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USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Indianapolis Colts roster preview: CB JuJu Brents
Let's take a closer look at this Indianapolis Colts team as we go player-by-player through the roster. Up next is CB JuJu Brents. With offseason programs now behind us, we will be getting a jump start on our training camp preview by going player-by-player through the Indianapolis Colts' 91-man roster. Going alphabetically, up next is cornerback JuJu Brents. JuJu Brents' profile 2024 Snap count totals 2024 PFF grades 2024 Season Review After appearing in only nine regular season games during his rookie season in 2023, Brents, unfortunately, dealt with another injury for much of the 2024 season. An MCL injury that Brents sustained in the Colts' season opener last year against Houston landed him on injured reserve until Week 18, Indianapolis' regular season finale against Jacksonville. A groin injury in that game would then limit Brents to only six defensive snaps. Looking ahead to the 2025 season Brents, along with Jaylon Jones, Justin Walley, and potentially others, will be competing for the starting outside cornerback position opposite of Charvarius Ward. While there will be a starter on paper, I do think that we could see some mixing and matching here from Lou Anarumo, depending upon who the opponent is and what the matchup dictates. This is going to be a more aggressive Colts' defense in this new scheme, and it's a play style that Brents believes suits his skill set quite well. However, the big thing for Brents, as Shane Steichen said, is staying healthy and on the football field. Although he is now entering his third NFL season, due to injuries, he's still a relatively inexperienced player in terms of in-game reps. So when it comes to earning playing time in this new-look defense, being on the practice field is vital. "He's been good," Steichen said of Brents this offseason. "Sticky in coverage. Obviously, has been battling injuries through his career, so hopefully this is a clear slate for him, going into this season, into this training camp, and staying healthy is going to be the biggest thing for him."
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts position review after minicamp: Laiatu Latu and the defensive ends
With offseason programs now behind us, let's take a position-by-position look at where things stand for the Indianapolis Colts. Next up are the defensive ends. With offseason programs now behind us, let's take a position-by-position look at where things stand for the Indianapolis Colts. Next up are the defensive ends. If you missed our other positional reviews, you can find them below. A Year 2 leap incoming for Laiatu Latu? A big part of the equation when it comes to the Colts generating more pressure on the quarterback this season is Laiatu Latu making that Year 2 leap that so many successful NFL players have made. On the surface, Latu's production from his rookie season isn't going to leap off the page. His 38 pressures--which were the second-most on the Colts--ranked 50th compared to the rest of the defensive ends around the NFL. However, perhaps a more accurate portrayal of what's to come for Latu is that he ranked 27th in PFF's pass rush win rate metric. When there is consistency from a player when it comes to winning their one-on-one matchups, oftentimes the production will follow. For Latu, a point of emphasis for him this offseason is on shaving off those "milliseconds" as a pass rusher, which will lead to more pressures and sacks. "This year, I really want to shave off those milliseconds of where I'm getting to the QB because I felt that," Latu said on Tuesday, via Locked on Colts. "Like a lot of times, my head and my hands I was right there. So really just shaving off those milliseconds and knowing when I can fall back inside, and when they're working off power. So there's a lot of stuff I've been getting better at." The Colts' defensive ends could really benefit from this new defense Helping Latu and the rest of the Colts' defensive front generate more pressure and sacks this season will be Lou Anarumo's defensive scheme. Last season, the Indianapolis defense ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in both pressures and sacks. However, making things quite difficult on the Colts' defensive line was that the secondary was often picked apart in the quick game by opposing quarterbacks. This made getting home consistently much more difficult because of how quickly the ball was out of the quarterback's hands. With Anarumo's more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme, those quick game outlets shouldn't be as readily available, and the variety of looks that the secondary shows can help keep quarterbacks off balance, allowing the front time to create pressure. We should see more movement up front as well, which can help create more advantageous matchups to exploit. JT Tuimoloau brings an all-around skill set to the Colts' defensive end position During his last season at Ohio State, Tuimoloau was a three-down presence on the Buckeyes' defense, able to make an impact in both the running and passing games. Among all defensive ends during the 2024 season, Tuimolau ranked 14th in total pressures, and he was sixth in PFF's run defense grade. Tuimoloau has been compared to former Bengals' defensive end Sam Hubbard, who put together some very productive seasons under Anarumo. "I'm an all-around player," Tuimoloau said during rookie minicamp. "Big credit to coach (Jim) Knowles, he came in and challenged us to drop, to be man-on-man on certain plays, to stick to redirect, all the above. That was just a way to showcase who I was as a player. I feel like there wasn't nothing I was limited in doing. He trusted me with everything." Along with his ability to impact the run and passing games, Tuimoloau adds some versatility as well, and can line up inside during obvious passing situations if needed. That ability to play from multiple gaps is an important element in Anarumo's defense. What Tuimoloau's workload will look like early on in Year 1 remains to be seen. But he could provide help at defensive end on early, more run-centric downs, and then potentially move inside at times to rush the passer on long down-and-distance situations. What can we expect from Samson Ebukam as he returns from injury? An Achilles injury sidelined Ebukam for all of the 2024 season. In 2023 with the Colts, Ebukam tallied 48 pressures, according to PFF, and 9.5 sacks, which led the team. As GM Chris Ballard described, his presence was very much missed last season. "We missed his physicality," Ballard said earlier this offseason. "Undeniably, we missed what Samson brought a year ago." However, when it comes to Achilles injuries, not only does it take time to return to the field, but even when players are fully back, it takes some additional time to then return to their previous form. And for Ebukam, he is now 30 years old, which only adds to the unknown around what to expect this season. "It's a concern, absolutely," Ballard said of Ebukam coming off the Achilles' injury, "But when you know who the kid is and what he stands for and the effort he puts into everything, I'm willing to make that bet." How does the Colts' defensive end rotation shake out? I think right now, we can safely say that Latu and Kwity will be at the top of this defensive end rotation. But at a position that is heavily rotated with four or sometimes even five players seeing regular snaps, how things shake out behind them, in terms of playing time, remains to be seen. While Tuimoloau has shown in college that he can play all three downs, does he start out with that type of workload in the early going of his rookie season? As mentioned, we don't necessarily know what to expect from Ebukam as he returns from injury, and the Colts also have Tyquan Lewis, along with Isaiah Land, still on the roster--and numbers-wise, one of them might end up being left off.
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Early bold prediction for 2025 has Colts' Daniel Jones winning end-of-season NFL award
Early bold prediction for 2025 has Colts' Daniel Jones winning end-of-season NFL award A 'way-too-early' bold prediction for the 2025 NFL season has Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones winning an end-of-season NFL award. A 'way-too-early' bold prediction for the 2025 NFL season has Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones winning an end-of-season NFL award. Jeffri Chadiha of put together his early bold predictions for the upcoming season, and included was Jones winning the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award. " (Shane) Steichen easily could be the man to take Jones to another level, especially when considering the Colts have better skill players and offensive line play than Jones ever enjoyed in New York," wrote Chadiha. "Nobody saw Darnold taking off when he arrived in Minnesota. Jones could do similar things in Indy if he stays healthy." Jones is competing with Anthony Richardson for the Colts' starting quarterback job, but did gain an advantage during offseason programs, as he was able to take all of the first-team reps for most of OTAs and all of minicamp. If Jones does end up securing the starting role, as Chadiha writes, the recipe is there for him to find some success in Indianapolis with the skill position players he has around him and what is expected to be a good offensive line unit, even with some relatively inexperienced players starting inside. Up to this point, Shane Steichen has been "very pleased" with what he's seen from Jones. "Very pleased with what we got right now," Steichen said of Jones' play, via Locked on Colts. "He's been doing a hell of a job. Really smart football player. Learned the offense very quickly. Making really good decisions out there through OTAs. Obviously want to carry that over to training camp, but he's done a really good job. Great command of the huddle, ultimate pro." With that said, until proven otherwise, regardless of who is under center for the Colts, major question marks will remain at quarterback for this team. Jones is coming off a 2024 season that began with the New York Giants and ended with him on the Minnesota practice squad before assuming a backup role late in the year. In 10 appearances last year, Jones completed 63% of his passes with eight touchdowns to seven interceptions, and averaged just 6.1 yards per attempt.
Axios
15 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
Colts franchise remains a family business
The Colts' new owners are committed to keeping the franchise a family business. Why it matters: Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson say they've been preparing for this moment and share the dedication for the team carried by their late father Jim Irsay. What they're saying:"To say that we love our dad and miss him terribly would be an understatement," Irsay-Gordon said at a recent press conference, the first public remarks made after her father's death. "We are so proud to continue our dad's legacy, beginning with carrying out his foremost wish, to keep the Colts in our family. "We want our fans to know that we've spent decades in our family business learning every aspect of our organization under our dad's leadership. It was sometimes trial by fire, and I'm forever grateful for the invaluable experience that I've gained. It has prepared me and my sisters for moments like today." The big picture: The ownership transition has made the Colts one of 12 NFL teams with women owners, fitting for a franchise in a city that wants to become the mecca of women in sports over the next 25 years. Zoom in: As they prepare to shape the team's future, let's look at how they've served the organization: Carlie Irsay-Gordon: Now co-owner and CEO. Joined the Colts in 2008 while pursuing a doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Skidmore College. Created and runs the Tony Dungy Diversity Coaching Fellowship and Harriet P. Irsay Fellowship for Women in Football programs. Is on the NFL's Media Owned & Operated Committee, the 32 Equity Committee, the Security & Fan Conduct Committee and the board of the NFL Player Care Foundation. Fun fact: She wears a headset on the sidelines during games to better understand each play call and support coaches. Casey Foyt: Now co-owner and executive VP. Joined the Colts in 2007 with a focus on marketing and community relations. After graduating from Indiana University with a sports marketing degree, worked for the NFL in London. Helped plan the first regular season NFL game played outside of the U.S. Helped revitalize the Indianapolis Colts Women's Organization and planned the organization's first major fundraiser. Kalen Jackson: Now co-owner, chief brand officer and Indianapolis Colts Foundation president. Joined the Colts in 2010 and led the Irsay family's community and philanthropic efforts after graduating from IU with a degree in sports management and marketing. Heads the team's Kicking The Stigma initiative, an effort launched by the Irsay family in 2020 to improve mental health awareness, research and treatment in Indiana and beyond. What's next: Colts nation will honor Jim Irsay's memory when he is inducted as the 20th member into the Colts Ring of Honor during the season opener against the Dolphins.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Indianapolis Colts roster preview: TE Mo Alie-Cox
2025 Indianapolis Colts roster preview: TE Mo Alie-Cox Let's take a closer look at this Indianapolis Colts team as we go player-by-player through the roster. Up next is TE Mo Alie-Cox. With offseason programs now behind us, we will be getting a jump start on our training camp preview by going player-by-player through the Indianapolis Colts' 91-man roster. Going alphabetically, up next is tight end Mo Alie-Cox. Mo Alie-Cox's profile Height: 6-5 Weight: 267 Age: 31 NFL experience: 7 seasons College: Virginia Commonwealth No. 81 2024 Snap counts Offense: 475 Special teams: 110 2024 PFF grades Offense: 64.5 Special teams: 55.3 2024 Season Review for Mo Alie-Cox As he has for many years, Alie-Cox continued to be utilized heavily as a blocking presence in the Colts' offense at the tight end position, with about two-thirds of his total offensive snaps coming in that capacity. For what it's worth, among eligible tight ends, Alie-Cox ranked 15th in PFF's run-blocking grade. In the passing game, Alie-Cox totaled just 12 receptions for 147 yards with one touchdown. Of course, you'd certainly like more production, but again, going back to what Alie-Cox was asked to do in this offense, he's a blocker first. Looking ahead to the 2025 season Alie-Cox's role as a block-first tight end won't change. But with the addition of Tyler Warren, who brings a well-rounded skill set to the position, Alie-Cox's opportunities could be reduced. The Colts under Shane Steichen use a heavy dose of two tight end sets, so Alie-Cox could still carve out a role in those more run-heavy situations as the second tight end on the field with Warren. However, also competing for playing time in those run-first situations will be Drew Ogletree, and how the playing time between he and Alie-Cox breaks down remains to be seen. Will Mallory, meanwhile, could potentially be the second tight end next to Warren in the more obvious passing situations. While Alie-Cox has been a key member of this Colts' offense for a while, his current deal, which he signed this offseason as a free agent, doesn't make him a roster lock either. According to Over the Cap, releasing Alie-Cox leaves behind a dead cap hit of $1.167 million, which is relatively easy to absorb. Now, at this time, I expect Alie-Cox to be on the team, but if a younger, higher-upside player from the back end of the depth chart emerges this summer, the Colts do have the cap flexibility to make that move.
