Colts Cover 2 Podcast

With reports and rumors swirling about the possibility of Carson Wentz returning for a second season with the Colts, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins offer their take on Wentz’s security in Indianapolis, what it might take to move him and why moving away from Wentz would make sense.

A new defensive coordinator is hard at work building his coaching staff in Indianapolis, and he’s met with the media to offer his vision for the Colts defense. IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down Gus Bradley’s opening press conference, how his scheme will make the secondary more physical at the line of scrimmage, the potential fits on the defensive line, Super Bowl LVI and play the game of “What If?” on what might have happened if Indianapolis had traded for Matthew Stafford instead of Carson Wentz.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins postponed the Cover-2 podcast this week in order to wait for the news that finally came on Friday night: The Colts are hiring Gus Bradley to replace Matt Eberflus as the team’s defensive coordinator. Joel and Nate break down everything about the move, from fit to scheme to the way this affects the team’s existing personnel and the additions that need to be made, plus some bonus thoughts from Nate’s week in Mobile evaluating draft prospects at the Senior Bowl.

Slow movement on the coaching cycle has left the Colts in limbo a little bit about the status of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, but IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins are ready to take a look at what might come after the team’s decision to not bring defensive line coach Brian Baker back, along with lessons from the NFL’s wild divisional round that Indianapolis might need to apply if the Colts want to get back to the playoffs. Judging by Jim Irsay’s relentless march this offseason, it sounds like the Colts want it bad.

The 2021 Colts season is over, but the news hasn’t slowed down much since Chris Ballard wrapped up the season last week, and IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a look at Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus interviewing for two coaching jobs, the possibilities if the Colts need to bring in a new coordinator, the offseason lay of the land at quarterback and the options that might be available if Indianapolis moves on from Carson Wentz.

In the wake of Chris Ballard’s State of the Colts address, IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the way the week has gone for Carson Wentz, the quarterback’s deficiencies that the Colts just might not be able to live without, and some of the spots that Ballard might need to adjust his thinking, particularly on the defensive line, at left tackle and wide receiver.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins try to make sense of one of the worst losses in franchise history after the Colts’ 26-11 disaster in Jacksonville, diving deep into whether or not Carson Wentz should be the quarterback of the future in Indianapolis, the roster holes that reared their ugly heads at the worst possible moment and the weaknesses the Colts must address.

Facing a win-and-in season finale for the third time in the past four seasons, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a look at the Colts’ six years of futility in Jacksonville, a Jaguars team that looks wildly overmatched, the potential for a clown-clad crowd at TIAA Bank Field and the Colts’ problems in the passing game, from Carson Wentz to the lack of receiving talent Indianapolis has assembled.  

Indianapolis coughed up its first chance to clinch a playoff berth in Sunday’s 23-20 loss to the Raiders, and IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break it all down: Carson Wentz’s inconsistency, the Colts’ lack of receivers, an offensive line that struggled to get the running game going, the lack of pass rush, Darius Leonard’s critical miss and Kenny Moore’s rough day, all while trying to keep one game in the perspective of the entire season.

After a wild week of news, IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins try to get a handle on a potential playoff-clinching game at Lucas Oil Stadium against a desperate Las Vegas Raiders team that needs to win both of its games to have a chance at the postseason.