Yoshinator
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Posts posted by Yoshinator
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Just now, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:
Player pressers today. How in the world is speed almost 29 already? LB could become a real need soon with both speed and Franklin approaching 30.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure we'll draft one next year. I know that Jaylon Carlies is going to be a LB for us from this draft.
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1 hour ago, stitches said:
This is going to be a fun episode!
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8 minutes ago, dw49 said:
This was my point that I posted not long after AD was selected. Many have said and are still saying that Ballard was a genius that figured out the 6 picks that followed him trading back in round 2. There's no was Ballard said something like "wow , I can't believe this guy fell to us ." I could take him here but , I know he's not going to be selected in the next 6 picks , so I'll trade back." It's way more likely that he trades up 4-5 spots if he valued AD that much more than the other players at the top of his board. I think Ballard did a really good job in this draft but there's no way in heck , he traded back with certainty that AD would be there at 52.
I think what happened is Ballard had a list of 3-4 guys he was willing to take on the trade-down. Mitchell was on top of his list. He might have thought because of the rumors of character concerns and poor work ethic that he may fall to 52, and he had a few backup options on top of his board behind him he was fine with. It was probably worth the gamble to Ballard to get two extra 5th round picks since we only had 7 picks at the time and Ballard likes to build through the draft.
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5 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:
For what it’s worth…. Ballard has done an interview in the last day or so where he said he will never make a decision just to appease the fan base.
I believe the interview was either with Pat McAfee or Rich Eisen.
It was with McAfee, I did see that interview. I responded to this post with the following response when @RollerColt said something about it.
25 minutes ago, Yoshinator said:I meant indirectly. Ballard would be happy for his own personal reasons fixing it with the guy he deems fit in that scenario, and the fans would be happy because someone would be signed. Their interests would align indirectly.
Just in case you missed this response.
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2 hours ago, RollerColt said:
The one part that I disagree with is appeasing the fanbase. I don't think he honestly cares about our opinions. Specifically on this website which represents a tiny fraction minority of the fans. If he thinks the corner room is fine (which it seems like he does) then we may find that who we have is who we get.
Which is why I think this will be a common complaint throughout the season.
I meant indirectly. Ballard would be happy for his own personal reasons fixing it with the guy he deems fit in that scenario, and the fans would be happy because someone would be signed. Their interests would align indirectly.
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7 minutes ago, RollerColt said:
So... I'm guessing we're going to need to create a season-long corner back room complaint thread?
I know you're probably kidding, but the complaints would go away very quickly if we signed a veteran. In this case, it's somewhat likely Ballard will do something about it and appease the fanbase.
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3 minutes ago, Scott Pennock said:
He was released because he was disqualified for play (still) due to gambling. He was never going to be a factor last year.
I know this. I'm only saying this because it was one of many factors why our secondary stunk last year.
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4 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:
Which do you want? A veteran corner or a veteran safety? Odds are extremely high you can’t have both.I think a veteran CB would be more beneficial to the team as the Safeties have Blackmon as somewhat of a veteran option and also have a few FS's like Cross, Thomas, and Scott that we could see if they are good or not. The CB position has dead weight in Baker, and Lammons isn't that good either. We also have no veteran to balance out the position. Give me a veteran CB. It would also balance out the draft by still being able to get a startable player in FA at CB.
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Just now, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:
Not only a starter but he has ball hawking ability and the knack for creating turnovers. Outside of Kenny and Blackmon we missed having playmakers on the outside and at safety.
Yep. Baker was a disaster last year. Part of the reason I want a solid veteran at CB is just to get rid of Baker. He is an absolute liability at CB.
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Just now, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:
I saw some highlights today of Simpson. He was on bowers during the Georgia game and did really well. From what I understand he may end up being Moore’s backup. I do like Ballard went for guys with play making ability. Maybe we can get something like what we had with Rodger’s.
Yeah, I think I saw that a couple days ago. I mentioned how good he was at defending TEs and how I thought that was a major factor in Ballard drafting him. He could definitely be Moore's backup. Good job noticing that. I agree with you.
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Just now, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:
I hope flowers gets his explosiveness back because we need more speed and explosiveness at the other outside corner. I wish we had more speed. I would take a guy like Rodger’s over a guy like jones every day of the week.
Rodgers was holding his own before getting released. Releasing him had a bigger impact than a lot of people realize. He was a starting quality CB at times on the outside if needed.
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Something I noticed on ourlads for the Colts depth chart is that not only is Micah Abraham a CB on the depth chart from the draft, but so is Jaylin Simpson. If they have some information I don't, then maybe the Colts are planning to play Simpson at CB?
If so, then I think we might sign a FS instead.
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If we don't sign a veteran CB, I'll be disappointed. I understand there were a lot of injuries to the secondary last year and you want to go with your guys, but a veteran on a one-year deal like Howard or Witherspoon would really help this secondary IMO.
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34 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:
The first video I came across on Bortolini showed him pulling. And even at 303 he runs like a guy who weighs 50 pounds lighter.
So given Steichen worked with Jason Kelcie who played at 290-295, I think it’s possible, perhaps even probable, that Steichen might prefer a smaller more mobile OC that might work better in the offense he would like to run. I’m very much in the camp that Bertolini is Kelly’s future replacement.
Yeah. Bortolini is a C. He could be Kellys replacement as soon as next year. Goncalves can play both T and G spots and Bortolini covers the C spot. Ballard covered all his bases on the O-Line in the draft with 2 picks. As he said in his presser, unless you are a starter, having versatility at multiple positions is what lets you dress up on game day.
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2 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:
My biggest takeaway from this draft is this…..
9 players drafted this year to add to the 12 the Colts took last year. That’s 21 new players in two years. Put another way, the total is three full drafts in the span of two seasons. One additional draft in two years. That’s pretty remarkable.
I think it’s great for Steichen and good for AR that the roster is getting seriously upgraded so quickly.
The hilarious thing about your comment is if you imagine Mitchell as a 1st round pick, you can imagine those 21 picks being 3 drafts. We literally got 3 first round picks in 2 years as well as 7 extra picks.
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6 minutes ago, ChuggaBeer said:
I cannot stop watching this!!!
Absolutely love this!
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45 minutes ago, John Waylon said:
Did you have a dream about Beavis and Butthead? LOL
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7 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:
Looks like you’ve conclusively proved Ballard is only good drafting in even years. So he should let Dodds/Brown run the draft in odd number years!
He must be a San Francisco Giant fan lol.
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I would say right now, it may already qualify as Ballard's 3rd best draft. Can it beat out 2018 and 2020? We'll see. It has the potential too though.
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1 minute ago, DattMavis said:
That's a sick fever dream!
I played Smash semi-competitively in high school, so I used to only have really stressful dreams about Smash Bros. 😂
I was a very good Marth player on Melee, but never played any big tourneys. Never really got into any of the modern Smash games. With Ultimate I thought about it, but the sheer number of characters they put on the game ruined it for me. Didn't feel special anymore.
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11 minutes ago, DattMavis said:
I had a dream Wednesday night that all of the draft choices for the entire draft had somehow been leaked in advance by Rapoport. The Colts were taking a QB in the 1st round.
This thread confused me more than that dream.
I had a dream two nights ago that I was playing Killer Instinct with Mike Tyson and beat him with Combo. Except the game had Super Smash Bros mechanics. Then after I won, Mike Tyson wanted a rematch the next day. I said no problem. Never got to give him that rematch and woke up for day 3 of the draft.
That dream was also confusing lol.
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24 minutes ago, richard pallo said:
I disagree. FS is the last line of defense. An experienced player there will definitely pay huge dividends and he will help with the development of the corners as well. He will spot any potential problems and help the young guys with their reads. Our corners are predominantly late round picks. That’s not ideal. Fortunately we have Kenny out there to help as well. At least they finally figured out Blackmon was a SS last year. That was important. I think having our young FS candidates learn from watching a veteran FS do his thing will pay major dividends. I’m pulling for a FS addition with a two year contract. Ballard said he was happy with our corners. I didn’t hear the same praise for the safety room.
You are not allowed to disagree back!
Who do you think you are, I am! ~ Pete Weber.
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31 minutes ago, John Hammonds said:
@Scott Pennock made his rundown of the draft, it is excellent! And @Yoshinator gave me props for comments I made before the draft. (Thanks, dude!) So, I feel compelled to give my own review of this year's draft.
Round 1 / Pick 15 -- Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA [MY GUYS Player]
Colts had about 7 players targeted for their pick at 15, and by the time we got to the pick, 6 of them were still on the board. We had our choice of anyone. This draft is not deep at DE. I expected us to take a WR or a CB. Instead, we take the best DE in the draft. Latu is the double-digit sack artist that we haven't had since Mathis. We're talking guys like Trey Hendrickson, Maxx Crosby, Montez Sweat. If it wasn't for his injury, he would be a top-5 pick. It was a steal. The pick comes with a downside. He's a day one starter. And we already have two starters. Each with accomplishments. It's a problem of riches. It's a good problem to have, true. But it's a problem. But there's also a background reason. Ebukam has 2 years left on his contract. This year is Kwity's final year of his rookie deal, and there's no guarantee we do his 5th year option. One of the enduring principles of drafting is that you are hopefully not drafting for your needs this year. You are drafting for what the team looks like a couple years from now. Latu is what the DL looks like a couple years from now.
Round 2 / Pick 52 -- Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas [MY GUYS Player]
For those fans (like me) who desperately wanted us to draft an offensive weapon in the first round, we got one in the second round. Make no mistake -- Adonai Mitchell is a First Round Talent. He has rare combination of length, speed, quickness. He's been in five post season games, and scored a touchdown in every one. He has rare ability to separate at the top of the route. This guy is a day one starter. Seriously. What made him slip was his reputation of poor dedication when the play isn't designed to go his way. His poor interviews at the combine. He's got diabetes, and when he's out of whack, it adversely affects his mood. And consequently, his performance. Reggie Wayne has his work cut out for him. And I envision his talk with Mitchell to resemble Proximo's talk with Maximus: "You're good, Spaniard, but you're not that good. You could be magnificent." Funny, but true. My own advice for "Lord" Mitchell is that of Tyrion Lannister: "Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor. And it can never be made to hurt you." So he has diabetes. And? I say, immediately approach the Snickers people and volunteer to do a commercial spot for them. "Hey, AD, you need a Snickers? Why? Because you play like a jerk when you don't have one! Better? Better!" Heck, yeah.
Round 3 / Pick 79 -- Matt Goncalves, OL, Pitt
To tell the truth, I was looking for us to address our DB needs with this pick. I wasn't expecting an offensive lineman. I initially wanted to be disappointed. The more I read about this guy, the more encouraged I got. I still can't help but look back at those terrible 2021 and 2022 seasons, when we made terrible attempts to address our offensive line through washed up veteran free agents who couldn't play anymore. Some of them couldn't play to begin with. I liked the Blake Freeland pick. And I'm liking Goncalves, too. More for who he is than what he is. Just listen to his live phone call with Chris Ballard when he got picked. That's the kind of energy you want in the huddle, on the field, in the locker room. This is a Good Guy. He's still got work to do. He's got very short arms (nothing he can do about that) but he also had terribly few reps on the bench press. He can do something about that. Get in there, get to work, and compete for playing time.
Round 4 / Pick 117 -- Tanor Bortollini, OC, Wisconsin
What? When are we going to pick one of the DB's I had flagged for our team? Here's a thing: Bortollini broke Jason Kelce's combine record for the 3-cone shuttle. He ran a 4,95 40. He can play any position on the line. And let's not fool ourselves. No matter how much Ryan Kelly says he wants to continue playing, there comes a time in every player's career when the ball club is ready to move on before you are. I like this player. Seriously. Him and his outrageous mullet. No, he's not the position I wanted. But I like him.
Round 5 / Pick 142 - Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
Quite frankly, I was surprised we drafted another WR after taking Mitchell. And another player who is a quick, undersized slot receiver. We already have one in Downs. What do we need another one for? But after watching film on him, I can see what they see. This guy is going to be our punt returner. Geez, he looks small. But he's listed at 5-11. Still looks tiny. I'm gonna enjoy watching him. Clarence Verdin 2.0? Anybody?
Round 5 / Pick 151 - Jaylon Carlies, LB/DB, Missouri [MY GUYS Player]
Love the pick. This is one of the guys I had on my own list. I studied the new Vic Fangio "Cover 6" hybrid defense that everyone was beginning to use vs the modern 3-by-1 offensive formations. And I came away from that experience certain that a new, different kind of player is going to be required in the modern game. A guy who could play safety, nickel, and linebacker all at once. Why? Because of what genius coaches like Shane Steichen have been doing against it. They line up in 3-by-1. So the defense goes into Cover 6. Then one of the 3 WR's goes in motion across the field to make a 2-by-2. The defense reacts by switching over to Quarters coverage. That motion receiver then quickly circles back around to the other side of the field. And the defense needs to react back again. How quickly can they do it? How quickly can the players understand just which coverage they're doing? Do they have the right personnel on the field to play either coverage? Ah ha!!! What is needed is a player that can stay on the field regardless of what coverage is being called. Carlies is that player.
Round 5 / Pick 164 - Jaylin Simpson, DB, Auburn
We finally address our issue at Free Safety. Our starter at that position was a good story. Ivy League player picked in the 7th round made good. Works his way into the starting lineup. Great story. Problem was, Rodney Thomas really isn't that good. He may be the best FS we have. But that's not saying much. Both Julian Blackmon and Nick Cross are Strong safeties. True, they can both line up at FS. But it doesn't mean they're all that suited for it. Jaylin is a CB/FS hybrid that had 7 interceptions at Auburn. He's a thin, wiry guy. He's not going to help you tackle guys running at you. But in today's 4-wide offenses? Oh, yeah. He can play.
Round 6 / Pick 201 - Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall
I don't know much about Abraham. My only attachment to this pick is that I have a close friend who was at college at Marshall when the tragedy happened to their football team. Also, Chris Ballard has a thing for turning over every rock to find an unpolished gem off the beaten path. We'll see how he works out. What he does. I would expect that his first stop (if he makes the team) will be special teams.
Round 7 / Pick 234 -- Jonah Laulu, DT, Oklahoma
Again, I don't know much about him. But I do know that we can now legitimately do a Polynesian haka with our defensive line. My advice to him is the same speech that the Colts make to all rookies. You're here now. It doesn't matter where you were drafted. It doesn't matter if you were drafted. It's now up to you to show the coaches what you can do, and beat the guy in front of you.
My overall draft grade: B+
I love the first two picks, and we have three guys from my MY GUYS list. I wish we could have addressed DB earlier in the draft than where we did. But I'm not going to complain. Our needs coming into this offseason were at free safety, wide receiver, consistent pass rush, top end corner, and prime cover corner. We not only addressed nearly all of them, but addressed them well. If we splurged in the next two weeks and gave Justin Simmons a bunch of money to play FS for us, I'd drive over to west 56th street and kiss Chris Ballard myself.
I'm feeling good about this team, and about this season. The new theme I have chosen for this year is "NO MORE EXCUSES". Let's go do it.
Nice review here. You put a lot of work into it. I actually enjoyed Ballard not taking a CB after round 2. When Melton went in the mini CB run in round 2 before our pick, I was saying in the chat for Ballard not to take a CB. Sometimes you just miss out on a run. Better not to chase. Mitchell is going to be a lot of fun to watch. Same with Gould. Our O-Line may be the best it's been since Ballard got here from 1-10. We probably have 10 O-Lineman that could make the team and be of at least backup level play.
We got a bunch of my sleepers and guys. Loved Latu, Goncalves, Bortolini, Gould and Simpson. Mitchell wasn't particularly a guy of mine, but that's because I didn't feel I had the proper information to judge whether his character concerns were overblown or not. If Ballard took him, then I figured they were a bit overblown. I thought Mitchell might possibly fall out of the 1st round, but I didn't expect he'd fall to us at 46, much less in a trade down to 52.
Carlies was a nice pick, and even though I'm not really a big fan of Abraham, he did well in college and has starting experience. I just don't like how unathletic he is. Laulu is a nice developmental athlete IMO.
Overall, fun draft. Wish we would have drafted a RB as I don't like our depth, and Hull is too unproven to rely on IMO, but we'll be fine. For the first time since 2018, I have hope in this team as it looks like Ballard is finally growing as a GM.
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3 minutes ago, MikeCurtis said:
If we have money for a FA, IMHO it should be FS, then CB
The back end is so so important in THIS zone that the Colts play 99% of the time with big (but a touch slower) CBs spec
The FS cleans it all up
Thats why I think we should use any remaining cap money to bring in a decent FS
We could use a stud CB, we have limited cash
I disagree for several reasons. 1.) We have Cross, Thomas, and Simpson at FS. All are young. I want to see a battle between the 3 to see who can start and if any are any good. 2.) We have Blackmon at SS, we don't need two veterans. 3.) We need a veteran at CB that can not only improve our CB play, but that the young CB group can learn from. 4.) I feel Baker can be cut easily if we sign a veteran CB and I'm not sure if Flowers will be 100% right away.
There's just so many more reasons to go after a CB than a FS IMO.
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Behind the Colts - Draft Episode (5/1)
in Colts Football
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Awesome to watch! This was a very good in-depth video of our draft picks. Love Latu, the kid sounds confident, has a great attitude, and looks like he is ready to dominate. Mitchell has a chip on his shoulder and I think he'll be our no2 right away. Goncalves seems like a nice guy to hang out with and willing to learn. I like the others on day 3 as well.
This is going to be a great draft class IMO. This team is so well put together, and it was nice to see a 36-minute video. I made a comment a few days ago on how I thought we traded ahead of the Seahawks to get Goncalves cause they needed a G. Ballard said the same thing here. He was on his game during the draft.
Very fun video! Worth the wait!