1959Colts

So are you saying the majority believes we have no worries at LB position?

First and foremost... Leonard is still a big question mark. Won't surprise me if he misses time or does not ever return to his old form. I don't think any one here would consider Stuard our "top backup". As far as I know Stuard has never played at LB, for our defense, during a regular season game. He looked ok in the pre season Bills game the other day, but he has always been strictly considered a ST player. at 5'11" he is undersized too. So I am certainly not sold on him if needed. Nobody knows anything about Dorman. a walk on rookie last year. He also never played in a game either, to my knowledge The other LBs we have on the roster all look like scrubs... So yes, I am concerned.

The soap opera continues as Jonathan Taylor resumes his standoff. https://www.stampedeblue.com/2023/8/14/23831286/all-my-colts

...Great

Anthony Richardson flashed superstar potential in preseason debut By Mike Florio https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/anthony-richardson-flashed-superstar-potential-in-preseason-debut

Aside from the starting 3 and Grant Stuard... we seem to have a sorry group of LBs Jo Jo Dorman missed the game with an injury, I guess we have to count on him as a backup? Or maybe Ballard better start looking to sign a couple more for depth?

Yep. I thought his was one of the games worst performances

As stated above, zero depth on O-line. I would also add... zero depth at LB and Safety

Right, I agree, but,.. will the Colts ever learn to pick up a blitz or a stunt?

Watching a replay of the AR interception... it was a poor decision to throw the ball where he did, but the O-line had an assignment breakdown on that play (very reminiscent of last year). The Bills defender ran a stunt right around our RG, came unblocked, straight up the middle, into Richardson's face. So along with the blame our rookie QB takes, the o-line should face equal criticism.

Agree. Our 3rd down defense was indeed atrocious once again

I think Fries would end up being the fans whipping boy, if the line stinks again... deserving or not

I mostly like the roster, it was the coaching I didn't like. Hopefully, that improves this year.

O-line

I am out of state, but for those with DirecTV... Colts at Bills is scheduled live on NFL Network Alternate (channel 212-1)

Unless, (with our o-line)... he is running for his life???

With Dallas Flowers as our starting CB... Maybe they should use another as kick returner?

I have my doubts about Blackmon this year

We look really thin on the OL... After the 5 starters (who struggled last year) there is only a group of unproven no-namers. Next in line for backup tackle... Freeman? Skipper? Witt? They must be counting on Pinter again at G? Since other than him, there are only two walk-on players for depth. I am hoping Wesley French makes the jump at center, since I was one of the voices calling for Kelly to be traded, and still have my doubts that he will somehow vastly improve this season.

I liked what Mike Lombardi said on Pat McAfee's show, that somebody posted earlier... Lombardi says... Ballard should tell Taylor to only come in for medical treatment, then go home, that they don't want him hanging anywhere around the team sulking

https://www.fantasypros.com/2023/05/evan-hull-dynasty-rookie-draft-advice-2023-fantasy-football/ Interesting forcast (from May 6, 2023) by this fantasy blogger... ...Dynasty Outlook: I'm an Evan Hull fanboy, and I don't care who knows it. Hull has a three-down workhorse build and skillset. Zack Moss and Deon Jackson are scrubs to which new head coach Shane Steichen has no previous ties. The fifth-round pick could quickly ascend to RB2 on the Colts' depth chart and factor in on passing downs. Jonathan Taylor is an unrestricted free agent after this season. I'm not saying that Hull is the heir apparent because the team could easily sign Taylor to an extension at any moment, but I also won't rule out that Hull could take over for Taylor if the team moves on. Hull will slip to the fourth or maybe fifth round in many rookie dynasty drafts. I have no issues with anyone drafting him as early as the late-third round. This class becomes a grab bag of "get your guys" after round two...

Things are really opening up for Evan Hull

Excellent draft choice by Ballard... Especially now, with Taylor out

Latest from Mike Florio: Jonathan Taylor should have held out in Indianapolis https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jonathan-taylor-should-have-held-out-in-indianapolis ...Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the consensus top pick in fantasy football a year ago after rushing for 1,811 yards and scoring 20 touchdowns in his second season, is eligible for a new contract. He hasn’t gotten one, but he did not hold out. He likely decided not to hold out in part because he missed six games in 2022 due to an ankle injury. His closing argument for a new contract was, simply put, not as solid as it could have been. To the extent it was a close call, however, the aggressive comments from owner Jim Irsay might have made a difference. Irsay wisely held his tongue (or tweet) until Taylor and the rest of the Colts reported. Once players report, it becomes much harder under the labor deal to take a stand. In hindsight, and given Irsay’s strident and condescending remarks about the running back position, Taylor should have refused to show up....

Thanks for everyone posting these tweets! I am busy today and it's nice to check in here.