Colts 2025

[Bash Riprock]

15 minutes ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

The bigger issue at hand is Sauce Gardner. Haven't really looked, but what is the word on his injury. The defense had looked really strong with him in there. Healthy Gardner and healthy Buckner, our defense is good enough against any offense in the league in my opinion. Shane will hopefully come to his senses of running the ball 20+ times a game. Maybe just trying to keep him from taking too many hits throughout the year is the only thing I can come up with. It's now or never tho. The race is too tight now. Gotta lean on your best player more down the stretch.

Sounds like some decent news about Gardner's injury

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/onsi/news/colts-promising-update-sauce-gardner-calf-injury

 

[First_Backer_Inside]

3 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

Sounds like some decent news about Gardner's injury

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/onsi/news/colts-promising-update-sauce-gardner-calf-injury

 

If we were smart we would rest him for a couple games. If it is a calf strain, I think they have linked a lot of the achilles injuries in the NBA to players having a calf strain to start, rushing back and piling on minutes, only for their achilles to eventually go. 

[PHJIrish]

On 12/1/2025 at 11:56 AM, Bash Riprock said:

I may be in the minority, but I'd take an injured Jones over a healthy AR down the stretch.

I seriously don't think this is all on the QB.  The O line has been exposed in pass protection and receivers dropped some critical passes.  Downs drops were killers yesterday.  

You are a Jones denier, imo, with is your opinion.  I don't want Richardson back either, and I'd take a chance of throwing Riley Leonard in there before AR.  Even though Leonard had problems throwing the ball downfield at Notre Dame, at least he has some leadership qualities.  Oh, and the atrocious non calls, two of 'em on the same play, didn't help either.  Don't forget that.

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, PHJIrish said:

You are a Jones denier, imo, with is your opinion.  I don't want Richardson back either, and I'd take a chance of throwing Riley Leonard in there before AR.  Even though Leonard had problems throwing the ball downfield at Notre Dame, at least he has some leadership qualities.  Oh, and the atrocious non calls, two of 'em on the same play, didn't help either.  Don't forget that.

I am not defending Jones as a perennial all Pro, and his injury is absolutely impacting his mobility and perhaps his ability to brace, throw and follow-through....not sure.  I am only saying that the loss was not solely based on him.  Defense not getting stops especially on 3rd and long, dropped passes, missed XP and FG's, not being able to pick up blitzes, etc.  There are several areas in which execution has been lacking.  That's all I am saying.  I agree about the officiating as well, especially the phantom PI on 3rd that factored into a Texans TD.

Also not sure during a playoff chase is the time to throw in an untested QB that as you said, has challenges getting the ball downfield.  Stil don't see Leonard as a better option than Jones.  But who knows?  Maybe his day is coming....

[PHJIrish]

I'm not sure why the Colts are 1.5 point favorites today.  Jacksonville has been playing well, the Colts haven't been playing all that well and the game is at Jacksonville.  I hope the Colts can cover that spread, though.

[Irishman]

This is a team that looks like it just wants the season to end ASAP. I know guys are hurt, but damn; just no heart in them today. And they now are paying the heavy price of not shutting Jones down earlier in the season and letting him. They have the toughest schedule in the league remaining. Having Jones healthy would have been critical for the stretch run. 

[PHJIrish]

Well, the Colts didn't cover the spread.

[Sparty]

What was the freak accident in the locker room, that caused AR to break his orbital bone, as just reported on SNF?

[Muda69]

Looks like young Mr. Leonard is the only answer the Colts have at QB for the rest of this season:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2025/12/07/colts-quarterback-daniel-jones-achilles-jacksonville-ballard-steichen-richardson-leonard/87539118007/

Quote

...

What we know is this: The fastest way out of this possible hole – the only way to find a silver lining to the worst-case scenario – is for the Colts to discover they do, in fact, have a franchise quarterback on roster.

No, not Anthony Richardson. He hasn’t worked out, and he’s not going to work out. Don’t ask me why, but don’t ask me to pretend otherwise. No, not third-string QB Brett Rypien, either. Don’t even.

But what about Riley Leonard? His numbers Sunday weren’t great – 18-for-29 for 145 yards, one interception and no touchdowns – but he lost a running 21-yard completion to Alec Pierce because a lineman lined up wrong. He also had one gorgeous TD pass (to Michael Pittman Jr.) nullified by penalty, and another gorgeous TD pass overturned by replay when Pierce bobbled the catch as he fell out of bounds and landed on his face. Pierce went into the blue medical tent but wouldn't discuss the injury after the game.

Yeah. That kind of day.

 

As for Leonard, his one interception was actually caught by Pittman, but officials gave possession to Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome II, who also had his hands on it. Take away that pick, as CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said should’ve happened, and give Leonard those two touchdowns, and his numbers are great. And this was in the rain, on the road, in an emergency.

There’s something there with former Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard, something special, but who are we kidding? He was a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and a sixth-rounder isn’t supposed to become a franchise quarterback. Yes, it happened in New England with Tom Brady, but that was the best-case scenario – and in the last decade we’ve seen the best-case scenario happen at the Colts quarterback position just once.

And we’re pretty sure that guy just blew out his Achilles.

 

[First_Backer_Inside]

Shane is officially coaching for his job the last couple of weeks of the season. I'm not ready to say throw in the towel on the season just yet. I think with a week of game planning the Colts can still do some things on offense that makes them dangerous. I think this will force Shane's hand as far as leaning more on the running game. Leonard moved throughout the pocket and extended plays for the Colts when in that Jones couldn't do since the injury. The defense looks like they are continuing to fight but when they are consistently on the field without long drives by the offense, they get worn down in a hurry. Buckner should be back next week which will help with a pass rush that has been non-existent. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but the Colts have to win their last two division games. Even if they drop the other two I think that will give them a chance. Maybe this will be a Brock Purdy moment for Riley Leonard. Maybe we will fall flat on our face. The offensive line and JT are gonna get us to the playoffs if we have any chance at all. I hope Shane leans on them with the loss of Jones, and the Riley Leonard taking over the play calling. Still enough talent on this team to be a playoff team.

Edited December 8, 2025 by First_Backer_Inside

[tango]

Good Lord things went to hell quickly... I agree Steichen is coaching for his job and I would not want to be in his shoes with the schedule and rookie QB. I think we trade some of the stars for draft picks and start over with a new GM and HC - Nelson, DeBuck, Taylor...

Edited December 8, 2025 by tango

[Coach Nowlin]

NFL in a nutshell 

Everything changes week to week 

[Irishman]

47 minutes ago, Coach Nowlin said:

NFL in a nutshell 

Everything changes week to week 

I have come to agree with this…but, when it comes to losing, there is carryover. This team has lost 4 of the last 5. They go from the number 1 seed in the AFC and looking elite, to looking like complete dog shit. 

[Bash Riprock]

16 hours ago, Sparty said:

What was the freak accident in the locker room, that caused AR to break his orbital bone, as just reported on SNF?

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47192479/colts-anthony-richardson-sr-ir-not-cleared-return

Richardson sustained the injury while warming up with an elastic stretch band in the locker room before the team's Oct. 12 home game against the Arizona Cardinals. The bar to which the band was strapped broke, hitting Richardson in the face and causing his injuries.

Anthony Richardson Sr., their 2023 fourth overall draft pick, remains on injured reserve and still is not cleared for football-related activities after sustaining an orbital fracture in his face in a freak pregame incident in October, coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday.

But Richardson is closer to gaining clearance from his doctors, and the Colts have not closed the door on him returning to the lineup before the end of the season, Steichen said.

 

Richardson's vision was temporarily impaired by the injury because of swelling and the resulting surgery that was required, leaving him with some blurriness in one eye that is now clearing, a source told ESPN.

There was initially serious concern about Richardson's eye in the immediate aftermath of the injury, multiple sources have said, with Richardson rushed to the hospital by paramedics. But he ultimately avoided damage to the eye and has come a long way since those initial days.

"Any time you're dealing with an eye, you want to make sure he's got full vision in that eye," Steichen said. "He's resting it right now, and once he's cleared to go, I'll let you guys know."

[First_Backer_Inside]

Wouldn't have changed the outcome in the game, but I have a bone to pick with NFL refs. Penalties can't be reviewed and whatever happens happens there, but how do you not give the catch to Pittman towards the end of the game. Any time you have a fifty fifty ball with dual possession, the possession is rewarded to the offense. That was dual possession as dual possession gets. The ref not only called it wrong on the field, but then they don't even review to make the correct call. There should be no excuse for missing a call like that with the ability of replay. I get the game was over, but the rules of the game don't change as long as there is time on the clock. Couldn't believe that was the call. The Colts haven't needed help losing games, and it feels like they can't get a call to go their way the last couple of weeks on top of that. 

Again the Colts have their own problems, but I just don't understand the thinking behind some of the calls made by the refs these last few weeks on calls that can be reviewed.

[Irishman]

4 minutes ago, First_Backer_Inside said:

Wouldn't have changed the outcome in the game, but I have a bone to pick with NFL refs. Penalties can't be reviewed and whatever happens happens there, but how do you not give the catch to Pittman towards the end of the game. Any time you have a fifty fifty ball with dual possession, the possession is rewarded to the offense. That was dual possession as dual possession gets. The ref not only called it wrong on the field, but then they don't even review to make the correct call. There should be no excuse for missing a call like that with the ability of replay. I get the game was over, but the rules of the game don't change as long as there is time on the clock. Couldn't believe that was the call. The Colts haven't needed help losing games, and it feels like they can't get a call to go their way the last couple of weeks on top of that. 

Again the Colts have their own problems, but I just don't understand the thinking behind some of the calls made by the refs these last few weeks on calls that can be reviewed.

Just like the TD catch by the Ravens WR. Not sure how that gets ruled incomplete. 

[Bash Riprock]

ate you kidding me?  Now Leonard hurt??

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47249059/riley-leonard-knee-injury-adding-colts-qb-crisis

 

 

[Bash Riprock]

[Muda69]

You can just smell the desperation:  https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2025/12/09/colts-sign-44-year-old-qb-philip-rivers-to-practice-squad/87685992007/

Quote

For the second time in franchise history, the Colts are turning to Philip Rivers for stability at quarterback.

The situation is desperate this time.

Indianapolis is signing Rivers to the practice squad, a league source confirmed to IndyStar on Tuesday, one day after the long-time Chargers legend turned 44 and five years after he spent his final season leading the Colts to the playoffs, the franchise’s last postseason appearance.

The move is a shot in the dark.

....

 

[Coach Nowlin]

On 12/8/2025 at 10:31 AM, Irishman said:

I have come to agree with this…but, when it comes to losing, there is carryover. This team has lost 4 of the last 5. They go from the number 1 seed in the AFC and looking elite, to looking like complete dog shit. 

Good Vibes and momentum are a thing for sure 

 

I mean look at my team last year sitting pretty.... Then one guy made a selfish choice and let a hail Mary happen and lose a game.    Because of the horrible structure of leadership that was on thin ice already, the locker room splintered and all faith was lost and they go on a 9 or 10 game losing streak.......

[Bash Riprock]

 

[gonzoron]

[PHJIrish]

On 12/8/2025 at 7:15 PM, Bash Riprock said:

I guess Jeff George wasn't available!

[Irishman]

[Sparty]

Let’s go Phil.  Regardless of outcome of game, TPMS overreaction segment will be must watch lol