INDIANAPOLIS – Wednesday's pre-draft press conference was about *the* offseason event in the NFL world.
But there were a couple of current personnel tidbits throughout Ryan Grigson's 30-minute sit-down with the media.
What did Grigson have to say about the Colts?Ryan Grigson on the health of Andrew Luck:
"He's fine, alright, he's fine. He's fine. He's fine.
"We had a process that he was to follow in the offseason. Coach (Pagano), myself, Mr. (Jim) Irsay was privy to it. He's just meticulously, in an Andrew Luck type way, going through his rehab and strengthening program to a T. He is going to be fine."
Bowen's Analysis: This question didn't need to be finished. Once Ryan Grigson heard the word "Andrew" he knew what was being asked.
Phase One of the offseason program calls for strength and conditioning, which Luck is participating in. Any on-the-field work that Luck would be allowed to participate in remains two weeks away (happens in Phase Two of the offseason program). Offseason field reps have to be viewed as important though for Luck. First, he's coming off an injury-plagued season. Second, the Colts are installing a new offense. Having Luck orchestrating the necessary timing with the offense is key, even if the bulk of the work doesn't commence until Training Camp in Anderson.
Ryan Grigson on finding a new starting inside linebacker next to D'Qwell Jackson:
"We've got some guys right now in this building in that group.
"We've got some guys, we're just kind of trying to find out if we've got some dudes."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Grigson was asked specifically about Nate Irving and Sio Moore on Wednesday. Like we've mentioned several times in the past month, among the inside linebacker competition, those two have the starting experience in the NFL. Irving did it in Denver for a top-five unit, before an ACL injury ended his 2014 season. From 2013-14, Moore was a productive tackler and sacker out of the inside linebacker spot in Oakland.
If the Colts don't end up drafting an inside linebacker, those two are the favorites to start next to D'Qwell Jackson. Grigson pointed out on Wednesday how this year's inside linebacker draft class does have some speed within the group. Yet, when you think of a 3-4 inside guy, you envision a bulkier body. Of course, spending an early pick on a "thumper" that you have to take off the field on passing downs doesn't correlate in spending a high pick, especially with how offenses want to spread their opponents out.
Ryan Grigson on where Denzelle Good fits into the offensive line:
"We feel like he has upside to be in that (starting) discussion at guard or tackle. His size and athletic traits are pretty evident.
"His competitiveness and intelligence came through and just his overall production in that short window of four starts coming from a very small school, there was a lot of positives there and a lot of things that were kind of unique in the way he played for a guy with the level of competition he'd come from."
Bowen's Analysis: It wouldn't be an offseason presser without Denzelle Good's name coming up in discussion. The second-to-last pick in the 2015 Draft ended up starting four games at right tackle as a rookie.
Good said on Monday that new line coach Joe Philbin told the 350-pounder to be ready for guard or tackle in 2016. What the Colts do in the draft could offer a clearer picture of where Good will get his initial look when offense/defense drills start in a few weeks. Grigson reiterated on Wednesday (like he's done several times this offseason) the Colts are looking for the best five linemen to put together up front.
