I guess media could be saying stuff that I don't hear, I should acknowledge that. I just don't think anyone sourced or serious is saying it. It doesn't seem like those opinions are based on anything reputable.
I was personally concerned that the way things went with Reich and Saturday could undermine the coaching search. It doesn't seem like that happened. The Colts interviewed a ton of good candidates, and wound up getting one of the more sought after guys. They got a highly sought after GM in 2017. There was the McDaniels treachery, but I think he was just a slimeball.
The Colts are not a big free agent destination, I don't think that has anything to do with Irsay. I think free agents sign with the team that offers the most money, almost all the time. We've seen the Colts attract QBs like Rivers, Ryan, etc. Even Baker Mayfield listed the Colts as a desired landing spot in 2022. Maybe there's a player here or there who's turned off by Irsay, but I don't think anything like that has ever been reported. Like you said, the players only say good things. Anyone who goes on the record says good things. Former players call on him to introduce them to the HOF.
I just wanted to throw out there that despite the whispers and stuff, it doesn't seem like there's any substance to the idea that the Colts operation is negatively affected by Irsay.
I said it earlier but If you take Bowers, you re-work your TE room. Someone has to go. For me it would be Granson since he was drafted to be the mismatch TE, that’s what Bowers would be. Keep MAC for the blocking. I’d also put Ogletree or Mallory on the PS. Also wouldn’t mind drafting Tip Reiman late in round 5-6 to be the blocking TE with Bowers. He’s athletic enough to play STs too.
So again, if it’s Bowers, someone has to go. 5 TEs is too much anyways.
Washington had a break-out year for sure and was his best decision of his collegiate career to transfer and obviously paid dividends. Washington said it before but looks like Josh Downs 2.0 and project to be drafted very similar in Round 3. Between wide receivers and defensive backs, we could use another strong Downs clone in the slot. With Downs that is the only biggest knock about drafting TE Bowers as he commands a lot of passes in the slot and would take away an already important role the Downs already excels in doing.
Soundtrack #20....
Aruba, Jamaica ooh I wanna take ya
Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo, Montego
Baby why don't we go to? Jamaica
Off the Florida Keys
There's a place called______
Soundtrack #18....
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid
Oh I won't be afraid
Just as long as you _____
Soundtrack #17....
The hills are alive with the _______
With songs they have sung a thousand of years
The hills fill my heart with the _____
My heart wants to sing every song it hears
My heart wants to beat like the wing of the birds
That rise from the lakes to the trees.