Colts Thread

and what about that defence?

things are definitely looking up and we've a heap of cap space which hopefully can be put to productive use. I fully expect us to be contending for #1 seed in AFC next year.

Yeah the jags game could be it alright, you also have to looks at the Texans game and the decisions that were made then but they're decisions I could nearly understand as I don't think anyone expected us to be in this position now and that the tie would've been so important!

It's mad to think how many players have just absolutely shone this season! I know I'm going to even forget some now but here goes..
The whole O-Line.. obviously.. but in there (outside of Nelson!) I think Smith has been a brilliant draft pick.. he's brought a massive improvement to the line. Kelly has been brilliant this season - it's a shame he does get injured quite often in a season, be it concussion or something else!
Secondary.. we've got some serious young talent back there now - Desir..Odum and I think Wilson is going to be a star - he seems to be getting his act together and is showing on the field what he can do!
Then on the DL - Lewis is showing us now what he can do after being injured for so long, and Autry has turned into a great Free Agency pick-up! He's becoming a sack machine!
The of course you have Leonard, again like Nelson I dont think I need to talk about him! He's just been immense!! I like Walker there also - if he can just start catching the ball! Not sure how many times he should've had an interception only to drop it!
Mack has been class - showing all the potential we had glimpses of last season and now doing it consistently! I really like Hynes for the options he gives us as an extra receiver.
WR's... Hilton is just such a consistent top class performer! I like Pascal, think he's moved up from Rogers at this stage.. I thought Rogers would push on this season but it hasnt been happening for him.
TE's.. again goes with saying but Ebron has been a top FA signing.. Doyle on injured reserver isn't far from ideal but I think with Ebron, Hewitt and Alie-Cox we should have sufficient cover there.. Alie-Cox showed yesterday he can be a real useful blocker, he was immense in Mack's second TD.
And Luck is being Luck - the guy is so talented! What a comeback season after that injury.. to come back from that mentally as well as physically is unreal.. When he is on it the Colts are a hard team to stop!

Looking to next season then with the cap space, the extra 2nd round draft pick.. the sky is the limit!

I love this guys weekly Nelson tweets.. it really shows how my of a beast the guy is!

https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1074718931120730112?s=19

My point about how well Sheard /Autry /Hunt are playing up front

https://twitter.com/ColtsEdwardsC/status/1074771566460837888?s=19

not_quite_last wrote: »

I have to say, I actually wanted them to go for it in OT against the Texans. Was gutted it didn't work, and was disappointed with the Loss, but I didn't have an issue with them going for it.

I then hated when they went for it on the first drive against the Jags. I even told the TV to take the points!

I'm not sure I'd call the offence consistent. Some games were all Luck, others were all Mack and then some in the middle. So I'd probably call them adaptable. Which is great as the opposition don't know what's coming at them.

Apart the games Mack did the majority of the work, Luck has still thrown more than I'd like. I think he's 2nd in attempts for the season, just behind Big Ben. And I know there's been no mention of any pain or tiredness with his shoulder but I'd rather not risk it. This is his first season back and we want him around for another 10 years at least.

So, I'm hoping for more run first games like the Cowboys and Titans games. And then Luck can run a bit of play action and hit Hilton long for a few touchdowns. It all sounds so easy in my head.

But yeah, the defense has been encouraging. The front 4 and the Leonard and Walker have been encouraging. And I hope they keep it going and finish the job.

Only other thing I have to say is, I don't see Ballard opening the cheque book in the off season. He'll do what he did this year and fine a few guys who fit the culture of what he's building, so I just can't see Bell or any other big name arriving. And I'm ok with that.
Keep the money for paying Leonard, Nelson, Kelly and all the others already in the the place showing they bleed blue together.

Yeah, I agree that at certain games in the season, particularly early on, our offense lacked balance between the run and the pass. But overall, we have been fairly consistent in being around the Top 10 ranking in total offense. I think what has hurt our run game this year has been due to Kelly, Doyle and Mack missing large chunks of the season. As good a year as Mack has had, and he is a RB1 imo, I would love for us to compliment him next year with a physical, heavier, North/South running back. And we need an upgrade a WR2 that has size. But overall, I think Reich has done a fantastic job with maximizing his resources on offense.

I agree also I don't see Ballard spending too much next off season, but I think there is probably a good chance he spends more than last season (Ebron, Slauson, Autry, Grant, Howard were the biggest FA signings last year). I could see him going after someone like Tyrell Williams who would be a upgrade over Grant as well as continuing to look for players on both the fronts. Also, it's worth noting, that next years draft is considered historically strong in the front 7 defensively, which is a good thing for us. As good as our defensive line has played in recent weeks, Sheard, Hunt and Woods are 30 or over so we will need more young talent coming through there.

And speaking of making everyone accountable, Kemoko Turay dressed but didn't play one snap against the Cowboys. They asked Eberflus why and he replied:

"Just more in practice," the defensive coordinator said of Turay on Tuesday. "Guys will play in the games based off what they show in practice. If you hustle in practice and you hit the ball in practice and you rush the way you are supposed to rush, run the games the way we are supposed to run the games and execute, and have production in practice, then we obviously are going to play those guys in the games.

"If you don’t have that and you have situations where you aren’t executing at the standard that we have, then you might not play as much. He’s aware of that and he’s going to get in there, work his tail off this week to execute in practice and play to our standard."

It's handy the there's better dept on the d line to do this, but it's good to see. And hopefully Turay will learn from it and get back to working hard.

Deco99 wrote: »

Win and in...simples. That comeback would fill you with confidence. Struggling against the giants would not.

Yeah I thought our defense struggled for most of the game, we couldn't get to Manning and their TE's went to town on us. I felt like Walker was a big loss in the center of our defense. Infairness, this isn't the first time we have struggled on D and have came up with a big turnover to win the game, so they deserve credit for that. Also Rigo had another excellent kick to pin the opposition deep. All and all, the winning of the game for us was another vintage Luck & Hilton show.

So very straight forward next week. I kind of wish the game didn't get flexed to the primetime slot as I'll have to stay up all night to watch it. But it's understandable. I think it's going to be a very tough game to win. The Titans really have an identity with the way they are playing on defense complimented with the run game on offense. I expect the defense will get a very large serving of Derrick Henry next week, but the good news is that our run D has been very stout in dealing with Elliot and Barkley the last two weeks. I think our defense and their offense will cancel each other out and the winning of the game will come down to how well Luck does against this good Titan's D. I hope Kelly and Ebron can make it back. I have a feeling we will win, Luck is after all 10-0 against Tennessee and I trust him more than Mariota/Gabbart.

1:20AM. It was flexed to SNF.

Titans have lost Jurrell Casey and Mariota is questionable at the minute.

How we fixed for tomorrow?

What time is the game starting ? It will be 2:30 before i'm home from work

Great route by Inman makes the TD. Butler pi crucial

kmart6 wrote: »

Wilkins has ran 3 times, Glowinski has been penalised on all 3!

Na? Really? It was haeg on TD?

Yeah jeez that was stressful enough to watch. We are dangerous in the playoffs but only if Luck doesnt have those crazy moments like he did in the 2nd quarter. Make no mistake we beat a depleted Titans team today with little offense.

I think we can go to Hilton Stadium and win but we need a much better performance than the last 2 weeks. We need Kelly back, I felt Luck had alot of his plate having to constantly go to the LOS and give Beohm audibles.

But overall Im delighted, I could never imagine us making the playoffs. But right now Im shattered lol.

In the playoffs, that was not a possibility at start of year. Best hopes were a fully fit luck getting back to form by year end and hoping a few of the rookies stood out and further development of the likes of hooker/Kelly in to top calibre players. At 1-5 you're looking at next year's draft and hoping the poor year doesn't ruin the youngsters. Instead, and this is off the cuff...Luck has been brilliant, O-line is possibly best in league with a little depth too, Nelson a sensational draft pick it seems. Kelly really special too when fit, niggles beget niggles so not thinking he is injury prone long term. Mack has delivered on back of that to degree I wouldn't think we are in market for Lev Bell, use that capital elsewhere. Ebron has been spectacular offensively, mo alie Cox is very interesting prospect. Hilton is Hilton and maybe they've found something in Inman. The big success story is the defense, Leonard should be all Pro and if he isn't DROY it's a disgrace, this from a pick criticized as a reach. The DBs have all performed better than expected. Autry, Hunt performing at high level.