Indianapolis, IN
Colts’ Star DB Named Team’s Most Underrated Player
What would you name an NFL participant who has been thought of arguably the most effective in his function for at the very least a few years however solely has one Professional Bowl to point out for it?
“Underrated” is the primary phrase that involves thoughts for me, and it is what Professional Soccer Focus had in thoughts when contemplating Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II.
PFF just lately compiled an inventory of probably the most underrated participant on every of the 32 NFL rosters and declared Moore the Colts’ nominee:
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: CB KENNY MOORE II
Moore has been arguably the most effective slot cornerback within the NFL over the previous a number of years, or at the very least he’s all the time within the dialog with different gamers who’ve had that declare. Moore has by no means had a foul season for the Colts and constantly makes performs on the soccer. 2021 was a relative down yr for him. Nonetheless, his 66.6 PFF grade was above common and he recorded 4 interceptions and 9 go breakups. Moore is a really powerful participant to beat and has a knack for making performs from the slot.
Moore arrived within the NFL as an undrafted free agent for the New England Patriots following the 2017 NFL Draft however was a sufferer of preseason roster cuts. The Patriots’ loss was the Colts’ acquire as they picked up a participant they didn’t but know was about to grow to be a star.
By 5 seasons in Indianapolis, Moore has began 61-of-75 video games, totaling 358 tackles (20 for loss), 7.0 sacks, 4 compelled fumbles, 1 fumble recovered, 14 interceptions, 45 go breakups, 12 quarterback hits, and 1 defensive landing. In three postseason contests, he is additionally added 3 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 interception, and three go breakups.
In 2021, Moore completed with 102 tackles, making him the primary cornerback and solely the third defensive again to hit the 100-tackle mark for the Colts since 1994.
As PFF talked about, Moore has by no means had a foul season. In his 4 years as a full-time starter, amongst NFL cornerbacks which have performed across the similar quantity of snaps as him, Moore completed fifteenth in 2018 with a grade of 71.3, thirteenth in 2019 with a 75.5, eighth in 2020 with a 74.8, and eighth in 2021 with a 66.6.
Moore (5’9″, 190) is small in stature however big in playmaking capacity. He impacts the sport in a mess of how, whether or not it is locking up a route runner, blitzing out of the slot, killing a play behind the road of scrimmage, or forcing a turnover that regarded unattainable.
Versatility is a giant a part of being a profitable defender for the Colts however Moore really exemplifies that. In the event that they wanted to, the Colts may most likely have Moore play any of the 5 main defensive again positions.
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Bodily, Moore is presented however it’s his instincts and soccer IQ that actually set him aside. Frequently, he exhibits that he’s taking part in chess whereas his offensive opponents are taking part in checkers.
All nice gamers have defining performs on their profession spotlight reel that stick in individuals’s heads. Moore has made a number of big performs all through his profession however there are three particularly that I needed to level out that even individuals outdoors of the Coltsphere can acknowledge.
First comes an interception that Moore made in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. Whereas quarterback Derek Carr seems to be to the top zone for tight finish Darren Waller, who led all NFL tight ends in receptions that season, Moore shook off the nine-inch peak distinction and got here down with an unbelievable, one-handed interception.
Subsequent up is one other interception Moore made final season off of the Buffalo Payments’ Josh Allen, who’s broadly thought of a top-five quarterback within the NFL. Allen is pressured by Colts edge defender Al-Quadin Muhammad, throws a toss-up into the center of the sector whereas Moore sweeps in, bats the ball as much as himself, after which grabs it out of the air for the choose.
Final is a play from final season that will not have been appreciated sufficient on the time. On the very first play of the sport, Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor rolls out to his proper and throws a easy go towards the sideline, however Moore flies in and undercuts the go and supposed receiver for the toe-tapping choose.
Close to the top of final season, former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus was requested how Moore was nonetheless taking part in at such a excessive degree regardless of being focused at such a excessive price within the passing sport.
“Yeah, I didn’t notice that stat, however he’s performed at a excessive degree and he’s competed,” Eberflus mentioned. “Each single time, and also you noticed it final week, that he’s competing on the go-balls, on the intermediate passes, on the short passes, on the screens – he’s one of many higher gamers in opposition to the display screen. So, he’s executed an impressive job.
“He’s labored his tail off to have the ability to play inside on the nickel,” Eberflus continued. “Which we’ve all the time seen him be a dynamic participant in there, but in addition as an every-down nook to play outdoors versus the bottom personnel and we might haven’t any downside placing him on the market in nickel. He’s simply so useful on the within there in our nickel packages that we simply depart him in there. He’s an all-around nook and he deserves all the things he will get.”
Is Moore underrated? Drop your ideas beneath within the remark part!
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Indianapolis, IN
Colts Predicted to Poach Patriots QB
The New England Patriots might have their quarterback situation settled for the 2025 NFL season. Drake Maye is the clear-cut franchise quarterback, while Joe Milton III may have ended the backup competition already with his performance in the season finale.
If that scenario ends up becoming reality, Jacoby Brissett would be the odd man out of the Patriots’ quarterback room.
More than likely, Brissett will be looking for an opportunity to play. In New England, that opportunity may not be available anymore.
Brissett will be looking for a place where he can be a team’s primary backup. Now, there is a team that has been projected to end up landing the veteran quarterback in NFL free agency.
Cam Garrity of Patriots Wire has predicted that Brissett will end up landing a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
“Brissett will likely command decent money for a year or two elsewhere, and I could see the Indianapolis Colts calling him back home on a low-risk deal,” Garrity wrote. “Joe Flacco has been valuable for the Colts as someone to come in and take the reins when needed.
“Anthony Richardson is off to a rocky start, and he has already seen his fair share of injuries thus far. Flacco could also decide to hang it up considering he’ll be turning 40 years old this year. Signing a veteran like Brissett makes sense.”
Of course, Brissett was previously a member of the Colts from 2017 to 2020.
During the 2024 campaign with the Patriots, Brissett ended up playing in eight total games. He completed just 59 percent of his pass attempts for 826 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
At 32-years-old, the fact of the matter is that Brissett simply doesn’t fit the outlook for New England.
Paying him any kind of sizable money would be a mistake. The Patriots need to focus fully on their future and getting back into playoff contention.
Brissett will not help that effort, which should lead to the two sides parting ways this offseason. Indianapolis could make sense as a destination and will be worth keeping an eye on.
Make sure you bookmark New England Patriots on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Indianapolis, IN
Colts’ Chris Ballard Criticizes Underwhelming Position Group
The Indianapolis Colts concluded 2024 with a lackluster 8-9 record, which isn’t good enough to instill confidence in the franchise’s future. Once the dust settled after the Week 18 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Colts general manager Chris Ballard spoke at his end-of-season presser for the local media.
Over about an hour, Ballard touched on nearly everything in the headlines regarding the Colts’ up-and-down 2024 season. However, one interesting area was his evaluation of the tight end group, which struggled mightily to be a receiving threat.
Ballard broke down the tight end group: “We didn’t get enough production from them. I will say this, they did a very good job blocking in the run game.” Ballard continued, “They’re excellent blockers, but our inability to control the middle of the field, which we’ve got to be able to do, I’ve got to be able to give Shane (Steichen) and them a guy that can really control the middle of the field that teams have to account for and defend.”
The tight end room consisted of Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory, but none excelled in any way as a receiver. Below are the receiving marks from each, along with the games played:
Mo Alie-Cox | 17 games – 12 catches – 147 receiving yards – 12.3 average – 1 Touchdown
Kylen Granson | 17 games – 14 catches – 182 receiving yards – 13.0 average – 0 Touchdowns
Drew Ogletree | 17 games – Nine catches – 109 receiving yards – 12.1 average – 1 Touchdown
Will Mallory | 10 games – Four catches – 29 receiving yards – 7.3 average – 0 Touchdowns
Indy’s four tight ends massed 39 catches for 467 receiving yards (12.0 average) and two touchdowns. Ballard acknowledging that Indy needs to get a tight end that can control the middle of the field is a good sign, especially given the injury setbacks of the 2022 draft pick Jelani Woods.
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Dynamic NFL offenses have solid pass-catching tight ends. Teams like the Buffalo Bills (Dalton Kincaid), Kansas City Chiefs (Travis Kelce), Baltimore Ravens (Mark Andrews), and Philadelphia Eagles (Dallas Goedert) use these weapons to elevate the entire offensive approach, helping set up the other pass-catchers and the running attack.
Indianapolis has nearly no resemblance of this on the roster outside of (possibly) the heavily injured Woods, but nobody can be confident in the former third-round selection due to missing two straight seasons (2023-2024). This situation, paired with Ballard’s evaluation of the tight ends, points to the Colts trying to draft a tight end in a little over three months.
Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr., Penn State’s Tyler Warren, and Michigan’s Colston Loveland are arguably the top three tight end candidates heading into the NFL draft, so fully expect Ballard, Shane Steichen, and the Colts’ front office to do whatever necessary to get Anthony Richardson the sure thing at the position for the future.
Discovering elite talent like Kelce, Andrews, and Goedert at tight end is difficult, as a player Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders) doesn’t grow on trees. Indy can’t go another full season with four tight ends falling under 40 catches as a group; that isn’t helping the development of Richardson.
The Colts have plenty of time to look into the tight end options in the upcoming draft and free agency, so we’ll see what the organization wants to do for a spot on the roster that was invisible outside of blocking assignments. In the modern NFL, a tight end must be more to be a true offensive weapon.
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Indianapolis, IN
Snow lovers brave storm to enjoy winter in Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Snow lovers were out and about Friday evening to enjoy the snow while running errands.
It was no surprise that the few people willing to brave the storm would stop to talk about how they actually love the snow.
It’s no surprise that the few people willing to stand outside in the snow to do an interview about the snow actually loved the snow.
Fely Tapia is a travel nurse from Atlanta. She loves getting a chance to experience this winter weather. “We don’t have snow in Atlanta that much, and I’m a cold person. I prefer cold weather.”
Harry Singh was doing a photo shoot outside of a gas station because he loves the snow so much. “(The) last few years we didn’t get that much, but this year is good. We enjoy the snow.”
Keyona Ruth is a snow lover and a ride-share driver. She was out braving the snowy conditions to take passengers around the city during the snow on Friday night. “I actually like it right now. It’s just a little slushy, if they clean the streets a little better it would be a little bit better.”
Despite loving snowy weather, these drivers were not loving the road conditions in Indianapolis.
“It’s a new adventure for me, learning how to drive in the snow. I just approach it in a curious way,” Tapia said. “They did not clean those roads, so it’s hard for my car, even though the car is a little higher, it was hard for the car to drive through.”
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works says its crews were working 12-hour shifts around the clock to keep the roads clear.
Strom Track 8’s meteorologist say the weather will slow down this weekend before chances for snow return Sunday night.
Latest forecast from Storm Track 8 | | Indy Snow Force Map | Indiana travel advisory map
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