Seems it is gonna be D Jones

[Racehorse]

Just saw a report we are finalizing a deal with Daniel Jones.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Colts reach agreement on one year deal with Jones. $14M base, could push to $17.7M with incentives.


https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1899474145944998166

Former Vikings QB Daniel Jones is finalizing a one-year, $14 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, per sources.

Jones had a chance to return to Minnesota, but now becomes the challenger to the Colts’ former first-round pick Anthony Richardson.

https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1899475294748037454

It's a one-year deal worth up to $17.7 million for Daniel Jones in Indianapolis.

[Lov2fish]

As bad as I think he is, his mechanics are still better than Richardson. AR is definitely more athletic, but his mechanics are horrible. I don't blame either of these young men. This is an indictment on Ballard.

[IndyNorm]

And we were off to what seemed like such a good start in FA. That's just WAY too much to spend on a bad QB that you hope never sees the field. I don't understand why we just wouldn't bring Minshew back for 1/4-1/3 of what we gave Jones and then put the other ~$10M to fixing other parts of the roster.

[Hoopsdoc]

And we were off to what seemed like such a good start in FA. That's just WAY too much to spend on a bad QB that you hope never sees the field. I don't understand why we just wouldn't bring Minshew back for 1/4-1/3 of what we gave Jones and then put the other ~$10M to fixing other parts of the roster.

The only good thing you can say about Jones is that he’s better than Minshew.

[Mr. Session]

What were some of y'all expecting? Minshew kind of lacks mobility and a deep ball, We've been there. Flacco had almost no mobility but could sling it, We've been there too.

Jones I think is useful given the circumstance here, in my opinion. Richardson is without a doubt one of the most incredible runners at the QB position I've ever seen but he's not a tank that can take the hits and he hasn't proven he can effectively throw the ball.

Jones can run. Like actually run, and we don't need a discount Jalen Hurts over here. Worst case scenario, he's trash and we dump him in pursuit of Arch Manning in the next year or two because we'll get rid of Richardson too.

[Brylok]

$14,000,000 for 1 year of Daniel Jones. Woof, but I guess that's the going rate these days.

[Kray007]

Personally, I think that there’s a lot to like about the signing.

His biggest problem in New York was that he had two General Managers who seem/seemed totally indifferent to the need to build a solid Offensive Line. All too often, his pocket simply collapsed, and two or three pass rushers would converge on him before he had a chance to set up.

Secondly, he had a corps of receivers that could only generously be described as nondescript, a group that was chronically prone to injury and resulted in a situation in which Jones was sometimes throwing to receivers on Sunday who had been brought in off the street on Tuesday.

Third, as Giants owner John Mara mused, the Giants never did a good job of supporting Jones. He saw 3 coaching changes, going from Shurmer, who was fired after Jones rookie season, to Joe Judge who lasted two years, to Brian Daboll, who would have been fired save for the fact that Mara is worried about instability.

What Jones brings to the table is a strong arm, good accuracy, and mobility. If anything happens to Richardson, Jones can step in and you don’t have to shuffle the playbook and change the scheme.

If there’s a danger, it lies in questions about what’s going on between the young man’s ears.

Has he been irretrievably traumatized by his experience with the Giants? Does he hear footsteps where none exist?

Have 5 years of incessant carping from his coaches about interceptions and ball security made him too gun shy and risk averse? Have they weaned him of the gunslinger mentality that was a strength early in his career?

Is he the perfect plan B? I don’t know. What I do know is that you couldn’t put all your eggs in Anthony Richardson’s basket. Even if he irons out his mechanics and becomes the next Josh Allen, legitimate questions linger about his durability. Jones is a Quarterback who is capable of Carrying his team into the playoffs. He did it with the Giants, and if you give him enough support, he can do it in Indy.

[albany ed]

I would think both Jones and Richardson are on 1 year contracts. Best case scenario, Jones pushes Richardson to become the QB we all hoped he could be. Worst case, we dump them both and draft our future QB.

[ChaosTheory]

He's probably just good enough to beat out AR's floor (which is about what we've experienced so far). I wouldn't bank on him flourishing in a new environment.

Should be a decent backup with enough athleticism that the entire playbook doesn't have to change if/when he steps in. Beyond that, just motivation for AR.

Nothing else has the opportunity to matter until QB is solved.

[apballin]

Best option available I guess

He’ll probably beat out Richardson

[Dewey 5]

Best option available I guess

He’ll probably beat out Richardson

No probably about it.

[YDFL Commish]

Personally, I think that there’s a lot to like about the signing.

His biggest problem in New York was that he had two General Managers who seem/seemed totally indifferent to the need to build a solid Offensive Line. All too often, his pocket simply collapsed, and two or three pass rushers would converge on him before he had a chance to set up.

Secondly, he had a corps of receivers that could only generously be described as nondescript, a group that was chronically prone to injury and resulted in a situation in which Jones was sometimes throwing to receivers on Sunday who had been brought in off the street on Tuesday.

Third, as Giants owner John Mara mused, the Giants never did a good job of supporting Jones. He saw 3 coaching changes, going from Shurmer, who was fired after Jones rookie season, to Joe Judge who lasted two years, to Brian Daboll, who would have been fired save for the fact that Mara is worried about instability.

What Jones brings to the table is a strong arm, good accuracy, and mobility. If anything happens to Richardson, Jones can step in and you don’t have to shuffle the playbook and change the scheme.

If there’s a danger, it lies in questions about what’s going on between the young man’s ears.

Has he been irretrievably traumatized by his experience with the Giants? Does he hear footsteps where none exist?

Have 5 years of incessant carping from his coaches about interceptions and ball security made him too gun shy and risk averse? Have they weaned him of the gunslinger mentality that was a strength early in his career?

Is he the perfect plan B? I don’t know. What I do know is that you couldn’t put all your eggs in Anthony Richardson’s basket. Even if he irons out his mechanics and becomes the next Josh Allen, legitimate questions linger about his durability. Jones is a Quarterback who is capable of Carrying his team into the playoffs. He did it with the Giants, and if you give him enough support, he can do it in Indy.

Finally a voice of reason, who doesn't just look at stats and determine that Jones is just garbage.

[ChoppedWood]

No probably about it.

I don't doubt he will be the better QB in camp and pre-season, but barring a significant injury, I don't see him getting the job.

Can't have him as the actual QB if he beats AR- if so, we stay in QB purgatory as he is not the long term answer. So I see it as a true means to push in hopes it forces AR to be better, and if he doesn't, then we just go full re-set next year at QB, HC, GM.

[YDFL Commish]

I don't doubt he will be the better QB in camp and pre-season, but barring a significant injury, I don't see him getting the job.

Can't have him as the actual QB if he beats AR- if so, we stay in QB purgatory as he is not the long term answer. So I see it as a true means to push in hopes it forces AR to be better, and if he doesn't, then we just go full re-set next year at QB, HC, GM.

Really? Do you think that Steichen and Ballard, who's jobs are on the line, are just bringing Jones in to push Richardson?

I see no way that Irsay signs up for that strategy.

[IndyNorm]

The only good thing you can say about Jones is that he’s better than Minshew.

Actually he's not. Jones is better runner, but Minshew is a better passer. Here's their career averages prorated to 17 games:

Jones: 64%, 3,541 yds, 17 TDs, 11 Ints, 6.5 Y/A, 529 ruyds, 4 TDs, 12 fmbls
Minshew: 63%, 3,443 yds, 20 TDs, 10 Ints, 6.9 Y/A, 196 ruyds, 1 TD, 10 fmbls

Also, I didn't say I would take Minshew over Jones straight up. That's at least debatable. I said that I would take Minshew +~$10M in cap space over Jones, which IMO isn't.

No probably about it.

If Jones beats out AR then it won't take long for Jones to be benched for AR. Afterall Jones was benched for Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock.

Finally a voice of reason, who doesn't just look at stats and determine that Jones is just garbage.

It's not just Jones' shitty stats. It's that combined w/ guys like DeVito and Lock having outperformed him w/ the same talent around them.

If there’s a danger, it lies in questions about what’s going on between the young man’s ears.

Has he been irretrievably traumatized by his experience with the Giants? Does he hear footsteps where none exist?

Even if you support this move this still has to be a big concern. I didn't watch NYG play much this past season, but when I saw them play Jones was completely terrified of throwing the ball downfield. It was either a SNF or MNF game that really sticks out where the broadcast kept showing how his receivers were consistently open downfield and he had plenty of time to throw, but he would just dump the ball off in the flat on essentially every pass play.

[ChoppedWood]

Really? Do you think that Steichen and Ballard, who's jobs are on the line, are just bringing Jones in to push Richardson?

I see no way that Irsay signs up for that strategy.

If Jones beats AR out for the starting position, barring a deep playoff run with DJ as the QB, Steichen and Ballard are going to get fired.

I just can't believe that three people with as much knowledge about football as Irsay, Steichen, and Ballard, would convince themselves there is a future for this football team with Jones as QB1 for anything more than spot duty in coverage for an injury. At best, we stay the 8-9, 7-10 football team we are for 2-3 years more with him as the QB, which means Q, Kenny, JT, Buck and Grover, are all washed. There is no way Ballard or Steichen can survive that.

[Hoopsdoc]

Actually he's not. Jones is better runner, but Minshew is a better passer. Here's their career averages prorated to 17 games:

Jones: 64%, 3,541 yds, 17 TDs, 11 Ints, 6.5 Y/A, 529 ruyds, 4 TDs, 12 fmbls
Minshew: 63%, 3,443 yds, 20 TDs, 10 Ints, 6.9 Y/A, 196 ruyds, 1 TD, 10 fmbls

Also, I didn't say I would take Minshew over Jones straight up. That's at least debatable. I said that I would take Minshew +~$10M in cap space over Jones, which IMO isn't.



If Jones beats out AR then it won't take long for Jones to be benched for AR. Afterall Jones was benched for Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock.



It's not just Jones' shitty stats. It's that combined w/ guys like DeVito and Lock having outperformed him w/ the same talent around them.



Even if you support this move this still has to be a big concern. I didn't watch NYG play much this past season, but when I saw them play Jones was completely terrified of throwing the ball downfield. It was either a SNF or MNF game that really sticks out where the broadcast kept showing how his receivers were consistently open downfield and he had plenty of time to throw, but he would just dump the ball off in the flat on essentially every pass play.

Jones has similar passing stats and is a much better runner so yeah, he’s better than Minshew. Also has a much better arm.

I don’t really care about the cap space. It’s not like we’d use it to sign some all world player.

[Dam8610]

The only thing that upsets me about this signing is that Ballard said he was committing to bringing in QB competition for AR. To me, the only QB on the market that could've done that while also fitting Steichen's system was Justin Fields.

If Ballard had just been honest and said they were pursuing a high end backup for AR that would fit the system, Jones would make sense at that point. This signing makes his commentary about legitimate QB competition feel like lip service to an angry fanbase.

[IndyNorm]

Jones has similar passing stats and is a much better runner so yeah, he’s better than Minshew. Also has a much better arm.

I don’t really care about the cap space. It’s not like we’d use it to sign some all world player.

Minshew's better TD/Int ratio and Y/A is enough to make up for the difference in running IMO. And that extra cap space isn't as irrelevant as you think it is, since ~$10M can definitely be the difference between an ok FA signing and a great FA signing or can be used to shore things up. For example we could have used that cap space to have re-signed Kelly.

The only thing that upsets me about this signing is that Ballard said he was committing to bringing in QB competition for AR. To me, the only QB on the market that could've done that while also fitting Steichen's system was Justin Fields.

If Ballard had just been honest and said they were pursuing a high end backup for AR that would fit the system, Jones would make sense at that point. This signing makes his commentary about legitimate QB competition feel like lip service to an angry fanbase.

I don't know. Some folks on here have drank enough Jones Kool Aid to believe he's a shoe in to be our day 1 starter and possibly our franchise QB for the next decade. Obviously I hope they're right (if AR doesn't take a big step fwd), but I'm certainly very skeptical of Jones.

[Brylok]

We have a QB controversy already. Lol

[Hoopsdoc]

Minshew's better TD/Int ratio and Y/A is enough to make up for the difference in running IMO. And that extra cap space isn't as irrelevant as you think it is, since ~$10M can definitely be the difference between an ok FA signing and a great FA signing or can be used to shore things up. For example we could have used that cap space to have re-signed Kelly.



I don't know. Some folks on here have drank enough Jones Kool Aid to believe he's a shoe in to be our day 1 starter and possibly our franchise QB for the next decade. Obviously I hope they're right (if AR doesn't take a big step fwd), but I'm certainly very skeptical of Jones.

Jones is objectively the better option, at least in terms of talent, upside, and athletic ability.

And if the Colts had wanted to resign Kelly, they would have done so. They have more than enough cap space.

They obviously decided to give Bortolini the job.

[Dam8610]

Minshew's better TD/Int ratio and Y/A is enough to make up for the difference in running IMO. And that extra cap space isn't as irrelevant as you think it is, since ~$10M can definitely be the difference between an ok FA signing and a great FA signing or can be used to shore things up. For example we could have used that cap space to have re-signed Kelly.



I don't know. Some folks on here have drank enough Jones Kool Aid to believe he's a shoe in to be our day 1 starter and possibly our franchise QB for the next decade. Obviously I hope they're right (if AR doesn't take a big step fwd), but I'm certainly very skeptical of Jones.

Jones had one good year and got way overpaid for it. Could he be decent here? Sure. He's not going to be anyone's franchise QB, and he'll be gone next year anyway if AR doesn't live up to billing, because the whole regime will be gone.

[Dam8610]

Jones is objectively the better option, at least in terms of talent, upside, and athletic ability.

And if the Colts had wanted to resign Kelly, they would have done so. They have more than enough cap space.

They obviously decided to give Bortolini the job.

Are you insane? You're giving talent, upside, and athletic ability to Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson? Those three things are just about the only things AR has going for him. Jones has more practical skill as a QB right now, but he is nowhere near the athlete and has nowhere near the potential of AR.

[ukcolt]

I think he was referring to Jones and Minshew

[Hoopsdoc]

Are you insane? You're giving talent, upside, and athletic ability to Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson? Those three things are just about the only things AR has going for him. Jones has more practical skill as a QB right now, but he is nowhere near the athlete and has nowhere near the potential of AR.

I was referring to Jones compared to Minshew. I thought that was clear from the discourse but I guess it wasn’t.

[IndyNorm]

Jones is objectively the better option, at least in terms of talent, upside, and athletic ability.

And if the Colts had wanted to resign Kelly, they would have done so. They have more than enough cap space.

They obviously decided to give Bortolini the job.

Too bad all of that extra RAS goodness hasn't led to any better actual results than what Minshew has produced in his career.

Kelly was just an example. We have a plethora of needs and not a ton of cap space left, which as discussed in the other thread is ~$12M+whatever we saved from Smith's restructure. $4M will have to go to the draft class and another ~$8M for the practice squad and roster churn (per an old Sherck post). So we're looking at maybe ~$10M left for FAs.

Jones had one good year and got way overpaid for it. Could he be decent here? Sure. He's not going to be anyone's franchise QB, and he'll be gone next year anyway if AR doesn't live up to billing, because the whole regime will be gone.

I wouldn't even say it was a good year. More like an ok year w/ 1 really good playoff game in the wild card round (he sucked in the division round). And yes I agree that he isn't franchise QB material, but some people on here are acting like he is which is why I made the comment.

I do think that if AR doesn't pan out this year but Jones ends up having a Darnoldesque turnaround year that he would save Ballard's and Steichen's jobs. Which I'm sure is one reason why Ballard signed him. I don't think Jones has it in him, but if he proves me wrong then I'll certainly happy to admit it.

[Dewey 5]

I think he was referring to Jones and Minshew

Now that makes more sense

[Hoopsdoc]

Too bad all of that extra RAS goodness hasn't led to any better actual results than what Minshew has produced in his career.

Kelly was just an example. We have a plethora of needs and not a ton of cap space left, which as discussed in the other thread is ~$12M+whatever we saved from Smith's restructure. $4M will have to go to the draft class and another ~$8M for the practice squad and roster churn (per an old Sherck post). So we're looking at maybe ~$10M left for FAs.



I wouldn't even say it was a good year. More like an ok year w/ 1 really good playoff game in the wild card round (he sucked in the division round). And yes I agree that he isn't franchise QB material, but some people on here are acting like he is which is why I made the comment.

I do think that if AR doesn't pan out this year but Jones ends up having a Darnoldesque turnaround year that he would save Ballard's and Steichen's jobs. Which I'm sure is one reason why Ballard signed him. I don't think Jones has it in him, but if he proves me wrong then I'll certainly happy to admit it.

I think Ballard wanted a guy to push AR, to compete with him. I don’t think they wanted a guy who was obviously better than AR, but a guy with talent who could at least conceivably take the job.

They still see AR as the future, they just want him to have to compete.

Thats just my opinion, based on what they’ve said and their actions.

[Racehorse]

The only thing that upsets me about this signing is that Ballard said he was committing to bringing in QB competition for AR. To me, the only QB on the market that could've done that while also fitting Steichen's system was Justin Fields.

If Ballard had just been honest and said they were pursuing a high end backup for AR that would fit the system, Jones would make sense at that point. This signing makes his commentary about legitimate QB competition feel like lip service to an angry fanbase.
It is hard to know who he had in mind, as it takes two to make a deal come to fruition.

[IndyNorm]

I think Ballard wanted a guy to push AR, to compete with him. I don’t think they wanted a guy who was obviously better than AR, but a guy with talent who could at least conceivably take the job.

They still see AR as the future, they just want him to have to compete.

Thats just my opinion, based on what they’ve said and their actions.

That's fair, and also to be fair in theory we won't have to change the offense much if AR does get hurt. So in that regard the signing does make sense.

[YDFL Commish]

The Vikings wanted Jones back. The Vikings elevated Jones to the active roster for the playoffs. I don't know what that means, but it must mean something?

[Kray007]

Actually he's not. Jones is better runner, but Minshew is a better passer. Here's their career averages prorated to 17 games:

Jones: 64%, 3,541 yds, 17 TDs, 11 Ints, 6.5 Y/A, 529 ruyds, 4 TDs, 12 fmbls
Minshew: 63%, 3,443 yds, 20 TDs, 10 Ints, 6.9 Y/A, 196 ruyds, 1 TD, 10 fmbls

Also, I didn't say I would take Minshew over Jones straight up. That's at least debatable. I said that I would take Minshew +~$10M in cap space over Jones, which IMO isn't.



If Jones beats out AR then it won't take long for Jones to be benched for AR. Afterall Jones was benched for Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock.



It's not just Jones' shitty stats. It's that combined w/ guys like DeVito and Lock having outperformed him w/ the same talent around them.



Even if you support this move this still has to be a big concern. I didn't watch NYG play much this past season, but when I saw them play Jones was completely terrified of throwing the ball downfield. It was either a SNF or MNF game that really sticks out where the broadcast kept showing how his receivers were consistently open downfield and he had plenty of time to throw, but he would just dump the ball off in the flat on essentially every pass play.

He wasn’t benched by the Giants because they thought that Lock or DeVito gave them a better chance to win. They pulled the plug on him because his 2025 salary of $25 Million was fully guaranteed for injury.

Beyond that, even though no one in the Giants organization would admit it, the move to bench Jones had more than a whiff of tanking.

[CletusPyle]

Just saw a report we are finalizing a deal with Daniel Jones.

There was a brief stretch there when he actually played pretty well, I remember thinking that this guy is a lot better than I thought. I've also seen him play like crap, but the Giants are known to do that to players!

I hope AR is working his ass off!

[ukcolt]

AR needs to be the model pro this off season and turn up ready to go and lead this team. I fear though that he is just not a natural born leader, he is still very young.

In terms of leadership, it will be interesting to see just what Bortolini and Goncalves bring, as Kelly was a leader, and I am concerned that the unseen skills that he has might be missed more than just his on field production.

Nelson leads by example, but I don't get the impression that he is a natural communicator or someone who rallies the troops, same with Braden Smith.

[sherck]

So, a starting O-line of:

Raiman - Nelson - Bortolini - Goncalves - Smith

Primary backups of:

French
Pinter
Freeland

Other backups of:
Sills
Mafi
Tucker

Honestly, add at least one 2025 draft pick in the top 4 rounds to that group that has experience at both OG and OT and I am not displeased with that group at all.

Yeah, it is a lot to ask of two 2nd year players to start side-by-side but they have good help outside of them (Nelson and Smith) and I think a good O-Line coaching staff.

[IndyNorm]

He wasn’t benched by the Giants because they thought that Lock or DeVito gave them a better chance to win. They pulled the plug on him because his 2025 salary of $25 Million was fully guaranteed for injury.

Beyond that, even though no one in the Giants organization would admit it, the move to bench Jones had more than a whiff of tanking.

Ah. I didn't know about the injury clause in his contract. Makes sense that they would want to make sure he didn't get injured since they had decided to run him out of town.

I'm not so sure about the tanking though. For starters they were doing a damn good job of tanking w/ Jones in there, and also DeVito played much better than Jones in 2023.

[IndyNorm]

So, a starting O-line of:

Raiman - Nelson - Bortolini - Goncalves - Smith

Primary backups of:

French
Pinter
Freeland

Other backups of:
Sills
Mafi
Tucker

Honestly, add at least one 2025 draft pick in the top 4 rounds to that group that has experience at both OG and OT and I am not displeased with that group at all.

Yeah, it is a lot to ask of two 2nd year players to start side-by-side but they have good help outside of them (Nelson and Smith) and I think a good O-Line coaching staff.

I think we definitely need at least some OG depth, which could come from the draft as long as he is able to step in and play and isn't a project.

[YDFL Commish]

So, the general sentiment is that a player can't turn his career around in a new environment, with less pressure, better coaching, better supporting cast and a team that believes in him?

Tell that to Sam Darnold, Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield.

[Colts And Orioles]

So, the general sentiment is that a player can't turn his career around in a new environment, with less pressure, better coaching, better supporting cast and a team that believes in him ???


Tell that to Sam Darnold, Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield.





o


And Jim Plunkett.

I suspect that because the Colts have had only one good season since the retirement of Andrew Luck, many of their fans are skeptical in regard to the signings of players (particularly quarterbacks) that aren't regarded as a slam-dunk for success.

o

[Dam8610]

So, the general sentiment is that a player can't turn his career around in a new environment, with less pressure, better coaching, better supporting cast and a team that believes in him?

Tell that to Sam Darnold, Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield.

My general sentiment on Jones is that he was never as talented as Darnold or Mayfield. Could he be Geno Smith? Sure, but I'd rather AR be faster, more athletic Josh Allen.

[rm1369]

My general sentiment on Jones is that he was never as talented as Darnold or Mayfield. Could he be Geno Smith? Sure, but I'd rather AR be faster, more athletic Josh Allen.

The issue I have with Jones is the same I had with Fields - it’s likely that at this point in their careers they are marginally better than AR. So what does that give you? It seems extremely shortsighted and says you MAJORLY fucked up the #4 pick or have zero plan on development if a slightly better Jones is your answer at QB now. AR needed a true professional mentor. Someone who knows their value is in helping develop him. QB is the one place on the roster that a competition is IMO bad for the team. If AR needs competition to put in the work then he isn’t the guy.

[IndyNorm]

So, the general sentiment is that a player can't turn his career around in a new environment, with less pressure, better coaching, better supporting cast and a team that believes in him?

Tell that to Sam Darnold, Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield.

I really wouldn't include Mayfield in the discussion since he had some pretty good years in CLE and his regression was mostly due to an injury before the Browns pulled a Browns and ran him out of town.

Obviously QBs turning around their careers can and does happen, but that's more the exception and not the rule. Also, it should be pointed out that all 3 of those guys had multiple stops and in Darnold's and Smith's cases several years before they took their big steps forward.

I'm not saying that Jones will definitely not turns things around, but history isn't on his side.

[apballin]

I really wouldn't include Mayfield in the discussion since he had some pretty good years in CLE and his regression was mostly due to an injury before the Browns pulled a Browns and ran him out of town.

Obviously QBs turning around their careers can and does happen, but that's more the exception and not the rule. Also, it should be pointed out that all 3 of those guys had multiple stops and in Darnold's and Smith's cases several years before they took their big steps forward.

I'm not saying that Jones will definitely not turns things around, but history isn't on his side.

Jones had some good years as well along with a playoff win. A constant coaching carousel and losing Barkley didn’t help him at all.

His college coach who also coached both Mannings had very high praise for his intelligence and toughness.

Got the contract in New York and was put in an impossible situation as far as expectations. He can still play and will make the easy completion look routine

[YDFL Commish]

Okay, my best comp to Daniel Jones is Alex Smith.

[IndyNorm]

Jones had some good years as well along with a playoff win. A constant coaching carousel and losing Barkley didn’t help him at all.

No, Jones didn't have good years in NYG. He had 1 ok year in 2022. He also had Saquan in 2019, and 2021-2023, and he had Nabors and Tyron Tracy Jr. who's a good receiving back in 2024.

His college coach who also coached both Mannings had very high praise for his intelligence and toughness.

Of course his college coach is going to say good things about him. Unless a player was a complete shitbag his former college coach will always say good things about him.

Got the contract in New York and was put in an impossible situation as far as expectations.

It wasn't just expectations. Jones completely shit the bed in 2023 coming off that big payday. I know he got hurt, but his play prior to that was just plain god awful.

He can still play and will make the easy completion look routine

While being able to make easy completions will be refreshing to see after watching AR in 2024, almost all QBs in the NFL (starters and backups alike) are capable of doing this.

Okay, my best comp to Daniel Jones is Alex Smith.

That's actually a pretty fair comparison since Smith sucked too before Harbaugh helped him start turning things around. Hopefully you're right in that Jones turns his career around like Smith, but I'm not going to hold me breath.

[ukcolt]

Jones and Alex Smith may have had similar situations, but Jones is way more athletic than Smith. He has rushed for 2200 yards with 15 TD's with an average of 5.5 yards per carry. That's with an offensive line that has been poor throughout his career in NY.

Is Jones on a level with, Mahomes, Hurts, Allen Jackson or Burrow, no of course he isn't. He also isn't a passer in the class of Herbert, Stafford, Love, Daniels, Stroud or Tagovailoa but i do think given the correct tools around him, he is on a par with the likes of Goff, Mayfield, Lawrence, Geno Smith, Wilson, Purdy, Darnold, Murray, Young or Carr for developing as a franchise QB going forward. Caleb Williams is someone who could end up lighting up the field this year, with an improved offensive line and could join the elite guys listed at the beginning.

Richardson is the outlier as he has the raw ability to be better than anyone in the second or third group, but hasn't shown that he belongs here yet.

[apballin]

No, Jones didn't have good years in NYG. He had 1 ok year in 2022. He also had Saquan in 2019, and 2021-2023, and he had Nabors and Tyron Tracy Jr. who's a good receiving back in 2024.



Of course his college coach is going to say good things about him. Unless a player was a complete shitbag his former college coach will always say good things about him.



It wasn't just expectations. Jones completely shit the bed in 2023 coming off that big payday. I know he got hurt, but his play prior to that was just plain god awful.



While being able to make easy completions will be refreshing to see after watching AR in 2024, almost all QBs in the NFL (starters and backups alike) are capable of doing this.



That's actually a pretty fair comparison since Smith sucked too before Harbaugh helped him start turning things around. Hopefully you're right in that Jones turns his career around like Smith, but I'm not going to hold me breath.

You seriously listed Tyrone Tracy as a weapon?

His offensive line was shit the entire time he was there, and had to play 4 games a year vs 2 of the best dlines in the NFL (eagles and cowboys)

Cutcliffe isn’t just gonna compliment him just because he played for him. Even Giants teammates compliment the guys work ethic and toughness, that’s more than we can say for Richardson.

The Alex Smith comp is pretty good

Believe me I wasn’t happy about signing the guy I wanted a cheaper option like Ridder, but after diving into it more he was the best option and he still has some good football in him.

I’m more confident that he’ll have a bounce back and revitalize his career like Baker or Darnold than I’m confident Richardson will magically work with some QB coach and turn into Josh Allen overnight

[IndyNorm]

You seriously listed Tyrone Tracy as a weapon?

Why wouldn't I? In 12 starts this year he had over 1,100 combined yards as a rookie, which included 38 catches for 284 yds. He's obviously no Saquan, but he proved that he is a good receiver out of the backfield (for comparison Saquan had 41 catches for 280 yds his final year at NYG).

His offensive line was shit the entire time he was there, and had to play 4 games a year vs 2 of the best dlines in the NFL (eagles and cowboys)

Yet when given the chance guys like Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito outplayed Jones w/ the same talent around them.

Cutcliffe isn’t just gonna compliment him just because he played for him. Even Giants teammates compliment the guys work ethic and toughness, that’s more than we can say for Richardson.


Jones was a good player for Cutcliffe in college and seems to be a decent guy, so of course Cutcliffe is going to have good things to say about him. Fair point on his teammates although that really doesn't mean anything if Jones doesn't start producing.

The Alex Smith comp is pretty good

Believe me I wasn’t happy about signing the guy I wanted a cheaper option like Ridder, but after diving into it more he was the best option and he still has some good football in him.

I’m more confident that he’ll have a bounce back and revitalize his career like Baker or Darnold than I’m confident Richardson will magically work with some QB coach and turn into Josh Allen overnight.

Fair points. Although I do believe that AR working w/ Allen's QB coach should lead to improvement. And while I've been critical of the signing I do realize that this isn't that bad of a deal since if Jones doesn't turn things around then we just let him walk w/ no long term harm done. I just don't understand all of the love he's getting on here.

[apballin]

I hope I’m dead wrong

But this dude has been hurt at every level, never completed a season anywhere or anytime.

Biggest strength is his running ability yet he can’t take a hit and flat out refuses to play smart.

He made some highlight reel throws and could only beat teams that weren’t worth a shit last year.

I have no idea how anyone can have faith in him.

All Colts fans are in the same boat… we want a QB so bad we’re looking for any reason to cling on to some kinda hope.

I’ll go with the tougher guy that plays no matter what even if his athleticism isn’t as good or he can’t throw it as far. Give me the guy that shows up and clocks in every day, takes the hits and keeps coming, I’ll cheer for that guy no matter what

[YDFL Commish]

Yet when given the chance guys like Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito outplayed Jones w/ the same talent around them.



Jones was a good player for Cutcliffe in college and seems to be a decent guy, so of course Cutcliffe is going to have good things to say about him. Fair point on his teammates although that really doesn't mean anything if Jones doesn't start producing.



Fair points. Although I do believe that AR working w/ Allen's QB coach should lead to improvement. And while I've been critical of the signing I do realize that this isn't that bad of a deal since if Jones doesn't turn things around then we just let him walk w/ no long term harm done. I just don't understand all of the love he's getting on here.[/QUOTE]

Devito and Taylor had very small sample sizes and had not played enough to be shell shocked by pummeling, as Jones had.

I don't feel there is that much love for Jones on here. Fields had more love. He was the best choice from a financial and competitive prospective.

[apballin]

Yet when given the chance guys like Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito outplayed Jones w/ the same talent around them.



Jones was a good player for Cutcliffe in college and seems to be a decent guy, so of course Cutcliffe is going to have good things to say about him. Fair point on his teammates although that really doesn't mean anything if Jones doesn't start producing.



Fair points. Although I do believe that AR working w/ Allen's QB coach should lead to improvement. And while I've been critical of the signing I do realize that this isn't that bad of a deal since if Jones doesn't turn things around then we just let him walk w/ no long term harm done. I just don't understand all of the love he's getting on here.

Devito and Taylor had very small sample sizes and had not played enough to be shell shocked by pummeling, as Jones had.

I don't feel there is that much love for Jones on here. Fields had more love. He was the best choice from a financial and competitive prospective.[/QUOTE]

I was saying Fields from the beginning also… based off athleticism and the college resume, but the more I think about it Fields has become a run first guy scared to throw into traffic. He hasn’t won anything or played in any big games, unless you count division games in which he couldn’t beat the Packers at all.

Throw into there Fields and AR are buddies jerseys swapped after practice so I highly doubt he was ever an option.

Jones wants to be a starter and is willing to do whatever he has to do.

AR says all the right things but I’m frankly over the off field stories, he’s a great kid that stays and cleans tables for staff members, he’s hungry he’s ready to get to work, he’s involved on the sideline listening to the play calls when he’s injured, he’s working with Josh Allen… blah blah fuckin blah.

Fuck all the charades produce on the field and stay on the field I could care less how many tires you change on the highway

[Colts And Orioles]

I just saw a report that we are finalizing a deal with Daniel Jones.





o


(5 MONTHS LATER)


This is JUST A RUMOR from Twitter ...... it asserts that the Colts are very close to naming who their starting QB will be to open the 2025 season ...... we'll find out soon enough who it is.



https://x.com/nflrums/status/1957160391907103207?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcam p%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

o

[YDFL Commish]

o


(5 MONTHS LATER)


This is JUST A RUMOR from Twitter ...... it asserts that the Colts are very close to naming who their starting QB will be to open the 2025 season ...... we'll find out soon enough who it is.



https://x.com/nflrums/status/1957160391907103207?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcam p%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

o

Not a rumor at all, Steichen said at the post-game presser that he was very close to naming a starter.

[Hoopsdoc]

I hope I’m wrong but I have a feeling it will be Jones.

I feel like AR’s disastrous year last year burned his chance with Steichen. And his performance in the preseason so far hasn’t exactly been encouraging.

At least with Jones, Steichen basically knows what he’s going to get. He doesn’t have to worry about Jones blowing basic things like knowing where his hot read is. Or tapping out of the game.

I think a guy like Steichen believes he can game plan around Jones limitations.

[Hoopsdoc]

And honestly, if you’re like me and you don’t believe AR will ever be a good quarterback, starting Jones might be the best course of action.

Rip off the band aid right now.

It’ll be another lost year but at least the AR era will be over.

[apballin]

I hope I’m wrong but I have a feeling it will be Jones.

I feel like AR’s disastrous year last year burned his chance with Steichen. And his performance in the preseason so far hasn’t exactly been encouraging.

At least with Jones, Steichen basically knows what he’s going to get. He doesn’t have to worry about Jones blowing basic things like knowing where his hot read is. Or tapping out of the game.

I think a guy like Steichen believes he can game plan around Jones limitations.

Could very well be the case, Jones may be safer play but he makes everyone’s job easier.

Simple things that are in the QBs control AR still struggles with, getting the play called, getting them lined up, reading the defense, and that swing pass to the RB was terrible. His passes definitely have more zip and he’s definitely more explosive but is it worth it?

I have no idea who they’re gonna start but I’m sure the input from guys like Nelson, Taylor, and Pittman may be the final call

[albany ed]

At this point, I don't see either being what the Colts need for the future. That said, I don't think Jones could make me rethink that statement, but AR just might. Bottom line, I'd go with AR and if he fails, you're done with him. Jones plays if AR gets hurt. Next year, find a way to draft near the top and get a blue chip prospect for your next QB.

[ChoppedWood]

I think you can use this board, as a great reflection on where everyone is with this team and what SHOULD be a huge QB decision- everyone is sort of like- "aye, we're going to suck so what does it even matter". This is deep apathy, and it really sucks.

We went for like 5 days without a single post. Even with joint practices and a pivotal pre-season tilt, really quiet on here. There has been very little energy this offseason and now deep into camp, and to me, that says a ton as without question we are the most engrossed group of fans there is and even we seemingly don't really fucking care.

To me, it says that no one is going to be excited to watch a Daniel Jones led Colts team if that is the route they go. It also says that very few people are real excited to watch AR do things that AR does, despite his occasional super human plays- because they are just sugar highs.

I think Steichen and Ballard go with Jones simply as a desperate move to try to keep a paycheck coming. They both know this year, minus at least one playoff win, maybe 2, they are getting axed. Jones definitely would seem to give them the greatest odds at making that happen- Jones probably has a 40% chance of doing that and AR probably 30%. They both know there is no SB this year, they just need to get to the PO's and try to get a W. AR, he gives them the better shot at a SB at SOME point because with enough time he could have a season or two of sufficient play to do that, whereas Jones I don't think will ever provide that top side, but neither of them have the window available to sink another year into AR's intensive development.

I concur with the statement that when you have two QB's, you have none. I don't think we have a QB. I further don't really believe we have a coach, and I sure as hell don't believe we have a GM. If it's me, I start Leonard and try to win 2 games max. I aim for the # 1 pick and get this shit rebuilt from the bottom floor.

[BCN#1]

I think you can use this board, as a great reflection on where everyone is with this team and what SHOULD be a huge QB decision- everyone is sort of like- "aye, we're going to suck so what does it even matter". This is deep apathy, and it really sucks.

We went for like 5 days without a single post. Even with joint practices and a pivotal pre-season tilt, really quiet on here. There has been very little energy this offseason and now deep into camp, and to me, that says a ton as without question we are the most engrossed group of fans there is and even we seemingly don't really fucking care.

To me, it says that no one is going to be excited to watch a Daniel Jones led Colts team if that is the route they go. It also says that very few people are real excited to watch AR do things that AR does, despite his occasional super human plays- because they are just sugar highs.



Kinda hard to refute any of this but I remain a fan in any case. I have not forgot the doormat years and will of course support my Colts regardless of which QB starts.

That said, if I had to make the choice, I would stick with AR who was drafted by this current crew and root for him to take the next step up. At least he can launch those occasional deep ball to the likes of Pierce whereas I think Jones will be very predictable as his lack of stretching the field. "Daniel dink & dunk" seems to be a safer and overpriced (IMHO) choice for a sure bet on mediocrity whereas AR is the wild card yet in my view.

Put all the chips on AR and hope he steps up. Jones as the back up will still be there to step in if no other choice... As for number 3 - still like "Mr. Bean" but Leonard may have the upside here.

Go give em hell Colts!!!

[apballin]

I still root for the Colts no matter what, I agree it’s disappointing to get on here and see nobody posting anything I thought the site was having issues again or something.

This team can win with Daniel Jones, similar to the 49ers with Purdy. He’s not gonna wow you with arm strength and big throws but he gets the ball to the playmakers and they leaned on CMC. Colts can take that same approach.

Regardless who they start I’m hoping for the best but everything with AR just seems chaotic and backyard ball type stuff.

We still have Jonathan Taylor, that’s all I need to know

[rm1369]

It’s the Ballard effect. This is exactly what his method of “team building” brings. The QB situation is a symptom but not the cause of the apathy. Year after year of watching major unfilled holes, positions gifted to players and just hoping they can squeak into the playoffs. I wanted to give up my season tickets this year but renewal starts before the season ends.i won’t make that mistake again and I won’t renew this year. It’s the only way as a fan I can express my disgust in what the team has allowed and become. I’m sure I’ll watch every game, but I won’t give them my money until I believe they care about winning again.

[Hoopsdoc]

I think you can use this board, as a great reflection on where everyone is with this team and what SHOULD be a huge QB decision- everyone is sort of like- "aye, we're going to suck so what does it even matter". This is deep apathy, and it really sucks.

We went for like 5 days without a single post. Even with joint practices and a pivotal pre-season tilt, really quiet on here. There has been very little energy this offseason and now deep into camp, and to me, that says a ton as without question we are the most engrossed group of fans there is and even we seemingly don't really fucking care.

To me, it says that no one is going to be excited to watch a Daniel Jones led Colts team if that is the route they go. It also says that very few people are real excited to watch AR do things that AR does, despite his occasional super human plays- because they are just sugar highs.

I think Steichen and Ballard go with Jones simply as a desperate move to try to keep a paycheck coming. They both know this year, minus at least one playoff win, maybe 2, they are getting axed. Jones definitely would seem to give them the greatest odds at making that happen- Jones probably has a 40% chance of doing that and AR probably 30%. They both know there is no SB this year, they just need to get to the PO's and try to get a W. AR, he gives them the better shot at a SB at SOME point because with enough time he could have a season or two of sufficient play to do that, whereas Jones I don't think will ever provide that top side, but neither of them have the window available to sink another year into AR's intensive development.

I concur with the statement that when you have two QB's, you have none. I don't think we have a QB. I further don't really believe we have a coach, and I sure as hell don't believe we have a GM. If it's me, I start Leonard and try to win 2 games max. I aim for the # 1 pick and get this shit rebuilt from the bottom floor.

I can’t remember when I’ve been less enthusiastic about a season.

[Racehorse]

My glass is half full. I think this team can make a push this year to be a solid playoff team. Could even win this division, as it is weak. That said, all the injuries at CB have made me feel a lot less confident in the defense. Before we lost those guys, I felt like we had a solid chance to be a top ten defense. Not so sure now.

[Racehorse]

As to the low traffic, that has been trending down for a while. A lot of posters left for various reasons a while back. Social media platforms have impacted it some, as people can engage others on fan/team sites. I lurk at other message boards, and traffic on those has been down for them, too.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

As to the low traffic, that has been trending down for a while. A lot of posters left for various reasons a while back. Social media platforms have impacted it some, as people can engage others on fan/team sites. I lurk at other message boards, and traffic on those has been down for them, too.


Yeah, I agree that the decline has been across the board with a lot of sports message boards.

The Pacers made a Finals run and Pacersdigest wasn't all that busy.

The MLB team that I follow used to have 3 very active boards - all 3 are now gone.

I, too, will lurk on other NFL team boards and they aren't as active right now either.

[Mr. Session]

The thread bump made me think Jones was given the job, lol.

I am a little apathetic too. I think it's insane at this point to come into this expecting an exciting year

I also think there is a lot more uncertainty for this organization with Carlie taking over that people seem to be scared to vocalize or something, for whatever reason. (If Jim was walking around the sideline wearing a head set, the world would be throwing a fit).

I hope AR gets the nod so we can run it and if it doesn't work out, be done with it. I'm pretty sure the only thing that could create real optimism at this point is a regime change.

[Dam8610]

The thread bump made me think Jones was given the job, lol.

I am a little apathetic too. I think it's insane at this point to come into this expecting an exciting year

I also think there is a lot more uncertainty for this organization with Carlie taking over that people seem to be scared to vocalize or something, for whatever reason. (If Jim was walking around the sideline wearing a head set, the world would be throwing a fit).

I hope AR gets the nod so we can run it and if it doesn't work out, be done with it. I'm pretty sure the only thing that could create real optimism at this point is a regime change.

A division title with a deep playoff run and a Pro Bowl appearance for AR wouldn't create optimism for you?

I'm not saying it's likely to happen, but it would definitely be a reason for optimism.

[Mr. Session]

A division title with a deep playoff run and a Pro Bowl appearance for AR wouldn't create optimism for you?

I'm not saying it's likely to happen, but it would definitely be a reason for optimism.

Sure. It definitely would, but do you really think that's going to happen?

Again, we've watched this show for about a decade now. Why are we expecting something different at this point?

[Colts And Orioles]

Again, we've watched this show for about a decade now ...... why are we expecting something different at this point ???




o


White Sox fans waited a lot longer than that, and then they won it all in 2005.

Long-suffering Colts fans can hang in there for a least a few more years while simultaneously keeping their hopes up for a solid, Philip Rivers-like 2020 season.

o

[Hoopsdoc]

My glass is half full. I think this team can make a push this year to be a solid playoff team. Could even win this division, as it is weak. That said, all the injuries at CB have made me feel a lot less confident in the defense. Before we lost those guys, I felt like we had a solid chance to be a top ten defense. Not so sure now.

I think the lack of depth at linebacker will hurt us more than the injuries at cornerback. They have Franklin and a bunch of spare parts, and that’s it. They don’t have a single guy with experience other than Zaire. That’s incredible to me.

Should have resigned Speed at the very least.

[Hoopsdoc]

As to the low traffic, that has been trending down for a while. A lot of posters left for various reasons a while back. Social media platforms have impacted it some, as people can engage others on fan/team sites. I lurk at other message boards, and traffic on those has been down for them, too.

Are there any other colts message boards of note other than colts.com?

[nate505]

The thread bump made me think Jones was given the job, lol.

I am a little apathetic too. I think it's insane at this point to come into this expecting an exciting year

I also think there is a lot more uncertainty for this organization with Carlie taking over that people seem to be scared to vocalize or something, for whatever reason. (If Jim was walking around the sideline wearing a head set, the world would be throwing a fit).

I hope AR gets the nod so we can run it and if it doesn't work out, be done with it. I'm pretty sure the only thing that could create real optimism at this point is a regime change.

There have been much worse seasons than this one in terms of excitement.

Remember the 2017 season? With Scott Tolzien as the QB? Or the post Luck retirement season in 2019? Those were some dark days, and they are pretty recent. Let's not get into some of dark seasons in the late 80s and early 90s, where Colts really meant Count on Losing This Sunday.

I'm a bit excited for this season because I still have unrealistic optimism in Richardson, and I want to see how Warren does and to see if Latu will amount to being a great defender. Still, I'm not optimistic to think they'll win a Superbowl or anything, or even win a playoff game (just making the playoffs would be a bit miraculous), but this season is interesting to me as it does feel like this is the make or break year for a lot of critical positions/jobs, like Richardson's, Ballard's, and possibly Steichan's.

[Hoopsdoc]

There have been much worse seasons than this one in terms of excitement.

Remember the 2017 season? With Scott Tolzien as the QB? Or the post Luck retirement season in 2019? Those were some dark days, and they are pretty recent. Let's not get into some of dark seasons in the late 80s and early 90s, where Colts really meant Count on Losing This Sunday.

I'm a bit excited for this season because I still have unrealistic optimism in Richardson, and I want to see how Warren does and to see if Latu will amount to being a great defender. Still, I'm not optimistic to think they'll win a Superbowl or anything, or even win a playoff game (just making the playoffs would be a bit miraculous), but this season is interesting to me as it does feel like this is the make or break year for a lot of critical positions/jobs, like Richardson's, Ballard's, and possibly Steichan's.

Scott Tolzien. :shudder:

[Oldcolt]

I'm a bit excited for this season because I still have unrealistic optimism in Richardson, and I want to see how Warren does and to see if Latu will amount to being a great defender. Still, I'm not optimistic to think they'll win a Superbowl or anything, or even win a playoff game (just making the playoffs would be a bit miraculous), but this season is interesting to me as it does feel like this is the make or break year for a lot of critical positions/jobs, like Richardson's, Ballard's, and possibly Steichan's.

I see Richardson as progressing from last year. I think there is still a chance we get to root for and watch something special in this man. I'll admit to looking through rose colored glasses as far as Richardson and the Colts go but WTF its August. I have tons of time to get pissed and depressed if this goes south.

[Racehorse]

Are there any other colts message boards of note other than colts.com?

Not that I know of. Facebook has a lot of Colts fan pages. I would guess other platforms have them, too.

[YDFL Commish]

I can’t remember when I’ve been less enthusiastic about a season.

I can see a few things to enthusiastic about.

1. Tyler Warren: Everything that I've seen, makes me believe that he will be special and perhaps become the face of the franchise.
2. Laiatu Latu: Similar vibe as Warren.
3. I don't have to ever watch a Gus Bradley led defense again.

The win total may not be there for a playoff run, but if a see overall team improvement along with a couple of exciting play makers, then I can see hope for the future.

Only being a franchise QB away from greatness does suck though, because we may never find that guy.

[Butter]

Not that I know of. Facebook has a lot of Colts fan pages. I would guess other platforms have them, too.

Reddit r/colts, it kind of sucks

[ChoppedWood]

I think the lack of depth at linebacker will hurt us more than the injuries at cornerback. They have Franklin and a bunch of spare parts, and that’s it. They don’t have a single guy with experience other than Zaire. That’s incredible to me.

Should have resigned Speed at the very least.

Ballard gonna Ballard.

Worthless fucking stooge.

[ChoppedWood]

I can see a few things to enthusiastic about.


3. I don't have to ever watch a Gus Bradley led defense again.


On one of the afternoon shows today I think it was Agnes maybe, anyway, someone that has been connected to the Colts for quite a while, and I think it was on JMV's show. In any event, he was talking about how this team might have a completely different vibe to it right now if we went on to beat Houston in the opener last year. He reminded of how AR actually played well and we seemed to have the game in the bag. He then said something that REALLY pissed me off. He completely trashed Bradley and said something like "but then on 3rd and 4 we went with that incredibly stupid Bradley 7 yard cushion, easy 1st down, and a completely changed outlook for this team".

What pisses me off, is that he is 100% right- that stupid fucking Bradley cushion was a laughingstock of the NFL. Yet, this administration decided to trott his fucking ass out there every fucking week and do the same pathetic ass bullshit every fucking game. We could all see it, we were all calling for it to stop, and yet it did not. Just an indictment of the organization IMO- and a massive black mark on my perception of Steichen. Retaining Bradley through the end of last year has caused me to really think poorly of Steichen as a football guy.

It pisses me off that now, now that Gus is gone, you are willing to come out and blast it and calling it incredibly stupid. Why in the FUCK wasn't that level of revulsion expressed when it was actually happening?

[nate505]

I'm a bit excited for this season.

And now that's been cut in half

Say what you want about AR, but he makes it interesting out there.

[ChoppedWood]

On one of the afternoon shows today I think it was Agnes maybe, anyway, someone that has been connected to the Colts for quite a while, and I think it was on JMV's show. In any event, he was talking about how this team might have a completely different vibe to it right now if we went on to beat Houston in the opener last year. He reminded of how AR actually played well and we seemed to have the game in the bag. He then said something that REALLY pissed me off. He completely trashed Bradley and said something like "but then on 3rd and 4 we went with that incredibly stupid Bradley 7 yard cushion, easy 1st down, and a completely changed outlook for this team".

What pisses me off, is that he is 100% right- that stupid fucking Bradley cushion was a laughingstock of the NFL. Yet, this administration decided to trott his fucking ass out there every fucking week and do the same pathetic ass bullshit every fucking game. We could all see it, we were all calling for it to stop, and yet it did not. Just an indictment of the organization IMO- and a massive black mark on my perception of Steichen. Retaining Bradley through the end of last year has caused me to really think poorly of Steichen as a football guy.

It pisses me off that now, now that Gus is gone, you are willing to come out and blast it and calling it incredibly stupid. Why in the FUCK wasn't that level of revulsion expressed when it was actually happening?

A ton of discussion about whether Colts failed AR or AR failed Colts. Obviously tons of blame on both sides- we have done a bad job supporting him and he has clearly not done the work necessary to exhibit the full bag needed to be an NFL QB. So I started thinking about this quite a bit- you know who else failed AR- GUS FUCKING BRADLEY (which again spins up to Steichen).

Clearly AR needed, and definitely still desperately needs reps. Now think back to the game after game after game agony of the TOP being insanely out of alignment. Now, to be clear, AR carries some of that blame, his inaccuracy was a huge negative in terms of being able to stay on the field and effectively generate reps by way of his own play. However AR has no culpability for the fucking shitball Gus Bradley bend, bend, bend, arch your back even further, injure your spin you are bending so much, and finally BREAK fucking defense where QB's were completing 75%+ of their passes and drives were lasting 7+ minutes. That is completely on the bullshit style of fraidy cat defense we have played during AR's time.

This thing has been so terribly mismanaged it is incomprehensible! Sorry, yep, broken record but man you couldn't script a more disastrous collective story of failure than what has gone on with this QB situation. Yet, alas, Ballard still does Ballard.

FUCK!

[Butter]

And now that's been cut in half

Say what you want about AR, but he makes it interesting out there.

I get why they are doing it, sort of, but how many more games does DJ realistically win us? 1 maybe 2, so still midling team drafting in a mid slot again. I doubt AR clicks and becomes an average passer, but if he were going to, being on the field is the only way it happens, not holding a clipboard for a failed QB.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(OCTOBER 15th)


(By Steven Ruiz)


I’d like to formally apologize to Daniel Jones. I abandoned hope too soon. I had long been a card-carrying member of the “Daniel Jones is actually fine” club, but backed out after seeing what a career-threatening neck injury did to his game. I’m back now, though, and hoping that there’s still a spot in the club for a disloyal guy like myself. Jones has recaptured his pre-injury form ...... when toughness in the pocket, athleticism, and an underrated deep ball made him an average starter ..... and seems to have cut down on his processing time, which had also been a major weakness in his game. Some of his other weaknesses persist. Jones’s accuracy comes and goes, and he can be oblivious to pressure. In a supportive offensive environment, which Jones never enjoyed in New York, those faults can be mitigated, as we’re seeing in Indianapolis this season. I don’t want to overstate Jones’s improvement compared to what we saw during his peak as the Giants quarterback. He’s mostly the same passer with a little more refinement. However, his newfound success is proof that he was never as bad as he was perceived to be early in his career.


https://nflrankings.theringer.com/qb-rankings

o

[albany ed]

IMO, Jones is a good QB, but not a great one. He is commanding an offense that is probably the strongest in the NFL. There are no weaknesses on this offense. He has a multitude of WRs to choose from, a dynamic TE and maybe the best RB in the league. The offensive line is one of the best in league. There are teams with better WRs, but not many have the wide variety that Jones has. I think his biggest strength is the ability to read defenses and choose the right receiver. They can't all be covered well. Being a good QB in a great offense, can turn that QB into an all pro. And, he needs to be, because this defense will be giving up a shit load of points when they play some of the better teams.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(OCTOBER 15th)


(By Steven Ruiz)


I’d like to formally apologize to Daniel Jones. I abandoned hope too soon. I had long been a card-carrying member of the “Daniel Jones is actually fine” club, but backed out after seeing what a career-threatening neck injury did to his game. I’m back now, though, and hoping that there’s still a spot in the club for a disloyal guy like myself. Jones has recaptured his pre-injury form ...... when toughness in the pocket, athleticism, and an underrated deep ball made him an average starter ..... and seems to have cut down on his processing time, which had also been a major weakness in his game. Some of his other weaknesses persist. Jones’s accuracy comes and goes, and he can be oblivious to pressure. In a supportive offensive environment, which Jones never enjoyed in New York, those faults can be mitigated, as we’re seeing in Indianapolis this season. I don’t want to overstate Jones’s improvement compared to what we saw during his peak as the Giants quarterback. He’s mostly the same passer with a little more refinement. However, his newfound success is proof that he was never as bad as he was perceived to be early in his career.


https://nflrankings.theringer.com/qb-rankings

o

o


Daniel Jones Deserves Not Just an Apology for the Colts' Renaissance, but Also MVP Hype

(By Ben Strauss)

https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts/daniel-jones-deserves-not-just-an-apology-for-colts-renaissance-but-also-mvp-hype

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. STEELERS, 11/02)



Jones had what was by far his worst game of the season, to-date.

The offensive line, which has been elite all season, had a very bad game also.

o

[YDFL Commish]

o


(vs. STEELERS, 11/02)



Jones had what was by far his worst game of the season, to-date.

The offensive line, which has been elite all season, had a very bad game also.

o

Peyton Manning threw 6 int's vs the Chargers in 2007 and Adam Vinateri missed 2 FG's and the Colts lost by 2 points. Same kind of game.

[sherck]

o


(vs. STEELERS, 11/02)



Jones had what was by far his worst game of the season, to-date.

The offensive line, which has been elite all season, had a very bad game also.

o
Daniel Jones is at his worst when asked to play hero ball....which he was today.

The Giants often asked him to play hero ball because, well, they sucked.

When he is a part of the offense, he has shown to be good.

When he has to be the focal point of the offense however.

I was not impressed by out offensive plan this game. Too many of our passing plays seemed designed to be much deeper than earlier games in the season. I was dismayed that, especially once we became one dimensional and PIT teed off on pass rush, that there seemed to be a complete lack of quick slants, wheel routes or quick hitters designed to get 6-8 yards and a cloud of dust. Everything seemed to be 15 yards down field slow developing crossing routes.

[YDFL Commish]

Daniel Jones is at his worst when asked to play hero ball....which he was today.

The Giants often asked him to play hero ball because, well, they sucked.

When he is a part of the offense, he has shown to be good.

When he has to be the focal point of the offense however.

I was not impressed by out offensive plan this game. Too many of our passing plays seemed designed to be much deeper than earlier games in the season. I was dismayed that, especially once we became one dimensional and PIT teed off on pass rush, that there seemed to be a complete lack of quick slants, wheel routes or quick hitters designed to get 6-8 yards and a cloud of dust. Everything seemed to be 15 yards down field slow developing crossing routes.

I totally agree. The other thing that I noticed is that DJ's drop depth wasn't synced up with the pass blocking scheme. Maybe after having a couple of batted ball int's DJ was over compensating with his drop depth?

[omahacolt]

looks like we will be giving him a big deal this offseason now that we traded away 2 1st round picks

[YDFL Commish]

looks like we will be giving him a big deal this offseason now that we traded away 2 1st round picks

Jones would be crazy to leave, and we would be crazy for letting hims go.

[bigalbert]

I’m still pissed we didn’t get moneymaker when he was available but Danny has been good for us. Hoping last week was an anomaly.

[Colts And Orioles]

Jones would be crazy to leave, and we would be crazy for letting hims go.





o


I've said before that I believe that Daniel Jones will do everything that he can to remain with the Colts in 2026 and beyond ....... he caught a lot of shit when he was playing for the New York Giants in the first 7 seasons of his career, and I think that he's smart enough to know that his legacy is more important than a few million dollars one way or the other ...... he made $76 Million while playing for the Giants between 2019 and 2024, and he's getting another $14 Million this season playing for the Colts ...... Jones is a brainiac who originally committed to Princeton and wound up going to Duke, so he presumably has enough wisdom to know that remaining in a situation that is leaps and bounds superior to the one that he was mired in for 7 seasons in New York is more important than a few extra million dollars on the free-agent market.

So in my rat's of an opinion, Jones will be staying with the Colts in 2026 (presuming that the Colts remain on the successful track that they are currently on for the remainder of the 2025 season.)

o

[Pez]

I think it's going to be a challenging week for Jones. He has to be carrying a pile of baggage with him from the Giants.

It's a challenging week for Steichen, he needs to get his QB back on track, and he needs to get his own shit together. His game plan against the steelers was novel, wasn't working and he just stuck with it.

[YDFL Commish]

I think it's going to be a challenging week for Jones. He has to be carrying a pile of baggage with him from the Giants.

It's a challenging week for Steichen, he needs to get his QB back on track, and he needs to get his own shit together. His game plan against the steelers was novel, wasn't working and he just stuck with it.

He has opened, I think almost every game, by being very pass happy for the majority of the 1st half. Maybe he needs to flip the script on that?

[Butter]

I get why they are doing it, sort of, but how many more games does DJ realistically win us? 1 maybe 2, so still midling team drafting in a mid slot again. I doubt AR clicks and becomes an average passer, but if he were going to, being on the field is the only way it happens, not holding a clipboard for a failed QB.

I looked back at my earlier thought and it seems like DJ will get us a lot more than 1 or 2 more wins, mea culpa.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. FALCONS, 11/09)



Jones's pass-protection from the offensive line was awful today, but I also think that he showed a lack of pocket-presence on several occasions ...... late in the first half, the Colts had 2nd-and-1 near midfield. Jones took a sack to put them in a near-impossible 3rd-and-11 with the clock running. He needed to get rid of the ball for an incomplete pass to stop the clock and save the yards, and the Colts still would have been in good shape at 3rd-and-1 ....... also with the fumbles, he was lucky that he didn't lose 2 today, as one of his fumbles very fortuitously fell out of bounds before the Falcons could recover it.

o

[sherck]

A. I don't know what has happened in the last two games but our O-Line is getting beat by A LOT more pass rushers.

B. We are beginning to see the Daniel Jones that the New York fans saw for seven years.

C. That DOES NOT mean that DJ cannot be saved. We need to use the bye week to figure out what has changed and get back to what worked earlier in the season.

[Pez]

I don't like seeing DJ try to carry the load. He's not as seasoned as JT and he's not as good.

Great time for the bye week as other have said.

It could be too that we have put a lot down on film that other teams have been game-planning against.

[apballin]

Still hell of a performance, that bloody mouth scramble and then dime to Warren was classic

[Oldcolt]

Jones has been below average QB the last two games. A turnover waiting to happen. Hope it's an aberration but Giants fans say that is who he is. He is one tough SOB however.

[YDFL Commish]

Jones has been below average QB the last two games. A turnover waiting to happen. Hope it's an aberration but Giants fans say that is who he is. He is one tough SOB however.

I'll take one tough SOB over the alternative!

[Oldcolt]

I'll take one tough SOB over the alternative!

I leader he seems to be. I like the guy but think he is limited. Offensive line needs to get their shit together. Since everyone began blathering on about how great they are and how brilliant Ballard is they have been a sieve. This is a good team that finds ways to win, all teams have ups and downs. We know what this team can do, have seen it. Having two shut down corners will do incredible things for this defense. They are capable of a deep run in December, maybe thru February if they get hot. I cannot remember with any clarity the last time I actually believed that. What more could you ask for in November?

[Pez]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G5VJdoYXgAEq6bN?format=jpg&name=small

This was almost the banner image this week, but it creeps me out that his eyes are tracking two different directions. This is surely how he sees the entire field.

[Hoopsdoc]

Jones in the past two games- 4 interceptions, 6 fumbles(3 lost), and 12 sacks taken.

He’s been really bad lately and that cannot continue if we expect to go anywhere this season.

Pittsburg and Atlanta both blitzed him pretty heavily and had success doing it. That will continue until he figures it out or gets benched again.

[Dam8610]

Jones in the past two games- 4 interceptions, 6 fumbles(3 lost), and 12 sacks taken.

He’s been really bad lately and that cannot continue if we expect to go anywhere this season.

Pittsburg and Atlanta both blitzed him pretty heavily and had success doing it. That will continue until he figures it out or gets benched again.

Atlanta "succeeded" to the tune of allowing 31 points and losing, Pittsburgh would have had similar results if they didn't get some of the most fortuitous bounces of the ball I've ever seen (i.e. the Sawyer INT). The OL needs to pass block better, but if these are the results blitzing produces, I'm not sure that I'm concerned.

[rcubed]

Jones in the past two games- 4 interceptions, 6 fumbles(3 lost), and 12 sacks taken.

He’s been really bad lately and that cannot continue if we expect to go anywhere this season.

Pittsburg and Atlanta both blitzed him pretty heavily and had success doing it. That will continue until he figures it out or gets benched again.

Pass protection.

[Hoopsdoc]

Atlanta "succeeded" to the tune of allowing 31 points and losing, Pittsburgh would have had similar results if they didn't get some of the most fortuitous bounces of the ball I've ever seen (i.e. the Sawyer INT). The OL needs to pass block better, but if these are the results blitzing produces, I'm not sure that I'm concerned.

You’re not concerned about 12 sacks, 6 fumbles, and 4 ints in a 2 game stretch?

Ok, I admire your optimism.

[Hoopsdoc]

Pass protection.

Jones is part of that as well. First of all, he has to secure the ball. Second, he has to get rid of the ball when the other team is blitzing.

As I said, teams are going to continue doing this. It’s up to Steichen and Jones to get it corrected.

[Dam8610]

You’re not concerned about 12 sacks, 6 fumbles, and 4 ints in a 2 game stretch?

Ok, I admire your optimism.

Honestly, in my opinion, you learn what you can from the Pittsburgh game, then flush the film. The Steelers had so many fluke lucky things break in their favor in that game, had a +5 turnover margin, 24 points off turnovers, and still only managed to win that game by 7. Can you imagine what this offense would do with a +5 turnover margin and 24 points off turnovers? They probably drop near 50 and win by 4 scores at least.

As for yesterday's game, the pass blocking wasn't there, even Taylor reverted back to his poor pass blocking, with a Kaden Elliss spin move beating him for one of the sacks. That said, I'm glad to see them win in adverse conditions, because if they want to win the whole thing, they're going to have to win games where they don't play their best. To do that against what seems like a pretty solid Falcons team is a good sign.

[Colts And Orioles]

Jones would be crazy to leave, and we would be crazy for letting him go.








o


I've said before that I believe that Daniel Jones will do everything that he can to remain with the Colts in 2026 and beyond ....... he caught a lot of shit when he was playing for the New York Giants in the first 7 seasons of his career, and I think that he's smart enough to know that his legacy is more important than a few million dollars one way or the other ...... he made $76 Million while playing for the Giants between 2019 and 2024, and he's getting another $14 Million this season playing for the Colts ...... Jones is a brainiac who originally committed to Princeton and wound up going to Duke, so he presumably has enough wisdom to know that remaining in a situation that is leaps and bounds superior to the one that he was mired in for 7 seasons in New York is more important than a few extra million dollars on the free-agent market.

So in my rat's of an opinion, Jones will be staying with the Colts in 2026 (presuming that the Colts remain on the successful track that they are currently on for the remainder of the 2025 season.)

o

o


ESPN's Jeremy Fowler chimes in on the chances of Daniel Jones returning to the Colts in 2026 and beyond.



NFL Insider Says Colts 'Appear All-In' on Daniel Jones Return in FA, Projects Contract

(By Doric Sam)

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25291773-nfl-insider-says-colts-appear-all-daniel-jones-return-fa-projects-contract

o

[sherck]

This article at NFL.com ranks DJ as the #11 QB for the season thus far and in their "Tier 2" of QBs: Link Here (https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-qb-rankings-index-week-11-2025-nfl-season).

Tier 1 = Stafford, Mahomes, Mayfield, Maye, Allen, Darnold.

Tier 2 = Lamar Jackson, Herbert, Goff, Hurts, DJ.

Tier 3 = Prescott, Love, Caleb Williams, Dart, Flacco, Mac Jones, Rodgers, Brissett, Tagovailoa.

Tier 4 = Lawrence, Mills, Mariota, Shough (who?), Nix, McCarthy.

Sounds about right. DJ is somewhere in the 8-12 range for performance this season for his play on the field. Is he around that for his career? Heck, no. But this season? He is not elite but he has not sucked either at all.

Heck, both our losses were 7 point affairs where he did not play his best but both were winnable. Of course, without JT heroics in Berlin, that game was lossable as well so....

Just more data to add to the swirl of, "Is Daniel Jones worth signing to a contract?"

[Colts And Orioles]

o


In 1967, the NCAA outlawed dunking the basketball, primarily to try to offset the dominance of UCLA's Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.)

So, with a major part of his game taken away, how did Alcindor/Jabbar react to his style being cramped by this new rule ??? He added a now legendary shot to his arsenal, known as "The Sky Hook." If the NCAA had not banned dunking the ball in the first place, Alcindor/Jabbar may never have developed the now fabled sky-hook shot in the 2nd place.


And then along came Jones ...... almost 60 years later, a mobile quarterback by the name of Daniel Jones was signed as a free agent by our beloved Indianapolis Colts. In the first 10 games of the season, Jones and his Colts stormed out to an 8-2 start with Jones having what is by far the best season of his 7-year NFL career. But then, the mobile Jones had his mobility taken away with a broken fibula.

So in their last 2 games, the Colts lost heartbreaking nail-biters to the Chiefs and the Texans. And while Jones' lack of mobility certainly was a factor in those losses, another part of his game actually improved ...... his turnovers. In particular, his fumbling. In the first 10 games of the season, Jones' one glaring weakness in an otherwise excellent season was his tendency to fumble. Jones fumbled the ball 8 times in the first 10 games of the season, with 6 of those 8 fumbles resulting in turnovers. In his last 2 games, the hobbled Jones had 0 turnovers, and he recovered his own lone fumble.

So ...... is there a correlation between Jones' hampered mobility and his ability to secure the ball better ??? As was the case when Alcindor/Jabbar developed his famous sky-hook shot after having another part of his game taken away by a rule change, will Daniel Jones' broken leg wind up actually helping him in the long run with the one glaring weakness that he has had for his entire career, dating back to his rookie season with the Giants when he led the NFL with 19 fumbles in only 13 games ??? Time will tell.

o

[Oldcolt]

I cannot believe that people seem satisfied with Daniel Jones as our QB going forward. To me, if this keeps going this like it is and DJ finishes with his best season EVER here, which would mean that at his best he is mediocre, Ballard has shit the bed once again. We have spent the last 9 years looking for a QB who is mediocre. We could have just kept Jacoby and have been done with it. We can be that middling team that gets a big win against the big boys once in a while but we will never compete consistently with teams that have top QBs. If you think I am talking out my ass just remember how we felt when we went up against QBs who were middling when we had Manning and Luck. Felt good and we should have.

Everyone hates on AR because of injury but seems to overlook the fact that Jones has finished exactly one season without losing time to injury and is injured once again this season. He hasn't lost time this year but the offense has taken a shit big time in part because of it according to many here and in the press. Somehow that's not on him yet AR getting a freak injury warming up is all about AR being injury prone. To be clear I don't believe either narrative (don't blame Jones or AR), players get injured, all of them. If you believe in the injury prone player than how is Jones not one also? I am negative because I believe we will end up out of the playoffs (at best a wild card defeat) and will be a 9-11 win team now and for the foreseeable future.

[Dam8610]

I cannot believe that people seem satisfied with Daniel Jones as our QB going forward. To me, if this keeps going this like it is and DJ finishes with his best season EVER here, which would mean that at his best he is mediocre, Ballard has shit the bed once again. We have spent the last 9 years looking for a QB who is mediocre. We could have just kept Jacoby and have been done with it. We can be that middling team that gets a big win against the big boys once in a while but we will never compete consistently with teams that have top QBs. If you think I am talking out my ass just remember how we felt when we went up against QBs who were middling when we had Manning and Luck. Felt good and we should have.

Everyone hates on AR because of injury but seems to overlook the fact that Jones has finished exactly one season without losing time to injury and is injured once again this season. He hasn't lost time this year but the offense has taken a shit big time in part because of it according to many here and in the press. Somehow that's not on him yet AR getting a freak injury warming up is all about AR being injury prone. To be clear I don't believe either narrative (don't blame Jones or AR), players get injured, all of them. If you believe in the injury prone player than how is Jones not one also? I am negative because I believe we will end up out of the playoffs (at best a wild card defeat) and will be a 9-11 win team now and for the foreseeable future.

Jones is fine, he just needs to reliably complete his hots against the blitz. He did that the first 8 weeks, the Colts were 7-1 and the offense was performing at historic levels. He hasn’t done that the last 5 weeks, the Colts were 1-3 and the offense has been average. Some of that is on the WRs (Pittman and Downs have dropped some key passes as the hot), some of that is on the playcalling (short passing game seems to have disappeared over the last month), but a lot of it is on Jones not being as accurate in those situations recently as he was earlier in the season. If he does that, the offense and therefore the team will go back to looking unstoppable. If not, we're in for a very long offseason.

[YDFL Commish]

There are a lot of negative Nancy's, who usually want to see the worst.


We have a QB playing with a broken leg
345 Park Avenue has screwed us 2 weeks in a row
Our LB salutation, with regards to coverage, m,ay be the worst in the NFL
Placekicking has sucked
I won't mention injuries to players who are not playing, because every team has them
The O-Line play has dropped offf
Schematically both Anarumo and Steichen have been a tick off
We can't generate pass rush when rushing only 4 DL

[Oldcolt]

Jones is fine, he just needs to reliably complete his hots against the blitz. He did that the first 8 weeks, the Colts were 7-1 and the offense was performing at historic levels. He hasn’t done that the last 5 weeks, the Colts were 1-3 and the offense has been average. Some of that is on the WRs (Pittman and Downs have dropped some key passes as the hot), some of that is on the playcalling (short passing game seems to have disappeared over the last month), but a lot of it is on Jones not being as accurate in those situations recently as he was earlier in the season. If he does that, the offense and therefore the team will go back to looking unstoppable. If not, we're in for a very long offseason.

Dam I agree with all of this. The question I have is which DJ is the real one? I am all in on letting this thing run its course this year but think it's crazy to believe this guy is the future right now. And yes I am a negative Nancy about this team. Comes with rooting for them the last 9 years.

[albany ed]

I would franchise him next year. No long term contract and no just letting him go.