quick thoughts on the terrible titans game

[Brylok]

We're a bottom 5 team right now. Smh

[njcoltfan]

Originally Posted by HoosierinFL

The more I think about it, the more I worry about this defense. It isn't as banged up as the offense.

I was willing to let the Seattle game go, we know that Wilson is good and dangerous. And I was willing to let the Rams game go, because everyone says McVay is an offensive genius and now he has Stafford. And we were even competitive in that one. But now we've given up 25 points and looked hapless vs the Titans?

Best case scenario right now is being 5-5 after the Jags game on Nov 14. That isn't terrible. But given the schedule its hard for me to see more than 6 or 7 wins in total. Thats just terrible.

The Colt's are in year 5 of the Ballard build thru the draft team building, and I don't think its working that well !! Andrew Luck screwed this franchise really, really bad, and Ballard is compounding the effects of that screwing by fucking around with the QB position. IMHO Wentz is nothing special, and he spends a lot of time not playing. The Colt's maybe finish with 7-8 wins, no 1st round draft pick, and Wentz? as the future. Thanks Andrew.

[Oldcolt]

Most of us are old enough on this board to recognize that shit happens to everyone. It destroys the weak but the strong learn to work through and with it. I do not think we can turn this around this year (meaning a deep playoff run) with all that is going on but how this team responds the rest of the year will go a long way in determining just how much of a rebuild we will be needing. I'll watch for improvements in little things this year, not exactly where my mind was a month ago.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Brylok

We're a bottom 5 team right now. Smh

We’re not that bad. Rams are the new Super Bowl favorite since they beat the Bucs. And we played them tough.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by njcoltfan

The Colt's are in year 5 of the Ballard build thru the draft team building, and I don't think its working that well !! Andrew Luck screwed this franchise really, really bad, and Ballard is compounding the effects of that screwing by fucking around with the QB position. IMHO Wentz is nothing special, and he spends a lot of time not playing. The Colt's maybe finish with 7-8 wins, no 1st round draft pick, and Wentz? as the future. Thanks Andrew.

You either have a franchise QB, or you are looking for one. Until that is settled, we can’t move forward. I do want to see a healthy Wentz behind a healthy line though. I’m not sure how we will end yet, might hit nine wins if we get healthy.

[Chaka]

I get that everyone needs to vent after a loss like this, but this is getting absurd. We are 3 games into a 17-game season. We have lost to three playoff teams, one of whom (the Rams) just beat the reigning champions. While I could point out that we managed to stay close to all three teams, I don’t really agree since I feel we were hanging by a thread in all three games to some extent.

Three days ago, many of you were singing Wentz’s praises, and those that weren’t were grudgingly admitting that he was playing better than expected. Since then, all the guy does is come out and play on two (TWO!) sprained ankles, and – shockingly – has a bit of a tough day. It was clear he had no mobility and was likely in pain and maybe he WAS seeing ghosts (I don’t know, though, most of those “ghosts” appeared pretty real to me) – but I don’t fault the guy for perhaps being concerned about being hit in the lower leg area given his injuries. You all saw the Donald tackle and the awkward angle Wentz’s ankle took. Sure, you can argue that Wentz shouldn’t have played at all, but the guy’s a competitor and obviously wanted to play in a key division game. The fact that we didn’t have a more reliable backup, to the extent that played into the decision, is on Ballard I’ll agree. Obviously, the Colts staff told Wentz to throw/kill the ball if he got into severe pressure, which explains some of his worst plays. The stats show that Wentz’s passing was significantly different that it was in the last two games, pre-injury.

As far for the line failures, well, I don’t know what to say. Apart from LT, I think the Colts were perfectly entitled to assume the line was in good shape and not a reason for concern. The fact that the OL has played so poorly is very disappointing. LT is on Ballard too, of course. I don’t know that the Colts knew that Fisher wasn’t going to be ready at the beginning of the season, but obviously Tevi and Davenport were the backup plan if he wasn’t. And that hasn’t worked out so well. I think Omaha’s comment about Nelson being out and nobody noticing is very interesting and is worth some significant thought. If the OL can regain any semblance of its former self, I think we'll see a much different team.

The defense has been another big disappointment. Again, apart from DE, I think it was reasonable for the Colts to think they were in good shape here. And the Colts used their 1st and 2nd picks on DEs to address this (yes, I know Odeyingbo isn’t able to play yet), so obviously they recognize the problem and are trying to address it. For those saying they should have done more, what FAs should they have signed? Top end DEs just aren’t available that way. Overall, I have to think coaching is a major issue given that these players have shown they can be effective in the past.

The idea that Ballard’s second round picks have been massive failures is unfair. Leonard, Smith and Taylor were all second round picks. Pittman was too. Yes, they’re have been many underperforming players also, but is his batting average significantly worse than other GMs in this round?

As for those who now think we should have gone a different direction at QB, who should be have brought in? Fields or Jones? Did I miss something and were they available when we picked? They are also only three games into their careers and resting the Colts future on either of their shoulders is anything but a sure thing. Both sucked pretty bad this weekend, and no guarantee they’ll get better. Again, it is very, very rare to get a quality QB in FA, and outside of the top few picks a QB in the draft is going to be a major risk and require time. The Colts were (are?) ready to compete now. Wentz was a good risk with lots of upside, and available at a discount. His contract is great too, and we can even cut bait after two years if he totally bombs, though I don’t think he will. You could argue Darnold would have been a better choice, but I doubt he would have played any better than Wentz under the circumstances as he’s less mobile. Our coaching staff knew Wentz better too.

Anyway, it’s far from the time when we should throw in the towel on the season. There are 14 more games to play. A win or two will help right the ship. And for those calling for the Colts to sit Wentz to preserve their 1st round pick, well, I have no doubt the Colts will do so if the season goes completely down the drain by week 10 or so. If Wentz sucks, they can easily justify bringing in Eason/Hundley or someone else at that point. It doesn’t have to be because of injury. Until then, don’t expect them to let up, nor should they.

[albany ed]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

We’re not that bad. Rams are the new Super Bowl favorite since they beat the Bucs. And we played them tough.

you've got a point. In three games by the Rams, only the Colts held them under 30 points and Stafford under 300 passing yards. The offense blows right now, but the highly regarded O-line has not taken one snap with all the starters and Wentz? Even if healthy, I have my doubts, but he would be serviceable.

[DragonTails]

Originally Posted by Chaka

I get that everyone needs to vent after a loss like this, but this is getting absurd. We are 3 games into a 17-game season. We have lost to three playoff teams, one of whom (the Rams) just beat the reigning champions. While I could point out that we managed to stay close to all three teams, I don’t really agree since I feel we were hanging by a thread in all three games to some extent.

Three days ago, many of you were singing Wentz’s praises, and those that weren’t were grudgingly admitting that he was playing better than expected. Since then, all the guy does is come out and play on two (TWO!) sprained ankles, and – shockingly – has a bit of a tough day. It was clear he had no mobility and was likely in pain and maybe he WAS seeing ghosts (I don’t know, though, most of those “ghosts” appeared pretty real to me) – but I don’t fault the guy for perhaps being concerned about being hit in the lower leg area given his injuries. You all saw the Donald tackle and the awkward angle Wentz’s ankle took. Sure, you can argue that Wentz shouldn’t have played at all, but the guy’s a competitor and obviously wanted to play in a key division game. The fact that we didn’t have a more reliable backup, to the extent that played into the decision, is on Ballard I’ll agree. Obviously, the Colts staff told Wentz to throw/kill the ball if he got into severe pressure, which explains some of his worst plays. The stats show that Wentz’s passing was significantly different that it was in the last two games, pre-injury.

As far for the line failures, well, I don’t know what to say. Apart from LT, I think the Colts were perfectly entitled to assume the line was in good shape and not a reason for concern. The fact that the OL has played so poorly is very disappointing. LT is on Ballard too, of course. I don’t know that the Colts knew that Fisher wasn’t going to be ready at the beginning of the season, but obviously Tevi and Davenport were the backup plan if he wasn’t. And that hasn’t worked out so well. I think Omaha’s comment about Nelson being out and nobody noticing is very interesting and is worth some significant thought. If the OL can regain any semblance of its former self, I think we'll see a much different team.

The defense has been another big disappointment. Again, apart from DE, I think it was reasonable for the Colts to think they were in good shape here. And the Colts used their 1st and 2nd picks on DEs to address this (yes, I know Odeyingbo isn’t able to play yet), so obviously they recognize the problem and are trying to address it. For those saying they should have done more, what FAs should they have signed? Top end DEs just aren’t available that way. Overall, I have to think coaching is a major issue given that these players have shown they can be effective in the past.

The idea that Ballard’s second round picks have been massive failures is unfair. Leonard, Smith and Taylor were all second round picks. Pittman was too. Yes, they’re have been many underperforming players also, but is his batting average significantly worse than other GMs in this round?

As for those who now think we should have gone a different direction at QB, who should be have brought in? Fields or Jones? Did I miss something and were they available when we picked? They are also only three games into their careers and resting the Colts future on either of their shoulders is anything but a sure thing. Both sucked pretty bad this weekend, and no guarantee they’ll get better. Again, it is very, very rare to get a quality QB in FA, and outside of the top few picks a QB in the draft is going to be a major risk and require time. The Colts were (are?) ready to compete now. Wentz was a good risk with lots of upside, and available at a discount. His contract is great too, and we can even cut bait after two years if he totally bombs, though I don’t think he will. You could argue Darnold would have been a better choice, but I doubt he would have played any better than Wentz under the circumstances as he’s less mobile. Our coaching staff knew Wentz better too.

Anyway, it’s far from the time when we should throw in the towel on the season. There are 14 more games to play. A win or two will help right the ship. And for those calling for the Colts to sit Wentz to preserve their 1st round pick, well, I have no doubt the Colts will do so if the season goes completely down the drain by week 10 or so. If Wentz sucks, they can easily justify bringing in Eason/Hundley or someone else at that point. It doesn’t have to be because of injury. Until then, don’t expect them to let up, nor should they.

I see you didn't mention anything regarding play calling and 29th rank offense in redzone offense.

I lot of this is poor coaching and uninspired play design. 2 games ago I watched them use the same formation, same motion, and then run the same play 2 times in a row several occasions.

They never build off previous plays, they don't run quick passes, they don't know how to use personal, they don't know how to run rub routes at the goal line - or any part of the field.

Simply watch the GB/SF game and see the wonderful play designs.

I don't really care that Taylor only got 10 carries if the plan was to pass their way to victory but they didn't account for anything the defense might do.

They can't run a screen to save their lives. When was the last time you saw a misdirection screen? Just just all boring, stupid, shit.

GD junior high school coach could do better. Might as well punt on 2nd down.

They don't attack anything and play like a bunch of pussies that know they are going to lose.

[YDFL Commish]

Maybe a little off topic, but how is that the late Steve McNair was always considered a "WARRIOR" when he played injured, and yet was never considered injury prone, while QB's like Wentz who do the same thing, are considered injury prone, but never get credit for playing through those injuries?

BTW, i hate the term "WARRIOR" when used in the the context of any NFL player.

[Puck]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

Omaha is drunk, and gets emotional when drunk. As for him being smart... well, he likes Keystone Light.

As to your point about Taylor, it has a bunch of people scratching their heads. The dude is one of our three offensive playmakers, but when he does well, we go away from him. I wish Tennessee was that stupid when it comes to Henry.

Pretty sure with the unemployment bonus he can buy Yuengling now, But he may just be using the extra on crack