A Scouts Take On The Colts

[krunk]

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth

 

 

 

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With the NFL combine just weeks away and free agency starting shortly after, I caught up with NFL Insider Matt Williamson, a former Browns scout, this week to talk about the areas the Indianapolis Colts need to address. 

Talking to somebody not affiliated with the Colts helps put things into better perspective. 

You wouldn’t have thought the Colts finished with an 11-5 record and advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs based off the areas Williamson believes Indianapolis needs to upgrade. 

“I think they have plenty to be honest with you,” he said. “I know [general manager] Ryan Grigson is highly regarded and he’s turned this team around and all those great things, but I have not been impressed at all with what he’s done in free agency. They had all that money last year, but I don’t know if they spent it wisely. They still have tons of needs. He took over a roster that was dreadful but they didn’t get any real answers other than [offensive tackle] Gosder Cherilus.” 

Williamson on offense 

“I think the interior of that offensive line needs a lot of work. I’m not so sure receiver isn’t a need. Running back, do you count on [Trent] Richardson? Do you re-sign [Donald] Brown? I think Brown is going to demand a little bit of money at least. I’m sure they had zero intention of re-signing him when they traded for Richardson. At least they get [Vick] Ballard back.”

So basically Williamson is saying the Colts need help everywhere except quarterback, tight end and offensive tackle. 

Williamson on the defense 

“The defense is going to be worse. I look at the defense now and think they need everything. There’s not one spot that’s a total mess, but there’s not one spot that they’re really set at either outside of [linebackers] 

Robert Mathis

 and 

Jerrell Freeman

. I like 

Vontae Davis

 a lot. He’s going to be expense to bring back. They want to play a lot of man coverage. So you need him. He hasn’t been a superstar, but he’s been good enough. 

Antoine Bethea

 is up for free agency. He’s a quality player. He leaves and leaves a big hole.”

 

 

[weslo1812]

So essentially what I get out of it is the Colts look to be in pretty bad shape right now. Nice to know!!!

[bestQBever]

So essentially what I get out of it is the Colts look to be in pretty bad shape right now. Nice to know!!!

yeah. But we've had holes and have been in bad shape for the past 2 offseasons and we have 2 playoff appearances, 1 playoff win, and haven't finished under 11 wins yet.

[dudeski]

yeah. But we've had holes and have been in bad shape for the past 2 offseasons and we have 2 playoff appearances, 1 playoff win, and haven't finished under 11 wins yet.

and that makes it ok?

[esmort]

Looks like "he talked a lot, but said nothing" ... pointed out the problems/questions that pretty much anyone who even casually follows the Colts know, and offered no real opinions on where he thinks they would or should go in FA and the Draft.

[K-148]

Every team has holes. Even Seattle: OG, OT... You do not have to impress former BROWNS scout with your free agency moves to win Super Bowl.

[Gavin]

Nothing there most of us have not been saying for quite a while now

[21isSuperman]

I don't see why people are feeling offended or upset at what he said. Not only is it just his opinion, but there's a lot of truth to what he said. Our OL didn't open up running lanes consistently and our pass blocking was also spotty. The defense gave up something like 87 points in 2 playoff games. Lots of room for improvement

[weslo1812]

yeah. But we've had holes and have been in bad shape for the past 2 offseasons and we have 2 playoff appearances, 1 playoff win, and haven't finished under 11 wins yet.

Yeah Andrew Luck has been what's covered up a lot of these holes to an extent. Kinda like the years with Manning. I hope that trend does not continue here and that we really try and focus and building a great overall team in both sides of the ball. Not just having a great QB and expecting that to carry you. A lot more often than not it won't.

[TKnight24]

Here I waa thinking some boy scout from Indianapolis was giving his opinion on the Colts. Boy was I wrong

[K-148]

I am "not impressed" with Williamson's "observation", which is:

- useless: sun is rising, wind is blowing, Satele is awful;

- incorrect: Gosder is not the only one Colts' free agent who has played well.

[James Harden]

Basically anyone can be a scout nowadays. You don't have a smart person with G.P.A of 3.9 to be a scout.I'm sure everyone on this forum can be a scout since all season long people have criticizing the flaws of the Colts.    

[BOTT]

Well, I listen to his podcast all the time......he is consistently wrong.

[jamesie jr]

Nice to hear a scouts perspective. I'd agree with mostly what he said, he could have gave his take on who we should sign. Make the article a bit better.

[MikeD1096]

We have proved everybody wrong period.

[Indianapolis-Colts-Fan]

Lol.... A browns scout

[pacolts56]

Lol.... A browns scout

I know....the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the term "Browns scout" is.....

 

[SOMDColtsfan]

Like I said awhile ago..back to square one 

[Smonroe]

Every team has holes. Even Seattle: OG, OT... You do not have to impress former BROWNS scout with your free agency moves to win Super Bowl.

So true. Even if everything he says is true, we're still in better shape than 90% of the teams in the NFL.

No doubt, we need upgrades in all the places he mentioned. That doesn't mean we're in bad shape.

Are Howell, Werner, Rogers, McNary, etal his answers? Maybe. The only real hole I see is at Center.

[Rebelknight]

So a Browns scout...hmmm you know because the last 10 years the Browns have been top notch talent pool..

[Balzer40]

A former Browns scout??? Well, that pretty much tells me enough not to take this seriously. Really..."former"...is a very key word here. When you can't cut it as a scout for one of the consistently worst franchises in the NFL, how could anybody care what he has to say? He said nothing that even a 10 yr. old couldn't observe watching just a few Colts games and he's still wrong about some of it. When a current scout of a consistent winner comes out and gives his opinion on the Colts, let us know. Until then, I'll take a wait and see approach.

[Godeepreggie]

I disagree with his take on our defense we simply have to have a dominant nose tackle just taking care of that would solve alot of issues

[jskinnz]

The comments in this thread are comical to me.

1) The fact that he is/was a Browns scout somehow makes his input less real? Hilarity. He is making a living in the NFL which by definition means he has more access to info than any of us.

2) The article would be better if he provided insight on who the Colts should pursue in free agency? Why? The point is he is just telling where he sees the holes and would have no idea of who Grigson would be targeting. Why does speculation make it better?

3) The fact that he agrees with many with regards to what is said in these forums means that anyone could be a scout - umm, no it doesn't.

[Beauregarde]

So essentially what I get out of it is the Colts look to be in pretty bad shape right now. Nice to know!!!

I don't think he said that but he pointed out areas of concern and he is correct in that. I do not know one single fan outside of Indy that doesn't think the Colts are not as good as their record and several experts have said as much. That weak South division pumps up their record. Yes, they beat three great teams last year and they lost to some bad ones.

[dudeski]

I don't think he said that but he pointed out areas of concern and he is correct in that. I do not know one single fan outside of Indy that doesn't think the Colts are not as good as their record and several experts have said as much. That weak South division pumps up their record. Yes, they beat three great teams last year and they lost to some bad ones.

and who are these experts?

[Cynjin]

The comments in this thread are comical to me.

1) The fact that he is/was a Browns scout somehow makes his input less real? Hilarity. He is making a living in the NFL which by definition means he has more access to info than any of us.

2) The article would be better if he provided insight on who the Colts should pursue in free agency? Why? The point is he is just telling where he sees the holes and would have no idea of who Grigson would be targeting. Why does speculation make it better?

3) The fact that he agrees with many with regards to what is said in these forums means that anyone could be a scout - umm, no it doesn't.

 

My only problem with the article is that it did not provide much in the way of insight.  I may disagree with a couple of his points, which is okay.  However, the statement "Talking to somebody not affiliated with the Colts helps put things into better perspective", uh no it really didn't.

[Smonroe]

I don't think he said that but he pointed out areas of concern and he is correct in that. I do not know one single fan outside of Indy that doesn't think the Colts are not as good as their record and several experts have said as much. That weak South division pumps up their record. Yes, they beat three great teams last year and they lost to some bad ones.

Who were the bad teams the Colts lost to? We may have lost bad, but not to bad teams.

[jskinnz]

My only problem with the article is that it did not provide much in the way of insight.  I may disagree with a couple of his points, which is okay.  However, the statement "Talking to somebody not affiliated with the Colts helps put things into better perspective", uh no it really didn't.

Why doesn't it? Those guys do not have the biases that those affiliated with the team tend to have.

[jskinnz]

Who were the bad teams the Colts lost to? We may have lost bad, but not to bad teams.

Agreed. Most were at or around .500 that they lost to. The most glaring was the Rams game but that is clearly a talented team.

[Cynjin]

Why doesn't it? Those guys do not have the biases that those affiliated with the team tend to have.

 

You really got something extra out of those statements?  He told me nothing nothing new, no new insight, no new slant on the Colts situation, no new thoughts at all.

[jskinnz]

You really got something extra out of those statements?  He told me nothing nothing new, no new insight, no new slant on the Colts situation, no new thoughts at all.

Nothing earth shattering. I guess his comments on potentially losing Bethea and that impact were surprising to me. I was speaking to a larger sense though in that those not directly affliated with a team can still offer meaningful insight. Their lack of bias can point out things that those too close may not see.

[Cynjin]

Nothing earth shattering. I guess his comments on potentially losing Bethea and that impact were surprising to me. I was speaking to a larger sense though in that those not directly affliated with a team can still offer meaningful insight. Their lack of bias can point out things that those too close may not see.

 

I agree with the bolded, I guess I was just expecting more insight, some new thought.  It seemed like Williamson was just saying what to me was somewhat common knowledge.

[jskinnz]

I agree with the bolded, I guess I was just expecting more insight, some new thought.  It seemed like Williamson was just saying what to me was somewhat common knowledge.

But isn't there a value in having what you thought affirmed by others?

[chad72]

Losing Bethea would not be a big deal because he and Landry are better "close to the box" safeties than free safeties at this points in their career. Hopefully Landry's instincts in this scheme improve. That to me, is not a big concern if we address it in free agency. Drafting a free safety, it might still take that rookie a while to develop instincts good enough to play a critical position in the NFL. Bethea was a 6th round gem when he came in as a rookie, lightning will not strike twice, not for such a critical position.

 

As far as linebackers, yes, the cupboard is a bit bare there without many playmakers outside Mathis and Freeman. I do think we should wait it out in the first week of free agency so that we don't overpay for players we want. We should go in with Plan B if Plan A does not work and have it ready.

 

Toler and RJF, I am still torn if they will turn out to be playmakers for our D, those are 2 big chunks of money for starters that I am not convinced we have seen enough of a reward for.

 

Walden, the monetary hit is minimal and I think we will get value out of the deal as the deal goes on. Donald Thomas, if he works out, might be good value down the road. Cherilus has definitely been worth the money spent so far.

[coltsfanatic24]

I agree with everything he said and just because he's a Browns scout doesn't mean he's wrong. The Browns have one of the most talented rosters in the league and their only missing a QB. Grigson knows he overpaid for those guys and he has to do better if we want to win the division again because the Titans will be much improved with Wisenhunt as the coach.

[coach kline]

Really? You want to listen to a Brown's decision. What have they done in the last 10 yrs.

[jskinnz]

Really? You want to listen to a Brown's decision. What have they done in the last 10 yrs.

Dear God...

[BOTT]

I agree with everything he said and just because he's a Browns scout doesn't mean he's wrong. The Browns have one of the most talented rosters in the league and their only missing a QB. Grigson knows he overpaid for those guys and he has to do better if we want to win the division again because the Titans will be much improved with Wisenhunt as the coach.

Unfortunately, he was a scout for the Browns 8+ years ago when they had very little talent.

[Cynjin]

But isn't there a value in having what you thought affirmed by others?

 

I guess, although that has never been a been a huge priority to me.

[pacolts56]

The comments in this thread are comical to me.

1) The fact that he is/was a Browns scout somehow makes his input less real? Hilarity. He is making a living in the NFL which by definition means he has more access to info than any of us.

That's a fair point....I guess its just fun throwing rotten cabbage at the Browns.

 

Anyway, here's a 2011 interview with the guy and some comments on the Manning-era Colts....it's a pretty quick read and a look into NFL scouting life...

 

http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2011/07/17/espn-analyst-matt-williamson-part-i/

 

http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2011/07/19/espn-analyst-matt-williamson-part-ii/

 

http://mattwaldmanrsp.com/2011/07/20/matt-williamson-part-iii/