Originally Posted by GoBigBlue88
(Post 104135)
Good stuff! Just got home from watching today's games at a buddy's so late with mine and just attaching a few quick ones here.
1. Kenny Moore isn't just a good Cover-2 corner. He's a legit baller. I was actually talking Colts with my dad last week (catching him up; he hasn't watched them for a while with my mom's health being what it is) and told him I thought this defense had 3 legit ballers who would be fantastic players in any system: Denico Autry, Darius Leonard ... and Kenny Moore.
I'm telling you: Moore can do everything. Can stick in coverage. Challenge point of reception. Close. Read QB's eyes. Good hands. Fantastic slot blitzer. Probably best pound-for-pound tackler in the league at the position. He was my MVP today. Honestly think it's time to start calling this guy a terrific corner without the Cover-2 caveat.
2. Pierre Desir was the second best player on the field for Colts today. DeAndre Hopkins doesn't want any of Desir. Desir is patient and doesn't let Hopkins play his OPI Game all day like he does with most other corners. He uses his length well, but most importantly, is just SMART. How many times do you ever see Desir called for DPI or holding? So rarely, because he is just a fantastic technician at the position. Hopkins earned every yard against Desir ... and there weren't many.
3. The Colts still very much need a pass-rusher. I kinda wonder, too, how NFL teams will counter their double-A gap alignment over time. Eberflus shows a variety of things, but that's the constant. If you're gonna beat the Colts, it's probably going to be in taking advantage of that. I guess the solution is to run wide ... but Colts have too much speed for that. Misdirection? Hmm...
4. I thought Clayton Geathers looked a step slow today ... in other words, like a guy whose knee isn't 100 percent. I think he probably toughed out a game he'd be encouraged to sit in the regular season. Played fine. But Travis Kelce is going to be a nightmare matchup next week.
5. Almost getting boring to sing this OL's praises, but I want to single out Braden Smith in particular. In the first half of the Colts' run, I thought he was doing a solid job holding his own, which was more than good enough. Now, over the past 4 or so games ... I'm not sure if he's not becoming dominant himself, guys. Like, this kid isn't just a nice find at RT. I think he can really, really play.
6. I say it every week, but TY Hilton deserves a statue after all is said and done. What he continues to do on an IR-caliber ankle is unreal. As so many other WRs in the league have shown, he could sit or look out for himself. He gives his all for the team instead. I respect Hilton more than I can articulate. What a leader.
7. I still maintain that this WR corps, though, limits Colts' possibilities vs a KC. Love what Hilton is doing, but he's only healthy enough to turn it on 2-3 drives a game. Love what Inman is doing. Beyond that, though, as today reminded: you just cannot trust Rogers or Pascal at all.
8. Obviously best game by Marlon Mack. That double-juke run he had was a serious We Don't Need Le'Veon run. Look, I still think you add as many playmakers as you can who fit the culture of this team, and trust Ballard to do so. But Mack made a statement today. Have no doubt about it.
Part of that statement too, though, is that OL health and continuity = run success. When in doubt, favor paying and deepening your run blockers (OL+TE).
9. The Colts' coaching staff is so much better than any coaching staff in the AFC South, it's not even funny.
10. Just think about what Ballard has done...
QB - Luck was here, but traded Dorsett for Brissett, who may prove a draft pick trade asset himself
RB - Drafted Mack, Hines and Wilkins
WR - Probably his most unaddressed area, but did sign Inman (to be fair: Grant kinda cancels that out)
TE - Signed Ebron to a bargain deal, found Mo Alie-Cox
LT - Inherited Castonzo, so nothing
LG - Drafted Nelson out of trade that also netted several others
C - Inherited Kelly, so nothing
RG - Signed Glowinski, and an effective Slauson prior to
RT - Drafted Smith
DE - Inherited Sheard and Hunt, found AQM on the waiver wire, drafted Lewis and Turay
DT - Signed Autry to bargain deal, drafted Stewart
OLB - Drafted Lewis and Adams, signed at the very least vet presence Goode
MLB - Drafted Anthony Walker (assumedly envisioning eventual transition to 4-3)
CB - Signed Kenny Moorer and Pierre Desir off scrap heap, drafted Quincy Wilson
S - Inherited Clayton Geathers, drafted Malik Hooker, signed Mike Mitchell
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