June 26, 2025 • 46 mins
Linebacker E.J. Speed is new to the team, but very familiar with the Texans. The former Colt joined Texans Voice Marc Vandermeer and Team Analyst/Radio Sideline Reporter John Harris to share his thoughts on the defense, the season ahead and a whole lot more.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello Texans, and welcome to the show. We've got another
big one for you here tonight with Texans. You're gonna
hear from including EJ. Speed former Colts. We will forgive
him for that because now he's at Texan. As a
matter of fact, we're gonna get Matt Taylor on the
show as well tonight. He's the voice of the Indianapolis Colts.
Ask him about Ejspeed, among many other things about the
(00:22):
Dreaded Horseshoe as they embark on a campaign in which
they attempt to bounce back from a really horrible season
for them with Daniel Jones at quarterback. So we'll get
into that with Matt and later on in the show.
Texans pass rusher just joined the team this offseason, trying
to make some noise in camp. And beyond it's Casey Twohill.
He will visit with us as well. And you want
(00:43):
to stay tuned to all the shows this week because
we get a lot of good stuff. But more on
that later. Let's get to this now before we get
to EJ.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Speed.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Training camp dates have been announced by your Houston Texans,
and as we discovered because the NFL put this out
that the Texans rookies in vets report on July twenty second.
So we predicted and correctly, as it turns out, that
the first practice would be Wednesday, July twenty third.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
We'll be out there live at the.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Houston Methodist Training Center eight to ten am on Sports
Radio six ten, and you know, Sean and Seth will
do the six to eight hours and after that, I
presume Reggie and Lopez will be on the field as
well and catch up with a player Clinton Ron. Look
by afternoon, why be out there, nobody's practicing. It's one
hundred degrees. Go inside air conditioning. Talk about what you
(01:35):
saw earlier that day. So Wednesday, July twenty third, put
it down. That is not an open practice. I want
to be very clear on this. The team will practice
three consecutive days Wednesday through Friday from July twenty third,
and then on Saturday is the first open practice. July
twenty sixth, nine am, Houston Methodist Training Center Sunday, and
Demiko Ryans always works it out like this. Sunday's a
(01:57):
day off, family day, church day. This is the way
he wants it. Other coaches didn't work out those days
off to be on Sunday, but he lines it up
that way on purpose, wants his guys to have that time.
It's all about being a great man, being a great
family man, being a better person, a better husband, a
better whatever you want to be, in addition to being
(02:18):
a better football player. He made that very transparent during
his introductory press conference two years ago plus, and he
lives that way, all right.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
So then you have three more practices.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
I'm gonna make this as radio friendly as pert as possible.
This training camp schedule layout here, But after that first
day off on Sunday, July twenty seventh, you get three
more practices consecutively and then a day off Thursday.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
We'll still be on the air that.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Day, giving you Texans Training Camp Live a couple of more.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Saturday will be another one.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
But guess what after that Saturday practice and by the way,
open practices July twenty sixth twenty eight, twenty nine, thirtieth,
and August first and August second that Saturday, then the
team gets on a plane and goes to wait for it,
the Greenbrier. For the third time in franchise history. The
Texans are going to the Greenbrier. They were there in
(03:09):
twenty seventeen, twenty eighteen. You heard all about it right
here and a lot of other places. But we're going
back to train at the Green Brier. Now it's a
shorter trip than the first two. It's only what six
seven days. It's from Saturday, August second. They won't practice
that day through the following Friday when they will leave
to head to Minnesota for preseason Game one against the Vikings.
(03:32):
That's a three o'clock start August ninth. So they will
practice at the Greenbrier. Let's see four scheduled practices. They'll
be there for five six seven days? Is it seven? Yeah,
it's Saturday through Friday, but it's not really a full
seven days. It's travel day on that Saturday and then
the following Friday as they head to Minnesota. So at
the Greenbrier four practices. I don't know if they're open
(03:55):
or not. Last time you could get access if you
happen to make the trip. Thing about the Greenbrier is
it's beautiful. It's a great place. You can't get there
from here or anywhere. The team obviously has their own charter,
but if you go to the Greenbrier, either flying into Charleston,
West Virginia, which is still an hour and a half away.
You're flying into Charlotte or something like that and taking
a puddle jump to Louisbourg, West Virginia, which is ten
(04:18):
fifteen minutes away, and that puddle jump is easier said
than done. Those airlines come and go that do that
puddle jump. It's only about three and a half from Washington,
DC or from Charlotte, so whichever way you want to
attack it. But we can get into that later. I'm
not even sure if these practices are open, but it
is a beautiful place to be, all right.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Minnesota will be your first preseason game.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Then they return home at the Houston Methodist Training Center Monday,
August eleventh.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
That is not an open practice.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
They'll do three in a row and then have another
open practice August fourteenth. This is special because it's a
joint deal with the Carolina Panthers under the hot, humid
sun at the Houston Methodist Training Center. Panthers game is
that Saturday. Let's see when's the open practice. There is none.
That's the last one. August fourteenth. That's gonna be it
(05:04):
for the open practices because after the Carolina game, they'll
have a day off.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
That Sunday, that's a Saturday game.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Monday, they'll do some practicing, not open, and then they'll
have a day off and then a travel day as
they will head to Detroit and practice against the Lions.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Just one day.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
I think Demico Ryans is doing this thing right. One
joint practice day per team. Don't do two. Don't get
into all the fights, don't let that stuff boil over.
I mean, he was part of one against the Saints
back in the day. He can tell you all about that.
Do I dare ask him about that during a future show?
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Maybe?
Speaker 1 (05:36):
But they'll practice against the Lions August twenty first, and
play the preseason finale at Detroit August twenty third. Following
week media will be able to cover some practices, but
you get the gist of it. The following weekend will
be Labor Day. They'll make the cuts and get ready
for the twenty twenty five regular season. But that's your
(05:57):
training camp schedule laid out radio wise?
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Did I do that? Okay?
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Is that kind of digestible in a radio format as
you're driving home or wherever you are driving to Wednesday,
July twenty thirty kicks off first open practice Saturday, July
twenty sixth. Don't ask me for tickets. There we go.
That's your training camp schedule. And this is a new
linebacker for the Houston Texans. We were talking to Jonathan
Alexander about him yesterday. How will he fit in if
(06:22):
everybody's fully healthy. They're really loaded at linebacker. I mean
it goes on and on when you look at Christian
Harris and Henry to a Tow and Aziz al Shire
and Jake Hansen, and I'm not even getting to everybody.
Nick Neeman Neville Hewitt is not on the team currently,
You never know. I think he's still out there as
a free agent.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
But EJ.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Speed, outstanding tackler for the Colts, joins the Houston Texans.
Johnny and I visited with him here in the Hunday
Texans radio studio. Joining us right now, Houston Texans linebacker EJ.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Speed.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
I say, Houston Texans linebacker, not Colts linebacker.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Texans linebacker. Say what you chess want?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
He said it twice.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah, there we go. How's it going to he jays?
It's good. How y'all doing doing great? All right?
Speaker 1 (07:04):
So I just have a hard time with the horseshoe
because you know, they've been the nemesis of the Texans
for so long. I know it's going better for the
Texans lately, but I was so glad that you know,
you've come over from the dark side and are now
a Houston Texans.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
So welcome, thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm glad
to be here.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yeah, they glad to be here. Wonderful to have you here.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
And what is it like playing for a head coach
who was a linebacker at a high level?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Is that any different? Is it a mental thing?
Speaker 1 (07:29):
I think it's an actual thing too, because he does
like to talk to you guys.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
A lot of stuff that he says just makes a
lot of sense, just because he's been in a situation.
You feel what I'm saying. He knows the full work
he's played in certain situations, going down in distance and
all that type stuff. So it's a little interesting things
that like he can just say to you that's like,
you know what, that does make sense and it's actually
applying on the field in certain situations, you know what
I mean, Like a lot of stuff that some people
(07:53):
just can't relate to.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
So I'm i ask you a question. It might be
a little loaded question, but I'll just ask anyways. I
know you went to Tarleton, I know you're from Texas.
Why pick Houston?
Speaker 3 (08:05):
I like what was going on over here, the great
draft pick and CJ. Stroud. Of course, a lot of guys,
younger guys who came into the league and you know,
probably wasn't expected to be who they are today is
doing that here in Houston. So that just shows that
it's a place where a lot of people is growing. Wins,
wins in the win column obviously speak for themselves. Been
(08:26):
to the playoffs, you know, it's a team that's familiar
with the playoffs, Uh, and just getting in and just
you know, finding my role within that situation where I
can help and get to the end go, which is
a Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Ye. What are you seeing out of this offense? TJ?
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Because it's a new offensive coordinator and Nick Kelly and
you faced the Texans offense recently, but this is a
new version of it so far.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
I know it's still early.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Yeah, I mean a little different things that I didn't
seen in practice based on what I was playing them
during the season. Is they understand situation and know where
they're going. Uh, They've been throwing a lot of counters,
a lot of stuff that getting into different formations and
getting into forms and trusting what they what they run
out of those formations and stuff like that. Don't want
to give up too much, but just you know, they
just they steady us. I can see the confidence even
(09:08):
though CJ hasn't you know, been able to participate. Uh
Mills has gotten married and he's been, you know, doing
his thing, and everything just seemed more fluent EJ.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
When you were the Colts, I think you were. You
were a Day three draft pick. I remember when Ballad
drafted you, and I remember him saying before the draft,
I'm gonna draft the best linebacker in the state of Texas,
and it was like he drafted the j speed. We're like, okay,
but you honestly, you came, You got to the league,
and you you went worked for everything you had because
you started off you weren't starter, but you were killed
(09:40):
on special teams. You got a little bit of time,
you start to kill with that, you got a little
bit more time.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Then you become a starter. To fix youre in the defense, You've.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Kind of run the gamut. A nothing was handed to you.
How has that changed you in a sense as an
NFL player coming to Houston that hey, nothing's nothing's ever handed.
You've had to go work for everything that that you've got.
Is that Is that a good way to kind of
look at your career and be what have you kind
of learned?
Speaker 3 (10:04):
And having had to do that? Of course it is.
You know, when I first came in, I was behind
Darius Leonard, who was a star linebacker in this league,
had Hall of Fame stats at the beginning of his career,
so it was a great guy to sit behind and learn.
I never accepted the fact that I wasn't starting, So
even though that it was a guy that was that
had those Hall of Fame stats and everything in front
(10:26):
of me, always thought every time I got up in
the morning and still do in any situation, that I
was the best and I can come in and, if
not play alongside, be able to replace him at some
point in my career. And at that point, at that
point in my year four, in my year four and five,
I started to notice those things that I now, it'sked
(10:47):
my time to actually become and be a starter special teams.
Anytime I stepped on the field, i'mna give him all
so special teams is an effort, grit, you know what
I mean, a little savvy into it and everything like that.
But once you get on that eleven on defense, it's
not to start using your brain and you know what
I mean, it's just it's more interesting. It's like it's
more pinpoint and things that you have to do. So
that's something that I went into it with and I
(11:09):
had help along the way. I can't say that I
did it myself. I helped along the way. The Coast
organization was great within that and you know, Namri with
the Texans just want to further my career and cap ej.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
If you ask Texans fans who's the biggest rival in
the AFC South, You're gonna get different answers. Some say
the Titans, some say the Colts, and not too many
would say the Jacks. But some might because the Texans
have had some success against the Jacks. But who's the Colts'
biggest rival?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Like? How how do they see it?
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Quite honestly, when we was there, it was just different.
It was different tasks within the division, like us not
winning at home against Jacksonville at their house. Yeah, yeah,
not being Jacksonville at home, not winning our season opener
or whatever like that. It was so much stuff within that,
you know, having to see the Texan knowing that Texans
(11:57):
will be one of the last games to get into
the playoffs. It was was like just like interesting like
things that just kept popping up for us, and so
we didn't really have time to to one team, think
about what team one team that was a rival. When
when was the last time anyone in our division been
to the Super Bowl? That was within you know what
(12:17):
I mean. So it was was bigger than that because everybody, Yeah,
because everybody been looking at you know, trying to get
to the super Bowl, trying to get to the Big dam.
So like we knew that you had to come out
of this division with those situational wins that you needed.
Then after that it was just so much more on
the plate to get to DJ.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
You've seen some things having played for the Coats, the
number of games and snaps that you've had. You walk
into this linebacker room. There's some guys in that linebacker
room that have seen some things as well, but there
are also some young dudes there you can impart with
impart your words to them. What's that linebacker room like,
now with you know, Henry and Christian z'son there, you're
added to the mix.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
What's that linebacker room.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Like, Uh, it's full.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
It's full.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Full of guys who got a lot of career you know,
left in them, a lot of guys who's very confident,
a lot of guys who have made plays in this league,
a lot of guys who who's who's in front of
their career to where they're trying to take the next step.
What I would say the linebacker corps on a football team,
it's kind of like the warriors of a football team.
It's so many different places that you can pinpoint linebackers
(13:20):
in on third down, blitzing, first and second down linebackers.
You got special teams that has to play a sport
part for you to say that you're a great linebacking
corps and they have done a good job up into
the up until this point or whatever like that. I
know everybody is trying to further their career and do
the next steps. But as my challenge to the linebacker
(13:40):
corps is to jail and just know that we we
have to run so much stuff upon upon this team
for us to take the next step. That you know
what I mean, that we can all just lean on
each other and go get that job.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
None all right, prior to miny camp big break? Do
you come back to Texas? You're from Fort Worth?
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Do you do that?
Speaker 1 (13:57):
What do you do to spend the time and keep
fresh workout wise, but get some rest at the same time.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
The same thing I've always done, you link with my trainers.
I trained up and collective in Austin, down in Florida
with TA Golfies. So I just do those things. I mean,
most of the downtime has already done. At this point,
it's time to you ready for the season. Season is
always say that the breakout of OTA's is a scam
because it's really not a break, okay. And if you
take it as a break, if you take it as
(14:24):
a break and take your put off the Federal a
little bit, you kind of like come in step behind.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
So would you rather have it closer? Now this is
not for the Union or anything.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Would you rather have it closer? Maybe like three weeks
off instead of six?
Speaker 3 (14:37):
And I would say, I would say the stripes and
everything that I've done at ot As, I would love
to take that directly into the season. And play ball,
because now that you go put it down for six weeks,
I have a many weeks it is, you gotta basically
revamp again. So it's like if I'm a vamp, let's
vamp and just go straight into the season.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
But right, you know, I think we're onto something here.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
But it's whatever they want to do. I know, yeah,
I know who cut my scheet. So whatever I want
to do, they go ahead and do it.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Thanks a lot, welcome, We appreciate it, appreciate that was fun.
It was fun, And isn't it interesting to have fun
with a cult?
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Okay, former cults. He's a Texan, EJ. You're a Texan.
This one is going to take a while to get
used to though. He was such a prominent member of
the Indianapolis Cults. Now a Houston Texans linebacker. Okay, let's
talk to the voice of the Colts next. As we
dive deep into AFC South foes like the Colts the Horseshoe.
I don't have to get into all this again. How
I hate the Colts in a healthy football way. I
(15:35):
like Matt Taylor. He's the voice of the Cults. We're
gonna check in with him next. Here on Texans Radio.
All right, we are back here in the hun day
Texans Radio studio we never left. And joining us right
now Matt Taylor, voice of the Indianapolis Colts. And I've
known Matt ever since he took over the job, and
he's a great dude, great dude.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
So many great people work for that franchise.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
But you know how I feel about the Horseshoe, right,
we all know, we all know the Texans were torture
for years by the Indianapolis Colts. I know it's gotten
so much better lately, Demigo, Ryans is three to one
against Indy. What a hot start, obviously the best start
in the history of the franchise for any head coach
against that dreaded team, that foe, that Texans nemesis.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Yeah, much better lately.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
But I don't forget, and I don't forgive all the
years of torment with Peyton Manning and sometimes Andrew Luck
and the Colts winning a playoff game here. But we
do have to talk about them because they are in
the division and they are gonna be tougher than you think.
Maybe let's find out from the play by plan announcer himself,
Matt Taylor Matt. Great to catch up. Happy summer. Let
(16:39):
me start here. You left mini camp with what feeling
about the Colts. I know we're gonna feel differently maybe
after watching our teams in training camp, but what feeling
did you leave mini camp with?
Speaker 5 (16:51):
You know, I left with, you know, a big spirit
of optimism surrounding this team, just because you know, they've
been so close. We've talked about that before in the past.
You know, they've missed the playoffs four straight years, but
in three of those years they've won at least eight games,
which is sort of you know, NFL purgatory or right
in the middle or that gray area, whatever you want
(17:13):
to call it. And you know, a large part of
that or a big reason that that's been the case,
is just because of inconsistencies that quarterback And obviously that's
the biggest you know part of this offseason for the
Colts is trying to find stability and consistency at that
quarterback position. So it's a big battle between Anthony Richardson
(17:34):
and Daniel Jones. But towards the end of the spring
workout period, the OTA sessions and Mini camp, obviously you
know Anthony Richardson had a little bit of a right
shoulder flare up again. I think technically it was a
reaggravation of that right shoulder, the AC joint that he
had repaired surgically a couple of years ago as a
(17:56):
rookie after five games to start his his NFL career.
But Daniel Jones took most of the reps, in fact,
he took all of the first team reps in those
six or seven practices at the end of the spring period,
and he looked really sharp. He looked really good, And
the best way to describe it is just that he
didn't look like a guy that had only been there
(18:18):
since March. Really professional, you know, first guy in, last
guy out, type of thing that that's always been associated
with Daniel Jones's work ethic, and you know, has the
leadership about him. Guys gravitated to him. And then when
he's on the field, he put it all together and
eleven on eleven sessions and seven on seven work, knew
(18:40):
where to go with the football. And the most surprising
thing to me as far as Daniel Jones is concerned,
is that, yeah, he's got the completion percentage right, He's
going to make the throws that most NFL quarterbacks can make,
but there was a lot more pushing the ball down
the field and getting those chunk plays in the spring
against the Colt defense that I was really anticipating that
(19:02):
really hasn't been you know, what he was known for.
Doesn't mean he can't do it, but he was doing
it on a consistent basis here in the spring for
the Colts. So, you know, offensively, I thought they looked
really sharp. I thought they looked really crisp. Situational football
was good against the Colts defense. And then if you
want to talk about the other side of the ball defensively,
(19:23):
new scheme Duke defensive coordinator lou Ana Rumo comes in.
One of the better, you know, situational game planners the
NFL seen the last four or five years, had a
lot of success in Cincinnati, taken them to the playoffs
and a couple of AFC Championship games in a Super
Bowl appearance. So there's a lot of newness. There's a
lot of interesting storylines with this team, and I just
(19:45):
think it's going to be really fascinating to see how
they can kind of put it all together. And then
obviously front and center is going to be who wins
that quarterback job and how well they can orchestrate this
offense and build consistency on the offense the side of
the ball, because that was the biggest thing they missed
last year. You know, they missed the playoffs. And this
is the hill I'm going to die on. But if
(20:08):
it had they had more consistent quarterback plays. Not all
about the quarterback certainly, but had they had more consistent
quarterback play a year ago, the Colts were probably a
playoff team. They just didn't get it. They need to
get that from somebody, Richardson or Daniel Jones. In twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Well the year before they had Gardner Minshew and almost
made it a player too. They would have been in
and the universe changes with that, Matt Taylor voice of
the Colts joining us. So I still have nightmares about
Dallas Clark and then after he left there was always
a tight end or two that would give me a
hard time with Indianapolis as the voice of the Texans here,
(20:48):
Jack Doyle, et cetera. And now you have Tyler Warren
coming in from Penn State, drafted him. How did he
look and what are your expectations? It's a lot to
put on a rookie to say he's he's the next
Dallas Clark. But he sure looks like he could be.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Yeah, he really looks sharp, you know. He kind of
the universe just sort of funneled Tyler Warren to the
Colts and the draft seemingly the way the board went,
the way the draft unfolded, the Colts need at that position,
everything just kind of kept going to Tyler Warren falling
to the Colts, and that's what happened with the fourteenth
(21:24):
overall selection. And you know, to your point, you know,
Dallas Clark is, you know, it's a wonderful player. He's
in the Colts Ring of Honor, one of the best
players in the history of the franchise. But in recent years,
the Colts just haven't gotten enough production from their tight ends.
You know, last year they only had thirty nine catches
(21:44):
collectively from that group, less than five hundred yards receiving
collectively from that group. You know, those were some of
the poorest numbers that the tight end group has put
up for the Colts since like the mid nineties, and
so there's no question they got to get better there.
Tyler Warren coming in gives this offense a lot of
flexibility and a lot of creativity because you know, you
(22:08):
saw his highlights, you saw him play at Penn State
last year. They lined him up in seemingly every spot
on offense. You know, there was that famous game against
usc where they lined him up at center and then
they had the double pass back to a backup quarterback
and then Warren goes out for a pass and catches
the ball over two linebackers in the end zone. I mean,
the guy's just amazing. So to put it in perspective,
(22:30):
he had over one hundred catches last year himself, whereas
the Colts tight ends last year combined again had less
than forty. So it's been really fun to watch him
evolve in this offense in the spring. You know, they're
being creative on how to get get into football in
a variety of ways, getting the ball in space. He's
(22:50):
got speed, he's got force. He can run by you,
he can run over you. So I do understand the
Dallas Clark compare. Plus he's just throwing that long flowing
hair that he has coming out of the you know
the back of his helmet. He just looks like a
dude that could play in twenty twenty five or he
(23:11):
can play in nineteen seventy five, because he's just kind
of an old school guy, so it's going to be
fun to see, you know, how involved he is. But
there's no question he's going to be the top tight
end threats on this team now going forward. But in
terms of expectations, you know, we kind of did our research.
If you go back twenty five years, the last twenty
(23:31):
five drafts, there's only been six or seven first round
drafted tight ends that have eclipsed over five hundred receiving yards. So,
you know, I think that's going to be sort of
on the low end of what I expect from Tyler Warren.
But I think he's going to be really, really productive
for this team as a rookie. And again, I think
(23:54):
a lot of that depends on who his quarterback is.
If it's Daniel Jones, then I think he's going to
be really in this offense because Jones is going to
hit the intermediate part of the passing game, which is
where the Colts have struggled. If it's Anthony Richardson, I
don't know, just because we haven't seen him consistently do that,
you know, hit the middle part of the field where Titans,
(24:15):
you know, seem to kind of thrive and make their hay.
So I think there's a lot of question marks as
it relates to Warren's productivity and usage, but there is
I do think it's safe to say that he's going
to be a big focal part part of this offense
going forward because of where he's drafted. You know how
good I think he can be and how creative the
(24:37):
Colts can be lining him up in different parts of
this offense, including the offensive backfield where he can run
the ball and he can pass the ball too out
of the wildcat spot.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Matt Taylor, Voice of the Colts, joining us Matt on defense.
I want to start here that side of the football
with EJ. Speed no longer a Colt, he's now a Texan.
What kind of player are the Texans getting an EJ?
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Speed?
Speaker 5 (24:59):
Yeah, is one of the hardest playing linebackers I've ever
seen play. The guy just gives maximum, full throttle every
single play. He's one of my favorite Colts the last
couple of years just because he brings it every single game.
He's a guy that had humble beginnings right and he
started off as a Division three guy at Tarlaton State
(25:22):
in Texas and was just kind of like their version
of Cordell Stewart, like a slash guy, played both ways,
played offense and defense, ran the ball, caught the ball,
played linebacker. He's just a really hard hitting guy. He
can drop and coverage as well. So it was it
was a tough thing to see him leave the team
(25:43):
in free agency, but then to go to the Houston Texans,
that was doubly difficult to see just because you're going
to a to a you know, a division rival if
you will. But he is a great kid, a great player,
and started off again as a special teams guy, kind
of a contributor to the third phase of the game,
and then worked his way into the starting defense after
(26:06):
a couple of things broke his way, some guys left
the team in free agency, and a spot opened up
for him to play full time on defense last year,
and I thought, he's a really good player. He's going
to give you, at the very least for the Texans
a great depth piece at linebacker going forward.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
I look at that front defensively a lot too, and
pay outside obviously, the big fellows Grover Stewart DeForest Buckner
in the middle and the depth.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
That you have.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
Instead of just focusing on that, just tell me generally
on defense, what your thoughts are and what the storylines
are heading into twenty twenty five.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
Well big storylines, I mean, obviously again Louis an Arumo's
their new defensive coordinator, new scheme. What the Colts have
to do a better job of what's killed them in
the past defensively the last couple of years is they've
made life just too easy, too efficient for opposing quarterbacks
to have some big games. You know, the Colts last
(27:01):
year ranked thirtieth in opponent completion percentage. That numbered Hubard
right around seventy percent, you know, Mark, I mean, if
you get if you allow quarterbacks to just sit back
there in complete easy passes, that's first downs. That's a
lot of time of possession. That's another thing the Colts were.
They were thirty first. I think the number was in
(27:24):
time of possession defensively on the field, which means they
were on the field a ton they couldn't get off.
They only won time of possession last year in six games,
which is not the end all be all, but you know,
you're putting a lot of stress on your defense to
make plays. You know, third down was a problem, not
able to get off the field. They allowed the second
(27:44):
most third down conversions in the NFL last year. And
you know, so they played a lot of zone defense.
They didn't blitz a lot. So lou Anarumo comes in.
I don't think the blitzing numbers are going to be crazy,
but you're certainly going to blitz more than what the
Colts have done the last four or five years. He's
going to play more manna man, some more press man
in the back end. Loui an Rumo is just known
(28:07):
for being one of the best game planning, situational defensive
coordinators in the NFL in the recent past, and they've
really bulked up their secondary to be able to kind
of pull that off, because in this system it kind
of goes in reverse. It kind of goes from the
back end to the front end in terms of being
successful on defense with the way they want to play.
(28:28):
So they brought in Tarvarius Ward where they hope can
be sort of that shadow shutdown corner to take away
the other team's best player, which has been a problem
for the Colts to consistence to consistently pull off. They
bring in cam Binham to play safety. Hopefully he's, you know,
their version of you know what the Bengals had back
in the day with Jesse Bates to play situational and
(28:50):
just to disguise some things in the secondary. They draft
Justin Wally in the third round out of Minnesota. He's
really high on him as a wander back to come
in and play in some stuff packages, either nickel or dime.
The biggest question is is how much can that secondary
help the pass rush to be able to kind of
(29:11):
hold down the other team's weaponry, to help the pass
rush get there by the quarterback hanging on to that ball,
that extra beat for guys like Quitty pay who you
mentioned Stampson. Ebicom's coming off a torn achilles last year
the first day of training camp, so he's back, but
what are you going to get there with that injury?
Just with the nature of it. They draft JT Tuamolowyle,
(29:32):
who's a second round pick pass rusher out of Ohio State.
Really high on him, but at the end of the day,
he's a rookie. Right, there's an acclamation to the NFL
for every player at that position. You got the two
big guys up front and Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner.
But again, the big question to me on defense is
how much can that secondary help the pass rush get home,
(29:54):
be more disruptive, get more sacks, and make more game
changing plays on opposing quarterbacks.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Matt Taylor, Voice of the Colts with us all right,
Jags and Titans. Let's start with the Jags. What are
your thoughts new regime? Trevor Lawrence? It's year five? Does
it happen? What do you think with Jacksonville going into
twenty twenty five?
Speaker 5 (30:16):
Matt, You know, I think I'm saying the same thing
about this division that I said last year. Last year,
I was wrong, but I think we were all wrong
talking about the parody of this of this division. Maybe
it's it's the best version of itself since it was
formed back in two thousand and two. I think we're
just kind of a year late. I'm really bullish on
(30:38):
the parody of the AFC South going into the season.
I think the Jaguars are going to be much better.
They have no excuse not to be, you know, much
more competitive and have a much better record this year
than they did last year. And last year they were
really close. It just didn't show up record wise, right,
I mean, they finished well under five hundred. But if
(30:58):
you look at you know, how their season played out.
They had thirteen games, just like the Colts, thirteen games
decided by one score, but they lost ten of them.
So I do think Trevor Lawrence is gonna, I think,
roll into the prime of his career. Lord knows, he's
had a bunch of different offensive coordinators and you know,
head coaches in his ear, and a lot of things
(31:19):
to compartmentalize. But I do think this is the year
that he kind of puts it all together. The weaponry
around him is pretty good. Defensively, I think they're gonna be,
you know, good enough to stay in games. So I'm
very bullish on the Jacksonville Jaguars, you know, taking those
next steps. They've got Basically every point of leadership within
(31:40):
that franchise is going to have a new person in
it or a person doing it for the first time
at the NFL level. Offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, head coach,
and Liam Cohen new GM who's a young pup. When
it's when it's when you compare him to a lot
of his peers around the NFL. But I think the
(32:01):
Jacksonville Jaguars should be really competitive and I don't think
they're going to be in the basement for very long.
Inside the AFC South along with the Tennessee Titans, I
think it's going to be an absolute dogfight within this
division all six games of the Colts play, and by
the way, as it relates to the Colts in the
AFC South, four of their last six games of the
(32:22):
season are against the division, and that's the way you
want it. You won all of those games to feel
like playoff games, to feel like you big magnitude type
of atmospheres. So from that standpoint, I think, you know,
the month of the latter half of November and December
is going to feel like big time football for the
Colts because I think their quest for an AFC South
(32:43):
championship for the first time since twenty fourteen is going
to come down to how well they play in those
last six games of the season.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
Cam Ward, how good do you think he's really going
to be After watching him play at the University of Miami,
looked really like a creative playmaker or that's got to
help out the Titans.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
A lot as.
Speaker 1 (33:03):
I know they had the record they had, but they
beat the Texans at NRG Stadium and looked really good
that day.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
What are you thinking, Yeah, I.
Speaker 5 (33:10):
Think cam Ward is going to be really, really good.
You know, talking with some of the people in Nashville
in the off season, they seem to think that already
in short order. He's come in. He is the face
of the franchise. He's the biggest leader on the team,
and that's hard to do. I mean, you know, with CJ. Stroud,
he came in right away, and you know, he was
obviously the guy that was the most marketable for the
(33:33):
front office. But you know, you've got to come in.
You've got to earn it. You've got to build the trust.
You've got to earn that trust from the rest of
the team.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
C J.
Speaker 5 (33:40):
Stroud pulled that off, and I think cam Ward is
in the process of doing just that. First guy in,
last guy out. But just you know, eating, sleeping, breathing football. Reportedly,
that's what you're getting from cam Ward. Plus the creativity
that you mentioned on the field too. This guy can
do a lot. Was really impressed with what I saw
last year at Miami. Looks like the real deal, and
(34:03):
he's looked like looking like he's acclimating the life in
the NFL and handling himself the way that you need
to earn the trust of the rest of that locker room.
So you know, I've read a lot of stuff about
him in terms of how he looked at Mini Camp.
I mean, he completed over seventy percent of his past
is based on what you read, but you don't really
know the context of that. You don't know how much
(34:25):
of that is you know, seven on seven or easy
throws or you know, eleven on eleven work where maybe
he's getting sacked and you know, a completion to follow
something like that. You just don't know. But you'd rather
if you're a Titan fan or follower, you'd rather be
reading more about the positive, the positive things and the
negative things. And certainly the Titans have nowhere to go
(34:47):
but up after a three and fourteen season, So I
think they're going to be better now. To what extent
I don't know, But again, I just I think every
game inside the AFC South is going to be an
appo dogfight. The winner of this division is going to
have to earn it, and they're gonna have to put
their best foot forward in all six of the games
(35:07):
they play against the division, because I think the parody
is there, and I think again, this might be one
of the best top to bottom divisions that we've seen
from the AFC South historically. And throwing the Colts there too,
they're a tough out. They just got to get quarterbacks
solidified and find some more consistency there, which is what
the Jaguars are trying to do and certainly with the
Titans are trying to do with camp Ward as a
(35:29):
rookie quarterback.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
Matt condolence is about the passing of mister Ersay and
with Carly Orsa Gordon taking over. Tell me how different
it is so far as she seems really up for this,
obviously and ready to take charge and obviously taking charge already.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
But you tell me how it's going so far.
Speaker 5 (35:51):
Well, I appreciate that. You know, Jim irsay was. I mean,
if you're from here and you lived in Indianapolis, I mean,
you just can't. There's just no denying the impact that
Jim had on the community. I mean, if Jim Mersey
is not the steward of the franchise that he was,
there's no Lucas Oil Stadium. There's no Colts probably, and
(36:16):
you know, the city of Indianapolis as a great town
and a great sports town just doesn't exist. We don't
have you know, final fours here in Super Bowls here,
and Taylor Swift concerts and WWEE Royal Rumbulls. I mean,
whatever you're into, Indianapolis is able to bring those things
to town, primarily because Lucas Oil Stadium is here. It's
(36:39):
a state of the art complex and facility. And that's
because of the Colts, and that's because of Jim Mersey.
So it was a really tough thing to see and
go through with his passing about a month ago, very
unexpected age of sixty five. I mean, it's been well
chronicled just how you know, generous of a man he was,
(37:02):
and what he meant to the city. But as it
relates to the family now and with his daughters, you
mentioned Carly ursa Ordon and Kaylen Jackson and also Casey Foyd.
So the three daughters now obviously in full charge of
the franchise, both from a front office standpoint and from
a football operations perspective as well. I think Carly is
(37:24):
going to be most involved on the football side, and
then the other two daughters have their I think strengths
and initiatives that they are very proud of. And oversee,
Kylin is very philanthropic and she's gonna head our community
relations efforts. You know, Casey's going to be very involved
(37:44):
in the marketing side of things. So I think it's
really kind of too early to tell just how this
is all going to evolve, but that's how things are
set up now. But I will tell you that you
know that the three of them have been very, very
involved in the franchise dating back to the high school days.
Jim made it a concerted effort to make sure that
(38:07):
they were exposed to the different areas of the team
football side and non football side. Uh so they got
a good feel for how the franchise is run. Jim
did a good job of pulling back to curtain and
letting them into, you know, meeting rooms when tough decisions
had to be made, hirings and firings, things like that.
(38:28):
So they know ball. And especially with Carly, you know,
she's made an individual effort the last four or five
years to better understand how football works, the mechanics of
the game, she's on a headset during the game. You know,
she wants to hear the communication between the coaches and
the players. She wants to understand, you know, the role
(38:49):
of a special teams coordinator or a strength coach. So
she really has her fingerprints in DNA on just about
everything within this organization now. So really the only thing
that's that's different, obviously is just the passing of Jim,
and now Carly and her two sisters are going to
try and make their imprint on the organizations. They'll do
(39:11):
a great job, but certainly they are in the infancy
of doing just that because of the timeliness of Jim
Mersey's passing in late May. And they understand too that
the urgency is there for this franchise. Chris Ballard, you know,
going into his ninth year and Shane Styching going into
year number three again, haven't won a division in ten
(39:32):
plus years, haven't won a playoff game in six years,
haven't hosted a playoff game since twenty fourteen. There's urgency
there and they know that, and they are prepared to,
you know, make these decisions going forward because they don't
want to just you know, tread water. They don't want
to just make the playoffs once every couple of years.
They want to be the best. They want to They're
(39:54):
here to win and win big, and so they're going
to do everything in their power to make sure that happens.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
Matt, great information. As always, I really appreciate the visit.
Look forward to seeing the Colts this year. I know
we both have a lot of work to do before
that happens, but I appreciate spending time with you.
Speaker 5 (40:11):
Likewise, Mark, you are the best. Hope you enjoy the
rest of your summer and get away a little bit
before training camp starts. In the grind sets in, there's.
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Matt Taylor, voice of the Indianapolis Colts. A lot of
stuff about the dreaded Horseshoe coming up. K C Two
Hill plays for your Texans. Join the team this offseason,
try to make it as a contributor on that defensive line.
We'll check in with him next here on Texans All Access,
final segment of the show tonight. And Johnny and I
caught up with so many of the Texans players around
(40:40):
Mini camp, so we're giving you those interviews between Mini
camp and training camp.
Speaker 2 (40:44):
That's what we do here.
Speaker 1 (40:45):
And we heard from EJ Speed earlier. If you missed
any of that, it's on the podcast. This will be
up in podcast forms soon enough. K C two Hill,
defensive end from San Diego, went to Stanford and he's
been with the Eagles, Washington, Buffalo and now he's here.
And after this interview, I will tell you my guess.
But who does he sound like? What movie star does
(41:06):
Casey Toohill sound like?
Speaker 2 (41:08):
Listen? And it's not just about that he's an interesting guy, Casey.
Why Houston?
Speaker 4 (41:13):
I mean it seems like a simple question in a sense,
but when you're deciding where you want to continue playing football, that.
Speaker 2 (41:19):
Can probably be a little bit tougher.
Speaker 6 (41:21):
Why Houston, Yeah, I mean that's a great question, honestly,
just great culture. The scheme that the Texans run, you know,
I've always respected, I've kept my eye on it. I
have some familiarity with Matt Burke. He coached me when
I was a rookie on the Eagles. So yeah, just
some familiarity there. And also just yeah, I mean what's
being built here special and anyone can see that, and
(41:42):
I wanted to be a part of it.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
Nice when you see what's happened here on the defensive line,
not just at end, but tackles. When you see a
guy like Tommy Togii last year making plays for a
team that has a lot of talent, then defensive end
you see who starts and then Derek Barnett scores two touchdowns.
That's got to give you a lot of encouragement. Hey,
there are a lot of good players here, but I
can contribute.
Speaker 6 (42:02):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean, and that's that's always the position
you want to be in. Just you know, teams that
you know want to get everyone a chance. But at
the same time, like you know your role, and you
come in and you compete and you work hard, and
I think that hard work and improvement is really rewarded here.
Speaker 4 (42:16):
Mark and I have talked about this a lot, Casey
about that defensive line room. We've talked a lot with
the interior defensive line guys. We've talked a lot about
that room and what it's like. And it's pretty big
and crowded right now.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
But what is that room like?
Speaker 4 (42:29):
Good camaraderie, seems like guys have really good relationships, Guys
that have been here for a while.
Speaker 3 (42:33):
Obviously you're new to the mix.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
But what's that room like for you stepping into it.
Speaker 6 (42:37):
Yeah, I mean everyone's been been very welcoming and helpful.
I mean the great camaraderie, but also very high standards,
which is what you want to be a part of.
Speaker 5 (42:44):
Right.
Speaker 6 (42:44):
You don't want to be in a room that has
a bad culture, bad standard. So I could observe, you know,
the high standards, especially like the coaches, you know, you know,
how they approach our improvement, how they want us to improve.
And then also just like you know, will holding everyone
accountable and all the guys in the room, lots of
that's lots of guys who have made a lot of plays,
and that's that's a good room to be.
Speaker 1 (43:03):
In, all right, So tell me, because I know that
you know, players come and go from different teams, do
you save any gear from former teams and especially the
Washington football that's never coming back, that's and it might
be nice to hang on to some of that merch.
I thought about that in the moment as that was
happening a lot. So yeah, you know, I have a
few things here and there, but you know, things you
(43:24):
move around, like things disappear, you know, things get thrown
away by significant others. Maybe I don't want to cast
any blame. So yeah, you know, I have some stuff
here and there, But I mean I really don't care
about any of that stuff.
Speaker 2 (43:36):
Now I'm here and I'm ready.
Speaker 4 (43:37):
To be here, okay from San Diego. So is the
argument in and out versus Waterburger even an argument in
a two hill household?
Speaker 6 (43:44):
No, I mean, that's just the dumbest argument I've had Waburger.
I've headed in and out. Quality is not even the same.
I've also I talked to people in Texas.
Speaker 2 (43:51):
I mean, ever since Waburger got bought by private equity,
I've heard of cargo company now, so yeah, so who cares?
So I'm not worried about that.
Speaker 6 (43:59):
Maybe I'll try it if I I want some mediocre food.
Speaker 4 (44:01):
Okay, there's in and out here too, so there is,
there's one on the way home. I'll probably hit now
that I'm inspired Stanford.
Speaker 2 (44:08):
Stanford.
Speaker 6 (44:09):
You know, honestly, I think it was just the best
fit for what I want to accomplish, kind of how
I viewed myself. Taking academics seriously, and Stanford is just
a place if you want to be around excellent people.
I mean, and I don't say that with arrogance. I
say that with the truth. I mean everyone that was
there was you know, better at pretty much everything than
I was. So it was good if you want to grow,
(44:29):
that's a great place through you know, challenging yourself or
even osmosis with all the people there.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
Do you have any Davis Mills stories for us?
Speaker 5 (44:36):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (44:36):
Yeah, when he was at Stanford, Yeah, we over like
I mean Davis gosh.
Speaker 6 (44:39):
Yeah, so Davis is younger than me. So it's funny
to come come here with him because I remember him
being like an underclassman.
Speaker 2 (44:47):
Good stories.
Speaker 6 (44:47):
I mean, he keeps saying that I owe him like
one hundred dollars for some uber we took once. I
guess that's like the defining moment in our relationship, which
kind of bugs me. But yeah, he's a funny guy,
Davis real right sense of humor. But I I enjoyed
being around him at Stanford and then obviously, like I
would only see him when we played a few times
over the past few years.
Speaker 2 (45:06):
So it's good to be able to reconnect in case.
Yes say this.
Speaker 4 (45:09):
After every game, I look on a field and there
are people hugging from all walks of life on it.
Speaker 3 (45:14):
It's the smallest It's like the.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
Biggest small community in in the world. Great teams.
Speaker 4 (45:19):
Yeah, it's like you know somebody every single game, Like, oh,
I with to the high school with that trainer over there. Yeah,
I went to Stanford with that guy over there. I mean,
is he kind of like that every game where you're
gonna know somebody from the other side.
Speaker 2 (45:32):
Yeah, it's always like fun.
Speaker 6 (45:33):
Sometimes it's it's overwhelming because you're like maybe after the game,
like man, all these people I could like say hi
to her. If you don't say hi to someone, sometimes
they're like, hey missed you, and it's like shoot right,
but it can. Yeah, it's it's really unique, and I
think the longer you go on, the more relationships you build.
It's really worthwhile even seeing like because I think when
you're on a team, like some of those relationships get
so deep and some of the people impact you greatly,
(45:54):
you know, whether it's on the staff, coaches, whatever, and
then if you leave, it's just kind of gone and
you may not see that person ever again. Yeah, so
it's great that I really appreciate like being able to
revisit those relationships when we play.
Speaker 2 (46:04):
It's fun. Casey, thanks so much for joining us, Good
luck to thank you guys appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (46:08):
There's Casey two Hill And when the interview began, I said,
who does he sound like?
Speaker 5 (46:11):
What?
Speaker 2 (46:12):
Movie star? And have you guessed it?
Speaker 1 (46:14):
It's Ryan Reynolds. Doesn't he sound like him? He doesn't
look like him, not that he's a bad looking Guy's
good looking guy. Doesn't look like Ryan Reynolds, but does
sound like Ryan Reynolds. Anyway, that's it for the show tonight.
Thanks so much for listening. Matt Taylor was on Voice
of the Colts e J. Speed again. This is up
in podcast form very soon. Have a great night, Go Texans.
Hello Texans, and welcome to the show. We've got another
big one for you here tonight with Texans. You're gonna
hear from including EJ. Speed former Colts. We will forgive
him for that because now he's at Texan. As a
matter of fact, we're gonna get Matt Taylor on the
show as well tonight. He's the voice of the Indianapolis Colts.
Ask him about Ejspeed, among many other things about the
(00:22):
Dreaded Horseshoe as they embark on a campaign in which
they attempt to bounce back from a really horrible season
for them with Daniel Jones at quarterback. So we'll get
into that with Matt and later on in the show.
Texans pass rusher just joined the team this offseason, trying
to make some noise in camp. And beyond it's Casey Twohill.
He will visit with us as well. And you want
(00:43):
to stay tuned to all the shows this week because
we get a lot of good stuff. But more on
that later. Let's get to this now before we get
to EJ.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Speed.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Training camp dates have been announced by your Houston Texans,
and as we discovered because the NFL put this out
that the Texans rookies in vets report on July twenty second.
So we predicted and correctly, as it turns out, that
the first practice would be Wednesday, July twenty third.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
We'll be out there live at the.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Houston Methodist Training Center eight to ten am on Sports
Radio six ten, and you know, Sean and Seth will
do the six to eight hours and after that, I
presume Reggie and Lopez will be on the field as
well and catch up with a player Clinton Ron. Look
by afternoon, why be out there, nobody's practicing. It's one
hundred degrees. Go inside air conditioning. Talk about what you
(01:35):
saw earlier that day. So Wednesday, July twenty third, put
it down. That is not an open practice. I want
to be very clear on this. The team will practice
three consecutive days Wednesday through Friday from July twenty third,
and then on Saturday is the first open practice. July
twenty sixth, nine am, Houston Methodist Training Center Sunday, and
Demiko Ryans always works it out like this. Sunday's a
(01:57):
day off, family day, church day. This is the way
he wants it. Other coaches didn't work out those days
off to be on Sunday, but he lines it up
that way on purpose, wants his guys to have that time.
It's all about being a great man, being a great
family man, being a better person, a better husband, a
better whatever you want to be, in addition to being
(02:18):
a better football player. He made that very transparent during
his introductory press conference two years ago plus, and he
lives that way, all right.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
So then you have three more practices.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
I'm gonna make this as radio friendly as pert as possible.
This training camp schedule layout here, But after that first
day off on Sunday, July twenty seventh, you get three
more practices consecutively and then a day off Thursday.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
We'll still be on the air that.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Day, giving you Texans Training Camp Live a couple of more.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Saturday will be another one.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
But guess what after that Saturday practice and by the way,
open practices July twenty sixth twenty eight, twenty nine, thirtieth,
and August first and August second that Saturday, then the
team gets on a plane and goes to wait for it,
the Greenbrier. For the third time in franchise history. The
Texans are going to the Greenbrier. They were there in
(03:09):
twenty seventeen, twenty eighteen. You heard all about it right
here and a lot of other places. But we're going
back to train at the Green Brier. Now it's a
shorter trip than the first two. It's only what six
seven days. It's from Saturday, August second. They won't practice
that day through the following Friday when they will leave
to head to Minnesota for preseason Game one against the Vikings.
(03:32):
That's a three o'clock start August ninth. So they will
practice at the Greenbrier. Let's see four scheduled practices. They'll
be there for five six seven days? Is it seven? Yeah,
it's Saturday through Friday, but it's not really a full
seven days. It's travel day on that Saturday and then
the following Friday as they head to Minnesota. So at
the Greenbrier four practices. I don't know if they're open
(03:55):
or not. Last time you could get access if you
happen to make the trip. Thing about the Greenbrier is
it's beautiful. It's a great place. You can't get there
from here or anywhere. The team obviously has their own charter,
but if you go to the Greenbrier, either flying into Charleston,
West Virginia, which is still an hour and a half away.
You're flying into Charlotte or something like that and taking
a puddle jump to Louisbourg, West Virginia, which is ten
(04:18):
fifteen minutes away, and that puddle jump is easier said
than done. Those airlines come and go that do that
puddle jump. It's only about three and a half from Washington,
DC or from Charlotte, so whichever way you want to
attack it. But we can get into that later. I'm
not even sure if these practices are open, but it
is a beautiful place to be, all right.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Minnesota will be your first preseason game.
Speaker 1 (04:38):
Then they return home at the Houston Methodist Training Center Monday,
August eleventh.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
That is not an open practice.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
They'll do three in a row and then have another
open practice August fourteenth. This is special because it's a
joint deal with the Carolina Panthers under the hot, humid
sun at the Houston Methodist Training Center. Panthers game is
that Saturday. Let's see when's the open practice. There is none.
That's the last one. August fourteenth. That's gonna be it
(05:04):
for the open practices because after the Carolina game, they'll
have a day off.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
That Sunday, that's a Saturday game.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
Monday, they'll do some practicing, not open, and then they'll
have a day off and then a travel day as
they will head to Detroit and practice against the Lions.
Speaker 2 (05:19):
Just one day.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
I think Demico Ryans is doing this thing right. One
joint practice day per team. Don't do two. Don't get
into all the fights, don't let that stuff boil over.
I mean, he was part of one against the Saints
back in the day. He can tell you all about that.
Do I dare ask him about that during a future show?
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Maybe?
Speaker 1 (05:36):
But they'll practice against the Lions August twenty first, and
play the preseason finale at Detroit August twenty third. Following
week media will be able to cover some practices, but
you get the gist of it. The following weekend will
be Labor Day. They'll make the cuts and get ready
for the twenty twenty five regular season. But that's your
(05:57):
training camp schedule laid out radio wise?
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Did I do that? Okay?
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Is that kind of digestible in a radio format as
you're driving home or wherever you are driving to Wednesday,
July twenty thirty kicks off first open practice Saturday, July
twenty sixth. Don't ask me for tickets. There we go.
That's your training camp schedule. And this is a new
linebacker for the Houston Texans. We were talking to Jonathan
Alexander about him yesterday. How will he fit in if
(06:22):
everybody's fully healthy. They're really loaded at linebacker. I mean
it goes on and on when you look at Christian
Harris and Henry to a Tow and Aziz al Shire
and Jake Hansen, and I'm not even getting to everybody.
Nick Neeman Neville Hewitt is not on the team currently,
You never know. I think he's still out there as
a free agent.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
But EJ.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
Speed, outstanding tackler for the Colts, joins the Houston Texans.
Johnny and I visited with him here in the Hunday
Texans radio studio. Joining us right now, Houston Texans linebacker EJ.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Speed.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
I say, Houston Texans linebacker, not Colts linebacker.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Texans linebacker. Say what you chess want?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
He said it twice.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Yeah, there we go. How's it going to he jays?
It's good. How y'all doing doing great? All right?
Speaker 1 (07:04):
So I just have a hard time with the horseshoe
because you know, they've been the nemesis of the Texans
for so long. I know it's going better for the
Texans lately, but I was so glad that you know,
you've come over from the dark side and are now
a Houston Texans.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
So welcome, thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm glad
to be here.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Yeah, they glad to be here. Wonderful to have you here.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
And what is it like playing for a head coach
who was a linebacker at a high level?
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Is that any different? Is it a mental thing?
Speaker 1 (07:29):
I think it's an actual thing too, because he does
like to talk to you guys.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
A lot of stuff that he says just makes a
lot of sense, just because he's been in a situation.
You feel what I'm saying. He knows the full work
he's played in certain situations, going down in distance and
all that type stuff. So it's a little interesting things
that like he can just say to you that's like,
you know what, that does make sense and it's actually
applying on the field in certain situations, you know what
I mean, Like a lot of stuff that some people
(07:53):
just can't relate to.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
So I'm i ask you a question. It might be
a little loaded question, but I'll just ask anyways. I
know you went to Tarleton, I know you're from Texas.
Why pick Houston?
Speaker 3 (08:05):
I like what was going on over here, the great
draft pick and CJ. Stroud. Of course, a lot of guys,
younger guys who came into the league and you know,
probably wasn't expected to be who they are today is
doing that here in Houston. So that just shows that
it's a place where a lot of people is growing. Wins,
wins in the win column obviously speak for themselves. Been
(08:26):
to the playoffs, you know, it's a team that's familiar
with the playoffs, Uh, and just getting in and just
you know, finding my role within that situation where I
can help and get to the end go, which is
a Super Bowl.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
Ye. What are you seeing out of this offense? TJ?
Speaker 1 (08:38):
Because it's a new offensive coordinator and Nick Kelly and
you faced the Texans offense recently, but this is a
new version of it so far.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
I know it's still early.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
Yeah, I mean a little different things that I didn't
seen in practice based on what I was playing them
during the season. Is they understand situation and know where
they're going. Uh, They've been throwing a lot of counters,
a lot of stuff that getting into different formations and
getting into forms and trusting what they what they run
out of those formations and stuff like that. Don't want
to give up too much, but just you know, they
just they steady us. I can see the confidence even
(09:08):
though CJ hasn't you know, been able to participate. Uh
Mills has gotten married and he's been, you know, doing
his thing, and everything just seemed more fluent EJ.
Speaker 4 (09:17):
When you were the Colts, I think you were. You
were a Day three draft pick. I remember when Ballad
drafted you, and I remember him saying before the draft,
I'm gonna draft the best linebacker in the state of Texas,
and it was like he drafted the j speed. We're like, okay,
but you honestly, you came, You got to the league,
and you you went worked for everything you had because
you started off you weren't starter, but you were killed
(09:40):
on special teams. You got a little bit of time,
you start to kill with that, you got a little
bit more time.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Then you become a starter. To fix youre in the defense, You've.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Kind of run the gamut. A nothing was handed to you.
How has that changed you in a sense as an
NFL player coming to Houston that hey, nothing's nothing's ever handed.
You've had to go work for everything that that you've got.
Is that Is that a good way to kind of
look at your career and be what have you kind
of learned?
Speaker 3 (10:04):
And having had to do that? Of course it is.
You know, when I first came in, I was behind
Darius Leonard, who was a star linebacker in this league,
had Hall of Fame stats at the beginning of his career,
so it was a great guy to sit behind and learn.
I never accepted the fact that I wasn't starting, So
even though that it was a guy that was that
had those Hall of Fame stats and everything in front
(10:26):
of me, always thought every time I got up in
the morning and still do in any situation, that I
was the best and I can come in and, if
not play alongside, be able to replace him at some
point in my career. And at that point, at that
point in my year four, in my year four and five,
I started to notice those things that I now, it'sked
(10:47):
my time to actually become and be a starter special teams.
Anytime I stepped on the field, i'mna give him all
so special teams is an effort, grit, you know what
I mean, a little savvy into it and everything like that.
But once you get on that eleven on defense, it's
not to start using your brain and you know what
I mean, it's just it's more interesting. It's like it's
more pinpoint and things that you have to do. So
that's something that I went into it with and I
(11:09):
had help along the way. I can't say that I
did it myself. I helped along the way. The Coast
organization was great within that and you know, Namri with
the Texans just want to further my career and cap ej.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
If you ask Texans fans who's the biggest rival in
the AFC South, You're gonna get different answers. Some say
the Titans, some say the Colts, and not too many
would say the Jacks. But some might because the Texans
have had some success against the Jacks. But who's the Colts'
biggest rival?
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Like? How how do they see it?
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Quite honestly, when we was there, it was just different.
It was different tasks within the division, like us not
winning at home against Jacksonville at their house. Yeah, yeah,
not being Jacksonville at home, not winning our season opener
or whatever like that. It was so much stuff within that,
you know, having to see the Texan knowing that Texans
(11:57):
will be one of the last games to get into
the playoffs. It was was like just like interesting like
things that just kept popping up for us, and so
we didn't really have time to to one team, think
about what team one team that was a rival. When
when was the last time anyone in our division been
to the Super Bowl? That was within you know what
(12:17):
I mean. So it was was bigger than that because everybody, Yeah,
because everybody been looking at you know, trying to get
to the super Bowl, trying to get to the Big dam.
So like we knew that you had to come out
of this division with those situational wins that you needed.
Then after that it was just so much more on
the plate to get to DJ.
Speaker 4 (12:36):
You've seen some things having played for the Coats, the
number of games and snaps that you've had. You walk
into this linebacker room. There's some guys in that linebacker
room that have seen some things as well, but there
are also some young dudes there you can impart with
impart your words to them. What's that linebacker room like,
now with you know, Henry and Christian z'son there, you're
added to the mix.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
What's that linebacker room.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
Like, Uh, it's full.
Speaker 2 (12:59):
It's full.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
Full of guys who got a lot of career you know,
left in them, a lot of guys who's very confident,
a lot of guys who have made plays in this league,
a lot of guys who who's who's in front of
their career to where they're trying to take the next step.
What I would say the linebacker corps on a football team,
it's kind of like the warriors of a football team.
It's so many different places that you can pinpoint linebackers
(13:20):
in on third down, blitzing, first and second down linebackers.
You got special teams that has to play a sport
part for you to say that you're a great linebacking
corps and they have done a good job up into
the up until this point or whatever like that. I
know everybody is trying to further their career and do
the next steps. But as my challenge to the linebacker
(13:40):
corps is to jail and just know that we we
have to run so much stuff upon upon this team
for us to take the next step. That you know
what I mean, that we can all just lean on
each other and go get that job.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
None all right, prior to miny camp big break? Do
you come back to Texas? You're from Fort Worth?
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Do you do that?
Speaker 1 (13:57):
What do you do to spend the time and keep
fresh workout wise, but get some rest at the same time.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
The same thing I've always done, you link with my trainers.
I trained up and collective in Austin, down in Florida
with TA Golfies. So I just do those things. I mean,
most of the downtime has already done. At this point,
it's time to you ready for the season. Season is
always say that the breakout of OTA's is a scam
because it's really not a break, okay. And if you
take it as a break, if you take it as
(14:24):
a break and take your put off the Federal a
little bit, you kind of like come in step behind.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
So would you rather have it closer? Now this is
not for the Union or anything.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Would you rather have it closer? Maybe like three weeks
off instead of six?
Speaker 3 (14:37):
And I would say, I would say the stripes and
everything that I've done at ot As, I would love
to take that directly into the season. And play ball,
because now that you go put it down for six weeks,
I have a many weeks it is, you gotta basically
revamp again. So it's like if I'm a vamp, let's
vamp and just go straight into the season.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
But right, you know, I think we're onto something here.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
But it's whatever they want to do. I know, yeah,
I know who cut my scheet. So whatever I want
to do, they go ahead and do it.
Speaker 2 (15:06):
Thanks a lot, welcome, We appreciate it, appreciate that was fun.
It was fun, And isn't it interesting to have fun
with a cult?
Speaker 1 (15:12):
Okay, former cults. He's a Texan, EJ. You're a Texan.
This one is going to take a while to get
used to though. He was such a prominent member of
the Indianapolis Cults. Now a Houston Texans linebacker. Okay, let's
talk to the voice of the Colts next. As we
dive deep into AFC South foes like the Colts the Horseshoe.
I don't have to get into all this again. How
I hate the Colts in a healthy football way. I
(15:35):
like Matt Taylor. He's the voice of the Cults. We're
gonna check in with him next. Here on Texans Radio.
All right, we are back here in the hun day
Texans Radio studio we never left. And joining us right
now Matt Taylor, voice of the Indianapolis Colts. And I've
known Matt ever since he took over the job, and
he's a great dude, great dude.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
So many great people work for that franchise.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
But you know how I feel about the Horseshoe, right,
we all know, we all know the Texans were torture
for years by the Indianapolis Colts. I know it's gotten
so much better lately, Demigo, Ryans is three to one
against Indy. What a hot start, obviously the best start
in the history of the franchise for any head coach
against that dreaded team, that foe, that Texans nemesis.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Yeah, much better lately.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
But I don't forget, and I don't forgive all the
years of torment with Peyton Manning and sometimes Andrew Luck
and the Colts winning a playoff game here. But we
do have to talk about them because they are in
the division and they are gonna be tougher than you think.
Maybe let's find out from the play by plan announcer himself,
Matt Taylor Matt. Great to catch up. Happy summer. Let
(16:39):
me start here. You left mini camp with what feeling
about the Colts. I know we're gonna feel differently maybe
after watching our teams in training camp, but what feeling
did you leave mini camp with?
Speaker 5 (16:51):
You know, I left with, you know, a big spirit
of optimism surrounding this team, just because you know, they've
been so close. We've talked about that before in the past.
You know, they've missed the playoffs four straight years, but
in three of those years they've won at least eight games,
which is sort of you know, NFL purgatory or right
in the middle or that gray area, whatever you want
(17:13):
to call it. And you know, a large part of
that or a big reason that that's been the case,
is just because of inconsistencies that quarterback And obviously that's
the biggest you know part of this offseason for the
Colts is trying to find stability and consistency at that
quarterback position. So it's a big battle between Anthony Richardson
(17:34):
and Daniel Jones. But towards the end of the spring
workout period, the OTA sessions and Mini camp, obviously you
know Anthony Richardson had a little bit of a right
shoulder flare up again. I think technically it was a
reaggravation of that right shoulder, the AC joint that he
had repaired surgically a couple of years ago as a
(17:56):
rookie after five games to start his his NFL career.
But Daniel Jones took most of the reps, in fact,
he took all of the first team reps in those
six or seven practices at the end of the spring period,
and he looked really sharp. He looked really good, And
the best way to describe it is just that he
didn't look like a guy that had only been there
(18:18):
since March. Really professional, you know, first guy in, last
guy out, type of thing that that's always been associated
with Daniel Jones's work ethic, and you know, has the
leadership about him. Guys gravitated to him. And then when
he's on the field, he put it all together and
eleven on eleven sessions and seven on seven work, knew
(18:40):
where to go with the football. And the most surprising
thing to me as far as Daniel Jones is concerned,
is that, yeah, he's got the completion percentage right, He's
going to make the throws that most NFL quarterbacks can make,
but there was a lot more pushing the ball down
the field and getting those chunk plays in the spring
against the Colt defense that I was really anticipating that
(19:02):
really hasn't been you know, what he was known for.
Doesn't mean he can't do it, but he was doing
it on a consistent basis here in the spring for
the Colts. So, you know, offensively, I thought they looked
really sharp. I thought they looked really crisp. Situational football
was good against the Colts defense. And then if you
want to talk about the other side of the ball defensively,
(19:23):
new scheme Duke defensive coordinator lou Ana Rumo comes in.
One of the better, you know, situational game planners the
NFL seen the last four or five years, had a
lot of success in Cincinnati, taken them to the playoffs
and a couple of AFC Championship games in a Super
Bowl appearance. So there's a lot of newness. There's a
lot of interesting storylines with this team, and I just
(19:45):
think it's going to be really fascinating to see how
they can kind of put it all together. And then
obviously front and center is going to be who wins
that quarterback job and how well they can orchestrate this
offense and build consistency on the offense the side of
the ball, because that was the biggest thing they missed
last year. You know, they missed the playoffs. And this
is the hill I'm going to die on. But if
(20:08):
it had they had more consistent quarterback plays. Not all
about the quarterback certainly, but had they had more consistent
quarterback play a year ago, the Colts were probably a
playoff team. They just didn't get it. They need to
get that from somebody, Richardson or Daniel Jones. In twenty
twenty five.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
Well the year before they had Gardner Minshew and almost
made it a player too. They would have been in
and the universe changes with that, Matt Taylor voice of
the Colts joining us. So I still have nightmares about
Dallas Clark and then after he left there was always
a tight end or two that would give me a
hard time with Indianapolis as the voice of the Texans here,
(20:48):
Jack Doyle, et cetera. And now you have Tyler Warren
coming in from Penn State, drafted him. How did he
look and what are your expectations? It's a lot to
put on a rookie to say he's he's the next
Dallas Clark. But he sure looks like he could be.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Yeah, he really looks sharp, you know. He kind of
the universe just sort of funneled Tyler Warren to the
Colts and the draft seemingly the way the board went,
the way the draft unfolded, the Colts need at that position,
everything just kind of kept going to Tyler Warren falling
to the Colts, and that's what happened with the fourteenth
(21:24):
overall selection. And you know, to your point, you know,
Dallas Clark is, you know, it's a wonderful player. He's
in the Colts Ring of Honor, one of the best
players in the history of the franchise. But in recent years,
the Colts just haven't gotten enough production from their tight ends.
You know, last year they only had thirty nine catches
(21:44):
collectively from that group, less than five hundred yards receiving
collectively from that group. You know, those were some of
the poorest numbers that the tight end group has put
up for the Colts since like the mid nineties, and
so there's no question they got to get better there.
Tyler Warren coming in gives this offense a lot of
flexibility and a lot of creativity because you know, you
(22:08):
saw his highlights, you saw him play at Penn State
last year. They lined him up in seemingly every spot
on offense. You know, there was that famous game against
usc where they lined him up at center and then
they had the double pass back to a backup quarterback
and then Warren goes out for a pass and catches
the ball over two linebackers in the end zone. I mean,
the guy's just amazing. So to put it in perspective,
(22:30):
he had over one hundred catches last year himself, whereas
the Colts tight ends last year combined again had less
than forty. So it's been really fun to watch him
evolve in this offense in the spring. You know, they're
being creative on how to get get into football in
a variety of ways, getting the ball in space. He's
(22:50):
got speed, he's got force. He can run by you,
he can run over you. So I do understand the
Dallas Clark compare. Plus he's just throwing that long flowing
hair that he has coming out of the you know
the back of his helmet. He just looks like a
dude that could play in twenty twenty five or he
(23:11):
can play in nineteen seventy five, because he's just kind
of an old school guy, so it's going to be
fun to see, you know, how involved he is. But
there's no question he's going to be the top tight
end threats on this team now going forward. But in
terms of expectations, you know, we kind of did our research.
If you go back twenty five years, the last twenty
(23:31):
five drafts, there's only been six or seven first round
drafted tight ends that have eclipsed over five hundred receiving yards. So,
you know, I think that's going to be sort of
on the low end of what I expect from Tyler Warren.
But I think he's going to be really, really productive
for this team as a rookie. And again, I think
(23:54):
a lot of that depends on who his quarterback is.
If it's Daniel Jones, then I think he's going to
be really in this offense because Jones is going to
hit the intermediate part of the passing game, which is
where the Colts have struggled. If it's Anthony Richardson, I
don't know, just because we haven't seen him consistently do that,
you know, hit the middle part of the field where Titans,
(24:15):
you know, seem to kind of thrive and make their hay.
So I think there's a lot of question marks as
it relates to Warren's productivity and usage, but there is
I do think it's safe to say that he's going
to be a big focal part part of this offense
going forward because of where he's drafted. You know how
good I think he can be and how creative the
(24:37):
Colts can be lining him up in different parts of
this offense, including the offensive backfield where he can run
the ball and he can pass the ball too out
of the wildcat spot.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Wow.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
Matt Taylor, Voice of the Colts, joining us Matt on defense.
I want to start here that side of the football
with EJ. Speed no longer a Colt, he's now a Texan.
What kind of player are the Texans getting an EJ?
Speaker 2 (24:58):
Speed?
Speaker 5 (24:59):
Yeah, is one of the hardest playing linebackers I've ever
seen play. The guy just gives maximum, full throttle every
single play. He's one of my favorite Colts the last
couple of years just because he brings it every single game.
He's a guy that had humble beginnings right and he
started off as a Division three guy at Tarlaton State
(25:22):
in Texas and was just kind of like their version
of Cordell Stewart, like a slash guy, played both ways,
played offense and defense, ran the ball, caught the ball,
played linebacker. He's just a really hard hitting guy. He
can drop and coverage as well. So it was it
was a tough thing to see him leave the team
(25:43):
in free agency, but then to go to the Houston Texans,
that was doubly difficult to see just because you're going
to a to a you know, a division rival if
you will. But he is a great kid, a great player,
and started off again as a special teams guy, kind
of a contributor to the third phase of the game,
and then worked his way into the starting defense after
(26:06):
a couple of things broke his way, some guys left
the team in free agency, and a spot opened up
for him to play full time on defense last year,
and I thought, he's a really good player. He's going
to give you, at the very least for the Texans
a great depth piece at linebacker going forward.
Speaker 1 (26:21):
I look at that front defensively a lot too, and
pay outside obviously, the big fellows Grover Stewart DeForest Buckner
in the middle and the depth.
Speaker 3 (26:29):
That you have.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
Instead of just focusing on that, just tell me generally
on defense, what your thoughts are and what the storylines
are heading into twenty twenty five.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
Well big storylines, I mean, obviously again Louis an Arumo's
their new defensive coordinator, new scheme. What the Colts have
to do a better job of what's killed them in
the past defensively the last couple of years is they've
made life just too easy, too efficient for opposing quarterbacks
to have some big games. You know, the Colts last
(27:01):
year ranked thirtieth in opponent completion percentage. That numbered Hubard
right around seventy percent, you know, Mark, I mean, if
you get if you allow quarterbacks to just sit back
there in complete easy passes, that's first downs. That's a
lot of time of possession. That's another thing the Colts were.
They were thirty first. I think the number was in
(27:24):
time of possession defensively on the field, which means they
were on the field a ton they couldn't get off.
They only won time of possession last year in six games,
which is not the end all be all, but you know,
you're putting a lot of stress on your defense to
make plays. You know, third down was a problem, not
able to get off the field. They allowed the second
(27:44):
most third down conversions in the NFL last year. And
you know, so they played a lot of zone defense.
They didn't blitz a lot. So lou Anarumo comes in.
I don't think the blitzing numbers are going to be crazy,
but you're certainly going to blitz more than what the
Colts have done the last four or five years. He's
going to play more manna man, some more press man
in the back end. Loui an Rumo is just known
(28:07):
for being one of the best game planning, situational defensive
coordinators in the NFL in the recent past, and they've
really bulked up their secondary to be able to kind
of pull that off, because in this system it kind
of goes in reverse. It kind of goes from the
back end to the front end in terms of being
successful on defense with the way they want to play.
(28:28):
So they brought in Tarvarius Ward where they hope can
be sort of that shadow shutdown corner to take away
the other team's best player, which has been a problem
for the Colts to consistence to consistently pull off. They
bring in cam Binham to play safety. Hopefully he's, you know,
their version of you know what the Bengals had back
in the day with Jesse Bates to play situational and
(28:50):
just to disguise some things in the secondary. They draft
Justin Wally in the third round out of Minnesota. He's
really high on him as a wander back to come
in and play in some stuff packages, either nickel or dime.
The biggest question is is how much can that secondary
help the pass rush to be able to kind of
(29:11):
hold down the other team's weaponry, to help the pass
rush get there by the quarterback hanging on to that ball,
that extra beat for guys like Quitty pay who you
mentioned Stampson. Ebicom's coming off a torn achilles last year
the first day of training camp, so he's back, but
what are you going to get there with that injury?
Just with the nature of it. They draft JT Tuamolowyle,
(29:32):
who's a second round pick pass rusher out of Ohio State.
Really high on him, but at the end of the day,
he's a rookie. Right, there's an acclamation to the NFL
for every player at that position. You got the two
big guys up front and Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner.
But again, the big question to me on defense is
how much can that secondary help the pass rush get home,
(29:54):
be more disruptive, get more sacks, and make more game
changing plays on opposing quarterbacks.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
Matt Taylor, Voice of the Colts with us all right,
Jags and Titans. Let's start with the Jags. What are
your thoughts new regime? Trevor Lawrence? It's year five? Does
it happen? What do you think with Jacksonville going into
twenty twenty five?
Speaker 5 (30:16):
Matt, You know, I think I'm saying the same thing
about this division that I said last year. Last year,
I was wrong, but I think we were all wrong
talking about the parody of this of this division. Maybe
it's it's the best version of itself since it was
formed back in two thousand and two. I think we're
just kind of a year late. I'm really bullish on
(30:38):
the parody of the AFC South going into the season.
I think the Jaguars are going to be much better.
They have no excuse not to be, you know, much
more competitive and have a much better record this year
than they did last year. And last year they were
really close. It just didn't show up record wise, right,
I mean, they finished well under five hundred. But if
(30:58):
you look at you know, how their season played out.
They had thirteen games, just like the Colts, thirteen games
decided by one score, but they lost ten of them.
So I do think Trevor Lawrence is gonna, I think,
roll into the prime of his career. Lord knows, he's
had a bunch of different offensive coordinators and you know,
head coaches in his ear, and a lot of things
(31:19):
to compartmentalize. But I do think this is the year
that he kind of puts it all together. The weaponry
around him is pretty good. Defensively, I think they're gonna be,
you know, good enough to stay in games. So I'm
very bullish on the Jacksonville Jaguars, you know, taking those
next steps. They've got Basically every point of leadership within
(31:40):
that franchise is going to have a new person in
it or a person doing it for the first time
at the NFL level. Offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, head coach,
and Liam Cohen new GM who's a young pup. When
it's when it's when you compare him to a lot
of his peers around the NFL. But I think the
(32:01):
Jacksonville Jaguars should be really competitive and I don't think
they're going to be in the basement for very long.
Inside the AFC South along with the Tennessee Titans, I
think it's going to be an absolute dogfight within this
division all six games of the Colts play, and by
the way, as it relates to the Colts in the
AFC South, four of their last six games of the
(32:22):
season are against the division, and that's the way you
want it. You won all of those games to feel
like playoff games, to feel like you big magnitude type
of atmospheres. So from that standpoint, I think, you know,
the month of the latter half of November and December
is going to feel like big time football for the
Colts because I think their quest for an AFC South
(32:43):
championship for the first time since twenty fourteen is going
to come down to how well they play in those
last six games of the season.
Speaker 1 (32:50):
Cam Ward, how good do you think he's really going
to be After watching him play at the University of Miami,
looked really like a creative playmaker or that's got to
help out the Titans.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
A lot as.
Speaker 1 (33:03):
I know they had the record they had, but they
beat the Texans at NRG Stadium and looked really good
that day.
Speaker 2 (33:08):
What are you thinking, Yeah, I.
Speaker 5 (33:10):
Think cam Ward is going to be really, really good.
You know, talking with some of the people in Nashville
in the off season, they seem to think that already
in short order. He's come in. He is the face
of the franchise. He's the biggest leader on the team,
and that's hard to do. I mean, you know, with CJ. Stroud,
he came in right away, and you know, he was
obviously the guy that was the most marketable for the
(33:33):
front office. But you know, you've got to come in.
You've got to earn it. You've got to build the trust.
You've got to earn that trust from the rest of
the team.
Speaker 2 (33:40):
C J.
Speaker 5 (33:40):
Stroud pulled that off, and I think cam Ward is
in the process of doing just that. First guy in,
last guy out. But just you know, eating, sleeping, breathing football. Reportedly,
that's what you're getting from cam Ward. Plus the creativity
that you mentioned on the field too. This guy can
do a lot. Was really impressed with what I saw
last year at Miami. Looks like the real deal, and
(34:03):
he's looked like looking like he's acclimating the life in
the NFL and handling himself the way that you need
to earn the trust of the rest of that locker room.
So you know, I've read a lot of stuff about
him in terms of how he looked at Mini Camp.
I mean, he completed over seventy percent of his past
is based on what you read, but you don't really
know the context of that. You don't know how much
(34:25):
of that is you know, seven on seven or easy
throws or you know, eleven on eleven work where maybe
he's getting sacked and you know, a completion to follow
something like that. You just don't know. But you'd rather
if you're a Titan fan or follower, you'd rather be
reading more about the positive, the positive things and the
negative things. And certainly the Titans have nowhere to go
(34:47):
but up after a three and fourteen season, So I
think they're going to be better now. To what extent
I don't know, But again, I just I think every
game inside the AFC South is going to be an
appo dogfight. The winner of this division is going to
have to earn it, and they're gonna have to put
their best foot forward in all six of the games
(35:07):
they play against the division, because I think the parody
is there, and I think again, this might be one
of the best top to bottom divisions that we've seen
from the AFC South historically. And throwing the Colts there too,
they're a tough out. They just got to get quarterbacks
solidified and find some more consistency there, which is what
the Jaguars are trying to do and certainly with the
Titans are trying to do with camp Ward as a
(35:29):
rookie quarterback.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
Matt condolence is about the passing of mister Ersay and
with Carly Orsa Gordon taking over. Tell me how different
it is so far as she seems really up for this,
obviously and ready to take charge and obviously taking charge already.
Speaker 2 (35:47):
But you tell me how it's going so far.
Speaker 5 (35:51):
Well, I appreciate that. You know, Jim irsay was. I mean,
if you're from here and you lived in Indianapolis, I mean,
you just can't. There's just no denying the impact that
Jim had on the community. I mean, if Jim Mersey
is not the steward of the franchise that he was,
there's no Lucas Oil Stadium. There's no Colts probably, and
(36:16):
you know, the city of Indianapolis as a great town
and a great sports town just doesn't exist. We don't
have you know, final fours here in Super Bowls here,
and Taylor Swift concerts and WWEE Royal Rumbulls. I mean,
whatever you're into, Indianapolis is able to bring those things
to town, primarily because Lucas Oil Stadium is here. It's
(36:39):
a state of the art complex and facility. And that's
because of the Colts, and that's because of Jim Mersey.
So it was a really tough thing to see and
go through with his passing about a month ago, very
unexpected age of sixty five. I mean, it's been well
chronicled just how you know, generous of a man he was,
(37:02):
and what he meant to the city. But as it
relates to the family now and with his daughters, you
mentioned Carly ursa Ordon and Kaylen Jackson and also Casey Foyd.
So the three daughters now obviously in full charge of
the franchise, both from a front office standpoint and from
a football operations perspective as well. I think Carly is
(37:24):
going to be most involved on the football side, and
then the other two daughters have their I think strengths
and initiatives that they are very proud of. And oversee,
Kylin is very philanthropic and she's gonna head our community
relations efforts. You know, Casey's going to be very involved
(37:44):
in the marketing side of things. So I think it's
really kind of too early to tell just how this
is all going to evolve, but that's how things are
set up now. But I will tell you that you
know that the three of them have been very, very
involved in the franchise dating back to the high school days.
Jim made it a concerted effort to make sure that
(38:07):
they were exposed to the different areas of the team
football side and non football side. Uh so they got
a good feel for how the franchise is run. Jim
did a good job of pulling back to curtain and
letting them into, you know, meeting rooms when tough decisions
had to be made, hirings and firings, things like that.
(38:28):
So they know ball. And especially with Carly, you know,
she's made an individual effort the last four or five
years to better understand how football works, the mechanics of
the game, she's on a headset during the game. You know,
she wants to hear the communication between the coaches and
the players. She wants to understand, you know, the role
(38:49):
of a special teams coordinator or a strength coach. So
she really has her fingerprints in DNA on just about
everything within this organization now. So really the only thing
that's that's different, obviously is just the passing of Jim,
and now Carly and her two sisters are going to
try and make their imprint on the organizations. They'll do
(39:11):
a great job, but certainly they are in the infancy
of doing just that because of the timeliness of Jim
Mersey's passing in late May. And they understand too that
the urgency is there for this franchise. Chris Ballard, you know,
going into his ninth year and Shane Styching going into
year number three again, haven't won a division in ten
(39:32):
plus years, haven't won a playoff game in six years,
haven't hosted a playoff game since twenty fourteen. There's urgency
there and they know that, and they are prepared to,
you know, make these decisions going forward because they don't
want to just you know, tread water. They don't want
to just make the playoffs once every couple of years.
They want to be the best. They want to They're
(39:54):
here to win and win big, and so they're going
to do everything in their power to make sure that happens.
Speaker 1 (40:00):
Matt, great information. As always, I really appreciate the visit.
Look forward to seeing the Colts this year. I know
we both have a lot of work to do before
that happens, but I appreciate spending time with you.
Speaker 5 (40:11):
Likewise, Mark, you are the best. Hope you enjoy the
rest of your summer and get away a little bit
before training camp starts. In the grind sets in, there's.
Speaker 1 (40:19):
Matt Taylor, voice of the Indianapolis Colts. A lot of
stuff about the dreaded Horseshoe coming up. K C Two
Hill plays for your Texans. Join the team this offseason,
try to make it as a contributor on that defensive line.
We'll check in with him next here on Texans All Access,
final segment of the show tonight. And Johnny and I
caught up with so many of the Texans players around
(40:40):
Mini camp, so we're giving you those interviews between Mini
camp and training camp.
Speaker 2 (40:44):
That's what we do here.
Speaker 1 (40:45):
And we heard from EJ Speed earlier. If you missed
any of that, it's on the podcast. This will be
up in podcast forms soon enough. K C two Hill,
defensive end from San Diego, went to Stanford and he's
been with the Eagles, Washington, Buffalo and now he's here.
And after this interview, I will tell you my guess.
But who does he sound like? What movie star does
(41:06):
Casey Toohill sound like?
Speaker 2 (41:08):
Listen? And it's not just about that he's an interesting guy, Casey.
Why Houston?
Speaker 4 (41:13):
I mean it seems like a simple question in a sense,
but when you're deciding where you want to continue playing football, that.
Speaker 2 (41:19):
Can probably be a little bit tougher.
Speaker 6 (41:21):
Why Houston, Yeah, I mean that's a great question, honestly,
just great culture. The scheme that the Texans run, you know,
I've always respected, I've kept my eye on it. I
have some familiarity with Matt Burke. He coached me when
I was a rookie on the Eagles. So yeah, just
some familiarity there. And also just yeah, I mean what's
being built here special and anyone can see that, and
(41:42):
I wanted to be a part of it.
Speaker 1 (41:43):
Nice when you see what's happened here on the defensive line,
not just at end, but tackles. When you see a
guy like Tommy Togii last year making plays for a
team that has a lot of talent, then defensive end
you see who starts and then Derek Barnett scores two touchdowns.
That's got to give you a lot of encouragement. Hey,
there are a lot of good players here, but I
can contribute.
Speaker 6 (42:02):
Yeah, absolutely, I mean, and that's that's always the position
you want to be in. Just you know, teams that
you know want to get everyone a chance. But at
the same time, like you know your role, and you
come in and you compete and you work hard, and
I think that hard work and improvement is really rewarded here.
Speaker 4 (42:16):
Mark and I have talked about this a lot, Casey
about that defensive line room. We've talked a lot with
the interior defensive line guys. We've talked a lot about
that room and what it's like. And it's pretty big
and crowded right now.
Speaker 3 (42:27):
But what is that room like?
Speaker 4 (42:29):
Good camaraderie, seems like guys have really good relationships, Guys
that have been here for a while.
Speaker 3 (42:33):
Obviously you're new to the mix.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
But what's that room like for you stepping into it.
Speaker 6 (42:37):
Yeah, I mean everyone's been been very welcoming and helpful.
I mean the great camaraderie, but also very high standards,
which is what you want to be a part of.
Speaker 5 (42:44):
Right.
Speaker 6 (42:44):
You don't want to be in a room that has
a bad culture, bad standard. So I could observe, you know,
the high standards, especially like the coaches, you know, you know,
how they approach our improvement, how they want us to improve.
And then also just like you know, will holding everyone
accountable and all the guys in the room, lots of
that's lots of guys who have made a lot of plays,
and that's that's a good room to be.
Speaker 1 (43:03):
In, all right, So tell me, because I know that
you know, players come and go from different teams, do
you save any gear from former teams and especially the
Washington football that's never coming back, that's and it might
be nice to hang on to some of that merch.
I thought about that in the moment as that was
happening a lot. So yeah, you know, I have a
few things here and there, but you know, things you
(43:24):
move around, like things disappear, you know, things get thrown
away by significant others. Maybe I don't want to cast
any blame. So yeah, you know, I have some stuff
here and there, But I mean I really don't care
about any of that stuff.
Speaker 2 (43:36):
Now I'm here and I'm ready.
Speaker 4 (43:37):
To be here, okay from San Diego. So is the
argument in and out versus Waterburger even an argument in
a two hill household?
Speaker 6 (43:44):
No, I mean, that's just the dumbest argument I've had Waburger.
I've headed in and out. Quality is not even the same.
I've also I talked to people in Texas.
Speaker 2 (43:51):
I mean, ever since Waburger got bought by private equity,
I've heard of cargo company now, so yeah, so who cares?
So I'm not worried about that.
Speaker 6 (43:59):
Maybe I'll try it if I I want some mediocre food.
Speaker 4 (44:01):
Okay, there's in and out here too, so there is,
there's one on the way home. I'll probably hit now
that I'm inspired Stanford.
Speaker 2 (44:08):
Stanford.
Speaker 6 (44:09):
You know, honestly, I think it was just the best
fit for what I want to accomplish, kind of how
I viewed myself. Taking academics seriously, and Stanford is just
a place if you want to be around excellent people.
I mean, and I don't say that with arrogance. I
say that with the truth. I mean everyone that was
there was you know, better at pretty much everything than
I was. So it was good if you want to grow,
(44:29):
that's a great place through you know, challenging yourself or
even osmosis with all the people there.
Speaker 2 (44:34):
Do you have any Davis Mills stories for us?
Speaker 5 (44:36):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (44:36):
Yeah, when he was at Stanford, Yeah, we over like
I mean Davis gosh.
Speaker 6 (44:39):
Yeah, so Davis is younger than me. So it's funny
to come come here with him because I remember him
being like an underclassman.
Speaker 2 (44:47):
Good stories.
Speaker 6 (44:47):
I mean, he keeps saying that I owe him like
one hundred dollars for some uber we took once. I
guess that's like the defining moment in our relationship, which
kind of bugs me. But yeah, he's a funny guy,
Davis real right sense of humor. But I I enjoyed
being around him at Stanford and then obviously, like I
would only see him when we played a few times
over the past few years.
Speaker 2 (45:06):
So it's good to be able to reconnect in case.
Yes say this.
Speaker 4 (45:09):
After every game, I look on a field and there
are people hugging from all walks of life on it.
Speaker 3 (45:14):
It's the smallest It's like the.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
Biggest small community in in the world. Great teams.
Speaker 4 (45:19):
Yeah, it's like you know somebody every single game, Like, oh,
I with to the high school with that trainer over there. Yeah,
I went to Stanford with that guy over there. I mean,
is he kind of like that every game where you're
gonna know somebody from the other side.
Speaker 2 (45:32):
Yeah, it's always like fun.
Speaker 6 (45:33):
Sometimes it's it's overwhelming because you're like maybe after the game,
like man, all these people I could like say hi
to her. If you don't say hi to someone, sometimes
they're like, hey missed you, and it's like shoot right,
but it can. Yeah, it's it's really unique, and I
think the longer you go on, the more relationships you build.
It's really worthwhile even seeing like because I think when
you're on a team, like some of those relationships get
so deep and some of the people impact you greatly,
(45:54):
you know, whether it's on the staff, coaches, whatever, and
then if you leave, it's just kind of gone and
you may not see that person ever again. Yeah, so
it's great that I really appreciate like being able to
revisit those relationships when we play.
Speaker 2 (46:04):
It's fun. Casey, thanks so much for joining us, Good
luck to thank you guys appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (46:08):
There's Casey two Hill And when the interview began, I said,
who does he sound like?
Speaker 5 (46:11):
What?
Speaker 2 (46:12):
Movie star? And have you guessed it?
Speaker 1 (46:14):
It's Ryan Reynolds. Doesn't he sound like him? He doesn't
look like him, not that he's a bad looking Guy's
good looking guy. Doesn't look like Ryan Reynolds, but does
sound like Ryan Reynolds. Anyway, that's it for the show tonight.
Thanks so much for listening. Matt Taylor was on Voice
of the Colts e J. Speed again. This is up
in podcast form very soon. Have a great night, Go Texans.
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