If you haven't seen the clips... he looks like he was never injured. At mini-camp, I was blown away at his movement. The quick shuffle bag drills in particular. And in the first practices at training camp now... he's rolling out, scrambling, and outrunning Latu to the boundary. It really is amazing.

I've read that this secondary is making things a real challenge. Even so, Jones and the offense was apparently super sharp in Red-Zone yesterday. 11/14 and 3TDs, I believe.

I'm really looking forward to seeing our secondary and the work they'll force Jones into should benefit the offense, too.

And that will be great....for the 12 or so odd games that he plays in give or take a couple.

And then when we lose most of the rest because we are not a good enough team to win without superior QB play and either miss the playoffs or limp into the playoffs and are 1-and-done....

Sorry, I will LOVE to have to eat crow on this but DJ is just not the guy who can bring it home for us.

I know, I know. We have no better options. I understand that and given the same situations, I would probably have done exactly what Ballard did in signing him to the two year contract but I don't think he is the guy.

I hope he proves me wrong this season....but I don't think he will.

While Jones certainly is a huge risk he isn't what worries me the most. If he doesn't get injured we should be fine, not sure about that with other positions, specifically WR and pass rush (not a position but you get my. drift). JT becomes much less effective when he is the focal point rather than one of many. We need help and help at those two positions isn't easy to find on short notice.

Statistically most of what you're saying here is true. The one part I don't agree with is

The problem I have with this is that Steichen has produced a Top 10 scoring offense in 2 of his 3 years here, and did it with QBs that no one would describe as "superior". As long as Steichen has a QB that will give his offense a semblance of consistency and sustainability (see: not 2024 Anthony Richardson), I would say the offense would perform well enough in those situations that, given an average opponent in the 5 games in the scenario you laid out, the Colts would have a good chance of winning 2-3. Ideally in that sceanrio, that would be enough to at least make the postseason and hope Jones is back.

I fully agree with you that none of this is ideal, but I don't think the downfall of this team would be a losing streak caused by a Daniel Jones high ankle sprain (or insert whatever injury here that takes ~5 weeks recovery).

Wish they had a live stream of these public practices... All reports are that Jones was dicing it up in the night practice. Saying his accuracy and placement is great. I think I read he was 21/28 with 3tds in 11-on-11.

And apparently looked like himself scrambling up the middle from a live rush. I've seen him scramble out of bounds, so this was another good sign.

Dulin had a cool highlight they posted: looked like he split Walley and Bynum for a diving TD from Jones.

o


3 Truths and 1 Lie About the Indianapolis Colts Heading Into Week 5 at the Pittsburgh Steelers

(By Neal Coolong)

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/indiana...burgh-steelers




Truth: Jonathan Taylor Is Carrying the Offense


Jonathan Taylor has 353 rushing yards and 6 of the team’s 7 rushing TD's through 4 games. He has scored twice in 3 of those games, including 20 carries for 95 yards and 2 TD's in London against the Commanders. His 4.1 YPC is modest, but no one else on the roster has more than one rushing touchdown.

He has also held up in pass protection, posting an 83.7 pass-blocking grade according to PFF ...... that matters this week ...... TJ Watt leads the Steelers with 4.5 sacks, and the Colts have allowed 8 sacks on the season.


Truth: The Passing Game Has Not Found a Gear


Daniel Jones has thrown for 754 yards in 4 games, an average of 188.5 per game, with 3 TD passes and 4 INT's. His passer rating sits at 73.9, and his season offense grade is 54.8 according to PFF. Josh Downs leads the team with just 202 receiving yards.

Sunday offers an opening. Pittsburgh ruled out cornerback Jamel Dean with an ankle injury, and Jalen Ramsey is questionable with a wrist injury. If Jones cannot move the ball through the air against a depleted secondary, it is fair to wonder when he will.


Truth: Turnovers Are the Biggest Threat to This Team


The Colts have 8 giveaways ...... 4 INT's and 4 lost fumbles. Their defense has forced only 2. Giveaways nearly cost them against Houston, when they turned it over 3 times and still escaped with a 19-17 win. They have committed at least one turnover in every game.


Pittsburgh’s defense has 8 takeaways, and Watt already has a 35-yard pick-6. The Colts will also be without linebacker Jaylon Carlies, who has the team’s only INT and is out with a ribs injury.


Lie: The Colts' Defense Can't Stop Anybody


Baltimore and Kansas City piled up a combined 1,029 yards in the first 2 games of the season, and that reputation stuck ...... Houston and Washington managed 540 yards and 30 points combined over the last 2. Opponents are converting just 29.2% of 3rd downs, 14 of 48. DeForest Buckner leads the team with 3 sacks and has 14 pressures according to PFF, while Laiatu Latu has 13.


The concern is depth up front. Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that Arden Key will miss “some time” with a hamstring injury, and Key had 11 pressures according to PFF. Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 13 times, and he will play without Michael Pittman Jr. on Sunday.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Acrisure Stadium on CBS. Watch the turnover column first ...... if the Colts keep it even, Taylor and a steadier defense give them a real chance to leave Pittsburgh with a record of 3-2.

o

Two words...red vest.