Hard Hitting Articles by Ed Nason - JeffHerrod.com2012-05-20T07:05:49ZEd NasonCopyright 2012, Ed NasonSPHPBLOGMore infohttp://www.HardHittingArticles.com check daily!]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120509-2339582012-05-10T00:00:00Z2012-05-10T00:00:00ZIndianapolis Colts Wide Receiver T.Y. Hilton Conference Call “I had a sense when I saw my name go up there and the offensive coordinator (Bruce Arians) called and he liked the way I talk, the playmaker ability. I was talking to him and wide receivers coach (Charlie Williams) and he just flat out loved me from day one. We sat down and broke down my film and the rest is history.”
On if he is as fast as advertised:
“Oh yeah, yes sir. I’m very fast. Definitely, that helps me a lot. I’m quick in and out of my breaks, so teams gotta be ready for me because I’m a blazer.”
On when he thought he would be drafted:
“I had feeling I would go from early second to late third or early fourth, so honestly I didn’t know who was going to grab me or not.”
On his familiarity with the Colts:
“I’ve been watching them since the year they went to the Super Bowl with Peyton (Manning) and Marvin (Harrison) and I always watched them and liked them and loved Deion Sanders.”
On his ability to become a successful Colts returner:
“Oh yes sir. Definitely, that’s what I’m looking to do. I’m going to change the game from kick return to punt return and also as a receiver. I think I can run 60, 70, and 80-yard touchdowns, so me and (Andrew) Luck are going to do just fine.”
On possibility of success with Andrew Luck:
“Yeah, especially with Reggie Wayne outside. I can eat off him and he can eat off young guys. He’s right around the corner. He’s going to be my big brother.”
On whether or not he has confidence:
“Yes sir.” ]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120428-0022242012-04-28T00:00:00Z2012-04-28T00:00:00ZIndianapolis Colts Tight End Dwayne Allen Conference Call “Hey, I’m happy. I was actually in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl and got to see the city. I liked it a lot. Real chill, mellow, such as myself and (I’m) just excited about being a part of a foundation of rebuilding the team and taking them back to championship hype.”
On his feelings of being selected after the Colts selected tight end Coby Fleener:
“Very surprised, but after talking to the coaching staff and the offensive coordinator (Bruce Arians), I’m not surprised at all because the offense calls for two tight ends, who are dynamic and can do different things. I’m just happy to be a Colt.”
On what type of tight end he would describe himself as:
“A complete tight end. A guy who can not only help out in the run game, but stretch the field on a consistent basis. A guy who is improving and moving chains on third and short, third and long. A guy who is just a leader. A tight end who is a great leader and going forward with such a young team, hopefully I can get in, work my tail off and become one of those leaders.”
On his thoughts if his Mackey Award proves he is a better tight end than Coby Fleener:
“I believe me and Coby (Fleener) are two different styles of tight ends. What he offers to the game is very unique and he is very good at it and what I offer to the game is also unique and different and I’m very good at it.”
On thoughts of catching passes from Andrew Luck:
“Hey, he’s been touted as the top quarterback in the draft, and all of college football, so I’m ecstatic to catch passes from him. Of course with all of the media coverage that he had throughout his junior season, I’ve been able to watch some of his games and see how much he loves the tight end, so hopefully that love translates to his NFL game.”
On coming to the Super Bowl:
“I’m actually a part of Gatorade’s Everything to Prove Series. They invited me out to walk through Lucas Oil (Stadium), the house that Peyton (Manning) built. It was a unique experience and standing in the stadium I said to myself, this is a far way from Fayetteville. Little did I know I was going to be actually playing there for the next three or four years.”
On his thoughts of Lucas Oil Stadium:
“I like it a lot. The stadium was great. I have not had the opportunity to go look at any of the facilities, but I’m sure if they are anything close to the stadium they built there, that they are going to be great.”
On his feelings about the Colts saying he plays with a ‘mean streak’:
“Yeah, and that’s exactly how I like to describe my game. As far as how I play in the run game, I do have a mean streak and I’m not afraid to stick my nose in there and hopefully I’ll add that and build upon that. Instead of having a mean streak, just try to develop my whole game, so that whenever I’m playing on any down it seems like as if I play with that mean streak.”
On his thoughts of the company he joins by being a Mackey Award winner:
“Yeah, that’s awesome. I’m actually the third ACC (player) to win the John Mackey behind Kellen Winslow, Jr. and Heath Miller, which is a tremendous honor and I get to actually receive that trophy this coming Tuesday in New York. Dallas Clark, a guy who I watched, since I started playing the position at tight end. He and Peyton (Manning) dominated the game as far the tight end position goes. I’m looking forward to hopefully following in his footsteps as the former John Mackey recipient.” ]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120427-2308052012-04-28T00:00:00Z2012-04-28T00:00:00ZAndre Luck Q&Awww.HardHittingArticles.com for Q&A w/Andrew Luck from Fri April 27th.]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120427-2157522012-04-28T00:00:00Z2012-04-28T00:00:00ZQ&A w/Jim Irsay TRANSCRIPTIONS
On the similarities between the situations surrounding 1998 and 2012:
“There are really are a lot. I just remember, obviously, Peyton (Manning) could have come out his junior year, and probably would have gone to the Jets. He stayed. We struggled, lost to Minnesota. I came home and Arizona was playing in the late game, and Jake Plummer brought them back from nine points down with about seven seconds left, threw a touchdown, and I ran around the house like a madman and my family thought I had lost my mind. So I knew what it had meant when Arizona won that game. This time it was a little bit different, and it looked like we were going to have the number one pick. Then when we finally did, it was significant, because like I said, Andrew (Luck) has been the number one pick for several years. He has been elevated at a certain level. When you talk about people in the NFL, 99 percent would tell you that if they had the pick they would take them. So I think when I look back and have seen Peyton come in and looked to Andrew now, I look at the picture and I am older. I look how young Peyton was and look at Andrew come in and see his birth date, and I realize how time has passed. But it is really a blessing. In life and business and sports some good luck helps, so I think we were fortunate to have the stars align where Andrew was there when we had this pick.”
On the rule that keeps him from being allowed to participate now:
“Again, we continue to try and balance encouraging education, graduation and those things and also from a competitive standpoint not having rules that are to oppressive or whatever. But I think it is something that we continue to look at all the time. You know what you have to deal with going forward. Ultimately I don’t see it holding Andrew back. The way he picks up things and the amount of time we are going to have with training camp, preseason, etc.”
On feeling fortunate to have Andrew Luck:
“I really do. It was a very long and difficult three and a half months. It was, professionally, the hardest part of my career that I ever went through. You could see, if you were behind the curtain and had all of the facts, you kind of knew what you needed to do to go forward in the best interest of the franchise, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I feel really excited and blessed to have Andrew. If you look at teams, Denver, San Francisco, Dallas and other teams where they left that great era with the franchise quarterback, they got back to (being) competitive, maybe made the playoffs at 9-7, and fell back down, because they just couldn’t, even in a 20-year period, push back and get back to greatness because they couldn’t get that guy. I think it is really fortunate that we get to put the piece in place now and build around the franchise quarterback. But the biggest myth, whether it is Andrew, Peyton or whoever, you need the rest of the guys. When we look back, we started off 3-13 and we didn’t win a playoff game for almost six years. It wasn’t until Reggie (Wayne) came in, Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis where we were really a Super Bowl contender and not just competitive. So it takes a lot. This is just the beginning. I couldn’t be more excited about where we are to get back to greatness, but we have big decisions to make going forward in the next couple of years to achieve that, because it takes a lot to win it all. You just can’t do it without the quarterback.”
On how creative the team can get in trying to get Andrew Luck acclimated to the NFL with the rules prohibiting him while still at Stanford:
“I think you try to be as creative as you can be. I would help facilitate that if need be with planes or helicopters or what have you to get these guys together. We do what we can to do it within the rules and to be aggressive in terms of having guys get together. Having Reggie (Wayne) back and having Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney, Adam Vinatieri and Austin (Collie), it is great having these guys going forward. Reggie (Wayne) has been great since we talked and got his deal done. It helps having those veterans that know how to work and know what it takes to win. I know Andrew will do everything he can to get ready.”
Andrew Luck with Bob Lamey at the Colts’ NFL Draft Party at Lucas Oil Stadium
On the Colts selecting Coby Fleener in the second round:
“(I am) so happy for him and for his family. He is a great guy. You will love him. (He is) a really good guy.”
On what Coby Fleener brings to the field for him:
“For me, getting to play with him the past couple of years, it is speed, he is dynamic. Anytime we crossed the 50-yard line it seemed like we just said, ‘Coby, go run. Go run past the safeties.’ Hopefully it continues to work out.”
On whether it was still fun at the draft even though he was going to be the first selection:
“Absolutely. There was so much energy, so much exhilaration and a great atmosphere. To walk across that stage, it is a dream come true.”
On his former coach at Stanford, Jim Harbaugh:
“It was a lot of fun to play for (Jim Harbaugh). Talking to him earlier this year, he only had great things to say about Indianapolis and his time here. I am really looking forward to picking his brain down the road about certain things as well.”
On whether it is tougher to study for finals or study the playbook:
“I think it will be a lot more fun learning the new playbook. I will put it that way.”
On being thrilled to have the opportunity to graduate from Stanford:
“Absolutely. It would be nice to close the chapter on my life in school. You work for four years for it. You try to finish up strong.”
On getting to know his new teammates:
“Absolutely. I think priority number one is starting to build relationships with guys in the locker room, because that is how you are going to win football games. Trust in each other. So I can’t wait to get in there and start that.”
On whether he has seen the Colts’ playbook yet:
“I think they have iPads now, so you can do it all digitally. It is pretty thin still. But no, I haven’t had a chance to look at it and try and start digesting it.”
On still being able to pick up the system even though he won’t be at the facility:
“Absolutely. You are going to have to think outside the box with the coaches, coach Clyde (Christensen) and coach (Bruce) Arians, on ways to learn the playbook, build relationships and try to get reps with the receivers and the other guys.”
On just being Andrew Luck:
“I think within your own personality, do everything. Don’t get too ahead of yourself, don’t get too down on yourself and just try and put your best foot forward every day.”
On what he would like to say to the fans:
“I can’t wait. I also have a new favorite NBA team, the Indiana Pacers. They are in the playoffs. But I can’t wait to get out here. I feel so humbled and so honored to be able to represent the city. It really is a dream come true.” ]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120427-2155072012-04-28T00:00:00Z2012-04-28T00:00:00ZTranscripts Q&A Andrew Luck
On looking forward to getting started with the Colts:
“I absolutely am. I think the most exciting part is being a part of a new locker room and new guys. That is really what I’m stoked about is getting to meet the guys.”
On whether the joy of winning or the hatred of losing drives him more:
“That is a great question, and one that I’ve thought about. But the joy of winning, I think, is better. The fear of losing is bad. So I do believe in that. But also I think motivation by fear, fear of not letting your teammates down and letting your family down, is a big part of it as well.”
On whether tonight played out the way he envisioned it:
“It exceeded all expectations on all levels. From the energy and the excitement to the media circus afterwards, it was all sort of way over the proportion that I expected it to be at, which is great. This is a big deal and (I am) just glad to be a part of it.”
On the team to protecting him and surrounding him with weapons:
“(It is) very exciting. It is fun to be a part of the team where the front office and everybody is committed to winning. I think you need weapons and there are weapons on the team. I will be able to throw with, hopefully, a Hall of Famer in Reggie Wayne, the other guys Austin (Collie) and Donnie (Avery) and whoever else ends up there. Be a part of a team and try to learn from Dwight (Freeney) and Robert (Mathis) their styles and their leadership. But it is exciting to be a part of a team where they are going out and saying we need playmakers and all of that. I’m looking forward to it.”
On following Peyton Manning as the quarterback of the Colts and whether he embraces the pressure:
“Absolutely. I think I realized you could go crazy just trying to measure yourself to Peyton Manning every day. I don’t think that would be a sane way to live. I know his legendary status really, and he was my hero growing up. They are huge shoes to try and fill if you are trying to do that. But I will just try to put my best foot forward and work hard every day. If one day I can be mentioned alongside Peyton as one of the quarterback greats that would be a football dream come true.”
On whether he has heard from Peyton Manning over the last month:
“No, I haven’t heard from him over the last month.”
On having the opportunity to compartmentalize less because football will be his full-time focus:
“I am very excited to have that experience without school and to really put 100 percent of your mental capacity into football. I don’t know if I will have to do it less or more. It could be more with the intricacies of being a professional. It could be less, like you said, without school. But it is something I am looking forward to.”
On growing up around the game of football because of his dad:
“It has been great. He has been there to sort of answer questions when I had them and share on experience here and there. He’s never been overbearing and forced things upon me. He has sort of let me figure a lot of stuff out on my own, so it has been great having him.”
On his last final at Stanford being on June 7:
“Yes.”
On joining the team shortly after his final:
“June 8.”
On the team not putting all of the pressure on him from day one:
“I think it is correct of (Coach Pagano) to say that, and I don’t think you want to get to ahead of yourself. You realize you have to go through a whole process leading up to a game through a season. But that being said, I do have high expectations for myself. I will try to do the best I can, and I said that earlier. It is cliché, but I will try to live up to my own expectations, fit in with all of the guys and then do the best we can.”
On the time of his flight back to Indianapolis:
“I’m not sure what time it is, but I fly on Mr. Irsay’s plane and then go straight to the stadium for some of the fan stuff.” Get more Q&A's at www.HardHittingArticles.com NOW!]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120426-2336542012-04-27T00:00:00Z2012-04-27T00:00:00Z1st round is in! Andrew Luck has over 9,000 yards passing in 3 years at Stanford. Lucks 1st year at college (2009) he had 2,575 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and only threw 4 interceptions. In 2010 Luck threw for 3,338 yards for 32 touchdowns and had 8 interceptions. Last year Luck had 3,517 yards in the air with 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Luck will don number 12 on his jersey as a Colt & it looks like Colts new wide receiver Quan Cosby will have to find a new number as he had number 12. Luck will not be attending any of the volunteer camps as he will still be in school. He isn’t scheduled to attend any camps until the 2nd week in June; that’s approx 6 weeks away. I’m sure he will be in contact with the Colts but it looks like school is important as well to Mr. Luck. “The intangibles are off the chart,” said Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano. “You know (his) skill set, you’ve seen his body of work and he’s a gym rat. He’s a football junkie. He’s big, strong, and physical and he can make every throw out there. He’s a great leader in his own way. We all know the story about the USC game and him coming out at halftime and him doing what he did. We’ve got a great one for years to come. It’s another piece of the puzzle that we feel really good about obviously.”
The Colts made a lot of offseason movement not only releasing Peyton Manning & not resigning Pierre Garcon but other notable movement includes. Resigning Defensive end and 9 year vet Robert Mathis as well as wide receiver Reggie Wayne who is going on his 12 season. The Colts traded a 6th round draft pick for QB Drew Stanton to the Jets as the Colts will finally have a good backup quarterback. Defensive End Cory Redding from Baltimore; head coach Chuck Pagano’s old team. Defensive Back Tom Zbikowski also jumping to Indy from Baltimore and adding wide receiver Donnie Avery. The Colts will be busy tonight and Friday as well as Saturday. With the Colts cleaning house on defense as well as converting to a 3-4 defense the next couple picks are crucial. Saturday and Sunday will be Colts new GM’s Ryan Grigson’s & head coach Chuck Pagano’s 1st real test as new regime. ]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120426-2059382012-04-27T00:00:00Z2012-04-27T00:00:00ZLuck has it! The Colts released today that they are planning on picking Stanford QB Andrew Luck. “In fairness to Andrew Luck and in fairness to the whole process and media gauntlet he’s going to be enduring over the next couple of days, I thought it was the right thing to do to announce that we’re going to take him. I didn’t see the point in prolonging what the world already knows. Like I said, it’s about Andrew and I wanted to do the right thing by him.” Stated Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson.
With GM Ryan Grigson was asked his impressions of him he answered grinning ear to ear “The intangibles are off the chart. You know (his) skill set, you’ve seen his body of work and he’s a gym rat. He’s a football junkie. He’s big, strong, and physical and he can make every throw out there. He’s a great leader in his own way. We all know the story about the USC game and him coming out at half-time and him doing what he did. We’ve got a great one for years to come. It’s another piece of the puzzle that we feel really good about obviously.”
The NFL Draft is televised & starts at 9am this Thursday April 26th on NFL Network the draft its self isn’t until 8pm and ends at 11:30. You say you don’t have NFL Network but you want to watch the draft? ESPN starts its coverage at 3pm and also ends at 11:30 that night.
The 2nd & 3rd round starts at 7pm on Friday the 27th of April and also ends at 11:30, also televised on NFL Network & ESPN. Saturday the 28th concludes the draft with rounds 4 through 7. Saturdays start time is noon and ends at 8pm. The Colts draft picks (as of now) include; Round One, No. 1 overall, Round Two, No. 34 overall, Round Three, No. 64 overall, Round Four, No. 97 overall, Round Five, No. 136 overall, Round Five, No. 170 overall, Round Six, No. 206 overall, Round Seven, No. 208 overall, Round Seven, No. 214 overall (via trade with Jets), Round Seven, No. 253 overall the last pick in the NFL draft also known as Mr. Irrelevant.
Look for defensive lineman as well as maybe some trading from the Colts the day of the draft. With the head coach Chuck Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson cleaning house this offseason it will be interesting to see what direction the Colts will go.
Last year the NFL introduced alumni players to introduce the 2nd round players, this year alumni players will introduce 2nd and 3rd round. The Colts asked Marvin Harrison to do this year honors. Harrison played in the NFL for 13years and all of them with the Colts. He finished his career with over 1,100 receptions for 14,580 yards and 128 touch downs. Harrison retired after the 2008 season as he never really recovered from his knee injury in the 2007 season. ]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120424-2327232012-04-25T00:00:00Z2012-04-25T00:00:00Z2012-13 PRESEASON
Sunday, August 12 ST. LOUIS RAMS 1:30 p.m. (WNDY)
Sunday, August 19 at Pittsburgh Steelers 8:00 p.m. (NBC)
Saturday, August 25 at Washington Redskins 4:00 p.m. (WNDY)
Thursday, August 30 CINCINNATI BENGALS 7:00 p.m. (WNDY)
REGULAR SEASON
Sunday, September 9 at Chicago Bears 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 16 MINNESOTA VIKINGS 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 23 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 30 Open Date
Sunday, October 7 GREEN BAY PACKERS 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 14 at New York Jets 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 21 CLEVELAND BROWNS 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 28 at Tennessee Titans 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 4 MIAMI DOLPHINS 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 8 at Jacksonville Jaguars 8:20 p.m.
Sunday, November 18* at New England Patriots 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 25* BUFFALO BILLS 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 2* at Detroit Lions 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 9* TENNESSEE TITANS 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 16* at Houston Texans 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 23* at Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 30* HOUSTON TEXANS 1:00 p.m. ]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120417-1911222012-04-17T00:00:00Z2012-04-17T00:00:00Z2012 Colts Schedule Home
Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins Cleveland Browns Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings
AWAY
Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans New England Patriots New York Jets Kansas City Chiefs Chicago Bears Detroit Lions ]]>http://www.jeffherrod.com/hard-hitting-articles/index.php?entry=entry120414-1214362012-04-14T00:00:00Z2012-04-14T00:00:00Z