smittywerb

March 4

I think if Shane had Hines when he was with us and healthy, he would’ve been a mini mccaffrey.

now after the ACL injury, I’m not sure. Idk, I’d rather see what we can grab in the draft. Maybe find a gadget player in the late rounds that Shane can turn into something, similar to what the chiefs did selecting Pacheco in the 7th.

eh, I’d pass. Hate to see it happen because I did like nyheim and thought he wasn’t being used correctly. #hinesupthegut

March 3

1 hour ago, throwing BBZ said:

Arnold looks Superb!

I believe there are about 10 spots behind us that we could get a very high quality prospect. Ballard trade back DNA.

Yes he does. He looked very fluid. And also saw when the colts asked him a question regarding a coverage he answered it flawlessly. I’ve let it be known many times on this board that I think WR is the biggest need. But I’d put that to the side if Arnold or Bowers is there.

i like Quinyon also, but I can’t go against a SEC cornerback who played against VERY good comp and played well. Arnold has been tested.

man, if we could trade back, get a second or third, and STILL draft Arnold, I think Ballard could do some serious damage with that.

March 3

54 minutes ago, w87r said:

Yeah, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it at the moment.

So deep at WR(12-13 top 50), do you wait till the 2nd? Take top 5 option at #15. Not till 3rd or later for next wave after top 12-13?

That's not even including all the other options at other positions.(CB, Edge,DT, TE)

The time is soon approaching.

I think it depends on how Ballard and the team grades the players.

if a receiver they have, let’s say 3rd on their board, is there at 15 but a player they have at another position is rated higher (ex. Maybe arnold), I’m thinking they’ll take Arnold and then draft a receiver in the 2nd. That’s where the depth comes into play. But I’d say if 1 and 2 on their board is gone at 15 and BTJ is there, I think we’re definitely grabbing him.

Personally, I think the writing is on the wall, the position ballard is thinking about is pass catcher. Who is left at 15 will determine if we go pass catcher first. One thing I will say with confidence, we’re double dipping in receiver.

March 3

I think in the first round you draft outside of need when there’s someone there you have very high on your board that is as close to a certified can’t miss and there’s depth at the position of need.

A perfect two first picks for me would be getting Arnold and then getting a high talent receiver in the second or trading back into the first. There’s enough depth at wide receiver to still get someone. Maybe not a BTJ but someone good enough to possibly turn into a WR1

March 3

24 minutes ago, Solid84 said:

I just don’t think a rookie CB is high on the list talent or not.

We’re already young and it was a problem last season. They need to keep taking their lumps and we need to add a solid veteran or maybe two. Adding more youth solves nothing.

agreed. If it isn’t Arnold I’m not sure about drafting a CB. Quinyon has checked all the boxes also but idk, he played at Toledo. That’s just me though, for all I know he could’ve did his thing anywhere.

but definitely agree on getting a vet CB. I’m down with getting Arnold because he seems like a can’t miss. Anyone else and I’m eh on them.

March 3

After watching the combine here are my thoughts:

- I’d be happy with either Arnold or Bowers at 15 if they fall to us. Both had good combines. My gut tells me they’ll both be gone by 15 however so hopefully we either trade up if needed or the draft goes off the rails. I’d also be very happy with BTJ at 15 also if Arnold or Bowers are gone.

- Quinyon Mitchell looked pretty good. That 4.39 he ran was impressive! He is coming from Toledo and idk how I feel about that. He had a good senior bowl but I think about rock ya-sin coming from temple. Idk, mixed feelings about Quinyon.

- i am still torn about getting a receiver in the second after the combine. Yes, it’s great that multiple receivers outside of the top 3 showed out but that also means they’re more coveted now. For example, worthy breaking the record has definitely moved him into the first round and I can see a team like the chiefs or ravens grabbing him so that means one less receiver in the second for us to grab. If leggette is still there in the second I’d say get him. He is a Ballard player, 220 and ran a 4.39. But once again, he might’ve moved himself into the first also.

All in all, we’re in a tough spot at 15. I would honestly hope we could grab Arnold or bowers at 15 and then trade back up into the late first round to grab leggette or worthy. That’s where I’m sitting now. I do think a DE is a need also but at 15, I don’t think who’d be left would be worth picking.

March 2

4 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

You might be 100 percent right. But I think it’s WAY too early to predict anything with confidence.

i know, I’m just excited lol. I’m hoping it’s one of them at least. Been a long time since I felt like we were building towards something.

March 2

We’re either drafting Arnold, Verse, Thomas, or Bowers. However the draft plays out will determine which one it is.

February 29

5 minutes ago, Superman said:

There was a rumor a couple days ago that the Bears might want to trade Fields, and trade the #1 pick, and draft a different QB. Some reports say the Commanders are enamored with Caleb Williams. And then the Raiders really want Jayden Daniels.

It probably wouldn't happen, but if the Bears moved down to #2, and then down again to #3, and still got Drake Maye, plus whatever they can get for Fields, and still have #9 (Rome Odunze? Brock Bowers? The best LT?), they'd have a lot of reason to be excited.

yup, heard the same also. If they’re not in love with Caleb and like either Jayden or Drake more, they could even get more picks. Like if that were to happen and they couldn’t build a winner, it’s just not meant to be lol.

but yeah, kind of envy the bears right now. But id rather go through multiple seasons of having a competitive team instead of having the number one pick back to back years. And not to mention they passed on CJ stroud for this opportunity lol

February 29

Trading fields has always made the most sense. Keeping fields means you’re going to commit +$50million/yr to him. And I’m sorry, fields is not worth that. Trade fields, get more picks, draft Caleb, restart the qb rookie deal clock, and build your team. Only thing that’s holding this up is the bears driving up the price by not pulling the trigger.

February 29

This is Ballards second time speaking on the WRs we have. We’re going pass catcher at 15. Unless all of first round talent that they are eyeing gets swooped up. AR has put an emphasis on getting weapons for AR.

I see us trading back if someone we’re targeting isn’t going to fall that far. Once you get into the 20s, those first round talent receivers are going to get picked. Ravens, Chiefs, Texans, possibly cardinals if they don’t go WR with their first pick, possibly Bills depending on Gabe…all need receivers. And with 3 receivers in front of us getting picked (Harrison, Odunze, Nabers), we’re in a tough spot. After Brian Thomas, the talent in receivers drops to another tier.

idk, this is just my opinion, and of course the way the draft plays out could change everything, but all signs so far to me points to receiver/pass catcher.

February 29

8 hours ago, Zoltan said:

The reason I think it's later is because he mentioned the depth when they picked Pittman in the 2nd and he's obviously happy with how that worked out, so may go with the same mentality of getting a WR in the 2nd.

I wouldn’t say that’s definitive because knowing Ballard, if there’s a receiver they have high on their board and he’s there at 15, they’re going to take him.

this is his second time speaking on the receiver room. Once at his EOTY presser when speaking on getting more explosive, and now regarding the talent and getting AR more weapons. Ballard is literally telling us what he’s going to do. Only way I see us going anything different with the 15th pick is if our targets get swooped up or Arnold somehow lasts until the 15th pick.

and I think we may even double dip on receivers this draft. He mentioned leaving the coaches hanging because of the lack of depth at receiver. So when he speaks on depth of this class, I think he’s going to double dip. Similar to how he did last year with the corners. Remember, he said the same thing last year about the depth of the cornerbacks and if we didn’t need a qb we probably would’ve went corner with our first pick.

if Brian Thomas or Brock bowers is there at 15, no way we’re trading back or waiting until the second round. And remember, we picked MPJ in the second because we didn’t have a first to begin with that year. It wasn’t by choice.

February 28

Just want to expand on what I was saying in the previous post:

We ranked 24th in rushing yards (https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/team-stats?category=defense&sort=def_sck&season=2023&seasonType=reg&sortOrder=desc)

Had 2 players rank in the top 20 in run win rate (Ebukam and Grover) (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38356170/2023-nfl-pass-rush-run-stop-blocking-win-rate-rankings-top-players-teams)

We ranked 16th in passing yards (https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/team-stats?category=defense&sort=def_sck&season=2023&seasonType=reg&sortOrder=desc)

We ranked 5th in sacks (https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/team-stats?category=defense&sort=def_sck&season=2023&seasonType=reg&sortOrder=desc)

We ranked 30th in hurries (https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/team-stats?category=defense&sort=def_hurr&season=2023&seasonType=reg&sortOrder=desc)

Looking at these stats, this is why I think CB, while yet can be upgraded, I don’t see as a major need. It doesn’t matter who we put back there, we’re going to get picked apart tanking 30th in hurries. 30th in hurries, 24TH rushing, we’re not winning in the trenches on defense.

As I said above:

scheme: we need to get more aggressive. More blitzing and disguising. If we can’t create pressure with our front 4, then we need to help them

homewrecking DE: kwitty needs to be upgraded. He doesn’t rank in the top 20 of either stats. And in today’s league, you need ends on both sides who can create pressure.

FS: if we’re going to be more aggressive, then that means we need to be protected over the top. FS could use a HUGE upgrade.

Once again, I do agree that CB can be upgraded, but the above three I feel are bigger needs. Don’t get me wrong, if Arnold is there at 15 I’d say take him because he’s a generational talent at corner, but I’m hoping we can grab a vet because of how young our defensive backfield is.

February 28

1 hour ago, Hawkeyecolt said:

Except their win rate was top 10 so they were getting beat by a lot of quick hitters underneath. Yes, the pressure rate could be better but the back 7 was a bigger problem.

win rate was probably inflated by Buckner and Ebukam. When I looked at the link above I posted in a previous reply. Buckner and Ebukam both placed in the top 20 regarding pass rush win rate. Highly doubt Grover and Paye are close. Do you truly believe we have a top 10 pass rush based off our personnel? I mean, the titans have a top 10 pass rush also according to win rate. (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38356170/2023-nfl-pass-rush-run-stop-blocking-win-rate-rankings-top-players-teams).

but you bring up a good point as in to why I think FS and certified pass rusher could help this team better than a CB. We got hit by quick hitters a lot because of our scheme. I mentioned above that no matter what we do or who’s the problem, we have to get more aggressive. Which means we need people who can go and get the QB fast. Whether that’s a linebacker or defensive end. I also say we need a better FS because being aggressive opens you up for bigger plays, so we need someone back there who erases that when we do get an aggressive.

i agree, in our back 7 I do feel we could use an upgrade. I’m personally hoping we sign a vet CB and FS. But CB wasn’t the only problem. And if I had to list it on our defensive problems it would probably be 4th behind scheme, FS, and a certified pass rushing capable DE to replace kwitty.

February 26

26 minutes ago, chad72 said:

@Superman @KB I am not hinging my WR corps upside on Keon Coleman.

I would feel better even with a clone of Pittman in Adonai Mitchell but I do agree with Steve Smith, he is a 90% body catcher. He doesn't snatch it in the air.

Summary of Steve Smith's video evaluation, take it for what it is worth:

Rome Odunze - didn’t play a lot of great competition

Keon Coleman - “does some good things but not gonna tip my hat”

Adonai Mitchell - 90% body catcher according to Steve smith and quotes “I’m just saying” (Mitchell gets to the points ahead of the DB because he can separate in college but if he is not going to go for the ball with his hands and that split second in the NFL will result in more incomplete catches)

Xavier Legette- Steve Smith thinks he’s DK Metcalf 2.0

Xavier Worthy - taller Tank Dell

Jalyn Polk- just a dawg

Ladd Mcconkey - really good really savvy

Brian Thomas Jr- growing on him

Malachi Corley - Steal of draft

Troy Franklin - comp : Jordan Addison

Johnny Wilson - not a good multi tasker (doesn’t like him much)

Brenden Rice- comp : Isaiah Pacheco lol 😂 thinks he’s a maniac

Devontez walker - fast but needs to work on catching ball better

Tory Horton - thinks his stock will go up

Roman Wilson - also going up and impressed with him

Ricky Pearsall- stock rising

Javon Baker- too much at the line just go

Jha’Quan Jackson - likes him sparked some interest in Steve

On my personal WR watchlist, I have leggette, Corley, Polk, and Thomas. Idc where we grab them, but if we walk away with one or two of these dudes, I’m satisfied.

my dream scenario is bowers falls to 15 and we grab leggette in the second. A man can dream right lol

February 26

Know it’s only a mock, but I hope the draft doesn’t play like this because we’d be out on both bowers and Arnold. I still think we should go for WR if it’s Brian Thomas. If it’s anyone else, I’m for trading back unless any of the pass rushers left are bonafide difference makers (which idk).

if we want bowers or Arnold, we’ll probably have to trade up, which we probably won’t do, so my bet is we trade back.

i will say, 2 of these picks could go either way, the cardinals and titans. Both could use receivers but also OL. If one or both of them go OL, we could get bowers or Arnold.

February 26

On 2/24/2024 at 3:44 PM, Dark Superman said:

If the Colts aren't able to a top FA at CB then I wouldn't mind taking a flier on Xavien Howard to bring in a veteran presence to help mentor the younger guys while filling a need at outside CB. Also, Xavien will go back to playing man coverage which is something he excels in.

I also think we’re going this route based off of ballards words. He blamed himself for the DBs being so young. Not sure if I want Xavier however, he’s been on the decline. I don’t know why however. But I think we go vet for both CB and FS.

February 24

13 hours ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

figured. No way they let him walk. Run it back with a healthy burrow. He might be gone next year depending on how this year goes, but it wouldn’t make sense for them to let him test FA or attempt to replace him when you can just tag and keep him for one year minimum

February 24

11 hours ago, throwing BBZ said:

So if our 4 man sack rate is very good, and our pressure rate of 85 "isn't bad", and we are solid against the run, yet we finished what was it 28th in defense, you surmise that our secondary, and yes our LB play didn't stink. Okee dokee.

it means we’re not getting to the qb FAST enough. Even in the example I showed you, that would’ve been a coverage sack which means the qb didn’t have anyone to throw to. Not a sack because we had someone who beat their man quick enough to get to the qb. Sack rate vs PRESSURE rate.

dude, if you’re going to base your argument off of stats, then at least understand what they mean so you can form a sound conclusion.

i said we need a FS because the post spoke of one and I agreed. I’ve also mentioned on this forum and I think this post that we need a DOG on the defensive line also.

February 23

1 hour ago, throwing BBZ said:

Gee, I recall that it was Brents that got humiliated in our last game.

I think intelligent posters liked have having a CB with the speed to cover one on one like Gilmore could.

if you go to 1:30, you’ll #20 (the safety) bite on the play fake. If he plays back, that play most likely results in a sack. Not saying that we don’t need an upgrade at corner, but we DEFINITELY need one at FS

February 23

1 hour ago, throwing BBZ said:

Gee, I recall that it was Brents that got humiliated in our last game.

I think intelligent posters liked have having a CB with the speed to cover one on one like Gilmore could.

well you must have didn’t watch the game closely. Brents turned the corner inside towards the safety like he was supposed to. The FS eyes were in the backfield which led to the wide receiver running behind him. Brents did what he was supposed to do, the safety didn’t.

on the second touchdown throw, the safety goofed again by following a player who was already being covered and left the tight end wide open.

“intelligent” posters would’ve saw that. The commentators even discussed it on the replay. Don’t know how an “intelligent” poster like you missed that.

February 23

4 hours ago, csmopar said:

Kwitty will get better.

idk man, I’ve kind of gave up on him. I’m not saying he’s bad. He’s cool. But he’s not what we need. We need a defensive end that can cause havoc. Unfortunately, those are hard to come by but we might be able to sign one this year depending on how things go.

what I feel like happens, from a combination of the eye test and looking at stats, teams don’t worry about the front 4 because they know they can help on buck and Ebukam because of Grover and kwitty. I feel like the reason why the blitz works so well when we do it is because that stops the offensive line from helping on buck and Ebukam. But that also means we need stout safeties and corners because they have less help. Think we’re good on corner for now, definitely need a ballhawk safety. Texans game exposed that.

February 23

I’m there with you. I don’t think our problem are our defensive backs, even though I think we should definitely upgrade the FS position with McKinney if possible. I think we need to improve on getting pressure also.

people will point to our sacks but where the true story lies is our pressure rate. According to statmuse (https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/which-nfl-teams-pressure-the-qb-the-most-this-season), our pressure rate was 85.0. Which isn’t bad, but isn’t good also. But when you think about the scheme, it’s actually worse because we depend on our front 4 and don’t blitz, meaning our defensive backs are actually solid. The sack number with the low pressure means our defensive backs are actually solid.

and then when you look at our pass rush win rate, we have Ebukam and Buckner who perform well (https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/sack-pct). Which once again leads me to believe our pass rush needs an upgrade, specifically kwitty. Grover is a run stopping machine. I feel if we could get a dog to replace kwitty, that would free up the others.

We could use an upgrade at corner but on my personal list of priority, corner is towards the middle. If we could improve on our pass rush and get a safety that could ball hawk, i think we’d see this defense become really good.

But above all, regardless of what we do, Gus needs to get more aggressive.

February 21

10 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:

Ummm…. How would you or anyone know if a player has the IQ to do their job or not.

I think the comment is beneath you at best. Perhaps a poor choice of words. At worst, well, you don’t want to know. I hope you’ll re-think this?

my bad, I’m saying Football IQ, field awareness, etc. not trying to say they’re “dumb”. Football players are actually very educated. I know a few of them.

what I’m getting at is that they don’t have that kelce savvyness. Kelce isn’t the fastest or most athletic tight end, but he just find ways to alter his route and get open. Plus him and Mahomes just have that rapport. And kelce isn’t the only one who has that ability, but it’s the easiest way to explain what I’m trying to say.

February 21

6 hours ago, AustexColt said:

Is it the coaching, play calling or the player that we have not had another Dallas Clark since Manning? We were told that Jelani Woods, Ogletree, Mo and Granson were all great TE prospects. Well, I just don't see it.

I think it’s morseo the players:

Woods: can’t stay healthy and when he does play he flashes. He needs to just play. I think he’ll be good.

Ogletree: doesn’t really have the speed to separate. Doesn’t have the IQ to find soft spots.

Mo: See Ogletree

Granson: does have the speed, but doesn’t seem to have the route running to break off consistently or the IQ to find soft spots.

i don’t think it’s playcalling, because at multiple times this season our tight end group was outperforming the wide receiver group.

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