The Official 2018 Indianapolis Colts Thread

[88horsepower]

Pagano is out and McDaniels is in. This is like replacing your mom's minivan with a sports car. Let's just hope the sports car learned a thing or two since he totaled the car in Denver.

https://www.stampedeblue.com/2018/2/6/16976636/josh-mcdaniels-hire-as-colts-next-head-coach-finally-official

Personally, I'm a big believer in second chances and have to imagine he's learned a lot from his days in Denver.

[TWard]

Hooray. I’m stoked to see what happens. Finally got an offensive-minded coach to become the HC, as Dungy, Caldwell and Pagano were all defensive guys. Should be intriguing to see what happens.

[TWard]

Former Cowboys LB coach Matt Eberflus to become the Colts’ new DC.

Patriots’ assistant QB coach Jerry Schuplinski to become the new OC.

All falling into place.

[88horsepower]

Former Cowboys LB coach Matt Eberflus to become the Colts’ new DC.

Patriots’ assistant QB coach Jerry Schuplinski to become the new OC.

All falling into place.

I'm really getting excited for April's draft. Two months seems like an eternity from now, but at least we all have something to finally look forward to as Colts fans.

[SteveO21]

I'm really getting excited for April's draft. Two months seems like an eternity from now, but at least we all have something to finally look forward to as Colts fans.

Amen!!

I'm so excited to see what Ballard/McDaniels can do with this franchise. Having the #3 pick in the draft and nearly $90M to spend in free agency should make the rebuild go a lot quicker than usual.

[Gurds]

Irsay is paying for the funeral of Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe and LB Edwin Jackson.

[TWard]

Amen!!

I'm so excited to see what Ballard/McDaniels can do with this franchise. Having the #3 pick in the draft and nearly $90M to spend in free agency should make the rebuild go a lot quicker than usual.


I’m so looking forward to the draft. Can’t wait to see what happens — whether they select at #3 or trade back and acquire more picks. I’m hoping for Minkah Fitzpatrick — a secondary with him and Hooker would be phenomenal. Legion of Boom 2.0-esque.

[chutneyfactory]

Amen!!

I'm so excited to see what Ballard/McDaniels can do with this franchise. Having the #3 pick in the draft and nearly $90M to spend in free agency should make the rebuild go a lot quicker than usual.

I'm pretty excited for next season. I wasnt real pumped for McDaniels at first, but really watched the Patriots through the end of the season and through to the SB. The offense is really impressive. Hopefully when you pair McD with Ballard, the Colts can get back to the top of the heap.

Ballard had a great first go and his moves this offseason are going to be incredibly important. Expecting more of the same. I would be surprised to see him hold on to the #3 pick unless he really likes Chubb. And I wont lie, I kind of want a reason to collect a guy with that last name. I wouldnt hate drafting Barkley, but he better have a damn good plan in place if so.

Irsay is paying for the funeral of Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe and LB Edwin Jackson.

For all his faults, the guy does do a lot for the community. This isnt just a PR move.

[Siberian13]

Irsay is paying for the funeral of Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe and LB Edwin Jackson.

Thank you! Great gesture to take care of his community.

[IndyKMB]

I’m so looking forward to the draft. Can’t wait to see what happens — whether they select at #3 or trade back and acquire more picks.

Was thinking about this today and really would like to see the Colts trade down, especially if Saquan is there at #3. Someone would be willing to overpay to jump up and grab a guy like him, especially with what Zeke has doing in the league thus far.

[SteveO21]

I’m so looking forward to the draft. Can’t wait to see what happens — whether they select at #3 or trade back and acquire more picks. I’m hoping for Minkah Fitzpatrick — a secondary with him and Hooker would be phenomenal. Legion of Boom 2.0-esque.

It would be hard to be disappointed with Fitzpatrick, especially if they can trade back a few spots and get him plus more picks. I don't necessarily think he's as much of a necessity as someone like Chubb though. I feel like the young guys we currently have in the secondary (assuming they bring back Melvin and Desir) are good enough to form a really good secondary once everyone is healthy. The core of the secondary of Wilson, Melvin, Geathers and Hooker is pretty damn solid assuming everyone stays healthy. Add in Desir and Hairston and I expect good things from that unit.

I'm pretty excited for next season. I wasnt real pumped for McDaniels at first, but really watched the Patriots through the end of the season and through to the SB. The offense is really impressive. Hopefully when you pair McD with Ballard, the Colts can get back to the top of the heap.

Ballard had a great first go and his moves this offseason are going to be incredibly important. Expecting more of the same. I would be surprised to see him hold on to the #3 pick unless he really likes Chubb. And I wont lie, I kind of want a reason to collect a guy with that last name. I wouldnt hate drafting Barkley, but he better have a damn good plan in place if so.



For all his faults, the guy does do a lot for the community. This isnt just a PR move.

I'm really hoping they stick with #3 and take Chubb. My ideal scenario is they sign Demario Davis (LB), Andrew Norwell (G), Jordan Matthews (WR) and Ziggy Ansah (EDGE) and then draft Chubb (and hopefully a great remaining draft class).

[gorillaz]

McDaniels Was in originally.....

This is like trading the mini van in to walk right now....

[Bassplayah101]

https://twitter.com/PatsMilitia/status/961038713718476800

[SaveMeTheGum]

https://twitter.com/PatsMilitia/status/961038713718476800

Honestly, I wouldn't go to the Colts either... unless I needed easy access to illegal pain meds.

[Bassplayah101]

Honestly, I wouldn't go to the Colts either... unless I needed easy access to illegal pain meds.

hittin below the belt with that one, lol...

[ThoseBackPages]

Bring billy to indy!!!!!

[SaveMeTheGum]

hittin below the belt with that one, lol...

It's been that kinda week :)! Nice to give a little back

[Rip67vdub]

https://twitter.com/PatsMilitia/status/961038713718476800

Poor Colts fans. Got all worked up for nothing.

[7nohitter]

Rubes

[88horsepower]

Well gents, after the initial shock wore off, I went for a long walk around my neighborhood. I called a few friends to chat about the recent development and gave myself an opportunity to consider a few things about what happened and while this may not feel like an ideal situation to be in right now, it's not at all hopeless. In fact, I see this as an opportunity.

We can all get angry about it, but at the end of the day it doesn't change anything from the past two decades of how we view the Patriots. If anything, it just makes the rivalry more heated and keeps things that much more interesting. I see this as an opportunity to see how the Colts just dodged a huge bullet. Perhaps you are one to believe that the Patriots did this all along to take revenge on the Colts or perhaps you believe McDaniels, well within his right to change his mind, did so in an unprofessional manner. Either way, if this is the type of man he is, I don't want him coaching my team. Period.

So, where does that leave the Colts? Did anyone here really want Matt Patricia? Mike Vrabel? Nagy? Shurmur? Maybe you did. I really never was that enthused about them as candidates. Perhaps there's someone else out there we should be excited about after the dust settles. Maybe that someone is Frank Reich. Maybe it's someone else. It's hard to say, but stay optimistic that perhaps the best is yet to come and it doesn't involve McDaniels being the leader of our franchise.

McDaniels is a perfect Patriots coach, who will have a tall order ahead of him. He's the likely successor to a 5-time Super Bowl winning HC. He's betting on himself in a pretty big way, because after what happened in Denver and now with what he did just to Indy, he better be everything his ego says he is moving forward, because all eyes will be on him when Belichick retires and casts an enormous shadow upon him at Gillette Stadium.

Keep your heads up, guys, and enjoy the ride.

[roberth404]

Agree with 88, blessing in disguise!

[TWard]

Yep. Blessing in disguise.

[88horsepower]

My friends, enjoy...

https://www.stampedeblue.com/2018/2/6/16983124/colts-dodge-bullet-mcdaniels-lacks-integrity-belongs-in-new-england

Written by Stampede Blue writer, Brett Mock:
The long running rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots blossomed during Peyton Manning’s tenure in Indy. During that time there were numerous hard fought games that included incidents that stick squarely in the memories of the Colts fan base. Throughout that history, Patriots fans have played the part of apologists because winning has long superseded integrity for one of the most decorated sports cities in America.

Much to the surprise of fans and media alike in the Boston sports market bubble, Indianapolis is itself a very proud sports city. In fact, professional sports franchises have been ingrained in the fabric of the city’s rebirth and restoration projects for more than 20 years. The city plays host to the NFL Combine, numerous Big Ten championship and tournament events, the NCAA tournament regional games, the Indy 500, has hosted the Super Bowl, is the NCAA headquarters and home of the NCAA Museum, and the list goes on. Sports fans in Indianapolis and fans of the Indianapolis Colts from around the world have a great deal of respect for the game of football, or basketball, or the passion and sport of racing.

This is the same kind of fabric that leads Colts owner Jim Irsay to pay for the funerals of both Edwin Jackson and Jeffrey Monroe. It is the same kind of fabric that led to #ChuckStrong where an entire city and fan base rallied around Chuck Pagano as he went through his fight with Leukemia. It is the same kind of fabric that caused an entire city to rally around young Brody Stephens as he fought cancer. I personally watched friends and acquaintances on the east side of Indianapolis in tears for the young man who inspired so many and was loved by all who read his story.

The New England Patriots, on the other hand, have taken every opportunity to skirt, bend, or break rules in order to secure a win.

In 2003, Peyton Manning ran the fastest paced offense in the NFL and would not allow opposing defenses the opportunity to make substitutions or catch their breath. At numerous points throughout the game, including at a crucial point when the Colts were deep in Patriots territory in a chance to potentially win the game, Willie McGinest fell to the ground and on camera it was blatant that he did so spontaneously. Officials blew the whistle for a stoppage in play and McGinest returned a play later to make the crucial stop on the goal line. The league later had to change rules about injuries and how they are handled in games in an effort to discourage this practice.

In 2004, Patriots defensive backs were so physical with receivers that the NFL voted to place an emphasis on defensive holding and pass interference moving forward.

In 2007, the Patriots were caught taping opponent signals. Many have tried to sweep the significance of the efforts to cheat to win football games over time but the gravity of the franchise’s efforts to cheat are astonishing. For a more detailed account read Scott Davis’ story from Business Insider.

The report details Spygate as we’ve never heard it, painting a picture of systematic cheating that went way further and looks way worse for the Patriots than people previously realized.

First, the Patriots had a detailed, efficient system for finding out opponents’ plays. ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham describe a scene in Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s office before a season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

”[A backup quarterback named John] Friesz was told that the Patriots had a tape of the Bucs’ signals. He was instructed to memorize them, and during the game, to watch Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and tell [offensive coordinator Charlie] Weis the defensive play, which Weis would relay over the radio headset system to quarterback Drew Bledsoe.”

Van Natta and Wickersham report that although the Patriots lost that game, they realized a “schematic” edge over other teams. They “streamlined the system,” finding a more efficient way to note the plays and relay the information, cutting out the quarterbacks, with only a few people, including Belichick.

Soon, advanced scouts would be sent to the games of upcoming Patriots’ opponents to film the play signals. The scouts would go undercover as media members, with media credentials listed under “Patriots TV” or “Kraft Productions” and were prepared with excuses of what to say they were filming if security asked.

According to Van Natta and Wickersham, “Each video sequence would usually include three shots: the down and distance, the signal, and, as an in-house joke, a tight shot of a cheerleader’s top or skirt.”

Another story with greater detail is written by Deadspin’s Jerry Petchesky.

Inside a room accessible only to Belichick and a few others, they found a library of scouting material containing videotapes of opponents’ signals, with detailed notes matching signals to plays for many teams going back seven seasons. Among them were handwritten diagrams of the defensive signals of the Pittsburgh Steelers, including the notes used in the January 2002 AFC Championship Game won by the Patriots 24-17. Yet almost as quickly as the tapes and notes were found, they were destroyed, on Goodell’s orders: League executives stomped the tapes into pieces and shredded the papers inside a Gillette Stadium conference room.

In 2015, the Patriots abused traditional numbering rules by lining up offensive linemen on the outside of the formation as a “decoy” receivers who were actually ineligible. This made it very difficult for defenses, particularly defensive backs, who didn’t know how to line up or who to cover due to the trickery. While this was not “illegal” and the NFL actually changed the rule to stop it, it reeks of lacking integrity. It’s rare for the NFL to suddenly change a rule to stop someone from abusing the game.

Also in 2015, the Patriots were caught with footballs that were under-inflated. The NFL conducted a very thorough investigation into what occurred and whether these under-inflated balls could simply be due to physics/natural occurrences. The exhaustive tests concluded that it was more probable than not that the game balls were improperly deflated prior to the game and also concluded that Tom Brady was aware this was happening.

The big argument that occurs by the apologists is that this had nothing to do with the outcome of the game. I’ll grant that it is unlikely this had a profound impact on the game but to act like this was done for any reason other than to unfairly gain a competitive advantage is ludicrous.

Even Josh McDaniels, who was the presumed head coach for the Colts in 2018, was caught and fined for filming a San Francisco 49ers practice in London in 2010.

“We certainly did not view or do anything with the footage, and he was made aware that it was something we didn’t condone in our organization,” McDaniels said Saturday. “I failed to follow through and report it to the proper individuals in our organization and with the league.”

Asked why he failed to report the incident immediately, McDaniels said: “I made a mistake. I made a mistake and I should have done that right away. We felt we handled it the right way by not doing anything with that but I did not follow through with it.”

McDaniels also worked for New England, but NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Pash said there was no evidence he was involved with the videotaping there.

The Broncos didn’t report this latest incident to the NFL for nearly two weeks, and Scarnecchia remained employed by the team until mid-November. Two hours before the league announced the results of its investigation Saturday, the team said Scarnecchia was on a leave of absence. Later, it said he’d been fired.

In spite of all of that, the Colts fan base was willing to give Josh McDaniels another chance to prove that he had learned from previous mistakes. Former Colts coach and Hall of Famer Tony Dungy spoke at length with McDaniels following his shortcomings in Denver and declared him a new man. His actions today make it clear that he is not.

His decision today flew in the face of the entire city of Indianapolis and Colts fans around the world. His decision stabbed his future coaching staff in the back. His decision left an entire NFL franchise “out to dry” after dragging the process out for weeks. To make matters worse, he lacks integrity because he agreed to the terms of the Colts contract offer only to back out when the entire city and franchise welcome him.

Zak Keefer
✔
@zkeefer
Word from #Colts source: "We'll survive."

Here's the team's full statement. They make it clear that contract terms were agreed to.

5:35 PM - Feb 6, 2018

This is not the kind of man fans in Indianapolis want representing their team or their city. It is best that the team moves on to find someone else who will lead with the kind of ethical compass and integrity that reflects the fabric of the city of Indianapolis and is compatible with the blue blood that runs through the entire Colts fan base.

All eyes on are West 56th Street and Chris Ballard who we can only hope has that man on the phone right now.

[88horsepower]

Yup, contract terms were agreed to.

INDIANAPOLIS - After agreeing to contract terms to become the Indianapolis Colts' new head coach, New England Patriots assistant coach Josh McDaniels this evening informed us that he would not be joining our team. Although we are surprised and disappointed, we will resume our head coaching search immediately and find the right fit to lead our team and organization on and off the field.

The scheduled press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium will not take place tomorrow. More information will be forthcoming.

[TWard]

Patriots gonna Patriot.

[19royaldecker87]

being a Bronco fan, all I have to say is the Colts got lucky with this.

[SaveMeTheGum]

My friends, enjoy...

https://www.stampedeblue.com/2018/2/6/16983124/colts-dodge-bullet-mcdaniels-lacks-integrity-belongs-in-new-england

Written by Stampede Blue writer, Brett Mock:

LOL ... integrity = tanking an entire season to get the #1 pick. How’d that work out?

[SteveO21]

LOL ... integrity = tanking an entire season to get the #1 pick. How’d that work out?

They got the #1 pick and he went on to be one of the best young QBs in the NFL before getting injured?

Also, how did they tank? They lost their franchise QB to what was believed to be a career-ending neck injury, and were stuck with Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky as their QB options.

[chutneyfactory]

So whos the new coach?

I would like to see Dave Toub. Think we got a nice coach in Eberflus too out of this odd situation.

[chutneyfactory]

They got the #1 pick and he went on to be one of the best young QBs in the NFL before getting injured?

Also, how did they tank? They lost their franchise QB to what was believed to be a career-ending neck injury, and were stuck with Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky as their QB options.

Yes, please explain, how did they tank? They even brought in a veteran in Kerry Collins to try to salvage what was left and he got taken out by a concussion that season.

Typical troll Pats fan.

[BostonNut]

LOL ... integrity = tanking an entire season to get the #1 pick. How’d that work out?

I think screwing the city of Baltimore is the better comparison but I digress.

[Siberian13]

I think screwing the city of Baltimore is the better comparison but I digress.

I don't think any of these current players or people in the organization did that? Wasn't it Irsay's dad or someone that's no longer involved? You want them to move back? :)

[88horsepower]

Man, if you guys didn't see the Chris Ballard press conference this morning, watch it. That was an amazing press conference and he did a tremendous job of addressing not just the McDaniels situation, but also the tragic loss of LB Edwin Jackson. Truly, I would follow that man anywhere. Quite a leader and I loved his confidence.

[IndyKMB]

When this happened yesterday the FIRST name that popped into my head was Frank Reich, for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I believe he started here in Indy shortly after the SB Season, so it'd be a homecoming of sorts.

But as a born-and-raised Eagles fan I've loved watching him help develop Wentz with some dynamic and aggressive play-calling. I not only think he'd be great here, but I think he's head-and-shoulders above Josh McDaniels in so many ways...starting with character.

[jmaxiu0204]

I think screwing the city of Baltimore is the better comparison but I digress.

Who in turn screwed Cleveland 12 years later. Circle of life and all that...

[88horsepower]

Something I wrote on Stampede Blue earlier this week:

I live here in San Jose, just a short distance from the headquarters of the San Francisco 49ers. I used to live right up the street from where the 49ers would practice in Santa Clara. No question, the run the 49ers had in the 80’s and 90’s was something quite remarkable. 5 Super Bowl wins in 15 years. Obviously, with the A’s, Giants, 49ers, Warriors and Raiders all successful here throughout the decades, it is arguable that no player or coach was more beloved and successful than the great Bill Walsh. I don’t need to push hard to sell anyone on how influential Walsh was with the 49ers. Winning three Super Bowls in the 80’s made him a legend here, while mentoring Joe Montana. Another man he mentored would find great success here and he coached the 49ers to multiple Super Bowl victories following Walsh’s retirement.

George Seifert is a forgotten man here, and the media is rather kind in this neck of the woods. When Josh McDaniels takes over for Bill Belichick, he will do so in the most unenviable of positions. Win for a season with Brady, and you are simply reaping the benefits of what Belichick created. Of course, we are all assuming that Tom Brady isn’t far from retirement himself. Having said that, assuming Belichick and Brady are both gone, McDaniels will need to start without a franchise quarterback in place. If McDaniels doesn’t begin winning right away, the Boston media will tear him apart and it won’t take long for people to become impatient there. If you’ve been over to Pats Pulpit in the hours following the Super Bowl, quite a few people were calling for Belichick’s head. 8 Super Bowl appearances, 5 wins, and the masses are bringing out pitchforks for benching Malcolm Butler. That’s harsh, but the reality McDaniels is facing when he takes over for one of the most successful coaches in modern sports history. It’s not at all an enviable position for McDaniels, who just burned quite a few bridges outside of New England with the stunt he just pulled.

The coaching circuit is a tight fraternity and it is highly doubtful that many, if any, decent teams outside of New England will ever trust McDaniels to coach any time soon. While it is possible McDaniels knows what he just did to his career prospects, one thing seems clear to me – the man is very scared. If he truly believed in himself, he would have taken the job in Indianapolis. A man who is confident in his convictions, who made the initial pursuit to take the job in the first place, doesn’t back out of a deal at the 11th hour only to come home to mommy. If we are led to, in any way, believe that his ego is so huge that he does not care that he just destroyed his reputation outside of New England, and feels he can follow in Belichick’s footsteps, then the fall he will take will be even more terrifying once he realizes how in over his head he is.

Either way, we don’t want this man anywhere near our favorite football team. He’s either a very scared man or one with a seriously over-inflated ego. He would have set this franchise back several more years with his immaturity and lack of self-awareness. Consider this a great blessing in disguise.

[ensbergcollecto]

Yes, please explain, how did they tank? They even brought in a veteran in Kerry Collins to try to salvage what was left and he got taken out by a concussion that season.

Typical troll Pats fan.

there were multiple better options at QB on the free agent market. they decided to roll with who they had instead. To most outside of indy, it was obvious they were tanking.

[88horsepower]

there were multiple better options at QB on the free agent market. they decided to roll with who they had instead. To most outside of indy, it was obvious they were tanking.

Such a tired old argument.

Ok, who were these better options? Let me guess, Dan Orlovsky, right? The guy who started two wins for the Colts at the end of the year. You do realize that the Colts almost lost the #1 overall pick when they made the move to Orlovsky, right? If they REALLY wanted to tank the entire season and guarantee the #1 overall pick, they probably wouldn't have benched Curtis Painter. The Rams finished 2-14 along with the Colts, so the Colts nearly lost the #1 overall pick by switching to Orlovsky.

Furthermore, do you really think a team can coordinate a 53-man roster, many of those guys fighting for their careers, to play terribly and lose on purpose? Do you really think Jim Caldwell said, "Yeah, let's just tank the season so we can get Luck and I can get fired at the end of the year."

[SteveO21]

Something I wrote on Stampede Blue earlier this week:

I live here in San Jose, just a short distance from the headquarters of the San Francisco 49ers. I used to live right up the street from where the 49ers would practice in Santa Clara. No question, the run the 49ers had in the 80’s and 90’s was something quite remarkable. 5 Super Bowl wins in 15 years. Obviously, with the A’s, Giants, 49ers, Warriors and Raiders all successful here throughout the decades, it is arguable that no player or coach was more beloved and successful than the great Bill Walsh. I don’t need to push hard to sell anyone on how influential Walsh was with the 49ers. Winning three Super Bowls in the 80’s made him a legend here, while mentoring Joe Montana. Another man he mentored would find great success here and he coached the 49ers to multiple Super Bowl victories following Walsh’s retirement.

George Seifert is a forgotten man here, and the media is rather kind in this neck of the woods. When Josh McDaniels takes over for Bill Belichick, he will do so in the most unenviable of positions. Win for a season with Brady, and you are simply reaping the benefits of what Belichick created. Of course, we are all assuming that Tom Brady isn’t far from retirement himself. Having said that, assuming Belichick and Brady are both gone, McDaniels will need to start without a franchise quarterback in place. If McDaniels doesn’t begin winning right away, the Boston media will tear him apart and it won’t take long for people to become impatient there. If you’ve been over to Pats Pulpit in the hours following the Super Bowl, quite a few people were calling for Belichick’s head. 8 Super Bowl appearances, 5 wins, and the masses are bringing out pitchforks for benching Malcolm Butler. That’s harsh, but the reality McDaniels is facing when he takes over for one of the most successful coaches in modern sports history. It’s not at all an enviable position for McDaniels, who just burned quite a few bridges outside of New England with the stunt he just pulled.

The coaching circuit is a tight fraternity and it is highly doubtful that many, if any, decent teams outside of New England will ever trust McDaniels to coach any time soon. While it is possible McDaniels knows what he just did to his career prospects, one thing seems clear to me – the man is very scared. If he truly believed in himself, he would have taken the job in Indianapolis. A man who is confident in his convictions, who made the initial pursuit to take the job in the first place, doesn’t back out of a deal at the 11th hour only to come home to mommy. If we are led to, in any way, believe that his ego is so huge that he does not care that he just destroyed his reputation outside of New England, and feels he can follow in Belichick’s footsteps, then the fall he will take will be even more terrifying once he realizes how in over his head he is.

Either way, we don’t want this man anywhere near our favorite football team. He’s either a very scared man or one with a seriously over-inflated ego. He would have set this franchise back several more years with his immaturity and lack of self-awareness. Consider this a great blessing in disguise.

Very well put.

Here's another indicator of McDaniels' character. Since going back on his word and welching on his agreement to take over the reigns as Head Coach of the Colts, he hasn't said a word. You would think it would make sense to, at the very least, put out a quick statement just saying that you appreciated the chance to take over the HC duties for the franchise and the opportunity to work with the assistants that he strung along, but you just couldn't leave home. Not Josh McDaniels though. He's spineless and I can't wait to see him fail once Belichick and Brady aren't around anymore. That's IF he even gets the job there once Belichick is done because there are reports that he wasn't even given any assurances that he would take over as HC once Belichick's time is up.

[SteveO21]

there were multiple better options at QB on the free agent market. they decided to roll with who they had instead. To most outside of indy, it was obvious they were tanking.

You just proved you don't know what you're talking about. They didn't "roll with what they had". They went out and signed Kerry Collins. The other "multiple better options at QB on the free agent market" that you mention? They were Jake Delhomme and Marc Bulger. Bulger didn't even play in the NFL the season prior, and his 2 seasons prior to that he had a 3-20 record and 16:19 TD:INT ratio as the Rams QB. Delhomme was 6-9 in his previous 2 seasons with a 10:25 TD:INT ratio.

[88horsepower]

You just proved you don't know what you're talking about. They didn't "roll with what they had". They went out and signed Kerry Collins. The other "multiple better options at QB on the free agent market" that you mention? They were Jake Delhomme and Marc Bulger. Bulger didn't even play in the NFL the season prior, and his 2 seasons prior to that he had a 3-20 record and 16:19 TD:INT ratio as the Rams QB. Delhomme was 6-9 in his previous 2 seasons with a 10:25 TD:INT ratio.

I remember how crappy the market for a quarterback was leading up to week one of the 2011 season and it wasn't pretty at all. They switched over to Curtis Painter after a short stint with Collins and that obviously was a disaster. It wasn't until Orlovsky took over in week 15 after the Colts started 0-13 that the team started winning any games. If the Colts really wanted to tank and guarantee the #1 slot, they would have stuck with Painter instead of benching him in the 4th quarter against Jacksonville the week prior. They ran the risk of losing the #1 overall pick.

[trixstar]

@MikeGarafolo
Frank Reich will be the Colts’ new coach. Five-year deal with the team has been agreed to and about to be finalized, source says. @espn reported earlier he was the fave.

[88horsepower]

Works for me. I’ll take Reich, especially considering the options available.

[Gurds]

This is great

https://twitter.com/Colts/status/962819491150422019

[SteveO21]

Frank Reich and the Colts have requested and been granted permission to interview Chargers WRs coach, Nick Sirianni, for their OC position.

[88horsepower]

This is great

https://twitter.com/Colts/status/962819491150422019

Great to see the sense of humor is there regarding the whole fiasco.

[SteveO21]

Frank Reich and the Colts have requested and been granted permission to interview Chargers WRs coach, Nick Sirianni, for their OC position.

And now it's being reported that Sirianni is getting the gig. That didn't take long.

[SteveO21]

Frank Reich absolutely killed his introductory press conference yesterday. I'm pretty amped for the season to start already and we haven't even gotten into the roster moves that will happen this off-season.

Reich saying that the offense will be up-tempo and feature a good amount of no-huddle is music to my ears. Andrew Luck works magic in the 2-minute offense and assuming he's ready for 2018 the offense should look so much better than anything we've seen since 2014.

[Gurds]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2018/02/20/colts-qb-andrew-luck-second-surgery-option-ship-has-sailed/354146002/?from=new-cookie

[88horsepower]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2018/02/20/colts-qb-andrew-luck-second-surgery-option-ship-has-sailed/354146002/?from=new-cookie

I’m quite relieved to read this. Hopefully, a sign of progress and great things to come. We certainly miss him being under center.

[kingsjason55]

My thoughts is this if Andrew Luck can't go and Wentz is back watch Foles go to Colts before trade deadline happens.

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[SteveO21]

I like Ballard's patient approach to free agency so far. I really hoped that they would splurge on Andrew Norwell but for the kind of money he got I can see why they would pass on offering that deal. Still a possibility they go after Pugh, who they could get for a fraction of the cost. Word is they're also hosting Ryan Jensen for an interview in the next few days. Jensen wouldn't be a sexy signing, but the dude has proven to be versatile and reliable and is a nasty pass-blocking interior lineman. The Colts need guys like that.

I'm still hoping they're able to sign Dontari Poe and Jordan Matthews to reasonable deals.

[SteveO21]

Denico Autry to the Colts on a 3 year, $17.8M deal, only $6.5M guaranteed. Mike Garafolo says it could be a "sneaky good signing".

[silverandblack]

Denico Autry to the Colts on a 3 year, $17.8M deal, only $6.5M guaranteed. Mike Garafolo says it could be a "sneaky good signing".

I am pissed the Raiders let this guy go. You guys will love him he is a really good player and a good locker room guy on top of that

[SteveO21]

I am pissed the Raiders let this guy go. You guys will love him he is a really good player and a good locker room guy on top of that

I've only read positive things about him so far. Interesting tidbit, he played for the East Mississippi CC, the community college featured on the Netflix series "Last Chance U". Eventually earned a scholarship from Mississippi State.

[TWard]

I’m hoping we can get Mathieu. He and Hooker in the secondary would be phenomenal.

[SteveO21]

I’m hoping we can get Mathieu. He and Hooker in the secondary would be phenomenal.

He's a guy I'd be totally fine overpaying for. He's the caliber of player that you'd still get your money's worth out of. He has said today that he wants to go to a team that values winning and defense and wants that to be a place where he can immerse himself in football. Sounds like he wants to go to a city with few distractions.

Indianapolis? :)!