Indianapolis Colts Football

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

I don't hold injuries or Luck retiring against Reich. He's done well managing the transition to JB. Interesting to note that local radio guy and former Colt Joe Stayzniak said there were a number of players in the locker room that couldn't care less about Luck's decision. Ballard needs to draft a couple of receivers, because outside of TY there aren't any you can count on. Funchess is getting up there and once he returns he may not be what he used to be. Campbell didn't have the greatest hands coming out of OSU (hence his draft slot) and he's shown he has trouble hanging onto the ball, so WR is draft option #1 IMO. If you go on a 1-10 scale with 10 being the best, what do you give Brissett?

That's the million dollar question right? Can JB be the franchise guy? I'd give him a 6, he's looked pretty solid, but I also haven't seen a Top 10 in the league guy, that's gonna go and win you games, and eventually playoff games. I think at this point in the teams evolution, at least with Luck there, they were ready to make some SB runs. I have to think with the right QB in place that this is still that team, and like I mentioned, they have a ton of cap room and 3 fairly high draft picks to improve this coming offseason.

They definitely need to get some more playmakers on offense. I'm still fairly high in Parris Campbell, he was actually breaking out a little when he got injured again, and the injuries are a new thing being he'd never really had problems at OSU. Funchess is still only 26 yo believe it or not, but he kinda is what he is. He's never gonna be that guy that Carolina drafted him to be, but he can be a solid move the sticks guy and RZ weapon, which is all I really think they signed him for. There's a reason they only gave him a 1 year deal, and I'm 99% sure that it was because Ballard/Reich love this 2020 WR class, Ballard was talking it up last offseason. I think they get at least 1 WR, another RB cuz Mack isn't the answer if he can't have more success running behind that line. They need to start looking for Castonzo's replacement at RT, he's 32 I think? They have the picks and cap dollars, I think this is the year that they lay it out there and start jockeying for position.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

That's the million dollar question right? Can JB be the franchise guy? I'd give him a 6, he's looked pretty solid, but I also haven't seen a Top 10 in the league guy, that's gonna go and win you games, and eventually playoff games. I think at this point in the teams evolution, at least with Luck there, they were ready to make some SB runs. I have to think with the right QB in place that this is still that team, and like I mentioned, they have a ton of cap room and 3 fairly high draft picks to improve this coming offseason.

They definitely need to get some more playmakers on offense. I'm still fairly high in Parris Campbell, he was actually breaking out a little when he got injured again, and the injuries are a new thing being he'd never really had problems at OSU. Funchess is still only 26 yo believe it or not, but he kinda is what he is. He's never gonna be that guy that Carolina drafted him to be, but he can be a solid move the sticks guy and RZ weapon, which is all I really think they signed him for. There's a reason they only gave him a 1 year deal, and I'm 99% sure that it was because Ballard/Reich love this 2020 WR class, Ballard was talking it up last offseason. I think they get at least 1 WR, another RB cuz Mack isn't the answer if he can't have more success running behind that line. They need to start looking for Castonzo's replacement at RT, he's 32 I think? They have the picks and cap dollars, I think this is the year that they lay it out there and start jockeying for position.

I haven't followed a Colts game in years, but I thought Anthony was the LT next to Big Q?

Or, do you mean... Find a "new tackle" and groom him at RT until the LT is open?

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

I haven't followed a Colts game in years, but I thought Anthony was the LT next to Big Q?

Or, do you mean... Find a "new tackle" and groom him at RT until the LT is open?

Yeah, Castonzo is the LT, my bad I should've clarified. They will most likely bring him back on a 2-3 year deal so that he can retire a Colt (will depend on how much $ he wants). As it is we have Glowinski at RG, and Braden Smith pushed outside to RT (his natural position is inside at G), so yeah we need to find a guy to take over at RT -eventually to replace Castonzo- and push Smith back inside to G, and either keep Glow for depth or let him walk. Sorry, that was a lot lol.

 

[Irish#1]

That's the million dollar question right? Can JB be the franchise guy? I'd give him a 6, he's looked pretty solid, but I also haven't seen a Top 10 in the league guy, that's gonna go and win you games, and eventually playoff games. I think at this point in the teams evolution, at least with Luck there, they were ready to make some SB runs. I have to think with the right QB in place that this is still that team, and like I mentioned, they have a ton of cap room and 3 fairly high draft picks to improve this coming offseason.

They definitely need to get some more playmakers on offense. I'm still fairly high in Parris Campbell, he was actually breaking out a little when he got injured again, and the injuries are a new thing being he'd never really had problems at OSU. Funchess is still only 26 yo believe it or not, but he kinda is what he is. He's never gonna be that guy that Carolina drafted him to be, but he can be a solid move the sticks guy and RZ weapon, which is all I really think they signed him for. There's a reason they only gave him a 1 year deal, and I'm 99% sure that it was because Ballard/Reich love this 2020 WR class, Ballard was talking it up last offseason. I think they get at least 1 WR, another RB cuz Mack isn't the answer if he can't have more success running behind that line. They need to start looking for Castonzo's replacement at RT, he's 32 I think? They have the picks and cap dollars, I think this is the year that they lay it out there and start jockeying for position.

I would give JB a 7, so we're not far off. Two years ago he looked lost. some of that was due to the crappy line and part due to his inexperience. IMO he's improved remarkably this year on reading defenses and finding the open guy and this is just his second season actually playing, so I see him taking another step forward next year and being an 8-8.5 which can get you to the SB IMO. Campbell didn't have injuries at OSU, but he had a reputation for having slippery hands. He showed them big time against Pitt which what worries me. With his speed, I hope he can stay healthy and hang onto most every pass because you can't teach speed and he has it. I actually like Mack. He's shown good vision and patience when needed.

Agree we need to find a RT and move Smith back to guard. Smith has done a better than average job at RT, but he has struggled against the really good ends. But it's more about Glowinski, not Smith being the weak link. It's also amazing how much better Castanzo has played since Q joined the team.

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

I would give JB a 7, so we're not far off. Two years ago he looked lost. some of that was due to the crappy line and part due to his inexperience. IMO he's improved remarkably this year on reading defenses and finding the open guy and this is just his second season actually playing, so I see him taking another step forward next year and being an 8-8.5 which can get you to the SB IMO. Campbell didn't have injuries at OSU, but he had a reputation for having slippery hands. He showed them big time against Pitt which what worries me. With his speed, I hope he can stay healthy and hang onto most every pass because you can't teach speed and he has it. I actually like Mack. He's shown good vision and patience when needed.

Agree we need to find a RT and move Smith back to guard. Smith has done a better than average job at RT, but he has struggled against the really good ends. But it's more about Glowinski, not Smith being the weak link. It's also amazing how much better Castanzo has played since Q joined the team.

For sure man, Big Q is a freak of nature. The way he pulls and runs step for step with Mack is borderline unbelievable, he was worth every ounce of that draft selection. I agree, Glow is the weak link, which is a credit to how good the line is because he's still a really solid OL.

I'm all for whatever is gonna help this team win, if that's JB then so be it, let's put the weapons around him, and on the other side of the ball, to get that done. A lot is gonna depend on how we play down the stretch here, we have some tough divisional games coming up, starting this week. I'd be lying if I said that JB hasn't made leaps and bounds since 17, bcuz he has, I'm just so used to having one of the best QBs in the league that I'm wanting to keep taking shots til we get there again. I think Ballard knows well, being in KC with Alex Smith all those years, and being good but not great, and then they finally made their move to go get Pat Mahomes, and they're ascending. I don't know that there's a better GM in the league, so whatever path he chooses this offseason I'm confident that we will be squarely in contention in 2020.

 

[Irish2155]

Big Q was robbed of his first TD

Not sure what that celebration was

 

[Irish YJ]

First time ever the Colts had 2 RBs over 100....

Mack has a broken hand...

 

[Irishnuke]

Big Q was robbed of his first TD

Not sure what that celebration was

Keg stand

 

[Irish#1]

First time ever the Colts had 2 RBs over 100....

Mack has a broken hand...

They corrected that later on and said it was the third time. Randy McMillan and Albert Bentley in 1985. I think the third time was back in Baltimore.

What a difference Brissett makes.

 

[Irish YJ]

They corrected that later on and said it was the third time. Randy McMillan and Albert Bentley in 1985. I think the third time was back in Baltimore.

What a difference Brissett makes.

huh?

 

[BeauBenken]

huh?

Not sure if he is saying Brissett helped open up the running game as he is a much bigger threat than Hoyer, or if it was just a separate thought entirely, but he is not wrong. Jacoby is good. We're lucky to have lost a franchise QB and essentially not dropped off much at all. He is good.

 

[Irish2155]

Big game Thursday night. A W gives 1 a game lead in the division along the tiebreaker against Houston.

I’m supposed to drive early Friday morning to Florence KY but trying to fenagle my way out of it.

 

[Irish YJ]

Not sure if he is saying Brissett helped open up the running game as he is a much bigger threat than Hoyer, or if it was just a separate thought entirely, but he is not wrong. Jacoby is good. We're lucky to have lost a franchise QB and essentially not dropped off much at all. He is good.

I still view him as TBD... Giving him the rest of the year to see if he improves. I do agree we are lucky to have him this year given the Luck situation. He's also the reason though that many teams have keyed on stopping the run. IMO, he's made the OL's life a lot harder between the keying of Ds on run stopping, and the high time to throw in the passing game. Definitely better than Hoyer though.

 

[Irish#1]

huh?

Not sure if he is saying Brissett helped open up the running game as he is a much bigger threat than Hoyer, or if it was just a separate thought entirely, but he is not wrong. Jacoby is good. We're lucky to have lost a franchise QB and essentially not dropped off much at all. He is good.

Beau got it.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Irish#1]

I still view him as TBD... Giving him the rest of the year to see if he improves. I do agree we are lucky to have him this year given the Luck situation. He's also the reason though that many teams have keyed on stopping the run. IMO, he's made the OL's life a lot harder between the keying of Ds on run stopping, and the high time to throw in the passing game. Definitely better than Hoyer though.

We watching the same QB? lol

Brissett has a ways to go, but I see improvement everyone game. He may have been the starter a couple of years ago, but he spent most of that scrambling, so I don't hold that against him. There aren't many QB's in the league with his size and arm. Now that he has a line he's starting to read the D better and that's what you want to see, a QB that is getting better as the season goes on.

 

[Irish YJ]

We watching the same QB? lol

Brissett has a ways to go, but I see improvement everyone game. He may have been the starter a couple of years ago, but he spent most of that scrambling, so I don't hold that against him. There aren't many QB's in the league with his size and arm. Now that he has a line he's starting to read the D better and that's what you want to see, a QB that is getting better as the season goes on.

He's had some great moments, but overall pretty mediocre. Stats aren't everything, but he's got more horrible QBR games than good ones. He's pretty bad in progressions so far. Not saying he can't improve, or doesn't deserve more time, but I've seen inconsistency and not really sustained improvement. He's in a quick passing O scheme, but has a bad time to throw. He might end up being the guy, but he's got a long way to go. I hope he gets there.

 

[BeauBenken]

He's had some great moments, but overall pretty mediocre. Stats aren't everything, but he's got more horrible QBR games than good ones. He's pretty bad in progressions so far. Not saying he can't improve, or doesn't deserve more time, but I've seen inconsistency and not really sustained improvement. He's in a quick passing O scheme, but has a bad time to throw. He might end up being the guy, but he's got a long way to go. I hope he gets there.

I honestly think it's more our WRs are inconsistent, and it's that much harder without TY.

Our passing game certainly does not seem to be quick hitting, but I honestly can't see a lot of the route combos because yay for cameras that stare at nothing but the QB. (I was actually a fan of NDs new cameras.)

 

[Irish YJ]

I honestly think it's more our WRs are inconsistent, and it's that much harder without TY.

Our passing game certainly does not seem to be quick hitting, but I honestly can't see a lot of the route combos because yay for cameras that stare at nothing but the QB. (I was actually a fan of NDs new cameras.)

Remove the games without TY from consideration if you want.
Last year we were 6th in passing, and this year we are 25th, and have pretty much the same core. We've even added a healthy Doyle back to the mix. We're only without Inman and Grant. Pascal is better than Inman, and Grant is addition by subtraction. Every pass catcher's results have regressed except Pascal, and that's easy to explain.

It's supposed to be quick hitting...... We went from top 10 time-to-throw, to bottom 10.
You should check out all-22. Plenty of open WRs and TEs...

 

[Irish2155]

Things are working out well...

...GF's Bday is Thursday, BUT....she leaves out of town overnight for work that day, so those plans are postponed. And...Friday's morning meeting in KY has now been changed to a conference call which I'll happily take from the comfort of my living room. To add, the LQ down the street is having a special on Sun King brew and Jack's Pizza is on speed dial.

This all equates to the first Thursday night football game I've been excited for in a long time. Go Colts!!

 

[Irish#1]

Remove the games without TY from consideration if you want.
Last year we were 6th in passing, and this year we are 25th, and have pretty much the same core. We've even added a healthy Doyle back to the mix. We're only without Inman and Grant. Pascal is better than Inman, and Grant is addition by subtraction. Every pass catcher's results have regressed except Pascal, and that's easy to explain.

It's supposed to be quick hitting...... We went from top 10 time-to-throw, to bottom 10.
You should check out all-22. Plenty of open WRs and TEs...

We agree on a lot of things, but we're miles apart on this one. lol

I don't think you can fairly compare last year with Luck to this year with Brissett. His stats so far
CMP% 64.6%
YDS 1,797
TD 15
INT 4
Rating 97.5

Those are pretty decent numbers for a guy essentially in his first year as a starter (I don't count 2 years ago when he was scrambling to save his life). He only has one deep threat and TY has missed several games. Cain was great last year and then fizzled. His WR group leaves something to be desired and Ebron has reverted back to his days while at Detroit. He's in the top half maybe top third of QB's and getting better. At least that's what my eyes are telling me and remember, I coached youth football for 13 years.

 

[Irish2155]

Things are working out well...

...GF's Bday is Thursday, BUT....she leaves out of town overnight for work that day, so those plans are postponed. And...Friday's morning meeting in KY has now been changed to a conference call which I'll happily take from the comfort of my living room. To add, the LQ down the street is having a special on Sun King brew and Jack's Pizza is on speed dial.

This all equates to the first Thursday night football game I've been excited for in a long time. Go Colts!!

And the plot thickens...

...now the GF is talking about not leaving for Cincy until early Friday morning for her meetings...geesh. I hate to be like this, especially on her bday, but that would seriously throw a wrench into my Thursday night watch party plans.

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

We agree on a lot of things, but we're miles apart on this one. lol

I don't think you can fairly compare last year with Luck to this year with Brissett. His stats so far
CMP% 64.6%
YDS 1,797
TD 15
INT 4
Rating 97.5

Those are pretty decent numbers for a guy essentially in his first year as a starter (I don't count 2 years ago when he was scrambling to save his life). He only has one deep threat and TY has missed several games. Cain was great last year and then fizzled. His WR group leaves something to be desired and Ebron has reverted back to his days while at Detroit. He's in the top half maybe top third of QB's and getting better. At least that's what my eyes are telling me and remember, I coached youth football for 13 years.

He's been in the NFL for years, under Brady and Luck, and has well over a years starting experience under his belt, it's not like this is his rookie year out of college. This guy is pretty close to his ceiling. I almost guarantee the Colts draft a guy with their first 3 picks (inside Round 1/2). The class is too deep at QB not to, and if they can somehow land Tua now because of the injury you have to jump all over that. It's the perfect landing spot for him, he can sit and rehab behind JB til he's fully ready to take the ropes. Look at Jaylon Smith, he fell WAY too far due to injury, and early word is that Tua is expected to make a full recovery. If not him, then get Eason, Love, or Herbert.

 

[Irish YJ]

We agree on a lot of things, but we're miles apart on this one. lol

I don't think you can fairly compare last year with Luck to this year with Brissett. His stats so far
CMP% 64.6%
YDS 1,797
TD 15
INT 4
Rating 97.5

Those are pretty decent numbers for a guy essentially in his first year as a starter (I don't count 2 years ago when he was scrambling to save his life). He only has one deep threat and TY has missed several games. Cain was great last year and then fizzled. His WR group leaves something to be desired and Ebron has reverted back to his days while at Detroit. He's in the top half maybe top third of QB's and getting better. At least that's what my eyes are telling me and remember, I coached youth football for 13 years.

The Colts returned their top 4 pass catchers and 84% of their 2018 production. They've had a A1 OL the entire season unlike the first 6 games of 2018. Ebron dropped last year with Luck. As far as the stats are concerned, mostly at or below the median in most categories except TD/INT ratio.

I'm all for giving him the rest of the year to show improvement. Not writing him off yet, but not sold on him at all either. I love him as a person though. I truly hope he gets it going the second half. I think part of the blame for low production goes to Reich keeping the training wheels on. Hopefully he takes them off. Houston has one of the worst passing Ds in the league, so JB should show out tomorrow night.

 

[Irish#1]

He's been in the NFL for years, under Brady and Luck, and has well over a years starting experience under his belt, it's not like this is his rookie year out of college. This guy is pretty close to his ceiling. I almost guarantee the Colts draft a guy with their first 3 picks (inside Round 1/2). The class is too deep at QB not to, and if they can somehow land Tua now because of the injury you have to jump all over that. It's the perfect landing spot for him, he can sit and rehab behind JB til he's fully ready to take the ropes. Look at Jaylon Smith, he fell WAY too far due to injury, and early word is that Tua is expected to make a full recovery. If not him, then get Eason, Love, or Herbert.

So you're one of those expecting instant gratification! lol Manning stunk up the place his rookie year and he had a decent team to play on.

Brissett was drafted in 2016. I would hardly call that years. He was the third string QB while at NE for that short time so the amount of work he got was minimal. How much he learned as a starter in 2017 is hard to say, but it wasn't beneficial that he was scrambling on damn near every pass play due to the O line. He's nowhere near his peak IMO.

Since writing that previous post earlier today, I heard Sean Salisbury discuss Brissett. He said he really likes him, sees constant improvement and will be one of the top QB's in the league in a couple of years. He knows more about QB's than I do.

I would draft Tua if the spot was decent, but I don't think Ballard will take a QB in the 1st or 2nd round. If he does, then we'll know what he thinks about Brissett.

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

So you're one of those expecting instant gratification! lol Manning stunk up the place his rookie year and he had a decent team to play on.

Brissett was drafted in 2016. I would hardly call that years. He was the third string QB while at NE for that short time so the amount of work he got was minimal. How much he learned as a starter in 2017 is hard to say, but it wasn't beneficial that he was scrambling on damn near every pass play due to the O line. He's nowhere near his peak IMO.

Since writing that previous post earlier today, I heard Sean Salisbury discuss Brissett. He said he really likes him, sees constant improvement and will be one of the top QB's in the league in a couple of years. He knows more about QB's than I do.

I would draft Tua if the spot was decent, but I don't think Ballard will take a QB in the 1st or 2nd round. If he does, then we'll know what he thinks about Brissett.

Lol what would you call the time period from 2016 to nearly 2020 if not years?

I don't expect instant gratification, but I also want a QB that's gonna win a SB, otherwise what's the point. I think Ballard is of the same mindset. When I watch JB play, some games he looks amazing, and others he looks like a game manager, he doesn't strike me as a guy that the team is winning because of, but the opposite rather, the team is winning WITH Brissett. I hope he does improve, I'd rather spend those picks on difference makers, whether that's at WR, DL, or wherever.

Ultimately, I trust Ballard's decision/evaluation on the matter. I feel like he's one of the best GMs in the league, so when draft season comes, it'll be interesting to see where he and Reich's heads are at.

 

[Irish#1]

Lol what would you call the time period from 2016 to nearly 2020 if not years?

I don't expect instant gratification, but I also want a QB that's gonna win a SB, otherwise what's the point. I think Ballard is of the same mindset. When I watch JB play, some games he looks amazing, and others he looks like a game manager, he doesn't strike me as a guy that the team is winning because of, but the opposite rather, the team is winning WITH Brissett. I hope he does improve, I'd rather spend those picks on difference makers, whether that's at WR, DL, or wherever.

Ultimately, I trust Ballard's decision/evaluation on the matter. I feel like he's one of the best GMs in the league, so when draft season comes, it'll be interesting to see where he and Reich's heads are at.

Damn, I've still been signing everything 2019. Colts lost two in a row while Brissett was on the sidelines. Just sayin'.

 

[Irish2155]

Damn, I've still been signing everything 2019. Vinny lost two in a row while Brissett was on the sidelines. Just sayin'.

Updated appropriately. With Brissett it's probably not up to the kicker though.

 

[Irish YJ]

Updated appropriately. With Brissett it's probably not up to the kicker though.

Aside from Jax game, the point differential has been +/- 7pts in every game...

 

[SouthernIndianaNDFan]

Damn, I've still been signing everything 2019. Colts lost two in a row while Brissett was on the sidelines. Just sayin'.

Lol, well yeah, when you go from the backup to the backups backup, you're probably not gonna be as good (or he would've been starting). The dropoff from Brissett to Hoyer is probably as big as the one from Luck to Brissett.

 

[Irish#1]

Lol, well yeah, when you go from the backup to the backups backup, you're probably not gonna be as good (or he would've been starting). The dropoff from Brissett to Hoyer is probably as big as the one from Luck to Brissett.

You are a funny guy!