Quick thoughts on Titans-Colts

[GoBigBlue88]

1. Pretty much my only negatives for this game would be Ryan Kelly's injury and the fact that Indy Special wasn't a TD. Wow. What a ballgame. Hats off to everyone in the org.

2. That Ryan Kelly injury scares the hell out of me. I don't know anything beyond "knee", but I've seen too many guys walk off the field with a knee injury, go to the locker room, and next day you hear it's ACL. Here's hoping Colts dodge that bullet.

3. One nitpick in the run game is that Marlon Mack goes down way too easily on ankle tackles. Glad someone finally pointed it out this week; we've seen it through his career. I still think Mack's overall game is perfect for this offense, but I wouldn't mind seeing Jordan Wilkins (who I might argue is a bit undervalued by the team) taking 3-5 touches that have traditionally been drawn up for Mack.

4. TY Hilton just embarrassed Adoree Jackson today. Not much to say: Hilton is still awesome and smart fans already knew this. Dontrelle Inman has really impressed me though. Great route runner with solid hands and an ability to extend on plays I don't think other non-TE Colts receivers have. He won't turn heads with speed or YAC, but he's a pretty long target.

5. I like that Titans thought they would throw off the Colts by coming out with an emphasis on base nickel and Colts basically said: OK, cool. Colts can go 11, 12, 13, whatever personnel on you. Reich will pick apart whatever your defense was; it's just on players to execute.

6. I don't mind the Indy Special call at all. Your offense has been BALLING for a long time now. You earn the slack to try that when you routinely make the high % plays. I'm glad they ran it, because they value having fun playing football. When you do that, you tend to roll.

7. I think Mariota is super overrated, but I thought Colts had a great rush plan in place for him. There was no outside escape, and their was Darius Leonard spying in the middle. Mariota panicked routinely. Colts schemed him into total irrelevance. Blew up those edges all day.

8. Al Woods had himself a day after really struggling for most of the season. Thought he was the DL who showed up most on a live watch.

9. Darius Leonard is obviously a DROY favorite and we're running out of good things to say about him, but nitpicking: going for the strip did cost him 2-3 tackles today. Fine to be aggressive, but just gotta know you're less likely to get that on Derrick Henry and still be able to make a tackle.

10. FWIW, much will be made of Dean Pees' illness (hope he's OK!) affecting Titans defense. But I honestly thought the Titans played well on individual plays; the Colts were just unbeatable on many. Example: on the Indy Special red zone drive, second down, Colts run a play that is a TD on 30 other NFL teams, I am confident. TY Hilton comes across formation, drawing attention at snap, and Doyle fakes a block to leak out of formation going the other way. Logan Ryan stays with it, and stops the pass to Doyle for zero gain. That, to me, doesn't speak to a defense that was just caught off guard. It speaks to a defense that couldn't individually handle TY Hilton when they loaded the box against the run.

11. Sucks that Chester Rogers PR TD got called back. Colts return unit has been so bad for so long, you'd like to see a little momentum fall in their favor.

12. No idea how Luck didn't throw an INT to Adoree Jackson on the early 3Q play that ended up being a completion to Hilton. Colts got a few kind bounces today.

13. If Kelly is out, I wonder if Haeg or Boehm gets the call at center. Haven't seen enough from Boehm yet to have any feel for his game.

14. Quincy Wilson had a standout game today after a real dud last week. Not just the gimme INT; he played nasty. If you play nasty as a CB in this system, you will succeed more often than not.

15. Last few games have shown how overrated the run game is, IMO. Colts have done nothing special on the ground since OAK, and they're still dominating on offense. They can run when they have to, rip off one long one per game, and run in enough DIFFERENT ways to keep defenses guessing and honest. Which I have to think is Reich's preference all along: run well enough to allow the offense to work.

16. Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly getting majority of OL accolades. They deserve accolades, but I'd argue Anthony Castonzo has the strongest All-Pro case of anyone on the OL...

17. Colts are doing enough things with jet sweep action this year to make defenses think. Just so fun to see wrinkles like this after years of Pagano ruining everything. Jesus, does this season illustrate how bad Pagano was.

18. Nitpick: Colts hurrying up to the line on 3rd down to execute a shotgun handoff up the middle was effective earlier this season, but enough teams have seen it now where it doesn't sururpise anyone. Need to get a little more creative with hurry-up snaps on 3rd down.

19. He hasn't had a huge box score impact this year, and still clearly isn't the same player as last year yet, but make no mistake: this team needs Malik Hooker.

20. I keep waiting for this team to run a fake punt, given who their coaches are.

[JAFF]

Pees is probalby at IU hospital next door to Riley Childrens. Best place to be.

[Pez]

Agree with you about the injury to Kelly, and I want him back next week with nothing serious.

It's hard to describe this, but I think TY's injury earlier in the year actually helped Luck, and I hop that if kelly is going to miss games that we will see where the depth is on our OL. It's obviously prefereranbe that Kelly will be back next week, but there is benefit if this line can be presented with adversity and overcome that diversity.

Just a fantastic game today, all 10 of the Titans points were garbage. This was more or less a shutout.

A statement. the Colts are a fu**ing pain in the ass.

[njcoltfan]

1. Pretty much my only negatives for this game would be Ryan Kelly's injury and the fact that Indy Special wasn't a TD. Wow. What a ballgame. Hats off to everyone in the org.

2. That Ryan Kelly injury scares the hell out of me. I don't know anything beyond "knee", but I've seen too many guys walk off the field with a knee injury, go to the locker room, and next day you hear it's ACL. Here's hoping Colts dodge that bullet.

3. One nitpick in the run game is that Marlon Mack goes down way too easily on ankle tackles. Glad someone finally pointed it out this week; we've seen it through his career. I still think Mack's overall game is perfect for this offense, but I wouldn't mind seeing Jordan Wilkins (who I might argue is a bit undervalued by the team) taking 3-5 touches that have traditionally been drawn up for Mack.

4. TY Hilton just embarrassed Adoree Jackson today. Not much to say: Hilton is still awesome and smart fans already knew this. Dontrelle Inman has really impressed me though. Great route runner with solid hands and an ability to extend on plays I don't think other non-TE Colts receivers have. He won't turn heads with speed or YAC, but he's a pretty long target.

5. I like that Titans thought they would throw off the Colts by coming out with an emphasis on base nickel and Colts basically said: OK, cool. Colts can go 11, 12, 13, whatever personnel on you. Reich will pick apart whatever your defense was; it's just on players to execute.

6. I don't mind the Indy Special call at all. Your offense has been BALLING for a long time now. You earn the slack to try that when you routinely make the high % plays. I'm glad they ran it, because they value having fun playing football. When you do that, you tend to roll.

7. I think Mariota is super overrated, but I thought Colts had a great rush plan in place for him. There was no outside escape, and their was Darius Leonard spying in the middle. Mariota panicked routinely. Colts schemed him into total irrelevance. Blew up those edges all day.

8. Al Woods had himself a day after really struggling for most of the season. Thought he was the DL who showed up most on a live watch.

9. Darius Leonard is obviously a DROY favorite and we're running out of good things to say about him, but nitpicking: going for the strip did cost him 2-3 tackles today. Fine to be aggressive, but just gotta know you're less likely to get that on Derrick Henry and still be able to make a tackle.

10. FWIW, much will be made of Dean Pees' illness (hope he's OK!) affecting Titans defense. But I honestly thought the Titans played well on individual plays; the Colts were just unbeatable on many. Example: on the Indy Special red zone drive, second down, Colts run a play that is a TD on 30 other NFL teams, I am confident. TY Hilton comes across formation, drawing attention at snap, and Doyle fakes a block to leak out of formation going the other way. Logan Ryan stays with it, and stops the pass to Doyle for zero gain. That, to me, doesn't speak to a defense that was just caught off guard. It speaks to a defense that couldn't individually handle TY Hilton when they loaded the box against the run.

11. Sucks that Chester Rogers PR TD got called back. Colts return unit has been so bad for so long, you'd like to see a little momentum fall in their favor.

12. No idea how Luck didn't throw an INT to Adoree Jackson on the early 3Q play that ended up being a completion to Hilton. Colts got a few kind bounces today.

13. If Kelly is out, I wonder if Haeg or Boehm gets the call at center. Haven't seen enough from Boehm yet to have any feel for his game.

14. Quincy Wilson had a standout game today after a real dud last week. Not just the gimme INT; he played nasty. If you play nasty as a CB in this system, you will succeed more often than not.

15. Last few games have shown how overrated the run game is, IMO. Colts have done nothing special on the ground since OAK, and they're still dominating on offense. They can run when they have to, rip off one long one per game, and run in enough DIFFERENT ways to keep defenses guessing and honest. Which I have to think is Reich's preference all along: run well enough to allow the offense to work.

16. Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly getting majority of OL accolades. They deserve accolades, but I'd argue Anthony Castonzo has the strongest All-Pro case of anyone on the OL...

17. Colts are doing enough things with jet sweep action this year to make defenses think. Just so fun to see wrinkles like this after years of Pagano ruining everything. Jesus, does this season illustrate how bad Pagano was.

18. Nitpick: Colts hurrying up to the line on 3rd down to execute a shotgun handoff up the middle was effective earlier this season, but enough teams have seen it now where it doesn't sururpise anyone. Need to get a little more creative with hurry-up snaps on 3rd down.

19. He hasn't had a huge box score impact this year, and still clearly isn't the same player as last year yet, but make no mistake: this team needs Malik Hooker.

20. I keep waiting for this team to run a fake punt, given who their coaches are.
regarding #2, Kelly is being evaluated for a concussion, not for any knee injury.

[DrSpaceman]

Best game the Colts have played in a long time. Not just this year but in several years, start to finish

Luck missed one throw all game, had a wide open TE inside the 10 and missed him. Other than that, nothing better he could have done

But question is the Kelly injury and how serious it is

A great game with Reggie and Peyton watching.

Career game for TY Hilton. Needs more of that though, more consistently week to week.

Two weeks in a row, just crushed division opponents for one half to a whole game that are supposed to have good defenses.

On to Miami next week. Right in the thick of things in the playoff hunt, though Houston won today as well. Even without the division, still in the WC race with lots of other teams.

Stupid penalty at the end of the half to put them in closer FG range. Only dumb mistake all game

Give games without a sack.

Also Luck has thrown one red zone INT all year, and that one was on the very first drive of the season. Not a single one since all year.

[DrSpaceman]

regarding #2, Kelly is being evaluated for a concussion, not for any knee injury.

Yes I saw both. TV said knee, then elsewhere said a concussion.

[GoBigBlue88]

Yes I saw both. TV said knee, then elsewhere said a concussion.

It's a knee, and he's getting an MRI tomorrow. Signs don't look good...

[JAFF]

It's a knee, and he's getting an MRI tomorrow. Signs don't look good...

Wait until Thursday to panic

[daedge]

regarding #2, Kelly is being evaluated for a concussion, not for any knee injury.


No, it's definitely a knee. MRI scheduled for tomorrow. Is the same knee which forced him to miss practice on Friday, although it sounds like it's a different injury. I've got a bad feeling about this....

[Hoopsdoc]

Best game the Colts have played in a long time. Not just this year but in several years, start to finish

Luck missed one throw all game, had a wide open TE inside the 10 and missed him. Other than that, nothing better he could have done

But question is the Kelly injury and how serious it is

A great game with Reggie and Peyton watching.

Career game for TY Hilton. Needs more of that though, more consistently week to week.

Two weeks in a row, just crushed division opponents for one half to a whole game that are supposed to have good defenses.

On to Miami next week. Right in the thick of things in the playoff hunt, though Houston won today as well. Even without the division, still in the WC race with lots of other teams.

Stupid penalty at the end of the half to put them in closer FG range. Only dumb mistake all game

Give games without a sack.

Also Luck has thrown one red zone INT all year, and that one was on the very first drive of the season. Not a single one since all year.

I was thinking the same thing. Most complete game since blowing out the Broncos in the playoffs many years ago. That was the Marvin getting up untouched and scoring game.

The Titans had NO chance today. They were outplayed, out coached, and outclassed in every way.

[Maniac]

I know Wentz is still working his way back from an ACL, but I can't help but think we got the best offensive coach from that superbowl team when we got Reich.

[YDFL Commish]

Hopefully Kelly has a Dallas Clark like miraculous recovery, and once the swelling goes down, he misses just one week.

[Chromeburn]

Kelly was initially ruled out but played. I wonder if it has something to do with the original injury.

That fact Wilson made adjustments after last week makes me hopeful that he can still be a player for us. He is still young and mid second season. We’ve seen flashes just need consistency.

I haven’t been as impressed with Mack as I initially was. He is fast and dangerous if he gets in space. But he seems to have little wiggle in his game, hence the shoestring tackles taking him down. After watching replays of his runs, I feel like he doesn’t hit the hole as efficiently as he could. I also want to see more Wilkins, he isn’t as fast, but I feel he is more fluid and gets through the holes to the second level more smoothly. He has a good feel for the game. I want to see him in a year with a full NFL off season.

Castonzo has been solid, it really is amazing what it can do for your game if you don’t really have to worry about the guy beside you as much.

Really impressed with the defense this game. They took to the tacks. I can’t believe Leonard is a rookie, just a tremendous feel for the game. Turay looks like the light is coming on and is playing faster. Just a good defensive effort against a good offensive line.

Mariota is overrated. Been saying this since Oregon. He is so bland, like plain oatmeal. His accuracy comes and goes, and I don’t think he is clutch at all. Shows how easy it is to fall into the QB trap of pretty good but not great. They are locked into him for years. I would rather have bad or great. Because with bad at least you know to move on in a couple years.

[Chromeburn]

I know Wentz is still working his way back from an ACL, but I can't help but think we got the best offensive coach from that superbowl team when we got Reich.

I think we found a good offensive innovator in that coordinator Sirianni that Reich brought in.

[Butter]

Mariota is overrated. Been saying this since Oregon. He is so bland, like plain oatmeal. His accuracy comes and goes, and I don’t think he is clutch at all. Shows how easy it is to fall into the QB trap of pretty good but not great. They are locked into him for years. I would rather have bad or great. Because with bad at least you know to move on in a couple years.

So he sits at or near the Dalton line?

[nate505]

I'm glad all the complaints were nitpicks, because it was hard to find any fault with the Colts in this game. This was one of the most complete/dominant games I've seen in years.

[daedge]

Kelly was initially ruled out but played. I wonder if it has something to do with the original injury.

That fact Wilson made adjustments after last week makes me hopeful that he can still be a player for us. He is still young and mid second season. We’ve seen flashes just need consistency.

I haven’t been as impressed with Mack as I initially was. He is fast and dangerous if he gets in space. But he seems to have little wiggle in his game, hence the shoestring tackles taking him down. After watching replays of his runs, I feel like he doesn’t hit the hole as efficiently as he could. I also want to see more Wilkins, he isn’t as fast, but I feel he is more fluid and gets through the holes to the second level more smoothly. He has a good feel for the game. I want to see him in a year with a full NFL off season.

Castonzo has been solid, it really is amazing what it can do for your game if you don’t really have to worry about the guy beside you as much.

Really impressed with the defense this game. They took to the tacks. I can’t believe Leonard is a rookie, just a tremendous feel for the game. Turay looks like the light is coming on and is playing faster. Just a good defensive effort against a good offensive line.

Mariota is overrated. Been saying this since Oregon. He is so bland, like plain oatmeal. His accuracy comes and goes, and I don’t think he is clutch at all. Shows how easy it is to fall into the QB trap of pretty good but not great. They are locked into him for years. I would rather have bad or great. Because with bad at least you know to move on in a couple years.

Sounds like it's unrelated to original knee injury.

[TheMugwump]

So he sits at or near the Dalton line?

He's several notches below Dalton, IMO.

[Luck4Reich]

Never thought the Colts would be talked about as a team you wouldn’t want to face in the playoffs. Fun to watch no matter what happens.

[DrSpaceman]

Kelly was initially ruled out but played. I wonder if it has something to do with the original injury.

That fact Wilson made adjustments after last week makes me hopeful that he can still be a player for us. He is still young and mid second season. We’ve seen flashes just need consistency.

I haven’t been as impressed with Mack as I initially was. He is fast and dangerous if he gets in space. But he seems to have little wiggle in his game, hence the shoestring tackles taking him down. After watching replays of his runs, I feel like he doesn’t hit the hole as efficiently as he could. I also want to see more Wilkins, he isn’t as fast, but I feel he is more fluid and gets through the holes to the second level more smoothly. He has a good feel for the game. I want to see him in a year with a full NFL off season.

Castonzo has been solid, it really is amazing what it can do for your game if you don’t really have to worry about the guy beside you as much.

Really impressed with the defense this game. They took to the tacks. I can’t believe Leonard is a rookie, just a tremendous feel for the game. Turay looks like the light is coming on and is playing faster. Just a good defensive effort against a good offensive line.

Mariota is overrated. Been saying this since Oregon. He is so bland, like plain oatmeal. His accuracy comes and goes, and I don’t think he is clutch at all. Shows how easy it is to fall into the QB trap of pretty good but not great. They are locked into him for years. I would rather have bad or great. Because with bad at least you know to move on in a couple years.



The one play today that was disappointing from Mack was the off tackle 2nd/3rd and short where he needed two yards, really thought he could have just put his head down and plowed for the first down and he just fell down a hard short for no apparent reason. The hole was there, he had the opening had the momentum and I was just like....what happened? That should have been a conversion.

[JAFF]

The one play today that was disappointing from Mack was the off tackle 2nd/3rd and short where he needed two yards, really thought he could have just put his head down and plowed for the first down and he just fell down a hard short for no apparent reason. The hole was there, he had the opening had the momentum and I was just like....what happened? That should have been a conversion.

Really? Are you unhappy about not winning the powerball?

This team is 5-5. Was anyone here thinking they were a .500 team?

[YDFL Commish]

The one play today that was disappointing from Mack was the off tackle 2nd/3rd and short where he needed two yards, really thought he could have just put his head down and plowed for the first down and he just fell down a hard short for no apparent reason. The hole was there, he had the opening had the momentum and I was just like....what happened? That should have been a conversion.


Didn't he convert on the very next play...by doing what you just asked?

[Butter]

Really? Are you unhappy about not winning the powerball?

This team is 5-5. Was anyone here thinking they were a .500 team?

I thought we would be +/- 2 games of .500 after a rough start, possibly contending for a wildcard. I expected a late-season run, I am surprised how early it started. Luck is the real deal and I had a strong hunch Reich was a much better coach than Pags.

[TheMugwump]

I thought we would be +/- 2 games of .500 after a rough start, possibly contending for a wildcard. I expected a late-season run, I am surprised how early it started. Luck is the real deal and I had a strong hunch Reich was a much better coach than Pags.

And likely a much better coach than McDaniels.

Talk about winning by losing.

[Luck4Reich]

And likely a much better coach than McDaniels.

Talk about winning by losing.

A true blessing in disguise for the Colts when McDaniels backed out.

[Chromeburn]

So he sits at or near the Dalton line?

He straddles it like it’s a rodeo bull trying to buck him off.

[Chromeburn]

And likely a much better coach than McDaniels.

Talk about winning by losing.

Funny how things work out. Patriots and Kraft thought they were really sticking it to us also. We should send them thank you letters.

[Racehorse]

I thought we would be +/- 2 games of .500 after a rough start, possibly contending for a wildcard. I expected a late-season run, I am surprised how early it started. Luck is the real deal and I had a strong hunch Reich was a much better coach than Pags.

I thought 11-5, but after blowing two games early on, I thought we were looking at 7-9. Today, we look more like 9-7 or 10-6, if we catch a break or two later in the season.

[Phelanka7]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but I wonder how much of TY blowing up today had anything to do with his old mentor #87 being in attendance...?

:D

[Luck4Reich]

He straddles it like it’s a rodeo bull trying to buck him off.

Sounds like Brady’s fantasy.

[Chromeburn]

The one play today that was disappointing from Mack was the off tackle 2nd/3rd and short where he needed two yards, really thought he could have just put his head down and plowed for the first down and he just fell down a hard short for no apparent reason. The hole was there, he had the opening had the momentum and I was just like....what happened? That should have been a conversion.

He is a speed back. I think he is pretty good, and if he makes it into space a danger to take it all the way. But I don’t know if he will be one of those elite lead backs. As a unit I think they compliment each other and make a good group.

[TheMugwump]

Sounds like Brady’s fantasy.

Now THIS is funny. I don't care who you are, this right here is funny.

[Chromeburn]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but I wonder how much of TY blowing up today had anything to do with his old mentor #87 being in attendance...?

:D

Apparently TY correctly predicted his yards and TD’s before the game on Edge’s Twitter.

[Chromeburn]

Sounds like Brady’s fantasy.

Yeah, if Brady is the bull.

[Luck4Reich]

Yeah, if Brady is the bull.

I think he rather be the bitch:o

[GoBigBlue88]

To be clear, I think what makes Mack the starter and deserving of carries in spite of his limitations is that he's a COMPLETE back. He can pass block now. He's probably the most consistent receiving threat from the backfield given Hines has turned into a bit of a headcase there. I think you can just field him on more downs, tbh.

But if the Colts are gonna sit on a kajillion cap dollars anyway, I could be talked into Le'Veon Bell (AFTER Demarcus Lawrence, AFTER a WR, AFTER DB help ensured etc.)

Probably dumb, unrelated question: is there any reasons teams sitting on as many cap dollars as Colts are don't just extend a guy that's in their future plans and pay a big cap hit up front current year? Would think that would be a win-win of guaranteed dollars for player, taking advantage of surplus and making things cheaper down the road.

Then again, Colts don't exactly have a ton of must-sign arguments for their 2019 free agents.

[Pez]

I think he rather be the bitch:o

It's tom brady, there must also be a poodle involved.

[Pez]

I think it's really important that we didn't give up a sack today. It seems like 80% Of the team we are stems from the fact that we are actually protecting Luck.

I wanted to draft O-Line, I said it and said it again. At the end of the day it's easy to say. For f***s sake, I just cannot believe how my high expectations are being so stunningly exceeded.

5 games no sacks, 6 games 1 sack. God d*** those 4 games we dropped were closer than I thought they were.

[Butter]

To be clear, I think what makes Mack the starter and deserving of carries in spite of his limitations is that he's a COMPLETE back. He can pass block now. He's probably the most consistent receiving threat from the backfield given Hines has turned into a bit of a headcase there. I think you can just field him on more downs, tbh.

But if the Colts are gonna sit on a kajillion cap dollars anyway, I could be talked into Le'Veon Bell (AFTER Demarcus Lawrence, AFTER a WR, AFTER DB help ensured etc.)

Probably dumb, unrelated question: is there any reasons teams sitting on as many cap dollars as Colts are don't just extend a guy that's in their future plans and pay a big cap hit up front current year? Would think that would be a win-win of guaranteed dollars for player, taking advantage of surplus and making things cheaper down the road.

Then again, Colts don't exactly have a ton of must-sign arguments for their 2019 free agents.

I will never be talked into Bell and the 17b million rumor has it he wants.

[Butter]

And likely a much better coach than McDaniels.

Talk about winning by losing.

I never wanted him and while a bit pissed at the slight, was glad we did not get that low character cheater as a Head Coach.

[sherck]

I don't know if this has been mentioned before but I wonder how much of TY blowing up today had anything to do with his old mentor #87 being in attendance...?

:DThen lets buy #87 a ticket to EVERY game.

T.Y.'s work today was a thing of beauty!

Walk Worthy,

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Coltsalr]

Then again, Colts don't exactly have a ton of must-sign arguments for their 2019 free agents.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/indianapolis-colts/

They really, really don’t.

Also, another great write-up on the game. I always send a link to this thread around as I think it’s the best Colts game breakdowns you’ll get anywhere. So far, no one wants to join the board and take the abuse that we dole out around here, though!

[nate505]

Funny how things work out. Patriots and Kraft thought they were really sticking it to us also. We should send them thank you letters.

Yeah I need to change my sig. I mean, still fuck him and all, but him being the bitch he is was the greatest gift ever.

[Racehorse]

So far, no one wants to join the board and take the abuse that we dole out around here, though!
Just a side note, but have you noticed that during our win streak, certain posters have gone AWOL? The same ones who preach doom and gloom every time we are not playing well. They come to Ruyinn every game thread. Good riddance!

[Racehorse]

Exhibit A: http://coltfreaks.com/forum/search.php?searchid=53826

His last post was in the last game we lost.

[sherck]

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/indianapolis-colts/

They really, really don’t.

Also, another great write-up on the game. I always send a link to this thread around as I think it’s the best Colts game breakdowns you’ll get anywhere. So far, no one wants to join the board and take the abuse that we dole out around here, though!
My two cents,

OG Mark Glowinski = MUST SIGN. 27 years old and has shown that he belongs in our system. Well worth the cost of a medium to medium-high starting OG 4 year contract. The top nine OGs in the league all make over $10m a year and another 20 make between $5m - $9.99m a year. Glowinski is NOT a top ten OG so I would say go middle ground on that next group and see if Ballard can sign him to a contract around $7.5m a year.

PK Adam Vinatieri = MUST SIGN if he comes back. As long as he is effective, he should be signed. However, the warning point is "as long as he is effective..." Here are his FG success percentages since 2014:

2014 = 96.8% (highest of his career)
2015 = 92.6%
2016 = 87.1%
2017 = 85.3%
2018 = 82.4% (partial season)

Now, he is on pace to only have 27 FG attempts for the season which would be his lowest number for a season since 2008 when he only attempted 25 FGs (not counting his injury shortened 2009 season) so each FG is a magnified portion of his percentage but...that trend is something to watch.

Anyway, I would still sign him to his 2018 contract plus so around $3.750m for the season. Chump change.

CB Pierre Desir = MUST SIGN. He has been the only Colt CB over the season who, game in and game out, is doing his job. He is not an NFL CB1 (or possibly even the CB2 you really want) but he is the kind of guy you need LOTS of to make up a quality secondary while hopefully having one or two studs to play the opposing team's WR1 and WR2 and then the Desir's of the world can cover everyone else. 28 years old next season and I would think that $4m to $5m a year would get him on a 3 year contract.

SS Clayton Geathers = POSSIBLE SIGN. The Bob Sanders effect; effective when on the field but misses a WHOLE lot of time so he is not on the field as much as you would like. Depends on the asking price; the top six safeties in the league are making over $10m a year with 21 making between $5m - $9.99m a year. Due to health, I don't know that I would offer over about $6m - $7m a year to Clayton.

OL Denzelle Good = POSSIBLE SIGN. Very promising his first couple of years in the league; the last couple of years have been injury plagued. While I love the concept of going into 2019 with our Fav Five plus Haeg, Clark and Good already on the roster before free agency or the draft, if we are going to lose one of those eight it would be Good whom I would choose. I would probably only offer him a high end depth contract somewhere in the $2m - $3m a year range.

Too old to sign before 2nd / 3rd phase free agency:

OG Matt Slauson, 33 years old
DL Margus Hunt, 32 years old
NT Al Woods, 32 years old
FS Mike Mitchell, 32 years old
OT J'Marcus Webb, 31 years old
WR Dontrelle Inman, 30 years old

All these guys have contributed to the Colts this season, all are showing that they can play at pretty good levels of play but all will be over 30 years old for 2019 and I would be shocked if Ballard throws money at any of them before free agency hits its 2nd or 3rd phases. I would not mind any of them being on the Colts next season but it will be for low money if not signed for more somewhere else.

Let Walk:

LB Najee Goode
WR Ryan Grant
TE Ryan Hewitt

All other free agents are either Restricted Free Agents or Exclusive Rights Free Agents and will be back with the Colts if the team wants to pay them the chump change that those designations give them.

So, Glowinski, Vinatier and Desir are my MUST SIGN guys along with decisions on how much Geathers and Good are worth to the team.

Walk Worthy,

[sherck]

A couple of snippets from PFF on their "Offensive Team of the Week" article.

Note: No player grades used in this; only game day stats.

WR T.Y. HILTON, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Key signature stat: Generated a perfect WR rating of 158.3

Nine targets, nine receptions, 155 yards and two touchdowns led to a perfect passer rating from Luck when he targeted his number one wideout on Sunday. The Luck-to-Hilton connection was in full effect against a Tennessee Titans’ defense that was coming off a very strong performance against the New England Patriots. Hilton’s big performance came on just 26 routes run which gave him a league-high 5.96 receiving yards per route.

QB ANDREW LUCK, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Key signature stat: Posted a passer rating of 149.7 from a clean pocket

Luck continued his string of good play against the Titans on Sunday, and in turn, the Colts picked up another divisional win for the second straight week. A large contributor to Luck’s success has been the improved offensive line that allowed pressure on a league-low ten percent of Luck’s dropbacks this week. From a clean pocket, Luck went for 278 yards, three touchdowns, and a passer rating of 149.7.

The future is so bright...I gotta triple up! :cool::cool::cool:

Walk Worthy,

[Oldcolt]

So how many of you Freaks are starting to believe? I'm beginning to have hope that this team may be good. Good enough to do damage if they make the playoffs. I'm getting emotionally invested in winning, just not seeing progress. Am I premature? Probably but I'm beginning to think that this team can beat anyone. The offensive line play yesterday was beyond incredible. It was as good a pass protection game as I have ever seen in over 40 years of watching football. I'm enjoying this year in ways I didn't think possible a month ago. It has been worth holding on thru all the shit we have gone thru the past years just to really get to enjoy the turn around beginning to happen. Happy Monday Freaks!!!

[GoBigBlue88]

So how many of you Freaks are starting to believe? I'm beginning to have hope that this team may be good. Good enough to do damage if they make the playoffs. I'm getting emotionally invested in winning, just not seeing progress. Am I premature? Probably but I'm beginning to think that this team can beat anyone. The offensive line play yesterday was beyond incredible. It was as good a pass protection game as I have ever seen in over 40 years of watching football. I'm enjoying this year in ways I didn't think possible a month ago. It has been worth holding on thru all the shit we have gone thru the past years just to really get to enjoy the turn around beginning to happen. Happy Monday Freaks!!!

I believe in Reich wholeheartedly, which is really all that matters. I already believed in Luck.

Honestly, I don't believe in the defense. I believe in the OL, but if Kelly is out, I think that's very much up in the air again.

I'm buying this team beating MIA (although I think MIA is better than most here realize), but it's just HOU's year with the division as they survive every game by the skin of their teeth, it seems, and I think the wildcard race could well come down to @TEN in Week 17.

[Oldcolt]

I believe in Reich wholeheartedly, which is really all that matters. I already believed in Luck.

Honestly, I don't believe in the defense. I believe in the OL, but if Kelly is out, I think that's very much up in the air again.

I'm buying this team beating MIA (although I think MIA is better than most here realize), but it's just HOU's year with the division as they survive every game by the skin of their teeth, it seems, and I think the wildcard race could well come down to @TEN in Week 17.

Agreed. I'm not sold on the defense. They are so young that even if we had the players (I don't think we are there yet) it takes time to be consistent. I am sold on the offense however. We definitely could use improvements at WR and maybe running back (although I think you can live with these guys. They block and that is huge. Thank you Rathman) but with this line and Luck we can score on anyone.

[omahacolt]

I believe in Reich wholeheartedly, which is really all that matters. I already believed in Luck.

Honestly, I don't believe in the defense. I believe in the OL, but if Kelly is out, I think that's very much up in the air again.

I'm buying this team beating MIA (although I think MIA is better than most here realize), but it's just HOU's year with the division as they survive every game by the skin of their teeth, it seems, and I think the wildcard race could well come down to @TEN in Week 17.

We can survive losing Kelly. It won’t be ideal but I think that we can manage that loss decently

[rcubed]

Great all around dominating game!

Nice seeing TY go off. Loved reichs play calling, so glad we ended up with him! Nice seeing pressure from the defense
Kelly is concerning.

[sherck]

So how many of you Freaks are starting to believe? I'm beginning to have hope that this team may be good. Good enough to do damage if they make the playoffs. I'm getting emotionally invested in winning, just not seeing progress. Am I premature? Probably but I'm beginning to think that this team can beat anyone. The offensive line play yesterday was beyond incredible. It was as good a pass protection game as I have ever seen in over 40 years of watching football. I'm enjoying this year in ways I didn't think possible a month ago. It has been worth holding on thru all the shit we have gone thru the past years just to really get to enjoy the turn around beginning to happen. Happy Monday Freaks!!!

I don't think we can compete against KC, LAR and NO this year. Those teams are just complete, well-rounded and good. Very few areas of weakness.

However, against everyone else? I will take our chances with how we have played in the past 4 weeks. We will not win them all but we can compete with anyone else.

Fun watching the Colts again; yesterday's game was the most enjoyment that I have gotten from the Colts in years.

Walk Worthy,

[Chromeburn]

Agreed. I'm not sold on the defense. They are so young that even if we had the players (I don't think we are there yet) it takes time to be consistent. I am sold on the offense however. We definitely could use improvements at WR and maybe running back (although I think you can live with these guys. They block and that is huge. Thank you Rathman) but with this line and Luck we can score on anyone.

I would ask yourself, do you think we can beat the Saints, the Chiefs, or the pats finally. I think being healthy, the oline playing well, and a clean Andrew Luck gives us a chance in any game. But I still don’t think we are there yet. We are a dangerous team that is peaking, but I don’t see us as a SB team. Our secondary is not that good, our interior dline play is spotty. We need a second WR to compliment TY. I wouldn’t mind a more dangerous RB either, but committee is getting it done, and may be even better with another off season.

The arrow is pointing up, Not sure if we are there yet.

[FatDT]

We have a puncher's chance in just about any game, but I'd stack up the AFC like this:

Tier 1: KC

Tier 2: PIT, NE, LAC

Tier 3: HOU, IND

Tier 4: BAL, TEN

Tier 5: CIN, CLE, DEN

Tier 6: OAK, JAX

[Coltsalr]

We can survive losing Kelly. It won’t be ideal but I think that we can manage that loss decently

Granted I didn’t watch Boehm that closely once he came in against a demoralized Titans team, but I wonder if they’d go with Haeg at Center with a full week to prepare.

[Oldcolt]

I agree with all of you with the caveat that we might be better than any of us think. Right now I agree with Sherck that we are not in the league of KC, NO or LAC but lets see where we are at in 6 weeks.

[Maniac]

I don't think we can compete against KC, LAR and NO this year. Those teams are just complete, well-rounded and good. Very few areas of weakness.


Walk Worthy,

KC has a horrible defense.
Rams have a mid-to-lower tier defense.

Those two have plenty of weaknesses.

[VeveJones007]

We have a puncher's chance in just about any game, but I'd stack up the AFC like this:

Tier 1: KC

Tier 2: PIT, NE, LAC

Tier 3: HOU, IND

Tier 4: BAL, TEN

Tier 5: CIN, CLE, DEN

Tier 6: OAK, JAX

If the lines dominate like they did yesterday, this team can beat anybody.

[Coltsalr]

@ProFootballDoc
Went back and looked at #RyanKelly @Colts injury but there was no replay and the TV only showed a big pile on the #MarlonMack run. Could not see the injury but typically risk for high ankle or MCL from being rolled up on but there was no view.

[Dam8610]

I believe in Reich wholeheartedly, which is really all that matters. I already believed in Luck.

Honestly, I don't believe in the defense. I believe in the OL, but if Kelly is out, I think that's very much up in the air again.

I'm buying this team beating MIA (although I think MIA is better than most here realize), but it's just HOU's year with the division as they survive every game by the skin of their teeth, it seems, and I think the wildcard race could well come down to @TEN in Week 17.

I think the Colts beat them in Houston. They're a flawed, beatable team that barely escaped Indy with a victory after the Colts made a ton of stupid mistakes. They did not play this Colts team, though. All the Colts need other than that is another loss, and they could capture the division.

[Chaka]

My two cents,

OG Mark Glowinski = MUST SIGN. 27 years old and has shown that he belongs in our system. Well worth the cost of a medium to medium-high starting OG 4 year contract. The top nine OGs in the league all make over $10m a year and another 20 make between $5m - $9.99m a year. Glowinski is NOT a top ten OG so I would say go middle ground on that next group and see if Ballard can sign him to a contract around $7.5m a year.

PK Adam Vinatieri = MUST SIGN if he comes back. As long as he is effective, he should be signed. However, the warning point is "as long as he is effective..." Here are his FG success percentages since 2014:

2014 = 96.8% (highest of his career)
2015 = 92.6%
2016 = 87.1%
2017 = 85.3%
2018 = 82.4% (partial season)

Now, he is on pace to only have 27 FG attempts for the season which would be his lowest number for a season since 2008 when he only attempted 25 FGs (not counting his injury shortened 2009 season) so each FG is a magnified portion of his percentage but...that trend is something to watch.

Anyway, I would still sign him to his 2018 contract plus so around $3.750m for the season. Chump change.

CB Pierre Desir = MUST SIGN. He has been the only Colt CB over the season who, game in and game out, is doing his job. He is not an NFL CB1 (or possibly even the CB2 you really want) but he is the kind of guy you need LOTS of to make up a quality secondary while hopefully having one or two studs to play the opposing team's WR1 and WR2 and then the Desir's of the world can cover everyone else. 28 years old next season and I would think that $4m to $5m a year would get him on a 3 year contract.

SS Clayton Geathers = POSSIBLE SIGN. The Bob Sanders effect; effective when on the field but misses a WHOLE lot of time so he is not on the field as much as you would like. Depends on the asking price; the top six safeties in the league are making over $10m a year with 21 making between $5m - $9.99m a year. Due to health, I don't know that I would offer over about $6m - $7m a year to Clayton.

OL Denzelle Good = POSSIBLE SIGN. Very promising his first couple of years in the league; the last couple of years have been injury plagued. While I love the concept of going into 2019 with our Fav Five plus Haeg, Clark and Good already on the roster before free agency or the draft, if we are going to lose one of those eight it would be Good whom I would choose. I would probably only offer him a high end depth contract somewhere in the $2m - $3m a year range.

Too old to sign before 2nd / 3rd phase free agency:

OG Matt Slauson, 33 years old
DL Margus Hunt, 32 years old
NT Al Woods, 32 years old
FS Mike Mitchell, 32 years old
OT J'Marcus Webb, 31 years old
WR Dontrelle Inman, 30 years old

All these guys have contributed to the Colts this season, all are showing that they can play at pretty good levels of play but all will be over 30 years old for 2019 and I would be shocked if Ballard throws money at any of them before free agency hits its 2nd or 3rd phases. I would not mind any of them being on the Colts next season but it will be for low money if not signed for more somewhere else.

Let Walk:

LB Najee Goode
WR Ryan Grant
TE Ryan Hewitt

All other free agents are either Restricted Free Agents or Exclusive Rights Free Agents and will be back with the Colts if the team wants to pay them the chump change that those designations give them.

So, Glowinski, Vinatier and Desir are my MUST SIGN guys along with decisions on how much Geathers and Good are worth to the team.

Walk Worthy,

Thanks as always for the analysis. I agree mostly with who you want to keep, but I think the prices you quote are too high.

Glowinski - probably 2 yrs / $3 million per

Vinatieri - probably about the same as this year.

Desir - my guess is 1-2 year conract, maybe $2.5 per

Geathers - long injury history. My guess is short term contract (1-2 years) at $4-$5 million per

Good - May surprise if a team decides they really like him Free agent tackles get paid.

[nate505]

So how many of you Freaks are starting to believe? I'm beginning to have hope that this team may be good. Good enough to do damage if they make the playoffs. I'm getting emotionally invested in winning, just not seeing progress. Am I premature? Probably but I'm beginning to think that this team can beat anyone. The offensive line play yesterday was beyond incredible. It was as good a pass protection game as I have ever seen in over 40 years of watching football. I'm enjoying this year in ways I didn't think possible a month ago. It has been worth holding on thru all the shit we have gone thru the past years just to really get to enjoy the turn around beginning to happen. Happy Monday Freaks!!!

I don't quite have faith they'll do damage in the playoffs...but on the other hand just getting to the playoffs means they're playing with house money this season. Other than a Massacre in the Meadowlands sort of game I'll be beyond thrilled with the season at that point.

[VeveJones007]

I think the Colts beat them in Houston. They're a flawed, beatable team that barely escaped Indy with a victory after the Colts made a ton of stupid mistakes. They did not play this Colts team, though. All the Colts need other than that is another loss, and they could capture the division.

Colts win the first matchup easily if the OL plays better in the first half. Still, I’m not assuming any wins. The Colts played great against the Titans, but they easily could have lost last week at home to the Jags.

[sherck]

Thanks as always for the analysis. I agree mostly with who you want to keep, but I think the prices you quote are too high.

Glowinski - probably 2 yrs / $3 million per

Vinatieri - probably about the same as this year.

Desir - my guess is 1-2 year conract, maybe $2.5 per

Geathers - long injury history. My guess is short term contract (1-2 years) at $4-$5 million per

Good - May surprise if a team decides they really like him Free agent tackles get paid.

We will see.

Glowinski is playing like a starter in our system and is still young (03 May 1992). He will be 27 for the 2019 season and in the prime of his career.

There are currently 32 OGs in the league that have signed 3/4/5 year veteran contracts (not rookie contracts). If they are signing contracts of that lenght, I am going to be making the assumption that they are projected as starters because NFL teams rarely sign depth players to longish term contracts. I am not going to review every team's roster to confirm that so it is an assumption.

Of those 32 contracts, the AVERAGE is getting paid $5.56m a year with 18 above that amount and 14 below that amount.

To the Colts, Glowinski's play is well above average. Yeah, I worry about him being a "one year wonder" since his time previous to this season as been lackluster (according to PFF grades) but he has shined in this system for this team this season.

Ballard has often said that we will "grow our own" and re-sign our own. To me, that means that if he believe Glowinski is the kind of guy he wants on our team and he has performed, he will get paid.

You think we will be able to pay him like a depth guy. I think if he continues to play like he has, that Ballard will pay him like a starter.

We will see in the off-season who gets closer.

Walk Worthy,

[FatDT]

No chance Glowinski doesn't get paid as a FA. He's a starting guard on one of the most-hyped OLs in the NFL. If he and the OL continue to play well, either the Colts will pay him or another OL-needy team will. I'm not saying he'll be paid like a top 5 guard, but it'll be closer to $7-8M/year, no chance for $3M.

[omahacolt]

No chance Glowinski doesn't get paid as a FA. He's a starting guard on one of the most-hyped OLs in the NFL. If he and the OL continue to play well, either the Colts will pay him or another OL-needy team will. I'm not saying he'll be paid like a top 5 guard, but it'll be closer to $7-8M/year, no chance for $3M.

Works for me. Worth it if he stays healthy. Dude has been playing great

[FatDT]

Works for me. Worth it if he stays healthy. Dude has been playing great

Yeah it would be dumb to develop him then let him go. Good guards aren't easy to find. I'm pretty sure we have the cap space.

[VeveJones007]

No chance Glowinski doesn't get paid as a FA. He's a starting guard on one of the most-hyped OLs in the NFL. If he and the OL continue to play well, either the Colts will pay him or another OL-needy team will. I'm not saying he'll be paid like a top 5 guard, but it'll be closer to $7-8M/year, no chance for $3M.

I'm fine with that, as long as it's structured in a way that the Colts can get out of it after 1-2 years with limited cap hit. 2019 and 2020 cap space is not an issue whatsoever.

[GoBigBlue88]

1,000,000 percent about re-signing Glowinski, even at inflated price tag. Colts have the cap space, and draft assets need to be poured into defense + WRs.

[YDFL Commish]

1,000,000 percent about re-signing Glowinski, even at inflated price tag. Colts have the cap space, and draft assets need to be poured into defense + WRs.

Exactly. Don't nickel and dime the guy and then spend the bext 3 years trying to find his replacement.

[sherck]

I'm fine with that, as long as it's structured in a way that the Colts can get out of it after 1-2 years with limited cap hit. 2019 and 2020 cap space is not an issue whatsoever.
That is the way Ballard appears to be structuring contracts; only okay sized signing bonuses but guaranteed 1st year salaries.

By year 2, most of his deals (not counting high round rookie contracts) can be walked away from with zero negative cap ramifications.

The only good thing carried over from the Grigson years. The only thing....

Walk Worthy,

[Chaka]

No chance Glowinski doesn't get paid as a FA. He's a starting guard on one of the most-hyped OLs in the NFL. If he and the OL continue to play well, either the Colts will pay him or another OL-needy team will. I'm not saying he'll be paid like a top 5 guard, but it'll be closer to $7-8M/year, no chance for $3M.

I think the guy will be resigned if he keeps playing well, no doubt. The question is how much he will be paid. He was cut by Seattle prior to the season after three lackluster years, and so far he’s started all of 5 games for us - it will be a maximum total of 11 (plus any playoffs) by the end of the season. I just don’t see that teams will pay the kind of money you’re talking about ($7-8M) for someone with his resume. That’s why my best guess is a shorter term contract at a lower salary. If he builds a better resume then he gets paid. If the Colts are really enthralled, then maybe he gets paid well on a very short term contract.

[FatDT]

I think the guy will be resigned if he keeps playing well, no doubt. The question is how much he will be paid. He was cut by Seattle prior to the season after three lackluster years, and so far he’s started all of 5 games for us - it will be a maximum total of 11 (plus any playoffs) by the end of the season. I just don’t see that teams will pay the kind of money you’re talking about ($7-8M) for someone with his resume. That’s why my best guess is a shorter term contract at a lower salary. If he builds a better resume then he gets paid. If the Colts are really enthralled, then maybe he gets paid well on a very short term contract.

If there was a glut of OL talent in the NFL I might agree with you, but teams need OL badly. Playing above your head in a contract year is how plenty of guys get paid in the NFL. I'm not saying Glowinski is doing that, but even if he is, I would be very surprised if he made less than $5M/year on his next contract.