Ross Tucker said it best, “Colts need a better plan.”
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Tucker said this during the national broadcast and he was referring to our RBs inability to pick up an extra rusher, but it could be applied to most all-things Colts this year. I’m looking for a reason for optimism for the rest of the year, but coming up with that better plan is likely the only way I discover that reason. The problem is that a singular plan is not going to get it done. We need a new plan along all three phases of the game.
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Shane has his moments, but most of them are in the first 10 minutes of a game. He’s also good at calling a play that will get you a yard when needed. He hasn’t found a way to counter what teams have decided to do against us, for going on a year. I barf a little in my mouth when I quote Tom Brady, but he said the Patriots offense had a simple philosophy. When the defense is in the middle, go to the outside and vice-versa. It works the same vertically, so if they are near the line of scrimmage, go behind them and if they are deep, go in front of them. It seems pretty simple, but we can’t get behind them when they are close to the line and we don’t appear to be able to get to the outside, when they are bunched in the middle.
I understand that Steichen watched his offense being ran exactly as he envisioned for eight games last year and loyalty is largely a good quality, but Jones is not that same guy right now. He can’t get behind or around defenses. So, while I have thought that AR would need an injury to see the field, there is a certain amount of sense made by putting him out there. We do know that AR has the arm to get it behind the D and legs to get outside.
Jones isn’t going to ask out. Heck, he may know his limitations and understand that he is not healthy and even welcome the benching. That shouldn’t matter to Shane anyway, as he has one job and that is to try an win a game, with the hope of being able to build some momentum. I’m not sure that you would be doing AR a solid by starting him, because it could still go poorly. I can’t see it going well enough to use the franchise tag on him next year at 50+ million for a QB, but Jones needs a reset and you have tabbed AR as QB2, so call his number for as long as he can answer the bell.
A quick sidebar on DJ. I don’t think we can win a game this year with him, as his current physical and confidence levels are nowhere near 100%. In short, he is broken. The league has seen him broken before and turn things around, so it is not a foregone conclusion that we never see a high level of play from him again. I know it will be up to someone that we don’t even know right now, but even if you wanted to throw a dart at a rookie, you’d want a vet as a placeholder. He won’t bring much in trade, so you either pay and play him, or pay and cut him.
A quick look at the special teams saw us give up a long run and commit two return penalties that put us in a hole. Dulin being back might help, but dang, some of these players are only on the team because they are supposed to be good at special teams. Penalties were more of a problem than they had been, but along with turnovers, we do not have the ability to overcome any adversity.
The defensive struggles mount as the injuries compound and it wasn’t a good unit before the bug hit. A secondary that I expected much more out of, is now a shell of itself. It wouldn’t matter, because unless Buck or Addy happen to get pressure, it doesn’t look like it will happen. “The best pass rusher in the draft” may have more pass breakups than sacks. Any thought of turning things over the kids, saw both LBs inactive this week, while Curry and Gumbs still got scraps. Not that any of the four have separated themselves, but the new GM will have to have a better idea of “weakest link” position groups, and honestly, all three levels could be the squeaky wheel by the end of the trade deadline.
Obviously, my take is one of acceptance, of more bad play to come. So, I’ll weigh in on the fire-sale topic. Many have said that we should sell off parts, for whatever the return might be. I don’t think we have a player that brings back a #1, and if it does it will be from a team that picks later in that first round. I think you try dangling two guys for that #1, to a team that needs more help. It might not seem like much, but adding a Shrader to a deal, for a team that could use an upgrade, might be enough. Maybe taking back a bad expiring contract?
Now, another way to go, might be to get a player back at a position that would essentially negate the need for taking one in the draft. My thoughts turn to a RT that could compete with Travis. I know that there are guys out there on other teams that are not starting and could outplay him. That sounded like I was making a statement of fact. I do not actually know, but it sounds right as I type it out loud. It would depend on if Dodd was allowed to make a move based on the current scouting department’s intel.
I think one more thing to consider when mulling deals, is how big of a hole does it leave? How much cap space or draft capital will you have to use to replace the player? For this reason, I think JT is easiest piece to move. McGowen may not be what JT has put together as a career, but you have a decent chance that he can do as much or more in year two, than JT can do in year eight, while being under cheap control for three more years. While you might like Adebawore to replace Buck or Grove, he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, so that bumps up the replacement price.
I’d listen to my players and gauge just how bad they wanted out and how interested they are in returning. You may even find players who would be fine with a trade this year, but also be receptive to returning next year. Maybe they would want to wait and see who was brought in to run the show, before committing. That new person may not be interested in inviting them back.
Here’s a question to leave you with. If Carlie is going to choose the next GM, will she ask candidates their thoughts on her being on the sidelines? Would it or should it matter to her what they thought?