ColtStrong2013

Yeah. I titled thread likely staying, because that’s what reading between the lines of all of Steichen’s comments told me. He praised him, especially with the amount of sacks and for the job he did with the injuries that piled up from the beginning. We also let a key figure on defense go mid season in Shaq Leonard. A lot of adversity really for this team. He spoke on their history together and how much he like Bradley. And stressed the importance of continuity. Based on those comments, I just don’t see it being the year to cut Bradley off. I think he’s got another year to see what he can do with a retooled defense. I honestly figure we’ll see more emphasis on defense this offseason than offense. I think Steichen and company will likely have the impression that JT from day 1, and Richardson under center can make a tremendous difference in itself on offense. Will be interesting regardless.

I think there is little chance we do much differently with the line. Going to let them grow in the offseason and worry about the blatant holes on defense. Shoring up the secondary could allow them to take another jump. Paye and Dayo in contract years could elevate their play.

I thought of Bill during the game. How many times did he cover TY Hilton or Marvin Harrison in tight man with a safety shadowing over the top all game long? The video of him telling Chad ocho cinco to just not worry about playing because they were double covering him all game. Make the 2nd option and down the line beat you.

QB play. Period

Of course. Ultimately Ballard's going to be the one with the decision. It doesn't appear that Irsay is super involved in overruling him on contracts and coaches. Even with trading up to draft Taylor in 2020, it was Irsay that pushed him to do, but it was just a nudge "if you want him, just do it." Bluem does the dirty work and has more knowledge of the capspace and the contracts/market for players than anyone in the building, without any doubt. It's not his call to put the contracts in front of players and to manage the roster. It's his job to do the dirty work and have the knowledge at hand so that Ballard and company can decide what is best. In the "with the first pick series" that they highlighted him, Ballard says along the lines of "I always seek his opinion and how he feels, I might not always agree with him." He doesn't have to agree, but he has to know what he thinks, because it would be insane not to know his breakdown and why he feels the way he does. Bluem is forming his opinions on understanding the organization's roster building and contract principles, but with a higher knowledge of the cap situation, the moves they can make, and the rules that tie it all together. Bluem talks in that bit about how cash is king regarding the makeup of contracts. The cap is just an accounting method, and it will catch up to if you aren't prudent with it, but it's not everything. There's a clip of him on the phone flat out saying "I can tell you right now, I don't think we'd be in that market." He's legit doing the negotiating and dirty work. He will know the parameters (because he'll be the one presenting the numbers before the negotiations even begin of what he believes they can or cannot afford) and will be in the back and forth discussions of what the market is. What Ballard is really good at is not committing to overpaying right off the bat. He's so convicted in being patient and disciplined in not throwing numbers recklessly, especially if they are unsure. "Go explore and find what your market is." That's his way of saying, we are already confident in the assessment we have and you are way off. But if you can get it, then you better take it.

Mike Bluem…

yep. Gives you an opportunity to move forward with any combination of Pittman, Downs and (insert 2024 draft pick).

It’s the only way to go if you are keeping Pittman, which I don’t see them not doing. If you find an absolute stud in the draft that turns into an elite receiver, you get he and Pittman both for upwards of 4 years, with the option of moving on from Pittman for the younger and more talented guy. I like that concept better than any other alternative that we can reasonably explore.

He’s going to have tons of money thrown at him from all angles. And I think he’s most certainly gone if they win tonight. Maybe regardless.

Why?

Chicago makes a lot of sense for him. doesn’t have to move far. however, so does Los Angeles. It’s not like he is averse to California…

Hence the title “Gus likely staying.” The “liking continuity” comment came in response to the Gus question… He didn’t say he would be because he knows there is a process to work through. They will evaluate everything before making a decision the day after the season ends.

100%. bears turnovers +7 while ours was -12 from 2021 to 2022. i think Jim Harbaugh is the only person they will try and replace him with. I also think Flus was the only coach that held players accountable those years. Which is the new mantra. “Loafs”- loved seeing those film reviews calling out the loafs.

would rather have flus. Bring those turnovers baby.

the problem for Ballard in that regard is that no player- wouldn’t matter if they were #1 overall, is going to step in and be an elite pass rusher from day one. It takes time, which is what it’s taking. I don’t know that Paye or Dayo is going to be elite, but I think they still have room to grow and take another step into next season. The defensive line took a step this season. Hopefully they’ll do it again next year. And ideally one of those guys turns into a consistent force at the edge. Buckner is elite. Hands down. So I’m not sure they are as far off as many of us would like to believe. We have to have better secondary play and run defense. You can’t set a franchise sack record, and struggle against the run and pass and blame it all on the defensive line. They all have to work together. Elite pass rushers don’t grow on trees.

You can win rushing Mathis and Freeney when Peyton Manning is on the field and especially has a lead late in the game…

I just bypassed that one. It’s the CAPS that’s nauseating… hence the caps on the word

My argument for breaking precedent is that this is the first offseason that the qb position is set before it begins. Since 2019 (and it ended up not being set). He's got his qb. He was a few plays away from a division title. If he isn't aggressive now, he's not going to have many chances. He has said many times that he's not opposed to being aggressive for the right player and fit. He's always used Defforest Buckner as that example. On a smaller level of aggressiveness, they traded up for Jonathan Taylor in the 2nd round to ensure they got him. I think the time is now to be aggressive with a few big moves in both free agency or via trade prior to the draft. And then possibly making a trade up to ensure you get a playmaker that is added to this roster. Maybe after this year, Steichen feels Pierce isn't a good fit and they can package him. I think he could be appealing to some teams, not as a high value by any means, but if you can upgrade the receiver group by replacing him, then don't delay.

I'd rather see veteran secondary pieces brought in than through the draft. We have Flowers coming back. We have a decision coming on Blackmon. I like him, but his injuries are piling up and he's going to command a decent amount. We have last year draft pick Scott coming back. I can't see Kenny Moore not being retained. I feel they'll target free agency for secondary help.

Steichen and Bradley spent four seasons together with the Chargers and know each other well. “Like I said, I believe in continuity,” Steichen said. “I’ve got a ton of confidence in Gus.” When he was asked about Bradley’s performance during the season, Steichen sounded confident in Bradley’s performance, given some of the personnel changes he faced. “He’s done a good job,” Steichen said on New Year’s Day. “Shoot, there’s been moving parts on the defense. The d-line has done a heck of a job, obviously, getting all the sacks that we’ve had — credit to him with the pass rush stuff.”

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2024/01/08/colts-shane-steichen-on-future-of-defensive-coordinator-gus-bradley/72148737007/

If receiver is what they deem they need, and one of those guys are who they want, why wouldn’t we move up to get one? And what is the line on moving up? I obviously think it’s highly unlikely we attempt to move up as far as it will take to get Harrison. The only sliver of hope there is that Irsay pushes that. But what is reasonable to move up for the 2nd or 3rd best receiver? Is sitting at 15 and missing out because we hung onto pick or two worth it?

How feasible would Brock Bowers be? Where do we see him landing? Could 3 receivers be taken ahead of him? I've said on this forum before I think a top talent at tight end and the same receiving core might be better for the offense than rolling the same sad group of tight ends out and improving the receiving core. They all have to function together. Our tight end group isn't cutting it for me. Alie-cox needs to go. Woods is a bust. I like Granson and Mallory, as depth pieces. I would like to see an elite tight end on this roster. The Patriots won super bowls with a lethal Brady-Gronk combo, the Chiefs win with Mahomes-Kelce.