We’ve had two LT drafts in a row. Last years draft had a ton of talent. But we would have to trade up. Plus we had QB which was a bit more pressing. That’s one of the issues with mainly using the draft. It’s hard to fill your long term positions. And if you miss on something, you have to use a future pick to cover your miss. No one bats 1000 on the draft.

Greg Doyle wasn’t to kind this week

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...re/4916035001/

Fisher is a good bet, but when will he be healthy? If they didn’t like anyone in the draft, why not go for a better player in FA. Still off season isn’t over yet.

He has a torn Achilles from what I've read. I'd go after the guy the Bears are letting go. He'd be miles ahead of what we currently have.

Also, Michigan line him up a lot in a 3-3 alignment.

And from what I understand, he was basically the only real "guy" on the Michigan defense, so opposing teams would plan on double or triple teaming him.
That's what I've read anyway, I just don't watch enough college ball to back that up.

He was. When you watch the tape, the rest of the line may just as well been invisible.

He was still disruptive, can't wait to see him on the line with Buckner an Co. I think he puts up some special numbers. He will be in the conversation for DROY.

We'd have been better off with a punter

-signed Dam

That's just absurd. Further, I'd like to see you say that Teven Jenkins is equivalent value to a punter to his face. Considering the way he mauls people on the field, that might be amusing.

Exactly what I think when I read your posts about all this

Could be interesting real quick to see Paye lineup vs Radunz (Titans)then Little (jags)if either get on the field

I took the time to form my own informed opinions, I'm not just going to give them up for the sake of groupthink or some notion that my opinion must be wrong because Ballard has a different opinion. Time will tell on all of this. But I don’t think Ballard or the Colts organization are above criticism as it seems almost everyone except Chromeburn here does. I think they made a bad decision, and I think it has the potential to be Bjoren Werner level bad or Phillip Dorsett over Landon Collins level bad, or both because they took a traited up DE over a guy who I think will be a 10 year starter at LT in the NFL. The potential negative outcomes here massively outweigh the potential positive outcomes, that's what I don't like. Also, this is nothing personal against Paye. After hearing his story, I'm 1000% on board with him becoming the next great Colts pass rusher, and I'd love to see it happen, but he has a long road to get there, and the realist in me looks at his film and it screams bust. Hopefully that desire and will to succeed that he oozes will prevail in the end, but this pick is going to look really bad if Paye busts out and Jenkins is a 10+ year fixture at LT for a Bears team that is a perennial contender with Fields at the helm.

I'm going to keep my mouth shut as best I can, but I still can't believe that Tevi is the answer at LT. I expect something to be done about it other than "scheme". You can't hide a bad LT for 17 games. Hell, all I want to do is win the division. It's been years since we have.

At the end of last season, the Colts appeared to have 3 big needs for the coming season, as well as many smaller wants.

1. QB - with Rivers being done, the Colts went and got Wentz. Let's hope we get the good Wentz and not the bad one

2. DE - improve the pass rush with a force at DE. I'm optimistic that Paye fits the bill

3. LT - to me, a very important need. We have what appears to be a great running game, I'd hate to see it fail due to a glaring weakness on the left side of the line.


2 out of 3 major needs have been addressed. Hold on to your hats, it's gonna be a bumpy ride, but it will be fun, and in the end, that's good enough for me.

And with 4 quality veteran left tackles out there on the market whom are all in the same ballpark as Castonzo in terms of quality and performance, there is little doubt in my mind that we will fill the 3rd big hole on our roster as well.

Most rookie draft classes (7 picks) are going to cost around $6m in cap space for 2021. Spots 52 and 53 on the active in-season roster are going to cost around $2m. The 10 person practice squad is going to cost $2m for the season. In season churn space will be around $2-4m.

In total, teams need to have around $10-12m in free cap space just to sign their rookies, fill their roster, pay their practice squad and operate for the season.

Currently, 16 teams (half the league) have less than $10m in free cap space.
Another 4 teams have less than $15m of free cap space.

Ergo:

A) The market of teams with sufficient free cap space that can pay for a veteran left OT in free agency is not big. It is a bit of a waiting game to sign one IF you value all the tackles roughly equally because every day that passes probably lowers that hoped for compensation by agents and players.

B) Veteran cuts are not done yet.

The proof of whether this was a successful off-season will be measured by our week 1 roster and our week 18 record, not what is happening in March, April, May, June or July.

IF Tevi or Davenport are our starting week 1 left OT, I will LEAD the mob with pitchfork raised high when storming the Colts complex searching for Ballard's head.

Be patient, Freaks.

Ahh without seeing the schedule I’m saying 14-3

Or it could be the other way around

I get it you don't like the picks. But you have to live with it. Nothing you can do about it. RELAX!!! Ballard and Co still know more than any of us and I am 100% positive he has a plan

You’re forgetting injuries happen also which cause teams to quickly sign a veteran. Also teams with that new rookie tackle may realize he is not ready for the task. And Villanueva is off the board now.

Oh there's definitely still opportunity for Ballard to address the LT spot and make the roster very complete going into the 2021 season, but there were several here that were insistent that a rookie deal was needed at LT, so I'm a bit surprised at the lack of criticism of Ballard passing/getting outplayed entirely on the deepest OT class in recent memory. If they sign a veteran LT and Paye and Odeyingbo pan out, bravo Ballard, but he's betting a lot on the potential of Paye over the production of Jenkins.

Rumor going around we are interested in Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher

The problem with this is neither have played an NFL game so you can't compare production yet.

I was going to type something on this, but instead, I will just post this video which I mostly agree with. I'm getting lazy, I guess.

This guy curses a lot, so for who don't like cursing, don't fucking watch it.

The one thing I will add is that a lot of the linemen selected in this draft are not true left tackles. Kwitty Paye was ranked as one of the top 20 draftees in this draft. If Ballard signs a veteran left tackle, which I hope the hell he does, then this offseason will be considered a success. And if Wentz gets back to his old self, then this offseason will have been a grand slam.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOTY5G0PMQE

I was pretty irritated during the draft and hearing negative comments on paye didn’t help. Looking back after a couple days and assuming we sign one of the vet LTs I trust in ballard. If those two picks end up being disruptive it will be huge for the D.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There are things you can see on tape that when you see them, you know they'll translate to the NFL. For Teven Jenkins, his handfighting is already NFL veteran quality, and his nasty streak will carry him in some games. When you combine that with his unexpectedly great athletic testing, it's not at all surprising that the Bears released a quality starting LT to replace him with Jenkins. You see the reasons on the tape. When I watch Kwity Paye's tape, I don't see anything that suggests instant impact starter or anything more than borderline Day 2 pick. That's what I mean by production vs. potential in this case.

Boarderline day 2 pick, are you fucking serious? Some experts think that Jenkins is a damn good offensive linemen, as do I, but he has some issues when it comes to left tackle. I don't give a shit how nasty you are when other nasty elite defensive ends in the NFL are coming after your ass. I like Jenkins too, but he is probably more suited for right tackle or guard in the NFL. As far as the Bears releasing a quality starting LT, do you really think the fucking Bears know what they are doing? Those same shitheads drafted Trubisky with the 2nd overall pick.

Here is a video of something I totally agree with. That is Jenkins will struggle at LT. Do you really think that if Ballard really thought that Jenkins was at least at Castonzo's level, he wouldn't have taken him? Or at least moved up in the 2nd round to take him?

https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2...021-nfl-draft/

The film I saw for Jenkins showed a player who had the ability to kick slide well, handle speed, handle power, not over set to beat speed (which leads to inside losses), and has the technique and handfighting ability to deal with technically proficient pass rushers. The only question for me based on the film was did he have the athleticism to stick as a LT, primarily because he played RT in 2020. Then his testing came back and he has a RAS score of something like 9.74, which emphatically answered my question about his athleticism. I feel like those who think he can't stick at LT didn't really watch a lot of his film.

Regarding Paye's film, the next play I see of him making a good pass rush move or making a heady, instinctual play will be the first. I did see him chop step 4 times and let a RB run right by him through his gap for a 10+ yard gain against Penn State, though. All Paye has going for him is that he's a ball of traits that can potentially be molded into a quality pass rusher. I hope the Colts coaching staff is up to the task.

Yeah, you're probably right dam. All of the fucking scouts who get paid for a living are wrong on him. What the hell were they thinking that he was a top level talent. Those fucking idiots.

Okay, why the fuck was he playing RT instead of LT? I'll tell you why, he is not a good fit at LT. Would you not put your best tackle on the left side? Dam, you are making this too easy.

Stop with the common sense. It has no effect.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC5JRuafVzE

Here ya go. I thought you watched film.

I know you're not really saying the scouts have never gotten it wrong before. There are countless examples that show that to be wrong, because there are so many factors that can go wrong with any given prospect. Even the first round of the NFL draft has a 50% bust rate.

So Tyron Smith isn't a good LT? After all, USC played him at RT in college.

That highlight reel illustrates my point.

1) Most of it comes against the dregs of the B1G. None of it is against Ohio State.

2) Every sack is a situation where the OL failed to execute a block or the play got extended and Paye got off the block by chasing the ball and the OL wasn't athletic enough to keep up.

3) No real rush moves to speak of in that highlight reel, and barely any hand usage to get off blocks. Every play on that reel is pure athleticism. I said he's a ball of traits with no rush moves.

4) That's a highlight reel. It doesn't show the bad plays, like the aforementioned play against Penn State.

I hope the defensive coaches can take his traits and maximize them into a feared pass rusher, but Paye is all projection at this point.

Glad you mentioned Ohio State.... You inspired me to go watch that game... Just began the game.... Very first play Paye gets to Justin Fields and bust up the play leading to a sack.. he doesn't get credit for the sack but the sack never happens not for him. Second play they have him in coverage... Fields has no option in middle of field and forces down field into double coverage...... 3rd and long... They double team Paye ( why he is only a project..lol)... Yes they put two lineman on Paye and he still gets in Fields face... Fields makes incredible throw for a TD... Had they left one blocker on Paye he gets to Fields.... I will be watching the rest of the game since this is more of a measuring stick to you.... So far I see what Colts EXPERTS see and not what your basement dwelling ass sees...lol

Several said the coaches didn't know how to use Paye. Interesting on the 2nd drive of the game he wasn't in on the drive until 3rd down.... Yet again he gets in Fields face and incompletion is thrown... 4th down.

Just watched all of the Defensive series of the Ohio State and Michigan game.... Let me start of by saying I'm no expert at breaking down a game and never will claim to be.

But what I noticed is Damn Michigan had a very undersized line or at least looked that way.

Anytime you saw disruptiveness happen, Paye was usually the reason it happened. Had he not been on such a mismatched line he would had 3 sacks in this game alone..jmo.

A play stood out in 4th quarter... Paye is being blocked with help still gets through while being held and still gets to Fields. Fields gets ball out half a second before Paye crushes him to the ground.

He was double teamed a lot.... You can tell the Ohio St coaches were not worried about anyone on that Michigan defense... Except for Paye. Ran opposite side of him a lot as well.

Again I will Never claim to be an expert (leave that for the Dams of the world lol). I can definitely see why our scouts/coaches love him and had him so high on their boards.

Looking forward to him playing in a Colts uniform.

What the fuck Luck4Reich. Don't question dam, he's the fucking expert here. You drunk or what? LOL!

I get it with dam though, he really likes Jenkins and so do I, just not as a LT prospect. Seriously though, dam knows his football, he's just a bit misguided.

Haha.... Yeah I like Jenkins a lot too and had Ballard taken him I would have been ok with it.... I think Paye is going to be special. Obviously so does Ballard. Damn I'm ready for next season to get here.

Jenkins fell some because of medical issues. So did that Norte Dame linebacker.

Look Dam I get it, I was pissed too I watched all these highlights of Tackles on the draft because I was for sure that’s what we were drafting in round 1 or 2 all for nothing so yea fuck you Ballard for that but after it all I really like Paye dudes fast, relentless, and strong I have faith in a Robert Mathis consultant

There were only 2 good LT's on the board. Sewell and Slater. The rest were projects at the left tackle position. Darrisaw, fuck him, he takes plays off. Don't need that kind of shit on the Colts. I for one was not disapointed we didn't draft a project. Paye can change games for us, none of the rest of these oline guys can. I always look at the big picture, unlike dam. Do we need an upgrade at LT, YES! But you can't reach for one. Ballard needs to sign a free agent there. If he doesn't then I will be the first one there with a pitchfork.

I've never claimed to be an expert of any kind. I watch tape. I get measureable data to compare to the tape. I form opinions. I defend those opinions. If you don't like what I have to say on a player, no one is holding a gun to your head forcing you to read it. This is a fan forum at the end of the day, and one that doesn't limit its posts to rah-rah support. I wouldn't be here if it did. That means when I see something I disagree with, I'm probably going to point it out along with my reasoning for the disagreement. Like, for example, taking Paye over Jenkins. I thought that was a bad move because I think Jenkins could've been a monster LT for the Colts, especially lining up next to Nelson for the next decade, and I don't see Paye amounting to much. I hope Paye proves me wrong and Ballard fixes the roster by getting a LT because I root for the laundry at the end of the day, but I don't like the decision, and I'll dislike it even more if they don't address LT.

dam, I like your posts. You are one of the best posters on this board. People take shots at you, just like they take shots at me. If you are ever in Central California, let me know, I'll buy you a beer or two. dam, I am with you on Jenkins , I fucking like the guy. But as a guard or right tackle, not as a left tackle. Hey, that's what this board is all about. We can agree to disagree.