First of all, I would like to thank all that showed up here today.
As the new and very happy owner of the Colts, I am very excited about where we stand as a team. The fans here in Indianapolis have only known 1 thing the past few years, and that is, the Colts can win in the regular season, but seem to come up short in the post season. Well, I am here to tell you today, that the ways of yesteryear are over and tomorrow will bring brighter days to this organization and most importantly, the great fans of Indianapolis.
First things first, to make this team better, was to bulk up the defense. To many, that is the reason why we haven't won it all yet. That's where majority of our off season deals was built around. We brought in 4 veterans at key positions to fill a gap. We needed leadership on defense, someone that's been around awhile and knows what it takes to win.
We brought in veterans Otis Smith at corner and Victor Green at SS. I wanted someone with leadership capabilities on the other side of the ball to help our current defense mature, and I believe that we have signed the right players. We also brought in another veteran in LE Tony Brackens. With Tony, I feel that the outside is covered for our Run Defense. Another vet we brought in was DT Tim Bowens. With this aquisition, the question ponders many as to what are we doing signing a guy that may have 1 or 2 years left in the league. Well, I not only wanted experience from guys that should be the last line of defense, but I wanted a veteran in our first line of defense, and that is the D-Line. We spent money to better our defense and to bring the trophy home to Indy.
Hopefully with these aquisitions, we can make it a few steps farther in post season.
On offense, I feel pretty confident that we have what it takes. Coach Dungy's and my only faults are the O-Line. Yes, we do have a good one, but there is always room for improvement. Health is not an issue as of now with anyone, not even James. He is healthy and we look to him to have a great season.
Thank you for your time, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks!
Thanks for your question Ghsstrtkl. I feel that Mike(Doss) won't progress as much as he could, not being the everyday starter. Going into the season, I wanted a leader out there, and that is something Mike can not offer us right now. I feel Mike is better than a 2nd string SS, and with time, he will be a starter on this team. With Victors age an issue, Mike is sure to get some playing time from game to game, and maybe even start some games. We have to see what is dealt to us. I hope that answered your question.
Good question, I feel both are correct answers. Although he has aged and got slower over the years, he can still do his job effectively and it also depends who we play that week.(haha, smirk) Leadership in his case, is just a plus!
how do you feel about paying brackens as much as you did, for possibly an aged player? do you feel you got one over on the rival titans, as you know they were in the hunt for brackens aswell? finally, if mannig goes down, have you got a back up plan?
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With players getting bigger and bigger contracts every year do you see the league reaching a point where the can only afford to have a good team on one side of the ball? For example the contracts of some of you star offensive players seems to limit what you can do defensivly to bring in players on that side of the ball.
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how do you feel about paying brackens as much as you did, for possibly an aged player? do you feel you got one over on the rival titans, as you know they were in the hunt for brackens aswell? finally, if mannig goes down, have you got a back up plan?
I was aware that someone was after Tony, as we were. To answer your question, a better defense does not have a price.
Back up plan? yes...think of Indy as NASA...we always have a back up plan.
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Originally Posted by Mossafied84
For running back do you still have James and Rhodes? If you do are you going to use both of them as a duo?
I am glad you asked this question. Yes, we still have James(Edge) and Dominic(Rhodes), We also brought in Tatum Bell as a threat. His speed is uncany and his 3rdB duties will only help him progress. We also have him at KR/PR. Rhodes on the other hand...we've used him about as much as we need to. We haven't gotten anywhere with him and right now, he is our 4th option behind James, Bell and Mungro.
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Originally Posted by Chaos6
With players getting bigger and bigger contracts every year do you see the league reaching a point where the can only afford to have a good team on one side of the ball? For example the contracts of some of you star offensive players seems to limit what you can do defensivly to bring in players on that side of the ball.
No. We have and have had a great offense. The defense is getting better, and we still have our top draft picks. We have great back ups at our offensive positions that will take us to our future and we have draft picks and money for our defense to take us to our future. All I see, is a super bowl celebration in Indy for many year to come!!
**Conference alert**
Edgerrin James has been traded. Yet not official, the Colts have just traded Edgerrin James to Seattle for FB Mack Strong and a 2nd round pick this year.
Owner Randy Bell's comments......
I am a true believer in young guys. You may ask, "why trade away a 5th year all pro RB for a 12 year vet at FB?" I totally have all my faith in rookie Tatum Bell, and to have a veteran like Mack, clearing holes for Bell, that will lead us to more scores. The best defense, is offense! No matter how set in stone your key players are, there is always room to improve. I personally don't think this wil set us back at all. We do lose a key player, but I think in the long run...3 to 4 years, Bell will be the all pro RB he is."
Deal just in, yet not official.....Colts have traded Marvin Harrison and a 6th round pick this year to the Jets for WR Santana Moss and a 3rd and 4th round picks this year.
Colts Owner Randy Bell explains.....
I know this may come as a shocker to some and prolly everyone here. Marvin and Edge are gone. Yet not officially, we are gearing towards the future. As previously stated, this is our year, this may still be our year, but with money we have saved, and picks that we got, next year and many more will definately be ours. We have young Tatum to carry us and Peyton passing to Moss(#1) and Wayne(our #2), with Watts in the limelight. With our early round picks, we are sure;y to upgrade on defense soon enough. And we will be young at that on defense.
It seems that Indy just purged their team and any chance they had of winning the SB this year. What do you honestly thingk? Although it's understandable why you traded both (in their contract year) I feel that losing a WR Marvin will hurt you in the end.
What do you expect to do with this picks? When do you realistically see yourself competing for a SB? Do you plan on drafting another RB to help Tatum?
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Males shouldn't be jealous that's a female trait -- Jay Z
I can understand the confusion with letting go 2 key players. It may look like on the cover that we just gave away our chances at the Super Bowl this year, but in actuality, I don't think we have. Wayne has really stepped up and is as good as almost any #1 reciever there is in the league. Moss is not 100% swap for Harrison, and prolly never will be. The thing I looked at in this trade was the fact that Moss is good, adn the picks we recieved in return. Rememeber, we still have our our 1st round pick this year, and we also have 2 2nd round picks and 2 3rd round picks and 2 4th round picks. We are going to be young and still have skill at key positions.
With the picks we have and aquired, we will look to defense first. We also are aware that our entire O-Line is in their last years of their contracts as well, so we will try to sign each of them at the end of the year. That will be prioirty number 1. We will be looking for defense in the draft. I can't tell you everything, but defense will be key, having assumed our #1's will be healthy(Tatum Bell and Santana Moss)
As far as drafting another top notch RB to help Tatum, as far as we are down in the draft, I doubt that is likely. We still have Rhodes and Mungro. Not really you're everyday goto guys, but they are guys capable of carrying the ball 5 times a game to give the young Bell a break.
Wrapping up your question and the answer. We just got 6 years younger at the #1 WR spot. If Santana can't get just as good or better then Marvin is in 6 years, then we must be doing something wrong. Also, Tatum is faster then James is, and he is 2 years younger and 4 years less experience. I think both players, given time and experience will be at the level of the players they replaced in a sooner time period. And we will have them much longer as well.
Do you really think that Tatum can progress as fast as Edge did now that your passing attack is slowed? Do you realy think Wayne can be as good as any team's #1? How far will this team go this year?
Yes, I think Tatum can develop pretty fast in this league. I have 110% confidence in him. I think Wayne can be a #1 on most teams in the league, and he is our #2. That's pretty good I think!
I would like to say, that we can win the super bowl. But, in all seriousness, I think we can play in the AFC Championship game. If we make it farther than that, it'll be more than welcome!
It's to my early understanding that the Colts have beat the Chargers, 35-28 in their 1st preseason game. I don't know the stats yet, but as soon as we get them in, I will talk about what I think. Seemed like to me that the defense didn't show up....oh yeah, I don't have a good defense..LOL!!! Hopefully it was the back ups that allowed those points. But I see our offense still has what it takes...way to go Colts!!
How important was it to start with a win in the pre-season. How are you most impressed with so far on your team and who's progression is key to your team winning?
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Quote:
Males shouldn't be jealous that's a female trait -- Jay Z
I think it is very important. Yes it is pre season and the games don't "officially" count, but to know that our back ups can come in and secure a "W" is great, even if it is against the Chargers.
I'll get back with you about who I am impressed with and who's progression is key.
ok, after glancing over the box score. I am really impressed withthe defense as a whole. moreso the starting defense, because only 7 points was scored in the first 3 quarters. It's a great thing that we can score as much as we did, cause the defense gave up 3 scores in the 4th. Not good. In limited playing time, DT Montae Reagor had the teams only sack. I think it was a great outting by everyone.
For offense, Joe Hamilton stepped in and threw well. 2 TD passes and no ints. That's great when a back up can come in and do that. I am sure he has the capability to come in during the regular season, if he has too, and do what he needs to do to be sucessful. Also, WR Brad Pyatt had a really good game. As the #4 WR, he had 5 rec, 2 for TD's.
Marvin Harrison was on the team for this game, but it will be his last as a Colt. As was Edge. My rookie I am excited about did not get the chance to play in this game, but he will soon step up and bat for us.
Key for this team...is obviously Peyton to stay healthy. This team is built around him. We need him to stay healthy for us to win.
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