Holes
 

Let’s start out by saying that there’s more than one kind of hole. At one end of the spectrum a hole can be a position where you are hoping that a promising young player can step up. At the other extreme, it can be a position where you have nothing but a gaping wound in your roster, an abyss through which the Mongol horde is about to pour.

The Colts don’t have many holes in their starting lineup. We’re depending on rookies at Safety and one Linebacker spot. A starter at the other Linebacking position is uncertain.

CJ Allen is widely expected to step into one Linebacking spot, and the other slot will come down to a battle between Akeem Davis-Gaither, Jaylon Carlies, and the rookie Bryce the butcher. None of those guys are ever going to get confused with Darius Leonard, but they might all offer improvement over the dumpster fire we saw from Zaire franklin.

Wide Receiver 2 is also a question. MPJ’s departure left a void of 80 catches, and the plan to spread the load among Pierce, Downs, and Warren seems tenuous to me. So, we’re left to ask who among Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, or Deion Burks is ready to step up? Is there a possibility of a further free agent signing or a trade before the start of the season? Is another AJ Brown lurking in the weeds?

Finally, we come to Defensive End, the position at which the wailing and gnashing of teeth is loudest. You can argue that Gabe Jacas should have been the guy, but reading his analyses, he sounds like Kwity Paye 2.0. Strong, tough, but not explosive or agile. So, we’re left with Arden Key, Tuimoloau, Forrest Gumbs, Caden Curry and a handful of spear carriers. I could be wrong, but the situation doesn’t seem particularly dire. You might not have a Reggie White among them, but if Deforest Buckner returns to form and we see normal years from Ward and Gardner, Lou Anarumo should be able to scheme somewhere north of 50 sacks.

Are there other areas that might be problematic? Sure, but I wouldn’t describe the need for a backup Quarterback as a hole.

I will agree that Edge is the prime area of concern. Are we better or worse than last year at Edge? I would say that we are approximately the same, with more potential to be better. By the way, in the words of Bill Parcells, "potential means, that you haven't done it yet".

As far as 50 sacks goes, I don't see that happening, unless Latu just goes ballistic, and somebody from this group proves to be a better pass rusher than Kwity Paye.

Deion Burks was projected as a late Day 2 guy (getting him at 254 was insane value), he has the potential to come in and take the WR3 role. Downs is going to have to step up as WR2, and Pierce as WR1. I think Tyler Warren will alleviate some of the pressure on the receiving corps, if things go well he's going to have a big year.

I think Warren is going to kind of be a WR2/TE and that is ok, Downs being a bigger part of the offense is great, but he has had availability issues. Burks, I think, helps with that a lot. I do think Dulin can be a decent part of it, but we are going to miss Pittman. He is a solid possession receiver and was clutch. I hate that there is no way I can root for him as a Steeler.

Over the first 9 games, last year, when Buckner was healthy, they recorded 26 sacks. In the final 6 games, they notched 6.

If Buckner can reestablish himself as a threat inside Tackle, they have a couple of advantages over last season. First, with two pro bowl quality Corners, there’s a greater opportunity for coverage sacks. Second, Anarumo can begin to run some exotic blitz schemes, confident that the back end of the D won’t collapse.

Also, in obvious passing situations, when you bring in extra pass rushers, I have a lot more confidence in Key, Curry and Gumbs than i did in Paye, Lewis and Ebukam.

I am concerned about the d line with the only alpha coming off neck surgery. The rest seem to be just guys, with Latu a step above. Having said that if both of our corners remain healthy (and it will be a miracle if Ward can manage that) they can make a huge difference in this defense. Before Ward got hurt last year he alone made a huge difference. Latu is just milliseconds away from making plays and just a tad more coverage might do wonders. I don't know enough about our new guys (and hope you are correct) but Paye, Lewis ad Ebukam won't be missed.

Anyone concerned about the lack of depth in our running back room? JT was healthy last year, first year in a long time. Behind him are Goodson, Gibbons and McGowan, none of whom are either good at pass blocking or are the type to get you those two difficult yards you need (meaning JT isnt getting a rest). I would like to see us pick up a veteran for depth.

o


I'm concerned about the fact that the Colts started the 2025 season with an NFL-best record of 8-2, and finished it in a big ball of mediocrity at 8-9 ...... since the initial retirement of Philip Rivers in January of 2021, it's been like the movie Groundhog Day ...... no matter how the movie starts, it always winds up the same in the end.

It's gotten to the point in which the Colts could start a season with a record of 9-0, and I won't believe that they won't finish with a record of 9-8 until I literally see the number 10 in the W column with my own lying eyes.

o

Man, I hope you're right. One thing that the national sports media doesn't realize is, a bone headed WR, who shall remain nameless, cost us two TD's and a win in the Rams game. The injury to Schrader and the subsequent signing of Badgley was disastrous. The injuries in the secondary decimated the pass defense. As well as your accurate assessment of the loss of Buck.

The injuries to Daniel Jones, were just the straw that broke the camels back.

I bet you still pick us to go 13-3-1