December 22, 2025 • 23 mins
00:00 - 12:17 - Charles Arbuckle, the former Colts tight end and current radio analyst joins the show to help preview the game!
12:18 - 23:14 - Stephen Holder of ESPN joins the show to help preview the Colts-49ers matchup!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
And Andy Moore Automotive Group potline for the Colts Radio Network.
I told you all about him a little bit earlier.
The former Colts tied end is joining us. Charles R. Buckle, Hello, Charles?
Speaker 2 (00:09):
How are you? I'm good man? How are you doing?
Speaker 1 (00:12):
You know, it's funny if you had any sort of
last stand if you're the Colts later on tonight would
assumingly be it, would it not?
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Yeah, you don't want to end up like Custer, right.
You want to make sure that you come out and
you come out fighting, and you make sure you win
this thing the best you can, because there's going to
be a lot of things that are happening here, good
opportunities for the Colts. But they've just put themselves in
a position now having not won since Berlin, where it's
all these games that must win now.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, well, and you know, I look back, I think
hell I called most of them must win, and it
would have been nice that they cash in on those
those must win situations. You were out there last week
the effects of Philip Rivers, both in the positive and
the neggat if his hiatus was five years, he came
back and got to start. Last week we saw how
(01:05):
that ultimately ended. But there was good, but there is
bad that Unfortunately, I don't think that there is a
solution on the limitations of the forty four year old
down the field in his arm. But what did you
see in how do you think the Niners prep for
that defensively coming up later on tonight?
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Well, you have a chance in the Niners.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
I'll just say this, with all their injuries on the
defensive side, they haven't packed the quarterback well.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
So that bodes well for Philip Rivers.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
When you don't have a Bosa who was hurt early
in the year, Fred Warner, you know they have got
another couple of guys up front that just aren't playing.
So when you have that, that puts you in a
good position because that's the one thing. He'll get the
ball out quick and he'll make sure he puts the
players in the right position. And the thing, danb that
just you know, fascinates me even when I look at
(01:55):
young quarterbacks and the things that they can't do. They
don't throw the ball easily to the flat or those
arrow routes when the you know where the running back
starts out comes back in and you just hit him
real simple things. That's what Rivers can do. Now what
he showed last week that he can't do on anything
that was ten plus yards air yards, he was two
(02:16):
of eight for thirty three yards, and that last second
interception I don't count that. The only deep throw that
he really had was the one the Alec Pierce on
the back shoulder, which was great, and then the one
to Tyler Warren where it picked up about you know,
fifteen yards, But other than those, you could see that
(02:36):
he just didn't have the drive on the ball.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Now, the wind.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Wasn't terrible last week, and it wasn't wet this week.
You're indoors, so you figure it'd be a little bit better.
But he was sixteen of eighteen for eighty seven yards
on your throws under ten yards. So to me, he's
got to improve that two for eight for air yards
over ten because you've got to be able to hit
deag routes and you've also got to hit some deep
outs against team like the forty nine ers who haven't
(03:03):
particularly played the.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Run real well, and I think that's what they're.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Going to be stopped up to do because they know
that if Philip Rivers is gonna get going, Jonathan Taylor
has to get going. And I think those are the
things that I look at from that standpoint, because the
other thing with the forty nine ers since Party has
come back, they've been pretty explosive on offense. But here's
what Jonathan Taylor has done rushing the ball. And this
is where it's a concern for me. In a red
(03:27):
flag for the Colts fifty eight yards three point six
against Kansas City, eighty five against the Texans four yards
per Carrey, seventy four against Jacksonville three point five, and
then the Seattle Seahawks eighty seven, three point five. They
have to get back to where Jonathan Taylor can run
the football effectively, and then that sets up the play
action pass for Philip Rivers, which he wants to do
(03:48):
and not have to feel like you're in third and long,
but you're in third and two, third and three, and
it's a much easier down to pick up.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Yeah, it's funny. You mentioned how it feels like that
you're with Philip Rivers and you feel comfortable in first gear,
but you can't get the third gear. Thus, I think
that's incredibly difficult to try to kickstart Jonathan Taylor because
you are relying a great deal on an offensive line
to move a lot of bodies out of the way
(04:16):
because they're simply put zero threat ten fifteen yards down
the field over your head. So I mean, I know
that this was a running game that was already fading,
but that certainly compounds a difficult situation later on tonight.
And now you have the Niners. You know, even with
these losses on defense, Charles, you have the Niners that
(04:36):
have after five years tape of the now after last
week on Rivers, and that can send things a little
bit more haywire as well.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Yeah, it can. And I think this is where the
other factor comes in.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
I think the defense played about as well as I
saw them during that stretch when they've lost, and they
gave themselves a chance.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Right, So your.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Defense is gonna have to play well again. You're going
to have to create some turnovers from the defensive side.
That's when the Coats team was playing well and when
they've been their best is when their team has been
able to turn the ball over. They didn't get that
last week. And you think about it, even in the
games they lost, which was only one that was a
blowout on this streak, against the Jaguars, they have been
able to get people to turn the ball over, So
(05:19):
I think that's the recipe to me. It's also you know,
we can look at Philip Rivers. I think he's the
important critical factor. But if you're not going to get
the things that you need in the deep passing game,
you got to get it in other hidden parts, ie
your defense stocking them but also forcing them to turn
the ball over and then turning those turnovers in the points,
and then your special teams. How can you make the
(05:41):
field look better for you and your drive start is
much better for a guy that can't drive the ball
thirty yards down the field, but still as effective in
getting you in the right position. I think those are
the key factors that I look at Tonight.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
On Monday night, Charles Arbocal joins us at the Colts
Radio Networth the former Coats tight End. We're staked out
at Bollsvgroup dot Com at the Coach v Iptailgate presented
by Haysen Sun's Restoration. Doors open a little bit later
on today for the premiere pregame party. Anywhere I'm going
to say indoor and indoor here because this place is
looking fantastic and it is warm, all you can eat,
(06:15):
all you can drink on the inside. And Charles's on
the Andy Moore Automotive Group plotline. So a bit of
good news is that you hear and there's no sauce guardener.
You know about Mooney Ward, but DeForest Buckner is back.
I would ask you it is a big deal, don't
get me wrong, But how I mean is he going
(06:35):
to be or would you expect him to be his
normal Buckner type of self after this long injured layoff
j MB.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I'd want twenty players out of buck and still think
he's gonna give me his best twenty because his molder.
You know, even at his age, he's still got the
high molder. And some of the younger guys are playing better,
but I think you need that twenty twenty five snaps.
He's probably gonna be on the pitch count if he's
got anything to do with the neck of shoulder, and
usually you have that.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
But if he's feeling well and he can get twenty
five thirty players, I.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Will take that from the Forrest Buntner every day because
think about on the other side, the Christian McCaffrey. These
are two guys with over seventeen hundred scrimmage yards. Both
of them are effective. McCaffrey does it in the air,
he does it on the ground.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
You've got to.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Make sure brock Purdy becomes one dimensional where he's only
throwing the ball. And the Colts have been really good
at pressuring quarterbacks and the Forest Buckner is a.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Key person to that.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
And since he's been out, teams have been able to
run better, but they also been the quarterbacks have been
able to step up there where you don't have Big
ninety nine and ninety with grow He and Grover just
do such a really good job at playing off of
each other. I think his twenty five to thirty players
are imperative.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Against the run game and the pass game, and I think.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
That's where the Colts have to hang their hat because,
like I said, those two linebackers last week, I saw
Kato June in the next booth over and I was
telling them, like I'm clapping during the game because you
got you know, Franklin all over the field. You have
Trap all over the field making plays. And I think
the linebackers only get better when you bring back a
guy like the Forest Buckner because he takes that double team,
(08:14):
he swallows it up and he does all the things,
and he's gonna have some extra incentive.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
This is his former team, you know.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
And it wasn't that they didn't end well or he
doesn't dis like him, but whenever you play your former team,
you want to show him like, look look what you're missing.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Here, look what you're missing. Her dog, I got you.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
So I expect him to have a big game if
it's only fifteen plays, but whatever it is, it's much
more valuable than having him on the sideline where you
need him on the field.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Hey, Charles, before I'll let you go, you'd mentioned the
shortcomings recently of Jonathan Taylor and the rookie tied in
from Penn State, Tyler Warren also has suffered from similar
consequences here. As a former tight end as you are,
it would seem like if somebody could really help the
cause out, it would be one. How do you get
(09:02):
him with this offense back involved? Because simply put, he's
disappeared over the past month.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
I think the two things that they're going to do
that I look at the coats looking for him is
in situations where they getting manned short crossing routes where
he can cross and Josh Downs can come across and
they almost pick each other's guy. But he becomes a
valuable weapon on the other side of that cross If
they're playing a lot of zone, find ways to just
get him ten yards, hook around big body, and you
(09:32):
hit him with some things. I know they were trying
to do that last week. The Seahawks defense is much
better in the back end and really all the way
around right now, because then this forty nine Ers team,
and I will think if the forty nine ers are
going to play zone, that's where you utilize big Tyler
Warren in different positions and you get him moving so
they can't have a linebacker or a d n disrupt
(09:53):
him from his route. I think those are the critical
things to night, and I think we'll see that with
Rivers because those two really, you know, think about it.
He came in three days last week and was able
to play, so now he's got a full week under
his belt and he's understanding where to put the ball
for the guys as well.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
So Charles rbuckle with us the McCaffrey game, there is
no doubt is strong. They'll have to deal with that
and deal with. You know, it's funny. Everybody's going to
be motivated because of the positioning right now, But you
look at the NFC playoff picture of what stands in
front of and how you can dictate the terms. If
(10:30):
you're the Niners, you're going to be facing a team
that is overwhelmingly focused on getting a road win on
Monday Night.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Oh, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
And I think you talk about the tight end for
the Colts, you better be careful with George Kittle because
Kittle can play, and that's the one thing with these
linebackers and safety Neck Cross or whoever's don't guard him
maybe sometimes Kenny Moore, you better make sure you're ready
for it because he's an all day affair and he's
still playing at.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
A high level now that he's back healthy. It's weird.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
This was supposed to be kind of like a rebuilding
season in Frisco and it really hasn't turned out that way.
Even with injuries, they mettled through that. That's impressive as hell.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
I'll say this, Robert Sala didn't get his just due
with the Jets, and I think he's one of the
better defensive coaches in the league and I agree with you.
They just they've done a nice job of just just
battling through that. And that's where the Coats can look
across the way and say, Okay, if we can get
this one, we can get on a little street.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
You're gonna have to. But you're playing three of the
hottest teams right now in the next three weeks. So
how do you just get one?
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Right?
Speaker 2 (11:35):
How do you get one.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
And just say okay, let's chop here from the next
one and get on the Jacksonville and then Houston. Because
you know, if you win this game, you didn't have
to win the other two because those guys have been
playing so well. But you can be the one that
knock them off. And so get this one to night,
and that gives you a chance to at least be
in the in the dance at the end of the season.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Is Charles Abalka right there kind of up to you
on us before this Monday night or on the Andy
Moore Automotive Group hotline former Colts tight end. Thank you
very much, Charles. I appreciate it and enjoy the game,
and we'll catch up with you coming up in the
last couple of games and see where we are here.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
All right, man, I'll have a good one. Take care.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Stephen Holder VSPN dot com is going to join us.
I was going to go into my life story before
you finally popped up here on the phone. I appreciate it.
So does a listener, All five of them appreciate the
fact that you saved the day right right here. Yeah, well,
you know, I appreciate you too. Like I've given my
(12:39):
thoughts on where i'd begin with this matchup and all
that's going on later on tonight against the Nighters, When
do you start with this Colts team right now?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
It's so difficult because I think the human nature and
everybody right now is to is to be very dissatisfied, right,
And I'm not going to try to talk people out
of that because I understand it. You know things, it's
the way things and from where they were to where
(13:11):
they are now. It's not great and it doesn't reflect
well on anybody. So that's an undeniable fact, right. But
there is a lot of context, and I find myself
getting sort of caught up and you know, swaying back
and forth. To be completely honest with you, right, if
(13:32):
you if you told me to make if this.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Was debate class.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
You told me to make an argument for firing everybody
and nuking this thing, I.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Could do that.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
Or if you told me to make the argument for
why they should run this back and try again and
see if they can get healthy, I can make a
great argument for that too. So and I think that
is that is where we get back to curlier. Gordon
has in her first year of you know, full ownership,
(14:06):
is going to have a huge decision to make, probably
one of the biggest they've had in a long long time,
and she's going to have it right out of the gate.
Even though the daughters were obviously involved in all the
big decisions and conversations in the past, that is true,
but now the buck stops with them and this is
a big one. So I know that doesn't answer the question,
(14:26):
but I just don't think there's a great answer. I
really don't. I really don't think either is a silver
bullet because you bring somebody else in new even if
you may want some you may want to head on
a platter, But I don't know that that that those
individuals are going to have a fix either. So I
don't know. It's a tough one, and I hate sorry
(14:46):
for rambling, but that's kind of where I'm at with it.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Well, and here's where I am with it too. You're
you're soaking in a situation that you're going to be
soaking in for the next couple of years because of
your lack of assets and once you gave up for
Sauce Gardner. I guess my point is there there have
been excuses in the past, and you could have excuses
(15:12):
this year, but there have been so many years in
the past that you know, if you're gonna do something,
it kind of seems like, I will say this, it
almost seems like this year and the excuses you could
pass along would would really fall on deaf ears to
a lot of folks, if that makes sense, because we've
(15:33):
been down a similar path where there have been made
excuses and people digested it. So it's almost like, all right, well,
is it now the final time? Even with your team
being compromised. It's been a long time and maybe you
just need to wash it out and be fresh all
over again, even you know, if you really can't with
(15:56):
this roster for the foreseeable future. I mean, it is
an ultimately ridiculous situation. This team finds itself in right now.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's a very reasonable position.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
And I know a lot of people that feel that way.
Speaker 4 (16:11):
Okay, I run into them all the time all over town,
and I hear it all the time, and I don't
try to talk them out of it. I just present
the situations, say hey, look, this is what I see,
this is where they're at. And so I get that
I would say this, like, if you know, I'm not
It's not my job to play devil's advocate, but I think,
you know, for the purpose of this conversation, let's.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
Do that, right.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
So if it no matter who we're in charge this year,
I strongly believe that if the situation would have occurred
with the injuries they had, no matter who was in charge,
I think they would have met the same fate.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
I really believe that.
Speaker 4 (16:47):
And I don't know that there's anything that I would
have necessarily done a lot differently. And we can quipple
about the sauce trade, but I mean, let's be honest,
that thing worked out about as bad as possible in
the short period of time since it's been made, and
I don't think anyone would have foreseen that. You don't
foresee him getting hurt. You don't foresee Daniel Jones getting hurt.
(17:09):
They were going for it, and I actually did they overpay, Yes,
they damn it overpaid. Okay, But that was the point
was we're gonna do what it takes because this is
an opportunity we've not had. And that was true, but
that opportunity physicled with the injury. So I would say
this about Chris Ballard too, Like you, if you are
dissatisfied with the past eight years of Chris Ballard, well,
(17:32):
who am I to say you're wrong?
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Right?
Speaker 4 (17:33):
I mean, I've written all those articles about the missteps. Okay,
so you're preaching to the choir. I would say, the
funny thing about it, Okay, the ironic thing about all
of this is that this is finally the year. I
would say, he did everything that people wanted him to do,
and he's not going to have anything to show for
it unless they pull a rabbit out of a hat here.
(17:54):
And that's what's so weird about this. That's why this
is just so such conundrum. If you just look at
it in black and white, it's like, what they do wrong.
I don't know that they did anything necessarily wrong. That's
a flashing red light. It's just they got terrible luck,
and it's just it's not worked out.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
I mean, Philip Rivers is their quarterback. That's all you
got to say.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Right, what's funny about this entire thing. It's it's almost
like it's cruel and unusual punishment for the fan base
because you know you you dangled, you dangled such a
position earlier this season. And let's just say, if they
come out of the gate and they stink it up
as they've stuck it up in the past month plus,
(18:35):
then you draw a conclusion easily. But now the water
is all muddy because of the start. And then once
you get off to that start, you compromise your position
moving forward to where you really can't do anything. But
I'm not talking to organizationally or coaching wise, but player
personnel wise. I mean, really, what can you do that
(18:57):
you don't already have solidified within your organization, I guess,
other than lose some dudes that may want to have
more of a winning opportunity in the present than wait
a couple of years. I mean, this is a bad
situation for this team that has been used to steven.
Really in the short term rearview a number of bad situations.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
Yeah, I mean I think no matter who in charge
next year, you got to think about a couple of things.
Number One, who is the quarterback and what's the quarterback
situation going to be? I mean, look, I will tell
you right now, as we see here today, there is
zero like zero point zero percent chance that they move
(19:41):
off of Daniel Jones. I mean they are laser focused
on Daniel Jones getting healthy and being their quarterback. Now,
are there some potential Is there some potential short sightedness
there as it relates to the injury. Maybe, So we'll
have to see how that plays out. But their plan
right now is, I don't want to say completely run
(20:01):
it back, but more or less run it back, right
if you bring back Chris Ballard and Shamestike, and that
is the plan is to more or less run it back.
Daniel Jones get healthy. I don't know what the what
the you know, what the the bridge quarterback you know
situation might be if they need one. I don't know
what becomes of Anthony Richardson. Will he want out? Probably yep,
(20:24):
I really believe that. So I'm not counting on him
being here. So I think that is their plan. Now
the question is going to be is that going to
be good enough? You got one last hurrah with the
Forest Buckner and Grover Stewart. You got a healthy sauce
Gardner if they get Daniel Jones back resigned, Alec Pearce,
like you at the makings of a good team there.
(20:46):
I do think that that is the makings of a
of a very formidable team that could contend for the division.
But I do also think this was a unique year
where the Giants layers are not in your way this year.
You know, Joe Burr is gonna be sitting at home.
Patrick Mahomes, you know he's He's going to be rehabbing
all offseason, right. I mean, you got Josh Allen with
(21:08):
one of the worst defenses I've ever seen. So this
is a unique opportunity this year, and they will unless again,
unless they pull a rabbit out of the hat, they
will not get a chance to take a run at that.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
And that's really dissolating. Yeah it is.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
And we'll talk about without Steven a little bit later
on the dynamics that work with an ultra must win
coming up later on tonight. On on Monday Night, but
I think in closing here, Steven, what's even more difficult
to digest for everybody is you've seen everybody rent and repeat,
you know, and win at a high level a couple
(21:44):
of different times now and you know, this Colts team
and this organization looks like what we used to make
fun of the Bengals looking like back in the day.
That's the problem.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
Well, I think I won't I won't say Bengals, but
I think here's where similar is that from the postseason perspective,
there's there's probably some similarity there. And that's where you're right,
And I think that's that's a frustrating thing. I mean,
the goal is, the goal is to contend for championships
and they've not been in that conversation.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
For a long time.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
And honestly, as you already pointed out, I don't know
how you get there in a short period of time.
That's why I do think the odds are they run
this back because there's no there's no quick fix to this.
You play it out and you probably kick the can
down the road because otherwise you're probably in a rebuild
and I don't know that anything's ready for that.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
So yeah, you got three more games, including to not
to talk about that with you as well. But I
think you're probably gonna have some veterans that wouldn't mind
to find a little bit of greener pasture to try
to close out as well. We'll see hall that works
coming up. But now interesting and I would tend to
agree with what you had to say regard to the
circumstances right now. But Monday night for the first time
(22:58):
since twenty twenty two, Niners of the Colts. Later on tonight,
Stephen Holder of ESPN on espn dot COM's on the
Andy Moore Automative Crew potline. Always a pleasure. I shall
see you in the press box a little bit later
on tonight. Thanks for joining you got it see though,
And Andy Moore Automotive Group potline for the Colts Radio Network.
I told you all about him a little bit earlier.
The former Colts tied end is joining us. Charles R. Buckle, Hello, Charles?
Speaker 2 (00:09):
How are you? I'm good man? How are you doing?
Speaker 1 (00:12):
You know, it's funny if you had any sort of
last stand if you're the Colts later on tonight would
assumingly be it, would it not?
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Yeah, you don't want to end up like Custer, right.
You want to make sure that you come out and
you come out fighting, and you make sure you win
this thing the best you can, because there's going to
be a lot of things that are happening here, good
opportunities for the Colts. But they've just put themselves in
a position now having not won since Berlin, where it's
all these games that must win now.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, well, and you know, I look back, I think
hell I called most of them must win, and it
would have been nice that they cash in on those
those must win situations. You were out there last week
the effects of Philip Rivers, both in the positive and
the neggat if his hiatus was five years, he came
back and got to start. Last week we saw how
(01:05):
that ultimately ended. But there was good, but there is
bad that Unfortunately, I don't think that there is a
solution on the limitations of the forty four year old
down the field in his arm. But what did you
see in how do you think the Niners prep for
that defensively coming up later on tonight?
Speaker 2 (01:25):
Well, you have a chance in the Niners.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
I'll just say this, with all their injuries on the
defensive side, they haven't packed the quarterback well.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
So that bodes well for Philip Rivers.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
When you don't have a Bosa who was hurt early
in the year, Fred Warner, you know they have got
another couple of guys up front that just aren't playing.
So when you have that, that puts you in a
good position because that's the one thing. He'll get the
ball out quick and he'll make sure he puts the
players in the right position. And the thing, danb that
just you know, fascinates me even when I look at
(01:55):
young quarterbacks and the things that they can't do. They
don't throw the ball easily to the flat or those
arrow routes when the you know where the running back
starts out comes back in and you just hit him
real simple things. That's what Rivers can do. Now what
he showed last week that he can't do on anything
that was ten plus yards air yards, he was two
(02:16):
of eight for thirty three yards, and that last second
interception I don't count that. The only deep throw that
he really had was the one the Alec Pierce on
the back shoulder, which was great, and then the one
to Tyler Warren where it picked up about you know,
fifteen yards, But other than those, you could see that
(02:36):
he just didn't have the drive on the ball.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Now, the wind.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Wasn't terrible last week, and it wasn't wet this week.
You're indoors, so you figure it'd be a little bit better.
But he was sixteen of eighteen for eighty seven yards
on your throws under ten yards. So to me, he's
got to improve that two for eight for air yards
over ten because you've got to be able to hit
deag routes and you've also got to hit some deep
outs against team like the forty nine ers who haven't
(03:03):
particularly played the.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Run real well, and I think that's what they're.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Going to be stopped up to do because they know
that if Philip Rivers is gonna get going, Jonathan Taylor
has to get going. And I think those are the
things that I look at from that standpoint, because the
other thing with the forty nine ers since Party has
come back, they've been pretty explosive on offense. But here's
what Jonathan Taylor has done rushing the ball. And this
is where it's a concern for me. In a red
(03:27):
flag for the Colts fifty eight yards three point six
against Kansas City, eighty five against the Texans four yards
per Carrey, seventy four against Jacksonville three point five, and
then the Seattle Seahawks eighty seven, three point five. They
have to get back to where Jonathan Taylor can run
the football effectively, and then that sets up the play
action pass for Philip Rivers, which he wants to do
(03:48):
and not have to feel like you're in third and long,
but you're in third and two, third and three, and
it's a much easier down to pick up.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Yeah, it's funny. You mentioned how it feels like that
you're with Philip Rivers and you feel comfortable in first gear,
but you can't get the third gear. Thus, I think
that's incredibly difficult to try to kickstart Jonathan Taylor because
you are relying a great deal on an offensive line
to move a lot of bodies out of the way
(04:16):
because they're simply put zero threat ten fifteen yards down
the field over your head. So I mean, I know
that this was a running game that was already fading,
but that certainly compounds a difficult situation later on tonight.
And now you have the Niners. You know, even with
these losses on defense, Charles, you have the Niners that
(04:36):
have after five years tape of the now after last
week on Rivers, and that can send things a little
bit more haywire as well.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Yeah, it can. And I think this is where the
other factor comes in.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
I think the defense played about as well as I
saw them during that stretch when they've lost, and they
gave themselves a chance.
Speaker 2 (04:56):
Right, So your.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Defense is gonna have to play well again. You're going
to have to create some turnovers from the defensive side.
That's when the Coats team was playing well and when
they've been their best is when their team has been
able to turn the ball over. They didn't get that
last week. And you think about it, even in the
games they lost, which was only one that was a
blowout on this streak, against the Jaguars, they have been
able to get people to turn the ball over, So
(05:19):
I think that's the recipe to me. It's also you know,
we can look at Philip Rivers. I think he's the
important critical factor. But if you're not going to get
the things that you need in the deep passing game,
you got to get it in other hidden parts, ie
your defense stocking them but also forcing them to turn
the ball over and then turning those turnovers in the points,
and then your special teams. How can you make the
(05:41):
field look better for you and your drive start is
much better for a guy that can't drive the ball
thirty yards down the field, but still as effective in
getting you in the right position. I think those are
the key factors that I look at Tonight.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
On Monday night, Charles Arbocal joins us at the Colts
Radio Networth the former Coats tight End. We're staked out
at Bollsvgroup dot Com at the Coach v Iptailgate presented
by Haysen Sun's Restoration. Doors open a little bit later
on today for the premiere pregame party. Anywhere I'm going
to say indoor and indoor here because this place is
looking fantastic and it is warm, all you can eat,
(06:15):
all you can drink on the inside. And Charles's on
the Andy Moore Automotive Group plotline. So a bit of
good news is that you hear and there's no sauce guardener.
You know about Mooney Ward, but DeForest Buckner is back.
I would ask you it is a big deal, don't
get me wrong, But how I mean is he going
(06:35):
to be or would you expect him to be his
normal Buckner type of self after this long injured layoff
j MB.
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I'd want twenty players out of buck and still think
he's gonna give me his best twenty because his molder.
You know, even at his age, he's still got the
high molder. And some of the younger guys are playing better,
but I think you need that twenty twenty five snaps.
He's probably gonna be on the pitch count if he's
got anything to do with the neck of shoulder, and
usually you have that.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
But if he's feeling well and he can get twenty
five thirty players, I.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Will take that from the Forrest Buntner every day because
think about on the other side, the Christian McCaffrey. These
are two guys with over seventeen hundred scrimmage yards. Both
of them are effective. McCaffrey does it in the air,
he does it on the ground.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
You've got to.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Make sure brock Purdy becomes one dimensional where he's only
throwing the ball. And the Colts have been really good
at pressuring quarterbacks and the Forest Buckner is a.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Key person to that.
Speaker 3 (07:31):
And since he's been out, teams have been able to
run better, but they also been the quarterbacks have been
able to step up there where you don't have Big
ninety nine and ninety with grow He and Grover just
do such a really good job at playing off of
each other. I think his twenty five to thirty players
are imperative.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
Against the run game and the pass game, and I think.
Speaker 3 (07:52):
That's where the Colts have to hang their hat because,
like I said, those two linebackers last week, I saw
Kato June in the next booth over and I was
telling them, like I'm clapping during the game because you
got you know, Franklin all over the field. You have
Trap all over the field making plays. And I think
the linebackers only get better when you bring back a
guy like the Forest Buckner because he takes that double team,
(08:14):
he swallows it up and he does all the things,
and he's gonna have some extra incentive.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
This is his former team, you know.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
And it wasn't that they didn't end well or he
doesn't dis like him, but whenever you play your former team,
you want to show him like, look look what you're missing.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Here, look what you're missing. Her dog, I got you.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
So I expect him to have a big game if
it's only fifteen plays, but whatever it is, it's much
more valuable than having him on the sideline where you
need him on the field.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Hey, Charles, before I'll let you go, you'd mentioned the
shortcomings recently of Jonathan Taylor and the rookie tied in
from Penn State, Tyler Warren also has suffered from similar
consequences here. As a former tight end as you are,
it would seem like if somebody could really help the
cause out, it would be one. How do you get
(09:02):
him with this offense back involved? Because simply put, he's
disappeared over the past month.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:09):
I think the two things that they're going to do
that I look at the coats looking for him is
in situations where they getting manned short crossing routes where
he can cross and Josh Downs can come across and
they almost pick each other's guy. But he becomes a
valuable weapon on the other side of that cross If
they're playing a lot of zone, find ways to just
get him ten yards, hook around big body, and you
(09:32):
hit him with some things. I know they were trying
to do that last week. The Seahawks defense is much
better in the back end and really all the way
around right now, because then this forty nine Ers team,
and I will think if the forty nine ers are
going to play zone, that's where you utilize big Tyler
Warren in different positions and you get him moving so
they can't have a linebacker or a d n disrupt
(09:53):
him from his route. I think those are the critical
things to night, and I think we'll see that with
Rivers because those two really, you know, think about it.
He came in three days last week and was able
to play, so now he's got a full week under
his belt and he's understanding where to put the ball
for the guys as well.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
So Charles rbuckle with us the McCaffrey game, there is
no doubt is strong. They'll have to deal with that
and deal with. You know, it's funny. Everybody's going to
be motivated because of the positioning right now, But you
look at the NFC playoff picture of what stands in
front of and how you can dictate the terms. If
(10:30):
you're the Niners, you're going to be facing a team
that is overwhelmingly focused on getting a road win on
Monday Night.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Oh, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 3 (10:39):
And I think you talk about the tight end for
the Colts, you better be careful with George Kittle because
Kittle can play, and that's the one thing with these
linebackers and safety Neck Cross or whoever's don't guard him
maybe sometimes Kenny Moore, you better make sure you're ready
for it because he's an all day affair and he's
still playing at.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
A high level now that he's back healthy. It's weird.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
This was supposed to be kind of like a rebuilding
season in Frisco and it really hasn't turned out that way.
Even with injuries, they mettled through that. That's impressive as hell.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
I'll say this, Robert Sala didn't get his just due
with the Jets, and I think he's one of the
better defensive coaches in the league and I agree with you.
They just they've done a nice job of just just
battling through that. And that's where the Coats can look
across the way and say, Okay, if we can get
this one, we can get on a little street.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
You're gonna have to. But you're playing three of the
hottest teams right now in the next three weeks. So
how do you just get one?
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Right?
Speaker 2 (11:35):
How do you get one.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
And just say okay, let's chop here from the next
one and get on the Jacksonville and then Houston. Because
you know, if you win this game, you didn't have
to win the other two because those guys have been
playing so well. But you can be the one that
knock them off. And so get this one to night,
and that gives you a chance to at least be
in the in the dance at the end of the season.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Is Charles Abalka right there kind of up to you
on us before this Monday night or on the Andy
Moore Automotive Group hotline former Colts tight end. Thank you
very much, Charles. I appreciate it and enjoy the game,
and we'll catch up with you coming up in the
last couple of games and see where we are here.
Speaker 2 (12:13):
All right, man, I'll have a good one. Take care.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
Stephen Holder VSPN dot com is going to join us.
I was going to go into my life story before
you finally popped up here on the phone. I appreciate it.
So does a listener, All five of them appreciate the
fact that you saved the day right right here. Yeah, well,
you know, I appreciate you too. Like I've given my
(12:39):
thoughts on where i'd begin with this matchup and all
that's going on later on tonight against the Nighters, When
do you start with this Colts team right now?
Speaker 4 (12:50):
It's so difficult because I think the human nature and
everybody right now is to is to be very dissatisfied, right,
And I'm not going to try to talk people out
of that because I understand it. You know things, it's
the way things and from where they were to where
(13:11):
they are now. It's not great and it doesn't reflect
well on anybody. So that's an undeniable fact, right. But
there is a lot of context, and I find myself
getting sort of caught up and you know, swaying back
and forth. To be completely honest with you, right, if
(13:32):
you if you told me to make if this.
Speaker 2 (13:34):
Was debate class.
Speaker 4 (13:36):
You told me to make an argument for firing everybody
and nuking this thing, I.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Could do that.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
Or if you told me to make the argument for
why they should run this back and try again and
see if they can get healthy, I can make a
great argument for that too. So and I think that
is that is where we get back to curlier. Gordon
has in her first year of you know, full ownership,
(14:06):
is going to have a huge decision to make, probably
one of the biggest they've had in a long long time,
and she's going to have it right out of the gate.
Even though the daughters were obviously involved in all the
big decisions and conversations in the past, that is true,
but now the buck stops with them and this is
a big one. So I know that doesn't answer the question,
(14:26):
but I just don't think there's a great answer. I
really don't. I really don't think either is a silver
bullet because you bring somebody else in new even if
you may want some you may want to head on
a platter, But I don't know that that that those
individuals are going to have a fix either. So I
don't know. It's a tough one, and I hate sorry
(14:46):
for rambling, but that's kind of where I'm at with it.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
Well, and here's where I am with it too. You're
you're soaking in a situation that you're going to be
soaking in for the next couple of years because of
your lack of assets and once you gave up for
Sauce Gardner. I guess my point is there there have
been excuses in the past, and you could have excuses
(15:12):
this year, but there have been so many years in
the past that you know, if you're gonna do something,
it kind of seems like, I will say this, it
almost seems like this year and the excuses you could
pass along would would really fall on deaf ears to
a lot of folks, if that makes sense, because we've
(15:33):
been down a similar path where there have been made
excuses and people digested it. So it's almost like, all right, well,
is it now the final time? Even with your team
being compromised. It's been a long time and maybe you
just need to wash it out and be fresh all
over again, even you know, if you really can't with
(15:56):
this roster for the foreseeable future. I mean, it is
an ultimately ridiculous situation. This team finds itself in right now.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Yeah, I mean, I think that's a very reasonable position.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
And I know a lot of people that feel that way.
Speaker 4 (16:11):
Okay, I run into them all the time all over town,
and I hear it all the time, and I don't
try to talk them out of it. I just present
the situations, say hey, look, this is what I see,
this is where they're at. And so I get that
I would say this, like, if you know, I'm not
It's not my job to play devil's advocate, but I think,
you know, for the purpose of this conversation, let's.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
Do that, right.
Speaker 4 (16:31):
So if it no matter who we're in charge this year,
I strongly believe that if the situation would have occurred
with the injuries they had, no matter who was in charge,
I think they would have met the same fate.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
I really believe that.
Speaker 4 (16:47):
And I don't know that there's anything that I would
have necessarily done a lot differently. And we can quipple
about the sauce trade, but I mean, let's be honest,
that thing worked out about as bad as possible in
the short period of time since it's been made, and
I don't think anyone would have foreseen that. You don't
foresee him getting hurt. You don't foresee Daniel Jones getting hurt.
(17:09):
They were going for it, and I actually did they overpay, Yes,
they damn it overpaid. Okay, But that was the point
was we're gonna do what it takes because this is
an opportunity we've not had. And that was true, but
that opportunity physicled with the injury. So I would say
this about Chris Ballard too, Like you, if you are
dissatisfied with the past eight years of Chris Ballard, well,
(17:32):
who am I to say you're wrong?
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Right?
Speaker 4 (17:33):
I mean, I've written all those articles about the missteps. Okay,
so you're preaching to the choir. I would say, the
funny thing about it, Okay, the ironic thing about all
of this is that this is finally the year. I
would say, he did everything that people wanted him to do,
and he's not going to have anything to show for
it unless they pull a rabbit out of a hat here.
(17:54):
And that's what's so weird about this. That's why this
is just so such conundrum. If you just look at
it in black and white, it's like, what they do wrong.
I don't know that they did anything necessarily wrong. That's
a flashing red light. It's just they got terrible luck,
and it's just it's not worked out.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
I mean, Philip Rivers is their quarterback. That's all you
got to say.
Speaker 1 (18:15):
Right, what's funny about this entire thing. It's it's almost
like it's cruel and unusual punishment for the fan base
because you know you you dangled, you dangled such a
position earlier this season. And let's just say, if they
come out of the gate and they stink it up
as they've stuck it up in the past month plus,
(18:35):
then you draw a conclusion easily. But now the water
is all muddy because of the start. And then once
you get off to that start, you compromise your position
moving forward to where you really can't do anything. But
I'm not talking to organizationally or coaching wise, but player
personnel wise. I mean, really, what can you do that
(18:57):
you don't already have solidified within your organization, I guess,
other than lose some dudes that may want to have
more of a winning opportunity in the present than wait
a couple of years. I mean, this is a bad
situation for this team that has been used to steven.
Really in the short term rearview a number of bad situations.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
Yeah, I mean I think no matter who in charge
next year, you got to think about a couple of things.
Number One, who is the quarterback and what's the quarterback
situation going to be? I mean, look, I will tell
you right now, as we see here today, there is
zero like zero point zero percent chance that they move
(19:41):
off of Daniel Jones. I mean they are laser focused
on Daniel Jones getting healthy and being their quarterback. Now,
are there some potential Is there some potential short sightedness
there as it relates to the injury. Maybe, So we'll
have to see how that plays out. But their plan
right now is, I don't want to say completely run
(20:01):
it back, but more or less run it back, right
if you bring back Chris Ballard and Shamestike, and that
is the plan is to more or less run it back.
Daniel Jones get healthy. I don't know what the what
the you know, what the the bridge quarterback you know
situation might be if they need one. I don't know
what becomes of Anthony Richardson. Will he want out? Probably yep,
(20:24):
I really believe that. So I'm not counting on him
being here. So I think that is their plan. Now
the question is going to be is that going to
be good enough? You got one last hurrah with the
Forest Buckner and Grover Stewart. You got a healthy sauce
Gardner if they get Daniel Jones back resigned, Alec Pearce,
like you at the makings of a good team there.
(20:46):
I do think that that is the makings of a
of a very formidable team that could contend for the division.
But I do also think this was a unique year
where the Giants layers are not in your way this year.
You know, Joe Burr is gonna be sitting at home.
Patrick Mahomes, you know he's He's going to be rehabbing
all offseason, right. I mean, you got Josh Allen with
(21:08):
one of the worst defenses I've ever seen. So this
is a unique opportunity this year, and they will unless again,
unless they pull a rabbit out of the hat, they
will not get a chance to take a run at that.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
And that's really dissolating. Yeah it is.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
And we'll talk about without Steven a little bit later
on the dynamics that work with an ultra must win
coming up later on tonight. On on Monday Night, but
I think in closing here, Steven, what's even more difficult
to digest for everybody is you've seen everybody rent and repeat,
you know, and win at a high level a couple
(21:44):
of different times now and you know, this Colts team
and this organization looks like what we used to make
fun of the Bengals looking like back in the day.
That's the problem.
Speaker 4 (21:55):
Well, I think I won't I won't say Bengals, but
I think here's where similar is that from the postseason perspective,
there's there's probably some similarity there. And that's where you're right,
And I think that's that's a frustrating thing. I mean,
the goal is, the goal is to contend for championships
and they've not been in that conversation.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
For a long time.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
And honestly, as you already pointed out, I don't know
how you get there in a short period of time.
That's why I do think the odds are they run
this back because there's no there's no quick fix to this.
You play it out and you probably kick the can
down the road because otherwise you're probably in a rebuild
and I don't know that anything's ready for that.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
So yeah, you got three more games, including to not
to talk about that with you as well. But I
think you're probably gonna have some veterans that wouldn't mind
to find a little bit of greener pasture to try
to close out as well. We'll see hall that works
coming up. But now interesting and I would tend to
agree with what you had to say regard to the
circumstances right now. But Monday night for the first time
(22:58):
since twenty twenty two, Niners of the Colts. Later on tonight,
Stephen Holder of ESPN on espn dot COM's on the
Andy Moore Automative Crew potline. Always a pleasure. I shall
see you in the press box a little bit later
on tonight. Thanks for joining you got it see though,
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