Tag: Morocco Brown

Report: Colts exec traveled ‘almost weekly’ to check on Anthony Richardson

Morocco Brown reportedly racked up the mileage checking in on Anthony Richardson.

The Indianapolis Colts knew Anthony Richardson was the quarterback they wanted roughly a month before the 2023 NFL draft but just to be sure, one of the team’s top executives made regular trips to Florida in order to track his progress.

Richardson spent much of the pre-draft process working with quarterbacks coach Danny Johnson, improving some of his lower-half mechanics. Colts chief personnel executive Morocco Brown reportedly traveled “almost weekly” to the Sunshine State to check in on the young quarterback, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Two names loomed large in the evaluation of Colts QB Anthony Richardson. Scouting executive Morocco Brown did a ton of recon work on Richardson, who worked out pre-draft with quarterbacks coach Danny Johnson in Jacksonville. Richardson’s agent, Deiric Jackson, said Brown traveled to Florida almost weekly to check on Richardson’s progress.

Since drafting Richardson, it has been revealed that Brown has been the one pounding the table the loudest. The potential and work ethic Brown saw in Richardson had him budding with excitement.

Once the Colts knew they wanted Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick, it was only a matter of waiting and hoping he would fall past the first two picks.

They got a bit lucky in that sense, getting their top option at the No. 4 overall pick and even though there’s a lot of work to be done, Richardson has the potential to be a unicorn in an AFC that is littered with high-end quarterback play.

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Colts QB Anthony Richardson bet on himself and won

‘I took the chance. I bet on myself, and now, I’m a Colt.’ – Anthony Richardson

As he was peppered with numerous questions in his introductory press conference, Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson had one answer that stood out.

“I took the chance. I bet on myself, and now, I’m a Colt.”

While the Colts were busy betting on quarterback after quarterback as the franchise answer post-Andrew Luck, the new face of the team was busy betting on himself.

It wasn’t an easy decision, either. Turning 21 years old in May, Richardson is still extremely young. He still had two seasons of eligibility left in college, but he continued to bet on himself after hearing he had a chance to be selected in the first round.

“It was up and down throughout the season. I was hearing certain things from certain scouts – just getting  a feel for what could happen after the season,” Richardson said. “Then eventually I got certain grades back that told me I had a shot to be a first-round draft pick.”

A decision nearly two years in the making landed Florida’s Anthony Richardson on the Colts’ doorstep. When Richardson popped up on the team’s radar during his sophomore year, he was anything but ready. A paltry 64 pass attempts did not scream franchise quarterback, but something was brewing.

The team kept tabs on him until his junior when the Colts’ chief personnel executive, Morocco Brown, traveled to Gainesville to look at other prospects. Surprisingly, it wasn’t those players who caught his eye but Richardson. Despite his apparent rawness and inexperience, the work he had been quietly doing started to show.

Those perceived flaws didn’t deter the team.

They continued digging into Richardson, sending scouts and even assistant general manager, Ed Dodds, to see him. His 2022 season was up and down, potentially leaving more questions than answers. However, one thing was clear: Anthony Richardson was built differently.

He oozed upside and dripped potential.

But, the Colts could not bank solely on upside and potential. They had to be wholeheartedly convinced, just as general manager Chris Ballard reiterated multiple times this offseason. So, the team continued to explore options of what Richardson at the helm would look like. What started as varying opinions eventually became a consensus – Richardson was a legitimate option.

The Colts were now all in on Anthony Richardson, from the NFL combine to his pro day to his private workout. But they wouldn’t panic when the draft arrived, believing they could get their guy. True to his style, Ballard stayed put instead of trading up, and with some luck, the team drafted Richardson at No. 4 overall.

But ask Richardson, and this was all destined to be.

When asked shortly after being drafted about how it felt to overcome the doubters, Richardson humbly responded:

“It feels good. I always believed in me. You know, that was the game plan. You know, even declaring…bet on myself and have faith in myself and my abilities. The Colts believed in me. So, I’m ready to get to work.”

Work is undoubtedly what lies ahead for Richardson. For a franchise desperately in need of stability and a visible pillar, a lot will be expected of him. But he can’t be Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck. He has to be Anthony Richardson.

For today and every day that lies ahead, he has to walk with purpose to collide with his destiny.

Colts sent high-ranking executive to Clemson pro day

Morocco Brown represented the Colts at Clemson’s pro day.

Throughout the month of March and even into early April, the Indianapolis Colts will send scouts to the majority of college pro days across the country. But when a high-ranking executive likely Morocco Brown is in attendance, there’s typically some kind of signal.

That was the case for Clemson’s pro day on Tuesday. Brown was among the high-ranking NFL executives on hand for the drills, representing the Colts at the workout, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network.

While the Colts are expected to use their first-round pick on a quarterback prospect in the 2023 NFL draft, there are a few players from Clemson the could have their eyes on.

It was reported earlier this offseason that the Colts had a meeting a with offensive tackle prospect Jordan McFadden, who could be a late Day 2, early Day 3 selection in the draft.

The big name for Clemson this draft season is edge rusher Myles Murphy, who brings elite size and athleticism to the field. Many scouts see him in a similar mold to Travon Walker. An elite athlete who likely needs more development as a pass rusher.

The Colts won’t be in the market for Murphy because he’s likely a first-round pick. Assuming they go with a quarterback prospect, they won’t have the chance to take Murphy.

Other prospects who likely have some draft buzz from Clemson include defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, linebacker Trenton Simpson, edge rusher K.J. Henry and tight end Davis Allen.

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Colts make changes to football operations staff

Colts made some changes to the operations staff.

The Indianapolis Colts made several changes to their football operations staff, the team announced Friday.

One of the biggest changes the organization made to the front office was promoting Morocco Brown, who was previously the director of college scouting. He has been elevated to chief personnel executive.

Here are the other changes made to the football operations staff:

  • Matt Tarpening elevated to director of college scouting.
  • Jamie Moore elevated to assistant director of college scouting.
  • Mike Lacy named an area scout.
  • Kasia Omilian named an NFS scout.
  • Melainey Lowe named football operations assistant.
  • Leigh Hullett named team dietitian.

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Colts expected to promote Morocco Brown

A critical figure in the front office is being promoted.

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to promote director of college scouting Morocco Brown to a higher role in the front office, per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.

Brown, who has received plenty of interest from other teams this offseason, will reportedly hold a new role with the title of “chief personnel executive,” according to Josina Anderson.

Brown has had the interest of a few teams this offseason. He was in the running for the general manager vacancy with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers. Then, the Philadelphia Eagles interviewed him for a high-ranking executive role following the 2022 NFL draft.

Brown has been a critical figure within the Colts’ front office since joining the team in 2017. He has been one of the top scouts for general manager Chris Ballard and has been one of the reasons they’ve had success in drafting over the last few seasons.

Brown will eventually get his shot to be a general manager, but at least the Colts can get one more season of his talents within the front office. And this time, it will be in a higher role.

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Report: Morocco Brown not expected to join Eagles front office

It seems Morocco Brown will be staying with the Colts as of now.

Indianapolis Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown had an interview with the Philadelphia Eagles for what was described as a “high-ranking executive position.”

While Brown was considered a favorite to be hired for that role, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported Thursday that he won’t be taking the job with Philly, which she reported was a “team-described assistant GM” role.

This is good news for the Colts and their scouting department. Brown is undoubtedly on track to get a general manager job somewhere across the league but the longer he stays with the Colts, the better the scouting department will be for it.

Indy already lost one of their best area scouts in Mike Derice to the New York Giants as he became their national scout. Retaining Brown for at least one more season is a big win for Chris Ballard and the front office.

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Report: Eagles to interview Morocco Brown for ‘high-ranking executive position’

Morocco Brown is reportedly expected to interview with the Eagles for a ‘high-ranking executive position.’

Indianapolis Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown is reportedly expected to interview with the Philadelphia Eagles for a “high-ranking executive position,” per Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds.

Brown has been a popular candidate for a few teams this offseason. He was in the running for the vacant general manager role with the Chicago Bears and had an initial interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It isn’t clear for what position Brown is expected to interview with the Eagles, but they certainly have their eyes on him.

Brown has been rising in the ranks within the Colts’ front office since he joined the staff in 2017. He has held the same role for five years, but his voice has certainly been made known more during that time.

He began his career in the NFL as a scouting intern for the Colts in the spring of 2000 and was an assistant scout with the then-Washington Redskins in 2000 before becoming the Chicago Bears’ assistant director of pro personnel (2001-2007).

Brown was hired by the Redskins to serve as their director of player personnel (2008-2013) before joining the Cleveland Browns for two seasons as their vice president of player personnel (2014-2015).

If hired for this undisclosed front office role, it isn’t clear if it would lead to the Colts receiving two third-round picks as a part of the league’s initiative to reward teams for developing minority coaches and general managers, but it appears that may only pertain to the hirings of head coaches and general managers specifically.

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Steelers interview Colts’ Morocco Brown for GM vacancy

The Steelers have interviewed Colts’ Morocco Brown for their GM vacancy.

The Pittsburgh Steelers interviewed Indianapolis Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown for their general manager vacancy, the former announced on Friday.

This was to be expected after the Steelers requested to interview Brown over a week ago. Along with Brown, Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds has also interviewed for the vacancy.

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is expected to step down from his role following the 2022 NFL draft. So whoever comes in to replace him may not get the full reigns of the draft.

Should Brown wind up getting the general manager gig, the Colts will be compensated heavily. As a part of the league’s initiative to reward teams for developing minority coaches and general managers, the Colts would receive an extra third-round pick in the 2022 and 2023 drafts.

Brown was also a finalist for the Chicago Bears general manager vacancy before they decided to hire Ryan Poles.

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Report: Steelers request to interview Morocco Brown for GM vacancy

The Steelers requested to interview Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown for their GM vacancy.

The Pittsburgh Steelers requested to interview Indianapolis Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown for their general manager vacancy, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Brown was a finalist for the general manager vacancy with the Chicago Bears before they went with Ryan Poles to fill the role. The Bears eventually hired former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to be their new head coach.

It seems the Steelers are doing their homework as Brown now becomes a candidate for the vacancy in Pittsburgh.

Though not a true vacancy, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert is expected to step down from his role following the 2022 NFL draft. The Steelers also interviewed Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds for the vacancy.

Should he wind up getting the general manager gig, the Colts will be compensated heavily. As a part of the league’s initiative to reward teams for developing minority coaches and general managers, the Colts would receive an extra third-round pick in the 2022 and 2023 drafts.

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Bears to hire Ryan Poles over Colts’ Morocco Brown as next GM

The Bears are hiring Ryan Poles over Morocco Brown to be their next GM.

Indianapolis Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown is not expected to be the next general manager for the Chicago Bears as they are expected to hire Ryan Poles for the role.

Brown was a finalist for the vacant role in Chicago and given his history with the organization, along with his success in scouting with the Colts, he was expected to be a strong candidate.

The news was first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN and confirmed by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

While Brown will be returning to his role in the front office, the Las Vegas Raiders are still expected to interview Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds for their vacant general manager role.

With Poles now hired as the new general manager, it will be interesting to see if Colts defensive coordinator will be hired as the new head coach. He’s a finalist for the job and has his second interview with the Bears’ brass on Wednesday. That will now include Poles.

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