumb ass mistakes.

He reminds me of Curtis Painter.

I think he was legitimately injured. He’s usually not THAT bad. He couldn’t complete a pass outside the numbers last week.

I suspect he was probably to injured to play and played anyway.

[Colts And Orioles]

Let’s make no mistake …... this season is about one thing ......

The molding of Anthony Richardson into a top tier, NFL quality Quarterback; a Quarterback who can make all the throws and who’s capable of routinely executing a signature 12 play, 80 yard drive.






o


(6 WEEKS LATER)


When this thread was started back in September, its essence was probably accurate ...... but after last night's game, I don't think that anybody knows what this season is about.

o

[DragonTails]

o


(6 WEEKS LATER)


When this thread was started back in September, its essence was probably accurate ...... but after last night's game, I don't think that anybody knows what this season is about.

o

For me, this season is about getting a good tee time on Sunday's and enjoying the record setting warm temps in PA.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S FUTURE)


With my blue-shaded glasses, I believe that Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard are very much on the Anthony Richardson bandwagon. It appears that they are vacillating, and cannot make up their minds ...... I suspect that that is not the case. I think that what they are doing is trying to keep him grounded, and trying to prevent him from believing that he is beyond reproach because of the fact that he was a 1st-round draft-pick ...... it reminds me a little bit of a movie called "Youngblood" that I saw a while ago, about a young, hot-shot ice-hockey player. When he scored his first goal, the crowd went wild and he had a smile on his face like he couldn't be happier. The head coach immediately subbed in for him. I asked my older brother why he did that, and he said that it was because he did not want the young, budding star to start thinking that all he needed to do was lace up his skates and show up for the game ...... the coach knew that the kid was good, and had the potential to be great, but he wanted to keep him grounded and remind him that there is a lot of effort to put in at practices, a lot of teamwork to consider when thinking about how to play the game, and how to give your team the best chance to win over the long haul, not for just for a few games.

And that is what I am hoping that is happening now, that they are not punishing and/or disrespecting Richardson, but rather that they want him to take a step back, watch from the sidelines for a few games, and then go back in as a re-energized quarterback ......absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Richardson will certainly appreciate starting and playing the game after being benched for a few games.


(THE COLTS AS A TEAM FROM 2019 THROUGH 2024, AND WHAT THEIR FUTURE MAY LOOK LIKE IN 2025 AND BEYOND)


Since the retirement of Andrew Luck, the Colts have been a middling team with 2 exceptions ...... 2020 when they were good (they went 11-6, and took the Bills right down to the wire on their homefield in the playoffs), and 2022 when they were horrible (4-12-1.)

But with the exception of 2020 when they had Philip Rivers being protected by one of the best offensive lines in football, they have had average or sub-par play from the quarterback position ...... subsequently, I would argue that Chris Ballard has actually put together a solid roster and a solid foundation that is not heavily dependent on a superstar quarterback.

In 2011, the Colts went 2-14 when Peyton Manning went down ...... but when Andrew Luck retired suddenly and unexpectedly in 2019, they went a respectable 7-9 with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, including a win over the Super champion Kansas City Chiefs on their homefield in western Missouri ...... that's a far cry from the 2011 team, who were embarrassed by scores of 62-7, 34-7, 31-7, and 17-3 in 4 of their 13 losses that year.

The same was the case for the 2021 team ...... with Carson Wentz at quarterback, they somehow managed to go 9-6 for the first 15 games of the season before shitting the bed in the final 2 games of the season against the Raiders and the Jaguars ...... again, that is a far cry from the historically bad 2011 team.

The same was the case in 2023 ..... with Gardner Minshew at quarterback, they still managed to go 9-8 and were one single play away from winning the division on the final game of the season against the Texans ...... and again, a far cry from the awful 2011 team.


So again, I would argue that in spite of mediocre and/or bad play from the quarterback position, Ballard has put together a complete team, not a team that would fall apart without their shining star (of which we don't have yet, and haven't had since the 2018 season) ...... and I'm not saying that I am satisfied with the middling mediocrity that the Colts have largely been mired in since the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck, but rather I'm giving the most objective observation that I can in regard to the make-up of the roster.


(PHILP RIVERS 2020 vs. MATT RYAN 2022)

I actually believe that these 2 quarterbacks, whom were both slightly past-their primes, really were not all that different when parsing their QB play, considering the polar opposite performance of the Colts' offensive line in those 2 seasons.


In regard to Matt Ryan and the disastrous 2022 season, I thought that it was a minor miracle that Ryan had the Colts with a record of 4-5-1 after 9 games with that atrocious line blocking for him. That offensive line was nothing short of awful that year, with only a modest improvement in the final few games of the season ...... in fact, if Philip Rivers had had that same terrible offensive line "protecting" him, I think that that 2020 solid, playoff season would have resembled the disastrous 2022 season. Philip Rivers had the mobility of a statute at that point in his career, and there is almost no way that he would have survived that season without getting killed, let alone led the team to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth. Philip Rivers had one of the best offensive lines in all of football blocking for again, which is the complete opposite of the line that Matt Ryan had "blocking" for him.

I believe that if Matt Ryan had played on the 2020 Colts that they probably would have gone 11-6 just like Rivers did, and I believe that if Philip Rivers had played on the 2022 Colts with that offensive line, the team would have had an awful record.



P.S. l Feel free to leave shovels at my house here in Brewster, NY, since most of you probably think that I am so full of shit that it is coming out of my ears.

o

[Racehorse]

o


(ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S FUTURE)


With my blue-shaded glasses, I believe that Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard are very much on the Anthony Richardson bandwagon. It appears that they are vacillating, and cannot make up their minds ...... I suspect that that is not the case. I think that what they are doing is trying to keep him grounded, and trying to prevent him from believing that he is beyond reproach because of the fact that he was a 1st-round draft-pick ...... it reminds me a little bit of a movie called "Youngblood" that I saw a while ago, about a young, hot-shot ice-hockey player. When he scored his first goal, the crowd went wild and he had a smile on his face like he couldn't be happier. The head coach immediately subbed in for him. I asked my older brother why he did that, and he said that it was because he did not want the young, budding star to start thinking that all he needed to do was lace up his skates and show up for the game ...... the coach knew that the kid was good, and had the potential to be great, but he wanted to keep him grounded and remind him that there is a lot of effort to put in at practices, a lot of teamwork to consider when thinking about how to play the game, and how to give your team the best chance to win over the long haul, not for just for a few games.

And that is what I am hoping that is happening now, that they are not punishing and/or disrespecting Richardson, but rather that they want him to take a step back, watch from the sidelines for a few games, and then go back in as a re-energized quarterback ......absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Richardson will certainly appreciate starting and playing the game after being benched for a few games.


(THE COLTS AS A TEAM FROM 2019 THROUGH 2024, AND WHAT THEIR FUTURE MAY LOOK LIKE IN 2025 AND BEYOND)


Since the retirement of Andrew Luck, the Colts have been a middling team with 2 exceptions ...... 2020 when they were good (they went 11-6, and took the Bills right down to the wire on their homefield in the playoffs), and 2022 when they were horrible (4-12-1.)

But with the exception of 2020 when they had Philip Rivers being protected by one of the best offensive lines in football, they have had average or sub-par play from the quarterback position ...... subsequently, I would argue that Chris Ballard has actually put together a solid roster and a solid foundation that is not heavily dependent on a superstar quarterback.

In 2011, the Colts went 2-14 when Peyton Manning went down ...... but when Andrew Luck retired suddenly and unexpectedly in 2019, they went a respectable 7-9 with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, including a win over the Super champion Kansas City Chiefs on their homefield in western Missouri ...... that's a far cry from the 2011 team, who were embarrassed by scored of 62-7, 34-7, 31-7, and 17-3 in 4 of their 13 losses that year.

The same was the case for the 2021 team ...... with Carson Wentz at quarterback, they somehow managed to go 9-6 for the first 15 games of the season before shitting the bed in the final 2 games of the season against the Raiders and the Jaguars ...... again, that is a far cry from the historically bad 2011 team.

The same was the case in 2023 ..... with Gardner Minshew at quarterback, they still managed to go 9-8 and were one single play away from winning the division on the final game of the season against the Texans ...... and again, a far cry from the awful 2011 team.


So again, I would argue that in spite of mediocre and/or bad play from the quarterback position, Ballard has put together a complete team, not a team that would fall apart without their shining star (of which we don't have yet, and haven't had since the 2018 season) ...... and I'm not saying that I am satisfied with the middling mediocrity that the Colts have largely been mired in since the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck, but rather I'm giving the most objective observation that I can in regard to the make-up of the roster.


(PHILP RIVERS 2020 vs. MATT RYAN 2022)

I actually believe that these 2 quarterbacks, whom were both slightly past-their primes, really were not all that different when parsing their QB play, considering the polar opposite performance of the Colts' offensive line in those 2 seasons.


In regard to Matt Ryan and the disastrous 2022 season, I thought that it was a minor miracle that Ryan had the Colts with a record of 4-5-1 after 9 games with that atrocious line blocking for him. That offensive line was nothing short of awful that year, with only a modest improvement in the final few games of the season ...... in fact, if Philip Rivers had had that same terrible offensive line "protecting" him, I think that that 2020 solid, playoff season would have resembled the disastrous 2022 season. Philip Rivers had the mobility of a statute at that point in his career, and there is almost no way that he would have survived that season without getting killed, let alone led the team to an 11-6 record and a playoff berth. Philip Rivers had one of the best offensive lines in all of football blocking for again, which is the complete opposite of the line that Matt Ryan had "blocking" for him.

I believe that if Matt Ryan had played on the 2020 Colts that they probably would have gone 11-6 just like Rivers did, and I believe that if Philip Rivers had played on the 2022 Colts with that offensive line, the team would have had an awful record.



P.S. l Feel free to leave shovels at my house here in Brewster, NY, since most of you probably think that I am so full of shit that it is coming out of my ears.

o
when the team finally has a QB in the top ten, they should be a force, if the roster has not aged out by then.

[ChoppedWood]

when the team finally has a QB in the top ten, they should be a force, if the roster has not aged out by then.

Q, Kelly, Smith- all either already washed or nearing it. I would argue both Kelly and Smith are already done, particularly Kelly.

Buck, Grover, Kenny, windows are closing.

With Ballard at the wheel, unless AR miraculously climbs out of the valley he presently resides in and somehow emerges as a top tier QB over the next 8 games, the final years of these guys careers will be for not as Colts.

[Kray007]

Q, Kelly, Smith- all either already washed or nearing it. I would argue both Kelly and Smith are already done, particularly Kelly.

Buck, Grover, Kenny, windows are closing.

With Ballard at the wheel, unless AR miraculously climbs out of the valley he presently resides in and somehow emerges as a top tier QB over the next 8 games, the final years of these guys careers will be for not as Colts.

Personally, I cut Smith a little slack. At the best of times, when fully healthy, RT is a tough position to play well. And, judging by the injury reports, this is not the best of times for Braden Smith.

I don’t know the exact nature of the injury he’s playing through, it’s described as a leg injury. But, I do know that a gimpy leg is the kiss of death at a position that requires mobility in pass blocking and lower body power when run blocking.

The reason why it was important to develop Richardson or, at the very least, get a handle on his upside is that, once you have your Quarterback, the life of a GM becomes infinitely simpler. If they had an Andrew Luck lining up under Center, this Colts team would be a legit Playoff contender with a shot at the promised land. If they had Josh Allen, Chris Ballard could add talent and backfill his roster, replacing players as they age, confident in the team’s ability to contend even if Ryan Kelly hits the wall.

[nate505]

I now have no clue what this season is about. Ballard and Steichen's idiocy I guess. Irsay's cluelessness too.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S FUTURE)


With my blue-shaded glasses, I believe that Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard are very much on the Anthony Richardson bandwagon. It appears that they are vacillating, and cannot make up their minds ...... I suspect that that is not the case. I think that what they are doing is trying to keep him grounded, and trying to prevent him from believing that he is beyond reproach because of the fact that he was a 1st-round draft-pick ...... it reminds me a little bit of a movie called "Youngblood" that I saw a while ago, about a young, hot-shot ice-hockey player. When he scored his first goal, the crowd went wild and he had a smile on his face like he couldn't be happier. The head coach immediately subbed in for him. I asked my older brother why he did that, and he said that it was because he did not want the young, budding star to start thinking that all he needed to do was lace up his skates and show up for the game ...... the coach knew that the kid was good, and had the potential to be great, but he wanted to keep him grounded and remind him that there is a lot of effort to put in at practices, a lot of teamwork to consider when thinking about how to play the game, and how to give your team the best chance to win over the long haul, not for just for a few games.

And that is what I am hoping that is happening now, that they are not punishing and/or disrespecting Richardson, but rather that they want him to take a step back, watch from the sidelines for a few games, and then go back in as a re-energized quarterback ......absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Richardson will certainly appreciate starting and playing the game after being benched for a few games.

o
o


This is precisely what I was hoping for ......



What looked like an exit ramp off of the developmental path of Anthony Richardson turned out to be more of a rest stop. In the eyes of Colts head coach Shane Steichen, l the decision to bench Richardson got the 22-year-old’s attention, and Richardson has responded positively.


https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2024/11/13/indianapolis-colts-colts-go-back-to-anthony-richardson-at-starting-qb-bench-joe-flacco/76257311007/

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S FUTURE)


With my blue-shaded glasses, I believe that Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard are very much on the Anthony Richardson bandwagon. It appears that they are vacillating, and cannot make up their minds ...... I suspect that that is not the case. I think that what they are doing is trying to keep him grounded, and trying to prevent him from believing that he is beyond reproach because of the fact that he was a 1st-round draft-pick ...... it reminds me a little bit of a movie called "Youngblood" that I saw a while ago, about a young, hot-shot ice-hockey player. When he scored his first goal, the crowd went wild and he had a smile on his face like he couldn't be happier. The head coach immediately subbed in for him. I asked my older brother why he did that, and he said that it was because he did not want the young, budding star to start thinking that all he needed to do was lace up his skates and show up for the game ...... the coach knew that the kid was good, and had the potential to be great, but he wanted to keep him grounded and remind him that there is a lot of effort to put in at practices, a lot of teamwork to consider when thinking about how to play the game, and how to give your team the best chance to win over the long haul, not for just for a few games.

And that is what I am hoping that is happening now, that they are not punishing and/or disrespecting Richardson, but rather that they want him to take a step back, watch from the sidelines for a few games, and then go back in as a re-energized quarterback ......absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Richardson will certainly appreciate starting and playing the game after being benched for a few games.




o


This is precisely what I was hoping for ......



What looked like an exit ramp off of the developmental path of Anthony Richardson turned out to be more of a rest stop. In the eyes of Colts head coach Shane Steichen, l the decision to bench Richardson got the 22-year-old’s attention, and Richardson has responded positively.


https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2024/11/13/indianapolis-colts-colts-go-back-to-anthony-richardson-at-starting-qb-bench-joe-flacco/76257311007/

o
o


(vs. JETS, 11/17)


Richardson made a few mistakes/mis-throws today, but overall he looked very good for somebody who is essentially still a Rookie.

o

[YDFL Commish]

o


(vs. JETS, 11/17)


Richardson made a few mistakes/mis-throws today, but overall he looked very good for somebody who is essentially still a Rookie.

o

Definitely his best game yet. A few rookie type mistakes, but a hell of performance.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(ANTHONY RICHARDSON'S FUTURE)


With my blue-shaded glasses, I believe that Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard are very much on the Anthony Richardson bandwagon. It appears that they are vacillating, and cannot make up their minds ...... I suspect that that is not the case. I think that what they are doing is trying to keep him grounded, and trying to prevent him from believing that he is beyond reproach because of the fact that he was a 1st-round draft-pick ...... it reminds me a little bit of a movie called "Youngblood" that I saw a while ago, about a young, hot-shot ice-hockey player. When he scored his first goal, the crowd went wild and he had a smile on his face like he couldn't be happier. The head coach immediately subbed in for him. I asked my older brother why he did that, and he said that it was because he did not want the young, budding star to start thinking that all he needed to do was lace up his skates and show up for the game ...... the coach knew that the kid was good, and had the potential to be great, but he wanted to keep him grounded and remind him that there is a lot of effort to put in at practices, a lot of teamwork to consider when thinking about how to play the game, and how to give your team the best chance to win over the long haul, not for just for a few games.

And that is what I am hoping that is happening now, that they are not punishing and/or disrespecting Richardson, but rather that they want him to take a step back, watch from the sidelines for a few games, and then go back in as a re-energized quarterback ......absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Richardson will certainly appreciate starting and playing the game after being benched for a few games.




o


This is precisely what I was hoping for ......



What looked like an exit ramp off of the developmental path of Anthony Richardson turned out to be more of a rest stop. In the eyes of Colts head coach Shane Steichen, l the decision to bench Richardson got the 22-year-old’s attention, and Richardson has responded positively.


https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2024/11/13/indianapolis-colts-colts-go-back-to-anthony-richardson-at-starting-qb-bench-joe-flacco/76257311007/

o
o


(vs. PATRIOTS, 12/01)


Richardson was 12-for-24 with 2 TD passes, 1 Rushing TD, and a 2-Point Conversions Rush, with 2 INT's ...... in the process, he valiantly led the team to a last-second win in spite of the Colts' defense having a bad game, and his receivers having numerous drops in key situations.

Richardson was directly involved in 20 of the Colts' 25 points scored ...... 1 Field Goal and 2 Xtra-Point kicks by Matt Gay was the only Colts scoring which was not associated with Richardson.

o