May 3, 2025 • 32 mins
The Last Word, the Colts’ offseason radio show, is back this week as Jeffrey Gorman and Matt Taylor break down the team’s eight-man draft class, highlighting which rookies could make an impact in 2025 and discuss current players most affected by the new additions. Plus, former Colts QB Philip Rivers joins the show to talk about sixth-round pick Riley Leonard—his fellow Fairhope, Alabama native—and shares insights into what makes Leonard a winning quarterback.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
The NFL never sleeps. The roster is ever evolving, and
it's all about finding the edge. This is the Last Word,
the off season home of the Indianapolis Colts. Now here's
Jeffrey Gorman and Matt Taylor.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Welcome into The Last Word, airing inside the Indiana Union
Construction Industry Radio studio every Friday evening here on ninety
three five and one oh seven five the Fan. I'm
Jeffrey Gorman, joined by the Colts Matt Taylor, Voice of
the Colts. How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
I am doing fantastic, Happy weekend, Jeffrey.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Right to be gosh, We're getting ready. Sinco to myo.
Right around the corner. We're gonna bring up our own
Sinco to Mile Caesa dia Valie. He's coming up later
on in the show. But we got a bunch to
talk about, mate. We of course are gonna go over
the latest draft haul of the Colts, the draft being
last week. We are gonna find tooth comb this thing.
But we also got something special coming up at the
(00:58):
end of the show.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Yes we do. The greatness of Philip Rivers is going
to join us. We gave you a little bit of
a snippet earlier this week. I think that was Tuesday
on the Colts Daily Update. But we're gonna play the
whole darn thing, or as close as the entirety of
the interview as we can with Philip great perspective still
playing quarterback or still coaching quarterbacks down at Saint Michael
(01:20):
High School and Fair Hope, Alabama. Fair Hope, Alabama is
the same hometown as Colts quarterback Riley Leonard here they
picked up in the sixth round at of Notre Dame.
Those two actually train together, work out together, and I
think they live like five hundred yards away from each other.
So it's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
We're gonna give you the goods that Philip Rivers has
on Leonard, and that's coming up. But Matt, I want
to go over this draft with you. I've been waiting
for these. I wrote these downs, I slept, I woke up,
I rewrote them, so I get in your brain on this.
How impactful was this draft? Okay on paper? How impactful
was this draft as far as players that are there
(01:57):
and going to be a part as as well as
contribute to this offense?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Yeah, defense, big time impactful. The Colts got way better.
You start with Tyler Warren in his versatility, his playmaking ability.
It's so exciting to think about how he's going to
be able to open up the middle of the field
for this offense and allow other weapons to win their
matchup because of the threat that he poses when he's
on the field. Another key rotational piece on defense with J. T. Tuamolowow,
(02:26):
I love the Jalen Travis pick out of Iowa State.
DJ Giddon's legitimate option out of the backfield to possibly
back up Jonathan Taylor defensive tackle was addressed. Tim Smith
is in here now out of Alabama. The Colts. Jeffrey
just drafted a lot of players with a ton of
college experience, and they're all really good football players, guys
(02:47):
that made a ton of plays and played at a
high level. I mean, justin Wally perfect example. He's five
toot ten, but a great football player. That's all that matters.
He's got great speed. I don't know if I see
any of these draft picks not having at least partial
roles next season. I think it's that good of a draft.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Excellent. How about this one outside of Tyler Warren, which
you touched on, which of these players from this latest haul,
are gonna have the biggest role outside of Warren because
I gotta figure Tyler Warren. Is it going to be
a huge part of this Colts offense?
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Great question. I think it's too Amalawu for me. I
think that he's that guy because on defense, you lose
Dio a Dangbo in free agency and you got to
have somebody to replace those snaps. Dio played that big
of a role for this team last year. You look
at Tuamalawu, absolute menace at the highest level, playing in
the Big Ten, won a national championship, showed up big
in the biggest of games during that four game run
(03:41):
in the College Football Playoff, plays all three downs. He
can kick inside, so he's got some versatility there and
he's just gonna have an important role next season. You've
got Laatu Latu going into year number two, so you're
gonna see growth there. And I think too, you also
have to wonder where is Samson Ebakom. What are you
going to get out of him physically coming off a
(04:03):
year where he tore his achilles in August. So I
think he's gonna play a big role early in the season,
and I think it's gonna be even more pronounced towards
the end of the season.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
That's Matt Taylor voice to the Colts. I'm Jeffrey Gorman.
This is the last word. Ninety three to five, one
oh seven five the fan, the biggest steal of this draft.
You want to I'm gonna give you mine.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Let's do it.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Riley Leonard, We're gonna hear more about him. Philip Rivers
is coming up. But I like where they got him,
and I like what this kid possibly brings to the
next couple of years. Obviously, it starts with the freak
athlete that he is.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Yeah, I like that. I means great in the running game.
I mean we knew going into Day number three. I
think the Colts were gonna take a quarterback. We had
a good hunch. A guy that checks all of the
character boxes that Riley Leonard presents. Experience, great guy, great leader,
played a ton at the college level. For me, I'm
going a little bit of a different direction to me.
(04:50):
It's DJ Giddens. This guy's a Day three pick, a
fifth rounder, and he ran for over twelve hundred yards
in each of the last two seasons. You don't see
a guy with that thick of a resume last that
long in the NFL Draft. I mean he was at
nearly six yards per carry for his career, Jeffrey, And
this dude can run away from you, he can run
over you. He can catch the ball onto the backfield too.
(05:12):
But this guy is one of the biggest sleepers, not
only within the Colts draft, but I think in the
entire draft. I think he's got a great chance to
compete with Khalil Herbert to back up Jonathan Taylor.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Okay, how about this one of the Colts roster the
way it is right now, the players on the team
right now, who are some of the guys feeling the
most heat after this draft.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Well, I've got three guys that are most impacted either
one way or the other, so Mad Gonzalvez, Jalen Carlies,
and Juju Brinz. Yeah, the Colts didn't select a true
guard in the draft, so that's another sign to the
Colts think that he might be in the mix to
heavily take over at right guard. But again, don't forget
(05:51):
about Danny Pinter, don't forget about Wesley French in the
mix there too. And then Jalen Carlies because the Colts
didn't you know, head on square address linebacker in the draft.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
J S.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Yeah, I mean Hunter Wohler, excuse me, as a seventh
round pick out a Wisconsin. They're trying to have him
make the switch from a safety to a linebacker, just
like they did with Jaylen Carlis the year before. But
Carlis played really well when he was called into duty
last year, started five games. The only thing that's gonna
hold him back is he's gonna miss a bulk of
(06:24):
the offseason workout program with that offseason shoulder surgery. And
then as far as Juju Brince is concerned, you know,
Justin Wally is a pick in the third round, sure,
and it's a it's another major investment at the cornerback position,
and Brince's heading into a big offseason for him where
he's trying to prove that he can stay healthy. But again,
(06:44):
the Colts did draft a corner in the third round,
and by the way, with Wally primarily played outside corner two,
so that does impact the potential role in playing time
for Juju.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Brent follow him on Twitter acts at may take Colts
and also he gives you a bunch of stuff on
Colts dot com Voice of the Coach Matt Taylor right there.
Fans be sure to check out Colts mascot Blues Million
Dollars Schedule Challenge. It is presented by our friends at
Academy Sports and Outdoors. One contestant's gonna win a million
bucks if you can pick the schedule. It's simple, just
go to Colts dot com slash win. When we come back,
(07:17):
we said it earlier, we will be joined by the
great Philip Rivers, one of the greatest gun slingers ever
in the NFL. Rivers is from the same hometown as
Colts draft picked Riley Leonard, and the two have been
working out together for quite some time. And he'll tell
us what makes Leonard special. This is the last word
ninety three five, one oh seven five to the fan.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
We are giving you all you need to know on
the Colts. This is the last word with Jeffrey Gorman
and Matt Taylor from the Indiana Union Construction Industry radio studio.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
He has a different style. Tyler Warren has my type
of game.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
More like, it's not catch ten balls a game, catch
four big ones for a first down, you know, third
and twenty.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
You catch it up the middle, knock some guys out,
and you've got to laugh. Tyler Warren gets dirty.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
I feel like that's his style of play and that's
why I love watching him.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
That was one of the top three tight ends to
ever play the position. Rob Gronkowski talking about Tyler Warren,
the Colts first round draft choice out of Penn State.
That's from the Dudes on Dudes podcast hosted by Gronkowski
and Julian Edlbamadiocchi. If the greatest ever play the position
or one of the greatest, says I love Sascat and
he reminds me of me. What do we think of that?
Speaker 3 (08:28):
I see it. Yeah, he might not right away be
you know, a eight or nine catch per game. Give
him a minute. He's going to have impacts, right. You
can line him up in so many different ways. And
the mad scientist that is Shane Steichen is just foaming
at the mouth, you know, trying to scheme up ways
to get Warren involved in the offense and get him
(08:48):
the football. But I do think that we have to
sort of take a step back because at the end
of the day, you're talking about rookies, right, and so
rookies are rookies. So JJ actually pointed this out earlier
this week. From two thousand to twenty twenty four, so
the last twenty five drafts, twenty eight tight ends have
been selected in the first round. Only seven of them
(09:09):
have posted over five hundred receiving yards.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Good pull from JJ Stain.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
But I still think you're gonna see, like Rob said,
You're going to see Tyler Warren come up big in
big moments, big catches that move the chains, score touchdowns,
or just you know, provide clutch moments when you need
him within this offense.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
That is the voice of the Colts, Matt Taylor. Join
him and Tyler Warren and the rest of the Colts
in Berlin, Germany. All that do you have to do?
Place a deposit to unlock an early access to official
Colts Germany ticket and travel packages. It's simple visit on
location exp dot com slash Colts Germany for more information.
All right, let's get to it. Earlier this week, we
(09:49):
chatted with former Colts quarterback and one of the greatest
ever played the position, Philip Rivers. He has great intel
on Riley Leonard, who the Colts drafted in the sixth
round last weekend. Out of Notre Dame. They're both I'm
the same hometown as Matt said earlier, right in Alabama,
and it is a great story. Take a listen. Here's
Philip Rivers, the Colt shrafted quarterback Riley Leonard in the
sixth round, and you have trained with him during your
(10:11):
pre draft process as you both are natives of fair Hope, Alabama.
Leonard was a four year letter winner at Fair Hope
High School, named the Class seven eight Player of the Year,
and led his team to a twenty seven and two
combined record. Philip, what did you like about Riley Leonard
when you first started working with him?
Speaker 4 (10:27):
Yeah, No, I was excited to see him end up
in Indy with Shane and that offensive staff. I think
it'll be a great fit for him to continue his
development as a quarterback. So, yeah, Riley's hometown is here
in fair Hope, Alabama, which is where I am. I'm
in a different high school that he went to down
here in fair Hope, Alabama. Yeah, I think he lives
(10:48):
like his parents lived here, five minutes from us. So
Riley did a lot of his offseason training here at
QB Country with David Morris, and then I was able
to work with him as well a handful of times
as he as he you know, uh, prep for the
Senior Bowl, in the draft and just a just a
real uh pleasant and and enjoyable guy to be around.
(11:10):
Just really uh humble, but really competitive, uh and and
wants to just soak up all he can. You know,
you always you always want those young guys to be confident,
but also have that humility that we got that I
got a long way to go, you know, have that mentality,
and he certainly has that eagerness to learn and grow.
And uh, it was fun to be around him and
(11:32):
see him work throughout this offseason.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
You know, Philip, he you know you know this. He
led the Iris to the National championship game this past season.
Kind of a two part question. How much did you
keep in touch with him throughout the course of the
season and within that season, you know, he showed up
late in the big moments, in the biggest games of
the season. He performed. He threw for two fifty five
against Ohio State. How did you see him grow and
(11:56):
evolve over the course of that one season in South Bend.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Yeah, you know it's interesting I failed to mention this,
so he again being from here is his hometown, you know,
and he was he was first year to to UH
to Notre Dame obviously, and he was coming off an
injury UH in the last season at Duke, so he
didn't get to work with those guys throughout the spring.
So Riley brought his wideouts UH down here. It was
(12:21):
Riley in about five or six of the white House
from Rotre Dames and brought them down to Fair Hope
with him and we spent we spent two and a
half days working and I was working with with that
whole with that whole group, because he was like, Hey,
this is the first time I've thrown these guys. So
I just helped. It was Riley's deal, but I helped
facilitate those workouts and I really had a blast. My
brother and I had a blast working with working with
(12:43):
those guys. So even more so we followed and pulled
for the Irish as they progressed to that season because
we felt like we had a little connection with him,
you know, we knew those guys. I was like, hey,
there's there's great house. Shoot he thought that same route
and right here in the backyard, So that made it
fun to pull for for Rally and his guys, and
it was cool to see in a short time with Rally,
(13:04):
I thought that said a lot about him too, in
a short time of him being a teammate of those
guys at Notre Dame, how much they enjoyed being around
them and respected them, and how they interacted together. And
so it was fun to pull for him along the way.
And I think, like you said, he was, he was.
He was competitive and and toughest in the in the toughest,
most crucial moments. And you know, I think the other
attribute he obviously has is he's a he's a sneaky,
(13:26):
really really good athlete. Obviously you see him run and
he broke off some long runs and he had like eight,
eight or nine carries I think in that one one
playoff game drive and so he he uh, you know what,
it's it's funny too down here the people talk about
his basketball highlights. Yeah, I don't know if you have
seen them. Yeah, it's unbelievable. I'm like, all my assistant
(13:49):
coaches here at the high school are like, man, you
haven't seen the guy. The gyms were always packed because
they wanted to see Raley Leonard seeking score thirty, you know,
and so uh, pretty pretty pretty awesome that he's got
the ability to ski the pocket obviously in a run,
and then he's he's continuing to get better and better
as a pocket passer. And I don't know if there's
anybody in the league that would be better to help
him continue that progression than Shane and that offensive staff
(14:11):
there in Indy there.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
I don't know if it's a rumor or something we
heard just through the draft process. Maybe you're privy to this,
but did did coach k ask Riley Leonard if if
he wanted to play basketball at Duke as well on
top of playing quarterback.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
I do not know that. I do not know that
to be to be true or not, but I know
he was just a heck of a basketball player and
it's and for him, you know, Rilly of course, like
everybody right, they want to get drafted as high as possible.
But he had such a great demeanor. He and I
and my son Gunner were throwing on on Wednesday before
the draft, and he had such a I mean, he
(14:44):
was a little nervous, as normal as you should be
you're about to get picked to move to a new town.
But he had such a such a good perspective on
it all. I was like, Riley, look just think about this.
You were coming out of you know, Pharaop High school,
you know, five six years ago, and you were a
basketball player, at least for most people fat and all
of a sudden you end up being the quarterback at
Duke and then the quarterback at Notre Dame in the
national championship. And wherever you get picked, shoot, you're getting
(15:07):
to go start, you know, get to go go start again,
but again again, and and uh and hopefully it's in
a good place, in a good room, in a quarterback room,
in an environment that's competitive that you can grow and
get better. And so he just he had such a
good approach. And I know, I know the early comments
I've seen from him, he's just so grateful to get
an opportunity and be there in India. And I've told
him what I was only there a short time and
(15:27):
in a weird time during the COVID year, but uh,
what a great place it is. And there's a lot
of great people there and he'll fit right in. And
I think it's pretty cool him having the run he
had in Notre Dame and then being right there in Indy.
I know the fans and the people will really embrace
him and he'll he'll feel like home for him.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
That's the head coach of Saint Michael's Catholic, a football
powerhouse in Alabama. Talking from Riley Leonard. I want this
question to you now, Philip, one of the greats to
ever play this position, and you can'ts you quarterbacks are
not wired like the rest of us. So if there
is truth, is it tough for you to teach a
quarterback position? If these young kids and young players they
(16:03):
aren't up to par as far as when you did
it and your progression of being a better quarterback. And
also on this, when you're talking about young quarterbacks, is
there a thing or two things that you look for
that says, hey, he's got a shot, or is it
hey he doesn't have this, so he's not going to
play a quarterback. Put him at safety.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
Yeah, well, you know, speaking of high school guys. Obviously
I'm getting to coach my son right now. So it's
been a blast. But I think the thing I've learned
from the coach side after being a player for so long,
but when you're playing, you know, when you get into
the double digit years, you almost felt a little bit
coach like, you know, when you had so many young
guys around you, East and stick and shoot. I mean
(16:41):
look at Geno Smith and the run he had nothing.
I was in a coach mode with him. But just
getting to be around these guys is what you realize
is not everybody sees the game exactly like you. And
so sometimes you coach it the way I see it, right,
and you communicate it that way, but you got to
make sure that you can adapt to what best helps
the guy, what best helps that particular guy, because uh,
he may not see it exactly how you do, but
(17:03):
you want him to. You know, you wanted to see
it and see how you see it. But so that's
from that perspective. Now as i've you know, I was
able to be around bow Knicks and Drake May the
last couple of years, Carter Bradley and then and then
with Riley this year. I think he wants to me
it's it's giving them, trying to give them any tools
and any any nuggets that can help them, uh help
(17:26):
them fit into their game or or or a way
that dis enhances their game. Because again, we're all we're all,
we're all a little different. But yet, like you said,
to to to be a QB got to be wired
a certain way. So there's certain there's certain kind of
base character traits that you you probably need to have
at this position. But then I think everybody's a little different.
It needs a little different So learning how to communicate
that and and give little tidbits and make it make
(17:48):
sense for them and then let them either incorporate that
into their game or let that help them maybe understand
a route concept a little better, understand why did you
do this or do that? And and it's more just
information that they can take and and then and then
go with from there.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
That's Philip Rivers with us of course, talking about Riley Leonard,
the new quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts draft in the
sixth round. Both Philip and Riley natives of Fair Hope, Alabama.
You know Shane Stike and really well, dating back to
your days together with the Chargers, how do you think
Shane is going to help Riley grow early on in
his career?
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Well, I think Shane has a has a a great
way of communicating uh and and and coaching coaching the quarterbacks.
You know, and I think certainly Shane is completely capable
and can assist with just the basic fundamentals of of
of of past drops and all that. But Shane is
really unbelievable mind when it comes to understanding defenses and
(18:46):
coverages and how to throw certain routes and where they
need to be looking at all the all the all
those all those things. So he Shane will Shane will progress. Uh,
it will be great, a great asset for Riley as
he as he progresses, uh as a young player. And
the thing about Raley is he's gonna do all those
things that uh, all those things right. He's gonna be
(19:07):
there early. He's gonna uh, he's gonna be an He
will end up being an asset, I think to the
whole quarterback room in terms of preparing the starter, you know,
for the for the in in season, while all while
he's he's getting himself better. And uh, it'll it'll be
a good working environment for for Raley and Chanel Shane
and that offensive staff which I know a handful of
those guys as well. They'll do they'll do a heck
(19:28):
of a job with him.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
That's Philip Rivers. And and I gotta ask on your career.
Was it helpful for you because we see a lot
of quarterbacks coming into the NFL now we look at Mahomes.
He sat a year, Philip, you sat two years? Was
that just grueling for you? Or if you had to
do it over again, you do the same thing. You
were behind a couple of greats like Drew Brees and
Doug Flutie.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
Yeah, well, I can tell you it's uh. It's uh
the year one for me sitting. Uh. I didn't necessarily
love it, but it was valuable. I felt like I got.
I was the first time getting to see the game
from the sideline and and and and see it see
a different guy and how he prepares, and and hearing
you know, different communications from the coaches and all those things.
And year two was tough. Year two I felt like
(20:10):
I reached my limit. I got. I felt like I
improved as good as I possibly could without being on
the field. There just comes a time when there's no
substitute for actually performing and doing your job live. And
so year two was a little tough for me. But again,
everybody's journeys, everybody's journey is a little bit different. I'm
thankful for I'm thankful for those two years it worked
out the way the way it was supposed to. Uh,
(20:32):
but it certainly was tough in that in that second year.
And then I want to say one more thing about
about Shane and and Rally and those guys. Shane. The
other thing about Shane is he really he and for
he and I, I'm just going back to he and
I's relationship. And I was so appreciated that I got
to be around him, uh for the handful of years
that I was is he and I saw the game
(20:52):
a lot of like uh. And so even now when
I when I talk to Shane, it's like, you know,
we can we can, we can we can paint a
make sure over a phone conversation about a play, and
I know we're seeing the exact same thing. And uh
so I think but Shane has a unique ability to
be able to get that communicate to the quarterbacks. I
think Riley will see that and understand that, and uh
he makes it simple for them. So you know. There
(21:14):
and Shane obviously spent a lot of time with North
Turner back in the day when I was with for
a long time, and there's there's you can over complicate
the position it is. It is complicated, and there's a
lot of layers to it and a lot of things
going really fast, and you're gonna make quick decisions, but
there is there does come a time it's just like, hey,
look over there and he's open, and throw it to him,
you know. And Shane, no doubt, Shane has the ability
(21:36):
to get to that point as well while also dissected
and it's at the doctorate level. Uh when he when
it's needed.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
That's Philip Rivers with us. Last one for me, Philip,
You've been so gracious with your time. We really appreciate it.
But what do you remember most about your one year
in Indianapolis. I hate it that you never got to experience,
you know, the full city embrace with the full crowd
and the full Lucas Oil Stadium experience. Just when when
(22:03):
you think back of twenty twenty to that season you
guys made the playoffs, what what immediately comes flooding back?
Speaker 4 (22:10):
Well, I I resonate with you on that because I
do wish I think back to that Green Bay Packers
game and in the crowd at the capacity that they allowed,
was was was awesome. Yeah, I do think back to
that game and thinking if that was a packed house
the Cincinnati Bengals game, we were down twenty or nothing,
he came roaring back. If that was a packed house,
how fun those would have been. But uh, it was
(22:32):
a very memorable year for me and and I believe
it or not, one of my favorite years out of
the seventeen years I was in the NFL. I think, uh,
being around the great man, great man in Frank w Reich.
Uh and also that staff and being having a new
locker room, a new a new teammates, a new environment
for me was kind of invigorating, uh in that seventeenth
in that seventeenth season, and uh, my family really enjoyed
(22:54):
our short time there in India. Again, it was we
didn't get the we didn't get the full feel of
the town, even because of the circumstances with the COVID.
But it was a it was a fun season. So
mostly all good memories. Only one I only thing I
still uh kick kick myself every now and then as
I think back to that Buffalo bill game. Yes, no, God, yeah,
(23:15):
those opportunities were lost out there. We should have been
we should have been going to Kansas City the following week.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
You ain't with a U.
Speaker 4 (23:22):
It was a it was a fun season. I remember
one one I'm thankful for. I have a uh have
a have a h I love for a love for
for Indy in that short time and and uh I
find myself uh certainly pulling for the Chargers, but I
pulled for the Colts on Sunday as well.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
I don't want yeah, you're exactly right. I mean I
don't want to pour assault in the womb, but you
specifically were so good in that game, over three hundred
yards passing. The Colts had over four hundred and fifty
yards of offense. Just like you said, Phillip A, play here,
play there. I hate that that was your last game
because of all the things that you know added up
to the miss opportunities.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
Yeah, no, it was uh it was a it was
a tough one on the way out, but I tell
you I was I was thanking for thankful for my time.
And I kind of just had a had that gut
filling and that piece that you just kind of knew
it was over. I remember walking up that tunnel going, hey,
this might be it, uh, teary eyed and all, but
it was a it was a certainly thankful thankful for
you know, to to mister say and and and and
(24:17):
Ballard and those guys, and certainly Frank for believing in
me that year and coming off a pretty rough twenty
nineteen season, I knew I had some good ball less
than me, so it was good to at least finish,
uh finish playing some good football there in the year seventeenth.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Well, I think I speak on behalf of a lot
of NFL fans. We thank you for what you brought
to the game, because you always had fun every Sunday
you went out there. You were having fun and dominating
the way that you did a couple of things. And
we'll say goodbye Hall of Fame speeches. Are we starting
writing that yet?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
No? No, not yet. But although the although I'm about
to be eligible here before too long, sir, I say you,
I haven't, I honestly haven't, and I certainly would be
humbled and unbelievably honored to ever get in there. But
I haven't thought about it a whole lot. But I
really have, really my whole she got as far back
as I can remember, loved watching those those Hall of
(25:08):
Fame speaking back to Peyton Manning and shoot so many guys.
I could go on and on that. I really enjoyed
watching those guys and seeing how thankful they were, and
really what most of them talked about was their teammates
and being a teammate and how that's what the part
that they missed most, and that's certainly the part I
miss most. And this year in particular, I'm even more
(25:29):
excited because I got a former teammate of mine, Antonio Gates,
all time touchdown leader in NFL history for tight ends,
going into the Hall of Fame, much deserved. He was
not only my teammate, but our lockers were side each
other for sixteen years, so fifteen years. So it was
certainly a lot of great memories with Antonio and thankful
that I was on the other end, or I guess
(25:50):
on the front end of most of those touchdowns.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
An incredible career. I appreciate the time. Give us one
scouting call. There's a hot shot quarterback in Alabama named
Gunner Rivers. The latest on him, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
He's got ten to be a good one. He uh shoot,
he's about six three two oh five okay, two years
eligibility left here in high school. He'll be he'll be
a junior. So I'm having a blast coaching him. Uh
he he. He's going about all of it the right way.
From a recruiting standpoint. He enjoys being the quarterback here
at the high school and and and taking it one
day at a time. But certainly excited, exciting as a
(26:24):
dad to not only coach him now but kind of
see that he's gonna have an opportunity to play the
next level. And uh and and he he loves it.
He's throwing, He's throwing a whole lot more passes from
They didn't have flag football when I was growing up, Right,
this man's been throwing it around the yard since he
was six years old. So it's been a it's been
a heck of a lot of fun. Oh.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
One of the greatest to ever play the game, that
is Philip Rivers. We so appreciate the time. Thank you, Philip.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
All Right, guys, thank you.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
We may have to get our hands on Gunner Rivers
in a couple of years.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
He's got that connection what I'm saying there at NC
State and Philip Rivers there, So come on now, pipeline
to the Hoosiers.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
Oh man, big thanks to Philip Rivers for taking some
time in chatting up Riley Leonard folks. The Indianapolis Colts
have teamed up with Anthon, Blue Cross and Blue Shield
to recognize school teachers, administrators, nurses and staff members who
go above and beyond. You know, a classroom quarterback. Nominate
yours today at Colts dot com slash Classroom Quarterbacks. We
come back here in the Last Word. We're gonna give
you the Forum Credit Union Question of the Week, which
(27:24):
centers around this Colts offseason. How much better are the
Colts now compared to the end of last season. We'll
bring that to you. This is the Last Word here
at ninety three five one oh seven five the fan.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
Can't get enough football. You're in the right place. This
is the off season radio home of the Indianapolis Colts.
The Last Word with Jeffrey Gorman and Matt Taylor from
the Indiana Union Construction Industry Radio Studio.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
And we have brought to you by our friends at Meyer,
the official super center of the Indianapolis Colts and proud
sponsor of one hundreds of local sports teams across the
MIDWAT also the Colt's commitment to the growth of high
school girls flag football. It continues The team's goals to
launch one hundred high school girls flag football teams by
the fall of this year twenty twenty five, and the
Colts are providing up to ten thousand dollars in resources
(28:14):
for the first hundred schools that join. We need your
help get your local high school and communities involved as
a Colts dot com slash Girls Flag to learn more.
Time now for the Forum Credit Union question of the Week,
May Tay. We bring in Casey Valier. We are a
couple of days away from Cinco de Mayo. There are
for Casaedia Valie and by the looks of it, I
(28:34):
don't know what's in that glass, but it looks like
you might have a margarita.
Speaker 3 (28:37):
Well, I'm early on Friday.
Speaker 5 (28:40):
We're really close to Single de Mayo.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
There's reed, no margarita, just margarita read not just yet.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
His neighbor Reid. He's a legend.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
He's got a good blunder.
Speaker 5 (28:51):
It started a part of this show.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
No kidding. Hey, good to have you read. Hey tuys.
Time now for the form Credit Union Question of the Week.
Now that the draft is in the books, what have
you guys made of the Colts offseason? It's a great question.
How much better are they now compared to last season? Mate?
We remember last season that was dismal, a bad way
to end it. Looking at this record right now and
the new additions that they've had, how much better are they?
Speaker 3 (29:16):
I think they are much better than how they ended
last season. Question is, again, like we talked about earlier
this week on the Daily Update, are you good enough?
Does this now put you over the top of being
able to dethrone the Houston Texas. They've won the AFC
South the last two years, so it's good. I think
it's been a really good, impactful offseason. The secondaries revamped,
(29:39):
you address some major needs within the draft, and some
guys that I think are going to be darn good
football players and colts for a long time. But the
draft did kind of take our attention away, or at
least diverted it the last couple of weeks, and now
that it's over, we kind of center back on the
big picture item, if you will, and that's this team's
success is going to large depend on what they get
(30:01):
out of the quarterback. That goes without saying here in
the NFL. Is it gonna be Daniel Jones or is
it gonna be Anthony Richardson. For Richardson, it's, you know,
take a big jump in the passing game. And then
for Daniel Jones, can he turn himself into this year's
version of Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield a new spot,
a new setting, and you know, change the narrative on
(30:22):
his career. But again that the biggest part of this
offseason is gonna be about quarterback. I think on paper,
you're better. I think you're more suited to make the
playoffs this year than you were last year. But it's
not all about the quarterback. We know that. But you know,
a large chunk of the success, especially on offense, is
gonna come from, hopefully the consistency that they have at
(30:43):
the quarterback position. And it starts this offseason.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
All right, Well, let's go to Casey Value on that
easy question. You who starts at quarterback?
Speaker 3 (30:50):
Case Wow?
Speaker 4 (30:53):
Man?
Speaker 2 (30:54):
Yeah, what do you think off season? Any where we
did last year and where this team is right now?
Obviously Tyler Warren plays a part of it, but compare
those two.
Speaker 5 (31:01):
This is gonna be a weird statement to say, But
I don't think the off season was sexy, But I
think it was exactly what the Colts needed to do.
They addressed the issues that they needed to sure up.
And if you look at what the rest of the
vision did, I you know, I'm gonna this is gonna
be out on a limb here. But I think Houston
is regressing. You talk about that. They lost Laramie tounsel
(31:23):
Des traded Kenyon Green, so their offensive line, they've got
a couple two guys that have been there.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
They struggled there, so they're gonna have to replace those
with some young guys they drafted.
Speaker 5 (31:33):
And then you lose Steffon Diggs. I know he missed
part of the year, but also Tank Dell is expected
to miss a majority of that's right, So they've got
a handful of question marks there in Houston and where
the Colts. I think what they did is they looked
at the areas they need to improve and they did
all of the things they needed to do. So I
like what the Colts did this offseason. Like I said,
maybe not sexy as far as getting your biggest free
(31:54):
agents and your I mean, don't get me wrong by them,
and warrands are free agents.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
I mean this from a pure foot ball standpoint, I
think pretty sexy. I think Ward bying them and Warren, Okay,
that's pretty sexy.
Speaker 5 (32:05):
I guess you talked me into maybe it was sexy.
But I think the Colts did everything this offseason that
they needed to do to put themselves right in line
to compete with Houston for the division.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Absolutely, anticipation awaits and we are excited. That was the
forum credit Union questions of the sexiness there. There was
interact with other fans online, post a topic, participate in
various discussions regarding your Colts form Credit Union helping members
with their financial dreams. Casey Value is getting ready to
go dive into a pool of Margarita's. Matt Taylor, you
have a good weekend. I appreciate your time, Big Bella, Yes, sir,
(32:36):
this is the last word. Ninety three five one oh
seven five the fan. Coming up next is ESPN Rating
The NFL never sleeps. The roster is ever evolving, and
it's all about finding the edge. This is the Last Word,
the off season home of the Indianapolis Colts. Now here's
Jeffrey Gorman and Matt Taylor.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Welcome into The Last Word, airing inside the Indiana Union
Construction Industry Radio studio every Friday evening here on ninety
three five and one oh seven five the Fan. I'm
Jeffrey Gorman, joined by the Colts Matt Taylor, Voice of
the Colts. How are you?
Speaker 3 (00:36):
I am doing fantastic, Happy weekend, Jeffrey.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Right to be gosh, We're getting ready. Sinco to myo.
Right around the corner. We're gonna bring up our own
Sinco to Mile Caesa dia Valie. He's coming up later
on in the show. But we got a bunch to
talk about, mate. We of course are gonna go over
the latest draft haul of the Colts, the draft being
last week. We are gonna find tooth comb this thing.
But we also got something special coming up at the
(00:58):
end of the show.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Yes we do. The greatness of Philip Rivers is going
to join us. We gave you a little bit of
a snippet earlier this week. I think that was Tuesday
on the Colts Daily Update. But we're gonna play the
whole darn thing, or as close as the entirety of
the interview as we can with Philip great perspective still
playing quarterback or still coaching quarterbacks down at Saint Michael
(01:20):
High School and Fair Hope, Alabama. Fair Hope, Alabama is
the same hometown as Colts quarterback Riley Leonard here they
picked up in the sixth round at of Notre Dame.
Those two actually train together, work out together, and I
think they live like five hundred yards away from each other.
So it's pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
We're gonna give you the goods that Philip Rivers has
on Leonard, and that's coming up. But Matt, I want
to go over this draft with you. I've been waiting
for these. I wrote these downs, I slept, I woke up,
I rewrote them, so I get in your brain on this.
How impactful was this draft? Okay on paper? How impactful
was this draft as far as players that are there
(01:57):
and going to be a part as as well as
contribute to this offense?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
Yeah, defense, big time impactful. The Colts got way better.
You start with Tyler Warren in his versatility, his playmaking ability.
It's so exciting to think about how he's going to
be able to open up the middle of the field
for this offense and allow other weapons to win their
matchup because of the threat that he poses when he's
on the field. Another key rotational piece on defense with J. T. Tuamolowow,
(02:26):
I love the Jalen Travis pick out of Iowa State.
DJ Giddon's legitimate option out of the backfield to possibly
back up Jonathan Taylor defensive tackle was addressed. Tim Smith
is in here now out of Alabama. The Colts. Jeffrey
just drafted a lot of players with a ton of
college experience, and they're all really good football players, guys
(02:47):
that made a ton of plays and played at a
high level. I mean, justin Wally perfect example. He's five
toot ten, but a great football player. That's all that matters.
He's got great speed. I don't know if I see
any of these draft picks not having at least partial
roles next season. I think it's that good of a draft.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Excellent. How about this one outside of Tyler Warren, which
you touched on, which of these players from this latest haul,
are gonna have the biggest role outside of Warren because
I gotta figure Tyler Warren. Is it going to be
a huge part of this Colts offense?
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Great question. I think it's too Amalawu for me. I
think that he's that guy because on defense, you lose
Dio a Dangbo in free agency and you got to
have somebody to replace those snaps. Dio played that big
of a role for this team last year. You look
at Tuamalawu, absolute menace at the highest level, playing in
the Big Ten, won a national championship, showed up big
in the biggest of games during that four game run
(03:41):
in the College Football Playoff, plays all three downs. He
can kick inside, so he's got some versatility there and
he's just gonna have an important role next season. You've
got Laatu Latu going into year number two, so you're
gonna see growth there. And I think too, you also
have to wonder where is Samson Ebakom. What are you
going to get out of him physically coming off a
(04:03):
year where he tore his achilles in August. So I
think he's gonna play a big role early in the season,
and I think it's gonna be even more pronounced towards
the end of the season.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
That's Matt Taylor voice to the Colts. I'm Jeffrey Gorman.
This is the last word. Ninety three to five, one
oh seven five the fan, the biggest steal of this draft.
You want to I'm gonna give you mine.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Let's do it.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Riley Leonard, We're gonna hear more about him. Philip Rivers
is coming up. But I like where they got him,
and I like what this kid possibly brings to the
next couple of years. Obviously, it starts with the freak
athlete that he is.
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Yeah, I like that. I means great in the running game.
I mean we knew going into Day number three. I
think the Colts were gonna take a quarterback. We had
a good hunch. A guy that checks all of the
character boxes that Riley Leonard presents. Experience, great guy, great leader,
played a ton at the college level. For me, I'm
going a little bit of a different direction to me.
(04:50):
It's DJ Giddens. This guy's a Day three pick, a
fifth rounder, and he ran for over twelve hundred yards
in each of the last two seasons. You don't see
a guy with that thick of a resume last that
long in the NFL Draft. I mean he was at
nearly six yards per carry for his career, Jeffrey, And
this dude can run away from you, he can run
over you. He can catch the ball onto the backfield too.
(05:12):
But this guy is one of the biggest sleepers, not
only within the Colts draft, but I think in the
entire draft. I think he's got a great chance to
compete with Khalil Herbert to back up Jonathan Taylor.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
Okay, how about this one of the Colts roster the
way it is right now, the players on the team
right now, who are some of the guys feeling the
most heat after this draft.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Well, I've got three guys that are most impacted either
one way or the other, so Mad Gonzalvez, Jalen Carlies,
and Juju Brinz. Yeah, the Colts didn't select a true
guard in the draft, so that's another sign to the
Colts think that he might be in the mix to
heavily take over at right guard. But again, don't forget
(05:51):
about Danny Pinter, don't forget about Wesley French in the
mix there too. And then Jalen Carlies because the Colts
didn't you know, head on square address linebacker in the draft.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
J S.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Yeah, I mean Hunter Wohler, excuse me, as a seventh
round pick out a Wisconsin. They're trying to have him
make the switch from a safety to a linebacker, just
like they did with Jaylen Carlis the year before. But
Carlis played really well when he was called into duty
last year, started five games. The only thing that's gonna
hold him back is he's gonna miss a bulk of
(06:24):
the offseason workout program with that offseason shoulder surgery. And
then as far as Juju Brince is concerned, you know,
Justin Wally is a pick in the third round, sure,
and it's a it's another major investment at the cornerback position,
and Brince's heading into a big offseason for him where
he's trying to prove that he can stay healthy. But again,
(06:44):
the Colts did draft a corner in the third round,
and by the way, with Wally primarily played outside corner two,
so that does impact the potential role in playing time
for Juju.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Brent follow him on Twitter acts at may take Colts
and also he gives you a bunch of stuff on
Colts dot com Voice of the Coach Matt Taylor right there.
Fans be sure to check out Colts mascot Blues Million
Dollars Schedule Challenge. It is presented by our friends at
Academy Sports and Outdoors. One contestant's gonna win a million
bucks if you can pick the schedule. It's simple, just
go to Colts dot com slash win. When we come back,
(07:17):
we said it earlier, we will be joined by the
great Philip Rivers, one of the greatest gun slingers ever
in the NFL. Rivers is from the same hometown as
Colts draft picked Riley Leonard, and the two have been
working out together for quite some time. And he'll tell
us what makes Leonard special. This is the last word
ninety three five, one oh seven five to the fan.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
We are giving you all you need to know on
the Colts. This is the last word with Jeffrey Gorman
and Matt Taylor from the Indiana Union Construction Industry radio studio.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
He has a different style. Tyler Warren has my type
of game.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
More like, it's not catch ten balls a game, catch
four big ones for a first down, you know, third
and twenty.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
You catch it up the middle, knock some guys out,
and you've got to laugh. Tyler Warren gets dirty.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
I feel like that's his style of play and that's
why I love watching him.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
That was one of the top three tight ends to
ever play the position. Rob Gronkowski talking about Tyler Warren,
the Colts first round draft choice out of Penn State.
That's from the Dudes on Dudes podcast hosted by Gronkowski
and Julian Edlbamadiocchi. If the greatest ever play the position
or one of the greatest, says I love Sascat and
he reminds me of me. What do we think of that?
Speaker 3 (08:28):
I see it. Yeah, he might not right away be
you know, a eight or nine catch per game. Give
him a minute. He's going to have impacts, right. You
can line him up in so many different ways. And
the mad scientist that is Shane Steichen is just foaming
at the mouth, you know, trying to scheme up ways
to get Warren involved in the offense and get him
(08:48):
the football. But I do think that we have to
sort of take a step back because at the end
of the day, you're talking about rookies, right, and so
rookies are rookies. So JJ actually pointed this out earlier
this week. From two thousand to twenty twenty four, so
the last twenty five drafts, twenty eight tight ends have
been selected in the first round. Only seven of them
(09:09):
have posted over five hundred receiving yards.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Good pull from JJ Stain.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
But I still think you're gonna see, like Rob said,
You're going to see Tyler Warren come up big in
big moments, big catches that move the chains, score touchdowns,
or just you know, provide clutch moments when you need
him within this offense.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
That is the voice of the Colts, Matt Taylor. Join
him and Tyler Warren and the rest of the Colts
in Berlin, Germany. All that do you have to do?
Place a deposit to unlock an early access to official
Colts Germany ticket and travel packages. It's simple visit on
location exp dot com slash Colts Germany for more information.
All right, let's get to it. Earlier this week, we
(09:49):
chatted with former Colts quarterback and one of the greatest
ever played the position, Philip Rivers. He has great intel
on Riley Leonard, who the Colts drafted in the sixth
round last weekend. Out of Notre Dame. They're both I'm
the same hometown as Matt said earlier, right in Alabama,
and it is a great story. Take a listen. Here's
Philip Rivers, the Colt shrafted quarterback Riley Leonard in the
sixth round, and you have trained with him during your
(10:11):
pre draft process as you both are natives of fair Hope, Alabama.
Leonard was a four year letter winner at Fair Hope
High School, named the Class seven eight Player of the Year,
and led his team to a twenty seven and two
combined record. Philip, what did you like about Riley Leonard
when you first started working with him?
Speaker 4 (10:27):
Yeah, No, I was excited to see him end up
in Indy with Shane and that offensive staff. I think
it'll be a great fit for him to continue his
development as a quarterback. So, yeah, Riley's hometown is here
in fair Hope, Alabama, which is where I am. I'm
in a different high school that he went to down
here in fair Hope, Alabama. Yeah, I think he lives
(10:48):
like his parents lived here, five minutes from us. So
Riley did a lot of his offseason training here at
QB Country with David Morris, and then I was able
to work with him as well a handful of times
as he as he you know, uh, prep for the
Senior Bowl, in the draft and just a just a
real uh pleasant and and enjoyable guy to be around.
(11:10):
Just really uh humble, but really competitive, uh and and
wants to just soak up all he can. You know,
you always you always want those young guys to be confident,
but also have that humility that we got that I
got a long way to go, you know, have that mentality,
and he certainly has that eagerness to learn and grow.
And uh, it was fun to be around him and
(11:32):
see him work throughout this offseason.
Speaker 3 (11:34):
You know, Philip, he you know you know this. He
led the Iris to the National championship game this past season.
Kind of a two part question. How much did you
keep in touch with him throughout the course of the
season and within that season, you know, he showed up
late in the big moments, in the biggest games of
the season. He performed. He threw for two fifty five
against Ohio State. How did you see him grow and
(11:56):
evolve over the course of that one season in South Bend.
Speaker 4 (12:00):
Yeah, you know it's interesting I failed to mention this,
so he again being from here is his hometown, you know,
and he was he was first year to to UH
to Notre Dame obviously, and he was coming off an
injury UH in the last season at Duke, so he
didn't get to work with those guys throughout the spring.
So Riley brought his wideouts UH down here. It was
(12:21):
Riley in about five or six of the white House
from Rotre Dames and brought them down to Fair Hope
with him and we spent we spent two and a
half days working and I was working with with that
whole with that whole group, because he was like, Hey,
this is the first time I've thrown these guys. So
I just helped. It was Riley's deal, but I helped
facilitate those workouts and I really had a blast. My
brother and I had a blast working with working with
(12:43):
those guys. So even more so we followed and pulled
for the Irish as they progressed to that season because
we felt like we had a little connection with him,
you know, we knew those guys. I was like, hey,
there's there's great house. Shoot he thought that same route
and right here in the backyard, So that made it
fun to pull for for Rally and his guys, and
it was cool to see in a short time with Rally,
(13:04):
I thought that said a lot about him too, in
a short time of him being a teammate of those
guys at Notre Dame, how much they enjoyed being around
them and respected them, and how they interacted together. And
so it was fun to pull for him along the way.
And I think, like you said, he was, he was.
He was competitive and and toughest in the in the toughest,
most crucial moments. And you know, I think the other
attribute he obviously has is he's a he's a sneaky,
(13:26):
really really good athlete. Obviously you see him run and
he broke off some long runs and he had like eight,
eight or nine carries I think in that one one
playoff game drive and so he he uh, you know what,
it's it's funny too down here the people talk about
his basketball highlights. Yeah, I don't know if you have
seen them. Yeah, it's unbelievable. I'm like, all my assistant
(13:49):
coaches here at the high school are like, man, you
haven't seen the guy. The gyms were always packed because
they wanted to see Raley Leonard seeking score thirty, you know,
and so uh, pretty pretty pretty awesome that he's got
the ability to ski the pocket obviously in a run,
and then he's he's continuing to get better and better
as a pocket passer. And I don't know if there's
anybody in the league that would be better to help
him continue that progression than Shane and that offensive staff
(14:11):
there in Indy there.
Speaker 3 (14:11):
I don't know if it's a rumor or something we
heard just through the draft process. Maybe you're privy to this,
but did did coach k ask Riley Leonard if if
he wanted to play basketball at Duke as well on
top of playing quarterback.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
I do not know that. I do not know that
to be to be true or not, but I know
he was just a heck of a basketball player and
it's and for him, you know, Rilly of course, like
everybody right, they want to get drafted as high as possible.
But he had such a great demeanor. He and I
and my son Gunner were throwing on on Wednesday before
the draft, and he had such a I mean, he
(14:44):
was a little nervous, as normal as you should be
you're about to get picked to move to a new town.
But he had such a such a good perspective on
it all. I was like, Riley, look just think about this.
You were coming out of you know, Pharaop High school,
you know, five six years ago, and you were a
basketball player, at least for most people fat and all
of a sudden you end up being the quarterback at
Duke and then the quarterback at Notre Dame in the
national championship. And wherever you get picked, shoot, you're getting
(15:07):
to go start, you know, get to go go start again,
but again again, and and uh and hopefully it's in
a good place, in a good room, in a quarterback room,
in an environment that's competitive that you can grow and
get better. And so he just he had such a
good approach. And I know, I know the early comments
I've seen from him, he's just so grateful to get
an opportunity and be there in India. And I've told
him what I was only there a short time and
(15:27):
in a weird time during the COVID year, but uh,
what a great place it is. And there's a lot
of great people there and he'll fit right in. And
I think it's pretty cool him having the run he
had in Notre Dame and then being right there in Indy.
I know the fans and the people will really embrace
him and he'll he'll feel like home for him.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
That's the head coach of Saint Michael's Catholic, a football
powerhouse in Alabama. Talking from Riley Leonard. I want this
question to you now, Philip, one of the greats to
ever play this position, and you can'ts you quarterbacks are
not wired like the rest of us. So if there
is truth, is it tough for you to teach a
quarterback position? If these young kids and young players they
(16:03):
aren't up to par as far as when you did
it and your progression of being a better quarterback. And
also on this, when you're talking about young quarterbacks, is
there a thing or two things that you look for
that says, hey, he's got a shot, or is it
hey he doesn't have this, so he's not going to
play a quarterback. Put him at safety.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
Yeah, well, you know, speaking of high school guys. Obviously
I'm getting to coach my son right now. So it's
been a blast. But I think the thing I've learned
from the coach side after being a player for so long,
but when you're playing, you know, when you get into
the double digit years, you almost felt a little bit
coach like, you know, when you had so many young
guys around you, East and stick and shoot. I mean
(16:41):
look at Geno Smith and the run he had nothing.
I was in a coach mode with him. But just
getting to be around these guys is what you realize
is not everybody sees the game exactly like you. And
so sometimes you coach it the way I see it, right,
and you communicate it that way, but you got to
make sure that you can adapt to what best helps
the guy, what best helps that particular guy, because uh,
he may not see it exactly how you do, but
(17:03):
you want him to. You know, you wanted to see
it and see how you see it. But so that's
from that perspective. Now as i've you know, I was
able to be around bow Knicks and Drake May the
last couple of years, Carter Bradley and then and then
with Riley this year. I think he wants to me
it's it's giving them, trying to give them any tools
and any any nuggets that can help them, uh help
(17:26):
them fit into their game or or or a way
that dis enhances their game. Because again, we're all we're all,
we're all a little different. But yet, like you said,
to to to be a QB got to be wired
a certain way. So there's certain there's certain kind of
base character traits that you you probably need to have
at this position. But then I think everybody's a little different.
It needs a little different So learning how to communicate
that and and give little tidbits and make it make
(17:48):
sense for them and then let them either incorporate that
into their game or let that help them maybe understand
a route concept a little better, understand why did you
do this or do that? And and it's more just
information that they can take and and then and then
go with from there.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
That's Philip Rivers with us of course, talking about Riley Leonard,
the new quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts draft in the
sixth round. Both Philip and Riley natives of Fair Hope, Alabama.
You know Shane Stike and really well, dating back to
your days together with the Chargers, how do you think
Shane is going to help Riley grow early on in
his career?
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Well, I think Shane has a has a a great
way of communicating uh and and and coaching coaching the quarterbacks.
You know, and I think certainly Shane is completely capable
and can assist with just the basic fundamentals of of
of of past drops and all that. But Shane is
really unbelievable mind when it comes to understanding defenses and
(18:46):
coverages and how to throw certain routes and where they
need to be looking at all the all the all
those all those things. So he Shane will Shane will progress. Uh,
it will be great, a great asset for Riley as
he as he progresses, uh as a young player. And
the thing about Raley is he's gonna do all those
things that uh, all those things right. He's gonna be
(19:07):
there early. He's gonna uh, he's gonna be an He
will end up being an asset, I think to the
whole quarterback room in terms of preparing the starter, you know,
for the for the in in season, while all while
he's he's getting himself better. And uh, it'll it'll be
a good working environment for for Raley and Chanel Shane
and that offensive staff which I know a handful of
those guys as well. They'll do they'll do a heck
(19:28):
of a job with him.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
That's Philip Rivers. And and I gotta ask on your career.
Was it helpful for you because we see a lot
of quarterbacks coming into the NFL now we look at Mahomes.
He sat a year, Philip, you sat two years? Was
that just grueling for you? Or if you had to
do it over again, you do the same thing. You
were behind a couple of greats like Drew Brees and
Doug Flutie.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
Yeah, well, I can tell you it's uh. It's uh
the year one for me sitting. Uh. I didn't necessarily
love it, but it was valuable. I felt like I got.
I was the first time getting to see the game
from the sideline and and and and see it see
a different guy and how he prepares, and and hearing
you know, different communications from the coaches and all those things.
And year two was tough. Year two I felt like
(20:10):
I reached my limit. I got. I felt like I
improved as good as I possibly could without being on
the field. There just comes a time when there's no
substitute for actually performing and doing your job live. And
so year two was a little tough for me. But again,
everybody's journeys, everybody's journey is a little bit different. I'm
thankful for I'm thankful for those two years it worked
out the way the way it was supposed to. Uh,
(20:32):
but it certainly was tough in that in that second year.
And then I want to say one more thing about
about Shane and and Rally and those guys. Shane. The
other thing about Shane is he really he and for
he and I, I'm just going back to he and
I's relationship. And I was so appreciated that I got
to be around him, uh for the handful of years
that I was is he and I saw the game
(20:52):
a lot of like uh. And so even now when
I when I talk to Shane, it's like, you know,
we can we can, we can we can paint a
make sure over a phone conversation about a play, and
I know we're seeing the exact same thing. And uh
so I think but Shane has a unique ability to
be able to get that communicate to the quarterbacks. I
think Riley will see that and understand that, and uh
he makes it simple for them. So you know. There
(21:14):
and Shane obviously spent a lot of time with North
Turner back in the day when I was with for
a long time, and there's there's you can over complicate
the position it is. It is complicated, and there's a
lot of layers to it and a lot of things
going really fast, and you're gonna make quick decisions, but
there is there does come a time it's just like, hey,
look over there and he's open, and throw it to him,
you know. And Shane, no doubt, Shane has the ability
(21:36):
to get to that point as well while also dissected
and it's at the doctorate level. Uh when he when
it's needed.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
That's Philip Rivers with us. Last one for me, Philip,
You've been so gracious with your time. We really appreciate it.
But what do you remember most about your one year
in Indianapolis. I hate it that you never got to experience,
you know, the full city embrace with the full crowd
and the full Lucas Oil Stadium experience. Just when when
(22:03):
you think back of twenty twenty to that season you
guys made the playoffs, what what immediately comes flooding back?
Speaker 4 (22:10):
Well, I I resonate with you on that because I
do wish I think back to that Green Bay Packers
game and in the crowd at the capacity that they allowed,
was was was awesome. Yeah, I do think back to
that game and thinking if that was a packed house
the Cincinnati Bengals game, we were down twenty or nothing,
he came roaring back. If that was a packed house,
how fun those would have been. But uh, it was
(22:32):
a very memorable year for me and and I believe
it or not, one of my favorite years out of
the seventeen years I was in the NFL. I think, uh,
being around the great man, great man in Frank w Reich.
Uh and also that staff and being having a new
locker room, a new a new teammates, a new environment
for me was kind of invigorating, uh in that seventeenth
in that seventeenth season, and uh, my family really enjoyed
(22:54):
our short time there in India. Again, it was we
didn't get the we didn't get the full feel of
the town, even because of the circumstances with the COVID.
But it was a it was a fun season. So
mostly all good memories. Only one I only thing I
still uh kick kick myself every now and then as
I think back to that Buffalo bill game. Yes, no, God, yeah,
(23:15):
those opportunities were lost out there. We should have been
we should have been going to Kansas City the following week.
Speaker 2 (23:20):
You ain't with a U.
Speaker 4 (23:22):
It was a it was a fun season. I remember
one one I'm thankful for. I have a uh have
a have a h I love for a love for
for Indy in that short time and and uh I
find myself uh certainly pulling for the Chargers, but I
pulled for the Colts on Sunday as well.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
I don't want yeah, you're exactly right. I mean I
don't want to pour assault in the womb, but you
specifically were so good in that game, over three hundred
yards passing. The Colts had over four hundred and fifty
yards of offense. Just like you said, Phillip A, play here,
play there. I hate that that was your last game
because of all the things that you know added up
to the miss opportunities.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
Yeah, no, it was uh it was a it was
a tough one on the way out, but I tell
you I was I was thanking for thankful for my time.
And I kind of just had a had that gut
filling and that piece that you just kind of knew
it was over. I remember walking up that tunnel going, hey,
this might be it, uh, teary eyed and all, but
it was a it was a certainly thankful thankful for
you know, to to mister say and and and and
(24:17):
Ballard and those guys, and certainly Frank for believing in
me that year and coming off a pretty rough twenty
nineteen season, I knew I had some good ball less
than me, so it was good to at least finish,
uh finish playing some good football there in the year seventeenth.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
Well, I think I speak on behalf of a lot
of NFL fans. We thank you for what you brought
to the game, because you always had fun every Sunday
you went out there. You were having fun and dominating
the way that you did a couple of things. And
we'll say goodbye Hall of Fame speeches. Are we starting
writing that yet?
Speaker 4 (24:48):
No? No, not yet. But although the although I'm about
to be eligible here before too long, sir, I say you,
I haven't, I honestly haven't, and I certainly would be
humbled and unbelievably honored to ever get in there. But
I haven't thought about it a whole lot. But I
really have, really my whole she got as far back
as I can remember, loved watching those those Hall of
(25:08):
Fame speaking back to Peyton Manning and shoot so many guys.
I could go on and on that. I really enjoyed
watching those guys and seeing how thankful they were, and
really what most of them talked about was their teammates
and being a teammate and how that's what the part
that they missed most, and that's certainly the part I
miss most. And this year in particular, I'm even more
(25:29):
excited because I got a former teammate of mine, Antonio Gates,
all time touchdown leader in NFL history for tight ends,
going into the Hall of Fame, much deserved. He was
not only my teammate, but our lockers were side each
other for sixteen years, so fifteen years. So it was
certainly a lot of great memories with Antonio and thankful
that I was on the other end, or I guess
(25:50):
on the front end of most of those touchdowns.
Speaker 2 (25:52):
An incredible career. I appreciate the time. Give us one
scouting call. There's a hot shot quarterback in Alabama named
Gunner Rivers. The latest on him, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
He's got ten to be a good one. He uh shoot,
he's about six three two oh five okay, two years
eligibility left here in high school. He'll be he'll be
a junior. So I'm having a blast coaching him. Uh
he he. He's going about all of it the right way.
From a recruiting standpoint. He enjoys being the quarterback here
at the high school and and and taking it one
day at a time. But certainly excited, exciting as a
(26:24):
dad to not only coach him now but kind of
see that he's gonna have an opportunity to play the
next level. And uh and and he he loves it.
He's throwing, He's throwing a whole lot more passes from
They didn't have flag football when I was growing up, Right,
this man's been throwing it around the yard since he
was six years old. So it's been a it's been
a heck of a lot of fun. Oh.
Speaker 2 (26:44):
One of the greatest to ever play the game, that
is Philip Rivers. We so appreciate the time. Thank you, Philip.
Speaker 4 (26:50):
All Right, guys, thank you.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
We may have to get our hands on Gunner Rivers
in a couple of years.
Speaker 3 (26:55):
He's got that connection what I'm saying there at NC
State and Philip Rivers there, So come on now, pipeline
to the Hoosiers.
Speaker 2 (27:02):
Oh man, big thanks to Philip Rivers for taking some
time in chatting up Riley Leonard folks. The Indianapolis Colts
have teamed up with Anthon, Blue Cross and Blue Shield
to recognize school teachers, administrators, nurses and staff members who
go above and beyond. You know, a classroom quarterback. Nominate
yours today at Colts dot com slash Classroom Quarterbacks. We
come back here in the Last Word. We're gonna give
you the Forum Credit Union Question of the Week, which
(27:24):
centers around this Colts offseason. How much better are the
Colts now compared to the end of last season. We'll
bring that to you. This is the Last Word here
at ninety three five one oh seven five the fan.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
Can't get enough football. You're in the right place. This
is the off season radio home of the Indianapolis Colts.
The Last Word with Jeffrey Gorman and Matt Taylor from
the Indiana Union Construction Industry Radio Studio.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
And we have brought to you by our friends at Meyer,
the official super center of the Indianapolis Colts and proud
sponsor of one hundreds of local sports teams across the
MIDWAT also the Colt's commitment to the growth of high
school girls flag football. It continues The team's goals to
launch one hundred high school girls flag football teams by
the fall of this year twenty twenty five, and the
Colts are providing up to ten thousand dollars in resources
(28:14):
for the first hundred schools that join. We need your
help get your local high school and communities involved as
a Colts dot com slash Girls Flag to learn more.
Time now for the Forum Credit Union question of the Week,
May Tay. We bring in Casey Valier. We are a
couple of days away from Cinco de Mayo. There are
for Casaedia Valie and by the looks of it, I
(28:34):
don't know what's in that glass, but it looks like
you might have a margarita.
Speaker 3 (28:37):
Well, I'm early on Friday.
Speaker 5 (28:40):
We're really close to Single de Mayo.
Speaker 3 (28:43):
There's reed, no margarita, just margarita read not just yet.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (28:48):
His neighbor Reid. He's a legend.
Speaker 3 (28:50):
He's got a good blunder.
Speaker 5 (28:51):
It started a part of this show.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
No kidding. Hey, good to have you read. Hey tuys.
Time now for the form Credit Union Question of the Week.
Now that the draft is in the books, what have
you guys made of the Colts offseason? It's a great question.
How much better are they now compared to last season? Mate?
We remember last season that was dismal, a bad way
to end it. Looking at this record right now and
the new additions that they've had, how much better are they?
Speaker 3 (29:16):
I think they are much better than how they ended
last season. Question is, again, like we talked about earlier
this week on the Daily Update, are you good enough?
Does this now put you over the top of being
able to dethrone the Houston Texas. They've won the AFC
South the last two years, so it's good. I think
it's been a really good, impactful offseason. The secondaries revamped,
(29:39):
you address some major needs within the draft, and some
guys that I think are going to be darn good
football players and colts for a long time. But the
draft did kind of take our attention away, or at
least diverted it the last couple of weeks, and now
that it's over, we kind of center back on the
big picture item, if you will, and that's this team's
success is going to large depend on what they get
(30:01):
out of the quarterback. That goes without saying here in
the NFL. Is it gonna be Daniel Jones or is
it gonna be Anthony Richardson. For Richardson, it's, you know,
take a big jump in the passing game. And then
for Daniel Jones, can he turn himself into this year's
version of Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield a new spot,
a new setting, and you know, change the narrative on
(30:22):
his career. But again that the biggest part of this
offseason is gonna be about quarterback. I think on paper,
you're better. I think you're more suited to make the
playoffs this year than you were last year. But it's
not all about the quarterback. We know that. But you know,
a large chunk of the success, especially on offense, is
gonna come from, hopefully the consistency that they have at
(30:43):
the quarterback position. And it starts this offseason.
Speaker 2 (30:46):
All right, Well, let's go to Casey Value on that
easy question. You who starts at quarterback?
Speaker 3 (30:50):
Case Wow?
Speaker 4 (30:53):
Man?
Speaker 2 (30:54):
Yeah, what do you think off season? Any where we
did last year and where this team is right now?
Obviously Tyler Warren plays a part of it, but compare
those two.
Speaker 5 (31:01):
This is gonna be a weird statement to say, But
I don't think the off season was sexy, But I
think it was exactly what the Colts needed to do.
They addressed the issues that they needed to sure up.
And if you look at what the rest of the
vision did, I you know, I'm gonna this is gonna
be out on a limb here. But I think Houston
is regressing. You talk about that. They lost Laramie tounsel
(31:23):
Des traded Kenyon Green, so their offensive line, they've got
a couple two guys that have been there.
Speaker 3 (31:27):
They struggled there, so they're gonna have to replace those
with some young guys they drafted.
Speaker 5 (31:33):
And then you lose Steffon Diggs. I know he missed
part of the year, but also Tank Dell is expected
to miss a majority of that's right, So they've got
a handful of question marks there in Houston and where
the Colts. I think what they did is they looked
at the areas they need to improve and they did
all of the things they needed to do. So I
like what the Colts did this offseason. Like I said,
maybe not sexy as far as getting your biggest free
(31:54):
agents and your I mean, don't get me wrong by them,
and warrands are free agents.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
I mean this from a pure foot ball standpoint, I
think pretty sexy. I think Ward bying them and Warren, Okay,
that's pretty sexy.
Speaker 5 (32:05):
I guess you talked me into maybe it was sexy.
But I think the Colts did everything this offseason that
they needed to do to put themselves right in line
to compete with Houston for the division.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Absolutely, anticipation awaits and we are excited. That was the
forum credit Union questions of the sexiness there. There was
interact with other fans online, post a topic, participate in
various discussions regarding your Colts form Credit Union helping members
with their financial dreams. Casey Value is getting ready to
go dive into a pool of Margarita's. Matt Taylor, you
have a good weekend. I appreciate your time, Big Bella, Yes, sir,
(32:36):
this is the last word. Ninety three five one oh
seven five the fan. Coming up next is ESPN Rating
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.