AwesomeAustin

Honestly, for as much as he is paid he needs to become a factor by the end of the month. I understand he has missed some time but a player of his supposed caliber needs to start balling within 4 games back. Maybe unfair but his contract isn’t.

Maybe if we want him on the PS to see if he will develop. He has been cut by two teams rather quickly so he may not be NFL caliber. Will be interesting to see if we do sign him

This. It’s an evaluation year. I expect to see a lot of changes next offseason. Most of these “good” players are auditioning to be part of the long term core of the team. We are going to be bad most of the year but we get to see who/what is worth building around. A roster churn is coming and this year decides which direction we go.

There are not 150 starting caliber OL across the league. Many teams have a spot on their OL manned by a backup worthy player that needs upgraded. Ours is RG. Hopefully someone steps up and is a quality starter, if not the Colts will keep bringing in guys cheap and on rookie deals until they can find someone. It will become harder and harder as players develop and the cap constrains the team. I have no idea if Sills or anyone else on the roster is that guy. I know it will get interesting next year bc I believe we will need a RG and C. Just part of the process in building a competitive team…we will always have holes and need a bit of luck and skill to fill them

Both sides are right and it will play out to a compromise eventually. Really don’t have an opinion on any of this besides we should have traded JT before the draft and his contract year. Been saying that for almost a year now bc we knew we were rebuilding as soon as Matt Ryan didn’t work out. I will say again if the Colts can get a 3rd and a 5th for JT and 7th, they should take that deal and not look back. He is a really good player but he isn’t a first round talent anymore with the contract he will demand. Get what they can and move on.

34-13 Jags. Richardson scores a rushing TD for us on a beautifully designed red zone play that is a glimpse of what is possible.

Perhaps but for now I will call it what it is…a 4th round pick. I hope he works out and becomes starter worthy.

I get what you are saying. I guess it’s just how it was presented. Like saying he is “essentially a 3rd round pick”. He was a 4th rounder. I agree the Colts probably have high hopes for him. I see you do as well. I’m rooting for the kid and hope it all works out.

Ok cool. I see where you are coming from. Was confused bc you seemed to present it like this was the Colts plan and I had never seen it anywhere. Freeland seems like a good flier to take in the 4th. He does appear to have potential to develop. Whether that is a swing tackle or starter remains to be seen. I just know 4th rounders are more likely to be on different teams or out of the league in 5yrs than starters. I hope he works out but the guy has a long ways to go to be even an average starter.

Ok. The way you were presenting it was like it was a fact. It seems more possible than likely to me. The 4th round is about the spot you take a swing tackle. If it works out the way you say it would be great for the Colts. However, I don’t see that was the plan whether “we like it or not”. You are presenting a theory that has a lot of moving parts. Would be great if it played out that way but it’s far from certain.

That’s a really good situation if it’s true. May I ask what has been said or done to make that true? Not saying it’s not but I believe Freeland may have 1-2 years of weightlifting and development to do before he is even ready. That’s a long time to wait in the NFL on a devised plan at a non premium position

For a team that is so tight lipped about injuries and trades there sure are a bunch of “reports” of interest in JT. I know it’s an attempt to drive the price up. I’m still guessing we get a 3rd and a pick swap.

I don’t expect a first either. Honestly, our chance at a 2nd was before the draft. I think JTs stock had plummeted and a lot of people could be disappointed with what we will get. Colts don’t have to trade him but they almost have to now. It’s become a lose lose situations for Indy which is sad.

I can’t wait for JT to be traded and this can be done. He is a very good player but I wouldn’t say great. Maybe with him we get 6-7 wins instead of 4-5. He probably only has 1-2 good pro bowl caliber years left(if that) and he doesn’t want to spend it being ran into the ground by a bad team; unless they will pay him. It’s time to move on from this. Get a 3rd and swap a 7th for a 5th and don’t look back.

Didn’t Vick Ballard rush for 800yds in 10-12 starts Lucks rookie year? That obviously isn’t elite but it very productive. Still, I get what you are saying.

You are right and it comes down to QB play. I’m expecting a season of growing pains with a few flashes of brilliance. The overwhelming majority of rookie QBs struggle and I expect no different from AR. For him to play average would definitely exceed expectations. It’s possible if the offensive players in question all perform. I see us picking in the 8-12 range but with a clear picture of what we are to do with the roster. That’s a win in my book.

Playing a bit of devils advocate here. We have questions at three spots on the OL. We haven’t found the answer at DE, WR, CB, TE, and S. We may now have a huge hole at RB. Yes we have potential at most of those positions but that’s half our roster. Add our extremely inexperienced QB will probably play the position differently than anything we have encountered and also a rookie HC. We are more likely to pick in the top 10 than we are to make the playoffs. I get why this idea is floated in the media. Not sure we need a rebuild, just saying I understand why they are saying it. We will find out a lot about the roster this year.

Didn’t ESPN let a lot of people go? Seems like this happens every few years, which honestly seems normal to churn and burn looking for talent. Any chance he was going to be part of the layoffs and why he was ok with leaving? I have no insight on this so they are honest questions.

I agree. I see this stated on the board often enough it’s a bit concerning. Now I can see a bit more man coverage until the secondary is fully in sync but for the most part, this should be a zone defense. I think they will have a lot of growing pains this year. Teams will test them early and often to try to build a quick lead and make our offense play from behind. I keep seeing Rush mentioned often as big potential. Am I missing something? He was a 23yr old 5th round pick and kind of new to the position. He sounds like a backup to me. I haven’t paid attention to much of training camp so is their legitimate buzz about this guy or is he the yearly draft class darling?

I hope he does well. I’m with you and thought it was a weak class but we almost had to make a move bc we put it off so long. I’m still excited to see how they employ him and if he takes after the coaching. AR needs a lot of time so nothing to do but give it to him. Should be fun.

To be fair I thought he wouldn’t pan out before the first snap. Didn’t watch the game bc I was working but was wondering how he looked. I fully expect him to struggle and we won’t know how good he is for 1-2yrs. I don’t think he works out but I also don’t think most QBs work out. Still going to wait and see what happens.

Like I said I’m betting it’s a 50-50 thing. At work we are probably what you consider diehard fans. We talk about the Colts often along with other sports. We discussed this very topic and I asked them who can name the most draft picks from this year. I was able to name the most with 4 off the top of my head. I understand it’s a small sample size and not apples to apples but the point is, people are not as in tune with the fine details of the team as you may think. I’m sure there are plenty of ticket holders that can name the whole roster but I’m betting there are just as many that can only name the starters. The general consensus with all of us were that season ticket holders most likely Colts fans that have more time and money to go to that many games and not necessarily more knowledge. It’s one of those answers we can never get though so who knows lol.

Not the vibe I get. Granted a small sample but I know 5 people with season tickets and they couldn’t tell you who is in the draft class outside Anthony Richardson. They don’t know any of the backup running back names either. I would say it’s probably a 50-50 thing. A lot of people just go to the games bc they are fun.

You are more than welcome to join me on the wait and see train. I will save you a seat!! Really, we have no idea what’s going on with JT or what kind of QB we have or how our coach and staff will be. It’s fun to speculate but sooner or later it all reaches a point where all there is left is to wait and see

Going a little bit different route and counting on QB to be super efficient like Brady, Mahomes and Manning Etc. Less weapons and more defense and a great kicker that can win close games. Give an elite QB one top weapon and a defense that will get him the ball back, he will win a lot of games for you. QB WR DE DT CB S K