Zaire Franklin certainly isn't a player to hold back in his views. His issue is that he plays for the Indianapolis Colts, stuck in the Midwest, though still a great player. If he played for the Dallas Cowboys or a New York team, he'd be a household name.
That isn't meant as any disrespect to Indy. Having a bit of unsung players compared to the rest of the NFL is a good thing. It fits with the franchise and allows the team to be sneaky good. But when it comes to Franklin's words, he is elite.
Heading into Week 3 against the 0-2 Tennessee Titans and rookie quarterback Cam Ward, Indianapolis's linebacker has given some words for the Titans' bulletin board. The question will become whether Indy can back up what Franklin said, and the guess is yes.
Indianapolis Colts' Zaire Franklin has strong words about the Titans' Cam Ward
After all, the Colts have beaten the Titans four straight times, and Tennessee obviously is no better now than it has been in a few years. That isn't Ward's fault. The rookie has faced a lot of pressure, and even great veteran quarterbacks would wilt under the same conditions.
Tennessee's quarterback did make a wonderful play in Week 2, however. He dropped back, rolled to his right, had no one open, and then decided to heave a pass across the field for a touchdown. It was a risk few quarterbacks would take, but it paid off.
Franklin, though, is hoping Cam Ward takes the same gamble in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. If the QB does choose to try the pass, the likelihood is that it ends up being a good thing for Indy, at least in Franklin's view.
The linebacker said, "I hope he throws that (pass) again. It wasn’t a good throw. But he’s a talented player. He can make all those throws...He’s the No. 1 overall pick for a reason. But hopefully he throws the ball again."
Of course, what is Zaire Franklin supposed to say otherwise? That he thinks Ward will have a great game against the Colts because he is so talented? Of course, not. No athlete should say that about an upcoming opponent.
Moreover, while Cam Ward might have a great career, the pass he threw for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams was a lucky one. No one expected him to try that, and in future games, teams will be better prepared. That starts in Week 3 when the Indianapolis Colts likely beat the Tennessee Titans.