Episode 567 | Colts at Steelers Preview + Does Chris Ballard Deserve An Extension?

Intro – 0:00

News of the Week – 2:11

Pittsburgh Steelers – 20:12

Twitter Questions – 25:34

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Colts Steelers. Here we are Week nine of the NFL season.
We are back another edition of Colts Corner with myself,
Kevin Bowen and Eddie Garrison is across the way. A
road favorite in Pittsburgh is not something the Indianapolis Colts
have uttered much in there whatever forty some years of
playing football, but that's where they're at heading into Sunday,

(00:21):
three point favorite. So we'll break down where Pittsburgh's at
right now. Very really a lot of defensive questions and
not a team that I see the record of four
and three and I'm like, I don't really know where
they're four and three or better I guess than whatever
half the league. So a lot to get to on
today's pod.

Speaker 2 (00:41):
Mister Garrison, good afternoon, Good afternoon, mister Bowen.

Speaker 1 (00:49):
I've got nothing to add.

Speaker 2 (00:50):
Really, does it make you feel old when you get
called mister like that?

Speaker 1 (00:54):
I don't know, I just kind of yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:56):
I'm not a big mister Garrison guy either.

Speaker 1 (00:59):
Occasionally I don't think my well, I guess occasionally get
called mister Bowen from Kevin.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
You know the last name the Colts won in Pittsburgh.

Speaker 1 (01:06):
Two thousand and eight. Dominic Rhodes right, big play late
in that game.

Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yep.

Speaker 1 (01:09):
Yeah, I remember a huge favorite, not a huge favorite,
but I remember a favorite in twenty fourteen, and I
remember Antonio Brown humping the goalpost. That's what I remember.
I think Colts gave up fifty I want to say
in that game. Obviously a really good Colts team that
twenty fourteen season, and yeah, I just remember Antonio Brown

(01:29):
doing that. But yeah, I mean it's always one of
my favorite environments. And you know, again, we'll get more
to Pittsburgh here in a few minutes, but you know,
you watch Sunday Night Football and Jordan Love's got twenty
straight completions and I think there are one hundred and
fifty some pass attempts in a row without an interception.
I mean, their their defense is really really struggling. I

(01:51):
do think there are some components of them that you know,
I again, I know, I guess I'm speaking out of
both sides my mouth, but you know, there is the
potential to certainly win. But you know, Shane Sikens really
scored a lot against Mike Tomblin in his career, so
that's probably a little bit of tease of where all
go on my pick here. But nonetheless, let's get into

(02:11):
the bond.

Speaker 2 (02:11):
I was about to say, as we do every Wednesday, keV.
We start with the news items of the week. Then
we'll get into the Pittsburgh Steelers, the opponent this week
for the Colts, and then round it out which we
are questions, and then our prediction for Sunday's game. Let's start.
We touched on this briefly on Monday's pod, the MVP Debate,
and there is a sportsbook out there, Kevin, and since
our pod on Monday, there has been a shift in
the odds. I don't know if you've seen this or not,

(02:32):
but if you have, I'm still going to illuminate on
what this shift is. So our audience is also aware
because there may not be you know, big gamblers out
there like myself. Patrick Mahomes is the favorite. Josh Allen
number two, Drake May third best odds, Matthew Stafford, Jordan
Love tied for fourth best. And then it is not
Daniel Jones Jonathan Taylor. After your rant on Monday, Kevin,

(02:54):
he has surged up the charts. He is right behind
Jordan Love for six best odds to win MVP. Daniel
Jones is tied for eighth with Jalen Hurts and Baker Mayfield.

Speaker 1 (03:07):
You know, I forget if we bless me. I forget
if we went over this on Monday. But we had
a listener reach out and they wanted to change the acronym,
and I'm all aboard it. No more MVP. How about
MOP post outstanding Player? Don't we do that in the
final four?

Speaker 2 (03:25):
Yeah?

Speaker 1 (03:25):
Most outstanding player in our region? We also, I think
doing the NCAA tournament by all means I love that,
you know, I think back to Jonathan Taylor in twenty
twenty one. Eddie led the league in rushing by more
than five hundred yards. I think Nick Chubb I believe
a second that season, and of the fifty votes for

(03:46):
MVP that year, Jonathan Taylor got as many as you.
And if you think back to that season as well, so.

Speaker 2 (03:54):
Are you saying that you got to vote and that's
why you're not in the same category, then.

Speaker 1 (03:57):
No goose eggs around brother? Okay, that same year, Cooper
Cup Triple Crown. You know how many Triple Crown Award
winners we've had in the last thirty years. Cooper Cup
leader catches yards touchdowns? Are you including Jamar Chase from
last year? Including Cooper cup Sure? How many we've had three?
Three and thirty plus years? Okay, Cooper cup Oon vote

(04:20):
for MVP? How many Jamar Chase Kate last year?

Speaker 2 (04:24):
I don't think you got any?

Speaker 1 (04:25):
Zero? How many does Steve Smith get back in whatever
that year was? Zero? Zero? It's just it's a quarterback award.
So I'll continue to rant and rave and again. If
I'm applying this to the Colts, who is the most valuable?

Speaker 2 (04:41):
I don't just rename it to the BQA best quarterback.

Speaker 1 (04:44):
I like it Colts, Donald Taylor, excuse me, Daniel Jones
in terms of value, but the best player it's Taylor.
So he's gonna need the marquee moments. You know, at Arrowhead,
you know things like I mean at Pittsburgh if you
look at the national window. I know people in our
audience might not care about it because they live within
you know, X amount of miles of Indianapolis. But I

(05:06):
know we have Colts fans from around the country. The
cults are actually a massive viewing map for this weekend.

Speaker 2 (05:12):
Global. We're global, Kevin this podcast.

Speaker 1 (05:14):
We are global. I know the CBS coverage map doesn't
expand everybody across the seas, but for those here in
the United States, it's a big old map for Colts
and Steelers getting that one o'clock window on Sunday. So yeah,
I think Sunday could matter a little bit more. But yeah,
I just want to sneak that. In terms of where
I'm at with Jonathan Taylor right now and Daniel Jones and.

Speaker 2 (05:33):
The MVP chatter, you know, it's fascinating because I'm the
other way. I think the MVPs Dalel Jones.

Speaker 1 (05:41):
Right. Yeah, yes, didn't I say that.

Speaker 2 (05:43):
I thought you said Jonathan Taylor.

Speaker 1 (05:45):
No, no, no, if you changed the word to most
outstanding player, oh no, no, no, value is still a quarterback. Yeah.
Value is always a quarterback. That's how that position works. Yeah,
I agree, But best player, most outstanding player. To me,
that's Taylor, And I get some people like dude, it's
semantics who cares well yes and no. To me, it's

(06:05):
a little different. That's why you know, the Heisman just
is different. It just sounds different. And that's why I
loved last year that Travis Hunter and Nashon genty for
one two in that voting, and we finally broke away
from you know, not giving it to.

Speaker 2 (06:18):
A quarterback topic number two on the news items of
the week. Could lead to maybe a third pod next week,
but I highly doubt it. The trade deadline, of course, Tuesday,
four o'clock Eastern. As of now, we'll have the normal
Monday pod in the pod on Wednesday around you know,
four o'clock, five o'clock, whenever we can get it out

(06:39):
to you and whenever you can listen, quite frankly, but
trade deadline is looming. Obviously. The Pittsburgh Steelers make a
trade yesterday. They trade a seventh ro out pick for
Kyle Dugger. I don't know if Dugger will suit up
this weekend for Pittsburgh or not. But as you kind
of look at things, keV based off the reporting from
like Ian Rappaport, Mike Garafolo, Adam Schefter, you name the

(07:00):
insiders that have that kind of information, it seems like
wide receiver in cornerback are two of the biggest markets
of teams that are trying to find things. So could
that lead to Chris Ballard not going the route of
cornerback just because the value of these players that could
be available won't match what you're going to give up,
thus him focusing more on edge rusher because the number

(07:24):
of teams looking for a potential pass rusher could be
slim in comparison to cornerback.

Speaker 1 (07:28):
Yeah, that would be just fine with me. I did
think the Colts have legit interest in adding a defender.
And I think, you know, the two areas that you
just cover their corner and pass rusher are the two areas.
Now again, how does all that come together by Tuesday
at four o'clock means to be seen? You know, typically
in the NFL, Addie, if you don't see a notable
roster move on a Monday or Tuesday, that probably puts

(07:50):
everything on the back burner until next week, just of
how the practice schedule works and things like that. And
I don't believe the Colts. I think we touched on
this Monday. I don't think they're going to Berlin until
after Thursday's practice, So you would still plenty of time
next week to get it done early in the week,
and you know, still travel overseas with the team. You know,
I continue to be a little bit more team pass rush,

(08:11):
you know. I thought J T twoim all Allow, for example,
had a really nice quarterback hit of camboard on Sunday,
but that was it. You know, he actually had a
goose egg in the stat sheet besides that in thirty
five snaps. So you know, for those out there that
might we're looking and saying, okay, let's hold out some
hope here. You know, corner I think has more of
that potential. We'll see if Jalen Jones plays this week.

(08:32):
He was practicing again today, some light rain at colds practice,
which probably a good preparation for I want to say
they're outdoors five to the next six weeks or five
to the next six games. So Jalen Jones the second
straight week, obviously, Travarious Ward, you think at some point
as well, I don't see that at defensive end. Again,
it's right now, from a passing yard standpoint, it's the

(08:55):
worst five game span of any team in the NFL
this season. I get there's a little bit of fourth
quarter inflation to do with that, but you know, I
think one thing too to remind people, and I think
for the most part people know this, but you know,
if you look at recent Super Bowl winners, Eddie, they
get after the quarterback, and they typically after the quarterback
at a very high level last year. Philly is I

(09:19):
think the only one that hadn't ranked in the top
ten in sacks for past the temp over the last
handful of years, and then Philly wents the playoffs rolled around,
they turned into that unit. We obviously all witnessed what
happened in the Super Bowl there. I don't I don't
think the Colts are capable of doing that right now.
So you know, are you all of a sudden gonna

(09:40):
flip a switch and do it? But you know, again,
go back to the Super Bowl. I don't consider two
thousand and six. I don't consider the move for Booger McFarlane,
you know, Miles Garrett or Max Crosby or Trey Hendrickson.
But I considered it an infusion of an area that
needed some improvement, and it worked. It was a key,
key ingredient in the Colts winning that Super Bowl. If

(10:01):
you look at Quitty Pays season, you know, he had
that nice game against Arizona, but for the most part
it's kind of been back to his normal self. So
you know, I've been pretty bullish on this for the
last couple of weeks now, and I continue to kind
of be that way when it comes to the pastors,
they still continue to work out a ton of dns,
a ton of corners, both in the veteran market. So
you know, even there's been some interest there. And you know,

(10:23):
something that Lou and a Room was said earlier this
week Eddie that I think was encouraging for Colts fans
to hear, and maybe it was just confirmation was he
got asked very specifically about Ben but Ben but don't
break and that phrase, and Lou made it very clear,
and I think it's fair to say, unlike his predecessor,

(10:45):
he is not content with Ben but don't break. I
think Gus Bradley expressed more contentment with that, more accepting
of it, whereas Lou he you know, and again given
their situation right now, there probably is going to be
a little bit more Ben but don't Break. He does
not want that, you know, seven of ten drives for
Tennessee entering Indie territory. That's not what he wants. They

(11:06):
want to be an attacking, aggressive mindset and I think
that's a big reason why you've able You've been able
to overcome some of the yardage issues there. So we'll see,
we'll see what happens, you know, coming up Monday, Tuesday.
You know, how much action is there around the league?
What do we see? We saw Rams and Titans, right,
Roger McCurry, you know, heading out to the Rams. I

(11:28):
mean that's kind of the ideal deadline move, sell team
by team, cross conference. I go back to Week four
Colts and Rams. They had cornerback issues then, so all
that kind of kind of makes sense here. The patriot
trades that we saw are you know, Kyle Duggart of
the Steelers. We'll see if Michael Pittman Junior fights him
like they got into a few years ago on Sunday.

(11:49):
But you know, again, new defensive system, new coaching staff
in New England. Hey, this guy's not really playing the
same role for us, you know. But you know, those
are some of the deals that you see this time
of year.

Speaker 2 (12:01):
So yeah, I want to ask you this. We may
have talked about this on a previous spot. I can't remember,
but it's something that I've talked about with Jake, Like,
if you're making this move, if you're Chris Ballard, how
much of the contract are you valuing into this? Are
you looking for a guy that's you know, on the

(12:23):
last year of his rookie deal, like Julian Phillips with Miami,
Are you looking at a guy that you know has
a year or two left underneath or left on the
contract just because it's a fascinating thing. I think you
have to you know, way here because of we've already
talked about a countless times keV, but the number of
guys that you have that are free agents that you

(12:44):
have to try to retain after this season, especially with
the price tag that's going to be Daniel Jones, You've
got a you know, penny pinches in certain areas, and
so if you're trying to make this move to try
to show up your roster because you feel like you
have a chance to compete this season, then I would
lean towards you, you know, just trying to get a guy
that's like quote unquote rental for the rest of this year. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (13:03):
I think all of this very fair points to bring up.
You know, there's a level of pickiness that I think
is difficult when you're trying to execute a mid season trade.
Of Yeah, an ideal world, it would fit your financial
puzzle perfectly, but that just doesn't I think exist that
often in the middle of a season here and again,

(13:24):
finances and maybe we'll get more of this in the
bye week. We had a couple bigger picture questions by
the way, I think we'll stay for the bye week podcast,
but a few others that will sneak in there coming
up here in a bit. But yes, things are about
to get more complicated. And you know, that's a great
problem to have. That means that you've had some levels
of success, You've had some levels of success at positions

(13:45):
that matter, you know, like those sorts of things. So yeah,
I think those are all aspects that you have to
think about because you know, financially of Let's just go
down the list. Daniel Jones, duh okay, Alec Pierce, Okay,
what does that look like? Michael Pittman Jr. Is he
coming to you want a new one? If Jonathan Taylor

(14:05):
has this season that he's having right now, he's gonna
want some juice on that.

Speaker 2 (14:09):
Quent Nelson, we don't.

Speaker 1 (14:11):
We don't have Jonathan Taylor's agent operates h Quent Nelson.
You know, is Braden Smith still around? Is he back
as he retired? You know what Cross the Cross? Are
you paying him? And can buying them? Both big money.
You know, all of these things are very relevant, and
I think one thing to keep in mind. I know
he mentioned this on Monday, but by no means, don't
want to act like the Colts are an old team.

(14:31):
But when you talk about twenty nine, thirty thirty one,
thirty two year olds, you're talking Rover Stewart, the Forrest Buckner,
Ziar Franklin, Kenny Moore, Saveria's Ward Braden Smith. You know,
some of these guys are getting quent. Nelson I think

(14:52):
falls into that group. Are you know, they're just getting
up there a little bit. By no means are they
walking down the eighteenth Fairway, but they're just getting up
there a little bit. So that's also something to keep
in mind and why I think some urgency should be there.

Speaker 2 (15:04):
Uh this was in August, Kevin. Surprisingly enough, the culture
the third youngest team in the NFL on average.

Speaker 1 (15:12):
Really m yeah, So again I don't think they're old.
Imy Pittsburgh I think is a lot older Frankly, but
you do have some guys, some like notable, you know,
and a lot of this just kind of you know,
like all of a sudden, the Broncos are going to
become older when Mercedes Lewis gets on their fifty three
men roster, like if you have an old kicker, that
can impact some things, you know when when Venetaria was around.
But you know those seven names I just mentioned, I

(15:34):
mean those are seven of your what your top I
don't know, fifteen players in your team, twenty players in
your team, so you know, by no means is this
you know whatever? I'm trying to think of a young
team right now. That's you know, having a bit of
a surprise year. I guess I don't know if New
England wuld necessarily qualifies that, but maybe they would.

Speaker 2 (15:50):
I would throw New England to that makes yeah, just
because you know first year Mike Rabel, it's you're number
two with Drake May and you know a lot of
people anticipate they would even better, but not, I mean
didn't anticipate that they would have the second best record. Sure,
and then in the AFC.

Speaker 1 (16:06):
Sure.

Speaker 2 (16:07):
Let us shift now to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Everyone knows
who their quarterback is?

Speaker 1 (16:11):
Can we go over Caltinder report before we get to
the Steelers here? Yes, again, we'll await it usually comes
out during this pod. But guys, that did not appear
to be practicing rest days. It looks like for Kenny
Moore and Braden Smith, I think we're kind of used
to that on Wednesdays. Still, no Taekwon, Lewis and Sampson
Ebcom We'll see, in probably Lewis's case, if he can
get back tomorrow, would two days be enough for him?

(16:31):
Ebacoma was always thought week to week, which in my
lingo means multiple weeks. Maybe a new part returner for
the first time this season. Josh Downs has done it before,
did it last year, and a mirror Abdullah has also
done it last year. I think it was the Raiders
a little bit there, So Ashton Anthony I don't remember him, do,
I mean obviously kick returner. So if Anthony Gould, who

(16:55):
got hurt late in that winter of the Titans, if
he can't go, my guests would be Downs. But Abdulah
has done it and clearly they trust him on special
teams right now.

Speaker 2 (17:04):
And you probably don't want Josh Downs playing on special
teams to take any potential extra hits, right I.

Speaker 1 (17:08):
Mean, Downs did it last year when Gould got pseudo benched,
So yeah, I mean, honestly, just ball secure Yeah, sure,
I I hear what you're saying, but you know, it
seems like punk returns are so few and far between
even this year. Certainly condolences to Matt Gonzalvez and his family,
so he put out there on Instagram that his father

(17:29):
had passed, and you know, they appear to be extremely close,
and he was not at practice today, so I assume
you'll see that as a personal matter. On the injury report,
we've talked about the Colts offensive line, how durable that
group has been, and how together that group has been
this season. The Rams game, the only game missed. Gonzalveez

(17:51):
was the one that missed that game with a toe injury.
It was kind of interesting listening to, you know, some
of the offensive line chatter today, and you know, Bradsmith mentioning, how,
you know, feels like it's closest that group has been here,
that group has been since he has gotten here, and
you know, when asked to explain, he kind of mentioned, hey,
you know, sometimes whatever ego can get in the way,

(18:13):
you can have one bad apple. Things like that. It
was very enlightening from bradon Smith and describing that offensive
line group, who I think deserves a lot of credit
for how they've played this season.

Speaker 2 (18:25):
That's really interesting considering who's not here anymore.

Speaker 1 (18:27):
Yeah, I mean Ryan Kelly and Will Fries would be
the two that obviously left that f last season. You know,
they've had the same position coach now and Tony Sprown
and junior for several years. Offensive staff wise, they've been
very similar. So yeah, Brandon Smith was definitely opened up
on a variety of things and obviously his own journey
to get back to playing this season. He mentioned actually
Sunday before the game he had a bit of a

(18:49):
you know, I hope I'm phrasing it correctly here, but
a bit of a you know, OCD type of episode moment,
and feels like now he knows the proper ways to
try and handle the situations when they do arise, and
said he practiced those and was able to handle it,
and once the game started he said he wasn't even
thinking about it really at all. The two names that

(19:09):
I guess I didn't expect see on the injury report,
just to keep an eye on. We'll see about Grover Stewart. Stewart, Yeah,
I know there are some reports he was in a
boot earlier this week. You know, he typically is a
Thursday off day guy if I have my days right,
So I don't know something just to keep an eye.
And then Nick Cross and we talk about the safety
play this season, him and Cameron buying him have Wait,

(19:31):
I don't even think they've missed a snap comes the game.
So a little bit of a lengthier injury report than
we're used to the Colts. That would be my expectation
when it comes out later today.

Speaker 2 (19:42):
Before Kevin rudely interrupted me, and he's gonna get raisins
or I mean whoppers or something in your in your
basket or a warhead. Oh you're not a warhead, gang wad. Okay,
well I'm not giving you warheads. I'm giving you something
that you would not like if you enjoys. Yeah, Almonds,
that's a good one. That's a great one. Tousy rolls

(20:03):
another one.

Speaker 1 (20:05):
Obviously. Honestly, now that I see him, I just think
that my kids poop somewhere around the house the jumbo size.

Speaker 2 (20:12):
Yeah, all right, let's dive into the Pittsburgh Steelers. Obviously,
we know their quarterback is Aaron Rodgers. Their top running
back is Jalen Warren. The guy that they use to
kind of spell him. Kenneth Gainville had a nice game
overseas against Minnesota when Jalen Warren was out prior to
their Byewake. Their top receiver DK Metcalf, their top tight
end Pat Fryarmouth. Other names to monitor in the receiving room.

(20:36):
Roman Wilson has started to come on lately for the
Pittsburgh Steelers. Calvin Austin the third is another one. John
new Smith is a guy that obviously has been tied
with Arthur Smith throughout the entire pretty much coaching career
for Arthur Smith, starting in Tennessee, then Atlanta. He was
with Miami, Arthur Smith wasn't, but Johnny Smith was Now

(20:58):
with Pittsburgh. Jar Now Washington is the guy they like
to target in the red zone because he's, as the
kids say, six to seven, three hundred pounds, and so
they just toss it up to him in the red
zone just because he can, you know, box out like
you're going up for a rebound if you're a sinner.
As a team, Pittsburgh offensively, they rank twenty fifth in

(21:21):
yards per game, sixteenth yards per play, twenty fifth, rush
yards a game twenty second, and rush yards per play,
nineteenth pass yards a game, fifteenth yards per pass completion,
and then yeah, eleventh and sacks.

Speaker 1 (21:38):
Yeah, when you rattle off some of those stats, Eddie,
they really are not like top ten or even top
half in many things. Red zone, they're really good both
sides of the ball and turnovers. They've been pretty good
from a ratio standpoint, but that's really it. They have
struggled in many areas and for those that haven't been
paying attention their defense, it is firestorm in Pittsburgh right now.

(22:02):
My Tomlin is fielding questions on if he's going to
take over play calling duties again. Shane Stiken has had
his way scoring wise with Tara Austin their DC and
Chainstiken over the last three years. I think I saw
a stat where Pittsburgh has allowed thirty or more points
in four of their first seven games. That is correct, Yep,
that has happened only one other time in my lifetime.

(22:25):
And for those that don't know, my age thirty six
and I've already had a hair transplant. Nice to meet you.
I'm Kevin Boone.

Speaker 2 (22:34):
Hellok, Kevin.

Speaker 1 (22:37):
You know Eddie, I told you earlier, I said it
on the podcast, Like you know you watch Sunday Night football.
I watched a good amount of it. I mean, Jordan
Love twenty straight completions and you got to go back
to their game in Dublin. When wins throw a pick,
I think it's one hundred and fifty six straight passes
without an iront so I saw Dane Orrolofski mentioned earlier
this week. I often watched a Steelers tape and write
down the note I have no idea what they're doing. Yep,

(22:58):
So there you go. H that's the reality where they're
at in the wild. Thing is like you look at
every level of their defense and you're like, oh wait,
what that guy's there? Like, I mean there are some
recognizable names.

Speaker 2 (23:10):
Obviously Cam Heyward in the middle, but I just start
to think he's starting to get up there and he's
starting to slow down a little bit too.

Speaker 1 (23:16):
Corners are a little older with Sleigh and Ramsey. I
don't think WAT has been truly watt this year.

Speaker 2 (23:24):
I mean because of Alex Heigtsmith. He's Alex Highsmith miss side.
Yeah he's not there. He's not there right now because
he's hurt. So all the attention now has been on
t back but correct me if I'm wrong on that.

Speaker 1 (23:34):
I haven't seen today's injury report, but you know, that's
always been an interesting element of this matchup because you know,
for the most part, Watt is the opposite Braden Smith.
So you know, certainly Max Crosby a couple weeks ago,
the culture outstands, and that's where I get into. Okay,
there are a lot of areas where I look at
this Pittsburgh team and it's surprising their four and three,
but a couple of areas that I think just offer

(23:55):
the yellow flag. I probably was unfair with Aaron Rodgers
last you're based off that Jets game. I thought he
looked old, old as hell. I've watched it for a
couple times this season. I don't see that. I don't
see like crippling Aaron Olds. Now obviously I don't see
MVP Aaron Rodgers, but I don't see crippling Aaron Rodgers.
I didn't think Jalen Warren is a nice back.

Speaker 2 (24:15):
I do too, and.

Speaker 1 (24:17):
Can impact the game in multiple ways. And their tight ends,
as Eddie laid out there, they do have some and
plural tight ends, so those are right, and then you
know with Metcalf, to me, this scream to Travaio's ward
shadow game. He's not here and he won't be here
for Drake London and all like that next week. So

(24:37):
you know, when you think about that, how do you
handle that? You know, again, does Jalen Jones get back?
What's his role if he's back? All of those questions
that you would have. And then defensively, two things. One again,
don't let their edge guys wreck the game, don't get
in the obvious, and let Wat get going because we
know he can do that, especially in that in that stadium.

Speaker 2 (24:57):
Yeah, high Smith is back. I didn't realize he had
been back 't two weeks. It just shows how ineffective
he's been since coming back.

Speaker 1 (25:03):
Right, But they lost to Sean Elliott on Sunday night,
and he is I don't know what the ideal comp is.
I guess maybe a Cam Biningham type comp. He is
kind of their guy in the back end of their defense.
Gets everybody in the same page.

Speaker 2 (25:15):
The quarterback of their defense secondary.

Speaker 1 (25:18):
Game acts in this season, and their stats with and
without him are very different in the negative light when
he doesn't play well. Now he is out out. So
there's a couple more things to throw in there on
the on the Steelers.

Speaker 2 (25:32):
You ready for shorter questions, Let's have a handful of
him to get to the mail bag was pretty well,
we can't call it a mail bag. Did you used
to call it mailbag back in the early days of
the pot night.

Speaker 1 (25:42):
Of Yeah, that's probably lazy, but I maybe, Yeah, that
sounds like something I would have done.

Speaker 2 (25:46):
Starting with Josh, after watching Daniel Daniel Jones play at
such a high level through the first half of the season,
Josh can't imagine the quarterback completion between him and Anthony
Richardson was ever or competition was ever?

Speaker 1 (25:59):
The close?

Speaker 2 (26:00):
How early in camp do you think Sheen steike knew
he was going with Daniel Jones. Loved the pod, Thanks,
Josh and Kevin. I want to add another element to this,
was Daniel Jones the guy from the get go, from
the moment they signed him.

Speaker 1 (26:14):
Yeah, Josh, it's a good question. Yeah, I don't know
from the moment they signed him. I mean I think
there were some whispers behind the scenes of like, hey,
this is gonna be very real and we really like
what Daniel Jones is gonna bring. I think my first
yellow flag was when Richardson missed seven of the nine

(26:35):
days in the spring, and Eddie, I think the podcast
that you heard right after that I made that a
big deal. Like, to me, that was a big deal.

Speaker 2 (26:44):
The Ballard made it so whole hum right now.

Speaker 1 (26:46):
And I didn't understand that. I'm like, wait a minute,
you said the biggest question about Anthony Rierson at the
end of season was about availability.

Speaker 2 (26:53):
Yep.

Speaker 1 (26:53):
So now it's not five months later, right, So that
that didn't add up to me. And then you know,
as camp moved along, you know it it really gosh,
it seemed like a house divided with the fan base
of like, if you compliment Jones, you hate Richardson. If

(27:14):
you compliment Richardson, you hate Jones. Like it had that
feel on the training camps, and you know, I remember
just saying like, Okay, so far Daniel Jones has just
been like steady, hasn't turned it over. Really, but there
definitely were a lack of big plays. I thought the
early nail in the Richardson coffin was the Baltimore play, yep.

(27:37):
And once that happened, it was kind of like, oh boy,
this now is really real for the Jerseys. And I
think I kind of shared with you. You know, if
you listen to Stike and I think he's telling us
something here, and I think our listeners to the podcast
kind of knew where I was going with that. You know,
I don't think there was a I mean, any fan
could go out there and watch practice. I mean, from

(27:58):
a completion standpoint, it wasn't like it was a massive difference.
But you know, I think Shane wanted somebody intellectually, I
don't know if that's the right word, but someone that
could just kind of match him. And if you weren't
going to get all of the unique stuff that Richardson does,
then you know he was probably gonna go with Daniel Jones.
And that's how played out.

Speaker 2 (28:20):
Roberto is next. If you compare this cult version with
the last one I remember, with Super Bowl chances I
cults in at twenty fourteen, which one do you think
is better? Better?

Speaker 1 (28:36):
Hmm, that's a good question. I haven't really given that
too much thought. I guess we just brought.

Speaker 2 (28:41):
Up Saludos des de Mexico ermano from Roberto.

Speaker 1 (28:46):
Oh gosh, yeah, de nada. I don't even know how
to respond. Mio Moore, I love you, that's my love,
Oh my love. Tayo more? Is that right? Maybe Tango
la camisa neegro was the song that we sang in
Spanish four with Heather Chandler. That's about where I should

(29:08):
probably stop or else I'm really gonna get myself in
some Spanish, some espin trouble. I thought for a split
second that was just you just speaking.

Speaker 2 (29:16):
No, that's greetings from Mexico, brother bat.

Speaker 1 (29:19):
Oh thank you. Uh twenty fourteen? Yeah, well, I guess
let me start here. That obviously was a Patriots team.
I don't I don't know if anybody view like I
don't know if anyone views like, oh, yeah, the Cults
are going to the super Bowl, like like but like

(29:41):
a seven and one, Like if the Chiefs were seven
to one right now, everybody be like, O, yeah, the
Chiefs are going to super Bowl. I mean how a
lot of people probably still think the Chiefs are going
to the super Bowl. I will say this, Andrew Luckiness
third year offered you some pretty dynamic quarterback play, you know,
if they eliminate because that season ended with what boom
heron as you're starting running back?

Speaker 2 (29:59):
What what a callback?

Speaker 1 (30:01):
Right? I mean, tup Erson, did you even make the
trip to Foxborough. If I remember correctly, rest in pieces
or a lone Tipton and he was up there on
the depth charts, so you know that team had quite
the weapon of Vonte Davis. I will always sadly rest
in peace there. I will always remember that game in
Denver and what Vontae Davis did to Demarius Thomas and

(30:21):
who was an Emmanuel Sanders And I don't know, is
it Eric Decker? Was that the other one? Yeah, missus
Decker very attractive and some would say, mister Decker probably
shout out to our females that are listening out there,
if they're Eric Decker fans, stand up, you know. Again,
I get back to what I said, kind of lead
off the pot Eddie of do you have a pass

(30:43):
rush that's capable? And I don't think the Colts pass
rush necessarily that season was like mathis led the league
in Saxon. Want to say that you're prior, but like
remember the Jonathan Newson play in Denver. I mean that
was a huge play in that game. I think you
had a little bit more than I think this group
has shown me right now. So I don't know. Obviously
your offense is historically good. It wasn't reaching that levels

(31:05):
in twenty fourteen. You definitely had some pretty good moments.
You know, Reggie really fought through some injuries late in
that season and see why I was really emerging as
an elite player there. I'd probably vote for the twenty
fourteen squad just because of I don't know, there's just
a little bit of a been there, done that of
like you won a game or excuse me, you got
there in twenty twelve, then you won a game in thirteen,

(31:26):
the big comeback against Kansas City, and then you go
on to win win the Denver game. Like do you
believe in learning processes in the postseason?

Speaker 2 (31:33):
Absolutely? Absolutely?

Speaker 1 (31:36):
Yeah, And yeah there's part of me that kind of
goes there too, So yeah, I see some similarities. If
you made me pick like one or the other, I'd
say twenty fourteen slightly right now, but you know, we'll
see what the rest of the season uh unfolded?

Speaker 2 (31:51):
All right, Roberta, I want you to grade my Spanish here.
You can reach out to me at Eddie Garrison Underscore
on Twitter and if for that matter, anyone can in
GROSSI has Poor scoojar L podcast, Kings Unbien Finn day SEMANA,
Holy shit, that sounded great. It's a ken Fred that

(32:14):
you podcast? Kevin, come on, that sounded on.

Speaker 1 (32:16):
Did you just Google translate? What did you do there?

Speaker 2 (32:19):
I had to make sure I had the right verbs,
so the only thing I had to look up there
was to listen. I just wanted to make sure it
was a scoochar A.

Speaker 1 (32:26):
Couple items to note on Pittsburgh's injury report. Friar Mouth
and for those that watch Sunday Night football, he got banged.
I mean it was like he wasn't coming back in
the game. He did. He did not practice today due
to a quad and then Zach Fraser, They're starting center,
did not practice due to a calf. So they lost
Isaac Seumalo, their guard in that game, to a peck injury,
and now Fraser, their center, miss Wednesday. So seemingly every

(32:49):
week the Colts have been dealtless hand of you know,
one to two guys on the opposing offensive line seemed
to be a bit banged up. That would be very
notable for the Pittsburgh team right now. Cannot afford that,
particularly in the trenches. So some items to watch, which
is kind of typical, you get what eight weeks into
a season. I know Pittsburgh I think is already Yeah,
they've already had there by.

Speaker 2 (33:10):
We got a trade. Jets are sending Michael Carter, cornerback
in a seventh round pick to the Eagles for John
Metchi in a twenty twenty seven to sixth There's another
cornerback traded, Michael Carter.

Speaker 1 (33:22):
That's not the running back that I tried to add
in fantasy.

Speaker 2 (33:24):
No, no it's not. By the way, Kevin, I love
taking Spanish in high school. So if that didn't show there,
just yeah, that was great.

Speaker 1 (33:33):
Again, I know nothing but fund it beautiful.

Speaker 2 (33:36):
I've got three questions left, starting with Steven at this point,
do you think Chris Ballard keeps his job for next year?
Have the Colts done enough? If you believe so? What
do the Colts need to do for you to believe
he should get another year? I didn't think he should
have been brought back this year, but the team finally
made a huge leap. But is it enough? Thank you

(33:58):
very much, Kevin and Steven. It's ironic. I hadn't fully
looked over at the Twitter questions for the Padia when
you and I started our prepod meeting, and I made
mention to you, was like, it's pretty wild that, Kevin,
We're gonna go from Chris Ballard being on the hot
seat this year to him winning Executive of the Year
at this rate.

Speaker 1 (34:15):
Yeah, and I think we had curvet I'm wrong. Did
we get a couple of these type of questions probably,
you know about Ballard and the big the big picture stuff. Yeah,
I guess I'll just answer them both now. If we
have any others eddy we do.

Speaker 2 (34:28):
This is from that golf guy. This is relatively positive
Chris Ballard question for once. He clearly figured it out
this offseason with the quarterback, defensive coordinator, in impact free agents.
But if the Colts don't make a major trade move
and say, lose in the first round of the playoffs,
has he done enough right now to prove his process
is working? Basically? Has Ballard extending himself another few years

(34:51):
with this start? Just curious if the seventy one start
is enough to change the narrative on him.

Speaker 1 (34:56):
Thanks as always, Yeah, appreciate the questions, certainly. You know
I've said at the end of the last years, I
thought Gus Bradley should have gone, and I thought Chris
Bauer should have gone. I think one thing that deserves
definite praise, and I get there's a level of frustration
that it took maybe eight years to get to this level.

(35:19):
But I do think, particularly with people in positions of
major authority, to change your plan of attack, I think
takes some humility and take some public admittance of being
wrong at times, and I think Chris Ballard did that
this past offseason. The most Eddie I would say is
in the free agency spending. Now, Shane Stikeen was also

(35:42):
very close to Gus Bradley, very close, so you know,
the whole Gus Bradley approach. You know, I think I
said to you quite often in the first two years
of Stichen, I don't understand why he is accepting of
this is the defense. Shane Stikeen is an obsessed with
preparation in stressing an opponent one if you says Saturday,
as you know you are with the Reds, and for

(36:05):
him to have been as content as he was with Bradley,
and so I think basically I'm saying Ballard and stike
And both were kind of in that camp of like, no, yeah,
you know Gus here now. So for both of them
to take the one to eighty this offseason I think
is important. Has the defense been perfect? No, but I
think Loui an Romo's willingness to change up things has

(36:27):
covered up, frankly some of the personnel, particularly back at
corner here. You know, I would assume this keeps Ballad.
I don't know. I guess there's the internal fight of
like does eight weeks rewrite eight years?

Speaker 2 (36:43):
Right?

Speaker 1 (36:45):
And is this just part of hey, we need to
forget about?

Speaker 2 (36:49):
Is that?

Speaker 1 (36:50):
Like I feel like I'm like saying BC here is
this like chapter three? Yeah? Well again, I mean I
shouldn't use the religious analogies. People are going to be
probably pretty offended by that. But you know what I'm
getting at. It's just like pre life, pre pre COVID
and life post COVID. Yeah, I guess it's like the
best way to.

Speaker 2 (37:08):
Pre COVID, during COVID, post COVID.

Speaker 1 (37:10):
Right, Like are we in post COVID Ballard? And like
now we only evaluate life as that.

Speaker 2 (37:17):
Is that a pre marriage and post marriage.

Speaker 1 (37:19):
That might be hopefully for everyone's say that that might
be a horrible analogy. So you know, one thing, I
think that Ballard and I probably had not done a
good enough job of this. Ballad deserves credit on is
believing in Shane Stiking. You know, there was a reason
why I didn't put Spichen on the fire list back
in January. Yeah, I've always been very bullish on Chain,
but believing he could handle everything was a question I had,

(37:41):
and you know Ballart clearly hired him and and Shane
admitted today. I actually asked him, you know, hey, where
do you feel like you've grown in your three and
he did say dipping kind of his toes in other places.
Mm hmm, okay, I need to be a little bit
more here, and you'd be a little bit more here,
like not as much offensive centric. Who knows, maybe having
a quarterback that you feel like and handle it a
little bit more from an acumen standpoint helps in that area.

(38:04):
You know, one thing to keep in mind about Ballad,
if I'm not mistaken, Eddie, I want to say the
contract goes through twenty six when they extended him and
Reich back in whatever that was twenty one twenty two.
You know, is there any part of Carli Orsa Gordon
that says, all right, let's write out this extension.

Speaker 2 (38:19):
This seems the most plausible.

Speaker 1 (38:21):
Maybe not give him an extension, right, but do you
write it out? And again we get into the awkward
nature of like GM and head coach. Like if you
compare the Stikeen resume to the Ballad resume right now, HM,
and you gave a letter grade to both, and let's
evaluate the whole resume. Stichen would be what B I
was going to say, like A minus B plus. Maybe

(38:43):
he needs to finish out this year and win a
playoff game is getting the A minus range, but let's
call it a B plus. The Ballad resume would be
D plus T minus. Yeah, So if you evaluated those
two letter grades, obviously Seichen has been better than Ballad.
But having said that, Ballard hired Stikeen m H. And
the hierarchy of the NFL works is Ballard has more

(39:05):
cloud than Stiching, GMS have more cloud than head coaches.
So that's where it makes it a little bit. If
they were flipped. If the GM was the B plus
and the head coach was the C minus, you'd say,
just fire the head coach, right and let the GM
hire another head coach.

Speaker 2 (39:21):
That's how it felt, you know, with the Frank Craig
hera toward the end.

Speaker 1 (39:25):
Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah, I think that's probably fair to
say it, but that's not again, twenty twenty five cults reality.
So you know, as I sit here right now, I
mean again, you got to give you know, Chris certainly
credit for the defensive change, you know, quarterback wise for
you know, playing that game this offseason, and you know,

(39:47):
I think Shane definitely has some input, but you know,
personnel moves, you have to point to the GM there
in deciding that, you know, Daniel was kind of the
right matchup, if you will, or right, I don't know,
counter to Anthony rich it'd send you know, some might
say taking Tyler Warren was a was a no brainer,
but you know, having the wherewithal to stay there, not
panicked during the draft and you know, taken with a

(40:09):
fourteenth pick. I'm trying to think other personnel. I guess
that was a big stuff. Really. Obviously the free agency
we we've spoken to. So yeah, I think I'm probably
in the team. Let's see, obviously how the rest of
the season plays out, and if you're Carly, you probably
go ahead and ride it through twenty twenty six. But yeah,

(40:35):
I don't know, it's probably more of a bi week
thought I should give and yeah, I'm just always torn
on the I guess I'm torn on the the eight
weeks eight years and then like the pre COVID post COVID, like,
is this now new Ballard? You know? Is the blueprint
he walked into and the binder he walked into and
handed to Jim merse as that binder, Hey let me
change that chapter? Uh that tab right there? This is

(40:57):
my new thought, which is fine. I mean that's part
of being a first time GM and a first time
head coach, and you know, you should evolve and you
should change, and you should you know, realize where there's
deficiencies and issues. And you know, obviously Ballard is I
think largely is drafted well in his career. The premium
positions I think are the one argument. But I mean
you look at this roster. There's a lot of Chris

(41:18):
Bood draft picks oh yeah, all over it that have
played very very well. So yeah, that's probably where I'm
at on the Ballard week aate assessment.

Speaker 2 (41:27):
The other kind of like thing that I thought about too,
to kind of put a bow on it, keV, is
that if you don't extend him after this year and
you go into an extra he's on the last year
of his contract, like, does he have more of a
fire enders but to try to do more to help
build this roster.

Speaker 1 (41:43):
Even more with new ownership deciding yeah, you know, with
a new decision maker than the person that hired you. Yeah, yeah,
I mean that's that's a good point. And again what
stichen was it a six year deal? Is right?

Speaker 2 (41:54):
Is Ballard allowed to do more things with Carly than
previously with Jim?

Speaker 1 (41:58):
Yeah? Yeah, are all certainly questions to be asked.

Speaker 2 (42:02):
The final question is from Garrett new coming into the
year the offense was really complete, but didn't think it
would come to the level of nearly matching last year's
win total in the first half of the season. Is
this year's success more indicative of the personnel changes around
the quarterback or the quarterback itself.

Speaker 1 (42:20):
I'm having a hard time.

Speaker 2 (42:21):
Picturing what this year would look like if Anthony Richardson
was that quarterback every week. Is this year's offense this
much better than last year's or is the gap between
Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson just this wide? Don't does
it speak to how good Jones has been this year?
Or how awful Richardson has been in the past. Well,

(42:43):
I think you have to commend Daniel Jones. And yes,
there is a gap.

Speaker 1 (42:49):
I think, as I don't know any other way to
put it, there is a there is a chess match
X and o's difference in the two advantage Dean of
Jones now have said that, I do think there are
some key personnel elements that are different. First Off, you
have Tyler Warren, Let's start there. Secondly, Jonathan Taylor is

(43:10):
incredibly healthy.

Speaker 2 (43:12):
So is Michael Pittman Jr.

Speaker 1 (43:13):
Michael Pittman Junior's back. Your offensive line's been intact Eddie
for seven of eight games you have missed. So let's
times that out eight times five? Is what forty? You
have had thirty nine of your forty offensive line starts
this season. Yeah, and if you had to pick anybody
that would miss one game, it was mackins allvs. Like
I mean, if you had to pick any of them.
Now again, I know it is against an opponent that

(43:35):
that you know you would have picked some other opponents,
and ironically that's the one game you lost. But that
offensive line help is I mean, that's got to be
top five in the league right now, I'd have to
look through it. I mean, hell, the Chargers were down,
They're fifth and six tackles against you, So I don't
I want to give credit to Daniel Jones, certainly, but
I also want to acknowledge some other areas of this

(43:55):
offense that either A have gotten better, b are healthy
or and just in general the unit has been real.
I mean, so the Titans have missed the game, right, Nope,
you know a little depth at running back, but I
mean who cares how much Taylor plays and wide out?
What Pierce has missed two games and Downs has missed
the game is that it? Yeah, and Pittman's been out

(44:17):
there pretty much every week. I guess do one missed one?
So you know, you've been very healthy and that on
that front as well.

Speaker 2 (44:27):
I think too the there's been a shift and what
they and what shin s Psychen and Jim bum Cooter
are wanning out of the quarterback as well. Yeah, that's
I feel like they've been more in the mindset of hey,
less explosive and let the players create the explosive, if
you get what I'm saying, instead of, you know, relying
on Racheldson to take a three step droping way for

(44:49):
all these deep routes to develop. Instead, it's you know,
finding Pittman over the middle of fields for seventy eight
yards that turns into fifteen, or the same with Josh Downs,
or the same with Tyler Warren and getting cree with
the scheme and how you're usual utilizing these players.

Speaker 1 (45:03):
Well, and I'll add one more to Eddie, And I
think it's a really hard question to answer. So when
when athletes or coaches have said this to me or
to us in recent years, I've struggled with the okay,
can you tell me more? And that is this last
Wednesday I shared with Usiah Franklin mentioned he felt like
the team was closer and could feel this during the

(45:23):
off season. Yeah, so I followed up as I are, okay,
what do you mean by that? And again I didn't
get maybe a ton of tangible evidence per se, just
like you know the Forrest Buckner's mentioned, hey, we got
one hundred percent attendance at our Thursday night positional dinners. Like, Okay,
that's a little bit of stuff. That's why I brought
up the brain Smith think from earlier. Okay, Brad Smith,

(45:44):
you played the teamsince twenty eighteen, and you're saying, that's
the closest unit you've ever been. You know, it was
actually Bob Kravitz today that followed up with Braiden Hey why,
and that was the Hey Ego list group. Hey, sometimes
one bad apple can kind of bring you down, like okay,
So there's a little bit of that, because I think
it's almost one of the most cliche things you hear
in sports.

Speaker 2 (46:03):
We're closer, didn't Andrew Cantalan in this past game mention
something about I don't know if it was the offensive
line or the offense in generally, like they get together
on Thursday nights and they all, you know, hang out
or whatever and watch Thursday night football.

Speaker 1 (46:15):
So basically the Thursday routine is your position group gets together,
yea some sort of center and I think I think
usually the quarterbacks and the whiteouts team up together. And
I think Daniel maybe has had guys over for Monday
night football, you know, kind of do that as well.
I heard maybe a fat dance pickup or two. Are
you a fat dance fan?

Speaker 2 (46:32):
I've never had it.

Speaker 1 (46:34):
Garrison injury report here, shoulder for cross downs is a
hip and yeah, I guess that covers everything. Grover was
a foot man. There's a lot of dnps now that
I scrolled through this list one, two, three, four or five, six, seven, eight,

(46:55):
nine nine. They had a couple of rest days in there.
Jalen Jones progressed to full. Yeah, pretty much covers everything.
So some injuries to monitor? Yep, you got anything else?
Or should we pick them?

Speaker 2 (47:07):
What's your prediction?

Speaker 1 (47:09):
Do I have to go first?

Speaker 2 (47:11):
I'll let you go first again, and it is your podcast,
and the spread is three and a half, total is
fifteen and a half. If you if you look into
things when you make these predictions, Kevin, such as point
totals for each team Colts twenty six and a half,
Steelers twenty three and a half, Juice done the over
for the twenty six and a half for the Colts
in it's minus won thirteen, minus won thirteen both ways

(47:34):
on FanDuel for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Speaker 1 (47:36):
Some questions about this field and how durable it is.
Not Heinz Field anymore. It starts with an A, I
kind of.

Speaker 2 (47:41):
Forgot ac you sure or something like that.

Speaker 1 (47:43):
Sure, I've always been curious about acupuncture. Thirty one, twenty
three Colts Seahawks one by fourteen at Pittsburgh Green Bay
one by ten. I just don't think it's as vaunted
of a place. I think they're really real. And so
Colts thirty one twenty three kicking outdoors boswell badly if
it gets close, that is probably a little of a
bit of a concern. But I'll go Colt starting on

(48:05):
twenty three.

Speaker 2 (48:05):
You rat bastard, really no way, yes, stop it? Yeah,
how I don't know.

Speaker 1 (48:13):
I don't think you you were thinking of anything and
you just heard me say that, and I I am
always thinking of things. Ken it sounded good.

Speaker 2 (48:19):
I'm a degenerate. What are you talking about. I think
about these things all the time. You are you are?

Speaker 1 (48:23):
You are literally the same exact one. Yes, gosh, unbelievable. Well,
there you go.

Speaker 2 (48:32):
It'll be on the graphic hopefully this weekend.

Speaker 1 (48:34):
For the fan. Eddie Garrison has nothing more to add
than that. Uh, next week we should be normal. We
are expecting a third bowe and child in our family
somewhat soon here, so uh maybe we'll just do one
during the bye week, but we'll keep you posted.

Speaker 2 (48:47):
Enjoy Halloween. Hopefully you get the all the reseason.

Speaker 1 (48:50):
The real keV, thank you brother. Halloween weather looks great
honestly for this year, so safe shot with everybody this
weekend Colts Corner that'sself, Kevin Bow and Eddie Garrison signing
off