August 25, 2025 • 44 mins
00:00 - 19:16 - Ryan Wilson from CBS then joins the show to discuss Anthony Richardson, and what history says about quarterbacks who get benched multiple times by the team that drafts them.
19:17 - 44:24 - Stephen Holder of ESPN joins the show! Stephen and JMV discuss Riley Leonard, and if there is any real chance that he starts games this season. They look at the tight end position, and who might be on the outside looking in when the roster is cut down to 53 tomorrow.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
On the Andy Moore Automotive Group potline. He's from CBS.
He's got an article on that was a really good
segue to Ryan Wilson who joins us. Now, that's kind
of the vibe that we have around here right now
that's been ongoing right now about Anthony Richardson. You have
an article about a second chance for quarterbacks, how that's
(00:20):
worked out and sometimes how it hasn't in the past
in the NFL ryot.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Yeah, no, that's exactly right. And I understand fans frustrations
with rookie quarterbacks, our young quarterbacks who haven't quite worked out.
And you know, I was talking scouts about this during
the draft few years ago, when Anthony was going to
look like be a top five picker or maybe slipping
the bot in the first round. And you bet a
lot on projection and potential, and you know, if you
(00:49):
build a quarterback in the lap, he's.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Going to look.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Look, Anthony Richardson. The issue is, and I'm sure you
talked about this to death, is that he only started
thirteen games in college. And one of the comps coming
out that he was Cam Cam Newton, and Cam started
fourteen games at Auburn in that final year. But the
difference is Cam lived at Auburn team virtually put them
on his back and won a national title. So you
knew that Cam could do the things that you were
(01:12):
going to ask Cam to do with the next level.
That Florida team was six and seven and Anthony's last year,
and the understanding was that Shane Siken, who had done
the work with Jalen Hurts and Philly, was going to
be the perfect fit. And obviously things have gone mostly
sideways since, and part because of the injuries that you
guys were just talking about, and he has a history
of soft tissue injuries going back to Florida and that
(01:33):
sort of followed him, and the sort of you know,
the haphazard injuries from not sliding when he needed to
or just a freak accidents of some on the sidelines,
and the benching last year for two weeks, and of
course how this preseason played out and here we are.
So look, it's not the first time it happens. Quarterbacks
hit in the first round less than fifty percent of
(01:53):
the time. I think on some level you wish Anthony
Richardson had had taken this. I don't want to say
more Seriously, he's doing at twenty two what probably a
lot of us did at twenty two. The difference was,
you know, no one was watching, we'd have millions of dollars.
And I think that on some level is concerning to
a degree, because the opportunity is there, the talent is there,
(02:14):
and it just hasn't come together. And you could say, look, man,
you can put him on the Ransom McVay and the
forty nine ers with a Shanahan. Shane Siken is exactly
the guy that should have been making this thing work.
And I'm not blaming Shane Stikeen. I think there's plenty
of blame to go around, but it just as we
sit here in year three, this ain't where you want
to be.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
I'm a blamer, and I'm a blamer because you these guys, Ryan.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
And you know this more than anybody does.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
That these guys understand the consequences when you make this
selection and you pound the table saying, hey, I can
mold this guy.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Now, this is who we want.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
And again, given the background of the player you just described,
and people ask me all the time, so you know,
who were the alternatives here? Will Levis? I mean, he's
not going to be anything or you know, what's his name,
Hendon Hooker or Tennessee. What are the other options? And
I say, anybody that is more than serviceable is an
(03:14):
option because most of the time in the NFL like this,
you get one chance and one chance only to make
this pick or coach this pick, and if it doesn't
work out, then so sorry, you move along. And that's
always been my answer. Is that a fair answer to give?
Or better said, is it a fair answer to give
(03:35):
or just a truthful and answer to give?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
For the most part, no, I think it's both. Look,
you know, we ain't working at a bank, but there
are a lot of expectations that come with being a
top five pick. And wherever you point the finger, history
has not reflected kindly on top five, top fifteen picks.
When I went back and looked quarterbacks who've got bench
before year three, the short list is Matt Lioner, Blaying
(03:59):
gabbertye Manuel Trey, Lance, Zach Wilson. Some of those were
injury related, but the end of the day, none of.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Those guys got their starting jobs back.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
The only saving grace in recent history is Bryce Young
and coming out of college number one, Bryce had twenty
seven starts, so he played a lot of football. Number
two physically, he could be more different than Anthony Richards
and he's five to eleven on a good day. And
number three, there were never any concerns about him not
being super locked in on football sports like that's all
he was about. It was just the issue that he
(04:26):
was smaller, didn't have the arm strength, and so on
and so forth. And he sat on the bench last
year for five weeks I think it was before Andy
Donk got hurt. And when he came back, it looked
a lot like the Alabama and Alabama Bryce show. We
didn't see enough of Anthony and Florida to get an
idea of what that would look like long term. So
you're absolutely right, and you're rolling the dice that can.
Coaches will tell you this all the time, and they
(04:47):
know they're guilty of it. I can fix that kid,
I can get the most out of that kid. I
know he's only played thirteen starts. I only had thirteen starts,
and I know he's had soft tissue injuries. We'll get
in where he needs to be. And that's the whole
reason you're an NFL coach. Whether you're a head coach
or an assistant. Like I said, it works out less
than half the time, So you have to live with
those losses when they show up. And then the question
(05:10):
becomes and I give Anthony credit for saying all the
right things when he got benched. You would like to
see him, and we saw last year Sam Ellener playing
a big part in kidding him to the point where
you need to be to be an NFL pro. As
you're sitting on the bench, those sorts of things when
you talk to people around the league haven't quite clicked in,
Like he's not working as hard as Bryce Young is working.
(05:31):
He's not working as hard as Peyton or Andrew look
back in the day to keep it in Indianapolis. And
I think that sort of focus is required to do
this sort of job because there are players in the
league they are quarterback that aren't close to being the
athlete that Anthony is.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
That's the thing, and I agree with you Ryan, you
have to vet the most is whether or not this
person is hungry enough to work at it. And one
of the conclusions we've drawn around here is when you
are just gifted with that level of athleticism and things
oftentimes have come so simple. Now I'm not suggesting he
(06:07):
never works at it, because clearly he did. But when
things of that level can slide your way simply because
you're just more athletically dominant than everybody else, that can
set a negative precedent. And often we wonder around here
if that's not a part of the equation we're witnessing too.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Yeah, and the flip side of that, and I think
you're right. And the other thing, And this has been
repeated to me going back to when Anthony was coming out,
like he is a good kid.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
He's from a small town of Florida. I never left Florida.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Until he got to college, so he's not a world traveler,
so to speak. But in terms of the conversation you're
talking about, in terms of athleticism being better than everyone
his entire life, just common sense tells you that you're
going to work as hard as you have to work
to still drop fifty on your opponent, whether you're playing
basketball or three five hundred yards of the game if
you're in high school. But Joe Burrow is the perfectly
(06:59):
thing with someone. I remember talking to him of the
combine and I said, when did you sort of figure
out that you could do the things you could do.
And he said, at Ohio State, I could do those
things physically, my body wouldn't allow me to do what
my mind wanted to do. Just once I got the
LSU and grew a little big elbit stronger. And that's
an example of someone who knew they had to overcome
their physical shortcomings, where that's not any conversation ar has
(07:20):
ever had to have. And I remember talking to Scott
a few weeks ago and wrote the story, and he said,
as soon as Anthony looked left on that bliss that
we've talked about to death when he discip hit his
pinky against the Raven the week one the three season,
he said, I guarantee you that Shane'sykin knew that Dale
Jose to be his quarterback, because that's the sort of
mistake that you don't make in JV football. And it's
not that he doesn't know what to do there, he
(07:41):
just spaced out in the moment and those are things
that you can't do at this level. I think he
got off easy in some regard that he is just
dislipated pinky. You could have lost a division game that
could have cost you a chance to go to the
playoffs because you may spaced out for fifteen seconds and
that was the result.
Speaker 5 (07:57):
So those are the.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Things that you shouldn't even make mistakes as a rookie,
and you're doing it going into year three and we're
supposed to say, okay, you're still facing the franchise. So
it could be a learning experience, a growing experience, or
it could be a situation where you know his life
is destined to be a backup. It's up to ante
at this point. Whether it happens to an end of your
somewhere else is another conversation. But this doesn't mean it's
the end of the road for him, because you know
(08:18):
we've talked about this. He's only twenty two to twenty
three years old.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
So Ryan Wilson joins us at Ryan Wilson CBS. You
can find him on the social media platform x.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
He has an article out right now we're talking about
talking in the NFL on the Andy Moore Automotive Group hootline.
So logically speaking, does he ever find any traction here
to reclaim anywhere near what they thought, or is the
more likelihood that what you find, as we've seen in
comps and I'm sure you've gone through as well.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
If he finds any footing, it's going to be someplace.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Else, right So Bryce Sung would be the best case
scenario for him in Indy, but history, to your point,
suggests it's going to have to happen somewhere else. I mean,
Baker Mayfield and Sandrang bo with We're in Carolina at
various points and we're terrible, And now Baker Mayfield is
one of the best quarterbacks in the league, top fifteen
at least. And Sam Donald just got that huge payday
after winning what fifteen games last year in Minnesota. But
(09:13):
also the other thing is this, fifty nine quarterbacks started
games last year, and that tells me that you know
your quarterback more times than night gets injured, your starter,
so you need the one to come in and be ready,
and that could be an opportunity for Anthony. The other thing,
Daniel Jones is sort of the is he the next
Sam Donald? That this is the best offense he's played
on ever? And they won nine games in twenty twenty two,
(09:35):
his first year with Brian Davile with the Giants, they
won a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
There's very I don't want to say a realistic chance.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
It feels like there's a fifty one percent chance that
Daniel Jones might have some sort of Stam Darnald like
renaissance this year as well. But should he go down
because of injury and you don't want it to happen,
that could be a perfect opportunity for Anthony Rish to
prove himself and to others like us that he is
certainly capable of this, and the physical stuff has ever
been in question. It's just a matter of above the neck.
(10:02):
Can you be in the right mind frame every single
play playing and play out and not just rely on
your athleticism. That, as we talked about, has been his crutch,
and now it is no longer his crutch because there
are what twenty one other dudes on the field that
can do exactly what you can do, or at least
close to it.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Fran Wilson of CBS on the Anymore Automotic Group potline,
you mentioned Daniel Jones, he's going to be the week
one starter here. Do you think that he's got a
lot more to show than certainly? We had witnessed twenty
games under five hundred and six seasons. While in New
York what do you feel about his situation moving forward?
(10:41):
Starting against the Dolphins in a couple of weeks. In
Week one here, I.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Feel as good as you can pros cancel the Jones
given the numbers you.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Just read off.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
I think the takeaway for me is that when Brian
Dabele arrived, and you know Brian Daviles claim to thame
was that he and Josh Allen were They're doing listenings
in Buffalo. So that team did more with less. Yes, say,
Kuon Bark is a big part of that offense. They
have Jonathan Taylor in Indy. They have a wide receiver
CRW that is way better than anything they've ever had.
(11:12):
In Dale Jones's time in New York, they drafted one
of the best players who plays tight end. He's going
to be an impact player. And the offensive line, I
think is underrated. So it is all to play indoors
half the time. It is all there for Dale Jones
to have success. When I've talked to people in New
York about Dan Jones, they said every one, he's a
great person. Number two, no one will outwork him. And
(11:33):
as long as the plan is the plan, and there
isn't a lot of creation, he will execute that plan.
That's her numbers have always been an issue during his career,
and he talked about that. But I think if he
doesn't succeed here, then he's destined to probably be a backup.
But if you told me that he got seventy five
percent of the way to what Sam Donald did a
year goo Minnesota, I would believe that too. This team
(11:56):
could No one's talking about them in this division because
of Jacksonville and Houston, But if you said they were
in the mix the final two weeks of the season
to win the AFC South, I would have no issue
believing you were telling me the truth.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Ny Ryan, I don't know how in depth you want
to go or can go regarding Riley Leonard. And we
all understand the circumstances of preseason game three, and you know,
threes and fours versus threes and fours. But he had
a really good afternoon on Saturday. And you know, given
what you had witnessed at Duke and then what you
saw in that season at Notre Dame, is this a
(12:30):
guy that has staying power or maybe better even described
has growing power in the NFL to be something that
maybe a lot of people did not think he was
going to be going back to February here in Indy.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
Yeah, no, I think so.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
It's funny because when he was drafted by the Colt,
my joke was that he's equal parked Anthony Richardson and
equal parts Daniel Jones, because he's a fantastic athlete who
can make some plays and then he can do some
bonehead of stuff that you scratching your head. I thought
at times he's a better passor duke than we saw
last year of Notre Dame. He's a great kid. We
talked to him with the combine and he's all about
ball as well.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
He's not having issues with him off the field.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
But I think it's funny because the conversation now everywhere
is Shador and Dylan Gabriel, who are both developmental quarterbacks.
I think Riley Leonard is the personification of a developmental quarterback.
And as long as you understand that, and you're not
expecting him to come in tomorrow and throw for three
hundred yards and not make mistakes, then he is on
the right path. And I think he has an opportunity
(13:28):
to grow because athletically he does things that very few
quarterbacks can do. It's just a matter of getting him
comfortable in terms of the passing part of what you ask.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Him to do.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
And we spend covering the draft, you spend months trying
to convince yourself that this quarterback or that quarterback in
college who's a great athlete can figure out how to
be a good passer. Ryle Leonard's further along than some
of the guys we've had conversations about in recent years.
He just has to continue to be more consistent, to
play on time, to throw with anticipation in the accuracy.
And again, I think Shane Stiken is as good as
(14:00):
well suited as anyone to get that out of Jalen
Hurts was the second round pick, and there was no
one paying attention to Jalen Hurts in the draft that
included to I think that was the Justin Herbert draft.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
That was the Jordan Love draft.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
And he is one of the best players in the
NFL because he was locked in, he minimized the mistakes
and he got better. So I absolutely think that Rylerlaner
can can be someone that you can rely on as
a reliable starter. Is he going to be Jalen Hurts?
I wouldn't say that as we sit here, but I
also wouldn't count him out because he could luck find
it someone tougher than that kid.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
When it comes to playing football and playing quarterback.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
He is Ry Wilson's got an article regarding quarterbacks with
second chances, and most of the time it happens on
a different landscape.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
You can find that.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Before I let you go, I promise people out there,
I'd ask you this because there's a common theme around
here is if this team doesn't play well, and I
don't think they're going to be nearly as bad to
be at that particular high draft selection level. But that's
part of the conversation dialogue that goes on around here,
and everybody always brings up a Manning and arch Manning,
(15:02):
and clearly there's no evidence that he plans on coming
out of Austin after this season or whatever. So let's
go ahead and side step in for a moment. The
most logical draftable quarterbacks. If the Colts fund themselves in
that situation coming up in the spring of twenty twenty six,
what do you have in mind before the start of
the college football season right now?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Yeah, no, this is going to be fun this quarterback
classing me a lot deeper than last year is arch Manning,
of course, is the white Whale. Hopefully we don't have
to talk about him if he's not coming out, but
I'm sure it'll be a conversation. But Garrett nutsmyrals who
thought about coming out last year, and he has the
chance to be really good.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
His dad is the OC. He done in the Saints
right now. He just has to play more consistently.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
A name that you guys can watch in Indiana is
Fernando Mendoza, who was really good at CAW behind a
terrible offensive line. I think a lot of people are
going to realize who he is pretty quickly. I think
he's going to be a good player that has a
chance to be a first round pick. Drew Aller came
back to this and Kay Kleppick did as well at
Penn Sadie Clemson and those guys different body types. Both
(16:06):
have potentially big time.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Players and first round picks as well.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
And then you know, if we want to continue to
fancy Richard in conversation with North Sellers South Carolina, he
might be the best running back in the in Costle
Wall not named Jeremiah Love but he is a quarterback.
If he gets better as a passer, and we'll be
talking a lot about him. But that's where he needs
to grow. And we talked about that with Roylan Leonard.
If he can progress, and I part of me helps
he comes back. If he doesn't get to that point,
he could have a chance to be truly special. And
(16:31):
that's just a handful of guys they're going to be,
So that could be five or six other guys were
talking about. And I didn't even mention Carson Back, who
everyone was talking a lot about last year, this time
before he transferred out of Georgia to Miami.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Hey, Ryan, before I let you go, give me a
comparison us, a comparison on the quarterback class that we
witnessed this year, this past year, or going back to
even Richardson's twenty twenty two quarterback class that had you know,
is stroud and young, and I mentioned Hooker and Levin
and all that that particular class compared to what we
(17:04):
think this quarterback class in twenty twenty six is going
to look like.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yeah, Brighton CJ both played a lot of football twenty
seven twenty class starts. I believe we knew Anthony did,
and Levis played a lot, but there are questions about
his consistency of both Penn State and then at Kentucky.
And then Hindon had played a lot, but he towards
ACL and he's sound like he's about to get cut
in Detroit. This class arch is arched. But Garrett played
a lot of football. Fernando Mendoza has Drew Aller came
(17:30):
back this year in Kate Klebnick as well. They've all
come back, and I think out Brighton CJ would be
in there. I think they would be again disregarding arts,
would be QB one in this class. But there's a
lot of players who have played a ton of ball,
and that's what teams sort of lean on.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
You're not having to project quite as much.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Lenora Sellers has not played a lot, so that's concerned.
Nicole yem Labaki transferred to the ucla incredible specimen, but
he hasn't played a lot of ball either, So I
think in that sense it's much better. Last year's class
was Cam Wore played a ton of football, Dylan Gabriel
played a lot. You do have played a lot, but
this class is so much deeper than that class. Now,
if you want to talk about the Caleb Jane Daniels
(18:09):
Drake May class, that was special and that has worked
out pretty well thus far, so this group would probably
be behind that one, probably the CJ in Bryce class.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Ryan Wilson of CBS get an article, good breakdown right
there too. You can find him on x Ryan Wilson
CBS kind of enough to join us on the Andymore
Automatic Group podline. I'll tell you what when we start
this season, especially with both the NFL and because I'm
supposed to have been Doza on some time, so I'm
just writing down notes you've just given me about him too.
I know we all know kind of about the cow
(18:39):
offensive line struggling, and you saw what Kurt Signetti did
to really fortify the voice of the Hoosiers Don Fisher.
I talk to him every week and I hang out
with him a little bit on Fridays, and he told
me that this may be the best offensive line that
we have seen at IU in forever, and there's a
reason behind that with this particular quarterback too, So it
(19:02):
should be fun as hell to watch. We'll check back
with you and get some more of your insight. I
really enjoyed the conversation.
Speaker 6 (19:07):
Ryan, Thank you, absolutely thank you.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Ryan Wilson on the Andy Moore Automotive Group potline Riley
Leonard conversation over the weekend, Steven Holder of ESPN joins us. Now,
good afternoon, Steven.
Speaker 5 (19:23):
Hey, how's it going?
Speaker 1 (19:25):
A lot of Riley Leonard dialogue coming your way over
the weekend?
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Do I gather.
Speaker 6 (19:33):
Some some I think that's, you know, sort of part
of the course this time of the year. You're you're
always looking for the other answer when you don't like
the ones that are available to you. But I would
say this, Look I saw, I tweeted this, and I'll
say it again here. I saw every training camp practice,
every single one. And my my conclusion that I came
(19:58):
to with Riley Leonard is his arm strength is not
where you want it to be, you know, to really
be a viable NFL quarterback right now. Now, I know
he's operated well in the preseason game on Saturday, and
that's that's great. It's a credit to him. I mean,
he knows what to do, where to throw the ball, etc.
(20:19):
He's a competitor ill of all that. But he's going
to have to do what Sam Ellinger did to really
ever make himself viable, which is, you know, to improve
his velocity on the football and thereby improve his accuracy
and things like that. So we'll see he's got the
makeup that maybe allows him to do it, and let's
(20:40):
see if he can.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
We've had similar conversations about backups to the backups before.
Those are against all odds these quarterbacks and Chad Kelly
comes to mind, sam Ellinger comes to mind.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
In both cases.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
I think the initial cutdowns with both had them a
part of the practice squad, which surprised a lot of
people at that moment.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
Will the Colts do that?
Speaker 1 (21:06):
Will they at least start out with only two quarterbacks
on the roster or will they go with three?
Speaker 4 (21:11):
Will we find it?
Speaker 1 (21:12):
I know everything's not et the stone as up tomorrow,
but what do you think and they end up doing
with Leonard in this case.
Speaker 5 (21:20):
My prediction is they keep them on the active roster.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
I mean they've done it the last I don't know,
three years or so carrying those three quarterbacks. I think
they'll still do that. But but I think that mostly
because they have the they have the.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
Roster flexibility to do it.
Speaker 6 (21:40):
So they did have a lot of injuries, but they're
they're getting better and there's a little more clarity in
terms of their injuries. So that allows you to maybe
not have to carry extra bodies at the positions where
you're beat up, you know what I mean. So that
kind of gives you the flexibility if you so choose
to carry that third quarterback. And remember the third quarterback
(22:03):
rule that is in place today, you know that guy
has to be on the active roster. If I understand correctly,
basically you can have that third quarterback active. It's the
old fashioned third quarterback rule. He can be active on
game day but not but he's a designated third quarterback,
so therefore he doesn't count towards your forty six active
players for the game.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
Do you think that, for example, if he were on
the practice squad, would would somebody you think target him
and bring him in? Would they he get poachs from
a practice squad situation.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
I don't know that.
Speaker 6 (22:36):
It's a good question, impossible question, but I don't know.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
I think.
Speaker 5 (22:42):
I think if you like him, and you and you have.
Speaker 6 (22:47):
Space on your roster, if you liked this preseason film
and you were curious if he was a guy you
could develop that no one would post him, you know,
to play him right now. It would be somebody that's
in the long term. So it would have to be
a team where the coach and or GM have you know,
some some real security, you know, like a I don't know,
(23:09):
I'm just making this up, like you know, maybe Denver
or something like that, you know where you I mean,
they took Sam Ellinger, right and that makes sense.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
You know, a guy you can go in there.
Speaker 6 (23:19):
With a coach who who has you know, some real
offensive chops and maybe you know, could get something out
of that guy in the long term. So somewhere like that,
you know, I don't know where that would be, but
my gut intinct is probably not. But there might be
a one off team that fits that bill that I
just outlined.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
By the way, credit what credit is do against threes
and fours or whatever. That Leonard to Treadwell pass was
the best thrown football by a Cults quarterback in how
long seriously it was and how long has it been
since we've seen a ball thrown that Well. I'm not
suggesting that that's his level of quarterbacking, but that was
(24:01):
a well thrown ball all the way around.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
Well, it is a well thrown thrown on time, which
is a big key there, right. I mean it's it's
when you let that when you cut that thing loose, right,
and it's just just good execution all around. And I
think that is that is the best of Riley Leonards.
And now what you what he what he struggles with
(24:26):
is you know, when he's got to throw it into traffic.
Uh maybe those balls, you know, sort of out outbreaking
routes to the sideline where you have to throw the
ball maybe over a defender and layer it, you know,
in between the safety and the underneath corner. Those are
tough throws that even veterans struggle with at times. I mean,
(24:47):
those are the kinds of balls that for him are difficult,
particularly because he doesn't have the velocity on the ball
sometimes and you've got to zip that thing in there.
But when he's when he's well protected and and the
receiver wins, he can put it in. He can put
it in there. Man put it on the money. And
he did do that there. That was a great looking player,
I will agree.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
Stephen Holder VSPN at ESPN dot coms and the Andy
Moore Automotive Group plotline I don't know. Cut down to
a is coming up tomorrow, officially coming up tomorrow, but
I'm curious. It's kind of goes along with the protection
of a quarterback or a player on the practice squad?
Is there anybody you think the Colts may be motivated
to keep on the active roster because they would be
(25:29):
aware and or a little bit apprehensive about whether or
not they could be poached from the practice squad if
they don't do that, Does anybody stand out at all?
Speaker 5 (25:40):
Any name? Right?
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Not?
Speaker 6 (25:43):
I wouldn't say particularly, No, not particularly. I guess the
question always or one of the questions you know that
arises in that regard is always like your.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
Your rookies?
Speaker 6 (25:55):
You know, are there some rookies that maybe fall into
that category? You know, Tim Smith is a guy he
was what I think the sixth round maybe six round pick,
you know, defensive tackle. Like what's his deal? Like, do
they do they think they can you know, do they
think they can protect him or keep him? Do they
want him on the practice squad or want to sneak
(26:16):
him through to the practice squad?
Speaker 5 (26:18):
You know? Because the reason I.
Speaker 6 (26:20):
Say that, the reason I say rookies is because they
are fresh in people's minds and your impressions of them.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
Really.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
For when it comes to other teams, the impressions of
those rookies are largely based on what they saw on
college still, you know, so they haven't seen training camp.
For the most part, those teams are just basing it
on whatever little preseason film they have. So you may
have a curiosity about a guy that you know, maybe
you didn't get to pick in the late rounds and
(26:48):
he's out there. Those are the guys that oftentimes get
get claimed that. And I would also say guys who
have played a little bit and maybe they're there's no
room for them on your roster, but they play a
premium position like corner, maybe wide receiver, don't I don't
know if there's any of those for the Colts, But yeah,
(27:10):
I don't think they're too worried about it. I honestly
think this will be one of the easier roster cut
periods that they've had in quite some time.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
To Steven Holder VESPN on ESPN dot com, he's on
the Andy Moore Automotive Group potline.
Speaker 4 (27:24):
That chart at tied end. According to you, what's that
look like?
Speaker 6 (27:29):
So I predicted let's see I think four is what
I went with. I went with my prediction in Tyler, Warren,
Molly Cox, Will Mallory, and I.
Speaker 5 (27:45):
Believe I Hadrew Ogletree online.
Speaker 6 (27:48):
I shouldn't know this off top of my head, right
I wrote it, But anyhow, that's kind of how I
see I see four. So my thought process there is
this if you have, if you have, you know sort
of Jeelanny Woods, for example, he comes into the conversation
I think with him, I think Will Mallory gets the
(28:11):
nod for me, just for consistency. Now, I will say
I will say this that Jelanny Woods made a.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
Push late in camp.
Speaker 6 (28:20):
He actually started to flash, and I thought in the
preseason games we saw a little bit more from him
and that was good. But I think when you factor
in his injury history and then the fact that Will Mallory,
to be honest in game action right now is more
proven than Jeelnny Woods, and I think Will Mallory has
some upside that maybe they can tap into. You're gonna
(28:42):
need another real receiving tight end. I think if you
go with Allie Cox and Ogletree, you'll need that second
receiving tight end to pair with Tyler Warren. I prefer
Will Mallory over Johnnie Woods personally.
Speaker 5 (28:55):
Yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
The injury history, I think alone, you would be skeptical
about you know, Woods in general. That's too bad too,
because it always seems like he has a lot of
what is necessary to have success to that position, but
he's just never been available.
Speaker 6 (29:14):
Yeah, I'll be interested to see if someone picks him up.
If he does get cut, will somebody pick him up?
Speaker 5 (29:20):
Look?
Speaker 6 (29:21):
Remember now, he was I believe a third round pick,
so that's a premium pick. It was three years ago. Okay,
it's a long time ago. I mean it predates predicing, stiching. Okay,
he's never done anything for sing styking. Wait, I'm not
right about that. Yeah, that's why I think he was
actually a class of twenty two. Right, So you know
(29:45):
you're talking about a long time ago, but you know,
he at one point was a highly thought of player,
highly touted player out of college, and you know, with
a lot of upside. The question will be have people
forgotten about that? Do they still care?
Speaker 5 (30:01):
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (30:02):
I'm very curious to see what happens with him if
he indeed does get cut, you know, like for in
one possible outcome, like if he doesn't get picked up,
do the Colts keep him and try to keep him
on the practice squad?
Speaker 5 (30:14):
You know?
Speaker 6 (30:14):
Do they want to take a longer look? You know,
those are the questions that I have.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
There running back wise, how's that depth chart look to you?
At least going into nothing etched in stone, but at
least going into this week?
Speaker 6 (30:27):
Well, I think one, two and three are Jonathan Taylor
DJ get into Tyler Goodson. For me, the question is
do you have room for a fourth? And well that's
the first question, and then in conjunction with that, do
you need a fourth? Frankly, because Goodson has I believe
in elbow injury, there's a chance that could go into
(30:50):
the regular season. And so if that, if that is
the case, then you do have to keep that fourth.
I presume that might be Khalil Herbert. Although Bentley Ulysses
Bentley the Fourth, which is a hell of a name
it is. I mean, you better make something of your
life when your parents name you Ulysses Bentley the Fourth.
Speaker 5 (31:13):
But anyhow, he he.
Speaker 6 (31:16):
Had a good I thought, you know, running the preseason
there down the stretch and definitely made a made a
name for himself. There, or at least, you know, made
a case for himself, I should say. So we'll see
if he's a you know, a practice squad candidate or something.
But those are That's kind of how I see that
group shaping up if they're all healthy. And they're not
(31:36):
right now, but if they're all healthy, Taylor, Giddons, Goodson
and maybe maybe a fourth probably.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
Herbert ESPN dot Com ESPN Stephen Holder covers the Colts
and the Andy Moore Automotive group potline. All right, where
are you with the linebackers going into the start of
the season as it stands right now?
Speaker 6 (31:57):
I kind of don't love him, frankly. I just think
they're just they're they're not really paying a lot of
attention to that unit clearly. Uh, And it doesn't seem
to bother them, because if it had, I thought they'd
have made some moves by now.
Speaker 5 (32:13):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (32:14):
They don't seem overly concerned. But I wonder if maybe
they're just sort of taking that for granted. I don't
know what to make of it. The only thing I
can say is that maybe lou Anaumo does not intend
to play, you know, the linebackers extensively.
Speaker 5 (32:30):
I mean, certainly dire.
Speaker 6 (32:31):
Franklin will be on the field probably all of the time,
I would imagine, But you know, will they play that
six defensive back more than we anticipate they might? You know,
I don't know. I'm curious to see how that goes.
I mean, it was it was going to be. It
was going to be more of a more of a
likely option, you know, when you when you had or
(32:53):
before excuse me, you had, you know, the injury to
Hunter Wohler, But I thought he was going to be
the six defensive back. Now I don't know who that
is and if it's as good an option, but I
do think they'll still do it in some capacity. But anyhow, linebackers,
I mean, I guess you keep five, but the last
two Franklin are going to be special teams guys. I
guess some sire Franklin, camer grown Uh, Joe Bachi, Jalen
(33:19):
Carlis who still hurt, you know, And I don't know
where that stands. And then your fifties kind of like
your preference. I guess Austin and Jackie if I'm pronouncing
that right. So that's a very undistinguished group, to be
completely honest.
Speaker 4 (33:35):
They're gonna go with Zavian Howard.
Speaker 5 (33:40):
Yeah. I really thought.
Speaker 4 (33:44):
Week one against his former team.
Speaker 6 (33:47):
He could, he could. I'll better tell you something, man.
When they signed him, I honestly thought, okay, man, they
must really be banged up that corner.
Speaker 4 (33:57):
Well, it was like he was the starter in a
depth chart when he got signed. Was he not liked it?
Day later it's.
Speaker 5 (34:04):
On I'm looking at it. Yes he is.
Speaker 6 (34:07):
But let me go back to when he signed a
week ago. At that point, I'm thinking, oh, man, they
are really beat up. They had to go sign this
guy who hadn't played in over a year. How bad
must these guys be? Hurt? And lo and behold? It
turns out they were back to practice like two days later.
I'm talking about Jones and and Brent's. Brent's both you know,
(34:30):
back in the line and Juju I think played on
Saturday if I'm not mistaken. So the health is not
the issue there. They Lou added Rumill really really really
like Xavian Howard.
Speaker 5 (34:41):
That's what this is.
Speaker 6 (34:43):
So I'm telling you I think he's gonna play. He's
got to get in shape and he's I don't think
he's quite there yet, but he's out there running around
in practice and running with the first defense at times.
Speaker 5 (34:55):
So I think this is a real thing.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
To me.
Speaker 6 (35:01):
It seems a little crazy to me, but look, he
is definitely a big fan. An Arumo is a big
fan of Xavian Howard, apparently even thirty two year old
Zavian Howard.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Well, and that begs the question here. So Lou and Rouma,
we saw the success he had in Cincinnati, and there's
really no middle ground, or at least it didn't feel
that way. There was either high level success or the
depths of Okay, we're done with you right here, and
that all hands on the availability of personnel, whether we're
talking about injuries or exodus, that defection. In this point,
(35:38):
who is the most important defensive player for Lou Anirumo
individually speaking again, at least to start this season for
this team to have success on that side of the football.
Speaker 6 (35:52):
Well, I think it's a choice between the Forrest Buckner
and Savarius war And the reason the Forest Buckner that's
an obvious one because he commands so much attention and
he collapses the pocket and he allows other defensive linemen
to win just by his mayor presence, right, and they
(36:14):
got to win up front this year. If they want
this to work, they got to win up front. Okay,
so so he's obviously always going to be key, But
I bring up Ward because I just think the drop
off after him is pretty big. And I'm not talking
about Kenny Moore. He's a different kind of player. He's
an inside corner. But I'm talking about your options to
(36:35):
go play outside. They're not going to rise to the
level of play that Sabarius Ward can Mooney Wards. So
you got to have him. And that's why when when
that guy wants to take a rep off in practice,
no one argues with him. They say, all right, you
go over there and you you rest up, big guy,
because we need you. Because they know they need him.
(36:57):
I'm telling you, like, he's the opposite of a lot
of these guys were like, I want every snap and
I want to I want to play in the preseason
and all that. He's like, I'll be good, don't worry
about me. That's that's Mooney. He's an interesting guy. But
he's a competitor and I think you know, if he
plays the way they think he's going to play, which
is to be sort of that that pest, that that
(37:19):
receivers can't get away from, and a really physical cover
guy that's going to allow lou Ana Roumo to do
the things that he wants to do strategically. But you
got to have that guy, and that is why he
was the first guy that they went unsigned and spend
a lot of money on, because that he's that important
(37:39):
to the plans that Anumo has.
Speaker 1 (37:42):
Did you not say Leatu Lato because you don't believe
in year two he's going to be capable of having
that type of impact or.
Speaker 4 (37:50):
No, you say this because I think that.
Speaker 1 (37:54):
To me, I'm not sure he's going to be that impactful,
but I think for a playmaking secondary, which they really want,
if he is, that changes the dynamic altogether here.
Speaker 5 (38:08):
So I agree with all that.
Speaker 6 (38:10):
So I would say I didn't say his name, but
not because I think anything, not because I think less
of him.
Speaker 5 (38:16):
It's more about this.
Speaker 6 (38:17):
I think that he still has to show that he
has that that upper tier performance level in him. He
hasn't shown that yet. The other thing I can say
is that they have much more depth behind him, you
know what I mean? They have They have guys like
you know, Quitty and Taye Kawon Lewis and Tui Mololo.
(38:38):
I can never I'm going to say it right before
if it kills me. Tui Molau, I think that's right.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
Anyhow, it sounds good that they have other bodies were
on pronunciation on this show in the first place, We're okay.
Speaker 6 (38:50):
It's it's a running joke in the in the media
room that none of us can say it right. But anyway,
you know ebucom they have a lot of edge guys,
none of them with is you know, sort of pure talent.
There's a lot to right, but they have they definitely
have capable guys. So that's the other thingson. But I
would agree with you in this regard if he figures
(39:12):
it out, and I think he needs to. Like they said,
he was the best defensive player in the draft last year,
he's got to play like it. If he does, now
they're cooking with gas. That is a game changer, because
I do agree with you. I think if you have
a guy that that you have to slide protection to,
you're opening things up for everybody else. They haven't really
(39:33):
had to do that. Teams haven't had to really do
that against the Colts nearly as much as they would
like they need just somebody that keeps people up at night.
You know, Venturi calls them what ambient players? Yeah? Yeah,
who is the other team's coach losing sleepover? That's the
(39:53):
kind of guy who can do it, and I want
to see if he can.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
All right, Chris Ballard on Wednesday? You got a mirage
of ar questions ready for him? Or are you comfortable?
We all with what we know right.
Speaker 6 (40:07):
Now, the same ones that I've that have asked privately
of everybody, Which is all right? The decision in and
in and of itself, it's fine, right. I mean, I
I don't take issue with the fact that they picked,
you know, picked Daniel Jones in a competition that was
you know, generally close. I'm fine with that, and I
(40:29):
can even accept that he is he is better off
in terms of the operations, as shame Styken says. The
only thing I would say is.
Speaker 5 (40:39):
This, This is a question I have.
Speaker 6 (40:43):
If he's not If you say he's not good enough
from operation perspective now, then why would I think he'd
be good enough a month from now, or six months
from now or a year from now.
Speaker 5 (40:53):
I mean, why would I think that? Right?
Speaker 6 (40:55):
If you if you were telling me, he's not good
enough to be your starter despite being the more talented guy.
I'm nothing the better quarterback, I said, the more talented guy. Right,
If you're telling me that part of his game is
so deficient or deficient enough that that he can't that
is deciding this quarterback battle, well, I just don't. I
(41:16):
don't know what are we even doing here?
Speaker 5 (41:17):
Then?
Speaker 6 (41:17):
You know what I mean, that's what I would say.
I'm not saying they should cut them or trade them.
I'm saying you're the ones telling us that he can't
do that part yet not as good as Daniel Jones.
Speaker 5 (41:28):
So I mean, yeah, they us.
Speaker 1 (41:31):
They could tell us all they want. The belief is gone.
The belief has gone with that decision, like the belief
was gone with me a year ago, and I until
further notice. They have moved on with somebody they believe
that is the better quarterback and help them win right now.
And that's that's simply playing.
Speaker 6 (41:46):
And it's okay if they feel that way, that's fine, right,
I mean, they're they're running the team. I just think
that it is asking a lot for us to accept
that you still believe in him, because this is the
company line and it is a very difficult thing to accept.
It just this, Nationally, no one believes it, right, I mean,
(42:08):
and I don't know that locally we believe it.
Speaker 5 (42:10):
So I don't know.
Speaker 6 (42:12):
I'm not here to do I'm not here to call
anybody a liar.
Speaker 5 (42:14):
That's not my job. I try to be neutral.
Speaker 6 (42:17):
All I'm saying is, help me understand why we should
think that you still believe in him, because you've now
benched him once and now you have picked the other guy,
the new guy over him in a quarterback battle, a
guy who, by the way, was one of the worst
quarterbacks in the NFL, Daniel Jones. So you helped me understand,
(42:37):
is what my question is to Chris Ballady.
Speaker 4 (42:39):
My prediction is, I'll say it nicer than that you will.
Speaker 1 (42:43):
Get much like they're over under in Vegas odds of
wednes this seasons seven and a half. I'm going to
take the over on times. He starts answers with a
look for you guys on Wednesday, I'm going to take
the over of seven and a half right there.
Speaker 4 (42:59):
That's yes that.
Speaker 5 (43:02):
No one.
Speaker 6 (43:02):
Thing I would also say is that they you know,
they are very I think honest about the fact that
Daniel Jones does have some injury history of his own, Okay,
just to be fair, and that's something that has internally
been talked about quite a bit, and it's one of
the reasons I don't see Anthony Richardson ever getting moved,
at least certainly not for a long time.
Speaker 4 (43:24):
I don't either, so I didn't even ask you. I
didn't think it was even worthy of asking.
Speaker 1 (43:29):
That's why we got the Riley Leonards story line, because
clearly Anthony Richardson was too valuable to need any time,
which they talk about he needs in preseason Game three
on Saturday. It makes all the sense in the world
to us around here. Steven itarly does, by the way,
to Trey Hendrickson back with the Bengals, so he got
(43:49):
a new deal as he wanted. So all the conversation
about whether or not the Colts would have interests can
now go away at least for this season, because I
think he's an under stricted free agent next year.
Speaker 4 (44:01):
But this season it can go away.
Speaker 1 (44:03):
He is officially back and going to be playing again
in Cincinnati with at least this season a new deal.
Stephen Holder of ESPN on ESPN dot Com and the
Andy Moore automatic group potline. I'll be listening. We'll see
if we can help me out with that over under
of seven and a half on Wednesday too, would you please?
Speaker 5 (44:20):
I will, I'll count it on you.
Speaker 4 (44:22):
Thanks, buddy, I got you.
On the Andy Moore Automotive Group potline. He's from CBS.
He's got an article on that was a really good
segue to Ryan Wilson who joins us. Now, that's kind
of the vibe that we have around here right now
that's been ongoing right now about Anthony Richardson. You have
an article about a second chance for quarterbacks, how that's
(00:20):
worked out and sometimes how it hasn't in the past
in the NFL ryot.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Yeah, no, that's exactly right. And I understand fans frustrations
with rookie quarterbacks, our young quarterbacks who haven't quite worked out.
And you know, I was talking scouts about this during
the draft few years ago, when Anthony was going to
look like be a top five picker or maybe slipping
the bot in the first round. And you bet a
lot on projection and potential, and you know, if you
(00:49):
build a quarterback in the lap, he's.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Going to look.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Look, Anthony Richardson. The issue is, and I'm sure you
talked about this to death, is that he only started
thirteen games in college. And one of the comps coming
out that he was Cam Cam Newton, and Cam started
fourteen games at Auburn in that final year. But the
difference is Cam lived at Auburn team virtually put them
on his back and won a national title. So you
knew that Cam could do the things that you were
(01:12):
going to ask Cam to do with the next level.
That Florida team was six and seven and Anthony's last year,
and the understanding was that Shane Siken, who had done
the work with Jalen Hurts and Philly, was going to
be the perfect fit. And obviously things have gone mostly
sideways since, and part because of the injuries that you
guys were just talking about, and he has a history
of soft tissue injuries going back to Florida and that
(01:33):
sort of followed him, and the sort of you know,
the haphazard injuries from not sliding when he needed to
or just a freak accidents of some on the sidelines,
and the benching last year for two weeks, and of
course how this preseason played out and here we are.
So look, it's not the first time it happens. Quarterbacks
hit in the first round less than fifty percent of
(01:53):
the time. I think on some level you wish Anthony
Richardson had had taken this. I don't want to say
more Seriously, he's doing at twenty two what probably a
lot of us did at twenty two. The difference was,
you know, no one was watching, we'd have millions of dollars.
And I think that on some level is concerning to
a degree, because the opportunity is there, the talent is there,
(02:14):
and it just hasn't come together. And you could say, look, man,
you can put him on the Ransom McVay and the
forty nine ers with a Shanahan. Shane Siken is exactly
the guy that should have been making this thing work.
And I'm not blaming Shane Stikeen. I think there's plenty
of blame to go around, but it just as we
sit here in year three, this ain't where you want
to be.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
I'm a blamer, and I'm a blamer because you these guys, Ryan.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
And you know this more than anybody does.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
That these guys understand the consequences when you make this
selection and you pound the table saying, hey, I can
mold this guy.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
Now, this is who we want.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
And again, given the background of the player you just described,
and people ask me all the time, so you know,
who were the alternatives here? Will Levis? I mean, he's
not going to be anything or you know, what's his name,
Hendon Hooker or Tennessee. What are the other options? And
I say, anybody that is more than serviceable is an
(03:14):
option because most of the time in the NFL like this,
you get one chance and one chance only to make
this pick or coach this pick, and if it doesn't
work out, then so sorry, you move along. And that's
always been my answer. Is that a fair answer to give?
Or better said, is it a fair answer to give
(03:35):
or just a truthful and answer to give?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
For the most part, no, I think it's both. Look,
you know, we ain't working at a bank, but there
are a lot of expectations that come with being a
top five pick. And wherever you point the finger, history
has not reflected kindly on top five, top fifteen picks.
When I went back and looked quarterbacks who've got bench
before year three, the short list is Matt Lioner, Blaying
(03:59):
gabbertye Manuel Trey, Lance, Zach Wilson. Some of those were
injury related, but the end of the day, none of.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Those guys got their starting jobs back.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
The only saving grace in recent history is Bryce Young
and coming out of college number one, Bryce had twenty
seven starts, so he played a lot of football. Number
two physically, he could be more different than Anthony Richards
and he's five to eleven on a good day. And
number three, there were never any concerns about him not
being super locked in on football sports like that's all
he was about. It was just the issue that he
(04:26):
was smaller, didn't have the arm strength, and so on
and so forth. And he sat on the bench last
year for five weeks I think it was before Andy
Donk got hurt. And when he came back, it looked
a lot like the Alabama and Alabama Bryce show. We
didn't see enough of Anthony and Florida to get an
idea of what that would look like long term. So
you're absolutely right, and you're rolling the dice that can.
Coaches will tell you this all the time, and they
(04:47):
know they're guilty of it. I can fix that kid,
I can get the most out of that kid. I
know he's only played thirteen starts. I only had thirteen starts,
and I know he's had soft tissue injuries. We'll get
in where he needs to be. And that's the whole
reason you're an NFL coach. Whether you're a head coach
or an assistant. Like I said, it works out less
than half the time, So you have to live with
those losses when they show up. And then the question
(05:10):
becomes and I give Anthony credit for saying all the
right things when he got benched. You would like to
see him, and we saw last year Sam Ellener playing
a big part in kidding him to the point where
you need to be to be an NFL pro. As
you're sitting on the bench, those sorts of things when
you talk to people around the league haven't quite clicked in,
Like he's not working as hard as Bryce Young is working.
(05:31):
He's not working as hard as Peyton or Andrew look
back in the day to keep it in Indianapolis. And
I think that sort of focus is required to do
this sort of job because there are players in the
league they are quarterback that aren't close to being the
athlete that Anthony is.
Speaker 1 (05:45):
That's the thing, and I agree with you Ryan, you
have to vet the most is whether or not this
person is hungry enough to work at it. And one
of the conclusions we've drawn around here is when you
are just gifted with that level of athleticism and things
oftentimes have come so simple. Now I'm not suggesting he
(06:07):
never works at it, because clearly he did. But when
things of that level can slide your way simply because
you're just more athletically dominant than everybody else, that can
set a negative precedent. And often we wonder around here
if that's not a part of the equation we're witnessing too.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Yeah, and the flip side of that, and I think
you're right. And the other thing, And this has been
repeated to me going back to when Anthony was coming out,
like he is a good kid.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
He's from a small town of Florida. I never left Florida.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Until he got to college, so he's not a world traveler,
so to speak. But in terms of the conversation you're
talking about, in terms of athleticism being better than everyone
his entire life, just common sense tells you that you're
going to work as hard as you have to work
to still drop fifty on your opponent, whether you're playing
basketball or three five hundred yards of the game if
you're in high school. But Joe Burrow is the perfectly
(06:59):
thing with someone. I remember talking to him of the
combine and I said, when did you sort of figure
out that you could do the things you could do.
And he said, at Ohio State, I could do those
things physically, my body wouldn't allow me to do what
my mind wanted to do. Just once I got the
LSU and grew a little big elbit stronger. And that's
an example of someone who knew they had to overcome
their physical shortcomings, where that's not any conversation ar has
(07:20):
ever had to have. And I remember talking to Scott
a few weeks ago and wrote the story, and he said,
as soon as Anthony looked left on that bliss that
we've talked about to death when he discip hit his
pinky against the Raven the week one the three season,
he said, I guarantee you that Shane'sykin knew that Dale
Jose to be his quarterback, because that's the sort of
mistake that you don't make in JV football. And it's
not that he doesn't know what to do there, he
(07:41):
just spaced out in the moment and those are things
that you can't do at this level. I think he
got off easy in some regard that he is just
dislipated pinky. You could have lost a division game that
could have cost you a chance to go to the
playoffs because you may spaced out for fifteen seconds and
that was the result.
Speaker 5 (07:57):
So those are the.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Things that you shouldn't even make mistakes as a rookie,
and you're doing it going into year three and we're
supposed to say, okay, you're still facing the franchise. So
it could be a learning experience, a growing experience, or
it could be a situation where you know his life
is destined to be a backup. It's up to ante
at this point. Whether it happens to an end of your
somewhere else is another conversation. But this doesn't mean it's
the end of the road for him, because you know
(08:18):
we've talked about this. He's only twenty two to twenty
three years old.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
So Ryan Wilson joins us at Ryan Wilson CBS. You
can find him on the social media platform x.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
He has an article out right now we're talking about
talking in the NFL on the Andy Moore Automotive Group hootline.
So logically speaking, does he ever find any traction here
to reclaim anywhere near what they thought, or is the
more likelihood that what you find, as we've seen in
comps and I'm sure you've gone through as well.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
If he finds any footing, it's going to be someplace.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Else, right So Bryce Sung would be the best case
scenario for him in Indy, but history, to your point,
suggests it's going to have to happen somewhere else. I mean,
Baker Mayfield and Sandrang bo with We're in Carolina at
various points and we're terrible, And now Baker Mayfield is
one of the best quarterbacks in the league, top fifteen
at least. And Sam Donald just got that huge payday
after winning what fifteen games last year in Minnesota. But
(09:13):
also the other thing is this, fifty nine quarterbacks started
games last year, and that tells me that you know
your quarterback more times than night gets injured, your starter,
so you need the one to come in and be ready,
and that could be an opportunity for Anthony. The other thing,
Daniel Jones is sort of the is he the next
Sam Donald? That this is the best offense he's played
on ever? And they won nine games in twenty twenty two,
(09:35):
his first year with Brian Davile with the Giants, they
won a playoff game.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
There's very I don't want to say a realistic chance.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
It feels like there's a fifty one percent chance that
Daniel Jones might have some sort of Stam Darnald like
renaissance this year as well. But should he go down
because of injury and you don't want it to happen,
that could be a perfect opportunity for Anthony Rish to
prove himself and to others like us that he is
certainly capable of this, and the physical stuff has ever
been in question. It's just a matter of above the neck.
(10:02):
Can you be in the right mind frame every single
play playing and play out and not just rely on
your athleticism. That, as we talked about, has been his crutch,
and now it is no longer his crutch because there
are what twenty one other dudes on the field that
can do exactly what you can do, or at least
close to it.
Speaker 1 (10:20):
Fran Wilson of CBS on the Anymore Automotic Group potline,
you mentioned Daniel Jones, he's going to be the week
one starter here. Do you think that he's got a
lot more to show than certainly? We had witnessed twenty
games under five hundred and six seasons. While in New
York what do you feel about his situation moving forward?
(10:41):
Starting against the Dolphins in a couple of weeks. In
Week one here, I.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Feel as good as you can pros cancel the Jones
given the numbers you.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Just read off.
Speaker 2 (10:51):
I think the takeaway for me is that when Brian
Dabele arrived, and you know Brian Daviles claim to thame
was that he and Josh Allen were They're doing listenings
in Buffalo. So that team did more with less. Yes, say,
Kuon Bark is a big part of that offense. They
have Jonathan Taylor in Indy. They have a wide receiver
CRW that is way better than anything they've ever had.
(11:12):
In Dale Jones's time in New York, they drafted one
of the best players who plays tight end. He's going
to be an impact player. And the offensive line, I
think is underrated. So it is all to play indoors
half the time. It is all there for Dale Jones
to have success. When I've talked to people in New
York about Dan Jones, they said every one, he's a
great person. Number two, no one will outwork him. And
(11:33):
as long as the plan is the plan, and there
isn't a lot of creation, he will execute that plan.
That's her numbers have always been an issue during his career,
and he talked about that. But I think if he
doesn't succeed here, then he's destined to probably be a backup.
But if you told me that he got seventy five
percent of the way to what Sam Donald did a
year goo Minnesota, I would believe that too. This team
(11:56):
could No one's talking about them in this division because
of Jacksonville and Houston, But if you said they were
in the mix the final two weeks of the season
to win the AFC South, I would have no issue
believing you were telling me the truth.
Speaker 1 (12:08):
Ny Ryan, I don't know how in depth you want
to go or can go regarding Riley Leonard. And we
all understand the circumstances of preseason game three, and you know,
threes and fours versus threes and fours. But he had
a really good afternoon on Saturday. And you know, given
what you had witnessed at Duke and then what you
saw in that season at Notre Dame, is this a
(12:30):
guy that has staying power or maybe better even described
has growing power in the NFL to be something that
maybe a lot of people did not think he was
going to be going back to February here in Indy.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
Yeah, no, I think so.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
It's funny because when he was drafted by the Colt,
my joke was that he's equal parked Anthony Richardson and
equal parts Daniel Jones, because he's a fantastic athlete who
can make some plays and then he can do some
bonehead of stuff that you scratching your head. I thought
at times he's a better passor duke than we saw
last year of Notre Dame. He's a great kid. We
talked to him with the combine and he's all about
ball as well.
Speaker 3 (13:04):
He's not having issues with him off the field.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
But I think it's funny because the conversation now everywhere
is Shador and Dylan Gabriel, who are both developmental quarterbacks.
I think Riley Leonard is the personification of a developmental quarterback.
And as long as you understand that, and you're not
expecting him to come in tomorrow and throw for three
hundred yards and not make mistakes, then he is on
the right path. And I think he has an opportunity
(13:28):
to grow because athletically he does things that very few
quarterbacks can do. It's just a matter of getting him
comfortable in terms of the passing part of what you ask.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Him to do.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
And we spend covering the draft, you spend months trying
to convince yourself that this quarterback or that quarterback in
college who's a great athlete can figure out how to
be a good passer. Ryle Leonard's further along than some
of the guys we've had conversations about in recent years.
He just has to continue to be more consistent, to
play on time, to throw with anticipation in the accuracy.
And again, I think Shane Stiken is as good as
(14:00):
well suited as anyone to get that out of Jalen
Hurts was the second round pick, and there was no
one paying attention to Jalen Hurts in the draft that
included to I think that was the Justin Herbert draft.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
That was the Jordan Love draft.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
And he is one of the best players in the
NFL because he was locked in, he minimized the mistakes
and he got better. So I absolutely think that Rylerlaner
can can be someone that you can rely on as
a reliable starter. Is he going to be Jalen Hurts?
I wouldn't say that as we sit here, but I
also wouldn't count him out because he could luck find
it someone tougher than that kid.
Speaker 3 (14:30):
When it comes to playing football and playing quarterback.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
He is Ry Wilson's got an article regarding quarterbacks with
second chances, and most of the time it happens on
a different landscape.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
You can find that.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Before I let you go, I promise people out there,
I'd ask you this because there's a common theme around
here is if this team doesn't play well, and I
don't think they're going to be nearly as bad to
be at that particular high draft selection level. But that's
part of the conversation dialogue that goes on around here,
and everybody always brings up a Manning and arch Manning,
(15:02):
and clearly there's no evidence that he plans on coming
out of Austin after this season or whatever. So let's
go ahead and side step in for a moment. The
most logical draftable quarterbacks. If the Colts fund themselves in
that situation coming up in the spring of twenty twenty six,
what do you have in mind before the start of
the college football season right now?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Yeah, no, this is going to be fun this quarterback
classing me a lot deeper than last year is arch Manning,
of course, is the white Whale. Hopefully we don't have
to talk about him if he's not coming out, but
I'm sure it'll be a conversation. But Garrett nutsmyrals who
thought about coming out last year, and he has the
chance to be really good.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
His dad is the OC. He done in the Saints
right now. He just has to play more consistently.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
A name that you guys can watch in Indiana is
Fernando Mendoza, who was really good at CAW behind a
terrible offensive line. I think a lot of people are
going to realize who he is pretty quickly. I think
he's going to be a good player that has a
chance to be a first round pick. Drew Aller came
back to this and Kay Kleppick did as well at
Penn Sadie Clemson and those guys different body types. Both
(16:06):
have potentially big time.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Players and first round picks as well.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
And then you know, if we want to continue to
fancy Richard in conversation with North Sellers South Carolina, he
might be the best running back in the in Costle
Wall not named Jeremiah Love but he is a quarterback.
If he gets better as a passer, and we'll be
talking a lot about him. But that's where he needs
to grow. And we talked about that with Roylan Leonard.
If he can progress, and I part of me helps
he comes back. If he doesn't get to that point,
he could have a chance to be truly special. And
(16:31):
that's just a handful of guys they're going to be,
So that could be five or six other guys were
talking about. And I didn't even mention Carson Back, who
everyone was talking a lot about last year, this time
before he transferred out of Georgia to Miami.
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Hey, Ryan, before I let you go, give me a
comparison us, a comparison on the quarterback class that we
witnessed this year, this past year, or going back to
even Richardson's twenty twenty two quarterback class that had you know,
is stroud and young, and I mentioned Hooker and Levin
and all that that particular class compared to what we
(17:04):
think this quarterback class in twenty twenty six is going
to look like.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yeah, Brighton CJ both played a lot of football twenty
seven twenty class starts. I believe we knew Anthony did,
and Levis played a lot, but there are questions about
his consistency of both Penn State and then at Kentucky.
And then Hindon had played a lot, but he towards
ACL and he's sound like he's about to get cut
in Detroit. This class arch is arched. But Garrett played
a lot of football. Fernando Mendoza has Drew Aller came
(17:30):
back this year in Kate Klebnick as well. They've all
come back, and I think out Brighton CJ would be
in there. I think they would be again disregarding arts,
would be QB one in this class. But there's a
lot of players who have played a ton of ball,
and that's what teams sort of lean on.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
You're not having to project quite as much.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
Lenora Sellers has not played a lot, so that's concerned.
Nicole yem Labaki transferred to the ucla incredible specimen, but
he hasn't played a lot of ball either, So I
think in that sense it's much better. Last year's class
was Cam Wore played a ton of football, Dylan Gabriel
played a lot. You do have played a lot, but
this class is so much deeper than that class. Now,
if you want to talk about the Caleb Jane Daniels
(18:09):
Drake May class, that was special and that has worked
out pretty well thus far, so this group would probably
be behind that one, probably the CJ in Bryce class.
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Ryan Wilson of CBS get an article, good breakdown right
there too. You can find him on x Ryan Wilson
CBS kind of enough to join us on the Andymore
Automatic Group podline. I'll tell you what when we start
this season, especially with both the NFL and because I'm
supposed to have been Doza on some time, so I'm
just writing down notes you've just given me about him too.
I know we all know kind of about the cow
(18:39):
offensive line struggling, and you saw what Kurt Signetti did
to really fortify the voice of the Hoosiers Don Fisher.
I talk to him every week and I hang out
with him a little bit on Fridays, and he told
me that this may be the best offensive line that
we have seen at IU in forever, and there's a
reason behind that with this particular quarterback too, So it
(19:02):
should be fun as hell to watch. We'll check back
with you and get some more of your insight. I
really enjoyed the conversation.
Speaker 6 (19:07):
Ryan, Thank you, absolutely thank you.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
Ryan Wilson on the Andy Moore Automotive Group potline Riley
Leonard conversation over the weekend, Steven Holder of ESPN joins us. Now,
good afternoon, Steven.
Speaker 5 (19:23):
Hey, how's it going?
Speaker 1 (19:25):
A lot of Riley Leonard dialogue coming your way over
the weekend?
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Do I gather.
Speaker 6 (19:33):
Some some I think that's, you know, sort of part
of the course this time of the year. You're you're
always looking for the other answer when you don't like
the ones that are available to you. But I would
say this, Look I saw, I tweeted this, and I'll
say it again here. I saw every training camp practice,
every single one. And my my conclusion that I came
(19:58):
to with Riley Leonard is his arm strength is not
where you want it to be, you know, to really
be a viable NFL quarterback right now. Now, I know
he's operated well in the preseason game on Saturday, and
that's that's great. It's a credit to him. I mean,
he knows what to do, where to throw the ball, etc.
(20:19):
He's a competitor ill of all that. But he's going
to have to do what Sam Ellinger did to really
ever make himself viable, which is, you know, to improve
his velocity on the football and thereby improve his accuracy
and things like that. So we'll see he's got the
makeup that maybe allows him to do it, and let's
(20:40):
see if he can.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
We've had similar conversations about backups to the backups before.
Those are against all odds these quarterbacks and Chad Kelly
comes to mind, sam Ellinger comes to mind.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
In both cases.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
I think the initial cutdowns with both had them a
part of the practice squad, which surprised a lot of
people at that moment.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
Will the Colts do that?
Speaker 1 (21:06):
Will they at least start out with only two quarterbacks
on the roster or will they go with three?
Speaker 4 (21:11):
Will we find it?
Speaker 1 (21:12):
I know everything's not et the stone as up tomorrow,
but what do you think and they end up doing
with Leonard in this case.
Speaker 5 (21:20):
My prediction is they keep them on the active roster.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
I mean they've done it the last I don't know,
three years or so carrying those three quarterbacks. I think
they'll still do that. But but I think that mostly
because they have the they have the.
Speaker 5 (21:38):
Roster flexibility to do it.
Speaker 6 (21:40):
So they did have a lot of injuries, but they're
they're getting better and there's a little more clarity in
terms of their injuries. So that allows you to maybe
not have to carry extra bodies at the positions where
you're beat up, you know what I mean. So that
kind of gives you the flexibility if you so choose
to carry that third quarterback. And remember the third quarterback
(22:03):
rule that is in place today, you know that guy
has to be on the active roster. If I understand correctly,
basically you can have that third quarterback active. It's the
old fashioned third quarterback rule. He can be active on
game day but not but he's a designated third quarterback,
so therefore he doesn't count towards your forty six active
players for the game.
Speaker 1 (22:23):
Do you think that, for example, if he were on
the practice squad, would would somebody you think target him
and bring him in? Would they he get poachs from
a practice squad situation.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
I don't know that.
Speaker 6 (22:36):
It's a good question, impossible question, but I don't know.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
I think.
Speaker 5 (22:42):
I think if you like him, and you and you have.
Speaker 6 (22:47):
Space on your roster, if you liked this preseason film
and you were curious if he was a guy you
could develop that no one would post him, you know,
to play him right now. It would be somebody that's
in the long term. So it would have to be
a team where the coach and or GM have you know,
some some real security, you know, like a I don't know,
(23:09):
I'm just making this up, like you know, maybe Denver
or something like that, you know where you I mean,
they took Sam Ellinger, right and that makes sense.
Speaker 5 (23:17):
You know, a guy you can go in there.
Speaker 6 (23:19):
With a coach who who has you know, some real
offensive chops and maybe you know, could get something out
of that guy in the long term. So somewhere like that,
you know, I don't know where that would be, but
my gut intinct is probably not. But there might be
a one off team that fits that bill that I
just outlined.
Speaker 1 (23:38):
By the way, credit what credit is do against threes
and fours or whatever. That Leonard to Treadwell pass was
the best thrown football by a Cults quarterback in how
long seriously it was and how long has it been
since we've seen a ball thrown that Well. I'm not
suggesting that that's his level of quarterbacking, but that was
(24:01):
a well thrown ball all the way around.
Speaker 6 (24:04):
Well, it is a well thrown thrown on time, which
is a big key there, right. I mean it's it's
when you let that when you cut that thing loose, right,
and it's just just good execution all around. And I
think that is that is the best of Riley Leonards.
And now what you what he what he struggles with
(24:26):
is you know, when he's got to throw it into traffic.
Uh maybe those balls, you know, sort of out outbreaking
routes to the sideline where you have to throw the
ball maybe over a defender and layer it, you know,
in between the safety and the underneath corner. Those are
tough throws that even veterans struggle with at times. I mean,
(24:47):
those are the kinds of balls that for him are difficult,
particularly because he doesn't have the velocity on the ball
sometimes and you've got to zip that thing in there.
But when he's when he's well protected and and the
receiver wins, he can put it in. He can put
it in there. Man put it on the money. And
he did do that there. That was a great looking player,
I will agree.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
Stephen Holder VSPN at ESPN dot coms and the Andy
Moore Automotive Group plotline I don't know. Cut down to
a is coming up tomorrow, officially coming up tomorrow, but
I'm curious. It's kind of goes along with the protection
of a quarterback or a player on the practice squad?
Is there anybody you think the Colts may be motivated
to keep on the active roster because they would be
(25:29):
aware and or a little bit apprehensive about whether or
not they could be poached from the practice squad if
they don't do that, Does anybody stand out at all?
Speaker 5 (25:40):
Any name? Right?
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Not?
Speaker 6 (25:43):
I wouldn't say particularly, No, not particularly. I guess the
question always or one of the questions you know that
arises in that regard is always like your.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
Your rookies?
Speaker 6 (25:55):
You know, are there some rookies that maybe fall into
that category? You know, Tim Smith is a guy he
was what I think the sixth round maybe six round pick,
you know, defensive tackle. Like what's his deal? Like, do
they do they think they can you know, do they
think they can protect him or keep him? Do they
want him on the practice squad or want to sneak
(26:16):
him through to the practice squad?
Speaker 5 (26:18):
You know? Because the reason I.
Speaker 6 (26:20):
Say that, the reason I say rookies is because they
are fresh in people's minds and your impressions of them.
Speaker 5 (26:27):
Really.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
For when it comes to other teams, the impressions of
those rookies are largely based on what they saw on
college still, you know, so they haven't seen training camp.
For the most part, those teams are just basing it
on whatever little preseason film they have. So you may
have a curiosity about a guy that you know, maybe
you didn't get to pick in the late rounds and
(26:48):
he's out there. Those are the guys that oftentimes get
get claimed that. And I would also say guys who
have played a little bit and maybe they're there's no
room for them on your roster, but they play a
premium position like corner, maybe wide receiver, don't I don't
know if there's any of those for the Colts, But yeah,
(27:10):
I don't think they're too worried about it. I honestly
think this will be one of the easier roster cut
periods that they've had in quite some time.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
To Steven Holder VESPN on ESPN dot com, he's on
the Andy Moore Automotive Group potline.
Speaker 4 (27:24):
That chart at tied end. According to you, what's that
look like?
Speaker 6 (27:29):
So I predicted let's see I think four is what
I went with. I went with my prediction in Tyler, Warren,
Molly Cox, Will Mallory, and I.
Speaker 5 (27:45):
Believe I Hadrew Ogletree online.
Speaker 6 (27:48):
I shouldn't know this off top of my head, right
I wrote it, But anyhow, that's kind of how I
see I see four. So my thought process there is
this if you have, if you have, you know sort
of Jeelanny Woods, for example, he comes into the conversation
I think with him, I think Will Mallory gets the
(28:11):
nod for me, just for consistency. Now, I will say
I will say this that Jelanny Woods made a.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
Push late in camp.
Speaker 6 (28:20):
He actually started to flash, and I thought in the
preseason games we saw a little bit more from him
and that was good. But I think when you factor
in his injury history and then the fact that Will Mallory,
to be honest in game action right now is more
proven than Jeelnny Woods, and I think Will Mallory has
some upside that maybe they can tap into. You're gonna
(28:42):
need another real receiving tight end. I think if you
go with Allie Cox and Ogletree, you'll need that second
receiving tight end to pair with Tyler Warren. I prefer
Will Mallory over Johnnie Woods personally.
Speaker 5 (28:55):
Yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
The injury history, I think alone, you would be skeptical
about you know, Woods in general. That's too bad too,
because it always seems like he has a lot of
what is necessary to have success to that position, but
he's just never been available.
Speaker 6 (29:14):
Yeah, I'll be interested to see if someone picks him up.
If he does get cut, will somebody pick him up?
Speaker 5 (29:20):
Look?
Speaker 6 (29:21):
Remember now, he was I believe a third round pick,
so that's a premium pick. It was three years ago. Okay,
it's a long time ago. I mean it predates predicing, stiching. Okay,
he's never done anything for sing styking. Wait, I'm not
right about that. Yeah, that's why I think he was
actually a class of twenty two. Right, So you know
(29:45):
you're talking about a long time ago, but you know,
he at one point was a highly thought of player,
highly touted player out of college, and you know, with
a lot of upside. The question will be have people
forgotten about that? Do they still care?
Speaker 5 (30:01):
I don't know.
Speaker 6 (30:02):
I'm very curious to see what happens with him if
he indeed does get cut, you know, like for in
one possible outcome, like if he doesn't get picked up,
do the Colts keep him and try to keep him
on the practice squad?
Speaker 5 (30:14):
You know?
Speaker 6 (30:14):
Do they want to take a longer look? You know,
those are the questions that I have.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
There running back wise, how's that depth chart look to you?
At least going into nothing etched in stone, but at
least going into this week?
Speaker 6 (30:27):
Well, I think one, two and three are Jonathan Taylor
DJ get into Tyler Goodson. For me, the question is
do you have room for a fourth? And well that's
the first question, and then in conjunction with that, do
you need a fourth? Frankly, because Goodson has I believe
in elbow injury, there's a chance that could go into
(30:50):
the regular season. And so if that, if that is
the case, then you do have to keep that fourth.
I presume that might be Khalil Herbert. Although Bentley Ulysses
Bentley the Fourth, which is a hell of a name
it is. I mean, you better make something of your
life when your parents name you Ulysses Bentley the Fourth.
Speaker 5 (31:13):
But anyhow, he he.
Speaker 6 (31:16):
Had a good I thought, you know, running the preseason
there down the stretch and definitely made a made a
name for himself. There, or at least, you know, made
a case for himself, I should say. So we'll see
if he's a you know, a practice squad candidate or something.
But those are That's kind of how I see that
group shaping up if they're all healthy. And they're not
(31:36):
right now, but if they're all healthy, Taylor, Giddons, Goodson
and maybe maybe a fourth probably.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
Herbert ESPN dot Com ESPN Stephen Holder covers the Colts
and the Andy Moore Automotive group potline. All right, where
are you with the linebackers going into the start of
the season as it stands right now?
Speaker 6 (31:57):
I kind of don't love him, frankly. I just think
they're just they're they're not really paying a lot of
attention to that unit clearly. Uh, And it doesn't seem
to bother them, because if it had, I thought they'd
have made some moves by now.
Speaker 5 (32:13):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (32:14):
They don't seem overly concerned. But I wonder if maybe
they're just sort of taking that for granted. I don't
know what to make of it. The only thing I
can say is that maybe lou Anaumo does not intend
to play, you know, the linebackers extensively.
Speaker 5 (32:30):
I mean, certainly dire.
Speaker 6 (32:31):
Franklin will be on the field probably all of the time,
I would imagine, But you know, will they play that
six defensive back more than we anticipate they might? You know,
I don't know. I'm curious to see how that goes.
I mean, it was it was going to be. It
was going to be more of a more of a
likely option, you know, when you when you had or
(32:53):
before excuse me, you had, you know, the injury to
Hunter Wohler, But I thought he was going to be
the six defensive back. Now I don't know who that
is and if it's as good an option, but I
do think they'll still do it in some capacity. But anyhow, linebackers,
I mean, I guess you keep five, but the last
two Franklin are going to be special teams guys. I
guess some sire Franklin, camer grown Uh, Joe Bachi, Jalen
(33:19):
Carlis who still hurt, you know, And I don't know
where that stands. And then your fifties kind of like
your preference. I guess Austin and Jackie if I'm pronouncing
that right. So that's a very undistinguished group, to be
completely honest.
Speaker 4 (33:35):
They're gonna go with Zavian Howard.
Speaker 5 (33:40):
Yeah. I really thought.
Speaker 4 (33:44):
Week one against his former team.
Speaker 6 (33:47):
He could, he could. I'll better tell you something, man.
When they signed him, I honestly thought, okay, man, they
must really be banged up that corner.
Speaker 4 (33:57):
Well, it was like he was the starter in a
depth chart when he got signed. Was he not liked it?
Day later it's.
Speaker 5 (34:04):
On I'm looking at it. Yes he is.
Speaker 6 (34:07):
But let me go back to when he signed a
week ago. At that point, I'm thinking, oh, man, they
are really beat up. They had to go sign this
guy who hadn't played in over a year. How bad
must these guys be? Hurt? And lo and behold? It
turns out they were back to practice like two days later.
I'm talking about Jones and and Brent's. Brent's both you know,
(34:30):
back in the line and Juju I think played on
Saturday if I'm not mistaken. So the health is not
the issue there. They Lou added Rumill really really really
like Xavian Howard.
Speaker 5 (34:41):
That's what this is.
Speaker 6 (34:43):
So I'm telling you I think he's gonna play. He's
got to get in shape and he's I don't think
he's quite there yet, but he's out there running around
in practice and running with the first defense at times.
Speaker 5 (34:55):
So I think this is a real thing.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
To me.
Speaker 6 (35:01):
It seems a little crazy to me, but look, he
is definitely a big fan. An Arumo is a big
fan of Xavian Howard, apparently even thirty two year old
Zavian Howard.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Well, and that begs the question here. So Lou and Rouma,
we saw the success he had in Cincinnati, and there's
really no middle ground, or at least it didn't feel
that way. There was either high level success or the
depths of Okay, we're done with you right here, and
that all hands on the availability of personnel, whether we're
talking about injuries or exodus, that defection. In this point,
(35:38):
who is the most important defensive player for Lou Anirumo
individually speaking again, at least to start this season for
this team to have success on that side of the football.
Speaker 6 (35:52):
Well, I think it's a choice between the Forrest Buckner
and Savarius war And the reason the Forest Buckner that's
an obvious one because he commands so much attention and
he collapses the pocket and he allows other defensive linemen
to win just by his mayor presence, right, and they
(36:14):
got to win up front this year. If they want
this to work, they got to win up front. Okay,
so so he's obviously always going to be key, But
I bring up Ward because I just think the drop
off after him is pretty big. And I'm not talking
about Kenny Moore. He's a different kind of player. He's
an inside corner. But I'm talking about your options to
(36:35):
go play outside. They're not going to rise to the
level of play that Sabarius Ward can Mooney Wards. So
you got to have him. And that's why when when
that guy wants to take a rep off in practice,
no one argues with him. They say, all right, you
go over there and you you rest up, big guy,
because we need you. Because they know they need him.
(36:57):
I'm telling you, like, he's the opposite of a lot
of these guys were like, I want every snap and
I want to I want to play in the preseason
and all that. He's like, I'll be good, don't worry
about me. That's that's Mooney. He's an interesting guy. But
he's a competitor and I think you know, if he
plays the way they think he's going to play, which
is to be sort of that that pest, that that
(37:19):
receivers can't get away from, and a really physical cover
guy that's going to allow lou Ana Roumo to do
the things that he wants to do strategically. But you
got to have that guy, and that is why he
was the first guy that they went unsigned and spend
a lot of money on, because that he's that important
(37:39):
to the plans that Anumo has.
Speaker 1 (37:42):
Did you not say Leatu Lato because you don't believe
in year two he's going to be capable of having
that type of impact or.
Speaker 4 (37:50):
No, you say this because I think that.
Speaker 1 (37:54):
To me, I'm not sure he's going to be that impactful,
but I think for a playmaking secondary, which they really want,
if he is, that changes the dynamic altogether here.
Speaker 5 (38:08):
So I agree with all that.
Speaker 6 (38:10):
So I would say I didn't say his name, but
not because I think anything, not because I think less
of him.
Speaker 5 (38:16):
It's more about this.
Speaker 6 (38:17):
I think that he still has to show that he
has that that upper tier performance level in him. He
hasn't shown that yet. The other thing I can say
is that they have much more depth behind him, you
know what I mean? They have They have guys like
you know, Quitty and Taye Kawon Lewis and Tui Mololo.
(38:38):
I can never I'm going to say it right before
if it kills me. Tui Molau, I think that's right.
Speaker 1 (38:43):
Anyhow, it sounds good that they have other bodies were
on pronunciation on this show in the first place, We're okay.
Speaker 6 (38:50):
It's it's a running joke in the in the media
room that none of us can say it right. But anyway,
you know ebucom they have a lot of edge guys,
none of them with is you know, sort of pure talent.
There's a lot to right, but they have they definitely
have capable guys. So that's the other thingson. But I
would agree with you in this regard if he figures
(39:12):
it out, and I think he needs to. Like they said,
he was the best defensive player in the draft last year,
he's got to play like it. If he does, now
they're cooking with gas. That is a game changer, because
I do agree with you. I think if you have
a guy that that you have to slide protection to,
you're opening things up for everybody else. They haven't really
(39:33):
had to do that. Teams haven't had to really do
that against the Colts nearly as much as they would
like they need just somebody that keeps people up at night.
You know, Venturi calls them what ambient players? Yeah? Yeah,
who is the other team's coach losing sleepover? That's the
(39:53):
kind of guy who can do it, and I want
to see if he can.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
All right, Chris Ballard on Wednesday? You got a mirage
of ar questions ready for him? Or are you comfortable?
We all with what we know right.
Speaker 6 (40:07):
Now, the same ones that I've that have asked privately
of everybody, Which is all right? The decision in and
in and of itself, it's fine, right. I mean, I
I don't take issue with the fact that they picked,
you know, picked Daniel Jones in a competition that was
you know, generally close. I'm fine with that, and I
(40:29):
can even accept that he is he is better off
in terms of the operations, as shame Styken says. The
only thing I would say is.
Speaker 5 (40:39):
This, This is a question I have.
Speaker 6 (40:43):
If he's not If you say he's not good enough
from operation perspective now, then why would I think he'd
be good enough a month from now, or six months
from now or a year from now.
Speaker 5 (40:53):
I mean, why would I think that? Right?
Speaker 6 (40:55):
If you if you were telling me, he's not good
enough to be your starter despite being the more talented guy.
I'm nothing the better quarterback, I said, the more talented guy. Right,
If you're telling me that part of his game is
so deficient or deficient enough that that he can't that
is deciding this quarterback battle, well, I just don't. I
(41:16):
don't know what are we even doing here?
Speaker 5 (41:17):
Then?
Speaker 6 (41:17):
You know what I mean, that's what I would say.
I'm not saying they should cut them or trade them.
I'm saying you're the ones telling us that he can't
do that part yet not as good as Daniel Jones.
Speaker 5 (41:28):
So I mean, yeah, they us.
Speaker 1 (41:31):
They could tell us all they want. The belief is gone.
The belief has gone with that decision, like the belief
was gone with me a year ago, and I until
further notice. They have moved on with somebody they believe
that is the better quarterback and help them win right now.
And that's that's simply playing.
Speaker 6 (41:46):
And it's okay if they feel that way, that's fine, right,
I mean, they're they're running the team. I just think
that it is asking a lot for us to accept
that you still believe in him, because this is the
company line and it is a very difficult thing to accept.
It just this, Nationally, no one believes it, right, I mean,
(42:08):
and I don't know that locally we believe it.
Speaker 5 (42:10):
So I don't know.
Speaker 6 (42:12):
I'm not here to do I'm not here to call
anybody a liar.
Speaker 5 (42:14):
That's not my job. I try to be neutral.
Speaker 6 (42:17):
All I'm saying is, help me understand why we should
think that you still believe in him, because you've now
benched him once and now you have picked the other guy,
the new guy over him in a quarterback battle, a
guy who, by the way, was one of the worst
quarterbacks in the NFL, Daniel Jones. So you helped me understand,
(42:37):
is what my question is to Chris Ballady.
Speaker 4 (42:39):
My prediction is, I'll say it nicer than that you will.
Speaker 1 (42:43):
Get much like they're over under in Vegas odds of
wednes this seasons seven and a half. I'm going to
take the over on times. He starts answers with a
look for you guys on Wednesday, I'm going to take
the over of seven and a half right there.
Speaker 4 (42:59):
That's yes that.
Speaker 5 (43:02):
No one.
Speaker 6 (43:02):
Thing I would also say is that they you know,
they are very I think honest about the fact that
Daniel Jones does have some injury history of his own, Okay,
just to be fair, and that's something that has internally
been talked about quite a bit, and it's one of
the reasons I don't see Anthony Richardson ever getting moved,
at least certainly not for a long time.
Speaker 4 (43:24):
I don't either, so I didn't even ask you. I
didn't think it was even worthy of asking.
Speaker 1 (43:29):
That's why we got the Riley Leonards story line, because
clearly Anthony Richardson was too valuable to need any time,
which they talk about he needs in preseason Game three
on Saturday. It makes all the sense in the world
to us around here. Steven itarly does, by the way,
to Trey Hendrickson back with the Bengals, so he got
(43:49):
a new deal as he wanted. So all the conversation
about whether or not the Colts would have interests can
now go away at least for this season, because I
think he's an under stricted free agent next year.
Speaker 4 (44:01):
But this season it can go away.
Speaker 1 (44:03):
He is officially back and going to be playing again
in Cincinnati with at least this season a new deal.
Stephen Holder of ESPN on ESPN dot Com and the
Andy Moore automatic group potline. I'll be listening. We'll see
if we can help me out with that over under
of seven and a half on Wednesday too, would you please?
Speaker 5 (44:20):
I will, I'll count it on you.
Speaker 4 (44:22):
Thanks, buddy, I got you.
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