Quick thoughts on Colts-Raiders

[FatDT]

If Sheard and Hunt are only limited by injury then that is actually a good thing IMO. The bye week should do them some good. It’s a bit disheartening to see the DL playing like a bunch of nobodies again after such a good start to the season. Not surprising, but disappointing.

I kinda get the impression Eberflus is a front 7 guy and isn’t totally sure what to do about his DBs. Probably need a strong DB coach or maybe a consultant to shore that up. Even with players healthy this secondary is not impressive.

I love having a run game again. It’s the most fun thing I’ve seen in a football game in years. Love it.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

Good point gbb.

I especially agree about the dline. They got abused all game.

Yeah, as much as the secondary was lost at times, it’s hard to play well as a unit when the DL is terrible.

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by FatDT

If Sheard and Hunt are only limited by injury then that is actually a good thing IMO. The bye week should do them some good. It’s a bit disheartening to see the DL playing like a bunch of nobodies again after such a good start to the season. Not surprising, but disappointing.

I kinda get the impression Eberflus is a front 7 guy and isn’t totally sure what to do about his DBs. Probably need a strong DB coach or maybe a consultant to shore that up. Even with players healthy this secondary is not impressive.

I love having a run game again. It’s the most fun thing I’ve seen in a football game in years. Love it.

I am guessing sheard and hunt are playing like their norm. Neither are as good as they started this year.

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

Nobody gives a shit

Taking a shit was completely out of the question.

[GoBigBlue88]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

I am guessing sheard and hunt are playing like their norm. Neither are as good as they started this year.

I think Sheard is closer to what we saw last few weeks than yesterday. But I wouldn't be surprised if Hunt is mostly going to be what we saw yesterday, and Tyquan Lewis starts to eat into his reps post-bye (maybe 2-3 weeks post-bye though).

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by GoBigBlue88

I think Sheard is closer to what we saw last few weeks than yesterday. But I wouldn't be surprised if Hunt is mostly going to be what we saw yesterday, and Tyquan Lewis starts to eat into his reps post-bye (maybe 2-3 weeks post-bye though).

Hunt was very close to having a 2 sack game. Was he otherwise a non-factor? Because pressure on the QB is a big part of what's expected from the 3 tech in this defense.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by GoBigBlue88

3. I see a few people on Twitter saying anyone can succeed with this OL. It's true that this OL has multiplied the value of any RB (and is making a case for the team NOT to sign Bell in the offseason as a result...)

Excellent analysis GBB, thank you. The above comment struck me as particularly notable. Would anyone have imagined that people would be saying “anyone can succeed with this OL” even a year ago? The transformation of the OL is just staggering.

[FatDT]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Excellent analysis GBB, thank you. The above comment struck me as particularly notable. Would anyone have imagined that people would be saying “anyone can succeed with this OL” even a year ago? The transformation of the OL is just staggering.

It still sounds absurd to me. When I think Colts OL I still think Satele, McGlynn, Olsen, Cherilus, Thornton, Shipley, etc.

Credit to Ballard for (finally) bringing in players that can do it. But also credit to Reich, Sirianni, and OL coach Dave DeGuglielmo. He said early on that the OL weren't confident, were down on themselves, they still had loser stink on them. That seems gone, especially with Castonzo back and playing well on the left side.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by FatDT

It still sounds absurd to me. When I think Colts OL I still think Satele, McGlynn, Olsen, Cherilus, Thornton, Shipley, etc.

Credit to Ballard for (finally) bringing in players that can do it. But also credit to Reich, Sirianni, and OL coach Dave DeGuglielmo. He said early on that the OL weren't confident, were down on themselves, they still had loser stink on them. That seems gone, especially with Castonzo back and playing well on the left side.

I can’t really comment much on individual technique, but play design and the overall offensive concepts have certainly helped the OL tremendously. With the last regime they had the worst of both worlds - lack of talent and schemes that didn’t compensate or acknowledge that weakness. Addressing one without the other would have improved the situation, but addressing both has turned a weakness into a strength. Good to see the GM and coach appear to be on the same page.

[Oldcolt]

Whatever we spent to develop this line was more than worth it. Thing is teams with offensive lines that can do this (I understand it was against two lousy teams, but we have played plenty of lousy teams the past 10 year and never have we run over them like we are now) win in January. It's beyond incredible to watch us no longer be a finesse team. I never thought I'd live to see this. Love it.