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NFL 2016: Bad Lip Reading

The NFL’s offseason can be a lonely place for a football fan. Little glimmers of hope burst forth with the free agency and NFL Draft periods, but then, the upcoming journey to Super Bowl 51 in Houston becomes so far away.

The fellas over at Bad Lip Reading put together some great videos of the 2015-16 NFL season, so this should help get you through at least today. And if that’s not great news by itself, the guys actually put together TWO videos. So that should make the offseason lull a little easier.

NFL 2016: Part One – A Bad Lip Reading of the NFL

NFL 2016: Part Two – A Bad Lip Reading of the NFL

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Indianapolis Colts Draft Review

As the Indianapolis Colts continue their building toward Super Bowl 51 in Houston, the NFL Draft served as a way for general manager Ryan Grigson to help shore up the offensive line.

The Indianapolis Colts placed a heavy emphasis on protecting quarterback Andrew Luck, selecting four lineman with their seven picks in the 2016 NFL Draft.

In the first round, the Colts potentially found Andrew Luck the Jeff Saturday to his Peyton Manning, selecting Alabama center Ryan Kelly with their first pick in the draft. Kelly only allowed four QB rushes and ZERO sacks in his 2015-16 national championship campaign for the Crimson Tide.

Alongside Kelly, the Colts offensive line added offensive tackles Le’Raven Clark out of Texas Tech and Joe Haeg out of North Dakota State, as well as center Austin Blythe out of Iowa. This offensive bolstering led to the Colts cutting OL Khaled Holmes.

The Colts also added to their defense through the draft, though many weren’t happy with the lack of pass rush that was acquired. Indianapolis drafted safety T.J. Green in the second round, a player many had as a first-round talent. The Colts also added defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway out of Texas, and linebackers Antonio Morrison out of Florida and Trevor Bates out of Maine.

For a complete analysis of the Colts draft picks, head over to ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Wells’ complete draft analysis.

Indianapolis Colts: Rounds 1-3

The road to Super Bowl 51 for the Indianapolis Colts will be heavily determined by what general manager Ryan Grigson does with the six 2016 NFL Draft selections the team had headed into the first round. We break down the first three picks for the horseshoe.

Round 1, Pick #18: Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama

The Colts finally got Andrew Luck his Jeff Saturday on Thursday night, taking all-american center Ryan Kelly from the national champion Alabama Crimson Tide.

Kelly was a three year starter, including 2015’s national championship season. In the 2015 season, Kelly only allowed FOUR quarterback hurries and ZERO sacks.

Andrew Luck is the franchise, and the Colts made that clear on Thursday night, shoring up one of the biggest needs on the offensive line. Since drafting Luck in 2012, the Colts have had five different starters at center, none of which were drafted in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.

Round 2, Pick #57: T.J. Green, FS, Clemson

Indianapolis held the #48 pick in the draft, but traded with the Green Bay Packers to acquire two extra picks. That landed Indy at #57, where the Colts took speedy Clemson safety T.J. Green.

With Indianapolis set at the safety position with starters Mike Adams and second-year man Clayton Geathers, Green could see himself taking snaps at the cornerback position. Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, however, reiterated on Friday night Green was a safety.

Round 3, Pick #82: La’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech

The Colts continued to add bulk to their offensive line on the second night of the draft, taking 6’5″, 316-pound offensive tackle La’Raven Clark from Texas Tech.

While Clark could see time at the right tackle spot, he’s more likely to make the transition to offensive guard in the NFL, possibly ousting Hugh Thornton from a starting role.

2016 NFL Draft: Indianapolis Colts

The 2016 NFL Draft serves as the second of leg of the offseason road to Super Bowl 51 in Houston. We preview the Indianapolis Colts’ many draft needs.

Offensive Lineman: Ryan Kelly, C (Alabama)

If the Indianapolis Colts choose to bolster their offensive line with the #18 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and center Ryan Kelly out of Alabama is available, general manager Ryan Grigson should not even think twice about taking the prospect.

Since Jeff Saturday’s departure in 2012, the Colts have struggled to find a decent starting center, juggling around names like Khaled Holmes, Jonotthan Harrison and even giving guard Hugh Thornton some snaps. A solid center to anchor the offensive line is the first step in the Colts’ pursuit of protecting quarterback Andrew Luck.

Linebacker: Noah Spence, OLB (Eastern Kentucky)

Should Indianapolis choose to fill their need at the linebacker position, many mock drafts have the Colts taking former Ohio State and Eastern Kentucky linebacker Noah Spence.

Following the loss of Jerrell Freeman to the Chicago Bears and releasing Jonathan Newsome, the Colts find themselves pretty thin at the linebacker position. Drafting a young and talented LB could also serve a smooth transition for the Colts whenever team sack leader Robert Mathis decides to hang it up.

Pass Rush: Shaq Lawson, DE (Clemson)

The Colts have been looking for that next great pass rusher on the line since losing Dwight Freeney in 2012 and moving Robert Mathis to outside linebacker.

Defensive end Shaq Lawson, of the national championship runner-up Clemson Tigers, would be a solid young defensive talent that, like Spence, would be allowed the opportunity to learn underneath the tutelage of Mathis and provide for a smooth transition, at the very least.

Andrew Luck’s Return

The Indianapolis Colts’ disappointing 2015 campaign was large in-part due to the absence of quarterback Andrew Luck. Now what do the Colts have to look forward to in 2016?

Luck’s Health and New Strategy

After suffering a slew of injuries in 2015, a lacerated kidney following a vicious, folding hit from a Denver Broncos defender, ultimately became what ended Luck’s season in week 9.

Granted, the Colts were 3-5 heading into the game, so even with Luck, the team was a train wreck. But leaks and reports surfaced that the QB had been dealing with shoulder injuries all season, to boot. And now, after not playing football since November 8, aside from the Colts bolstering the offensive line, there are changes Luck clearly has to make to his game to avoid these same injuries.

“You’re always looking at self-evaluating after a season, but there definitely were some things last year that affect how I approach this year mentally, physically, emotionally in a sense,” Luck told reporters at the team’s voluntary workouts on Monday. “It started with a good training offseason before this and it’ll continue now.”

Andrew Luck and the Colts will begin their journey toward Super Bowl 51 in Houston on September 11, facing the Detroit Lions at home.

Get prepared for the return of the Colts VIP Tailgates, hosted before every Indianapolis Colts home game!

Indianapolis Colts Schedule Review

As fans everywhere watched in anticipation of a glimpse at football during the offseason, the 2016 NFL Regular Season schedule was announced Thursday night. The Indianapolis Colts have one of the more interesting roads to Super Bowl 51 in Houston.

Opening at Home:

The Colts will welcome former head coach Jim Caldwell and the Detroit Lions back to Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2016 season opener.

The Lions finished 2015 with a disappointing 7-9 record, finishing third in the NFC North. Notably, the Lions also lost future hall-of-fame receiver Calvin Johnson to retirement in the offseason.

Thanksgiving:

The Colts will host the Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thanksgiving, Indianapolis’ first ever home game on turkey day. According to the NFL, all Thursday night games will be a part of the NFL’s color rush, featuring color-on-color jerseys. Rumors are flying that the Colts might wear all blue for the first time in team history.

Ten Year Anniversary:

2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl XLI championship season, and the Chicago Bears, whom the Colts defeated 29-17 in Miami, will visit the Colts in week 5 of the regular season. This matchup will be the first between the two since quarterback Andrew Luck’s rookie season, when the Bears defeated the Colts 41-21 at Soldier Field.

The Colts lead the series, however, 23-19.

Toughest Stretch:

The Indianapolis Colts elected to not have a bye week following their journey to London in week 4 against the Jaguars, thus leading to what might be the toughest stretch of the 2016 season. The Colts’ will fly home from London after week 4, returning to face the Chicago Bears for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff in week 5, just six days later. Weeks 6 and 7 don’t get any easier, going to Houston on Sunday night in week 6 and Tennessee in week 7. The team will not see their bye week until week 10.

Did the NFL Schedule release get you pumped up for football? Check out our Colts VIP Tailgate, hosted before EVERY Colts home game! We’d love to see you there, beginning September 11 vs. the Detroit Lions!

Indianapolis Colts: Biggest Offseason Needs

It’s no secret, the Indianapolis Colts have some work to do in the 2016 NFL offseason. And now, with confidence reestablished between owner, coach and general manager, it’s time to see exactly what the Colts plan to do to help fans forget the abysmal 8-8 season and missing the playoffs.

Offensive Line help

The Colts cycled through the quarterbacking carousel in the 2015 season. The men who took snaps in live, regular season action for the Colts included: Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck, Charlie Whitehurst, Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley. Yes, all of those men played real, meaningful football.

Why, you might ask? Andrew Luck was obliterated by opposing defenses throughout the first six weeks of the NFL regular season, sitting on the sidelines due to supposed shoulder and rib injuries before finally suffering a lacerated kidney in a week 9 victory over the eventual-world champion Denver Broncos. Without gaining some bulk and consistency on the offensive line, whether through free agency with someone like Brandon Brooks of the Houston Texans, or through the draft, the Colts could be due for deja vu in 2016.

Andrew Luck extension

Did we mention Andrew Luck suffered a multitude of injuries due to inconsistencies with the offensive line in 2015?

Fans don’t need the anxiousness of wondering whether or not Luck will remain in Indianapolis following the expiration of his rookie contract in 2017. Get Luck locked down to the highest amount of money every guaranteed to an NFL quarterback, and put the city’s mind at ease.

Offensive Line help

What’s that? We already mentioned this? Oh, our bad. Well, they need offensive line help.

Primary help in the secondary

With Greg Toler and Dwight Lowery’s contracts set to expire, the Colts are due for some upgrades back in the secondary. While pro-bowler Vontae Davis will continue to anchor the secondary, Toler and Lowery’s departure make the Colts’ next men up Colt Anderson and Darius Butler. While both men have provided value to the Colts in past years (aside from snapping the ball to Griff Whalen on that fake punt…it’s okay, Colt. We forgive you.), neither seems like a sufficient number-two in the secondary. Some examples? Michael Griffin, formerly of the Tennesssee Titans, might be a safety high on Colts Nation’s wish list.

Re-sign LB Jerrell Freeman

Through all the inconsistencies in this Indianapolis Colts defense, one steady performer has always been captain Jerrell Freeman.

Freeman managed to gather 135 total tackles in 2015, good for T-16th in the NFL, as well as three sacks and an interception. It was Freeman’s leadership throughout the season, however, alongside veteran D’Qwell Jackson, that proved to be his most valuable asset to the Indianapolis Colts.

The defense is already weak enough. Pay the man. Keep the consistency.

Offensive Line help

Yep. It’s still an issue.

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CBS Live from 2016 Players Tailgate!

Throughout the 2016 Players Tailgate, CBS San Francisco reporter Mark Kelly was live from the event, detailing the amazing pre-game party being thrown for our VIP guests. A tailgate unlike any other, featuring Erin Andrews, Guy Fieri, Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima, over 25 NFL players and more! Check out Kelly’s live shots during the 2016 Players Tailgate!

Kelly’s feature on the tailgate captures exactly what the tailgate represents: a VIP experience, filled with celebrities, NFL players, great food and an overall great experience.

Not able to make the 2016 Players Tailgate in San Francisco? Don’t worry, we’ve got complete recaps of the VIP action. And it’s never to early to start thinking about the 2016-17 NFL season, complete with Super Bowl LI in Houston!