Hello Texans, and welcome to the show. We've got another big one for you here tonight with Texans. You're gonna hear from including EJ. Speed former Colts. We will forgive him for that because now he's at Texan. As a matter of fact, we're gonna get Matt Taylor on the show as well tonight. He's the voice of the Indianapolis Colts. Ask him about Ejspeed, among many other things about the Dreaded Horseshoe as they embark on a campaign in which they attempt to bounce back from a really horrible season for them with Daniel Jones at quarterback. So we'll get into that with Matt and later on in the show. Texans pass rusher just joined the team this offseason, trying to make some noise in camp. And beyond it's Casey Twohill. He will visit with us as well. And you want to stay tuned to all the shows this week because we get a lot of good stuff. But more on that later. Let's get to this now before we get to EJ.

Hello Texans, and welcome to the show. We've got another big one for you here tonight with Texans. You're gonna hear from including EJ. Speed former Colts. We will forgive him for that because now he's at Texan. As a matter of fact, we're gonna get Matt Taylor on the show as well tonight. He's the voice of the Indianapolis Colts. Ask him about Ejspeed, among many other things about the Dreaded Horseshoe as they embark on a campaign in which they attempt to bounce back from a really horrible season for them with Daniel Jones at quarterback. So we'll get into that with Matt and later on in the show. Texans pass rusher just joined the team this offseason, trying to make some noise in camp. And beyond it's Casey Twohill. He will visit with us as well. And you want to stay tuned to all the shows this week because we get a lot of good stuff. But more on that later. Let's get to this now before we get to EJ.

Speed.

Speed.

Training camp dates have been announced by your Houston Texans, and as we discovered because the NFL put this out that the Texans rookies in vets report on July twenty second. So we predicted and correctly, as it turns out, that the first practice would be Wednesday, July twenty third.

Training camp dates have been announced by your Houston Texans, and as we discovered because the NFL put this out that the Texans rookies in vets report on July twenty second. So we predicted and correctly, as it turns out, that the first practice would be Wednesday, July twenty third.

We'll be out there live at the.

We'll be out there live at the.

Houston Methodist Training Center eight to ten am on Sports Radio six ten, and you know, Sean and Seth will do the six to eight hours and after that, I presume Reggie and Lopez will be on the field as well and catch up with a player Clinton Ron. Look by afternoon, why be out there, nobody's practicing. It's one hundred degrees. Go inside air conditioning. Talk about what you saw earlier that day. So Wednesday, July twenty third, put it down. That is not an open practice. I want to be very clear on this. The team will practice three consecutive days Wednesday through Friday from July twenty third, and then on Saturday is the first open practice. July twenty sixth, nine am, Houston Methodist Training Center Sunday, and Demiko Ryans always works it out like this. Sunday's a day off, family day, church day. This is the way he wants it. Other coaches didn't work out those days off to be on Sunday, but he lines it up that way on purpose, wants his guys to have that time. It's all about being a great man, being a great family man, being a better person, a better husband, a better whatever you want to be, in addition to being a better football player. He made that very transparent during his introductory press conference two years ago plus, and he lives that way, all right.

Houston Methodist Training Center eight to ten am on Sports Radio six ten, and you know, Sean and Seth will do the six to eight hours and after that, I presume Reggie and Lopez will be on the field as well and catch up with a player Clinton Ron. Look by afternoon, why be out there, nobody's practicing. It's one hundred degrees. Go inside air conditioning. Talk about what you saw earlier that day. So Wednesday, July twenty third, put it down. That is not an open practice. I want to be very clear on this. The team will practice three consecutive days Wednesday through Friday from July twenty third, and then on Saturday is the first open practice. July twenty sixth, nine am, Houston Methodist Training Center Sunday, and Demiko Ryans always works it out like this. Sunday's a day off, family day, church day. This is the way he wants it. Other coaches didn't work out those days off to be on Sunday, but he lines it up that way on purpose, wants his guys to have that time. It's all about being a great man, being a great family man, being a better person, a better husband, a better whatever you want to be, in addition to being a better football player. He made that very transparent during his introductory press conference two years ago plus, and he lives that way, all right.

So then you have three more practices.

So then you have three more practices.

I'm gonna make this as radio friendly as pert as possible. This training camp schedule layout here, But after that first day off on Sunday, July twenty seventh, you get three more practices consecutively and then a day off Thursday.

I'm gonna make this as radio friendly as pert as possible. This training camp schedule layout here, But after that first day off on Sunday, July twenty seventh, you get three more practices consecutively and then a day off Thursday.

We'll still be on the air that.

We'll still be on the air that.

Day, giving you Texans Training Camp Live a couple of more.

Day, giving you Texans Training Camp Live a couple of more.

Saturday will be another one.

Saturday will be another one.

But guess what after that Saturday practice and by the way, open practices July twenty sixth twenty eight, twenty nine, thirtieth, and August first and August second that Saturday, then the team gets on a plane and goes to wait for it, the Greenbrier. For the third time in franchise history. The Texans are going to the Greenbrier. They were there in twenty seventeen, twenty eighteen. You heard all about it right here and a lot of other places. But we're going back to train at the Green Brier. Now it's a shorter trip than the first two. It's only what six seven days. It's from Saturday, August second. They won't practice that day through the following Friday when they will leave to head to Minnesota for preseason Game one against the Vikings. That's a three o'clock start August ninth. So they will practice at the Greenbrier. Let's see four scheduled practices. They'll be there for five six seven days? Is it seven? Yeah, it's Saturday through Friday, but it's not really a full seven days. It's travel day on that Saturday and then the following Friday as they head to Minnesota. So at the Greenbrier four practices. I don't know if they're open or not. Last time you could get access if you happen to make the trip. Thing about the Greenbrier is it's beautiful. It's a great place. You can't get there from here or anywhere. The team obviously has their own charter, but if you go to the Greenbrier, either flying into Charleston, West Virginia, which is still an hour and a half away. You're flying into Charlotte or something like that and taking a puddle jump to Louisbourg, West Virginia, which is ten fifteen minutes away, and that puddle jump is easier said than done. Those airlines come and go that do that puddle jump. It's only about three and a half from Washington, DC or from Charlotte, so whichever way you want to attack it. But we can get into that later. I'm not even sure if these practices are open, but it is a beautiful place to be, all right.

But guess what after that Saturday practice and by the way, open practices July twenty sixth twenty eight, twenty nine, thirtieth, and August first and August second that Saturday, then the team gets on a plane and goes to wait for it, the Greenbrier. For the third time in franchise history. The Texans are going to the Greenbrier. They were there in twenty seventeen, twenty eighteen. You heard all about it right here and a lot of other places. But we're going back to train at the Green Brier. Now it's a shorter trip than the first two. It's only what six seven days. It's from Saturday, August second. They won't practice that day through the following Friday when they will leave to head to Minnesota for preseason Game one against the Vikings. That's a three o'clock start August ninth. So they will practice at the Greenbrier. Let's see four scheduled practices. They'll be there for five six seven days? Is it seven? Yeah, it's Saturday through Friday, but it's not really a full seven days. It's travel day on that Saturday and then the following Friday as they head to Minnesota. So at the Greenbrier four practices. I don't know if they're open or not. Last time you could get access if you happen to make the trip. Thing about the Greenbrier is it's beautiful. It's a great place. You can't get there from here or anywhere. The team obviously has their own charter, but if you go to the Greenbrier, either flying into Charleston, West Virginia, which is still an hour and a half away. You're flying into Charlotte or something like that and taking a puddle jump to Louisbourg, West Virginia, which is ten fifteen minutes away, and that puddle jump is easier said than done. Those airlines come and go that do that puddle jump. It's only about three and a half from Washington, DC or from Charlotte, so whichever way you want to attack it. But we can get into that later. I'm not even sure if these practices are open, but it is a beautiful place to be, all right.

Minnesota will be your first preseason game.

Minnesota will be your first preseason game.

Then they return home at the Houston Methodist Training Center Monday, August eleventh.

Then they return home at the Houston Methodist Training Center Monday, August eleventh.

That is not an open practice.

That is not an open practice.

They'll do three in a row and then have another open practice August fourteenth. This is special because it's a joint deal with the Carolina Panthers under the hot, humid sun at the Houston Methodist Training Center. Panthers game is that Saturday. Let's see when's the open practice. There is none. That's the last one. August fourteenth. That's gonna be it for the open practices because after the Carolina game, they'll have a day off.

They'll do three in a row and then have another open practice August fourteenth. This is special because it's a joint deal with the Carolina Panthers under the hot, humid sun at the Houston Methodist Training Center. Panthers game is that Saturday. Let's see when's the open practice. There is none. That's the last one. August fourteenth. That's gonna be it for the open practices because after the Carolina game, they'll have a day off.

That Sunday, that's a Saturday game.

That Sunday, that's a Saturday game.

Monday, they'll do some practicing, not open, and then they'll have a day off and then a travel day as they will head to Detroit and practice against the Lions.

Monday, they'll do some practicing, not open, and then they'll have a day off and then a travel day as they will head to Detroit and practice against the Lions.

Just one day.

Just one day.

I think Demico Ryans is doing this thing right. One joint practice day per team. Don't do two. Don't get into all the fights, don't let that stuff boil over. I mean, he was part of one against the Saints back in the day. He can tell you all about that. Do I dare ask him about that during a future show?

I think Demico Ryans is doing this thing right. One joint practice day per team. Don't do two. Don't get into all the fights, don't let that stuff boil over. I mean, he was part of one against the Saints back in the day. He can tell you all about that. Do I dare ask him about that during a future show?

Maybe?

Maybe?

But they'll practice against the Lions August twenty first, and play the preseason finale at Detroit August twenty third. Following week media will be able to cover some practices, but you get the gist of it. The following weekend will be Labor Day. They'll make the cuts and get ready for the twenty twenty five regular season. But that's your training camp schedule laid out radio wise?

But they'll practice against the Lions August twenty first, and play the preseason finale at Detroit August twenty third. Following week media will be able to cover some practices, but you get the gist of it. The following weekend will be Labor Day. They'll make the cuts and get ready for the twenty twenty five regular season. But that's your training camp schedule laid out radio wise?

Did I do that? Okay?

Did I do that? Okay?

Is that kind of digestible in a radio format as you're driving home or wherever you are driving to Wednesday, July twenty thirty kicks off first open practice Saturday, July twenty sixth. Don't ask me for tickets. There we go. That's your training camp schedule. And this is a new linebacker for the Houston Texans. We were talking to Jonathan Alexander about him yesterday. How will he fit in if everybody's fully healthy. They're really loaded at linebacker. I mean it goes on and on when you look at Christian Harris and Henry to a Tow and Aziz al Shire and Jake Hansen, and I'm not even getting to everybody. Nick Neeman Neville Hewitt is not on the team currently, You never know. I think he's still out there as a free agent.

Is that kind of digestible in a radio format as you're driving home or wherever you are driving to Wednesday, July twenty thirty kicks off first open practice Saturday, July twenty sixth. Don't ask me for tickets. There we go. That's your training camp schedule. And this is a new linebacker for the Houston Texans. We were talking to Jonathan Alexander about him yesterday. How will he fit in if everybody's fully healthy. They're really loaded at linebacker. I mean it goes on and on when you look at Christian Harris and Henry to a Tow and Aziz al Shire and Jake Hansen, and I'm not even getting to everybody. Nick Neeman Neville Hewitt is not on the team currently, You never know. I think he's still out there as a free agent.

But EJ.

But EJ.

Speed, outstanding tackler for the Colts, joins the Houston Texans. Johnny and I visited with him here in the Hunday Texans radio studio. Joining us right now, Houston Texans linebacker EJ.

Speed, outstanding tackler for the Colts, joins the Houston Texans. Johnny and I visited with him here in the Hunday Texans radio studio. Joining us right now, Houston Texans linebacker EJ.

Speed.

Speed.

I say, Houston Texans linebacker, not Colts linebacker.

I say, Houston Texans linebacker, not Colts linebacker.

Texans linebacker. Say what you chess want?

Texans linebacker. Say what you chess want?

He said it twice.

He said it twice.

Yeah, there we go. How's it going to he jays? It's good. How y'all doing doing great? All right?

Yeah, there we go. How's it going to he jays? It's good. How y'all doing doing great? All right?

So I just have a hard time with the horseshoe because you know, they've been the nemesis of the Texans for so long. I know it's going better for the Texans lately, but I was so glad that you know, you've come over from the dark side and are now a Houston Texans.

So I just have a hard time with the horseshoe because you know, they've been the nemesis of the Texans for so long. I know it's going better for the Texans lately, but I was so glad that you know, you've come over from the dark side and are now a Houston Texans.

So welcome, thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm glad to be here.

So welcome, thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm glad to be here.

Yeah, they glad to be here. Wonderful to have you here.

Yeah, they glad to be here. Wonderful to have you here.

And what is it like playing for a head coach who was a linebacker at a high level?

And what is it like playing for a head coach who was a linebacker at a high level?

Is that any different? Is it a mental thing?

Is that any different? Is it a mental thing?

I think it's an actual thing too, because he does like to talk to you guys.

I think it's an actual thing too, because he does like to talk to you guys.

A lot of stuff that he says just makes a lot of sense, just because he's been in a situation. You feel what I'm saying. He knows the full work he's played in certain situations, going down in distance and all that type stuff. So it's a little interesting things that like he can just say to you that's like, you know what, that does make sense and it's actually applying on the field in certain situations, you know what I mean, Like a lot of stuff that some people just can't relate to.

A lot of stuff that he says just makes a lot of sense, just because he's been in a situation. You feel what I'm saying. He knows the full work he's played in certain situations, going down in distance and all that type stuff. So it's a little interesting things that like he can just say to you that's like, you know what, that does make sense and it's actually applying on the field in certain situations, you know what I mean, Like a lot of stuff that some people just can't relate to.

So I'm i ask you a question. It might be a little loaded question, but I'll just ask anyways. I know you went to Tarleton, I know you're from Texas. Why pick Houston?

So I'm i ask you a question. It might be a little loaded question, but I'll just ask anyways. I know you went to Tarleton, I know you're from Texas. Why pick Houston?

I like what was going on over here, the great draft pick and CJ. Stroud. Of course, a lot of guys, younger guys who came into the league and you know, probably wasn't expected to be who they are today is doing that here in Houston. So that just shows that it's a place where a lot of people is growing. Wins, wins in the win column obviously speak for themselves. Been to the playoffs, you know, it's a team that's familiar with the playoffs, Uh, and just getting in and just you know, finding my role within that situation where I can help and get to the end go, which is a Super Bowl.

I like what was going on over here, the great draft pick and CJ. Stroud. Of course, a lot of guys, younger guys who came into the league and you know, probably wasn't expected to be who they are today is doing that here in Houston. So that just shows that it's a place where a lot of people is growing. Wins, wins in the win column obviously speak for themselves. Been to the playoffs, you know, it's a team that's familiar with the playoffs, Uh, and just getting in and just you know, finding my role within that situation where I can help and get to the end go, which is a Super Bowl.

Ye. What are you seeing out of this offense? TJ?

Ye. What are you seeing out of this offense? TJ?

Because it's a new offensive coordinator and Nick Kelly and you faced the Texans offense recently, but this is a new version of it so far.

Because it's a new offensive coordinator and Nick Kelly and you faced the Texans offense recently, but this is a new version of it so far.

I know it's still early.

I know it's still early.

Yeah, I mean a little different things that I didn't seen in practice based on what I was playing them during the season. Is they understand situation and know where they're going. Uh, They've been throwing a lot of counters, a lot of stuff that getting into different formations and getting into forms and trusting what they what they run out of those formations and stuff like that. Don't want to give up too much, but just you know, they just they steady us. I can see the confidence even though CJ hasn't you know, been able to participate. Uh Mills has gotten married and he's been, you know, doing his thing, and everything just seemed more fluent EJ.

Yeah, I mean a little different things that I didn't seen in practice based on what I was playing them during the season. Is they understand situation and know where they're going. Uh, They've been throwing a lot of counters, a lot of stuff that getting into different formations and getting into forms and trusting what they what they run out of those formations and stuff like that. Don't want to give up too much, but just you know, they just they steady us. I can see the confidence even though CJ hasn't you know, been able to participate. Uh Mills has gotten married and he's been, you know, doing his thing, and everything just seemed more fluent EJ.

When you were the Colts, I think you were. You were a Day three draft pick. I remember when Ballad drafted you, and I remember him saying before the draft, I'm gonna draft the best linebacker in the state of Texas, and it was like he drafted the j speed. We're like, okay, but you honestly, you came, You got to the league, and you you went worked for everything you had because you started off you weren't starter, but you were killed on special teams. You got a little bit of time, you start to kill with that, you got a little bit more time.

When you were the Colts, I think you were. You were a Day three draft pick. I remember when Ballad drafted you, and I remember him saying before the draft, I'm gonna draft the best linebacker in the state of Texas, and it was like he drafted the j speed. We're like, okay, but you honestly, you came, You got to the league, and you you went worked for everything you had because you started off you weren't starter, but you were killed on special teams. You got a little bit of time, you start to kill with that, you got a little bit more time.

Then you become a starter. To fix youre in the defense, You've.

Then you become a starter. To fix youre in the defense, You've.

Kind of run the gamut. A nothing was handed to you. How has that changed you in a sense as an NFL player coming to Houston that hey, nothing's nothing's ever handed. You've had to go work for everything that that you've got. Is that Is that a good way to kind of look at your career and be what have you kind of learned?

Kind of run the gamut. A nothing was handed to you. How has that changed you in a sense as an NFL player coming to Houston that hey, nothing's nothing's ever handed. You've had to go work for everything that that you've got. Is that Is that a good way to kind of look at your career and be what have you kind of learned?

And having had to do that? Of course it is. You know, when I first came in, I was behind Darius Leonard, who was a star linebacker in this league, had Hall of Fame stats at the beginning of his career, so it was a great guy to sit behind and learn. I never accepted the fact that I wasn't starting, So even though that it was a guy that was that had those Hall of Fame stats and everything in front of me, always thought every time I got up in the morning and still do in any situation, that I was the best and I can come in and, if not play alongside, be able to replace him at some point in my career. And at that point, at that point in my year four, in my year four and five, I started to notice those things that I now, it'sked my time to actually become and be a starter special teams. Anytime I stepped on the field, i'mna give him all so special teams is an effort, grit, you know what I mean, a little savvy into it and everything like that. But once you get on that eleven on defense, it's not to start using your brain and you know what I mean, it's just it's more interesting. It's like it's more pinpoint and things that you have to do. So that's something that I went into it with and I had help along the way. I can't say that I did it myself. I helped along the way. The Coast organization was great within that and you know, Namri with the Texans just want to further my career and cap ej.

And having had to do that? Of course it is. You know, when I first came in, I was behind Darius Leonard, who was a star linebacker in this league, had Hall of Fame stats at the beginning of his career, so it was a great guy to sit behind and learn. I never accepted the fact that I wasn't starting, So even though that it was a guy that was that had those Hall of Fame stats and everything in front of me, always thought every time I got up in the morning and still do in any situation, that I was the best and I can come in and, if not play alongside, be able to replace him at some point in my career. And at that point, at that point in my year four, in my year four and five, I started to notice those things that I now, it'sked my time to actually become and be a starter special teams. Anytime I stepped on the field, i'mna give him all so special teams is an effort, grit, you know what I mean, a little savvy into it and everything like that. But once you get on that eleven on defense, it's not to start using your brain and you know what I mean, it's just it's more interesting. It's like it's more pinpoint and things that you have to do. So that's something that I went into it with and I had help along the way. I can't say that I did it myself. I helped along the way. The Coast organization was great within that and you know, Namri with the Texans just want to further my career and cap ej.

If you ask Texans fans who's the biggest rival in the AFC South, You're gonna get different answers. Some say the Titans, some say the Colts, and not too many would say the Jacks. But some might because the Texans have had some success against the Jacks. But who's the Colts' biggest rival?

If you ask Texans fans who's the biggest rival in the AFC South, You're gonna get different answers. Some say the Titans, some say the Colts, and not too many would say the Jacks. But some might because the Texans have had some success against the Jacks. But who's the Colts' biggest rival?

Like? How how do they see it?

Like? How how do they see it?

Quite honestly, when we was there, it was just different. It was different tasks within the division, like us not winning at home against Jacksonville at their house. Yeah, yeah, not being Jacksonville at home, not winning our season opener or whatever like that. It was so much stuff within that, you know, having to see the Texan knowing that Texans will be one of the last games to get into the playoffs. It was was like just like interesting like things that just kept popping up for us, and so we didn't really have time to to one team, think about what team one team that was a rival. When when was the last time anyone in our division been to the Super Bowl? That was within you know what I mean. So it was was bigger than that because everybody, Yeah, because everybody been looking at you know, trying to get to the super Bowl, trying to get to the Big dam. So like we knew that you had to come out of this division with those situational wins that you needed. Then after that it was just so much more on the plate to get to DJ.

Quite honestly, when we was there, it was just different. It was different tasks within the division, like us not winning at home against Jacksonville at their house. Yeah, yeah, not being Jacksonville at home, not winning our season opener or whatever like that. It was so much stuff within that, you know, having to see the Texan knowing that Texans will be one of the last games to get into the playoffs. It was was like just like interesting like things that just kept popping up for us, and so we didn't really have time to to one team, think about what team one team that was a rival. When when was the last time anyone in our division been to the Super Bowl? That was within you know what I mean. So it was was bigger than that because everybody, Yeah, because everybody been looking at you know, trying to get to the super Bowl, trying to get to the Big dam. So like we knew that you had to come out of this division with those situational wins that you needed. Then after that it was just so much more on the plate to get to DJ.

You've seen some things having played for the Coats, the number of games and snaps that you've had. You walk into this linebacker room. There's some guys in that linebacker room that have seen some things as well, but there are also some young dudes there you can impart with impart your words to them. What's that linebacker room like, now with you know, Henry and Christian z'son there, you're added to the mix.

You've seen some things having played for the Coats, the number of games and snaps that you've had. You walk into this linebacker room. There's some guys in that linebacker room that have seen some things as well, but there are also some young dudes there you can impart with impart your words to them. What's that linebacker room like, now with you know, Henry and Christian z'son there, you're added to the mix.

What's that linebacker room.

What's that linebacker room.

Like, Uh, it's full.

Like, Uh, it's full.

It's full.

It's full.

Full of guys who got a lot of career you know, left in them, a lot of guys who's very confident, a lot of guys who have made plays in this league, a lot of guys who who's who's in front of their career to where they're trying to take the next step. What I would say the linebacker corps on a football team, it's kind of like the warriors of a football team. It's so many different places that you can pinpoint linebackers in on third down, blitzing, first and second down linebackers. You got special teams that has to play a sport part for you to say that you're a great linebacking corps and they have done a good job up into the up until this point or whatever like that. I know everybody is trying to further their career and do the next steps. But as my challenge to the linebacker corps is to jail and just know that we we have to run so much stuff upon upon this team for us to take the next step. That you know what I mean, that we can all just lean on each other and go get that job.

Full of guys who got a lot of career you know, left in them, a lot of guys who's very confident, a lot of guys who have made plays in this league, a lot of guys who who's who's in front of their career to where they're trying to take the next step. What I would say the linebacker corps on a football team, it's kind of like the warriors of a football team. It's so many different places that you can pinpoint linebackers in on third down, blitzing, first and second down linebackers. You got special teams that has to play a sport part for you to say that you're a great linebacking corps and they have done a good job up into the up until this point or whatever like that. I know everybody is trying to further their career and do the next steps. But as my challenge to the linebacker corps is to jail and just know that we we have to run so much stuff upon upon this team for us to take the next step. That you know what I mean, that we can all just lean on each other and go get that job.

None all right, prior to miny camp big break? Do you come back to Texas? You're from Fort Worth?

None all right, prior to miny camp big break? Do you come back to Texas? You're from Fort Worth?

Do you do that?

Do you do that?

What do you do to spend the time and keep fresh workout wise, but get some rest at the same time.

What do you do to spend the time and keep fresh workout wise, but get some rest at the same time.

The same thing I've always done, you link with my trainers. I trained up and collective in Austin, down in Florida with TA Golfies. So I just do those things. I mean, most of the downtime has already done. At this point, it's time to you ready for the season. Season is always say that the breakout of OTA's is a scam because it's really not a break, okay. And if you take it as a break, if you take it as a break and take your put off the Federal a little bit, you kind of like come in step behind.

The same thing I've always done, you link with my trainers. I trained up and collective in Austin, down in Florida with TA Golfies. So I just do those things. I mean, most of the downtime has already done. At this point, it's time to you ready for the season. Season is always say that the breakout of OTA's is a scam because it's really not a break, okay. And if you take it as a break, if you take it as a break and take your put off the Federal a little bit, you kind of like come in step behind.

So would you rather have it closer? Now this is not for the Union or anything.

So would you rather have it closer? Now this is not for the Union or anything.

Would you rather have it closer? Maybe like three weeks off instead of six?

Would you rather have it closer? Maybe like three weeks off instead of six?

And I would say, I would say the stripes and everything that I've done at ot As, I would love to take that directly into the season. And play ball, because now that you go put it down for six weeks, I have a many weeks it is, you gotta basically revamp again. So it's like if I'm a vamp, let's vamp and just go straight into the season.

And I would say, I would say the stripes and everything that I've done at ot As, I would love to take that directly into the season. And play ball, because now that you go put it down for six weeks, I have a many weeks it is, you gotta basically revamp again. So it's like if I'm a vamp, let's vamp and just go straight into the season.

But right, you know, I think we're onto something here.

But right, you know, I think we're onto something here.

But it's whatever they want to do. I know, yeah, I know who cut my scheet. So whatever I want to do, they go ahead and do it.

But it's whatever they want to do. I know, yeah, I know who cut my scheet. So whatever I want to do, they go ahead and do it.

Thanks a lot, welcome, We appreciate it, appreciate that was fun. It was fun, And isn't it interesting to have fun with a cult?

Thanks a lot, welcome, We appreciate it, appreciate that was fun. It was fun, And isn't it interesting to have fun with a cult?

Okay, former cults. He's a Texan, EJ. You're a Texan. This one is going to take a while to get used to though. He was such a prominent member of the Indianapolis Cults. Now a Houston Texans linebacker. Okay, let's talk to the voice of the Colts next. As we dive deep into AFC South foes like the Colts the Horseshoe. I don't have to get into all this again. How I hate the Colts in a healthy football way. I like Matt Taylor. He's the voice of the Cults. We're gonna check in with him next. Here on Texans Radio. All right, we are back here in the hun day Texans Radio studio we never left. And joining us right now Matt Taylor, voice of the Indianapolis Colts. And I've known Matt ever since he took over the job, and he's a great dude, great dude.

Okay, former cults. He's a Texan, EJ. You're a Texan. This one is going to take a while to get used to though. He was such a prominent member of the Indianapolis Cults. Now a Houston Texans linebacker. Okay, let's talk to the voice of the Colts next. As we dive deep into AFC South foes like the Colts the Horseshoe. I don't have to get into all this again. How I hate the Colts in a healthy football way. I like Matt Taylor. He's the voice of the Cults. We're gonna check in with him next. Here on Texans Radio. All right, we are back here in the hun day Texans Radio studio we never left. And joining us right now Matt Taylor, voice of the Indianapolis Colts. And I've known Matt ever since he took over the job, and he's a great dude, great dude.

So many great people work for that franchise.

So many great people work for that franchise.

But you know how I feel about the Horseshoe, right, we all know, we all know the Texans were torture for years by the Indianapolis Colts. I know it's gotten so much better lately, Demigo, Ryans is three to one against Indy. What a hot start, obviously the best start in the history of the franchise for any head coach against that dreaded team, that foe, that Texans nemesis.

But you know how I feel about the Horseshoe, right, we all know, we all know the Texans were torture for years by the Indianapolis Colts. I know it's gotten so much better lately, Demigo, Ryans is three to one against Indy. What a hot start, obviously the best start in the history of the franchise for any head coach against that dreaded team, that foe, that Texans nemesis.

Yeah, much better lately.

Yeah, much better lately.

But I don't forget, and I don't forgive all the years of torment with Peyton Manning and sometimes Andrew Luck and the Colts winning a playoff game here. But we do have to talk about them because they are in the division and they are gonna be tougher than you think. Maybe let's find out from the play by plan announcer himself, Matt Taylor Matt. Great to catch up. Happy summer. Let me start here. You left mini camp with what feeling about the Colts. I know we're gonna feel differently maybe after watching our teams in training camp, but what feeling did you leave mini camp with?

But I don't forget, and I don't forgive all the years of torment with Peyton Manning and sometimes Andrew Luck and the Colts winning a playoff game here. But we do have to talk about them because they are in the division and they are gonna be tougher than you think. Maybe let's find out from the play by plan announcer himself, Matt Taylor Matt. Great to catch up. Happy summer. Let me start here. You left mini camp with what feeling about the Colts. I know we're gonna feel differently maybe after watching our teams in training camp, but what feeling did you leave mini camp with?

You know, I left with, you know, a big spirit of optimism surrounding this team, just because you know, they've been so close. We've talked about that before in the past. You know, they've missed the playoffs four straight years, but in three of those years they've won at least eight games, which is sort of you know, NFL purgatory or right in the middle or that gray area, whatever you want to call it. And you know, a large part of that or a big reason that that's been the case, is just because of inconsistencies that quarterback And obviously that's the biggest you know part of this offseason for the Colts is trying to find stability and consistency at that quarterback position. So it's a big battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. But towards the end of the spring workout period, the OTA sessions and Mini camp, obviously you know Anthony Richardson had a little bit of a right shoulder flare up again. I think technically it was a reaggravation of that right shoulder, the AC joint that he had repaired surgically a couple of years ago as a rookie after five games to start his his NFL career. But Daniel Jones took most of the reps, in fact, he took all of the first team reps in those six or seven practices at the end of the spring period, and he looked really sharp. He looked really good, And the best way to describe it is just that he didn't look like a guy that had only been there since March. Really professional, you know, first guy in, last guy out, type of thing that that's always been associated with Daniel Jones's work ethic, and you know, has the leadership about him. Guys gravitated to him. And then when he's on the field, he put it all together and eleven on eleven sessions and seven on seven work, knew where to go with the football. And the most surprising thing to me as far as Daniel Jones is concerned, is that, yeah, he's got the completion percentage right, He's going to make the throws that most NFL quarterbacks can make, but there was a lot more pushing the ball down the field and getting those chunk plays in the spring against the Colt defense that I was really anticipating that really hasn't been you know, what he was known for. Doesn't mean he can't do it, but he was doing it on a consistent basis here in the spring for the Colts. So, you know, offensively, I thought they looked really sharp. I thought they looked really crisp. Situational football was good against the Colts defense. And then if you want to talk about the other side of the ball defensively, new scheme Duke defensive coordinator lou Ana Rumo comes in. One of the better, you know, situational game planners the NFL seen the last four or five years, had a lot of success in Cincinnati, taken them to the playoffs and a couple of AFC Championship games in a Super Bowl appearance. So there's a lot of newness. There's a lot of interesting storylines with this team, and I just think it's going to be really fascinating to see how they can kind of put it all together. And then obviously front and center is going to be who wins that quarterback job and how well they can orchestrate this offense and build consistency on the offense the side of the ball, because that was the biggest thing they missed last year. You know, they missed the playoffs. And this is the hill I'm going to die on. But if it had they had more consistent quarterback plays. Not all about the quarterback certainly, but had they had more consistent quarterback play a year ago, the Colts were probably a playoff team. They just didn't get it. They need to get that from somebody, Richardson or Daniel Jones. In twenty twenty five.

You know, I left with, you know, a big spirit of optimism surrounding this team, just because you know, they've been so close. We've talked about that before in the past. You know, they've missed the playoffs four straight years, but in three of those years they've won at least eight games, which is sort of you know, NFL purgatory or right in the middle or that gray area, whatever you want to call it. And you know, a large part of that or a big reason that that's been the case, is just because of inconsistencies that quarterback And obviously that's the biggest you know part of this offseason for the Colts is trying to find stability and consistency at that quarterback position. So it's a big battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. But towards the end of the spring workout period, the OTA sessions and Mini camp, obviously you know Anthony Richardson had a little bit of a right shoulder flare up again. I think technically it was a reaggravation of that right shoulder, the AC joint that he had repaired surgically a couple of years ago as a rookie after five games to start his his NFL career. But Daniel Jones took most of the reps, in fact, he took all of the first team reps in those six or seven practices at the end of the spring period, and he looked really sharp. He looked really good, And the best way to describe it is just that he didn't look like a guy that had only been there since March. Really professional, you know, first guy in, last guy out, type of thing that that's always been associated with Daniel Jones's work ethic, and you know, has the leadership about him. Guys gravitated to him. And then when he's on the field, he put it all together and eleven on eleven sessions and seven on seven work, knew where to go with the football. And the most surprising thing to me as far as Daniel Jones is concerned, is that, yeah, he's got the completion percentage right, He's going to make the throws that most NFL quarterbacks can make, but there was a lot more pushing the ball down the field and getting those chunk plays in the spring against the Colt defense that I was really anticipating that really hasn't been you know, what he was known for. Doesn't mean he can't do it, but he was doing it on a consistent basis here in the spring for the Colts. So, you know, offensively, I thought they looked really sharp. I thought they looked really crisp. Situational football was good against the Colts defense. And then if you want to talk about the other side of the ball defensively, new scheme Duke defensive coordinator lou Ana Rumo comes in. One of the better, you know, situational game planners the NFL seen the last four or five years, had a lot of success in Cincinnati, taken them to the playoffs and a couple of AFC Championship games in a Super Bowl appearance. So there's a lot of newness. There's a lot of interesting storylines with this team, and I just think it's going to be really fascinating to see how they can kind of put it all together. And then obviously front and center is going to be who wins that quarterback job and how well they can orchestrate this offense and build consistency on the offense the side of the ball, because that was the biggest thing they missed last year. You know, they missed the playoffs. And this is the hill I'm going to die on. But if it had they had more consistent quarterback plays. Not all about the quarterback certainly, but had they had more consistent quarterback play a year ago, the Colts were probably a playoff team. They just didn't get it. They need to get that from somebody, Richardson or Daniel Jones. In twenty twenty five.

Well the year before they had Gardner Minshew and almost made it a player too. They would have been in and the universe changes with that, Matt Taylor voice of the Colts joining us. So I still have nightmares about Dallas Clark and then after he left there was always a tight end or two that would give me a hard time with Indianapolis as the voice of the Texans here, Jack Doyle, et cetera. And now you have Tyler Warren coming in from Penn State, drafted him. How did he look and what are your expectations? It's a lot to put on a rookie to say he's he's the next Dallas Clark. But he sure looks like he could be.

Well the year before they had Gardner Minshew and almost made it a player too. They would have been in and the universe changes with that, Matt Taylor voice of the Colts joining us. So I still have nightmares about Dallas Clark and then after he left there was always a tight end or two that would give me a hard time with Indianapolis as the voice of the Texans here, Jack Doyle, et cetera. And now you have Tyler Warren coming in from Penn State, drafted him. How did he look and what are your expectations? It's a lot to put on a rookie to say he's he's the next Dallas Clark. But he sure looks like he could be.

Yeah, he really looks sharp, you know. He kind of the universe just sort of funneled Tyler Warren to the Colts and the draft seemingly the way the board went, the way the draft unfolded, the Colts need at that position, everything just kind of kept going to Tyler Warren falling to the Colts, and that's what happened with the fourteenth overall selection. And you know, to your point, you know, Dallas Clark is, you know, it's a wonderful player. He's in the Colts Ring of Honor, one of the best players in the history of the franchise. But in recent years, the Colts just haven't gotten enough production from their tight ends. You know, last year they only had thirty nine catches collectively from that group, less than five hundred yards receiving collectively from that group. You know, those were some of the poorest numbers that the tight end group has put up for the Colts since like the mid nineties, and so there's no question they got to get better there. Tyler Warren coming in gives this offense a lot of flexibility and a lot of creativity because you know, you saw his highlights, you saw him play at Penn State last year. They lined him up in seemingly every spot on offense. You know, there was that famous game against usc where they lined him up at center and then they had the double pass back to a backup quarterback and then Warren goes out for a pass and catches the ball over two linebackers in the end zone. I mean, the guy's just amazing. So to put it in perspective, he had over one hundred catches last year himself, whereas the Colts tight ends last year combined again had less than forty. So it's been really fun to watch him evolve in this offense in the spring. You know, they're being creative on how to get get into football in a variety of ways, getting the ball in space. He's got speed, he's got force. He can run by you, he can run over you. So I do understand the Dallas Clark compare. Plus he's just throwing that long flowing hair that he has coming out of the you know the back of his helmet. He just looks like a dude that could play in twenty twenty five or he can play in nineteen seventy five, because he's just kind of an old school guy, so it's going to be fun to see, you know, how involved he is. But there's no question he's going to be the top tight end threats on this team now going forward. But in terms of expectations, you know, we kind of did our research. If you go back twenty five years, the last twenty five drafts, there's only been six or seven first round drafted tight ends that have eclipsed over five hundred receiving yards. So, you know, I think that's going to be sort of on the low end of what I expect from Tyler Warren. But I think he's going to be really, really productive for this team as a rookie. And again, I think a lot of that depends on who his quarterback is. If it's Daniel Jones, then I think he's going to be really in this offense because Jones is going to hit the intermediate part of the passing game, which is where the Colts have struggled. If it's Anthony Richardson, I don't know, just because we haven't seen him consistently do that, you know, hit the middle part of the field where Titans, you know, seem to kind of thrive and make their hay. So I think there's a lot of question marks as it relates to Warren's productivity and usage, but there is I do think it's safe to say that he's going to be a big focal part part of this offense going forward because of where he's drafted. You know how good I think he can be and how creative the Colts can be lining him up in different parts of this offense, including the offensive backfield where he can run the ball and he can pass the ball too out of the wildcat spot.

Yeah, he really looks sharp, you know. He kind of the universe just sort of funneled Tyler Warren to the Colts and the draft seemingly the way the board went, the way the draft unfolded, the Colts need at that position, everything just kind of kept going to Tyler Warren falling to the Colts, and that's what happened with the fourteenth overall selection. And you know, to your point, you know, Dallas Clark is, you know, it's a wonderful player. He's in the Colts Ring of Honor, one of the best players in the history of the franchise. But in recent years, the Colts just haven't gotten enough production from their tight ends. You know, last year they only had thirty nine catches collectively from that group, less than five hundred yards receiving collectively from that group. You know, those were some of the poorest numbers that the tight end group has put up for the Colts since like the mid nineties, and so there's no question they got to get better there. Tyler Warren coming in gives this offense a lot of flexibility and a lot of creativity because you know, you saw his highlights, you saw him play at Penn State last year. They lined him up in seemingly every spot on offense. You know, there was that famous game against usc where they lined him up at center and then they had the double pass back to a backup quarterback and then Warren goes out for a pass and catches the ball over two linebackers in the end zone. I mean, the guy's just amazing. So to put it in perspective, he had over one hundred catches last year himself, whereas the Colts tight ends last year combined again had less than forty. So it's been really fun to watch him evolve in this offense in the spring. You know, they're being creative on how to get get into football in a variety of ways, getting the ball in space. He's got speed, he's got force. He can run by you, he can run over you. So I do understand the Dallas Clark compare. Plus he's just throwing that long flowing hair that he has coming out of the you know the back of his helmet. He just looks like a dude that could play in twenty twenty five or he can play in nineteen seventy five, because he's just kind of an old school guy, so it's going to be fun to see, you know, how involved he is. But there's no question he's going to be the top tight end threats on this team now going forward. But in terms of expectations, you know, we kind of did our research. If you go back twenty five years, the last twenty five drafts, there's only been six or seven first round drafted tight ends that have eclipsed over five hundred receiving yards. So, you know, I think that's going to be sort of on the low end of what I expect from Tyler Warren. But I think he's going to be really, really productive for this team as a rookie. And again, I think a lot of that depends on who his quarterback is. If it's Daniel Jones, then I think he's going to be really in this offense because Jones is going to hit the intermediate part of the passing game, which is where the Colts have struggled. If it's Anthony Richardson, I don't know, just because we haven't seen him consistently do that, you know, hit the middle part of the field where Titans, you know, seem to kind of thrive and make their hay. So I think there's a lot of question marks as it relates to Warren's productivity and usage, but there is I do think it's safe to say that he's going to be a big focal part part of this offense going forward because of where he's drafted. You know how good I think he can be and how creative the Colts can be lining him up in different parts of this offense, including the offensive backfield where he can run the ball and he can pass the ball too out of the wildcat spot.

Wow.

Wow.

Matt Taylor, Voice of the Colts, joining us Matt on defense. I want to start here that side of the football with EJ. Speed no longer a Colt, he's now a Texan. What kind of player are the Texans getting an EJ?

Matt Taylor, Voice of the Colts, joining us Matt on defense. I want to start here that side of the football with EJ. Speed no longer a Colt, he's now a Texan. What kind of player are the Texans getting an EJ?

Speed?

Speed?

Yeah, is one of the hardest playing linebackers I've ever seen play. The guy just gives maximum, full throttle every single play. He's one of my favorite Colts the last couple of years just because he brings it every single game. He's a guy that had humble beginnings right and he started off as a Division three guy at Tarlaton State in Texas and was just kind of like their version of Cordell Stewart, like a slash guy, played both ways, played offense and defense, ran the ball, caught the ball, played linebacker. He's just a really hard hitting guy. He can drop and coverage as well. So it was it was a tough thing to see him leave the team in free agency, but then to go to the Houston Texans, that was doubly difficult to see just because you're going to a to a you know, a division rival if you will. But he is a great kid, a great player, and started off again as a special teams guy, kind of a contributor to the third phase of the game, and then worked his way into the starting defense after a couple of things broke his way, some guys left the team in free agency, and a spot opened up for him to play full time on defense last year, and I thought, he's a really good player. He's going to give you, at the very least for the Texans a great depth piece at linebacker going forward.

Yeah, is one of the hardest playing linebackers I've ever seen play. The guy just gives maximum, full throttle every single play. He's one of my favorite Colts the last couple of years just because he brings it every single game. He's a guy that had humble beginnings right and he started off as a Division three guy at Tarlaton State in Texas and was just kind of like their version of Cordell Stewart, like a slash guy, played both ways, played offense and defense, ran the ball, caught the ball, played linebacker. He's just a really hard hitting guy. He can drop and coverage as well. So it was it was a tough thing to see him leave the team in free agency, but then to go to the Houston Texans, that was doubly difficult to see just because you're going to a to a you know, a division rival if you will. But he is a great kid, a great player, and started off again as a special teams guy, kind of a contributor to the third phase of the game, and then worked his way into the starting defense after a couple of things broke his way, some guys left the team in free agency, and a spot opened up for him to play full time on defense last year, and I thought, he's a really good player. He's going to give you, at the very least for the Texans a great depth piece at linebacker going forward.

I look at that front defensively a lot too, and pay outside obviously, the big fellows Grover Stewart DeForest Buckner in the middle and the depth.

I look at that front defensively a lot too, and pay outside obviously, the big fellows Grover Stewart DeForest Buckner in the middle and the depth.

That you have.

That you have.

Instead of just focusing on that, just tell me generally on defense, what your thoughts are and what the storylines are heading into twenty twenty five.

Instead of just focusing on that, just tell me generally on defense, what your thoughts are and what the storylines are heading into twenty twenty five.

Well big storylines, I mean, obviously again Louis an Arumo's their new defensive coordinator, new scheme. What the Colts have to do a better job of what's killed them in the past defensively the last couple of years is they've made life just too easy, too efficient for opposing quarterbacks to have some big games. You know, the Colts last year ranked thirtieth in opponent completion percentage. That numbered Hubard right around seventy percent, you know, Mark, I mean, if you get if you allow quarterbacks to just sit back there in complete easy passes, that's first downs. That's a lot of time of possession. That's another thing the Colts were. They were thirty first. I think the number was in time of possession defensively on the field, which means they were on the field a ton they couldn't get off. They only won time of possession last year in six games, which is not the end all be all, but you know, you're putting a lot of stress on your defense to make plays. You know, third down was a problem, not able to get off the field. They allowed the second most third down conversions in the NFL last year. And you know, so they played a lot of zone defense. They didn't blitz a lot. So lou Anarumo comes in. I don't think the blitzing numbers are going to be crazy, but you're certainly going to blitz more than what the Colts have done the last four or five years. He's going to play more manna man, some more press man in the back end. Loui an Rumo is just known for being one of the best game planning, situational defensive coordinators in the NFL in the recent past, and they've really bulked up their secondary to be able to kind of pull that off, because in this system it kind of goes in reverse. It kind of goes from the back end to the front end in terms of being successful on defense with the way they want to play. So they brought in Tarvarius Ward where they hope can be sort of that shadow shutdown corner to take away the other team's best player, which has been a problem for the Colts to consistence to consistently pull off. They bring in cam Binham to play safety. Hopefully he's, you know, their version of you know what the Bengals had back in the day with Jesse Bates to play situational and just to disguise some things in the secondary. They draft Justin Wally in the third round out of Minnesota. He's really high on him as a wander back to come in and play in some stuff packages, either nickel or dime. The biggest question is is how much can that secondary help the pass rush to be able to kind of hold down the other team's weaponry, to help the pass rush get there by the quarterback hanging on to that ball, that extra beat for guys like Quitty pay who you mentioned Stampson. Ebicom's coming off a torn achilles last year the first day of training camp, so he's back, but what are you going to get there with that injury? Just with the nature of it. They draft JT Tuamolowyle, who's a second round pick pass rusher out of Ohio State. Really high on him, but at the end of the day, he's a rookie. Right, there's an acclamation to the NFL for every player at that position. You got the two big guys up front and Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner. But again, the big question to me on defense is how much can that secondary help the pass rush get home, be more disruptive, get more sacks, and make more game changing plays on opposing quarterbacks.

Well big storylines, I mean, obviously again Louis an Arumo's their new defensive coordinator, new scheme. What the Colts have to do a better job of what's killed them in the past defensively the last couple of years is they've made life just too easy, too efficient for opposing quarterbacks to have some big games. You know, the Colts last year ranked thirtieth in opponent completion percentage. That numbered Hubard right around seventy percent, you know, Mark, I mean, if you get if you allow quarterbacks to just sit back there in complete easy passes, that's first downs. That's a lot of time of possession. That's another thing the Colts were. They were thirty first. I think the number was in time of possession defensively on the field, which means they were on the field a ton they couldn't get off. They only won time of possession last year in six games, which is not the end all be all, but you know, you're putting a lot of stress on your defense to make plays. You know, third down was a problem, not able to get off the field. They allowed the second most third down conversions in the NFL last year. And you know, so they played a lot of zone defense. They didn't blitz a lot. So lou Anarumo comes in. I don't think the blitzing numbers are going to be crazy, but you're certainly going to blitz more than what the Colts have done the last four or five years. He's going to play more manna man, some more press man in the back end. Loui an Rumo is just known for being one of the best game planning, situational defensive coordinators in the NFL in the recent past, and they've really bulked up their secondary to be able to kind of pull that off, because in this system it kind of goes in reverse. It kind of goes from the back end to the front end in terms of being successful on defense with the way they want to play. So they brought in Tarvarius Ward where they hope can be sort of that shadow shutdown corner to take away the other team's best player, which has been a problem for the Colts to consistence to consistently pull off. They bring in cam Binham to play safety. Hopefully he's, you know, their version of you know what the Bengals had back in the day with Jesse Bates to play situational and just to disguise some things in the secondary. They draft Justin Wally in the third round out of Minnesota. He's really high on him as a wander back to come in and play in some stuff packages, either nickel or dime. The biggest question is is how much can that secondary help the pass rush to be able to kind of hold down the other team's weaponry, to help the pass rush get there by the quarterback hanging on to that ball, that extra beat for guys like Quitty pay who you mentioned Stampson. Ebicom's coming off a torn achilles last year the first day of training camp, so he's back, but what are you going to get there with that injury? Just with the nature of it. They draft JT Tuamolowyle, who's a second round pick pass rusher out of Ohio State. Really high on him, but at the end of the day, he's a rookie. Right, there's an acclamation to the NFL for every player at that position. You got the two big guys up front and Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner. But again, the big question to me on defense is how much can that secondary help the pass rush get home, be more disruptive, get more sacks, and make more game changing plays on opposing quarterbacks.

Matt Taylor, Voice of the Colts with us all right, Jags and Titans. Let's start with the Jags. What are your thoughts new regime? Trevor Lawrence? It's year five? Does it happen? What do you think with Jacksonville going into twenty twenty five?

Matt Taylor, Voice of the Colts with us all right, Jags and Titans. Let's start with the Jags. What are your thoughts new regime? Trevor Lawrence? It's year five? Does it happen? What do you think with Jacksonville going into twenty twenty five?

Matt, You know, I think I'm saying the same thing about this division that I said last year. Last year, I was wrong, but I think we were all wrong talking about the parody of this of this division. Maybe it's it's the best version of itself since it was formed back in two thousand and two. I think we're just kind of a year late. I'm really bullish on the parody of the AFC South going into the season. I think the Jaguars are going to be much better. They have no excuse not to be, you know, much more competitive and have a much better record this year than they did last year. And last year they were really close. It just didn't show up record wise, right, I mean, they finished well under five hundred. But if you look at you know, how their season played out. They had thirteen games, just like the Colts, thirteen games decided by one score, but they lost ten of them. So I do think Trevor Lawrence is gonna, I think, roll into the prime of his career. Lord knows, he's had a bunch of different offensive coordinators and you know, head coaches in his ear, and a lot of things to compartmentalize. But I do think this is the year that he kind of puts it all together. The weaponry around him is pretty good. Defensively, I think they're gonna be, you know, good enough to stay in games. So I'm very bullish on the Jacksonville Jaguars, you know, taking those next steps. They've got Basically every point of leadership within that franchise is going to have a new person in it or a person doing it for the first time at the NFL level. Offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, head coach, and Liam Cohen new GM who's a young pup. When it's when it's when you compare him to a lot of his peers around the NFL. But I think the Jacksonville Jaguars should be really competitive and I don't think they're going to be in the basement for very long. Inside the AFC South along with the Tennessee Titans, I think it's going to be an absolute dogfight within this division all six games of the Colts play, and by the way, as it relates to the Colts in the AFC South, four of their last six games of the season are against the division, and that's the way you want it. You won all of those games to feel like playoff games, to feel like you big magnitude type of atmospheres. So from that standpoint, I think, you know, the month of the latter half of November and December is going to feel like big time football for the Colts because I think their quest for an AFC South championship for the first time since twenty fourteen is going to come down to how well they play in those last six games of the season.

Matt, You know, I think I'm saying the same thing about this division that I said last year. Last year, I was wrong, but I think we were all wrong talking about the parody of this of this division. Maybe it's it's the best version of itself since it was formed back in two thousand and two. I think we're just kind of a year late. I'm really bullish on the parody of the AFC South going into the season. I think the Jaguars are going to be much better. They have no excuse not to be, you know, much more competitive and have a much better record this year than they did last year. And last year they were really close. It just didn't show up record wise, right, I mean, they finished well under five hundred. But if you look at you know, how their season played out. They had thirteen games, just like the Colts, thirteen games decided by one score, but they lost ten of them. So I do think Trevor Lawrence is gonna, I think, roll into the prime of his career. Lord knows, he's had a bunch of different offensive coordinators and you know, head coaches in his ear, and a lot of things to compartmentalize. But I do think this is the year that he kind of puts it all together. The weaponry around him is pretty good. Defensively, I think they're gonna be, you know, good enough to stay in games. So I'm very bullish on the Jacksonville Jaguars, you know, taking those next steps. They've got Basically every point of leadership within that franchise is going to have a new person in it or a person doing it for the first time at the NFL level. Offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, head coach, and Liam Cohen new GM who's a young pup. When it's when it's when you compare him to a lot of his peers around the NFL. But I think the Jacksonville Jaguars should be really competitive and I don't think they're going to be in the basement for very long. Inside the AFC South along with the Tennessee Titans, I think it's going to be an absolute dogfight within this division all six games of the Colts play, and by the way, as it relates to the Colts in the AFC South, four of their last six games of the season are against the division, and that's the way you want it. You won all of those games to feel like playoff games, to feel like you big magnitude type of atmospheres. So from that standpoint, I think, you know, the month of the latter half of November and December is going to feel like big time football for the Colts because I think their quest for an AFC South championship for the first time since twenty fourteen is going to come down to how well they play in those last six games of the season.

Cam Ward, how good do you think he's really going to be After watching him play at the University of Miami, looked really like a creative playmaker or that's got to help out the Titans.

Cam Ward, how good do you think he's really going to be After watching him play at the University of Miami, looked really like a creative playmaker or that's got to help out the Titans.

A lot as.

A lot as.

I know they had the record they had, but they beat the Texans at NRG Stadium and looked really good that day.

I know they had the record they had, but they beat the Texans at NRG Stadium and looked really good that day.

What are you thinking, Yeah, I.

What are you thinking, Yeah, I.

Think cam Ward is going to be really, really good. You know, talking with some of the people in Nashville in the off season, they seem to think that already in short order. He's come in. He is the face of the franchise. He's the biggest leader on the team, and that's hard to do. I mean, you know, with CJ. Stroud, he came in right away, and you know, he was obviously the guy that was the most marketable for the front office. But you know, you've got to come in. You've got to earn it. You've got to build the trust. You've got to earn that trust from the rest of the team.

Think cam Ward is going to be really, really good. You know, talking with some of the people in Nashville in the off season, they seem to think that already in short order. He's come in. He is the face of the franchise. He's the biggest leader on the team, and that's hard to do. I mean, you know, with CJ. Stroud, he came in right away, and you know, he was obviously the guy that was the most marketable for the front office. But you know, you've got to come in. You've got to earn it. You've got to build the trust. You've got to earn that trust from the rest of the team.

C J.

C J.

Stroud pulled that off, and I think cam Ward is in the process of doing just that. First guy in, last guy out. But just you know, eating, sleeping, breathing football. Reportedly, that's what you're getting from cam Ward. Plus the creativity that you mentioned on the field too. This guy can do a lot. Was really impressed with what I saw last year at Miami. Looks like the real deal, and he's looked like looking like he's acclimating the life in the NFL and handling himself the way that you need to earn the trust of the rest of that locker room. So you know, I've read a lot of stuff about him in terms of how he looked at Mini Camp. I mean, he completed over seventy percent of his past is based on what you read, but you don't really know the context of that. You don't know how much of that is you know, seven on seven or easy throws or you know, eleven on eleven work where maybe he's getting sacked and you know, a completion to follow something like that. You just don't know. But you'd rather if you're a Titan fan or follower, you'd rather be reading more about the positive, the positive things and the negative things. And certainly the Titans have nowhere to go but up after a three and fourteen season, So I think they're going to be better now. To what extent I don't know, But again, I just I think every game inside the AFC South is going to be an appo dogfight. The winner of this division is going to have to earn it, and they're gonna have to put their best foot forward in all six of the games they play against the division, because I think the parody is there, and I think again, this might be one of the best top to bottom divisions that we've seen from the AFC South historically. And throwing the Colts there too, they're a tough out. They just got to get quarterbacks solidified and find some more consistency there, which is what the Jaguars are trying to do and certainly with the Titans are trying to do with camp Ward as a rookie quarterback.

Stroud pulled that off, and I think cam Ward is in the process of doing just that. First guy in, last guy out. But just you know, eating, sleeping, breathing football. Reportedly, that's what you're getting from cam Ward. Plus the creativity that you mentioned on the field too. This guy can do a lot. Was really impressed with what I saw last year at Miami. Looks like the real deal, and he's looked like looking like he's acclimating the life in the NFL and handling himself the way that you need to earn the trust of the rest of that locker room. So you know, I've read a lot of stuff about him in terms of how he looked at Mini Camp. I mean, he completed over seventy percent of his past is based on what you read, but you don't really know the context of that. You don't know how much of that is you know, seven on seven or easy throws or you know, eleven on eleven work where maybe he's getting sacked and you know, a completion to follow something like that. You just don't know. But you'd rather if you're a Titan fan or follower, you'd rather be reading more about the positive, the positive things and the negative things. And certainly the Titans have nowhere to go but up after a three and fourteen season, So I think they're going to be better now. To what extent I don't know, But again, I just I think every game inside the AFC South is going to be an appo dogfight. The winner of this division is going to have to earn it, and they're gonna have to put their best foot forward in all six of the games they play against the division, because I think the parody is there, and I think again, this might be one of the best top to bottom divisions that we've seen from the AFC South historically. And throwing the Colts there too, they're a tough out. They just got to get quarterbacks solidified and find some more consistency there, which is what the Jaguars are trying to do and certainly with the Titans are trying to do with camp Ward as a rookie quarterback.

Matt condolence is about the passing of mister Ersay and with Carly Orsa Gordon taking over. Tell me how different it is so far as she seems really up for this, obviously and ready to take charge and obviously taking charge already.

Matt condolence is about the passing of mister Ersay and with Carly Orsa Gordon taking over. Tell me how different it is so far as she seems really up for this, obviously and ready to take charge and obviously taking charge already.

But you tell me how it's going so far.

But you tell me how it's going so far.

Well, I appreciate that. You know, Jim irsay was. I mean, if you're from here and you lived in Indianapolis, I mean, you just can't. There's just no denying the impact that Jim had on the community. I mean, if Jim Mersey is not the steward of the franchise that he was, there's no Lucas Oil Stadium. There's no Colts probably, and you know, the city of Indianapolis as a great town and a great sports town just doesn't exist. We don't have you know, final fours here in Super Bowls here, and Taylor Swift concerts and WWEE Royal Rumbulls. I mean, whatever you're into, Indianapolis is able to bring those things to town, primarily because Lucas Oil Stadium is here. It's a state of the art complex and facility. And that's because of the Colts, and that's because of Jim Mersey. So it was a really tough thing to see and go through with his passing about a month ago, very unexpected age of sixty five. I mean, it's been well chronicled just how you know, generous of a man he was, and what he meant to the city. But as it relates to the family now and with his daughters, you mentioned Carly ursa Ordon and Kaylen Jackson and also Casey Foyd. So the three daughters now obviously in full charge of the franchise, both from a front office standpoint and from a football operations perspective as well. I think Carly is going to be most involved on the football side, and then the other two daughters have their I think strengths and initiatives that they are very proud of. And oversee, Kylin is very philanthropic and she's gonna head our community relations efforts. You know, Casey's going to be very involved in the marketing side of things. So I think it's really kind of too early to tell just how this is all going to evolve, but that's how things are set up now. But I will tell you that you know that the three of them have been very, very involved in the franchise dating back to the high school days. Jim made it a concerted effort to make sure that they were exposed to the different areas of the team football side and non football side. Uh so they got a good feel for how the franchise is run. Jim did a good job of pulling back to curtain and letting them into, you know, meeting rooms when tough decisions had to be made, hirings and firings, things like that. So they know ball. And especially with Carly, you know, she's made an individual effort the last four or five years to better understand how football works, the mechanics of the game, she's on a headset during the game. You know, she wants to hear the communication between the coaches and the players. She wants to understand, you know, the role of a special teams coordinator or a strength coach. So she really has her fingerprints in DNA on just about everything within this organization now. So really the only thing that's that's different, obviously is just the passing of Jim, and now Carly and her two sisters are going to try and make their imprint on the organizations. They'll do a great job, but certainly they are in the infancy of doing just that because of the timeliness of Jim Mersey's passing in late May. And they understand too that the urgency is there for this franchise. Chris Ballard, you know, going into his ninth year and Shane Styching going into year number three again, haven't won a division in ten plus years, haven't won a playoff game in six years, haven't hosted a playoff game since twenty fourteen. There's urgency there and they know that, and they are prepared to, you know, make these decisions going forward because they don't want to just you know, tread water. They don't want to just make the playoffs once every couple of years. They want to be the best. They want to They're here to win and win big, and so they're going to do everything in their power to make sure that happens.