Thoughts from the Wild Card Round

[sherck]

- Watching the SEA / DAL game, I appreciate the brilliance of Luck more and more. These offenses don't make any sense and don't seem to build on itself like ours did in the first half. They guys (the BEST young QBs in the league) cannot hit the broad side of a barn.

- I became a believer in Mack this game. I think he can lead our RB Committee in 2019 and beyond. Still need to draft another young stud with a later pick to fill out the stable but we can ride these horses.

- Good golly, is it fun to watch this Offensive Line work? That is an excellent defense front seven and our O-Line just whipped them in the first half. HOU remembered how to play defensive ball in the second half but we just took it too them in the first half.

- Inman? Need to re-sign him to a moderate contract. I want him competing for WR2 / WR3 next season.

- Desir? Need to re-sign him to a starter contract. The man needs to get paid.

- Glowinski? Yeah, same.

- I hope it is not serious but I fear that may be the last we see of Mitchell. He gave us some great games this season but at 32 years old, I will be shocked if Ballard re-signs him.

- Loved the play design early. Lots of misdirection that really moved the HOU defense. The first half is how our offense can click.

- The defense? I keep waiting for him to poop the bed and they keep me waiting. They are for real. Sure, they could use some more horses like a J.J. Watt or stud 3-tech or LB. Every position group could use a young stud but, man, these guys can hang.

- Props to Kenny Moore II. UDFA to 2nd year full time starter. Between Moore, Desir and WIlson, we have the core group of a good CB roster.

- The single Houston TD was a gift; the ball was out of his control before crossing the plane of the goal line, IMO. I understand why they ruled that way but that was a touchback.

- A game like this reminds me how YOUNG Watson is. He is physically gifted and can do some things many other QBs cannot but he looked very unsure and untested today when it counted. Easily rattled. He will mature and develop but this game reminded me how young he is.

- The KC offense is a much different beast without Hunt powering it. I don't think we should be favored but I think we have a punchers chance of beating them next week in Arrowhead.

Go Colts!


Walk Worthy,

[Hoopsdoc]

Was Hines hurt? Seems like I saw Wilkins in on 3rd down several times.

DeShaun Watson is SOOOO overrated. He’s like a faster, shiftier Mariota.

The offense was hugely disappointing in the 2nd half. Seems like they took their foot off the gas, if not physically then at least mentally. One score on a 2nd half drive and that games a laugher.

Hilton dominated the 1st quarter and then largely disappeared until late.

I thought Moore and Desir were the stars of the game.

[daedge]

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc

Was Hines hurt? Seems like I saw Wilkins in on 3rd down several times.

DeShaun Watson is SOOOO overrated. He’s like a faster, shiftier Mariota.

The offense was hugely disappointing in the 2nd half. Seems like they took their foot off the gas, if not physically then at least mentally. One score on a 2nd half drive and that games a laugher.

Hilton dominated the 1st quarter and then largely disappeared until late.

I thought Moore and Desir were the stars of the game.

The 21 point lead meant TY, who already has a managed snap count, spent more time resting his ankle on the sideline. We also ran the rock a ton.

For me, outside of our O not putting this game away early in the second half, the most frustrating thing was not giving AV a shot at making it 24-0 at the split.

The Colts were expecting a lot of Rogers to get out on that final pass play. Need to be better in that situation.

[Dewey 5]

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc

Was Hines hurt? Seems like I saw Wilkins in on 3rd down several times.

DeShaun Watson is SOOOO overrated. He’s like a faster, shiftier Mariota.

The offense was hugely disappointing in the 2nd half. Seems like they took their foot off the gas, if not physically then at least mentally. One score on a 2nd half drive and that games a laugher.

Hilton dominated the 1st quarter and then largely disappeared until late.

I thought Moore and Desir were the stars of the game.

I was wondering the same thing about Hines.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc

DeShaun Watson is SOOOO overrated. He’s like a faster, shiftier Mariota. .

He is ridiculously overrated. Not a bad QB, but just barely over the Dalton Line.

[daedge]

Also, discipline was much improved from last week's win against the Titans.

There were just two penalties for 10 yards v the Texans. One was for 12 men on the field, the other was a false start by Nelson.

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by daedge

Also, discipline was much improved from last week's win against the Titans.

There were just two penalties for 10 yards v the Texans. One was for 12 men on the field, the other was a false start by Nelson.

One of the most promising details of the game imho.

[Maniac]

Originally Posted by daedge

Also, discipline was much improved from last week's win against the Titans.

There were just two penalties for 10 yards v the Texans. One was for 12 men on the field, the other was a false start by Nelson.

VERY glad to see that.

[GoBigBlue88]

Good stuff! Just got home from watching today's games at a buddy's so late with mine and just attaching a few quick ones here.

1. Kenny Moore isn't just a good Cover-2 corner. He's a legit baller. I was actually talking Colts with my dad last week (catching him up; he hasn't watched them for a while with my mom's health being what it is) and told him I thought this defense had 3 legit ballers who would be fantastic players in any system: Denico Autry, Darius Leonard ... and Kenny Moore.

I'm telling you: Moore can do everything. Can stick in coverage. Challenge point of reception. Close. Read QB's eyes. Good hands. Fantastic slot blitzer. Probably best pound-for-pound tackler in the league at the position. He was my MVP today. Honestly think it's time to start calling this guy a terrific corner without the Cover-2 caveat.

2. Pierre Desir was the second best player on the field for Colts today. DeAndre Hopkins doesn't want any of Desir. Desir is patient and doesn't let Hopkins play his OPI Game all day like he does with most other corners. He uses his length well, but most importantly, is just SMART. How many times do you ever see Desir called for DPI or holding? So rarely, because he is just a fantastic technician at the position. Hopkins earned every yard against Desir ... and there weren't many.

3. The Colts still very much need a pass-rusher. I kinda wonder, too, how NFL teams will counter their double-A gap alignment over time. Eberflus shows a variety of things, but that's the constant. If you're gonna beat the Colts, it's probably going to be in taking advantage of that. I guess the solution is to run wide ... but Colts have too much speed for that. Misdirection? Hmm...

4. I thought Clayton Geathers looked a step slow today ... in other words, like a guy whose knee isn't 100 percent. I think he probably toughed out a game he'd be encouraged to sit in the regular season. Played fine. But Travis Kelce is going to be a nightmare matchup next week.

5. Almost getting boring to sing this OL's praises, but I want to single out Braden Smith in particular. In the first half of the Colts' run, I thought he was doing a solid job holding his own, which was more than good enough. Now, over the past 4 or so games ... I'm not sure if he's not becoming dominant himself, guys. Like, this kid isn't just a nice find at RT. I think he can really, really play.

6. I say it every week, but TY Hilton deserves a statue after all is said and done. What he continues to do on an IR-caliber ankle is unreal. As so many other WRs in the league have shown, he could sit or look out for himself. He gives his all for the team instead. I respect Hilton more than I can articulate. What a leader.

7. I still maintain that this WR corps, though, limits Colts' possibilities vs a KC. Love what Hilton is doing, but he's only healthy enough to turn it on 2-3 drives a game. Love what Inman is doing. Beyond that, though, as today reminded: you just cannot trust Rogers or Pascal at all.

8. Obviously best game by Marlon Mack. That double-juke run he had was a serious We Don't Need Le'Veon run. Look, I still think you add as many playmakers as you can who fit the culture of this team, and trust Ballard to do so. But Mack made a statement today. Have no doubt about it.

Part of that statement too, though, is that OL health and continuity = run success. When in doubt, favor paying and deepening your run blockers (OL+TE).

9. The Colts' coaching staff is so much better than any coaching staff in the AFC South, it's not even funny.

10. Just think about what Ballard has done...

QB - Luck was here, but traded Dorsett for Brissett, who may prove a draft pick trade asset himself

RB - Drafted Mack, Hines and Wilkins

WR - Probably his most unaddressed area, but did sign Inman (to be fair: Grant kinda cancels that out)

TE - Signed Ebron to a bargain deal, found Mo Alie-Cox

LT - Inherited Castonzo, so nothing

LG - Drafted Nelson out of trade that also netted several others

C - Inherited Kelly, so nothing

RG - Signed Glowinski, and an effective Slauson prior to

RT - Drafted Smith

DE - Inherited Sheard and Hunt, found AQM on the waiver wire, drafted Lewis and Turay

DT - Signed Autry to bargain deal, drafted Stewart

OLB - Drafted Lewis and Adams, signed at the very least vet presence Goode

MLB - Drafted Anthony Walker (assumedly envisioning eventual transition to 4-3)

CB - Signed Kenny Moorer and Pierre Desir off scrap heap, drafted Quincy Wilson

S - Inherited Clayton Geathers, drafted Malik Hooker, signed Mike Mitchell

[Butter]

Great post GBB as always. The key point is how important the line play is.