https://www.colts.com/team/players-roster/ashton-dulin/

Small sample size. Cant wait for camp

Thanks to Ironshaft I now understand our financial situation much better (having this kind of expertise available has been missed big time by us. It makes out discussions so much more intelligent). I'm thinking that we are likely not to sign any WRs. Ballard will draft them. Same with guard. I'm hoping the money goes to Mathieu (I understand that this isn't our biggest need but if we are going to go deep into the playoffs we need a big time defense. This guy would really help that) or a left tackle. At least I can see a way forward, before Ryan that seemed impossible to me.

I think it's obvious that Ballard is going to try to fill the remaining holes ( WR, LT, CB ) thru the draft, maybe he takes a flyer and signs Julio Jones after the draft. I think Pryor will be the starting LT on opening day, the guy is 6'7" and weighs close to 350lbs so he definitely has the size to play the position, and by all accounts is a mauler in the run game, hopefully he's the LT for the next 10 years. I was a little skeptical with the Ryan signing, but after reading a whole bunch of articles about the guy I honestly can't wait until the season starts.

He graded out at 87 vs the raiders and allowed 2 pressures and went against ngakwe most of his snaps

I, of course, prefer a LT with the measurables and draft pedigree that would better indicate that they have the capacity to play at a very high level.

However, I am reminded of a great Colt by the name of Jeff Saturday whom, as we all know, was judged to not have the "skills" to be a long time starter in the NFL and the experts were wrong.

On Matt Pryor, I am struck by the lack of negatives in his NFL.com draft profile located here.

They rate him as a 5th or 6th round choice (eventually being drafted in the 6th by PHI) but the only negatives they talk about are:

-- He was heavy (390) coming out of college and might be lax about weight management.
-- Avg lateral movement and could struggle against change of pace rushers.
-- Reputation for being a bit lazy.

Typically, when you look at lower round O-linemen profiles, they list a whole host of issues mostly centering around lack of technique, lack of quickness or lack of effort. Except for the lazy/lack of weight management, there is not much there.

And, assuming that the coaching staff has been able to get him to maintain his healthy weight ($5.5m would indicate that they have), then it really boils down to him just being able to play within the system.

In this article, Pryor was identified as one of 35 players not invited to the combine in 2018 that the writer felt would be drafted (here):
And while I cannot see individual breakdowns from PFF, his first two seasons with PHI were underwhelming grades (62.0 and 55.0 which is NFL average to slightly below NFL average), his 2021 grade was a 76.5 on 438 snaps which grades out to an above average starter (the 80.0 threshold being the "elite" player).

So, bottom line is that I feel better about giving Pryor a shot at starting. He played well there in 2021, the Colts are obviously okay with his effort and weight management because Ballard does not re-sign someone who they are not happy with (i.e. Carson Wentz) and I have little doubt that there will be an OT drafted somewhere in the 2nd/3rd/4th round of 2022 in a deep O-Lineman class that could potentially be the long-term swing if Pryor works out and signs a long term contract in 2023 or can end up getting a shot at LT if Pryor does not work out.

Bottom line is this is where we appear to be going so, I better get onboard! :)

Ironshaft I think you are probably correct but I am not totally convinced that Fisher isn't coming back. Last off season Ballard was saying how Tevi was going to be our starting tackle. I can find zero news on Fisher on the net. And I always thought it was a two year deal to get back to himself. We still need a decent backup swing tackle if you are correct that Pryor is our starter. Draft?

Once his name was thrown in the mix, I wanted him above the rest. But I was still skeptical like you. I've now read and watched a bunch on him and I'm also really stoked about next season.


I'll trust the smarter guys in the building. If he's long-term, that's awesome. If he's just good enough until they find the prospect they want, cool. He's at least a good swing.

I don't see many more FA moves, but I'd be least surprised by bringing in a DB. WR/OT I feel like are coming solely in the draft.

I just don’t see Ballard drafting him at all. He puts too much emphasis on athleticism. I would be surprised if Bell even goes before the third round. His windows will be a lot smaller. He struggles to create separation on horizontal and verticals routes in college, it will be even tougher in the pros. They want speed to complement MPJ and JT. Bell won’t do that. Purdue fans got those gold tinted glasses on when it comes to him. I would rather go after Burks if they target this type.

https://i.ibb.co/vLct6gK/9-AA873-F5-...4-B3996-C1.jpg

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...r/_/id/4570409

He makes plays. He plays big in big games

Patmon, Strachan, or Paschal are not fast at all

Bell is very athletic and a willing run blocker which kept Paschal on the field most of the time

I don't get why you think Bell is athletic. He is slower than Strachan, Patmon and Paschal (who is a good 3rd or 4th receiver because he is so slow). Stachan has a better shuffle, cone, 40 yard dash, high jump and is 3 inches taller. At that he was a 7th round choice and is a long shot to do anything. Ballard loves him his measurables. I grant you that measurables are not everything, Jerry Rice ran a 4.71-but who besides Jerry Rice can compete on that level with that 40 time. Maybe his non measurables are off the charts and he is another Steve Largent (4.7-4.9). I admit I don't follow college football and appreciate the expertise here. I'll be interested in where he goes in the draft.

Campbell RAS - 9.76
Strachan RAS - 9.22
Patmon RAS - 8.44
Pittman RAS - 8.24
Pascal RAS - 8.18
Fountain RAS - 8.01
Cain RAS - 6.48
Bell RAS - 2.72

You can argue that Bell is a playmaker regardless of his athletic ability, but he definitely doesn’t fit the mold for what Ballard tends to draft.

https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2022/...ants-nfl-2022/

Would you all be into us trading with the Giants for James Bradberry? Personally, he wasn't a guy that was really on my radar but must fit Gus Bradley's D like a glove for them to pursue him in particular.

I wonder what kind of trade value he would garner? I sure hope we don't give up any more picks, and would prefer a straight up player for player trade ala RYS and YN.
Who becomes expendable and preferable to the Giants at this point? Perhaps Blackmon/Willis? Kelly? Hines? (doubtful) but who can know? We know CB loves them picks....

He has been productive all 3 years in college and plays his best in the biggest games (11-240) at #2 Iowa he dominated the game. His combine numbers didn’t match his 3 year production = 232 catches 2946 yards 21 TD 11 games over 100 yards

Purdue played 3 ranked teams this year Bell had:
@OSU 11-103
MSU 11-217-1TD
Iowa. 11-240-1TD

He missed 1 game in 3 years

His base salary is around 13 but I read that he would count around 21 against the cap. Apparently the Giants may be willing to eat some of that, but even so, seems like a big gamble to expect a guy to elevate his play enough to be worth it. What happened with Rhodes can’t be the expectation.

Lots of college players do. He might still be good. Cooper Kupp ran a slow 40. But with athleticism that bad, things are stacked against him.

Goddamn it, Parris. Quit breaking yourself. I'd like to see what a full season looks like.

We've all been saying that for years. I don't think Plaster of Parris has a chance. Hope I'm wrong.

He doesnt play slow

Patmon. Hmmmm. maybe he can do it

Really Like Blackmon. But I'd be OK to trade him. 2 serious injuries in 2 yrs. Get what you can get from him IF you can. if not let him ride out the rookie contract

No way they trade Hines. Kid is gonna be ridicules this yr

I've heard the Giants are asking for a 3rd day pick for Bradberry

You guys are talking about dumping Blackmon? I'm not familiar... how good is Bradberry supposed to be? Because Blackmon is no joke. I've been pretty impressed since he started playing for us. On top of that, he's about to be 24, Bradberry is about to be 29.

Is it just based on Blackmon getting injured?

Blackmon tore his ACL in December of 2019. He was ready for 2020 and after week 2 played almost every defensive snap for us. He tore his achilles in October and opening weekend will be about 11 months after. Just for reference, Dayo tore his achilles in January and I want to say they put him on the field 10 months later.

Not saying the injury isn't a concern. Of course it is. But at this point, I don't see how that could warrant dumping. If nothing else, Ballard has shown he's pretty damn patient when it comes to freak injuries in players.

Guy just puts himself in harm’s way which is exactly where he needs to be. I am a fan, but see him being another victim to the Sanders effect.

I did not intend to single out Blackman as a player that warrants dumping, to be clear. I threw his name in with a few others as potential trade candidates only BECAUSE he has produced on the field and perhaps may be a bit of a mismatch for what Bradley is looking for. In my opinion, Blackmon has shown the propensity to make big plays when we need one, can cover decent and hit well. He would fit into any D. I understand that Gus' D requires 3, so I can't imagine a scenario where Blackmon isn't a part of those plans

I was pleased to see that Parris isn't at all happy with the talk of no receivers on the Colts. I know he has been hurt but it is the attitude you want in a player.

https://horseshoeheroes.com/2022/03/...lts-receivers/

That's all great until he pulls a hammy or dislocates a shoulder or his appendix bursts in the 2nd qtr against the Titans.

I would hope he's motivated enough. I remember Quincy Wilson saying something similar in public when somebody said the Colts don't have a cornerback. Lot of good it did. I don't think anybody discounts him for his ability... because frankly we don't know. It's all about his history. I'm as anxious as anybody.

Y'all think we'll sign any new players before the draft? They have 27 days to do it. The natives will be restless...well, more than they already are. I seriously doubt honey badger will come here.

They just let one get away we should have brought back ... :cool:

Zak Keefer
@zkeefer
Vikings have announced they've come to terms with guard Chris Reed, who played really well in Indy last season. As of now, Colts' vacant right guard spot (held by Mark Glowinski the last several years) would be filled by Danny Pinter.

Hmm....Reed played college ball in Minnesota. He was teammates with Vikings WR Adam Thielen at Minnesota State University Mankato.

Don't see anything on the contract he got. I knew they liked Pinter, but Reed played well, too. I guess they saw him as depth and Minnesota gave him starter money?

So where are we... Will Fries is like the new Joe Reitz? Who else do we have for depth right now?

We'll probably dumpster dive for the depth pieces when other teams make some personnel cuts.

(without any details) I find this irritating.

Chris Reed got a 2 year deal.

My guess it is a "show me" low end starter level contract at $4.5m a year.

:cool:
MARLON MACK
RB, HOUSTON TEXANS
Marlon Mack
Texans signed RB Marlon Mack, formerly of the Colts.
It's as favorable of a landing spot as it gets. With David Johnson gone, Rex Burkhead, Royce Freeman, and Dare Ogunbowale currently sit atop the Texans' running back depth chart. Injuries limited Mack to seven games the last two years and he spent most of 2021 in Indy as a healthy inactive behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines. Mack rushed for 1,091 yards and scored eight touchdowns in 2019, his last season as a starter. There's post-hype appeal to Mack if he secures the lead role in Houston, but he's a two-down back with committee risks that will likely be competing with a draft pick this summer.

https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/footba...37/marlon-mack

Matt Ryan
Championship


*in my best Chris Ballard voice

Good for mack, too bad its with a div rival.

Mack was out of contract. Maybe the Texans were the only ones who wanted him? Good luck to him except against us.

I really don't understand what the fuck Ballard is thinking. I love Q, but for less money we could have kept Glo and Reed and traded Q for a 1st round draft pick.I really like Ballard, but I don't fucking understand his logic right now. Q is a left guard, not an elite left tackle, which is what we desperately need. But hell, I might be wrong, won't be the first time!

I love Mack and was extremely disappointed at the way he was utilized last season....if he stays healthy this could work out very well for the Texans!