Colts Cover 2 Podcast

With free agency wrapping up and the NFL’s attention turning to the draft, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a trip around the AFC South, breaking down the big, headline-grabbing moves made by the Texans, Jaguars and Titans while the Colts stayed relatively silent outside of signing their own guys.

IndyStar insider Joel A. Erickson spends this week’s edition of the Cover-2 podcast breaking down the NFL’s annual meeting with Nate Atkins, who spent plenty of time with Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard. In two days in Orlando, Atkins got a feel for the moves the Colts have and haven’t been making this offseason, and what they might be planning to do next.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a look at the Colts’ lack of outside signings in free agency so far, specifically the team’s pursuit of defensive backs who can upgrade the secondary. The Colts have been linked to a handful of players, but to this point, most of the rumors have turned out to be overblown, and Indianapolis desperately needs experience in the secondary to take the next step as a team.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins offer their first impressions on the Colts’ moves in free agency so far, taking a look at the holes Indianapolis has filled, the spots that remain thin and the rest of the league. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down free agency from a Colts perspective, beginning with the decision to place the franchise tag on Michael Pittman Jr., talking about the possibility of trading for L’Jarius Sneed and going through the need for experienced help in the secondary.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins try to make sense of Chris Ballard’s hints and deflections at the NFL scouting combine, the position he wants to use his first pick to draft, the future of Anthony Richardson and the clear, definitive answer Ballard gave on the future of Michael Pittman Jr. in Indianapolis.

The NFL scouting combine comes to Indianapolis next week, and after a relatively quiet two months of the offseason, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins talk through the questions they still have about the Colts offseason, how Chris Ballard will address positions of need and how he weighs the development of young players against the possibility of adding a difference-maker.

In this week’s edition of the Colts Cover-2 podcast, Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down lessons they learned from the NFL playoffs, including the problem of going up against the other quarterbacks in the AFC, the players a team needs to have around the quarterback and how those guys can change games.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a look at the Colts’ rookie class one by one, breaking down every rookie from Anthony Richardson to Ameer Speed as Indianapolis begins to set its sights on the next draft class.

With the Colts still in the planning stages of the offseason, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a look at the rest of the pending Indianapolis free agent class beyond Michael Pittman Jr., and the decisions Chris Ballard must make this off-season

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down Michael Pittman Jr.'s outlook heading into free agency, the Colts' options to make sure they re-sign him and his importance to the offense Indianapolis has built for Anthony Richardson. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins wrap up the 2023 season and look ahead to 2024 as the Colts go from surprising to contenders.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 23-19 loss to the Texans, Shane Steichen's decision on fourth down, Gardner Minshew's overall performance and Jonathan Taylor gutting through the pain. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down a monumental season finale for the Colts against Houston, a team Indianapolis hasn't seen since the second game of the season. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 23-20 win over the Raiders, how Indianapolis bounced back and what it means going forward. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down a must-win game for the Colts against the Raiders, a team with a defense playing very good football. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 29-10 loss to the Falcons, the offense's struggles without Michael Pittman Jr., the lack of a running game and a terrible defensive performance, including defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Damontae Kazee suspension and reaction, the odd news coming from the Colts and an intriguing game against the Falcons. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 30-13 win over Pittsburgh, what it means for the Indianapolis playoff chances, the players of the game and the Colts' future under Shane Steichen. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down a huge Colts game against the Steelers, what it means for the team's playoff chances and how to view a Pittsburgh team that doesn't look a lot like the Steelers of old. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down an ugly Colts loss to the Bengals, trying to figure out what's a fluke, what's real and what might keep Indianapolis from making good on its push for the playoffs.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down a Bengals game that suddenly looks more difficult than it first appeared, the Colts' playoff chances, the return of Grover Stewart and how this offense is succeeding with a backup quarterback.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down their first impressions of the Colts' wild 31-28 win over the Titans in Tennessee, including a pair of wide receivers playing the hero, issues Indianapolis might need to address as they head into the final four games. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a big-picture look at the Colts before they travel to Tennessee to take on the Titans, examining Shane Steichen, the offensive line, the role the schedule has played and the places Indianapolis remains vulnerable. 

IndyStar Colts Insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins breakdown Sunday's 27-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that put the Colts at 6-5. If the season ended today, Indianapolis would be in the playoffs.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down Shaquille Leonard's legacy in Indianapolis, the reasons for his release and how the Colts have to focus on making the playoffs. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 10-6 win over the New England Patriots, a win that got Indianapolis back to 5-5, even if the offense looks like it's got some major problems going forward. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins preview the Germany trip, what they're looking forward to seeing and doing in Frankfurt and the matchup between the Colts and a Patriots team that still feels dangerous.

IndyStar insiders break down the Colts' 27-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, a game that looked good on first glance but contains a few underlying issues that could cost Indianapolis in the future.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' defensive issues, beginning with their problems at cornerback, a pass rush that's struggling and the chance to get back on track, given the quarterbacks on the schedule. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 38-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints, taking on the team's cornerback decisions, the Indianapolis' offensive performance, the lack of second-half carries for Jonathan Taylor and the front office's role in a bad defensive game.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the NFL's lack of officiating accountability, Gardner Minshew's turnover problem, the defensive tackle rotation and the depth at cornerback in light of the injury to JuJu Brents.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 39-38 loss to the Browns, including the calls at the end, Shane Steichen's decision-making, Gardner Minshew's turnovers, Jonathan Taylor's return and a good day from the Indianapolis receivers.

Anthony Richardson's rookie year will end with season-ending shoulder surgery. IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down Richardson's prospects, his shoulder surgery, the ways the team's offense must change in light of the switch to Gardner Minshew and the defensive loss of Grover Stewart. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 37-20 loss to Jacksonville, taking a hard look at Anthony Richardson's injury, Gardner Minshew's performance, a young group of Colts wide receivers and Shane Steichen's game management. 

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins as they record their Colts Cover-2 Podcast in front of a live audience during Inside IndyStar event. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 23-16 win over the Titans, taking a look at Anthony Richardson's injury, Jonathan Taylor's return, Zack Moss's big day and Zaire Franklin's physicality. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down Jonathan Taylor's return, Anthony Richardson's celebration, the pitfalls of the team's cornerback. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a first-blush look at the Colts' 29-23 loss to the Rams, breaking down Anthony Richardson, the Indianapolis defense and the team's lack of experienced depth in certain spots.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a hard look at the Colts' surprising start, breaking down the issues that could still cause problems for Indianapolis and a schedule that seems set up perfectly for the Colts' strengths. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' upset win over the Baltimore Ravens, looking at Zack Moss, Gardner Minshew, the Indianapolis defensive line and one of the greatest days a kicker has ever had. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' matchup against the Ravens, highlighting all the areas where Baltimore is going to give Indianapolis the kind of test it hasn't seen. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 31-20 win over the Texans on Sunday, taking a look at Anthony Richardson, Zack Moss, the Indianapolis defensive line, Gus Bradley, Shane Steichen and much more. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down Colts vs. Texans, the first matchup between two of the quarterbacks taken in the top five of the 2023 NFL Draft, Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 31-21 loss to the Jaguars, breaking down heroes, villains, gameday observations, takeaways to throw away and takeaways to keep, like the holes on the Indianapolis roster. 

The 2023 Colts season opener has arrived, and IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take look at their expectations for both Anthony Richardson and a young team at large. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' ever-changing 53-man roster after a topsy-turvy week, pointing out thin spots, places that still need to be addressed and take another look at a Jonathan Taylor situation that Chris Ballard tried to reset on Tuesday.

With IndyStar insider Nate Atkins in Philadelphia for a joint practice against the Eagles, the Colts Cover-2 podcast breaks down how Indianapolis looked against the reigning NFC Champs, the Jonathan Taylor situation and what increasingly looks like it might be lost this season.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' decision to start Anthony Richardson, the potential objections and why Indianapolis decided to put him in the starting lineup now.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' decision to start Anthony Richardson in the preseason against Buffalo, what to expect from the rookie quarterback, the offense and where the team is thin. Oh, and Joel revolutionizes preseason football with one simple idea. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down what they've seen from the Colts in training camp so far, taking a look at Anthony Richardson, Gardner Minshew, the wide receivers, a thin cornerback room and the offensive line. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Jonathan Taylor contract situation, the Colts' perspective, encouraging signs from Shaquille Leonard and the early returns from Anthony Richardson in training camp. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins are back with the first Colts Cover-2 podcast of the season, breaking down the Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman Jr. contract situations, the Shaquille Leonard injury news and Anthony Richardson, the star of this training camp at Grand Park.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins wrap up the Colts offseason program by taking a look at Jonathan Taylor's contract situation, Anthony Richardson's development, the spots on the roster that remain thin and the injury questions heading into the NFL's five-week break before the start of training camp. 

In this edition of the Colts Cover-2 podcast, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the NFL's gambling investigation into Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, the league's relationship with sports betting and the team's critical need for experienced cornerback help.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' decision to start giving rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson snaps with the first team right away, rather than putting him with the No. 2 team like their rivals in the AFC South.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 2023 schedule from every angle, taking a look at the toughest stretches, the flash points and the travel.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' rookie minicamp, particularly what they saw from Anthony Richardson and Josh Downs, and take a look at a few undrafted free agents who look like they have an opportunity for a roster spot.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' selection of Anthony Richardson, the rest of the 11 picks Indianapolis made and the holes that still exist on the roster moving forward.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' pick of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson at No. 4, particularly how he fell into their laps and why they were finally convinced to swing for the fences.

With the NFL Draft a week away, IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a look at a conversation that's finally, mercifully, almost over, as Indianapolis is expected to take a quarterback of the future next week.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the quarterback decision the Colts have coming up, the way the winds of the draft seem to be blowing and a Texans possibility that could blow the draft wide open.

Join IndyStar sports editor Nat Newell and insider Nate Atkins as they discuss the latest from NFL owners meetings and Nate's road trip to quarterback pro days.

With IndyStar insider Nate Atkins on the road for C.J. Stroud and WIll Levis Pro Days, fellow insider Joel A. Erickson checks in with the road warrior to break down what he's seeing from the quarterbacks, what the Colts are (or aren't) doing in free agency and what kind of scenarios might involve Indianapolis taking something other than quarterback at No. 4.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the opening of free agency, the typically quiet Colts on opening day, the possibility of Lamar Jackson and what Carolina's trade to No. 1 means for Indianapolis.

With the Combine in the rear-view mirror, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down what we learned about the five quarterbacks at the top of the draft: Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson, Kentucky's Will Levis and Tennessee's Hendon Hooker.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down what Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen said about the Colts' quarterback search at the NFL scouting combine.

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins as they discuss the hiring of offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and free agency.

With Shane Steichen officially hired and introduced in Indianapolis, IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down Steichen's introductory press conference, the Colts' return to normalcy and the quarterback question that can finally start getting some answers now.

The Colts have reportedly identified their target for head coach, and IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the team's decision to likely go with Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, a coach with a history of developing quarterbacks and a strong link to the recent past in Indianapolis. 

With the Colts coaching search likely in limbo until after the Super Bowl, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a look at lessons from the two Super Bowl participants, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, that the Colts should apply in Indianapolis.

With the Colts whittling their list down from 14 to 7 for the second round of head coaching interviews, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a quick look at all seven candidates, along with talking through the viability of defensive coaches and what the offensive coaches can bring to the table. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the reaction of Colts fans to the possibility of a Jeff Saturday hiring, the reaction of the front office, Frank Reich’s hiring in Carolina and the long list of candidates coming in for a second interview.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take stock of the Colts coaching search at the midpoint of the initial round of interviews, breaking down Jeff Saturday's candidacy, the most interesting early candidates and the possibility of Lamar Jackson leaving Baltimore.

With the Colts’ head coaching search underway, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down Jeff Saturday’s candidacy, Bubba Ventrone’s interview, Chris Ballard’s search, the places Ballard can change his roster building and the list of interview candidates that have been revealed over the last couple of days.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' season-ending loss to the Texans, an ugly end to an ugly season. 

With a meaningless season finale on tap, IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down some of the coaching rumors and reports already swirling, and try to handicap what's going on.

The Colts got blown out 38-10 in a disheartening loss to the New York Giants, and IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down what it means for Indianapolis interim coach Jeff Saturday and his long-term chances to get the permanent head coaching job.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins push the conversation beyond the Giants game and into the future, including whether or not the Colts should start Sam Ehlinger for developmental purposes, what it will mean if Chris Ballard is back and what it means for the head coaching search.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' Monday night loss to the Chargers, another game with bad quarterback play, a bad game plan and a defense carrying too much weight.

IndyStar Colts Insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins take a look at the underlying reasons for the worst collapse in NFL history.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' historic collapse in Minnesota, taking a look at every aspect of a 39-36 loss to the Vikings by touching on Jeff Saturday, Matt Ryan, the offense's play-calling, the cornerbacks, the defense's collapse and much more. 

Four games into Jeff Saturday's 8-game audition as the Colts interim coach, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins try to take stock of everything Saturday's done so far, trying to judge how the interim coach has done.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins dive into the Colts' ugly collapse in Dallas on Sunday Night Football, passing blame around to Matt Ryan, Jeff Saturday, the Indianapolis defense and a whole lot more

With the Colts' playoff hopes on life support, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down where everything went wrong with the franchise, beginning with a pair of decisions that happened almost two years ago. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts' 24-17 loss to the Steelers on Monday Night Football, taking a look at the few things that went right and the bunch of things that went wrong for an Indianapolis team falling further and further out of the playoff picture. 

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins focus their Thanksgiving week edition of the Colts Cover-2 podcast on a familiar topic: An offensive line that bears the bulk of the responsibility for this season's disappointment, and an offensive line that has to be fixed going forward for a franchise in transition to have a chance at a turnaround. 

In a refurbished and reformatted First Impressions Colts Cover-2 podcast, IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins run down a list of categories to break down everything that happened in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins as they recap the Colts 25-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Plus, Jeff Saturday wins in his debut and quarterback Matt Ryan returns.

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins are they recap the Colts 25-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Plus quarterback Matt Ryan's return and Jeff Saturday's debut.

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins as they dive deep into the firing of Frank Reich and the hiring of Jeff Saturday.

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins as they take a take a look at the firing of Frank Reich and the hiring of Jeff Saturday as head coach.

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins as they recap a 26-3 Colts loss to the New England Patriots.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the two major moves the Colts made on Tuesday: the decision to trade Nyheim Hines and the decision to fire offensive coordinator Marcus Brady, along with taking a look at breaking news Wednesday that got its start from Jim Irsay.

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins as they recap a devastating 17-16  loss to the Washington Commanders. 

In the wake of a monumental shift at the quarterback position, IndyStar Colts insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down how the Colts got to this point, what it means for the organization and how the offense might change with Sam Ehlinger at the helm. 

Join insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins as they recap the 19-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

The Colts face a monumental game against the rival Titans for control of the AFC South this week. IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts’ shift on offense, the development of the wide receivers and the suddenly troubling defensive trends against the run, at cornerback and in terms of creating turnovers.

IndyStar insiders Joel A. Erickson and Nate Atkins break down the Colts’ 34-27 win over the Jaguars, a game that shows the offense has a chance, Indianapolis is getting good production out of its wide receivers, but also a game that opens up questions on the defensive side of the ball.