The Matty Ice Era Begins

Who knew Matt Ryan would have been available via trade? I sure didn’t. I was deciding between the best of the worst options for the Colts at QB not too long ago (deciding between Trubisky, Mariota, or Howell leaves a sour taste in my mouth), and now we have our win-now QB, trading just our lower 3rd round pick of this year’s NFL draft to the Atlanta Falcons for Matt Ryan. I had personally thought we would have needed to give up more than just a 3rd round pick, but Chris Ballard worked his magic. Matt Ryan is exactly who we need at QB, someone who is accurate with the short and deep throws, makes the right reads, dependable, and a good leader. The opposite of Carson Wentz. I haven’t been this excited since we acquired DeForest Buckner.

However, with the departure of Fisher and Glow, we’ll need to shore up our offensive line and add some weapons for Matt Ryan. I wholeheartedly believe he can lead us to the AFC Championship game this season if we add a couple more pieces to the squad, especially at LT, WR, and CB, either through free agency or the draft, but that is a big “if”. Below are my top free agent targets:

1. Terron Armstead, OT – Terron is the clear top left tackle option in free agency still remaining on the board. He is a great player when he is on the field, but the injury concerns are real. I am on the side of signing him while drafting a backup LT option with our 2nd or 3rd round pick to eventually take over, whether this season or next. Another option to explore is former Seahawks LT Duane Brown.
2. Daryl Williams, OT – He fits the Indianapolis Colts’ blueprint for the offensive line, which is to have players who are versatile and can play both the tackle and guard positions. With the departure of Glowinski, I believe we will be able to shuffle Reed in at RG, but will need depth at the position. Naturally a RT, Daryl Williams can also play guard, and playing in between Ryan Kelly and Braden Smith, he won’t have to be consistently elite, just above average, especially if injuries happen. Another option is Germain Ifedi from the Bears, who played both the guard and tackle positions on the right side of the line the past couple of years.
3. Patrick Peterson, CB – He has lost a step or three from being one of the best corners of this generation at his peak, but he is still a savvy veteran with experience who can excel in one of the top defenses in the league.
4. Joe Haden, CB – Also someone who has lost a step but would no longer be asked to play press coverage anymore in the Colts’ Cover 3 scheme. He is a safe option in a defense that excels in creating turnovers.
5. Tyrann Mathieu, S – I placed the Honey Badger at this slot, because even though I would absolutely love him on the team, I don’t believe the Colts will target him with the young players they have at the position and the money Mathieu would want. I understand Khari Willis is on the last year of his rookie contract and Justin Blackmon tore his Achilles in October, but they are very good safeties when they are on the field.
6. Bobby Wagner, MLB – Landing Bobby Wagner and reuniting him with Gus Bradley would be dope, but a linebacker is more a luxury at this point with all the other major weaknesses. Also, similar to the Honey Badger point above, Bobby would also command a high salary.
7. Julio Jones, WR – Let’s run it back! Recently released from the Titans, Julio Jones would be a familiar face for Matty Ice. We’ve tried our hands at damaged or ancient receivers with lots of wear and tear, such as Andre Johnson or Hakeem Nicks, and most recently, T.Y. Hilton, so why not Julio? To keep him fresh, we can keep him on a snap count or utilize him in certain formations.
8. Jarvis Landry, WR – I believe we will be looking at the draft for a WR to pair with Mike Pittman Jr., but I’d like us to look at a veteran option at the slot receiver position. Parris Campbell is great when he’s healthy, but he hasn’t shown he can be that guy so far. Another option here is Cole Beasley, who is on the wrong side of 30, but has been a dependable slot for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Jamison Crowder would fit well here also, as he’s a consistent slot receiver for the Jets and Redskins/Football Team/Commanders.
9. Kyle Fuller, CB – I’ve always wanted Kyle Fuller on the Colts, as he is a playmaker and creates a lot of turnovers. He had a down year in Denver last season, so maybe he can come as a cheaper signing.
10. T.Y. Hilton, WR – Because why not, even if it’s just for nostalgia?

March 21, 2022 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Howell We Address the QB Situation?

Carson Wentz is no longer on the team, and Colts Nation is rejoicing. Many thought we would release Carson Wentz before the March 19th deadline when his bonus goes into effect, but nobody predicted the return we would get from the Washington Commanders. We got rid of Wentz, moved up 5 spots in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft from #47 to #42 by swapping 2022 second-round picks, and received a 2022 third-round pick (pick #73). If the reports are true that the Commanders have agreed to take on all of Wentz’s compensation (~$70 million), the Colts will be in salary cap heaven. On top of that, we gain a 2023 third-round pick that can become a second if Carson Wentz plays 70% of plays. Wow!!

Now with Wentz no longer on the team, our QB1 is Sam Ehlinger. That’s…uh…nasty. Sam played well in the practice squad and pre-season with quick, accurate throws, but he didn’t show he could be a starter in the NFL. Chris Ballard will definitely not let this stand, and will be looking at options. So will I. From my least favorite option to my most favorite, the below is how I think we should address the QB situation:

5. Acquire Jimmy Garoppolo

Jimmy G has been all the rage this offseason from “experts”, even before Wentz was traded away, and the fire is going to get hotter now that Wentz is on the Commanders. I don’t get it. I would honestly rather keep Wentz than give up a ham sandwich for Jimmy. Wentz has a stronger arm, is more mobile, and just as inaccurate. Hard pass, and I would be sad if we took a step back and acquired him.

4. Run with Sam Ehlinger / James Morgan

We know Jimmy G and his limitations, but the jury is still out with Sam Ehlinger. But let’s not entertain this option. Sam is mobile, but he does not have what it takes to be an NFL QB, lacking in strength and mid-deep accuracy. James Morgan is 6’4 with arm strength, but that’s all he really got going for him.

3. Sign Mitch Trubisky

Signing Mitch Trubisky last season was one of my preferred QB options last offseason. I would have liked the Colts to gamble with Mitch as he wouldn’t have commanded as big a salary as Wentz. Plus, we probably would have kept our first round pick. Oh well. I still think we should sign Mitch, as a change of scenery where he could start might be good for him and the Colts. However, I think he should just be a ‘veteran’ option and start until my number one QB option below takes over mid-season.

2. Acquire Teddy Bridgewater

I believe Teddy is the best free agent option this season, which shows how scarce the QB options are in free agency this year. He is a step above Jimmy G and Mitch, albeit a small step. He can hit the short and intermediate passes most of the time and has shown he’s a solid option. When Drew Brees went down with an injury, Bridgewater stepped in and completed 67.9 percent of his passes for 1,384 yds, 9 TDs, and just 2 INTs. Some have criticized him for playing it too safe by checking down, but with JT catching those check downs, I’m not worried.

Best Option: Draft Sam Howell from North Carolina

You might have been wondering if there was a typo in the title. Nope. I personally believe drafting Sam Howell from North Carolina in the 2022 NFL Draft is the best option for us. He would instantly be the best or most promising QB named Sam in the league (doesn’t take much to be). Maybe he’ll have Mitch to lean on and to discuss all Tar Heel things.

Sam Howell fits our team’s gameplan: utilizing the run game to set up the pass, making quick throws with the RPO, and occasionally throwing deep to keep defenses honest. Sam is an accurate passer, being able to make the short and intermediate throws accurately, and has the arm strength to throw deep and outside the numbers. He has great mobility and awareness as well and can run between the tackles. His performance at the Senior Bowl definitely helped his draft stock.

Sam’s decision making needs improvement, however, but I think that can be coached. He struggles to make the right read at times and often does not throw receivers open. I’ve seen him drop back more and more as the pass rush gets to him, so that needs to be corrected. I also haven’t seen him throw left-handed shovel passes while being sacked, so that is a major plus. Jokes aside, Sam could potentially be the future of the Colts, and I hope that’s the case. If it doesn’t work out, we can always mortgage our future in 2025 to move up and take Arch Manning.

March 9, 2022 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment