State of the team.

[Kray007]

At the halfway mark…

Quarterback…something of a bloody mess. A 39 year old Joe Flacco hasn’t performed well against top-flight opponents, but it will be interesting to see what happens when the schedule turns to teams like the Jets, the Giants, and other bottom dwellers. As far as Anthony Richardson is concerned, we just don’t know. I thought that, in the game versus Houston, he showed real. progress. There were none of those airmailed balls that used to fly 5 yards over the receivers head. Whether that represented real progress or was an illusion, we just can’t know because he was benched. Going forward, my gut tells me that Richardson will get a second chance to prove himself. The only question is when that happens and whether it will be soon enough to get a handle on our need at the position ahead of next year’s draft.

Running Back… on a lot of levels, Jonathan Taylor is a splendid running back. He has the kind of innate running skill that sets him apart from lesser players. There are, however, undeniable weaknesses in his game. His blocking skills are, frankly, embarrassing and his receiving skills are still, largely, a mystery. As his career has progressed, we have seen him make plays as a receiver out of the backfield. But, for some reason, whether because of scheme or lack of confidence on the part of the coaching staff, he is largely under utilized in the passing game. Going forward, I see a real need to add another back, preferably through the draft. As he approaches 30 and the cliff that all Running Backs fall over, the need for a credible back up, becomes more and more obvious.

Wide Receiver…This is a position with which I am reasonably happy. Pittman and Downs are high-quality options. Alec Pierce is a legit deep threat who probably is under utilized in the intermediate and short zones. And, this past Sunday against Buffalo, AD Mitchell began to allay at least some of the doubts about him. If there is a need at the position, it’s for a legitimate superstar; one of those guys who strike fear in the hearts of men, a player who can shift the momentum of the game at any moment.

Tight End…The Colts have a number of Tight Ends on the roster, and none of them can be described as mediocrities. None of them, however, represent real strength. Frankly, I am tired of waiting for Jelani Woods who is beginning to remind me of Godot. From Kansas City with Travis Kelce to New England with Rob Gronkowski to the 49ers with George Kittle, it is blitheringly obvious that a truly elite tight end can shift a team’s fortunes. I would love to have one of those on the Colts roster; I just wish that I had confidence in Anthony Richardson’s ability to find him.

Offensive Line…All things considered, you have to be fairly pleased with the Colts offensive line corps. Bernard Raimann is never going to be confused with Anthony Munoz or Walter Jones, but he is an above average player at his position. Braden Smith, when healthy provides a credible bookend on the other end of the line. Quentin Nelson is Quentin Nelson. Will Fries is a nice piece to the puzzle. And Ryan Kelly is a four time Pro Bowler. If he were just five years younger, I would be very pleased. But, he is not. The good news is that Chris Ballard had the foresight to add Bortolini, Goncalves, and Tucker to the roster during this past off-season. With all of the injuries that have added up over the course of the season heaven only knows just what kind of shape we’d be in without them. Going forward, my gut tells me that there is still need to add a legitimately elite piece to the puzzle. Just who and where I do not know.

Defensive Line… At this moment in time, few teams have as strong a Defensive Tackle combo as do the Colts. Age, however, is creeping into the equation. So, to me, it seems imperative that Ballard go out and find one of those monster of the Midway type players…someone like Dexter Lawrence…to rotate in today and anchor the interior once Grover Stewart moves onward. At defensive end, we have a whole bunch of workmanlike players, but no one who changes the game. It’s tough to tell, right now. Who knows, maybe Latu develops into that guy; and, beyond question the return of Samson Ebukam will help immensely. Paye and Odeyingbo are decent players who will occasionally generate pressure but don’t do it with any consistency. Again, you have to wonder just how much of a difference that someone like Tyquan Lewis would have made. Personally, I would give a proverbial body part for someone like. Micah Parsons or Joey Bosa, but I wouldn’t beat the bushes in the first round looking for him. if it were me, I’d shake the tree in the fourth or fifth round and hope that another Robert Mathis falls to the ground.

Linebacker… I’m not exactly dissatisfied with either EJ Speed or Zaire Franklin; nor am I entirely happy with them. Going forward in the short term, there are certainly other positions in more dire need of improvement. So, for right now, I would do my best to make do.

Cornerback…beyond the certainty of Kenny Moore at Nickel, one of Chris Ballard’s most criticized decisions was to pass on taking a flyer at Corner this past off-season. His rationale was that he wanted to see how well players already on the roster developed. I think that that decision would have looked a lot better were Juju Brents not sidelined. The emergence of guys like Jalin Jones and Samuel Womack probably lets him sleep a bit easier at night. There is, however, no question that Corner is a fundamental need sometime soon.

Safety… At Safety, at the very least, Nick Cross’s play reassures us that he wasn’t a completely wasted pick in 2022. He appears to be someone you can live with. In years past, Julian Blackman looked like an emerging star. This year, however, he hasn’t seemed to live up to our expectations, and better minds than mine suggest that he’s simply playing out of position. That’s a question that Gus Bradley and the coaching staff are going to have to look at in a couple of months. If they come to that conclusion, the best way forward might be to bring a Free Safety then let Blackman and Cross battle it out betwixt themselves.

Special Teams…There’s really nothing to be concerned with here. Sanchez is fine and nothing about Gay really raises any red flags. Of course, if someone came along and dropped someone in our laps who could make 64 yard field goals with any degree of regularity I wouldn’t cry in my soup.

When all is said and done, it seems to me that Chris Ballard has done a nice job of putting together a roster that can compete. They lost a few games this year, but haven’t been out of any of them. To me, the best demonstration of exactly where this team stands is the game we just watched versus Buffalo. The only thing that stood between the Colts and victory against one of the best teams in football was the play of one man.

[Racehorse]

Well said. The roster is solid enough, but the QB play has been horrid. If AR were to make a leap, we would be contenders for the division, and possibly a trip to the second round. Just imagine what we would look like with a Kirk Cousins level of QB, or perhaps an Andy Dalton level. The realities of this league is that a good QB is vital to success, and we have been snakebit there since Luck.

[jasperhobbs]

Is Tyquan Lewis out for the year?

[YDFL Commish]

Is Tyquan Lewis out for the year?

I think he's eligible to come back soon. We could use him.

[jasperhobbs]

If you look at the colts roster, they are really devoid of talent in a lot of areas.

Acceptable talent
Running back
Wide receivers
Offensive line is decent but Ryan Kelly and Braden Smith are on the way out.
Defensive line is ok now but aging in the middle and Kwity Paye is never going to be great.
Secondary has some talent but as it always seems need a corner and a safety.

Unacceptable
QB
TE
Linebacker.

In my opinion colts need to draft well to replenish the roster

[YDFL Commish]

If you look at the colts roster, they are really devoid of talent in a lot of areas.

Acceptable talent
Running back
Wide receivers
Offensive line is decent but Ryan Kelly and Braden Smith are on the way out.
Defensive line is ok now but aging in the middle and Kwity Paye is never going to be great.
Secondary has some talent but as it always seems need a corner and a safety.

Unacceptable
QB
TE
Linebacker.

In my opinion colts need to draft well to replenish the roster

I would swap LB for safety. We have two strong safeties, but no real ball hawking free safety, and absolutely no depth.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


A quarterback who is the equivalent of Philip Rivers in his prime ...... that's what we need.

Rivers was not mobile, Anthony Richardson is mobile ...... so if Anthony Richardson can be 80-85% of the quarterback that Philip Rivers was, add the mobility, and this team could consistently win between 11 and 13 games year in and year out.


Oh yeah ...... a head coach that was not a complete imbecile would also help.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

Well said. The roster is solid enough, but the QB play has been horrid. If AR were to make a leap we would be contenders for the division title, and possibly a trip to the 2nd round. Just imagine what we would look like with a Kirk Cousins level of QB, or perhaps an Andy Dalton level. The realities of this league is that a good QB is vital to success, L and we have been snakebit there since Luck.





o


The lone exception was the 2020 season, when Philip Rivers and one of the best offensive lines in all of football led the Colts to an 11-5 record and an excellent showing against the Bills in a playoff game that went right down to the wire on their homefield in northwestern New York State.



https://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/2020-ind


In that playoff game against the Bills, Philip Rivers was literally untouched ...... he wasn't just not sacked, he was LITERALLY UNTOUCHED by any member of the Bills' defense for the entire 4 quarters.

o

[HoosierinFL]

As you said, age is becoming a factor for some key parts of the defense.

DT and CB will be critical needs.

Braden Smith has played very poorly this year, is he hurt? I like the new guys playing on the OL, Goncalves, Bortolini, Tucker, Pinter...but I think we need to look at picking up another OT to see if we can improve on Smith and/or Raiman who has been merely serviceable (but that's better than bad). Maybe its time to move Smith back to G where he played in college and insert Goncalves at RT.

And then yea, the big ? at QB.

[Racehorse]

o


The lone exception was the 2020 season, when Philip Rivers and one of the best offensive lines in all of football led the Colts to an 11-5 record and an excellent showing against the Bills in a playoff game that went right down to the wire on their homefield in northwestern New York State.



https://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/2020-ind


In that playoff game against the Bills, Philip Rivers was literally untouched ...... he wasn't just not sacked, he was LITERALLY UNTOUCHED by any member of the Bills' defense for the entire 4 quarters.

o

My term is correct, because Rivers retired after just one season.

[Colts And Orioles]

My term is correct, because Rivers retired after just one season.





o


Yes, overall the franchise has been snake-bit at that position since Luck retired.

The Rivers season was an anomaly, although I believe that it's worth pointing out to show that Ballard has indeed put together "complete" teams that are not overly-reliant on a superstar quarterback.

o

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Is Tyquan Lewis out for the year?


I think he's eligible to come back soon. We could use him.


Steichen indicated that the Colts were opening the practice window for DL Tyquan Lewis. They only held a walk through practice today so tomorrow will be Tyquan's first full practice session.

Lewis will have up to 21 days to practice with the team before he must be activated or revert back to IR for the remainder of this season.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


From the other side (a Detroit Lions sportswriter, the team whom the Colts play in their next game.)



Are the Indianapolis Colts Making a Playoff Push ???

(By Brandon Knapp)

https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/11/20/24299513/detroit-lions-week-12-scouting-report-can-indianapolis-colts-start-playoff-push

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(DECEMBER 8th)


I just read that the Tennessee Titans were still mathematically alive for a playoff berth before today's game ....... and their record is now 3-10.

So with a record of 6-7, the overall state of the 2024 Colts may be erratic, unpredictable, and questionable, but it's not nearly as dire as the state of the Jaguars or the Titans.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


In spite of the weakness of their scheduled opponents' (the Titans, the Giants, and the Jaguars), ESPN experts predict a big collapse for the Colts in their final 3 games of the season ...... Seth Walder used 10,000 simulations with the Football Power Index to predict the final three weeks for all remaining NFL games, and the results show that the Colts will win one of their final three to finish a miserable 7-10.



ESPN Has Little Belief Colts Finish Season Strong

(By Drake Wally)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-espn-little-belief-finish-strong-titans

o

[Dewey 5]

o


In spite of the weakness of their scheduled opponents' (the Titans, the Giants, and the Jaguars), ESPN experts predict a big collapse for the Colts in their final 3 games of the season ...... Seth Walder used 10,000 simulations with the Football Power Index to predict the final three weeks for all remaining NFL games, and the results show that the Colts will win one of their final three to finish a miserable 7-10.



ESPN Has Little Belief Colts Finish Season Strong

(By Drake Wally)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-espn-little-belief-finish-strong-titans

o

Well if they do shit down their leg that bad changes will have to happen & probably will.

[IndyNorm]

It shouldn't surprise any of us if the Colts shit the bed against the Jagoffs. But any bed shitting other than that will be a surprise.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


It might have helped if the Chargers had lost to the Broncos last night, but they also would have had to lose one of their 2 remaining games to either the Patriots or the Raiders in order fort the Colts to make the playoffs ...... and I think that 3 Ravens losses is more likely than the Chargers losing to either one of those teams.

The Colts' only hope for making the post-season is that the Ravens lose to the Steelers, the Texans, and the Browns.

The Steelers and the Browns have already beaten the Ravens.

The Texans have already clinched the division title, but they still have a chance to pass the Steelers for the number 3 overall seed in the AFC.



The Colts are not going to make the post-season this year, but I still hope that they win their 3 remaining game to finish at 9-8 overall.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


In spite of the weakness of their scheduled opponents' (the Titans, the Giants, and the Jaguars), ESPN experts predict a big collapse for the Colts in their final 3 games of the season ...... Seth Walder used 10,000 simulations with the Football Power Index to predict the final three weeks for all remaining NFL games, and the results show that the Colts will win one of their final three to finish a miserable 7-10.



ESPN Has Little Belief Colts Finish Season Strong

(By Drake Wally)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-espn-little-belief-finish-strong-titans

o
o


One bullet avoided, 2 to go.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts are ranked 21st out of 32 NFL teams heading into their game with the Giants ....... and I have no problem with that ...... until they prove otherwise and stop stepping on their own dicks, the Colts deserve to be met with a high degree of skepticism.



https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43128115/nfl-power-rankings-week-17-poll-2024-plus-best-rookie-year

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts are ranked 21st out of 32 NFL teams heading into their game with the Giants ....... and I have no problem with that ...... until they prove otherwise and stop stepping on their own dicks, the Colts deserve to be met with a high degree of skepticism.



https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43128115/nfl-power-rankings-week-17-poll-2024-plus-best-rookie-year

o
o


The New York Giants have been in existence since 1925 ...... their current losing streak is the longest in their 100 seasons of playing professional football.



Giants Will Try to End the Colts' Playoff Hopes, and Their Franchise-Record 10-Game Losing Streak

(The Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/colts-giants-capsule-cfc4954be6a4a89846bc30e069696d42

o

[YDFL Commish]

I thought this was a good place to post this and an interestingly different perspective on the Colts situation.

https://youtu.be/qjUWHGJI9Ws?si=X-Kmu6uwAaEisZGt

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The New York Giants have been in existence since 1925 ...... their current losing streak is the longest in their 100 seasons of playing professional football.



Giants Will Try to End the Colts' Playoff Hopes, and Their Franchise-Record 10-Game Losing Streak

(The Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/colts-giants-capsule-cfc4954be6a4a89846bc30e069696d42

o
o


Meanwhile, the Redskins/Commanders just won their 11th game of the season for the first time since 1991 ....... the last time that they won the Super Bowl.


http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192715

o

[YDFL Commish]

o


Meanwhile, the Redskins/Commanders just won their 11th game of the season for the first time since 1991 ....... the last time that they won the Super Bowl.


http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192715

o

Isn't it amazing what a change of leadership can do!

[Spike]

o


Meanwhile, the Redskins/Commanders just won their 11th game of the season for the first time since 1991 ....... the last time that they won the Super Bowl.


http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192715

o

Just REDSKINS C&O. Commanders is a stupid ass name. That Redskins helmet was a classic.
Hope they bring back the Indians to Cleveland too. Guardians, another stupid ass name.

[Colts And Orioles]

Just REDSKINS C&O. Commanders is a stupid ass name. That Redskins helmet was a classic.

Hope they bring back the Indians to Cleveland too. Guardians, another stupid ass name.





o


Aside from the fact that having a name like the Washington Redskins is as bad as having a name such as the Newark Niggers or the Wichita Whities, their name is the

Commanders ...... hence, the Redskins/Commanders.

o

[apballin]

o


Meanwhile, the Redskins/Commanders just won their 11th game of the season for the first time since 1991 ....... the last time that they won the Super Bowl.


http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192715

o

As I watched that game couldn’t help but notice Mariota walking up to Daniel’s at a key point late in the game talking to him in his ear, and I’m thinking why the fuck didn’t we sign a QB similar to AR to be a backup? Instead let’s sign an old ass guy that way you have to run 2 totally different offenses when AR is out and clearly he wasn’t brought in to mentor AR because you never see them talking to each other and even if they did what the fuck does a 40 year old pocket passer have in common with a run first QB half his age

[omahacolt]

Just REDSKINS C&O. Commanders is a stupid ass name. That Redskins helmet was a classic.
Hope they bring back the Indians to Cleveland too. Guardians, another stupid ass name.

they changed their name. you don't have to like it but they aren't the redskins anymore.

[YDFL Commish]

The Colts need to appoint a committee of Polian, Manning and Dungy to find a President of Football Operations.

I would suggest somebody like Pete Carroll. Then, at that point, that person would be the presumptive voice of the organization. Because whoever is the voice now, does not have a clue.

The PFO would have full reign to fire, hire, promote, cut or sign anyone that they think will change the Colts culture back to it's former glory.

[CletusPyle]

If anything is going to change, Ballard has to go! If they bring Ballard back next season the damage will take a decade to repair!

[YDFL Commish]

If anything is going to change, Ballard has to go! If they bring Ballard back next season the damage will take a decade to repair!

My guess is that Ballard and his agent already have a new gig lined for next season. In other words he's had one foot out the door all season.

[ChoppedWood]

My guess is that Ballard and his agent already have a new gig lined for next season. In other words he's had one foot out the door all season.

I have never liked that Walmart in Zionsville, I will never shop there again now.

[Racehorse]

My guess is that Ballard and his agent already have a new gig lined for next season. In other words he's had one foot out the door all season.

He will find a GM job quickly, if fired. This isn't Grigson we are talking about.

[ChoppedWood]

He will find a GM job quickly, if fired. This isn't Grigson we are talking about.

And will make a bunch of betters a shit load of cash by betting against his team every damn game they play!

Fuck Chris Ballard!

[rm1369]

He will find a GM job quickly, if fired. This isn't Grigson we are talking about.

Sadly, that’s his biggest strength and why he got 8 years - he wasn’t Grigson. And that was enough for him to get the chance to waste 8 fucking years building mediocrity. That won’t carry as much weight in other cities.

He’ll get another shot. The question is if he learns anything from his failures here. His past history says he won’t. He’s way too fucking arrogant. I’m sure he’s still convinced he’s building the team the right way.

[ChoppedWood]

Sadly, that’s his biggest strength and why he got 8 years - he wasn’t Grigson. And that was enough for him to get the chance to waste 8 fucking years building mediocrity. That won’t carry as much weight in other cities.

He’ll get another shot. The question is if he learns anything from his failures here. His past history says he won’t. He’s way too fucking arrogant. I’m sure he’s still convinced he’s building the team the right way.

Frankly, give me Grigson 8 out of 7 days over this dude. Grigson was a tyrant, clearly lacking in personnel skills, and definitely rubbed people the wrong way including a lot of players. But what he wasn't, was a fucking coward! Ballard is all bravado and no balls. At least Grigson fired his shot- it misfired terribly and blew his own head off but give me that every single time over a fucking sit on your hands bum who does nothing and perpetuates a culture of rewarding his guys for accomplishing jack shit. We are in purgatory as a middling franchise with no upward momentum because bitch ass Ballard is scared of his own shadow.

Fuck Chris Ballard!

[Dewey 5]

He will find a GM job quickly, if fired. This isn't Grigson we are talking about.

Maybe but he might have to take a step back to director of scouting or something.

[ChoppedWood]

Maybe but he might have to take a step back to director of scouting or something.

Word is he has been doing some Coursera stuff to polish up on his knowledge of Boars Head vs Hillshire Farms. He will likely continue to struggle with the cut thickness, but hey, he'll likely be better at that than his scouting of NFL players.


Fuck Chris Ballard!

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Former Colts Players Don't Hold Back as They Share Their Uncensored Thoughts on the Current State of Their Former Team

(By Destin Adams)

https://atozsports.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts-news/former-colts-dont-hold-back-thoughts-on-teams-embarassing-loss-to-giants-pat-mcafee/




1) ) Marlin "I Intercepted Tom Brady's Pass to Clinch the 2006 AFC Championship" Jackson

https://x.com/i/status/1873485091332121080



2) ) Robert "Every Time You Hear My Name, You Will Always Think of Dwight Freeney, and Vice-Versa" Mathis

"Hold up !!! Giants hang 40+ on us ??? What's going on ???"



3) ) Pat "I Don't Care if I'm a Punter, I'll hit you as hard as Chris Hanburger would if you have the ball" McAfee

"A blind person could see the red flags on this team. Work ethic questions, NEVER happens on good teams. Preparation commitment questions, NEVER happens on good teams. Late to meetings, NEVER happens on good teams. Late to/skipping treatment, NEVER happens on good teams. The franchise QB tapped out of a game on 3rd down because he was tired NEVER HAPPENED in the history of the NFL."

o

[CletusPyle]

I bet Ballard has a framed picture of Donnie Walsh in his office!

[HoosierinFL]

People talk about lack of effort and professionalism with the playoffs on the line but...

2021: off to a bad 1-4 start, the Colts run off to an 8-2 stretch and have a shot at the playoffs, they just need 1 more W to get the spot, and can do it with a home win vs Raiders, or a road win at Jax. They lost a tight one to the Raiders, and completely no-showed 26-11 vs Jags

2022: bad team goes up 33-0 vs Minnesota at halftime. Loses 36-33

2023: Up and down season, 8-6 record with a slim shot at playoffs, get blown out on Christmas eve by the Falcons, 29-10.

When the pressure's on, this team melts and has done so 4 years in a row.

Everyone is talking a lot of about this past game, but this is a trend that predates Steichen, it predates AR. There is something else with this team that STINKS.

Some of these guys are mentally weak and have a loser mentality.

[ChoppedWood]

People talk about lack of effort and professionalism with the playoffs on the line but...

2021: off to a bad 1-4 start, the Colts run off to an 8-2 stretch and have a shot at the playoffs, they just need 1 more W to get the spot, and can do it with a home win vs Raiders, or a road win at Jax. They lost a tight one to the Raiders, and completely no-showed 26-11 vs Jags

2022: bad team goes up 33-0 vs Minnesota at halftime. Loses 36-33

2023: Up and down season, 8-6 record with a slim shot at playoffs, get blown out on Christmas eve by the Falcons, 29-10.

When the pressure's on, this team melts and has done so 4 years in a row.

Everyone is talking a lot of about this past game, but this is a trend that predates Steichen, it predates AR. There is something else with this team that STINKS.

Some of these guys are mentally weak and have a loser mentality.

Flat Bill Fucko doesn't focus on finding football players, he is convinced all you have to do is run fast and jump high and it's all good!

FUCK FLAT BILL FUCKO!

[HoosierinFL]

So I hadn’t really paid any attention to that Franklin podcast thing but I just read about it.

No big deal he was trash talking the giants imo, that’s a nothing burger. What really gets me is the claim “I’m tired of battling good teams, tired of battling Houston, give me a bad team so I can get my rating up”

Seriously? What the actual fuck? If that’s the attitude these guys have they can’t be cut fast enough. No nfl team benefits from players who think like that.

[ChoppedWood]

So I hadn’t really paid any attention to that Franklin podcast thing but I just read about it.

No big deal he was trash talking the giants imo, that’s a nothing burger. What really gets me is the claim “I’m tired of battling good teams, tired of battling Houston, give me a bad team so I can get my rating up”

Seriously? What the actual fuck? If that’s the attitude these guys have they can’t be cut fast enough. No nfl team benefits from players who think like that.

The Patty Mac rant about how few players he would keep- is DEAD ON!

Gut this piece of shit! Keep ONLY those players that care about being a good football team, any of the ME>WE fuckers, send them packing!

[HoosierinFL]

The Patty Mac rant about how few players he would keep- is DEAD ON!

Gut this piece of shit! Keep ONLY those players that care about being a good football team, any of the ME>WE fuckers, send them packing!

Yea I watched that this morning, he listed Nelson, Pittman, Pierce, DeFo, Kenny Moore.
I'd list a few more, like Josh Downs, Grover Stewart, and maybe even Kwity Paye and Latu (neither produced much this year, but I think they can be good, but I don't know if they have this same loser mentality that Pat is talking about)

Of course I like some of the other guys on the oline, many are injured like the French Fries combo, I think they're good, we just didn't have them all season. Raimann is workable. I'm OK with Glowinski being back but he's 32. The depth from guys like Bortolini and Goncalves and Pinter, they can stay if they have the right mindset.

[IndyNorm]

So I hadn’t really paid any attention to that Franklin podcast thing but I just read about it.

No big deal he was trash talking the giants imo, that’s a nothing burger. What really gets me is the claim “I’m tired of battling good teams, tired of battling Houston, give me a bad team so I can get my rating up”

Seriously? What the actual fuck? If that’s the attitude these guys have they can’t be cut fast enough. No nfl team benefits from players who think like that.

What a total douche.

And I hate to break it to Franklin, but the Colts schedule this year has been super soft - which certainly includes our opponents offenses. We had a tough stretch w/ Minn, Det, and Buff over 4 games, but aside from those 3 the only other top 10 scoring Os we've played is the Donks who are 10th (technically GB is 9th but not counting them since they had Willis at QB instead of Love when we played them).

On the flip side we've had 7 games against bottom 10 Os and it'll be 8 when we play the Jagoffs Sunday. We also played the Fins w/out Tua, which is a bottom 5 O (they're 22nd overall this season).

Someone should also point out to Franklin that our worst D performances have come against the worst Os that we've played, which clearly ponits to a lack of effort on our Ds part.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


3 Colts Make Pro Bowl Despite Disappointing Season, Missing Playoffs

(By Joel A. Erickson)

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2025/01/02/colts-pro-bowl-quenton-nelson-jonathan-taylor-zaire-franklinr/77398680007/



1) l Quenton Nelson, the team’s stalwart left guard, made his 7th Pro Bowl in 7 seasons, a remarkable pace for any offensive lineman and a reflection of Nelson’s dominance over the years.

Nelson is the 20th player to make the Pro Bowl in his first seven seasons in the league, 13 of those players are in the Hall of Fame -- Jim Brown, Dick Butkus, Lou Creekmur, Joe Greene, Franco Harris, Merlin Olsen, Mel Renfro, Les Richter, Barry Sanders, Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Joe Thomas and Patrick Willis. Of the other six, four aren't eligible yet (Aaron Donald, A.J. Green, Tyreke Hill and Patrick Peterson.)


2) l Jonathan Taylor, the team’s best offensive weapon, made his second Pro Bowl for a season in which he’s rushed for 1,254 yards, currently 7th in the NFL, and scored 10 touchdowns. Taylor’s season has also been marred by a couple of high-profile mistakes, notably fumbling before crossing the goal line in Denver, but he has also been the driving force for the offense down the stretch.


3) l Middle linebacker Zaire Franklin was named to the first Pro Bowl of his career. Franklin leads the NFL with 165 tackles, and he’s added 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 4 forced fumbles despite struggling in coverage at times.



ALTERNATES: l Indianapolis defensive tackle l DeForest Buckner, lwho ranks second on the team in both sacks (6.5) and quarterback hits (13) despite missing essentially 6 games due to a high ankle sprain, and veteran center l Ryan Kelly, lwho has 4 previous Pro Bowl nods but missed 7 games this year, are alternates.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The Colts and Jim Irsay Could Have Made Major Changes ...... Here’s Why They Chose Continuity Instead

(By James Boyd)

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6042652/2025/01/06/colts-jim-irsays-anthony-richardson-chris-ballard/

o

[Racehorse]

I don’t have a subscription. Can you paraphrase?

[rm1369]

I don’t have a subscription. Can you paraphrase?

Nothing really insightful. Ballard was kept because GM job isn’t as attractive when you are forced to keep a HC and QB you may not believe in. Even if a candidate takes it it likely means it’s a wasted year and HC and QB may not really get full support they need. Steichen is kept because as much as AR has struggled you don’t want him having to learn a new system. AR is basically in what is likely a make or break year. General tone on Ballard was negative, mentions him having 9 lives and AR likely won’t get the same number of chances.

[Colts And Orioles]

I don’t have a subscription. Can you paraphrase ???





o


Indianapolis Colts fans who expected sweeping changes were left disappointed. Team owner Jim Irsay ensured that continuity would be the path forward when he announced Sunday night via social media that GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen would be retained in 2025.

“It’s huge, obviously, to have the support of the owner moving forward,” Steichen said Monday. “Got a lot of respect for Mr. Irsay and what he stands for and the person he is, and it means a lot.”

Ballard and Steichen’s contracts run through 2026 and 2028, respectively, but Irsay’s public vote of confidence was revealing. His stance seems to indicate that he views Ballard, Steichen and quarterback Anthony Richardson — whom team sources have said will be the starter again in 2025 — as a package deal that he’s not ready to break up, even after a frustrating 8-9 finish in 2024 that included several lowlights.

The Colts failed to win their season opener for an 11th straight year, lost their 10th straight road game against the Jaguars and haven’t won the AFC South title in 10 years. Oh, and Richardson got benched halfway through the season because of poor preparation and then reintroduced questions about his ability to stay healthy by missing the final two games of the season — one of which was a Week 17 loss to the lowly Giants that eliminated Indianapolis from postseason contention for a fourth straight season — with a back injury.

The outrage among the team’s fan base over what many supporters view as Irsay’s complacency with mediocrity has been prevalent and justified. Steichen, Ballard and Richardson suffered through disappointing seasons, and pitchforks were brought out for all three. The frustration with Ballard is perhaps the most warranted among the three. The GM is now 62-69-1 through eight seasons in Indianapolis. He has just two playoff appearances, one postseason win and zero AFC South titles, yet he appears to have nine lives, as he’ll be brought back for a ninth campaign.

It’s hard to argue that retaining Ballard was the right decision given his middling résumé, but for the “Get Ballard out of here!” crowd or even the “Get everyone out of here!” crowd, this is the bed Irsay and the Colts have made for themselves, and regardless of which side of the fence you fall on, they weren’t interested in the alternatives.

Why ??? Frankly, the alternatives aren’t all that appealing — unless the team was ready to completely start over at QB, coach and GM.

But let’s start with the idea of firing Ballard and keeping Steichen and Richardson. The new GM would inherit a coach and quarterback he didn’t choose. How compelling would that job be if the new boss can’t choose his two most important coworkers? And on the other side, how fair of a shake would Steichen and Richardson get in Year 3 under a GM who didn’t hire the coach or draft the QB? How invested would that new GM be in making that tandem work? It almost feels like burning a season before the new GM decides to move in a different direction.

If the Colts moved on from Steichen, whose poor messaging created two significant PR messes for Richardson regarding his two-game benching and his latest back injury, Richardson would have to learn an entire new offense as he enters a critical third year. Richardson has enough troubles as he tries to develop into an NFL-caliber quarterback, let alone the face of a franchise. Asking him to learn a new playbook, too, now feels like asking him to fail.

Finally, if the Colts moved on from Richardson, they’d either be forced to draft a quarterback in a few months, sign one in free agency or trade for one. Well, the draft doesn’t seem realistic, as Indianapolis has the No. 14 pick in what’s believed to be a weak quarterback class. Maybe Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold makes it to the open market, but the Colts don’t have a long history of winning bidding wars, and there would surely be one with other QB-desperate teams. Again, that’s only if the Vikings let Darnold hit the open market and don’t sign him to a long-term deal or franchise tag him.

After Darnold, there aren’t many appealing options left unless the likes of Jameis Winston or Justin Fields excite you.

Add it all together, and you can understand — frustrating though it may be — why Indianapolis chose to stick with Richardson, as well as the GM and coach who brought him to Indianapolis, for at least one more year before, perhaps, wiping the slate clean.

“It’s like driving your car down an expressway,” Irsay said at the NFL owners’ meetings in 2023, describing what it means to draft a QB in the first round months before selecting Richardson. “Once you make this choice, there’s not going to be an exit ramp for a while.”

That’s not to say the clock isn’t ticking on Richardson, who’s been injured and inaccurate for most of his two years in the NFL. He’s missed 17 of 34 games due to various injuries, and his completion percentage dropped from 59.5 as a rookie to a league-worst and Colts franchise-worst 47.7 this season.

Next year feels like it will be a make-or-break year for Richardson — though that statement feels ironic given how many chances Ballard has received — if he isn’t more available and more accurate. Asked about the pressure and expectations that lie ahead, Richardson said Monday it was natural for people to expect more from him as he flips the page to Year 3.

“I guess every day could be a make-it or break-it day for me. I try not to think about it like that,” he said. “ … I just gotta make sure I’m on point, doing my job, doing everything I can to help this organization go in the right direction.”

Richardson added that he has a lot of faith in Ballard and Steichen as the three of them forge ahead to what he hopes are better days. But the 22-year-old would be wise to remember that if he doesn’t improve, he may not receive the elongated grace Ballard has. After all, as Richardson found out when he was benched just 10 starts into his career for 39-year-old Joe Flacco, the 2023 No. 4 pick can still lose his job — even if it seems like his GM can’t.

Asked how he would feel if the Colts signed another starting-caliber QB this offseason to challenge him for the top spot, Richardson didn’t shy away from the idea.

“I’m a natural competitor. I’ve been competing all my life. I love competing,” he said. “So, if the team feels like that’s the right direction that we want to go in, then I’m all for it, I’m competing. If not, I’m still here competing, working my tail off to be the best version (of myself) that I can for this team.”

o

[Racehorse]

o


Indianapolis Colts fans who expected sweeping changes were left disappointed. Team owner Jim Irsay ensured that continuity would be the path forward when he announced Sunday night via social media that GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen would be retained in 2025.

“It’s huge, obviously, to have the support of the owner moving forward,” Steichen said Monday. “Got a lot of respect for Mr. Irsay and what he stands for and the person he is, and it means a lot.”

Ballard and Steichen’s contracts run through 2026 and 2028, respectively, but Irsay’s public vote of confidence was revealing. His stance seems to indicate that he views Ballard, Steichen and quarterback Anthony Richardson — whom team sources have said will be the starter again in 2025 — as a package deal that he’s not ready to break up, even after a frustrating 8-9 finish in 2024 that included several lowlights.

The Colts failed to win their season opener for an 11th straight year, lost their 10th straight road game against the Jaguars and haven’t won the AFC South title in 10 years. Oh, and Richardson got benched halfway through the season because of poor preparation and then reintroduced questions about his ability to stay healthy by missing the final two games of the season — one of which was a Week 17 loss to the lowly Giants that eliminated Indianapolis from postseason contention for a fourth straight season — with a back injury.

The outrage among the team’s fan base over what many supporters view as Irsay’s complacency with mediocrity has been prevalent and justified. Steichen, Ballard and Richardson suffered through disappointing seasons, and pitchforks were brought out for all three. The frustration with Ballard is perhaps the most warranted among the three. The GM is now 62-69-1 through eight seasons in Indianapolis. He has just two playoff appearances, one postseason win and zero AFC South titles, yet he appears to have nine lives, as he’ll be brought back for a ninth campaign.

It’s hard to argue that retaining Ballard was the right decision given his middling résumé, but for the “Get Ballard out of here!” crowd or even the “Get everyone out of here!” crowd, this is the bed Irsay and the Colts have made for themselves, and regardless of which side of the fence you fall on, they weren’t interested in the alternatives.

Why ??? Frankly, the alternatives aren’t all that appealing — unless the team was ready to completely start over at QB, coach and GM.

But let’s start with the idea of firing Ballard and keeping Steichen and Richardson. The new GM would inherit a coach and quarterback he didn’t choose. How compelling would that job be if the new boss can’t choose his two most important coworkers? And on the other side, how fair of a shake would Steichen and Richardson get in Year 3 under a GM who didn’t hire the coach or draft the QB? How invested would that new GM be in making that tandem work? It almost feels like burning a season before the new GM decides to move in a different direction.

If the Colts moved on from Steichen, whose poor messaging created two significant PR messes for Richardson regarding his two-game benching and his latest back injury, Richardson would have to learn an entire new offense as he enters a critical third year. Richardson has enough troubles as he tries to develop into an NFL-caliber quarterback, let alone the face of a franchise. Asking him to learn a new playbook, too, now feels like asking him to fail.

Finally, if the Colts moved on from Richardson, they’d either be forced to draft a quarterback in a few months, sign one in free agency or trade for one. Well, the draft doesn’t seem realistic, as Indianapolis has the No. 14 pick in what’s believed to be a weak quarterback class. Maybe Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold makes it to the open market, but the Colts don’t have a long history of winning bidding wars, and there would surely be one with other QB-desperate teams. Again, that’s only if the Vikings let Darnold hit the open market and don’t sign him to a long-term deal or franchise tag him.

After Darnold, there aren’t many appealing options left unless the likes of Jameis Winston or Justin Fields excite you.

Add it all together, and you can understand — frustrating though it may be — why Indianapolis chose to stick with Richardson, as well as the GM and coach who brought him to Indianapolis, for at least one more year before, perhaps, wiping the slate clean.

“It’s like driving your car down an expressway,” Irsay said at the NFL owners’ meetings in 2023, describing what it means to draft a QB in the first round months before selecting Richardson. “Once you make this choice, there’s not going to be an exit ramp for a while.”

That’s not to say the clock isn’t ticking on Richardson, who’s been injured and inaccurate for most of his two years in the NFL. He’s missed 17 of 34 games due to various injuries, and his completion percentage dropped from 59.5 as a rookie to a league-worst and Colts franchise-worst 47.7 this season.

Next year feels like it will be a make-or-break year for Richardson — though that statement feels ironic given how many chances Ballard has received — if he isn’t more available and more accurate. Asked about the pressure and expectations that lie ahead, Richardson said Monday it was natural for people to expect more from him as he flips the page to Year 3.

“I guess every day could be a make-it or break-it day for me. I try not to think about it like that,” he said. “ … I just gotta make sure I’m on point, doing my job, doing everything I can to help this organization go in the right direction.”

Richardson added that he has a lot of faith in Ballard and Steichen as the three of them forge ahead to what he hopes are better days. But the 22-year-old would be wise to remember that if he doesn’t improve, he may not receive the elongated grace Ballard has. After all, as Richardson found out when he was benched just 10 starts into his career for 39-year-old Joe Flacco, the 2023 No. 4 pick can still lose his job — even if it seems like his GM can’t.

Asked how he would feel if the Colts signed another starting-caliber QB this offseason to challenge him for the top spot, Richardson didn’t shy away from the idea.

“I’m a natural competitor. I’ve been competing all my life. I love competing,” he said. “So, if the team feels like that’s the right direction that we want to go in, then I’m all for it, I’m competing. If not, I’m still here competing, working my tail off to be the best version (of myself) that I can for this team.”

o
Thanks for the article.

[sherck]

IMO, this decision was to give Richardson one more year to prove that he can be an NFL quality QB. Keep everything in place; hopefully add key folks (top flight TE and CB would be my hope) and see what you have in year three of the AR experiment.

Alas, I don't think AR will prove to be a NFL quality QB. I think we will get more of the same that we got this year; poor completion percentages, overthrows, missed games due to injury and about ten plays that he will make that, perhaps, no one else in the NFL can make that make your eyes pop out.

So, I predict that 12 monthes from now, in early Jan 2026, we will be in virtually the same position we are in now having won almost half our games, having missed out on the playoffs, still not have confidence in our QB and asking the questions of "when are they going to start over."

Sigh....

[Dam8610]

IMO, this decision was to give Richardson one more year to prove that he can be an NFL quality QB. Keep everything in place; hopefully add key folks (top flight TE and CB would be my hope) and see what you have in year three of the AR experiment.

Alas, I don't think AR will prove to be a NFL quality QB. I think we will get more of the same that we got this year; poor completion percentages, overthrows, missed games due to injury and about ten plays that he will make that, perhaps, no one else in the NFL can make that make your eyes pop out.

So, I predict that 12 monthes from now, in early Jan 2026, we will be in virtually the same position we are in now having won almost half our games, having missed out on the playoffs, still not have confidence in our QB and asking the questions of "when are they going to start over."

Sigh....

If your first 2 paragraphs are correct, then your conclusion is off. If in 12 months, AR proves not to be the guy, I think Irsay cleans house, and I think it's the right call at that point. This front office selected AR, they could've gotten Stroud or Young if they wanted them, they just would've had to trade up to do it. That means they felt that AR was good enough that they could work with him and build a quality offense around him. That involves the scouting of the GM and his scouting team and the player development of the Head Coach and his offensive staff. So if AR isn't the guy, then the front office has shown they can't find the QB, and the coaching staff has shown they can't develop the QB, so all of them, including the QB, would need to be replaced.

[Kray007]

If your first 2 paragraphs are correct, then your conclusion is off. If in 12 months, AR proves not to be the guy, I think Irsay cleans house, and I think it's the right call at that point. This front office selected AR, they could've gotten Stroud or Young if they wanted them, they just would've had to trade up to do it. That means they felt that AR was good enough that they could work with him and build a quality offense around him. That involves the scouting of the GM and his scouting team and the player development of the Head Coach and his offensive staff. So if AR isn't the guy, then the front office has shown they can't find the QB, and the coaching staff has shown they can't develop the QB, so all of them, including the QB, would need to be replaced.

Yeah, the feeling I got from the article is that Irsay sees QB, GM and Coach as a package deal and that he was willing to give them a little more rope in hopes that they don’t use it to hang themselves.

J

[njcoltfan]

If your first 2 paragraphs are correct, then your conclusion is off. If in 12 months, AR proves not to be the guy, I think Irsay cleans house, and I think it's the right call at that point. This front office selected AR, they could've gotten Stroud or Young if they wanted them, they just would've had to trade up to do it. That means they felt that AR was good enough that they could work with him and build a quality offense around him. That involves the scouting of the GM and his scouting team and the player development of the Head Coach and his offensive staff. So if AR isn't the guy, then the front office has shown they can't find the QB, and the coaching staff has shown they can't develop the QB, so all of them, including the QB, would need to be replaced.
Jesus, if AR isn't the guy ( and I think he's not), and next year they blow it all up, we'll be in worse shape than we were when Luck quit on us !!!!!!!! What a house of horrors. Who's going to want to be our DC for 1 year ?????

[ChoppedWood]

Jesus, if AR isn't the guy ( and I think he's not), and next year they blow it all up, we'll be in worse shape than we were when Luck quit on us !!!!!!!! What a house of horrors. Who's going to want to be our DC for 1 year ?????

FBF has done this organization not a single favor!

FUCK YOU CHRIS BALLARD!

[Chromeburn]

Jesus, if AR isn't the guy ( and I think he's not), and next year they blow it all up, we'll be in worse shape than we were when Luck quit on us !!!!!!!! What a house of horrors. Who's going to want to be our DC for 1 year ?????

That’s why firing the Dc was risky. But it likely had to be done.

I do agree that next year he will have to progress if this ship stays afloat.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Meanwhile, the Redskins/Commanders just won their 11th game of the season for the first time since 1991 ....... the last time that they won the Super Bowl.


http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=192715

o
o


Now, they are in the NFC Championship game for the first time in 33 years.

o

[DragonTails]

I bet if you take the entire colts roster and swap it with the Washington roster, the colts roster under Washington mgmt and coaching would be in the NFC championship game, and the team under the colts mgmt and coaching would be 6-11.

[YDFL Commish]

I bet if you take the entire colts roster and swap it with the Washington roster, the colts roster under Washington mgmt and coaching would be in the NFC championship game, and the team under the colts mgmt and coaching would be 6-11.

Washington has a QB the Colts don't.

[DragonTails]

That’s my point. Put RG with some real coaches and maybe you have something. Put Daniels under Shane and company, he probably gets benched. lol

Watching the games this weekend just makes me thing how bad all of our coaches are.

[ChaosTheory]

Washington has a QB the Colts don't.

You put AR in his current form on WAS, they're a bubble team like us and like they have been for the past few years.

Put JD on this team, and think about all the one score games we had...

[CletusPyle]

You put AR in his current form on WAS, they're a bubble team like us and like they have been for the past few years.

Put JD on this team, and think about all the one score games we had...

That's why it is so important that Anthony work with a top QB coach in the off season. He can be so much better if he is willing to put in the work and learn as much as he can! We have seen him make all the throws, he just isn't consistent enough. He is a powerful runner and if he can become a more consistent passer and learn to read defenses better we can win a lot of those close games next season!

[sherck]

That's why it is so important that Anthony work with a top QB coach in the off season. He can be so much better if he is willing to put in the work and learn as much as he can! We have seen him make all the throws, he just isn't consistent enough. He is a powerful runner and if he can become a more consistent passer and learn to read defenses better we can win a lot of those close games next season!

Alas, all his years in college and, so far, his two years in the NFL point to the probability that this will never happen.

His reading the defenses is not typically the issue. He knows he has open receivers. His issue is that his passing mechanics can be terrible and that he rarely places the ball with enough accuracy for it to be caught in stride.

The maddening thing is that he will hit one or three passes a game where he happens into perfect ball placement.....followed by three easy check down passes that the receiver has to make an incredible effort to catch by breaking stride and controrting their body in order to catch the inaccurate pass or not be able to catch it at all.

AR is not it. We will tread water for at least 2025 with all the same pieces in place and, again, finish middle of the pack.

At that point, either we blow it up or continue to limp along year after year with cosmetic changes but until we find a real QB....

[Colts And Orioles]

o


The state of another AFC team ......


http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=319541#post319541

o

[Dam8610]

You put AR in his current form on WAS, they're a bubble team like us and like they have been for the past few years.

Put JD on this team, and think about all the one score games we had...

I wanted to put Stroud and JD on this team, got shouted down quite a bit around here for it.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Who Was the Colts’ 2024 Team MVP ??? One NFL Analyst Weighs In

(By Paul Bretl)

https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-2024-team-mvp-one-123451712.html

o

[YDFL Commish]

The Pro Bowl means almost next to nothing anymore. Nelson definitely deserves any accolades he receives.

The other two are stat padders, nothing more. Most knowledge Colts fans, who actually watch the games barely even want Franklin and Taylor to be on the team anymore.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


In the 1960's the Green Bay Packers won 5 World Championships, and made it to 6 World Championship games ...... I would rather be the Packers of the 60's or the Chiefs of today than be a richer team that was less successful on the field.



http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?p=320111#post320111

o

[Discflinger]

C&O Always carries what we spit. I saw our Pacers in Phoenix. Gonna see them close in Denver.

Boys.. this is a team...

[Discflinger]

Remember the real 44 who beat Shaque

[Discflinger]

That's our 33

[Discflinger]

Yes, I was there when JT "dropped" it...and, yes, it was a td.

[Discflinger]

But both interceptions in Denver were apparent.

As dumb as I am, I was the first to hear my own voice say, "Oh, shit!"

[njcoltfan]

Alas, all his years in college and, so far, his two years in the NFL point to the probability that this will never happen.

His reading the defenses is not typically the issue. He knows he has open receivers. His issue is that his passing mechanics can be terrible and that he rarely places the ball with enough accuracy for it to be caught in stride.

The maddening thing is that he will hit one or three passes a game where he happens into perfect ball placement.....followed by three easy check down passes that the receiver has to make an incredible effort to catch by breaking stride and controrting their body in order to catch the inaccurate pass or not be able to catch it at all.

AR is not it. We will tread water for at least 2025 with all the same pieces in place and, again, finish middle of the pack.

At that point, either we blow it up or continue to limp along year after year with cosmetic changes but until we find a real QB....
As far as limping, we've been doing exactly that since Luck retired.