December 22, 2025 • 52 mins
00:00-15:45 – Former Colts WR, and current pre/postgame show analyst Bill Brooks joins to preview tonight’s primetime home game against the San Francisco 49ers. Is there more that Shane Steichen can unleash in Philip Rivers’ second game? What areas do we need to ask Santa for improvement?
15:46-30:00 – Ahead of tonight’s IU Men’s Basketball game and next week’s Rose Bowl for the IU Football team, the legendary Don Fischer joins. The Voice of the Hoosiers talks about what Darian DeVries’ team needs to fix heading into Big Ten play next month, then explains why he wanted Alabama to be the quarterfinal matchup for Curt Cignetti’s squad.
30:01-52:39 – Ahead of tonight’s Monday Night Football game, The Dean of Colts Coverage, Mike Chappell joins. Who is in, who is out tonight vs San Francisco? How big is the spectacle of MNF? What can a game like this do for both the city and the team? What does the rest-of-season playoff picture look like for the Colts?
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
You hear them on the postgame shows right here on
these radio airwaves, along with Greg Regstraw talking about the Colts,
and that means for Bill Brooks, Regstraw and the rest
of them plenty of java house hopefully over the course
of today, because they're going to need their caffeine. They
will be taking your calls and breaking it down. Late
after tonight's game between the San Francisco forty nine Ers
(00:20):
and the Indianapolis Colts, one of the true nice guys
in football, Bill Brooks, joining me, Bill, how are you
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
How are you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
I am doing well.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
I'm good, And you know I keep going back, Bill
between with this game tonight. There's a magic about Mondeynt football,
and you hear me mention it every time I talk
to you about the magic of that Broncos game, and
you know I always go back to that. It reawakens
the kid and me when you have moneynet football. But
this particular matchup tonight comes with great intrigue because I
(00:52):
can't figure out whether or not I feel like I'm
just going through the motions to finish off the season,
or whether or not I'm invigorated with the Colts having
still control of their own destiny, do they realistically Bill,
Are they realistically still a potential playoff run team?
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yes they are. I mean they still have a chance.
I mean you saw how they start off the season
of course seven and one. Definitely things have turned not
in their favor lately, losing on the last five or
six games. So yes, things have hit a rough pass
right now for the Coat, But they still have an opportunity,
and that's what you want. You want opportunity as a player.
(01:31):
You just want an opportunity to have a chance to
make a playoffs. And they still have a chance to
make a playoff, So they need to go out today
and play well. They're playing against a good, good football
team and they have to score forty nine ers because
they're playing to position themselves and in the playoff, playoff
run themselves. They are in the playoffs, so as they
(01:51):
position themselves, they're going to be playing hard and playing
playing in order to get a better position. So we'll
see what happens. But I think, you know, we're getting
some guys back like the Forrest Buckner. I know that
should help the team out quite a bit, and we'll
see what happens come Monday night, but it should be exciting.
As you talked about earlier, this is the only game
(02:12):
of being played in the National Football League tonight, So
to me as exciting as a player, it was always
exciting to play on Monday night because you knew everyone
was watching you, your high school friends, your college friends,
and your family is watching everyone play. So it should
be exciting, and I'm sure the city be excited for it.
And uh, it'll be nice to see everyone downtown and
(02:33):
being excited for a game.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Bill.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I mentioned this earlier, Bill Brooks, my guest job a
house peeling, poor guest line. I know that the Colts
did not win in Seattle, but the reality is, I
think people expected that game to go a lot differently
than it did, even though it was not a win.
And we take aside the result. It's a results league.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
I get it.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Did Shane Steiken coach his best game of the year
in Seattle?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
You know, it's hard to say, you know what game
is the best games they but I thought he did
a great job of what he what they did out
there in Seattle. Not only Shane's like him, but the
defense as well. Louana Remo what they did and how
they kind of slowed down that thel Seahawks offense and
held them to nothing but field goals. And when you
(03:19):
do that, you figure, hey, you know what, you have
a shot to win the football game. And then having
Philip Rivers back, there's someone that has the command of
the offense, understanding the offense. And you know, he didn't
have any turnovers. He don't want turnover. I had a
turnablevose late in the game, so that really didn't count
because he's trying to get the team back but pushing
the ball downfield. But I thought he did a nice
(03:39):
job of having command of the offense. Now from a
standpoint of production, yes, definitely more production from the offense.
So hopefully hopefully put some more points on the board
and the Coast can get over that hump of scoring
twenty points, you know what they're gonna That gives him
a better chance of course winning football games because of
all the games they have office score twenty points or less.
(04:01):
So both of the offense could must some more points
and see what happened. But I thought, uh, Shane Stycken,
the game plan that had in regards to you know what,
some clock move the ball downfield, hopefully score and get
some points. Was a good idea and it is a
good game plan to go in and get a Seattle
(04:22):
team that was pretty good.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Bill, Do you believe that Philip Rivers from what you saw?
And you know, look, you've you've taken passes from a
lot of different quarterbacks, and I know that Philip Rivers,
you know, I mean the age, the the time off,
I mean, all of it comes into play.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Did you feel like or did you see indication that
with more practice time this week there might be a
deeper area of the playbook you can go with Philip
Rivers Or is the physical limitations such that we saw
what you have to work with.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Well, I think when you look at Philip Rivers, you
have to kind of take Phil Rivers as what he
was before. In regards to Philip never was one of
those guys that had an overly strong arm to get
the ball downfield. He could throw the ball, he could
get the ball downfield, he could put it in tight
windows and tight spots, and he can get you in
the right place when needed. But I think he can
(05:20):
get the ball downfield. But I think what's going to
also happen is he's going to have to get those
short passes work over in the middle, and it's going
to be up to the receivers to actually make some
yards after the catch. I mean, that's one way you
can get some exposal plays. You have to make sure
that you complete the passes and get the ball downfield.
So I think he can get the ball downfield some,
(05:42):
but it's not going to be, you know, throwing the
ball seventy yards down the field. That's not Philip Rivers
and I don't think that was ever his game. But
they're going to have to find ways to get more
exposal plays. How they do that, I'm not exactly sure
how they do that, but I would like to see
the receivers make some yards up as catch, and that's
one way and get some exposive plays.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Bill.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
I want to hypothetically here. Okay, Santa arrives at the
Brooks house early today, so he comes down the chimney
this afternoon and you're startled. It goes without saying, right,
guy coming down the chimney, but Santa says to you, Bill,
you've been a good boy, and so I'm going to
deliver for you, Bill Brooks. I have the ability to
(06:25):
deliver one thing, and I want it to be Santa's
a Colts fan. So he says, Bill, I have the
ability right now to pick one area of this team
that is most confusing to Bill Brooks or most concerning
to Bill Brooks, and I Santa, I'm going to immediately
bolster that. And you can't say health from a schematic
(06:48):
or just an area of weakness of this team this year.
What is the one thing that Bill Brooks would want
Santa to take care of that would be a difference
maker for the Colts in these last three games.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Wow, that's a that's a good question. I can I
can't say, Hell Tom.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
I mean, obviously, if we could just get a Daniel
Jones back, because he was playing it a people forget.
I know that he was starting to revert a little bit,
but he played at a very high level at the
beginning of the year.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Obviously exactly he did.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I would say, more pressure in a quarterback and crucial situations.
I would like to see a little bit more pressure
from the front four, not even if the fund four,
but any anybody, if the's linebacker or whoever it may be,
if they want to send corners, can even more off
the slide or whatever. This legacy a little bit more
pressure on a quarterback, especially in a crucial situation, especially
(07:41):
when it gets down late in the game and they
need need a sack or need to force the quarterback
to make an errand throw something of that nature. That
that would be my choice if I had an opportunity
to ask Sannah for a birthday or there's a birthday
Christmas gift.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Okay, can you get Because the Colts have tried bill
a million different let me let me put it to
this way. You are a receiver, Okay. As a receiver,
you know the Colts have tried to get pass rush forever,
and DeForest Muckner is an elite level player, and Leatu
Latu has his moments? Could he pay? I think is
(08:21):
just a guy. I don't dislike him, but he's just
a guy. Right When you have now the process of
getting Mooney Ward and getting Sauce Gardner and imagining those
two as healthy corners there, How, when you are a receiver,
you know, how long do you go into a play
(08:41):
and a set where you're continuing to try to work
yourself open before then a coverage sack becomes availability and
becomes available because everything collapses. In other words, if the
Colts can't get pass rush, can the corners take care
of that for them, where then eventually it collapses for
the defense anyway, Yes.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Definitely, you definitely can get that. I mean it can
happen if the corners are playing tight coverage and makes
it very difficult from the quarterback to feel comfortable and
throwing the ball to the receiver. And if they continue
to you know, hold the ball, hold the ball, hold
the ball, then yes, the pass rush can get there.
But a lot of times what happens is if the
if the receiver is open or don't have much pressure,
(09:22):
and the quarterback can hold the ball and feel comfortable
back there and then throw the ball to the receiver.
The receivers wide open, so it kind of works hand
in hand. You know, you got you got guys in
the back in there they play tight coverage, then it
gives the guys the front opportunity to get to the quarterback.
But then also sometimes if the guys in front get
there quick enough, it rushes the quarterback and the quarterback
(09:45):
has to throw the ball before the receiver is actually
into his route or at the top of the vout
or breaking out of his route and it goes incomplete,
or it might be an interception.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Who is the toughest corner you faced?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Ooh, there was. There was a number of guys that
were tough. Mike Haynes, who at the time was playing
for the Raiders. Uh, one guy that was I would
say my toughest want to go against you had? Let
me see you had Mini Field and Dixon, Uh, Private
(10:20):
dog Pounds or Cleveland Browns. Those are some of the
toughest guys that I say I faced.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
As a receiver, Bill Bill Brooks, my guest Joba House
peeling for guest line as a as a receiver, was
a corner tougher for you of one that's playing man
on the line right away and is with you lock
and stock. Or was it tougher to go against the
guy that you thought you had space from but had
(10:49):
such collapse time that they then got in and disrupted
at the very end of the play as the ball
was being delivered. And that might be the dumbest question
I've ever asked, But does that make sense what I'm asking?
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Yeah, it makes sense. For me. I didn't like people.
I didn't like people up in my face or close
to me, so to speak, at the line of scrimmage,
because I like to get in my route as soon
as possible. But then they're impeding me for me to
get into my route by you know, playing bumping and
run and getting the hands on me and guys that
had long arms such as Mike Canes and another guy
(11:23):
that I didn't mention earlier was Albert Lewis, another defensive
back that had long arms, that could run and does
a good job at the line of scrimmage of impeding
your progress up the field. So those guys made it
more difficult for me to get into my route, which
made it harder for me to complete my route and
create some separation and create some space. So for me,
(11:44):
it was the guys that were up in my face
that gave me more problems.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
We have very limited body of work to see as
a cult but from what you've been able to see,
when he is healthy and when we see him long term,
here Sauce Gardner is what kind of owner.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Oh, he's one of the top coins in the national
football which he's long, he can run, good feet, change
in the direction. He's one of the top corners in
the national football likeaue if you can, you know, stay healthy,
(12:21):
very very good.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
Is he Bill just say this?
Speaker 2 (12:26):
I would I would have trouble. Not that me, but
you're talking about the corners that I have that gives
me trouble. He would give me a lot of trouble.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Okay, So he's not that.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
I'm not that I'm an all pro or was a
pro whatever, but he's one of those guys that can
give why I receive the spits.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
So he is a flank you from even pre snap
and never let you out of sight guy right as
opposed to a You think there's a window there, and
yet he closes that window instantly. He's more the first
guy right physical from the get go.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
He can do both.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
He can do both.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
He can play off and break on the ball very well.
And he can also get in your face and you know,
run with you and not really hit you, but stay
with you. Or he can get in your face and
he can impede your progress. So he can do he
can do both, and he has a body type and
the speed to do that. You know a lot of
(13:23):
corners don't have the certain body types to do those things.
But he's long enough, he's fast, enough, he has a
good scene. He can do all those things.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Do you Bill, when you go out, Bill Brooks my guest,
he will be of course you'll be hearing him in
the post game show tonight.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
Monday Night Football.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
When you hear the theme, when you see the intro,
when you hear the crowd, do you still go back
to and remember what it was like as a player
to be part of the cities in my opinion, this
city's first true arrival and coronation and celebration of NFL
and Indianapolis and money that football. Do you still feel
(14:02):
that same buzz or butterfly tonight?
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Yes, I do.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
I do as far as me. I'm not playing, but
I still have that buzz knowing that it's something that's
exciting for the city. And this is where this is
where you know the city is showcased. You know, you
see different parts of the city, uh, throughout the game
and they come back from a commercial break and they'll
show part of the city. And I think it's great
for the city. And you know, I still get all
(14:30):
still get a buzz out of it because you know,
when Monday Night Football was on and your only game
in town, Uh, not just in Towent and game in
the country play it was. It was great knowing that
your family and your friends are watching it, so it's
it was. It was a special time. So yes, I
do get that buzz now like today, it's excited to
get downtown and see everyone downtown and you know what
(14:54):
the game was, how the game's gone unfold and things
that happened. So this exciting time and for it to
be of course, we still bring Indiana Night the Colts
and with those uniforms, so it should be exciting tonight.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
You know what I said, Bill, they got to do
the Indiana Nights while they're still the last team in
Indiana before the Bears come in. Right, it's not gonna happen.
I know it's not gonna it's all about power play.
I get it, but no, listen, I look forward to
it tonight. It's gonna be a lot of fun and
then we'll be listening afterwards. Certainly appreciate the time today
and get yourself a Java house getting ready for a
(15:28):
long night, because it's gonna be fun.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
Thank you well, It's.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Gonna be a fun night. That's why I'm looking forward
to a fun night. If it's long that's fine. Long
the fun and a win for the Colts. It'll be
it'll be a good night.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
I appreciate it, Bill, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
I appreciate you guys.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
All right, Bill Brooks joining me.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Well, where again at that time of year where basketball
and football season for Indiana, and then I have to
remind myself that like going into the holiday week, to
have the football team still be playing games while the
basketball team is getting set for the Big Ten slate
is not necessarily customary over the last couple of decades,
but it has been the last couple of years. And
joining us now the guy that has been on the
(16:07):
microphone for all of it, Don Fisher, joins us on
the Java House Peel and Port guest line. Don the
last one tonight, six o'clock tonight for the basketball side
of things. That game can be heard on our sister station, WBC.
It is Indiana and Sienna. This is the last battle
before they get into Big Ten play. And I do
want to talk obviously football, but let's begin basketball wise.
(16:28):
And we got into this a little bit last week.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
And that is just.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
If there's an area or a thing that you think
perhaps Darreen Debrees looks at with this roster and says
the intrigue or the area that I need to solidify
now or work in this game with Sienna before going
into Big Ten play. What would be the question mark,
if you will, that still hangs for him?
Speaker 5 (16:51):
Well, I think more than anything right now, they're still
trying to figure out the rebounding area, which has been
a trouble spot throughout the season in some respect, not
dramatically in Indiana's won their share of games that rebounding
with or better than the team that they're playing against.
But again, competition has something to do with that. But
I think the biggest concern that he has right now
(17:13):
is his ball club's ability to rebound the ball at
both ends of the floor, but specifically the offensive end
a little bit more so because they just haven't gotten
a lot of offensive rebounds throughout the year. And one
of the reasons they haven't they're an undersized basketball team
compared to a lot of these teams that they are
about to place face, especially in the Big Ten, and
(17:36):
so I know that that's one area that they're working on,
but they're working on a little bit of everything at
this juncture. This is a team still that's not one
hundred percent in the norm of having been around for
a long time, having all that kind of experience together
and so on. So which is a case for a
lot of teams these days, as we know, with the
rosters changing hands with nil and all those kinds of things.
(17:59):
But I think rebounding is the biggest area of concern
right now. And you know, when Sam Alexis went down
to that Kentucky game a little over a week ago,
there was a real holding of the breath by the
entire program because Sam, of course is an undersized post player,
but he's six', eight he's, athletic and he's one of
the two guys they count on in that post position
(18:22):
and Read bailey being the other and read out a
really good game Against sienna the other. Night but the
thing about it is they just don't have much depth.
There and if A lexus had gone down with a
serious knee, injury which could have, happened he got lucky
in the sense that it looked like there was going
to be AN acl tear there if it hadn't happened
the way it, did which was a turned ankle, first
(18:43):
and that apparently saved IS. Acl that's WHAT i was,
told so ALL i can tell you is they are light.
There they're definitely needing more, depth and that's hard to come.
By when you don't you can't change your. Roster, now
if you know WHAT i.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
Mean sure.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Done i'll tell you what's to me comes intriguing is you,
know with the size of The Big ten now, RIGHT i,
mean with the fact of the number of different teams
that you, have theoretically you're going to see stylistically a
number of different ways that you've got to play within the.
CONFERENCE i, mean you have teams that want to play
in different. Fashion two ways to look at. That one
(19:18):
is to, say we have a, style this is how we,
play and we're going to push in on. That the
other is to develop a system where you can have
some versatility and kind of change the way that you.
Play which way do you see this particular team is
devrezemore of The Bob knight mold of this is how
(19:38):
we play and that's. It or do they have some
flexibility on different styles they can.
Speaker 5 (19:43):
PLAY i don't think they've got a lot of flexibility
with this. TEAM i just. DON'T i think the talent
is good enough to be very competitive in The big.
TEN i don't think that they have the talent to
be a ball club that plays all half. Court in other,
words they like to get out and. Run they are
a transition. Team they try to get off a three
(20:05):
point shot in the first ten to twelve seconds of
the shot clock before they set up in a half court,
game and that's the modus operendi of their team most
of the. Time but they've had to play a lot
of half court this, year especially against some of these
better teams that they've, played and if they can speed
teams up and make them play the way they want,
to THEN i think they can be very. Successful it's
(20:27):
hard to do that, sometimes, however with some of the
teams that you play in this. League and you know
that a lot of these ball clubs like to play
the half court game first and not rely on a
three point shot all the. Time and that's What indiana.
Does they do rely on three point shooting a great.
Deal that's how this roster was. Constructed Darren debrees wanted
to get as many good three point shooters as he
(20:48):
could on this, team and he's gotten three of. Them.
Obviously his Son tucker's very. Good Lamar wilkerson has a
proven a three point, guy And Nick dorn has come
off the bench now the last several ball games is
really shot well from the three point line once he
got back from. Injury SO i just don't see a
lot of ability to change the way they want to.
(21:09):
Play and if you looked at the game Against Chicago
state On, Saturday indiana shot lights out fourteen to twenty
six in the first half of the three point. Line
that was in the first twenty. Minutes in the second,
half they couldn't.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Throw it in the.
Speaker 5 (21:21):
Ocean they were one of twenty from the three point.
Line and then they relied on their bigs because the
team that they went up, Against Chicago, state didn't have
a great deal of strength in the front. Line so
they were able to succumb or to Make Chicago states
to come to their wishes in that contest Because Chicago
state just didn't have any size.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Themselves Don fisher is my guest voice of The Indiana,
hoosiers both on the basketball and football side of. Things
he's on The Java House peel and poor guest. Line Don,
here here's WHAT i know About Don. Fisher, OKAY i
know obviously that you have a great love For Indiana
athletics and, you it is not lost on you the
privilege of being their radio player by. Playboice, OKAY i
(22:02):
know that we've talked about it. Before you, know you
grew up as a. KID i think you liked baseball as.
Well but you also have a great amount of like
patriotism about. You and in addition to, THAT i think of,
you you, know as a family values. Guy right going
and watching your son's high school football team and being
around family is very important To Don. Fisher So i'm
(22:23):
going to, assume maybe assumptions are, Dangerous i'm going to
assume That.
Speaker 4 (22:28):
Christmas is a special.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Holiday like for most of, Us christmas is particularly special
To Don.
Speaker 4 (22:32):
Fisher, fact fact is.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
Fact there's no doubt it's very special to. Us susie
AND i host two days Of christmas at our. House
the first day Is christmas Eve, day in which my family.
Comes the second day is her family and they join
us For christmas Side Christmas. Day so we have so
(22:54):
much fun on these two. Days but my wife works
her rear end. Off she obviously has a full time
gig with The Indiana, pacers as you, know so she
gets a ton of. Work she has a ton of.
WORKLOAD i try to help her as much AS i.
Can if you put me in charge of anything cooking,
wise you're dead in the. Water SO i have to
(23:15):
do WHAT i have to, do which whether that's you,
know clean up, afterwards take care of dishes or what
are those kinds of, things just keeping all the grandkids
out of, everything then that's my. Job but she does
most of, it and she's phenomenal abed.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Well she keeps for those that don't, know she keeps
The pacers franchise tied up as, well just in organizing
like virtually everything.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
Right so so.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
The holiday, thing you, know for the, Crew i'm glad
she's able to do. That with the family that would
be she would be the perfect person to put that
all on because it's just the automatic. Nature but the
REASON i asked it About, Christmas don is BECAUSE i
would imagine That Don fisher is still in the spirit Of,
christmas you, know thinks About santa and what he wants From.
(24:01):
Santa and and it's been a long time since you
since you've been able to, say On, Christmas, SANTA i
Want indiana to Beat alabama and football in a.
Speaker 4 (24:09):
Week it's like you know WHAT i, Mean but here's the. Matchup,
now we know the.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Matchup, now just first, off your overall thoughts on this
matchup With alabama and did you get a chance to
Watch Alabama?
Speaker 4 (24:21):
OKLAHOMA i.
Speaker 5 (24:23):
Did the thing that surprised me about those two teams
in that ball game was the number of mistakes that were.
MADE i was kind of stunned by. THAT i thought
both of them would come in there ready for. Bear
they hadn't had the long spell off Like indiana's having
right now to get ready for the ball, game and
they played each other. BEFORE i was just kind of
(24:44):
surprised by the number of mistakes that both those teams
made in that. Contest BUT i was rooting That alabama
would win BECAUSE i felt like that's the opponent THAT
i want TO i want to see our football team play.
Against they are the icon of THE. Sec everyone knows
they've struggled a little bit here in the last couple of.
YEARS i Think caylen De, boor who's their, coach is
(25:06):
a guy WHO i revere as a guy that came
To indiana for the twenty twenty season as the offensive.
Coordinator he got ruined BY, covid but it didn't Ruin
indiana season because they went six and through that, year
and it was Because caitlin De boer was such a
good innovator from an offensive, standpoint and of course he
had control Of Michael, pennix who went with him To
(25:28):
washington later, on and obviously they went to The National championship.
Game SO i just have a lot of respect For
calen De. BOER i Love Kane, wamick who's their defensive.
Coordinator he was also here in that twenty twenty year
With Tom allen and was great at devising the defenses
For indiana in that. Period so there are a lot of.
(25:49):
Impact Nick, SHERIDAN i, think also is another guy that's
went the program down there FROM. Iu he was a
quarterbacks coach at the same. Time so this is a
staff that we know from a personal, standpoint AND i
just wanted to Play. Alabama there are a number of,
reasons but not the least of which is the fact
THAT i just want to see If indiana can knock
(26:09):
them off and then Have paul feinebomb shut.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Up we'll do whatever it takes for the ladder, there, Right,
yeah don you mentioned. Something it's it's funny because. Tonight
Philip rivers for, example you, know quarterback and The colts
and coming back To, indianapolis and yet it's not like
we really got to know. Him And i'm using air quotes, there,
well because he was here during THAT covid season and
(26:32):
everything was just so weird, then, right in terms of
contact and how much you could be around people and
zoom calls and everything. Else the coaches of which you,
mentioned did you get a chance to know them much
or did all of those factors kind of come in
where you were aware of them but you didn't get
a lot of interaction with.
Speaker 5 (26:48):
Them, well we had decent interaction with them, because let's face,
it there were no crowds to worry. About there were
nobody was coming to games except for. Parents we had
a chance to get out to watch practices and things
like that because everything was so shut down at the
time and you were looking for ways to get outside
(27:09):
and do. Things and so we did have a chance
to Watch indiana football a little bit closer maybe than
we would, otherwise and get to know some of these
guys a little bit better in a very short period of. Time, so,
yeah those guys were really good. PEOPLE i like. Them a.
LOT i think they've taken over This alabama program and
struggled just a, hair but it's Still, alabama as everybody.
(27:32):
Knows AND i just look forward to seeing these guys
and shaking their hand and congratulating them on making the,
playoffs just Like indiana.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Has do you have concerned on or intrigue maybe is
the better word about the layoff from An indiana, Standpoint
not because Of, indiana but if you, look you know
by president a year, ago what happened to the teams
that had time? Off it did not go well in
the college football. Playoff how do you Think indiana handles that?
Speaker 5 (28:00):
Well the REASON i think they can handle it is
because their coach Is Kurt. Signetti he just doesn't let
things go by the, wayside OR i, mean their practices
have been light at this point in time of, year
so he's given these guys a lot of time to
get healed, up to get the bumps and bruises and
scrapes and all those kinds of things healed. Over but
(28:21):
at the same, time he works his team and when
they get out, there they may not go, long but
they go hard when they get on the football. Field
AND i just HAVE. A i know he knows how
to handle this to some, degree Although i'm not sure
anybody's ever had a three and a half week layoff
before their first game after finishing out a regular, Season
(28:42):
so from that perspective it is. Different it concerns, EVERYBODY
i think a little, bit but of all the people
THAT i think can handle, IT i Think kurtzing that
he can don For.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
Christmas aside from An indiana win Over, Alabama i'm going
to Ask santa to give me an ability to pitch
and chip from forty yards in ONCE i get to
the cup in golf That consanta deliver that kind of a.
Speaker 5 (29:04):
Miracle UNFORTUNATELY i doubt, it and if he, could that
would be the first THING i would ask, for even
over a win Over. Alabama point because it structures into my. LIFE.
A hecro a lot more, difficult as you, know.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
Fair, Enough, well don, listen you, KNOW i know obviously
you are, busy and it certainly gives This dog And
Pony show a credibility each and every week when we
can have you, on your status as a legendary broadcaster
Within indiana is. Cemented and so just for a little
part of that cement to come onto this show and
give us some credibility is always. Appreciated so with, THAT
(29:41):
i hope the absolute best for you your family on
both sides On Christmas eve And christmas and the absolute
warmest and most Rewarding christmas for.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
You, WELL i appreciate, That. Jake it's very nice of
you to, say AND i just want to wish everybody
a Merry, christmas in a Happy New, year and a Go.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
Hoosiers that's, Right Don, fisher the voice of The who's
appreciate it On Mike, CHAPLIN cbs four and wxin box fifty,
nine Chap let's begin with this from the standpoint of
the health issue for The, colts those that are in
and those that are. Out is there any anything new
that might be surprising the people as to who is
(30:18):
going to work their way in or who was still held?
Speaker 3 (30:20):
Out no other than The colts announced the activated or
they added The Forrest bucker to the active, roster which
is a big. Deal and they're still gonna be Without
Mooney ward And Sauce. Gardner And i'm telling, You i'm
telling you IF i had the choice between The Forest
buckner And Sauce gardner as far as, IMPORTANCE i take
(30:43):
The Forest. Buckner i'll just Have buck in the lineup
THAT i would one of those. Corners he's that good
and he's that as close to irreplaceable on, defense shoot
on the team as you can. Get he comes, Back
Bernie ryman's not. Playing we'll see what they do on
the offensive. Line so that's the main, thing Is bucks,
(31:06):
back and it gives them a much better chance to
play decent.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
Defense So ryman is, back though correct with the malbo
he is.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
Out he said he's.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Out he practiced, limited, okay whatever the day the wee
from Best, saturday but they ruled him. Out he's he's not. Playing.
Uh it's so they're gonna have to mix a match
on the offensive, line and it comes against the team
that's got sixteen, facts which is the worst in the
league by a handful of. Sacks so hopefully they'll be
(31:40):
able to Protect rivers and let him play the position
better than they did the first.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
Game chapter you anticipate over the course of the, week
Did shane stiken tip his hand in any way in this?
Area MEANING i actually, thought and Maybe i'm in the minority,
HERE i Thought Shane stikeen in That seattle game might
have turned in his best coaching performance of the, year because,
YES i realized they did not win that, game but
(32:08):
given all of the variables of going into the quarterback,
playing et, CETERA i thought he called a very smart
game for feeling it out and getting a feel for
what they had In Philip rivers and keeping them in.
Contention does did we see everything that that relationship has
to offer or do you Think stikeen has more in the?
Speaker 4 (32:30):
Bag did? He did he tip his hand in any
way on?
Speaker 3 (32:32):
That, well there needs to be More, first AND i
put on social media after the game THAT i had
got stike And andrino through almost the perfect. Game you're
ahead sixteen to fifteen with forty seconds to go and
the other teams on their thirty seven no, TIMEOUTS i
mean with and again taking into account all your personnel,
(32:55):
limitations and there were, plenty SO i, thought, yes they
squeezed every ounce out of what they could. Do it's
just in the induance wasn't, enough you, know a not
a good enough kickoff after the field. Goal and then
two plays That Sam dartle made that if you stop
(33:18):
either one have been, bounds you probably win the. Game
SO i thought considering, Everything, yes it was his best,
game but there's got to be. More it's just you.
Can't and they know. That they you, know that was
so specific to, well he's been here three days and
you know he hasn't played for five. Years they really
had to have a dumbed down game. Plan they just.
(33:39):
Did and but having said, that it's got to be
there's got to be. More he averaged four point four
yards and an attempt like six yards of, completion and
all that does when you've got to run the ball
With Jonathan, taylor all that does is make it harder
to run the ball With john jon And. Taylor so
you've got you've got you, Know Alex, pears who leads
(34:02):
the league in yards for. Catch you've got to stretch
the field some at least at least pose the, threat
WHICH i think they. Will but they're still Gonna they
ran more than they threw last week by a. FEW
i think they still run more this. Week they have.
To but and this is A niners, defense that's that's
(34:22):
gettable that they're they're not strong against the. Run and
again the pass rush should be not super bad with
perhaps you know not not perhaps the two backup. Tackles but,
yes and and and we've talked To shane enough to
know that there has to be. MORE i Think rivers
will be. More you, know this was a normal week
(34:43):
For Philip rivers to where you come, in you get
all these days for. Pared last week was not. Normal
r he comes, in he's. Cramming so, yes there there
needs to be, more AND i think there there will be.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
More did you see did you See Ann rivers chap
more that could be?
Speaker 4 (34:59):
There in other, words did you know WHAT i?
Speaker 1 (35:02):
Mean, LIKE i understand that they had to kind of
simple it down because of exactly, that, right you're just
throwing it out. There but but now that he's had that,
week and now that maybe they can ent you, know
look at more, film go over some. Differ do you
feel that from a physical standpoint or a skill set
standpoint in twenty twenty five that there is more there
that can tap into With Philip?
Speaker 3 (35:23):
Rivers? Boy and if it's a yes or, No i'd say.
NO i mean it's the same. Guy it's the same
forty four year old Arm maybe he recognizes things, quicker
but as far as getting the ball from POINT a
to POINT b quicker with more. VELOCITY i think getting it,
(35:44):
there quicker would be recognizing the. Play, QUICKER i don't
think all of a sudden he's going to start throwing
lasers all over the. Field AND i just, that's first
of that's not who he was when he, played you,
know at the right. Age so that that but that's
a that's a great. Question and you can devise all
the game plans you, want and if the quarterback can't carry,
(36:04):
that can't make the. Throw if you, can't you can
block it up to where you've got time to get
the ball sixty yards fifty yards downfield the. Piers but
the quarterback back can't do, it then what are you?
Doing that's a really good. Point we'll find. OUT i
think that whether he can or, not they're going to.
Try they need to. Try but that's we're going to
(36:27):
see one another. Week and, again maybe part of it
with the throwing is that his legs weren't under him
as they shouldn't have been as far you, know the
quarterbacks need their legs to throw off of and really
push off. Of and maybe he's a lot better this,
week but they simply have To they've got to do
more than they did him throwing for one hundred and
(36:50):
twenty yards isn't going to cut. It it's NOT jt
averaging six three point six might be okay running the
ball if you're getting overrom the past, game that'll be
a really interesting thing to Watch. Sniders one one will
they try? It and? Two Can rivers do it?
Speaker 1 (37:07):
Well AND i, thought you, know obviously they went with
a Mere abdullah out of the backfield with the passing,
game which IS i would assume that part of that
was just to Allow rivers kind of the comfort, level
the familiarity with the.
Speaker 4 (37:22):
Layups do we? Continue do you believe to See abdullah
at that?
Speaker 3 (37:26):
LEVEL i think, so because, again you, know IF jt
runs about twenty five, times you, know AND i realized
he's he prepares for this and all, this but at
some point you do need to give him a. Breather
And abdullah is a better receiver out of the. Backuld
he simply.
Speaker 4 (37:43):
Is and that's.
Speaker 1 (37:44):
It And rivers has always had a guy like, that,
Right he's always had a bailout out of backfield, Guy Darren.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
SPROLES i, mean, goodness. Crations how many times did he
Tormented colts With? Rivers so, yeah no question. Again if
there's thirty rushes again this, week twenty five need to BE.
Jt but Get abdulla involved the past game and hit
(38:10):
those underneath crossers and then you, know but you gotta
get eybody more. Involved Tyler warren has disappeared in the
last three or four, games and that's not a reflection on.
Him it's a reflection on the rest of or how
the quarterback play has has declined with the injuries To
jones and Then rivers coming. In they've got to get
back to the players who carry, them who have carried,
(38:32):
them which IS jt And Tyler warren for the most.
Part hopefully they. Can they can scratch into that tonight
because they're Gonna you. Can't you can't win, sixteen, eighteen,
nineteen but they're one six this. Year when they don't
when they score twenty or, fewer and they've lost. IT
i THINK i looked it. Up they've lost eleven straight
(38:54):
and twenty four twenty seven when they don't score more than.
Twenty so in TODAY'S, nfl And i'm telling you that
The niners are going to score twenty. Points they just.
Are so you got to score and hopefully they. Can
they can get the quarterback first in the position to do,
that and then he's able to execute the game.
Speaker 1 (39:14):
Plan Chap here's a question That Mike chapel's my GUEST
cbs FOUR wxa On fox fifty nine where you see.
Him he's on The Java house peeling poor guest. Line
java house dot com is the website For They're Fabulous Instant,
Coffee Liquid science and energy. Products Chap here's a question
that typically there is a more slam dunk answer at
(39:35):
this point in the, Year But i'm going to ask
it and then think about it and give me an.
Speaker 4 (39:39):
Answer you're, ready. Yep who's the best team in THE?
NFL rams think?
Speaker 3 (39:45):
So? HUH i think? So, YEAH i still HAVE i
lost the other. NIGHT i think they're pretty dark on.
Good AND i tell, you If Matthew stafford wins AN,
mvp which he probably will probably and gets to The
Super bowl wins another, one he will be a Slam
Dunk hall Of. Famer he's probably there. Anyway BUT i
(40:07):
think he's been one of the more underappreciated players over
the course of his career because he, was you, know
dying In. Detroit. YEAH i think they're pretty.
Speaker 4 (40:19):
Good, yeah they and you, know.
Speaker 1 (40:23):
There are only a handful of teams that you would
say this about or quarterbacks that you would say this
about right. Now but the thing about The rams is
that game you're talking, about which the other night was
one of the one of the best regular season games
you're going to see in THE.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
Nfl it was fabulous With.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Seattle But stafford is one of those that you give
him The when that guy trots out on the field
and you look at his eyes inside of the last two,
minutes you, go, yeah good.
Speaker 4 (40:46):
Luck you know WHAT i.
Speaker 1 (40:47):
MEAN i mean he seems very very dialed, in and
offensively they are very well, balanced and then defensively they
got some, pieces Right.
Speaker 3 (40:56):
Yeah that's why you look AT acnc in THE AC
i look At buffalo and their. DEFENSE i don't trust
that defense at. ALL i do. Not BUT i Trust Josh.
ALLEN i just he's gonna if you let him hang,
around he's going to beach in the fourth. Quarter he
just is with all with all the, deficiencies and he
doesn't have doesn't have great, weapons but he's got a
(41:17):
really good running game With, cook who who right now
is the head OF jt in the. League rushing of,
course he's got the extra, game BUT i like those
two right. Now everybody else has got, significant significant question.
Marks it seems Like. Seattle there are times in games
Where Sam darnald you, Think, god that's The Sam darnald we,
(41:38):
Know and then he's got a fourth quarter where he
drags him back and he beats The, rams WHO i
think is the best. Team so, yeah it's really interesting
the year this year In New. ENGLAND i sort of
want to believe in, him and, well they had a
great game, yesterday BUT i JUST i don't totally trust
the young. QUARTERBACK i don't.
Speaker 4 (41:59):
Know, yeah Looks chuffalo and The rams right.
Speaker 1 (42:02):
Now New england's a fascinating. One and this is going
to segue to another Team i'm talking about because it
does tie into The. Colts Mike, chapel my. Guest New
england's interesting because there's nothing about them that jumps out at,
you that alarms. You AND i don't know how many
people really have paid attention To New, england but watching
them last, Night New england did something for the first
time since The colts bye, week and that is they
(42:24):
delivered a result that The colts needed for The colts playoff.
Speaker 4 (42:28):
Push here right because they.
Speaker 1 (42:29):
Were every other game has gone against the way The
colts needed it to. Go they Needed baltimore to lose last,
night And baltimore. Did BUT i, Thought Drake, may it's
been a long time Since i've sat and watched a
game like that and seen a player THAT i, thought
you know, WHAT i don't know Where i've, been but
this guy looks to, me he looked like he has
taken a next step in pocket presence and poise and
(42:52):
just knowing when to, run when to throw it, away et.
Cetera he looks really good to.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
Me Chap, well he's think he's like leading the league
in completion, percentage and you see. It the ball is,
There it's where it needs to, be in the right.
Spot he's got just enough talent around. Him the running
game is pretty. Good the running game can be can
be pretty dominant if they want it to. Be but
they've got you got tight, ends they got receivers making.
(43:17):
Plays the defense is pretty. Good they're probably maybe a
year ahead of schedule on maybe where people thought they
might be with. Everything but you don't win that many
games and put yourself in that position to win the
division just by, luck by falling into. It so, yeah
they're pretty. GOOD i still Like buffalo because of the.
(43:40):
QUARTERBACK i just. Do he's got that Extra he's that
guy again Like. Peyton you were playing the clip earlier
with The tampa game WHERE i made it a. Point
i've got a disc A cd of that, game And
i'll pull up it in every every so. Often and
with with like five minutes to, play it's already five to.
(44:00):
Fourteen you cannot win that. Game yet they. Did so
that quarterback gives you the. Chance and the guys we've talked,
about those quarterbacks give me my, Chance.
Speaker 1 (44:11):
Chap when you look at THE afc right, now the
guy THAT i you talk, About Peyton manning and you
And i've discussed this And i've said it on the
radio one thousand. Times the player THAT i was convinced
was A Peyton manning era apparent Is Trevor lawrence when
he came.
Speaker 4 (44:30):
OUT i watched him every snap in.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
College the, size the, poise the ball, placement all of it,
Right AND i know that you, know you have the
Erbin meyer experiment and all, that and there's been a
lot of more bumps than road at. All The LATIN
i don't knock on. WOOD i guess for The colts
fans is a bad. Thing the last five, weeks no
one is talking about the fact that it seems to
(44:52):
have come together For Trevor lawrence and he is playing
at a very high. Level and don't look, NOW i
haven't heard anybody mentioned, this But jacksonville now has taken
over THE Afc south and very quietly and off radar
is you, know they're firmly in control and maybe even
to put themselves in placement for THE. Afc but my
(45:13):
question for, You Mike, chappel is this is this a
mirage or Has jacksonville finally gone through?
Speaker 3 (45:19):
Puberty i've been through. This how many times have we
have we Been? Jacksonville, yes right, By and it's a.
Fact it's, like, oh you know back in six years. Ago,
no it's been like three or four times where you, think,
man they finally got it. Together and even With Trevor,
lawrence you, think, man this is who everyone thought he would.
(45:42):
Be you, know he's past The Urban meyer. Nightmare and but,
no you're right right. NOW i, mean there's probably good
as bad as anybody for the number one. SEED i
Just i've just been burned too many times by The,
jaguars and having said, that they they're probably a play
as well as. Anybody it's just that nobody outside of
(46:03):
jag outside Of New, ball wants to believe in, them
and they've given you too many reasons to not believe in.
Them and all they're going to do is say we don't,
care and they're taking care of business. Again The colts
had a firm grip on the division until the second
half of the, season and right now The jaggs are
(46:25):
taking care of their second half of the. Season so,
YEAH i won't be surprised if they're the number one.
SEED i won't be surprised if they slip and they're
playing in the last week of the season to win
the division because, something you, know they mucked something up.
Speaker 1 (46:43):
And that MUCKs up that up could be. That who,
knows can The, colts you, know do The colts get?
THEM i, mean it's going to be a must win
chap one in with, this you, KNOW i, mean you
AND i have talked about this a thousand. Times the
special element Of monday night football And Monday night football
be you, know being in town and the strobe lights
(47:04):
and the spotlights on your city and the aerial shots
of downtown and all of, it and the buzz and
the energy of all of.
Speaker 4 (47:11):
It and maybe it's Because i'm.
Speaker 1 (47:13):
Older maybe it's because The colts certainty of their future
is in flux and we don't know where they go
from here and if they're going to make the playoffs
and et. Cetera and the year has gone south on
them a little. Bit and maybe it's Because Monday night
football just in, general you now have primetime games all the, time?
Right is there less gust of wind in the sales
(47:37):
for A monday night? MATCHUP a because this is a
city that has built itself up from AN nfl, standpoint
and we have seen the mountaintop so many times that
now it's old hat or b because of the THINGS
i just mentioned of viewership is just different than it
used to. Be or See, jake you're out of your.
(47:58):
Mind it's just as big a deal as it was
in eighty.
Speaker 3 (48:00):
SEVEN i think it's IT'S i think it's nearly as
big of a deal because, again you're, You're, You're you're
the only game. ON i realized you can say that
About thursday, night but that's totally. Different, NO i still
think there's that BUZZ i, do. Uh and part of
that is Why i'm ingrained is all the times that
The colts were On Monday night during that great two.
(48:22):
Thousand it's a couple of times a year and great
games and special. Games you, know they've but they've they've.
LOST i think they've lost four or five in a
row On Monday, night and some of them haven't been very.
Attractive but, still and this is WHERE i think you
AND i, agree but a lot of the fan base may,
not is is the value that the community value of
(48:46):
Having Monday night with all the cut, up you, know
the lead ins and breakouts of the, broadcast with with
with sites From. Indianapolis The chamber Of commerce can't pay
for that kind of advertisement in, Visibility SO i think it's.
COOL i still think it's a big. DEAL i think
it's still as, big maybe not as big of a,
(49:06):
deal but but but nothing is as big as it
used to, be just because there's so much. MORE i
think if you go back and look at viewership and
all That Monday night still near the. TOP i do
sometimes it. Doesn't most of the, times it doesn't matter
who's playing unless you got two really really crappy teams
and then maybe people watch something. Else BUT i think
(49:28):
it's a big. Deal i've always enjoyed it back at
The paper when we actually had serious. DEADLINES i, mean
you had to have your story done at a certain.
Time monday night games where a painter are. In The
tampa game was horrific in one regard because it went so,
long but it made you really work your tail, off
and all of us at the start put out a
(49:49):
great product the next day in a historic. GAME i
still think it's got that buzz to. It AND i
hope again We're i'm not involved with The. Coles we cover,
them but we're not. INVOLVED i hope they play well
and find a way to, win just because it would
do something for the. Franchise it's right now stuck in
(50:11):
a bad way for a lot of. Reasons and, again
like you, said we'll see where this goes in the.
Offseason but this is the, CHANCE i, guess a pretty
dog on Good niners team to sort of, say, yeah
we've been through some tough, things but we've still got
what it takes in that one, game and then course
(50:32):
you play this and then you got to play Next.
Sunday you get To. Jacksonville but it's a big. DEAL
i hope the col fries to.
Speaker 1 (50:37):
It you, Know, CHAP i always remember you mentioned that
the deadlines of That monday night game With, tampa and,
yeah we're talking about a twenty plus old. Game you,
know that game will live forever in this. Town but you,
KNOW i was working back At channel six And Dave
first was down In, tampa And i'll never. Forget you,
know it's thirty five to. Fourteen the highlights were, cut
(50:58):
it was ON, abc it was on our, air we
had a postgame, show and by the time it got
to maybe twenty one and the culture driving And. Dave
this was the early years of texting as. Well dave
sends me a Text it's, like do we need to
maybe start redoing the highlights here for the postgame?
Speaker 4 (51:13):
Show And i'm, LIKE i. Don't let's see what.
Speaker 1 (51:15):
Happens and then, boom you, Know bashir gets the on
side and all of a, sudden it's, like holy cow
man and. Everyone, Chap i'm telling you right, now it's
just like they, say there were two million people that
Saw Wilt chamberlain score one hundred points in that game
In Hershey. Pennsylvania, right there were literally every person In.
INDIANAPOLIS i kidding. Not there were twelve people that saw
(51:36):
that live because the number of people the next day
that emailed the, station, right can you replay the fourth quarter?
Speaker 4 (51:41):
PLEASE i went to. Bed it was. Unbelievable but we'll
see what happens. Tonight peyton.
Speaker 3 (51:45):
Said he got voicemails the next day and, oh so
you guys got beat last night and all this is
and it was. Funny just a side, note the agreed
for she recovering that onside.
Speaker 4 (51:56):
Kick that was.
Speaker 3 (51:57):
Illegal THE nfl came back at you, know because it
didn't hit the ground so the other team's got a
chance to fare catch. It And Rasier cartas was an
illegal play that helped Come.
Speaker 4 (52:07):
So that's very.
Speaker 1 (52:08):
Beautiful that is. Beauty and then and then you get
the leaping. CALL i, mean what in the.
Speaker 3 (52:11):
World, yeah he Didn't simmey And rice sign here a
few years later when he when he couldn't play any.
Longer but, yeah it was pretty. Amaze and In Vanner
jackson game winning, Kick Rick corchet is off the goal.
Speaker 1 (52:23):
POST i Remember simmy And rice when he signed here
and he was made available and the first THING i.
SAID i was, like what exactly is? Leaping and he's,
like come, on, man come. On he wasn't here very,
long but he's a good. Dude chap appreciate.
Speaker 5 (52:35):
It.
Speaker 1 (52:35):
Man we'll see you down there. Tonight be will all,
Right Mike chapel joining us
You hear them on the postgame shows right here on
these radio airwaves, along with Greg Regstraw talking about the Colts,
and that means for Bill Brooks, Regstraw and the rest
of them plenty of java house hopefully over the course
of today, because they're going to need their caffeine. They
will be taking your calls and breaking it down. Late
after tonight's game between the San Francisco forty nine Ers
(00:20):
and the Indianapolis Colts, one of the true nice guys
in football, Bill Brooks, joining me, Bill, how are you
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Merry Christmas?
Speaker 3 (00:28):
How are you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:29):
I am doing well.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
I'm good, And you know I keep going back, Bill
between with this game tonight. There's a magic about Mondeynt football,
and you hear me mention it every time I talk
to you about the magic of that Broncos game, and
you know I always go back to that. It reawakens
the kid and me when you have moneynet football. But
this particular matchup tonight comes with great intrigue because I
(00:52):
can't figure out whether or not I feel like I'm
just going through the motions to finish off the season,
or whether or not I'm invigorated with the Colts having
still control of their own destiny, do they realistically Bill,
Are they realistically still a potential playoff run team?
Speaker 2 (01:11):
Yes they are. I mean they still have a chance.
I mean you saw how they start off the season
of course seven and one. Definitely things have turned not
in their favor lately, losing on the last five or
six games. So yes, things have hit a rough pass
right now for the Coat, But they still have an opportunity,
and that's what you want. You want opportunity as a player.
(01:31):
You just want an opportunity to have a chance to
make a playoffs. And they still have a chance to
make a playoff, So they need to go out today
and play well. They're playing against a good, good football
team and they have to score forty nine ers because
they're playing to position themselves and in the playoff, playoff
run themselves. They are in the playoffs, so as they
(01:51):
position themselves, they're going to be playing hard and playing
playing in order to get a better position. So we'll
see what happens. But I think, you know, we're getting
some guys back like the Forrest Buckner. I know that
should help the team out quite a bit, and we'll
see what happens come Monday night, but it should be exciting.
As you talked about earlier, this is the only game
(02:12):
of being played in the National Football League tonight, So
to me as exciting as a player, it was always
exciting to play on Monday night because you knew everyone
was watching you, your high school friends, your college friends,
and your family is watching everyone play. So it should
be exciting, and I'm sure the city be excited for it.
And uh, it'll be nice to see everyone downtown and
(02:33):
being excited for a game.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Bill.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
I mentioned this earlier, Bill Brooks, my guest job a
house peeling, poor guest line. I know that the Colts
did not win in Seattle, but the reality is, I
think people expected that game to go a lot differently
than it did, even though it was not a win.
And we take aside the result. It's a results league.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
I get it.
Speaker 1 (02:52):
Did Shane Steiken coach his best game of the year
in Seattle?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
You know, it's hard to say, you know what game
is the best games they but I thought he did
a great job of what he what they did out
there in Seattle. Not only Shane's like him, but the
defense as well. Louana Remo what they did and how
they kind of slowed down that thel Seahawks offense and
held them to nothing but field goals. And when you
(03:19):
do that, you figure, hey, you know what, you have
a shot to win the football game. And then having
Philip Rivers back, there's someone that has the command of
the offense, understanding the offense. And you know, he didn't
have any turnovers. He don't want turnover. I had a
turnablevose late in the game, so that really didn't count
because he's trying to get the team back but pushing
the ball downfield. But I thought he did a nice
(03:39):
job of having command of the offense. Now from a
standpoint of production, yes, definitely more production from the offense.
So hopefully hopefully put some more points on the board
and the Coast can get over that hump of scoring
twenty points, you know what they're gonna That gives him
a better chance of course winning football games because of
all the games they have office score twenty points or less.
(04:01):
So both of the offense could must some more points
and see what happened. But I thought, uh, Shane Stycken,
the game plan that had in regards to you know what,
some clock move the ball downfield, hopefully score and get
some points. Was a good idea and it is a
good game plan to go in and get a Seattle
(04:22):
team that was pretty good.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Bill, Do you believe that Philip Rivers from what you saw?
And you know, look, you've you've taken passes from a
lot of different quarterbacks, and I know that Philip Rivers,
you know, I mean the age, the the time off,
I mean, all of it comes into play.
Speaker 4 (04:40):
Right.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Did you feel like or did you see indication that
with more practice time this week there might be a
deeper area of the playbook you can go with Philip
Rivers Or is the physical limitations such that we saw
what you have to work with.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Well, I think when you look at Philip Rivers, you
have to kind of take Phil Rivers as what he
was before. In regards to Philip never was one of
those guys that had an overly strong arm to get
the ball downfield. He could throw the ball, he could
get the ball downfield, he could put it in tight
windows and tight spots, and he can get you in
the right place when needed. But I think he can
(05:20):
get the ball downfield. But I think what's going to
also happen is he's going to have to get those
short passes work over in the middle, and it's going
to be up to the receivers to actually make some
yards after the catch. I mean, that's one way you
can get some exposal plays. You have to make sure
that you complete the passes and get the ball downfield.
So I think he can get the ball downfield some,
(05:42):
but it's not going to be, you know, throwing the
ball seventy yards down the field. That's not Philip Rivers
and I don't think that was ever his game. But
they're going to have to find ways to get more
exposal plays. How they do that, I'm not exactly sure
how they do that, but I would like to see
the receivers make some yards up as catch, and that's
one way and get some exposive plays.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Bill.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
I want to hypothetically here. Okay, Santa arrives at the
Brooks house early today, so he comes down the chimney
this afternoon and you're startled. It goes without saying, right,
guy coming down the chimney, but Santa says to you, Bill,
you've been a good boy, and so I'm going to
deliver for you, Bill Brooks. I have the ability to
(06:25):
deliver one thing, and I want it to be Santa's
a Colts fan. So he says, Bill, I have the
ability right now to pick one area of this team
that is most confusing to Bill Brooks or most concerning
to Bill Brooks, and I Santa, I'm going to immediately
bolster that. And you can't say health from a schematic
(06:48):
or just an area of weakness of this team this year.
What is the one thing that Bill Brooks would want
Santa to take care of that would be a difference
maker for the Colts in these last three games.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Wow, that's a that's a good question. I can I
can't say, Hell Tom.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
I mean, obviously, if we could just get a Daniel
Jones back, because he was playing it a people forget.
I know that he was starting to revert a little bit,
but he played at a very high level at the
beginning of the year.
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Obviously exactly he did.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
I would say, more pressure in a quarterback and crucial situations.
I would like to see a little bit more pressure
from the front four, not even if the fund four,
but any anybody, if the's linebacker or whoever it may be,
if they want to send corners, can even more off
the slide or whatever. This legacy a little bit more
pressure on a quarterback, especially in a crucial situation, especially
(07:41):
when it gets down late in the game and they
need need a sack or need to force the quarterback
to make an errand throw something of that nature. That
that would be my choice if I had an opportunity
to ask Sannah for a birthday or there's a birthday
Christmas gift.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Okay, can you get Because the Colts have tried bill
a million different let me let me put it to
this way. You are a receiver, Okay. As a receiver,
you know the Colts have tried to get pass rush forever,
and DeForest Muckner is an elite level player, and Leatu
Latu has his moments? Could he pay? I think is
(08:21):
just a guy. I don't dislike him, but he's just
a guy. Right When you have now the process of
getting Mooney Ward and getting Sauce Gardner and imagining those
two as healthy corners there, How, when you are a receiver,
you know, how long do you go into a play
(08:41):
and a set where you're continuing to try to work
yourself open before then a coverage sack becomes availability and
becomes available because everything collapses. In other words, if the
Colts can't get pass rush, can the corners take care
of that for them, where then eventually it collapses for
the defense anyway, Yes.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Definitely, you definitely can get that. I mean it can
happen if the corners are playing tight coverage and makes
it very difficult from the quarterback to feel comfortable and
throwing the ball to the receiver. And if they continue
to you know, hold the ball, hold the ball, hold
the ball, then yes, the pass rush can get there.
But a lot of times what happens is if the
if the receiver is open or don't have much pressure,
(09:22):
and the quarterback can hold the ball and feel comfortable
back there and then throw the ball to the receiver.
The receivers wide open, so it kind of works hand
in hand. You know, you got you got guys in
the back in there they play tight coverage, then it
gives the guys the front opportunity to get to the quarterback.
But then also sometimes if the guys in front get
there quick enough, it rushes the quarterback and the quarterback
(09:45):
has to throw the ball before the receiver is actually
into his route or at the top of the vout
or breaking out of his route and it goes incomplete,
or it might be an interception.
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Who is the toughest corner you faced?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Ooh, there was. There was a number of guys that
were tough. Mike Haynes, who at the time was playing
for the Raiders. Uh, one guy that was I would
say my toughest want to go against you had? Let
me see you had Mini Field and Dixon, Uh, Private
(10:20):
dog Pounds or Cleveland Browns. Those are some of the
toughest guys that I say I faced.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
As a receiver, Bill Bill Brooks, my guest Joba House
peeling for guest line as a as a receiver, was
a corner tougher for you of one that's playing man
on the line right away and is with you lock
and stock. Or was it tougher to go against the
guy that you thought you had space from but had
(10:49):
such collapse time that they then got in and disrupted
at the very end of the play as the ball
was being delivered. And that might be the dumbest question
I've ever asked, But does that make sense what I'm asking?
Speaker 2 (11:00):
Yeah, it makes sense. For me. I didn't like people.
I didn't like people up in my face or close
to me, so to speak, at the line of scrimmage,
because I like to get in my route as soon
as possible. But then they're impeding me for me to
get into my route by you know, playing bumping and
run and getting the hands on me and guys that
had long arms such as Mike Canes and another guy
(11:23):
that I didn't mention earlier was Albert Lewis, another defensive
back that had long arms, that could run and does
a good job at the line of scrimmage of impeding
your progress up the field. So those guys made it
more difficult for me to get into my route, which
made it harder for me to complete my route and
create some separation and create some space. So for me,
(11:44):
it was the guys that were up in my face
that gave me more problems.
Speaker 1 (11:48):
We have very limited body of work to see as
a cult but from what you've been able to see,
when he is healthy and when we see him long term,
here Sauce Gardner is what kind of owner.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Oh, he's one of the top coins in the national
football which he's long, he can run, good feet, change
in the direction. He's one of the top corners in
the national football likeaue if you can, you know, stay healthy,
(12:21):
very very good.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
Is he Bill just say this?
Speaker 2 (12:26):
I would I would have trouble. Not that me, but
you're talking about the corners that I have that gives
me trouble. He would give me a lot of trouble.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
Okay, So he's not that.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
I'm not that I'm an all pro or was a
pro whatever, but he's one of those guys that can
give why I receive the spits.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
So he is a flank you from even pre snap
and never let you out of sight guy right as
opposed to a You think there's a window there, and
yet he closes that window instantly. He's more the first
guy right physical from the get go.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
He can do both.
Speaker 4 (13:01):
He can do both.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
He can play off and break on the ball very well.
And he can also get in your face and you know,
run with you and not really hit you, but stay
with you. Or he can get in your face and
he can impede your progress. So he can do he
can do both, and he has a body type and
the speed to do that. You know a lot of
(13:23):
corners don't have the certain body types to do those things.
But he's long enough, he's fast, enough, he has a
good scene. He can do all those things.
Speaker 1 (13:32):
Do you Bill, when you go out, Bill Brooks my guest,
he will be of course you'll be hearing him in
the post game show tonight.
Speaker 4 (13:38):
Monday Night Football.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
When you hear the theme, when you see the intro,
when you hear the crowd, do you still go back
to and remember what it was like as a player
to be part of the cities in my opinion, this
city's first true arrival and coronation and celebration of NFL
and Indianapolis and money that football. Do you still feel
(14:02):
that same buzz or butterfly tonight?
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Yes, I do.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
I do as far as me. I'm not playing, but
I still have that buzz knowing that it's something that's
exciting for the city. And this is where this is
where you know the city is showcased. You know, you
see different parts of the city, uh, throughout the game
and they come back from a commercial break and they'll
show part of the city. And I think it's great
for the city. And you know, I still get all
(14:30):
still get a buzz out of it because you know,
when Monday Night Football was on and your only game
in town, Uh, not just in Towent and game in
the country play it was. It was great knowing that
your family and your friends are watching it, so it's
it was. It was a special time. So yes, I
do get that buzz now like today, it's excited to
get downtown and see everyone downtown and you know what
(14:54):
the game was, how the game's gone unfold and things
that happened. So this exciting time and for it to
be of course, we still bring Indiana Night the Colts
and with those uniforms, so it should be exciting tonight.
Speaker 1 (15:07):
You know what I said, Bill, they got to do
the Indiana Nights while they're still the last team in
Indiana before the Bears come in. Right, it's not gonna happen.
I know it's not gonna it's all about power play.
I get it, but no, listen, I look forward to
it tonight. It's gonna be a lot of fun and
then we'll be listening afterwards. Certainly appreciate the time today
and get yourself a Java house getting ready for a
(15:28):
long night, because it's gonna be fun.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
Thank you well, It's.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
Gonna be a fun night. That's why I'm looking forward
to a fun night. If it's long that's fine. Long
the fun and a win for the Colts. It'll be
it'll be a good night.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
I appreciate it, Bill, Thank you.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
I appreciate you guys.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
All right, Bill Brooks joining me.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Well, where again at that time of year where basketball
and football season for Indiana, and then I have to
remind myself that like going into the holiday week, to
have the football team still be playing games while the
basketball team is getting set for the Big Ten slate
is not necessarily customary over the last couple of decades,
but it has been the last couple of years. And
joining us now the guy that has been on the
(16:07):
microphone for all of it, Don Fisher, joins us on
the Java House Peel and Port guest line. Don the
last one tonight, six o'clock tonight for the basketball side
of things. That game can be heard on our sister station, WBC.
It is Indiana and Sienna. This is the last battle
before they get into Big Ten play. And I do
want to talk obviously football, but let's begin basketball wise.
(16:28):
And we got into this a little bit last week.
Speaker 4 (16:30):
And that is just.
Speaker 1 (16:32):
If there's an area or a thing that you think
perhaps Darreen Debrees looks at with this roster and says
the intrigue or the area that I need to solidify
now or work in this game with Sienna before going
into Big Ten play. What would be the question mark,
if you will, that still hangs for him?
Speaker 5 (16:51):
Well, I think more than anything right now, they're still
trying to figure out the rebounding area, which has been
a trouble spot throughout the season in some respect, not
dramatically in Indiana's won their share of games that rebounding
with or better than the team that they're playing against.
But again, competition has something to do with that. But
I think the biggest concern that he has right now
(17:13):
is his ball club's ability to rebound the ball at
both ends of the floor, but specifically the offensive end
a little bit more so because they just haven't gotten
a lot of offensive rebounds throughout the year. And one
of the reasons they haven't they're an undersized basketball team
compared to a lot of these teams that they are
about to place face, especially in the Big Ten, and
(17:36):
so I know that that's one area that they're working on,
but they're working on a little bit of everything at
this juncture. This is a team still that's not one
hundred percent in the norm of having been around for
a long time, having all that kind of experience together
and so on. So which is a case for a
lot of teams these days, as we know, with the
rosters changing hands with nil and all those kinds of things.
(17:59):
But I think rebounding is the biggest area of concern
right now. And you know, when Sam Alexis went down
to that Kentucky game a little over a week ago,
there was a real holding of the breath by the
entire program because Sam, of course is an undersized post player,
but he's six', eight he's, athletic and he's one of
the two guys they count on in that post position
(18:22):
and Read bailey being the other and read out a
really good game Against sienna the other. Night but the
thing about it is they just don't have much depth.
There and if A lexus had gone down with a
serious knee, injury which could have, happened he got lucky
in the sense that it looked like there was going
to be AN acl tear there if it hadn't happened
the way it, did which was a turned ankle, first
(18:43):
and that apparently saved IS. Acl that's WHAT i was,
told so ALL i can tell you is they are light.
There they're definitely needing more, depth and that's hard to come.
By when you don't you can't change your. Roster, now
if you know WHAT i.
Speaker 4 (18:56):
Mean sure.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
Done i'll tell you what's to me comes intriguing is you,
know with the size of The Big ten now, RIGHT i,
mean with the fact of the number of different teams
that you, have theoretically you're going to see stylistically a
number of different ways that you've got to play within the.
CONFERENCE i, mean you have teams that want to play
in different. Fashion two ways to look at. That one
(19:18):
is to, say we have a, style this is how we,
play and we're going to push in on. That the
other is to develop a system where you can have
some versatility and kind of change the way that you.
Play which way do you see this particular team is
devrezemore of The Bob knight mold of this is how
(19:38):
we play and that's. It or do they have some
flexibility on different styles they can.
Speaker 5 (19:43):
PLAY i don't think they've got a lot of flexibility
with this. TEAM i just. DON'T i think the talent
is good enough to be very competitive in The big.
TEN i don't think that they have the talent to
be a ball club that plays all half. Court in other,
words they like to get out and. Run they are
a transition. Team they try to get off a three
(20:05):
point shot in the first ten to twelve seconds of
the shot clock before they set up in a half court,
game and that's the modus operendi of their team most
of the. Time but they've had to play a lot
of half court this, year especially against some of these
better teams that they've, played and if they can speed
teams up and make them play the way they want,
to THEN i think they can be very. Successful it's
(20:27):
hard to do that, sometimes, however with some of the
teams that you play in this. League and you know
that a lot of these ball clubs like to play
the half court game first and not rely on a
three point shot all the. Time and that's What indiana.
Does they do rely on three point shooting a great.
Deal that's how this roster was. Constructed Darren debrees wanted
to get as many good three point shooters as he
(20:48):
could on this, team and he's gotten three of. Them.
Obviously his Son tucker's very. Good Lamar wilkerson has a
proven a three point, guy And Nick dorn has come
off the bench now the last several ball games is
really shot well from the three point line once he
got back from. Injury SO i just don't see a
lot of ability to change the way they want to.
(21:09):
Play and if you looked at the game Against Chicago
state On, Saturday indiana shot lights out fourteen to twenty
six in the first half of the three point. Line
that was in the first twenty. Minutes in the second,
half they couldn't.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Throw it in the.
Speaker 5 (21:21):
Ocean they were one of twenty from the three point.
Line and then they relied on their bigs because the
team that they went up, Against Chicago, state didn't have
a great deal of strength in the front. Line so
they were able to succumb or to Make Chicago states
to come to their wishes in that contest Because Chicago
state just didn't have any size.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Themselves Don fisher is my guest voice of The Indiana,
hoosiers both on the basketball and football side of. Things
he's on The Java House peel and poor guest. Line Don,
here here's WHAT i know About Don. Fisher, OKAY i
know obviously that you have a great love For Indiana
athletics and, you it is not lost on you the
privilege of being their radio player by. Playboice, OKAY i
(22:02):
know that we've talked about it. Before you, know you
grew up as a. KID i think you liked baseball as.
Well but you also have a great amount of like
patriotism about. You and in addition to, THAT i think of,
you you, know as a family values. Guy right going
and watching your son's high school football team and being
around family is very important To Don. Fisher So i'm
(22:23):
going to, assume maybe assumptions are, Dangerous i'm going to
assume That.
Speaker 4 (22:28):
Christmas is a special.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Holiday like for most of, Us christmas is particularly special
To Don.
Speaker 4 (22:32):
Fisher, fact fact is.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
Fact there's no doubt it's very special to. Us susie
AND i host two days Of christmas at our. House
the first day Is christmas Eve, day in which my family.
Comes the second day is her family and they join
us For christmas Side Christmas. Day so we have so
(22:54):
much fun on these two. Days but my wife works
her rear end. Off she obviously has a full time
gig with The Indiana, pacers as you, know so she
gets a ton of. Work she has a ton of.
WORKLOAD i try to help her as much AS i.
Can if you put me in charge of anything cooking,
wise you're dead in the. Water SO i have to
(23:15):
do WHAT i have to, do which whether that's you,
know clean up, afterwards take care of dishes or what
are those kinds of, things just keeping all the grandkids
out of, everything then that's my. Job but she does
most of, it and she's phenomenal abed.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
Well she keeps for those that don't, know she keeps
The pacers franchise tied up as, well just in organizing
like virtually everything.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
Right so so.
Speaker 1 (23:40):
The holiday, thing you, know for the, Crew i'm glad
she's able to do. That with the family that would
be she would be the perfect person to put that
all on because it's just the automatic. Nature but the
REASON i asked it About, Christmas don is BECAUSE i
would imagine That Don fisher is still in the spirit Of,
christmas you, know thinks About santa and what he wants From.
(24:01):
Santa and and it's been a long time since you
since you've been able to, say On, Christmas, SANTA i
Want indiana to Beat alabama and football in a.
Speaker 4 (24:09):
Week it's like you know WHAT i, Mean but here's the. Matchup,
now we know the.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Matchup, now just first, off your overall thoughts on this
matchup With alabama and did you get a chance to
Watch Alabama?
Speaker 4 (24:21):
OKLAHOMA i.
Speaker 5 (24:23):
Did the thing that surprised me about those two teams
in that ball game was the number of mistakes that were.
MADE i was kind of stunned by. THAT i thought
both of them would come in there ready for. Bear
they hadn't had the long spell off Like indiana's having
right now to get ready for the ball, game and
they played each other. BEFORE i was just kind of
(24:44):
surprised by the number of mistakes that both those teams
made in that. Contest BUT i was rooting That alabama
would win BECAUSE i felt like that's the opponent THAT
i want TO i want to see our football team play.
Against they are the icon of THE. Sec everyone knows
they've struggled a little bit here in the last couple of.
YEARS i Think caylen De, boor who's their, coach is
(25:06):
a guy WHO i revere as a guy that came
To indiana for the twenty twenty season as the offensive.
Coordinator he got ruined BY, covid but it didn't Ruin
indiana season because they went six and through that, year
and it was Because caitlin De boer was such a
good innovator from an offensive, standpoint and of course he
had control Of Michael, pennix who went with him To
(25:28):
washington later, on and obviously they went to The National championship.
Game SO i just have a lot of respect For
calen De. BOER i Love Kane, wamick who's their defensive.
Coordinator he was also here in that twenty twenty year
With Tom allen and was great at devising the defenses
For indiana in that. Period so there are a lot of.
(25:49):
Impact Nick, SHERIDAN i, think also is another guy that's
went the program down there FROM. Iu he was a
quarterbacks coach at the same. Time so this is a
staff that we know from a personal, standpoint AND i
just wanted to Play. Alabama there are a number of,
reasons but not the least of which is the fact
THAT i just want to see If indiana can knock
(26:09):
them off and then Have paul feinebomb shut.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Up we'll do whatever it takes for the ladder, there, Right,
yeah don you mentioned. Something it's it's funny because. Tonight
Philip rivers for, example you, know quarterback and The colts
and coming back To, indianapolis and yet it's not like
we really got to know. Him And i'm using air quotes, there,
well because he was here during THAT covid season and
(26:32):
everything was just so weird, then, right in terms of
contact and how much you could be around people and
zoom calls and everything. Else the coaches of which you,
mentioned did you get a chance to know them much
or did all of those factors kind of come in
where you were aware of them but you didn't get
a lot of interaction with.
Speaker 5 (26:48):
Them, well we had decent interaction with them, because let's face,
it there were no crowds to worry. About there were
nobody was coming to games except for. Parents we had
a chance to get out to watch practices and things
like that because everything was so shut down at the
time and you were looking for ways to get outside
(27:09):
and do. Things and so we did have a chance
to Watch indiana football a little bit closer maybe than
we would, otherwise and get to know some of these
guys a little bit better in a very short period of. Time, so,
yeah those guys were really good. PEOPLE i like. Them a.
LOT i think they've taken over This alabama program and
struggled just a, hair but it's Still, alabama as everybody.
(27:32):
Knows AND i just look forward to seeing these guys
and shaking their hand and congratulating them on making the,
playoffs just Like indiana.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
Has do you have concerned on or intrigue maybe is
the better word about the layoff from An indiana, Standpoint
not because Of, indiana but if you, look you know
by president a year, ago what happened to the teams
that had time? Off it did not go well in
the college football. Playoff how do you Think indiana handles that?
Speaker 5 (28:00):
Well the REASON i think they can handle it is
because their coach Is Kurt. Signetti he just doesn't let
things go by the, wayside OR i, mean their practices
have been light at this point in time of, year
so he's given these guys a lot of time to
get healed, up to get the bumps and bruises and
scrapes and all those kinds of things healed. Over but
(28:21):
at the same, time he works his team and when
they get out, there they may not go, long but
they go hard when they get on the football. Field
AND i just HAVE. A i know he knows how
to handle this to some, degree Although i'm not sure
anybody's ever had a three and a half week layoff
before their first game after finishing out a regular, Season
(28:42):
so from that perspective it is. Different it concerns, EVERYBODY
i think a little, bit but of all the people
THAT i think can handle, IT i Think kurtzing that
he can don For.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
Christmas aside from An indiana win Over, Alabama i'm going
to Ask santa to give me an ability to pitch
and chip from forty yards in ONCE i get to
the cup in golf That consanta deliver that kind of a.
Speaker 5 (29:04):
Miracle UNFORTUNATELY i doubt, it and if he, could that
would be the first THING i would ask, for even
over a win Over. Alabama point because it structures into my. LIFE.
A hecro a lot more, difficult as you, know.
Speaker 1 (29:19):
Fair, Enough, well don, listen you, KNOW i know obviously
you are, busy and it certainly gives This dog And
Pony show a credibility each and every week when we
can have you, on your status as a legendary broadcaster
Within indiana is. Cemented and so just for a little
part of that cement to come onto this show and
give us some credibility is always. Appreciated so with, THAT
(29:41):
i hope the absolute best for you your family on
both sides On Christmas eve And christmas and the absolute
warmest and most Rewarding christmas for.
Speaker 5 (29:50):
You, WELL i appreciate, That. Jake it's very nice of
you to, say AND i just want to wish everybody
a Merry, christmas in a Happy New, year and a Go.
Speaker 1 (29:57):
Hoosiers that's, Right Don, fisher the voice of The who's
appreciate it On Mike, CHAPLIN cbs four and wxin box fifty,
nine Chap let's begin with this from the standpoint of
the health issue for The, colts those that are in
and those that are. Out is there any anything new
that might be surprising the people as to who is
(30:18):
going to work their way in or who was still held?
Speaker 3 (30:20):
Out no other than The colts announced the activated or
they added The Forrest bucker to the active, roster which
is a big. Deal and they're still gonna be Without
Mooney ward And Sauce. Gardner And i'm telling, You i'm
telling you IF i had the choice between The Forest
buckner And Sauce gardner as far as, IMPORTANCE i take
(30:43):
The Forest. Buckner i'll just Have buck in the lineup
THAT i would one of those. Corners he's that good
and he's that as close to irreplaceable on, defense shoot
on the team as you can. Get he comes, Back
Bernie ryman's not. Playing we'll see what they do on
the offensive. Line so that's the main, thing Is bucks,
(31:06):
back and it gives them a much better chance to
play decent.
Speaker 1 (31:12):
Defense So ryman is, back though correct with the malbo
he is.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
Out he said he's.
Speaker 3 (31:18):
Out he practiced, limited, okay whatever the day the wee
from Best, saturday but they ruled him. Out he's he's not. Playing.
Uh it's so they're gonna have to mix a match
on the offensive, line and it comes against the team
that's got sixteen, facts which is the worst in the
league by a handful of. Sacks so hopefully they'll be
(31:40):
able to Protect rivers and let him play the position
better than they did the first.
Speaker 1 (31:47):
Game chapter you anticipate over the course of the, week
Did shane stiken tip his hand in any way in this?
Area MEANING i actually, thought and Maybe i'm in the minority,
HERE i Thought Shane stikeen in That seattle game might
have turned in his best coaching performance of the, year because,
YES i realized they did not win that, game but
(32:08):
given all of the variables of going into the quarterback,
playing et, CETERA i thought he called a very smart
game for feeling it out and getting a feel for
what they had In Philip rivers and keeping them in.
Contention does did we see everything that that relationship has
to offer or do you Think stikeen has more in the?
Speaker 4 (32:30):
Bag did? He did he tip his hand in any
way on?
Speaker 3 (32:32):
That, well there needs to be More, first AND i
put on social media after the game THAT i had
got stike And andrino through almost the perfect. Game you're
ahead sixteen to fifteen with forty seconds to go and
the other teams on their thirty seven no, TIMEOUTS i
mean with and again taking into account all your personnel,
(32:55):
limitations and there were, plenty SO i, thought, yes they
squeezed every ounce out of what they could. Do it's
just in the induance wasn't, enough you, know a not
a good enough kickoff after the field. Goal and then
two plays That Sam dartle made that if you stop
(33:18):
either one have been, bounds you probably win the. Game
SO i thought considering, Everything, yes it was his best,
game but there's got to be. More it's just you.
Can't and they know. That they you, know that was
so specific to, well he's been here three days and
you know he hasn't played for five. Years they really
had to have a dumbed down game. Plan they just.
(33:39):
Did and but having said, that it's got to be
there's got to be. More he averaged four point four
yards and an attempt like six yards of, completion and
all that does when you've got to run the ball
With Jonathan, taylor all that does is make it harder
to run the ball With john jon And. Taylor so
you've got you've got you, Know Alex, pears who leads
(34:02):
the league in yards for. Catch you've got to stretch
the field some at least at least pose the, threat
WHICH i think they. Will but they're still Gonna they
ran more than they threw last week by a. FEW
i think they still run more this. Week they have.
To but and this is A niners, defense that's that's
(34:22):
gettable that they're they're not strong against the. Run and
again the pass rush should be not super bad with
perhaps you know not not perhaps the two backup. Tackles but,
yes and and and we've talked To shane enough to
know that there has to be. MORE i Think rivers
will be. More you, know this was a normal week
(34:43):
For Philip rivers to where you come, in you get
all these days for. Pared last week was not. Normal
r he comes, in he's. Cramming so, yes there there
needs to be, more AND i think there there will be.
Speaker 1 (34:54):
More did you see did you See Ann rivers chap
more that could be?
Speaker 4 (34:59):
There in other, words did you know WHAT i?
Speaker 1 (35:02):
Mean, LIKE i understand that they had to kind of
simple it down because of exactly, that, right you're just
throwing it out. There but but now that he's had that,
week and now that maybe they can ent you, know
look at more, film go over some. Differ do you
feel that from a physical standpoint or a skill set
standpoint in twenty twenty five that there is more there
that can tap into With Philip?
Speaker 3 (35:23):
Rivers? Boy and if it's a yes or, No i'd say.
NO i mean it's the same. Guy it's the same
forty four year old Arm maybe he recognizes things, quicker
but as far as getting the ball from POINT a
to POINT b quicker with more. VELOCITY i think getting it,
(35:44):
there quicker would be recognizing the. Play, QUICKER i don't
think all of a sudden he's going to start throwing
lasers all over the. Field AND i just, that's first
of that's not who he was when he, played you,
know at the right. Age so that that but that's
a that's a great. Question and you can devise all
the game plans you, want and if the quarterback can't carry,
(36:04):
that can't make the. Throw if you, can't you can
block it up to where you've got time to get
the ball sixty yards fifty yards downfield the. Piers but
the quarterback back can't do, it then what are you?
Doing that's a really good. Point we'll find. OUT i
think that whether he can or, not they're going to.
Try they need to. Try but that's we're going to
(36:27):
see one another. Week and, again maybe part of it
with the throwing is that his legs weren't under him
as they shouldn't have been as far you, know the
quarterbacks need their legs to throw off of and really
push off. Of and maybe he's a lot better this,
week but they simply have To they've got to do
more than they did him throwing for one hundred and
(36:50):
twenty yards isn't going to cut. It it's NOT jt
averaging six three point six might be okay running the
ball if you're getting overrom the past, game that'll be
a really interesting thing to Watch. Sniders one one will
they try? It and? Two Can rivers do it?
Speaker 1 (37:07):
Well AND i, thought you, know obviously they went with
a Mere abdullah out of the backfield with the passing,
game which IS i would assume that part of that
was just to Allow rivers kind of the comfort, level
the familiarity with the.
Speaker 4 (37:22):
Layups do we? Continue do you believe to See abdullah
at that?
Speaker 3 (37:26):
LEVEL i think, so because, again you, know IF jt
runs about twenty five, times you, know AND i realized
he's he prepares for this and all, this but at
some point you do need to give him a. Breather
And abdullah is a better receiver out of the. Backuld
he simply.
Speaker 4 (37:43):
Is and that's.
Speaker 1 (37:44):
It And rivers has always had a guy like, that,
Right he's always had a bailout out of backfield, Guy Darren.
Speaker 3 (37:50):
SPROLES i, mean, goodness. Crations how many times did he
Tormented colts With? Rivers so, yeah no question. Again if
there's thirty rushes again this, week twenty five need to BE.
Jt but Get abdulla involved the past game and hit
(38:10):
those underneath crossers and then you, know but you gotta
get eybody more. Involved Tyler warren has disappeared in the
last three or four, games and that's not a reflection on.
Him it's a reflection on the rest of or how
the quarterback play has has declined with the injuries To
jones and Then rivers coming. In they've got to get
back to the players who carry, them who have carried,
(38:32):
them which IS jt And Tyler warren for the most.
Part hopefully they. Can they can scratch into that tonight
because they're Gonna you. Can't you can't win, sixteen, eighteen,
nineteen but they're one six this. Year when they don't
when they score twenty or, fewer and they've lost. IT
i THINK i looked it. Up they've lost eleven straight
(38:54):
and twenty four twenty seven when they don't score more than.
Twenty so in TODAY'S, nfl And i'm telling you that
The niners are going to score twenty. Points they just.
Are so you got to score and hopefully they. Can
they can get the quarterback first in the position to do,
that and then he's able to execute the game.
Speaker 1 (39:14):
Plan Chap here's a question That Mike chapel's my GUEST
cbs FOUR wxa On fox fifty nine where you see.
Him he's on The Java house peeling poor guest. Line
java house dot com is the website For They're Fabulous Instant,
Coffee Liquid science and energy. Products Chap here's a question
that typically there is a more slam dunk answer at
(39:35):
this point in the, Year But i'm going to ask
it and then think about it and give me an.
Speaker 4 (39:39):
Answer you're, ready. Yep who's the best team in THE?
NFL rams think?
Speaker 3 (39:45):
So? HUH i think? So, YEAH i still HAVE i
lost the other. NIGHT i think they're pretty dark on.
Good AND i tell, you If Matthew stafford wins AN,
mvp which he probably will probably and gets to The
Super bowl wins another, one he will be a Slam
Dunk hall Of. Famer he's probably there. Anyway BUT i
(40:07):
think he's been one of the more underappreciated players over
the course of his career because he, was you, know
dying In. Detroit. YEAH i think they're pretty.
Speaker 4 (40:19):
Good, yeah they and you, know.
Speaker 1 (40:23):
There are only a handful of teams that you would
say this about or quarterbacks that you would say this
about right. Now but the thing about The rams is
that game you're talking, about which the other night was
one of the one of the best regular season games
you're going to see in THE.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
Nfl it was fabulous With.
Speaker 1 (40:36):
Seattle But stafford is one of those that you give
him The when that guy trots out on the field
and you look at his eyes inside of the last two,
minutes you, go, yeah good.
Speaker 4 (40:46):
Luck you know WHAT i.
Speaker 1 (40:47):
MEAN i mean he seems very very dialed, in and
offensively they are very well, balanced and then defensively they
got some, pieces Right.
Speaker 3 (40:56):
Yeah that's why you look AT acnc in THE AC
i look At buffalo and their. DEFENSE i don't trust
that defense at. ALL i do. Not BUT i Trust Josh.
ALLEN i just he's gonna if you let him hang,
around he's going to beach in the fourth. Quarter he
just is with all with all the, deficiencies and he
doesn't have doesn't have great, weapons but he's got a
(41:17):
really good running game With, cook who who right now
is the head OF jt in the. League rushing of,
course he's got the extra, game BUT i like those
two right. Now everybody else has got, significant significant question.
Marks it seems Like. Seattle there are times in games
Where Sam darnald you, Think, god that's The Sam darnald we,
(41:38):
Know and then he's got a fourth quarter where he
drags him back and he beats The, rams WHO i
think is the best. Team so, yeah it's really interesting
the year this year In New. ENGLAND i sort of
want to believe in, him and, well they had a
great game, yesterday BUT i JUST i don't totally trust
the young. QUARTERBACK i don't.
Speaker 4 (41:59):
Know, yeah Looks chuffalo and The rams right.
Speaker 1 (42:02):
Now New england's a fascinating. One and this is going
to segue to another Team i'm talking about because it
does tie into The. Colts Mike, chapel my. Guest New
england's interesting because there's nothing about them that jumps out at,
you that alarms. You AND i don't know how many
people really have paid attention To New, england but watching
them last, Night New england did something for the first
time since The colts bye, week and that is they
(42:24):
delivered a result that The colts needed for The colts playoff.
Speaker 4 (42:28):
Push here right because they.
Speaker 1 (42:29):
Were every other game has gone against the way The
colts needed it to. Go they Needed baltimore to lose last,
night And baltimore. Did BUT i, Thought Drake, may it's
been a long time Since i've sat and watched a
game like that and seen a player THAT i, thought
you know, WHAT i don't know Where i've, been but
this guy looks to, me he looked like he has
taken a next step in pocket presence and poise and
(42:52):
just knowing when to, run when to throw it, away et.
Cetera he looks really good to.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
Me Chap, well he's think he's like leading the league
in completion, percentage and you see. It the ball is,
There it's where it needs to, be in the right.
Spot he's got just enough talent around. Him the running
game is pretty. Good the running game can be can
be pretty dominant if they want it to. Be but
they've got you got tight, ends they got receivers making.
(43:17):
Plays the defense is pretty. Good they're probably maybe a
year ahead of schedule on maybe where people thought they
might be with. Everything but you don't win that many
games and put yourself in that position to win the
division just by, luck by falling into. It so, yeah
they're pretty. GOOD i still Like buffalo because of the.
(43:40):
QUARTERBACK i just. Do he's got that Extra he's that
guy again Like. Peyton you were playing the clip earlier
with The tampa game WHERE i made it a. Point
i've got a disc A cd of that, game And
i'll pull up it in every every so. Often and
with with like five minutes to, play it's already five to.
(44:00):
Fourteen you cannot win that. Game yet they. Did so
that quarterback gives you the. Chance and the guys we've talked,
about those quarterbacks give me my, Chance.
Speaker 1 (44:11):
Chap when you look at THE afc right, now the
guy THAT i you talk, About Peyton manning and you
And i've discussed this And i've said it on the
radio one thousand. Times the player THAT i was convinced
was A Peyton manning era apparent Is Trevor lawrence when
he came.
Speaker 4 (44:30):
OUT i watched him every snap in.
Speaker 1 (44:31):
College the, size the, poise the ball, placement all of it,
Right AND i know that you, know you have the
Erbin meyer experiment and all, that and there's been a
lot of more bumps than road at. All The LATIN
i don't knock on. WOOD i guess for The colts
fans is a bad. Thing the last five, weeks no
one is talking about the fact that it seems to
(44:52):
have come together For Trevor lawrence and he is playing
at a very high. Level and don't look, NOW i
haven't heard anybody mentioned, this But jacksonville now has taken
over THE Afc south and very quietly and off radar
is you, know they're firmly in control and maybe even
to put themselves in placement for THE. Afc but my
(45:13):
question for, You Mike, chappel is this is this a
mirage or Has jacksonville finally gone through?
Speaker 3 (45:19):
Puberty i've been through. This how many times have we
have we Been? Jacksonville, yes right, By and it's a.
Fact it's, like, oh you know back in six years. Ago,
no it's been like three or four times where you, think,
man they finally got it. Together and even With Trevor,
lawrence you, think, man this is who everyone thought he would.
(45:42):
Be you, know he's past The Urban meyer. Nightmare and but,
no you're right right. NOW i, mean there's probably good
as bad as anybody for the number one. SEED i
Just i've just been burned too many times by The,
jaguars and having said, that they they're probably a play
as well as. Anybody it's just that nobody outside of
(46:03):
jag outside Of New, ball wants to believe in, them
and they've given you too many reasons to not believe in.
Them and all they're going to do is say we don't,
care and they're taking care of business. Again The colts
had a firm grip on the division until the second
half of the, season and right now The jaggs are
(46:25):
taking care of their second half of the. Season so,
YEAH i won't be surprised if they're the number one.
SEED i won't be surprised if they slip and they're
playing in the last week of the season to win
the division because, something you, know they mucked something up.
Speaker 1 (46:43):
And that MUCKs up that up could be. That who,
knows can The, colts you, know do The colts get?
THEM i, mean it's going to be a must win
chap one in with, this you, KNOW i, mean you
AND i have talked about this a thousand. Times the
special element Of monday night football And Monday night football
be you, know being in town and the strobe lights
(47:04):
and the spotlights on your city and the aerial shots
of downtown and all of, it and the buzz and
the energy of all of.
Speaker 4 (47:11):
It and maybe it's Because i'm.
Speaker 1 (47:13):
Older maybe it's because The colts certainty of their future
is in flux and we don't know where they go
from here and if they're going to make the playoffs
and et. Cetera and the year has gone south on
them a little. Bit and maybe it's Because Monday night
football just in, general you now have primetime games all the, time?
Right is there less gust of wind in the sales
(47:37):
for A monday night? MATCHUP a because this is a
city that has built itself up from AN nfl, standpoint
and we have seen the mountaintop so many times that
now it's old hat or b because of the THINGS
i just mentioned of viewership is just different than it
used to. Be or See, jake you're out of your.
(47:58):
Mind it's just as big a deal as it was
in eighty.
Speaker 3 (48:00):
SEVEN i think it's IT'S i think it's nearly as
big of a deal because, again you're, You're, You're you're
the only game. ON i realized you can say that
About thursday, night but that's totally. Different, NO i still
think there's that BUZZ i, do. Uh and part of
that is Why i'm ingrained is all the times that
The colts were On Monday night during that great two.
(48:22):
Thousand it's a couple of times a year and great
games and special. Games you, know they've but they've they've.
LOST i think they've lost four or five in a
row On Monday, night and some of them haven't been very.
Attractive but, still and this is WHERE i think you
AND i, agree but a lot of the fan base may,
not is is the value that the community value of
(48:46):
Having Monday night with all the cut, up you, know
the lead ins and breakouts of the, broadcast with with
with sites From. Indianapolis The chamber Of commerce can't pay
for that kind of advertisement in, Visibility SO i think it's.
COOL i still think it's a big. DEAL i think
it's still as, big maybe not as big of a,
(49:06):
deal but but but nothing is as big as it
used to, be just because there's so much. MORE i
think if you go back and look at viewership and
all That Monday night still near the. TOP i do
sometimes it. Doesn't most of the, times it doesn't matter
who's playing unless you got two really really crappy teams
and then maybe people watch something. Else BUT i think
(49:28):
it's a big. Deal i've always enjoyed it back at
The paper when we actually had serious. DEADLINES i, mean
you had to have your story done at a certain.
Time monday night games where a painter are. In The
tampa game was horrific in one regard because it went so,
long but it made you really work your tail, off
and all of us at the start put out a
(49:49):
great product the next day in a historic. GAME i
still think it's got that buzz to. It AND i
hope again We're i'm not involved with The. Coles we cover,
them but we're not. INVOLVED i hope they play well
and find a way to, win just because it would
do something for the. Franchise it's right now stuck in
(50:11):
a bad way for a lot of. Reasons and, again
like you, said we'll see where this goes in the.
Offseason but this is the, CHANCE i, guess a pretty
dog on Good niners team to sort of, say, yeah
we've been through some tough, things but we've still got
what it takes in that one, game and then course
(50:32):
you play this and then you got to play Next.
Sunday you get To. Jacksonville but it's a big. DEAL
i hope the col fries to.
Speaker 1 (50:37):
It you, Know, CHAP i always remember you mentioned that
the deadlines of That monday night game With, tampa and,
yeah we're talking about a twenty plus old. Game you,
know that game will live forever in this. Town but you,
KNOW i was working back At channel six And Dave
first was down In, tampa And i'll never. Forget you,
know it's thirty five to. Fourteen the highlights were, cut
(50:58):
it was ON, abc it was on our, air we
had a postgame, show and by the time it got
to maybe twenty one and the culture driving And. Dave
this was the early years of texting as. Well dave
sends me a Text it's, like do we need to
maybe start redoing the highlights here for the postgame?
Speaker 4 (51:13):
Show And i'm, LIKE i. Don't let's see what.
Speaker 1 (51:15):
Happens and then, boom you, Know bashir gets the on
side and all of a, sudden it's, like holy cow
man and. Everyone, Chap i'm telling you right, now it's
just like they, say there were two million people that
Saw Wilt chamberlain score one hundred points in that game
In Hershey. Pennsylvania, right there were literally every person In.
INDIANAPOLIS i kidding. Not there were twelve people that saw
(51:36):
that live because the number of people the next day
that emailed the, station, right can you replay the fourth quarter?
Speaker 4 (51:41):
PLEASE i went to. Bed it was. Unbelievable but we'll
see what happens. Tonight peyton.
Speaker 3 (51:45):
Said he got voicemails the next day and, oh so
you guys got beat last night and all this is
and it was. Funny just a side, note the agreed
for she recovering that onside.
Speaker 4 (51:56):
Kick that was.
Speaker 3 (51:57):
Illegal THE nfl came back at you, know because it
didn't hit the ground so the other team's got a
chance to fare catch. It And Rasier cartas was an
illegal play that helped Come.
Speaker 4 (52:07):
So that's very.
Speaker 1 (52:08):
Beautiful that is. Beauty and then and then you get
the leaping. CALL i, mean what in the.
Speaker 3 (52:11):
World, yeah he Didn't simmey And rice sign here a
few years later when he when he couldn't play any.
Longer but, yeah it was pretty. Amaze and In Vanner
jackson game winning, Kick Rick corchet is off the goal.
Speaker 1 (52:23):
POST i Remember simmy And rice when he signed here
and he was made available and the first THING i.
SAID i was, like what exactly is? Leaping and he's,
like come, on, man come. On he wasn't here very,
long but he's a good. Dude chap appreciate.
Speaker 5 (52:35):
It.
Speaker 1 (52:35):
Man we'll see you down there. Tonight be will all,
Right Mike chapel joining us
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