Indianapolis, IN

Colts Reveal Thoughts After Wild Week

Published

2 years ago

November 13, 2022

DC Gus Bradley

On what he remembers about being in an identical state of affairs final yr with the Las Vegas Raiders when Jon Gruden was fired as head coach and Wealthy Bisaccia was named the interim, and the way the workers held issues collectively:

“I feel that yearly there’s a staff – every staff within the league goes by means of difficult instances. Three or 4 a yr and the staff that handles these crisis-type conditions the most effective are often efficient. While you undergo difficult instances and difficult instances in the course of the season, it sort of hardens you and also you need to be a hardened staff by the point you’re in November if you actually sort of need to lean on that. Typically these difficult instances harden you and I feel wanting again on the Raiders, I feel that’s what passed off. It sort of hardened the staff, all of the adversity that they went by means of. They had been a proficient staff and so they simply got here collectively. It was virtually like, ‘Hey, you’re down by seven.’ ‘That’s nothing like what we’ve gone by means of. Let’s preserve going.’ Our staff right here has the identical mentality. There’s been some difficult instances that this staff has skilled and it has hardened them. It has hardened them. So, it is a hardened staff that your hope is, you simply go play persistently on all sides of the ball, particular groups included. Then, you are taking these experiences and hopefully you construct that mindset to when conditions like this happen, that you just overcome them.”

On if he thought he’d be provided the interim position and what his response was to listening to it might be Saturday.

“No, I didn’t assume that. I feel it’s simply because Frank means an ideal deal to me. Within the brief time we’ve been collectively, very grateful for him. He taught me a number of issues in a brief time frame. Not solely management however simply the discussions we had offensively and defensively. Now we have grown due to our discussions. So, I feel when it passed off, your coronary heart was heavy due to that. Probably not, ‘Now what’s going to happen?’ I feel all of it sort of stung us for a day or so. Then it was Jeff Saturday. Jeff didn’t do something fallacious. He’s coming right into a state of affairs the place he’s excited and I feel then after sort of going by means of it, then it grew to become, you recognize what? We’re excited for him. He’s coming in right here and he’s going to have some new concepts and new methods of doing issues and also you’re sort of excited to see that a part of it and see the way it adjustments and the way we alter to it. Your feelings go extra in that part than enthusiastic about, ought to I’ve been it? I don’t know. Similar to we talked about final week, you simply preserve going. Our focus is on making an attempt to ensure every thing we do, we assist our gamers get higher. Typically it’s not simply scheme. Typically it’s simply battling by means of a state of affairs like this.”

On why he did not assume he’d be provided the interim position:

“Effectively, I can say final yr, the identical sort of state of affairs occurred. On the Raiders, they determined to go together with Wealthy Bisaccia. The cool factor about that was, Wealthy is a frontrunner of males, he was nice, however the benefit of that was he was the particular groups coach. So he knew offensively, defensively, he knew each participant and so they knew how he was going to be within the room. So, there was no transition. It wasn’t like, ‘Hey, the offensive gamers know him however the defensive gamers don’t. How is he going to be? I’ve to construct a relationship with them man.’ Effectively, they already had one. He was the particular groups coordinator. That a part of it was at all times – that was most likely an asset in that state of affairs. Effectively, this yr we selected to go together with Jeff Saturday, who’s a man that’s coming in, that actually nobody has in-depth data about what he’s. Due to his involvement with the group, he’s been round and a number of guys do know him. Know him for what’s dropped at Indianapolis, what he’s dropped at the Colts, how he was as a participant. So, I really feel just like the gamers actually have a superb understanding of who he’s and what he’s all about, and his mindset. It’s not like somebody they don’t know or by no means heard of. He’s been a giant, essential a part of this group. In order that half, they’re hanging their hats on. He got here into the staff assembly, I give him credit score. That’s a troublesome state of affairs – to come back right into a staff assembly and tackle the staff and Jeff loves Frank. Right here some gamers are questioning what’s occurring and in my private opinion, I assumed he was excellent. It wasn’t a prolonged assembly. It was to the purpose however you could possibly really feel his enthusiasm, you could possibly really feel his energy and I assumed he did an ideal job with it. I feel the gamers drew to him instantly.”

On what he is aware of about Frazier:

“Parks has been superb. It’s humorous as a result of we’ve some younger defensive coaches on our workers, Mike Mitchell and Cato June. Mike Mitchell got here as much as me throughout coaching camp and mentioned, ‘Wow, is Parks spectacular. Some day if I ever get a head teaching job, Gus, I’m going to rent Parks Frazier.’ It was sort of like that sort of a remark. I’ve had a number of talks with Parks about two-minute or conditions and he’s simply very sharp, very sharp. A extremely, actually good deal with on offense and protection. Now we have fixed conversations about that, how he sees it. I’m excited for Parks, I actually am. I feel he’s going to have his alternative and he’ll develop within the place. He’s actually sharp, he understands the sport and now it’s simply his first alternative.”

On how issues have been troublesome on the offensive workers just lately:

“Yeah nevertheless it’s a superb offensive workers. There’s a number of strengths. Scottie Montgomery, he’s been a head coach and he gives nice energy – Reggie Wayne. So, these guys have already – you sort of rally in conditions like that and guys decide up the additional duties. I’m not with them on a day-to-day foundation, we’re sort of in our personal room recreation planning and issues. I might think about understanding all their personalities, all of them simply decide it up and so they go. Restricted egos, I do know that in regards to the personalities on offense. So, it doesn’t shock me that they’ve all simply sort of rolled up their sleeves and accomplished additional and are getting it accomplished.”

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis’ most-read news stories of 2024: From the court and courtroom to the cosmos

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Indianapolis’ most-read news stories of 2024: From the court and courtroom to the cosmos

As many as 7 million people a month visited the IndyStar online this year and it’s my job to help reporters and editors understand what they’re reading.

These journalists give me plenty of data to work with, too, because no one covers Indianapolis like IndyStar. Through mid-December, IndyStar published more than 10,000 articles, 1,000 photo galleries and nearly 2,000 videos. That’s nearly 30 articles, three photo galleries and five videos each day (you get a lot with a subscription) and that’s not even counting the statewide and national news produced by other USA TODAY Network newsrooms across Indiana.

As we prepare to put a very newsy 2024 behind us, let’s take a look back at some of the most widely followed storylines and coverage topics of the year, in no particular order:

Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever

By the time Clark made her Fever debut, she was already a household name for many college basketball fans. But her WNBA Rookie of the Year performance took her star power to another level with fans around the country.

Clark’s skills on the court drew a lot of attention (and fouls) from her opponents, too, and her work helped the Fever reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

IndyStar’s Chloe Peterson put on a rookie of the year campaign of her own in 2024, covering Clark at Iowa as student and landing in Indianapolis before the WNBA Draft, just in time to cover arguably the biggest story in women’s sports this year.

Clark put on an incredible show and Peterson and IndyStar were there for it all, publishing nearly 300 articles since April and making the Fever beat IndyStar’s most-read of the year.

While Clark isn’t playing overseas or in 3-on-3 leagues this summer, Fever fans will likely have good reason to read every word again during the 2025 season. And IndyStar makes it easy, too: subscribe to the Caitlin Clark Fever newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.

Richard Goodall on “America’s Got Talent”

Richard Goodall says community support was ‘immeasurable’ in AGT win

“I left it all on the stage,” Goodall told reporters Friday. “And not only did I try to pull through for you guys, you guys pulled through for me.”

If seeing someone live out a dream brings a smile to your face, you’ll remember Richard Goodall’s going from middle school janitor to Journey frontman for a day.

The Vigo County, Indiana, native won over judges and IndyStar readers while winning Season 19 of “America’s Got Talent” by performing Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” Michael Bolton’s “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” and Journey’s “Faithfully,” among others.

The most memorable moment was seeing Goodall bring back his audition song, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” this time with the legendary rock band on the season finale where he won the $1 million prize.

The Indianapolis 500

It would be hard to make this list any year and say the Indy 500 didn’t belong on it, even if the results looked familiar with Josef Newgarden repeating as champion and Team Penske earning its record-extending 20^th Indy 500 victory.

The didn’t mean the race was completely predictable, though. Pato O’Ward gave a challenge that Newgarden held off by a mere 0.3417 seconds and an hours-long rain delay emptied out the grandstands and pushed the race back to nearly 5 p.m.

The race was also notable for anyone following the money. Newgarden’s repeat victory earned him more than $4 million in prize money as he became the first back-to-back winner since Helio Castroneves did so in 2001-02.

The Delphi murders trial

One of America’s most haunting cases finally saw some closure in November when Richard Allen was found guilty of all four counts against him in the deaths of Abigail “Abby” Williams and Liberty “Libby” German.

The coverage of this case also highlighted the importance of local journalists. IndyStar’s staff spent months preparing to cover this high-profile case fraught with misinformation and got assists from around the USA TODAY Network, including the expertise of Lafayette Journal & Courier reporter Ron Wilkins, who has been reporting on the case since it began.

The team of reporters and visual journalists worked through plenty of logistical hurdles to bring close-to-live updates to readers each day, detailing everything from the heartwrenching witness testimony to details about Allen’s prison confessions.

And while Allen was found guilty, he’s likely to appeal and you can count on IndyStar to follow any updates to the case.

The solar eclipse

IndyStar published plenty of words about this once-in-a-lifetime celestial event for many Hoosiers but the photo staff’s images told the story best. Bonus: This video of fans viewing totality at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Honorable mention

A few pieces of standalone coverage that resounded with readers in 2024:

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Taylor repents for gaffe with 218-yard day

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Colts’ Taylor repents for gaffe with 218-yard day

Stephen Holder, ESPNDec 22, 2024, 06:41 PM ET
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INDIANAPOLIS — Jonathan Taylor made a lightning-quick jump cut through the hole and saw nothing but daylight ahead.

Once the Indianapolis Colts running back reached the goal line, some 65 yards later, his run was still not complete. Taylor kept going, running into the tunnel that leads to the Colts’ locker room in the southwest corner of Lucas Oil Stadium. It was Taylor’s way of sending a message: This time, he would hold on to the football after arriving at the end zone — something he did not do a week ago.

Taylor reached the end zone two more times Sunday, including a 70-yard scoring run, during his 218-yard performance in the Colts’ historic 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis’ offense dominated the line of scrimmage, rushing for a franchise-record 335 yards in a victory that kept the team’s faint playoff hopes alive. The Colts surpassed the previous high established in 1956, nearly three decades before the franchise left Baltimore for the Midwest in 1984.

It was Taylor’s second career 200-yard performance behind only his career-high 253-yard game in the final week of the 2020 season. His most recent performance came on the heels of last Sunday’s game in which Taylor committed a costly miscue, dropping the ball prematurely as he crossed the goal line on a would-be 41-yard run that could’ve given Indianapolis a two-touchdown lead.

The Colts went on to lose the critical matchup, dealing a severe blow to their playoff hopes. Taylor didn’t make the mistake again this week.

“I had already predetermined in my mind that next time, I’m going all the way in the tunnel,” Taylor said Sunday.

In fact, Taylor approached the whole situation with levity. He and backup running back Tyler Goodson planned a bit ahead of the game. After Taylor emerged from the tunnel, Goodson ran up to him and playfully tried to strip the ball, with Taylor keeping a tight grip.

“Just trolling, making the crowd laugh a little bit,” Goodson said.

In reality, there was nothing funny about the way the Colts pushed around the Titans. Tennessee allowed the most rushing yards of any team this season and the second most in Titans/Oilers franchise history. The Colts made no pretense about their intentions, either, at one point running on 12 consecutive plays during three possessions in the second quarter.

“That’s kind of the exciting part,” Taylor said “It’s kind of when you start imposing your will, establishing that line of scrimmage. Those are the types of football games as a running back … you love.”

Tight end Mo Alie-Cox added: “By the end of the game … we were still getting 5 yards a pop. They still couldn’t really stop it. They were calling it, but they couldn’t do nothing about it.”

Then, Alie-Cox relayed a story that unfolded before a particular play.

“It’s hilarious,” he said. “One time, they were like, ‘It’s a screen. Boom.’ And then one of their [defensive] ends was like, ‘Man, they’re about to give it to Jonathan Taylor. He’s about to run for 300 [yards] on us.’ Once he said that, I was like, ‘Yeah, we got him.’”

In light of the rushing success, Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson wasn’t asked to do much from the pocket. He completed just 7 of 11 passes for 131 yards. But Richardson was a part of the rushing bonanza, running for a career-high 70 yards.

Now, the Colts hope to finish with wins over the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars in their remaining two games, along with hoping numerous other dominoes fall their way in their bid to make the postseason.

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Indianapolis, IN

How the Colts can make the NFL playoffs

Published

19 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts’ playoff odds are at 10% according to the New York Times, and that seems high. Here is what to know:

The Colts are out of the playoffs if they lose to the Titans

This is pretty straightforward. If the Colts lose, the most games they can win this season is 8. Seven teams — Kansas City, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston, Los Angeles and Denver — already have nine wins.

The Colts can make the playoffs if they win out, Chargers lose out

If the Colts win out against the Titans, Giants and Jaguars, they’ll be 9-8. If the Chargers lose to the Raiders and Patriots. The Colts would win the conference record tiebreaker if they are the only two teams with nine wins.

There are multiple-team scenarios involving Los Angeles but the Colts will make the playoffs if these two scenarios happen.

How the Colts can make the playoffs if they win out and the Broncos lose out

If the Broncos lose to Cincinnati and Kansas City and the Colts win out, the Colts make the playoffs if Cincinnati or Miami win out or the Chargers lose out.

The Colts lose the head-to-head tiebreaker to Denver if its just those two teams.

If Los Angeles is also 9-8, it wins the division tiebreaker over the Broncos due to head-to-head and advances to the wild card tiebreaker.

In this scenario, the Colts and Dolphins would have the best conference record at 7-5, eliminating the other possible teams. Indianapolis beat Miami, putting them in the playoffs.

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