Indianapolis, IN
Ending the Jones era makes sense in a number of ways. – Indianapolis Recorder
Daniel Stephen Jones has been through a lot in his professional career and, as a result, taken an enormous amount of physical punishment that every quarterback endures in the brutal world of NFL football.
The savage nature of the game America can’t get enough of plays no favorites, often ending careers in a cruel, premature manner. While Jones played some inspired football for the Indianapolis Colts last year, he also sustained some serious injuries in the overall process, and left some so-called football “experts” wondering what might have been had he remained healthy the entire season.
While we’ll never know the exact answer to that hypothetical question, it is safe to say that Jones will undoubtedly have a tough time recovering from both a fractured Fibula and a tear of his Achilles. Those are the facts of the matter for a twenty-eight year old player who will receive the best health care in the world in his attempt to bounce back.
Then there’s the contract situation, which makes this matter even more of a challenge (or nightmare) for his most recent employer.
The Colts wisely limited Jones’ deal last year to a one year term and, while that fourteen million guaranteed dollars ended up being a good investment, their oft-injured starting quarterback is now a free agent seeking to land a significant amount of guaranteed money on a new contract, despite the fact he more than likely won’t be able to play football when NFL training camps open.
Before you say, ‘just slap the dreaded Franchise Tag on him,’ you might want to consider the enormous amount of money that one-year deal would represent, especially in an off-season in which a decision on wide receiver Alec Pierce’s future must be made as well, along with the hope the team can land a legitimate edge rusher in the free agency market.
While Carlie Irsay-Gordon recently made a big decision to retain her General Manager and Head Coach when many were screaming to jettison both, now it’s time for her to decide how to financially mortgage the future of the franchise in terms of what to do with Jones, who is in no way guaranteed to recover both physically and mentally.
While backups Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson certainly won’t keep any opposing defensive coaches up at night devising plans to thwart them, they are indeed healthy and would represent about a minimum combined twelve-million-dollar salary cap hit this season, which is far less than what an injured Jones would account for.
The Colts really don’t know what Leonard can give them, and many of you are ready to move on from the saga of Richardson, but it may be time to find out what the combination of the two can represent this upcoming season, as opposed to giving Jones a staggering amount of money he hasn’t earned.
Sure, it’s clearly another reset of sorts, but it’s an insurance policy against what could very well be a catastrophic investment in a courageous but unproven commodity.
Jones will land elsewhere and most likely revert to his former self as a quarterback, which isn’t that impressive. The biggest difference is the Colts won’t be saddled with a contract that restricts their immediate flexibility in terms of managing both the salary cap and the team’s future.
Danny Bridges, who wishes Daniel Jones a complete recovery and future success elsewhere, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or at bridgeshd@aol.com.
Indianapolis, IN
Chase Sexton out for at least another round, Indianapolis Supercross, with practice injuries
Chase Sexton will miss at least one more round of the SuperMotocross World Championship to heal from injuries suffered in practice prior to the Daytona Supercross, the Kawasaki Racing team announced on social media. He will miss Round 9 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Sexton got off to a disappointing start with his new team, finishing eighth in the season-opener at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. He rallied to finish fourth the following week in San Diego after coming out of the gates slowly, and then won his first race with the team in the second Anaheim event.
With a forthcoming off-week following the Indianapolis Supercross, Drew Adams could return in time for the East / West Showdown in Birmingham.
Since then, his best finish has been fifth, which he scored in the Houston Triple Crown event and in Seattle.
After missing Daytona, Sexton is fifth in the championship standings, tied with Justin Cooper at 49 points behind the leader, Hunter Lawrence.
An off-week follows the Indianapolis Supercross, giving Sexton additional time to heal.
Dylan Ferrandis hurt his thumb in a Daytona heat race, but an MRI reveals there are no broken bones.
Indianapolis, IN
Find your furry friend at Lucky Tails Adoption Event in Indianapolis, all fees waived
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Feeling lonely and in need of a friend?
Check out Lucky Tails Adoption Event on Saturday, March 14, hosted by Indianapolis Animal Care Services. All fees will be waived and every pet available has been microchipped, spayed or neutered, and is up to date on vaccinations.
To make the transition even easier for you and your new companion, each new parent will receive a goody bag of necessities. There will be adoption counselors at the event to help you with any questions and to help you find a pet that best fits your lifestyle.
Last month, 59 animals found new homes during IACS’ Valentine’s Day Adoption event. The shelter hopes more animals can strike gold and find their forever home at this month’s event. “Our goal is to make as many matches as possible between our animals and the people who are meant to love them,” said IACS Director, Amanda Dehoney-Hinkle.
The vent will be held at the shelter located at 2600 South Harding Street. IACS also has four upcoming weekend “Pop-Up” adoption events around the city:
- March 21 from noon to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, 9749 East Washington Street.
- March 28 from noon to 3 p.m. at PetSmart, 7801 US 31 South.
- April 11 from noon to 3 p.m. at Puppy Playground, 7224 Rockville Road.
- April 18 from noon to 3 p.m. at City Dogs Grocery, 1028 Virginia Avenue.
View adoptable pets here.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Colts’ Best and Worst Free-Agent Signings of Last Decade
The Indianapolis Colts under general manager Chris Ballard have generally been extremely cautious in free agency. They rarely bring in outside playmakers, a strategy that hasn’t paid off over the past decade.
Still, since 2017, Indianapolis has made several impactful outside additions. Some have paid off handsomely, and others have fallen flat. Let’s take a look at Indy’s best and worst signings over the past decade.
Best Signings
DE Justin Houston
Houston signed with the Colts as a free agent in March 2019 on a two-year, $24 million contract after eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he established himself as one of the league’s premier pass rushers.
Houston is the last Colts pass rusher to record double-digit sacks, doing so in 2019 (11 sacks).
QB Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones played better football than any Colts quarterback since Philip Rivers in 2020. He certainly was worth his $17 million price tag, and it’s fair to say he was one of the best Colts free agent signings of the Chris Ballard era.
Jones was transition tagged by the Colts earlier this week, becoming the second quarterback in NFL history to be placed under the transition tag.
QB Philip Rivers
Speaking of Rivers, he deserves a spot on this list. In his 2020 campaign, Rivers threw for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He led the Colts to their last playoff appearance and nearly upset the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
TE Eric Ebron
Miami Dolphins At Indianapolis Colts In Nfl Week 10 At Lucas Oil Stadium In Indianapolis Sunday Nov 10 2019 | Jenna Watson/IndyStar, Indianapolis Star via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Ebron struggled with drops throughout his career, but his one season paired with Andrew Luck was special. In 2018, Ebron hauled in 66 receptions for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns. Each of those numbers was a career high.
In 2019, Ebron’s production fell off a cliff. He only caught 31 passes for 375 yards and three touchdowns from Jacoby Brissett and Brian Hoyer. Still, Ebron deserves recognition for his one decent year in Indy.
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Worst Signings
CB Xavien Howard
Howard was brought in weeks before the 2025 season, and after a month in Indy, he abruptly retired. The former All-Pro corner struggled mightily during his brief Colts tenure. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed a 139.2 passer rating and 16 receptions while earning a 36.1 overall grade.
Once Puka Nacua went for 13 receptions and 170 yards while matched up against Howard, the 10-year veteran knew it was time to hang up the cleats for good.
K Matt Gay
Ballard rarely gives out money, but in 2023, he thought it would be wise to sign Matt Gay to the largest free-agent kicker contract of all time (four years, $22.5 million). Gay stayed for two seasons before the team cut him last spring.
During his time in Indianapolis, Gay converted 82.1% of his field goal attempts (64 of 78). When kicking from 50 yards and beyond, Gay had a 50% success rate (11 of 22).
DT Raekwon Davis
The Colts signed Davis as a cheap depth piece at defensive tackle, but he never truly became anything special. He appeared in 17 games in 2024, recording 15 total tackles.
The Colts gave Davis a two-year, $14 million deal only to cut him before his second season in Indy.
WR Devin Funchess
Ballard signed Funchess to a one-year deal worth up to $13 million back in 2019, months before Luck retired. Funchess missed most of the season with a broken collarbone that he suffered in Week 1 after hauling in three receptions for 32 yards.
Funchess’s lack of success in Indy wasn’t his fault, but it was another signing down the drain for Ballard’s front office.
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