The Colts signed a third punter — Adam Crossett P Missouri (6021, 220). He came to the Tigers as a kicker/punter, but didn’t do so well from placements (15/24 of field goals and 41/43 on extra points) and was replaced by the more accurate Jeff Wolfert. He did somewhat better as a punter — averaging 40.34 gross with 53 of 173 in the opponents’ 20 — despite having to put up with a lot of poor snaps and so-so blocking. While it’s possible he could develop into an NFL punter, I think his real value, at least for now, is as a kickoff specialist. As a senior at Mizzou, he averaged almost exactly five yards better than Wolfert.
It’ll be interesting to watch him in camp, but considering the Colts’ luck with kickoff specialists in past — look at Daves Kimball and Rayner — I wouldn’t hold my breath.
• Troubled JJ Milan is back in the fold to fight for a pass-rush specialist. I was pretty sure he was cooked when they gave Ben Ishola his number, but he’s back. And he’s No. 73.
• Speaking of numbers, it’s a tradition for me to root for whoever the Colts give my old high school number, 46. It’s usually some scrub — who’s the last 46 you remember being any good? I have to go back to sometime starting CB James Burroughs (1982-84). This year, it’s tight end Zac Herold. He has his work cut out for him to make the team with Dallas Clark, Jacob Tamme, Tom Santi and Gijon Robinson (do NOT count out Gijon) ahead of him, but he’s my guy this year. Go, Zac!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Mini-camp opens
Things are shaping up a little on the interior line in mini-camp, but that doesn’t mean things will stay that way when the snaps are for real in September.
Right now, the starters from left to right are: Ryan Lilja, Jeff Saturday and Charlie Johnson. Behind them, respectively, are: Steve Justice, Jamey Richard and Mike Pollak.
There are some complications, though. Starting with right guard, I don’t think the team thinks Johnson is a better bet at the position than Pollak, just that they are unlikely to hand a starting job to a rookie (an unsigned one at that!) in mini-camp. Remember Thomas Houchin? Didn’t think so. But he was the starter at left outside linebacker at the 2005 mini-camp, largely because they didn’t want the team’s unsigned youngsters getting any ideas above their station. Look for Pollak to usurp Johnson before too long, which will force the veteran back into the fight for a reserve tackle gig. It's win or be cut out there.
Justice, who is fairly NFL-ready but doesn’t have the upside of Pollak, is at left guard because starter Lilja will probably miss at least some of mini-camp with a knee injury. With Lilja out, Justice will get lots of reps, and the offense won’t suffer too greatly.
Of the three draft picks, Richard is by far the most raw, so he will sit and watch behind Jeff Saturday, perhaps the best technician at the position in the game. He needs to learn, and he will if he pays attention.
• Speaking of Saturday, he told the media that he’s a little concerned that the Colts drafted three players at his position in his walk year. Well duh. His agent says he’s negotiating with the Colts for a contract extension. Good luck with that.
• Peyton Manning says he’s glad to have Dominic Rhodes back. Take that, Kenton Keith. You’re as good as cut.
Right now, the starters from left to right are: Ryan Lilja, Jeff Saturday and Charlie Johnson. Behind them, respectively, are: Steve Justice, Jamey Richard and Mike Pollak.
There are some complications, though. Starting with right guard, I don’t think the team thinks Johnson is a better bet at the position than Pollak, just that they are unlikely to hand a starting job to a rookie (an unsigned one at that!) in mini-camp. Remember Thomas Houchin? Didn’t think so. But he was the starter at left outside linebacker at the 2005 mini-camp, largely because they didn’t want the team’s unsigned youngsters getting any ideas above their station. Look for Pollak to usurp Johnson before too long, which will force the veteran back into the fight for a reserve tackle gig. It's win or be cut out there.
Justice, who is fairly NFL-ready but doesn’t have the upside of Pollak, is at left guard because starter Lilja will probably miss at least some of mini-camp with a knee injury. With Lilja out, Justice will get lots of reps, and the offense won’t suffer too greatly.
Of the three draft picks, Richard is by far the most raw, so he will sit and watch behind Jeff Saturday, perhaps the best technician at the position in the game. He needs to learn, and he will if he pays attention.
• Speaking of Saturday, he told the media that he’s a little concerned that the Colts drafted three players at his position in his walk year. Well duh. His agent says he’s negotiating with the Colts for a contract extension. Good luck with that.
• Peyton Manning says he’s glad to have Dominic Rhodes back. Take that, Kenton Keith. You’re as good as cut.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Well, that's me told then
Hours after I said I'd be shocked if the Colts re-signed Dom Rhodes, they did!
Oh, well, I hope he fares better than the last prodigal Colt, Rick DeMulling.
Here's a depth chart to make us all feel better:
QB 18 Manning, 12 Sorgi, 9 Betts, 15 Trafakis
RB 29 Addai, 36 Keith, 32 Hart, 33 Rhodes, 45 Lawton, 30 Dawson, 35 Simpson, 27 Hairston
WR 88 Harrison, 87 Wayne, 11 Gonzalez, 80 Aromashodu, 83 Hall, 85 Garcon, 10 Roby, 16 Jones, 2 Dillon, 3 Burgess, 14 Giguere
TE 44 Clark, 84 Tamme, 86 Santi, 47 Robinson
T 67 Ugoh, 71 Diem, 74 Johnson, 76 Federkeil, 75 Toudouze, 72 Hilliard, 60 Marquez
G 65 Lilja, 78 Pollak, 61 Richard, 62 Elgin, 86 Esera
C 63 Saturday, 53 Justice, 68 Ross
DE 93 Freeney, 98 Mathis, 91 Thomas, 90 Charleston, 92 Howard, 60 Johnson, 64 Ishola
DT 79 Brock, 99 Johnson, 97 Pitcock, 96 Dawson, 95 Reid, 61 Ferrell, 68 Foster, 66 Davis, 69 Bradley
OLB 54 Keiaho, 56 Hagler, 55 Session, 52 Guzman, 51 Worsley, 49 Senn
ILB 58 Brackett, 50 Wheeler, 59 Shotwell, Adams
CB 28 Jackson, 26 Hayden, 23 Jennings, 20 Hughes, 34 Rushing, 25 Coe, 35 Ratliff, 38 Foster
S 21 Sanders, 41 Bethea, 43 Giordano, 33 Bullitt, 42 Condren, 37 Smith, 40 Silva
K 4 Vinatieri, 8 Andrus
P 17 Smith, 7 Stanley
LS 48 Snow
Oh, well, I hope he fares better than the last prodigal Colt, Rick DeMulling.
Here's a depth chart to make us all feel better:
QB 18 Manning, 12 Sorgi, 9 Betts, 15 Trafakis
RB 29 Addai, 36 Keith, 32 Hart, 33 Rhodes, 45 Lawton, 30 Dawson, 35 Simpson, 27 Hairston
WR 88 Harrison, 87 Wayne, 11 Gonzalez, 80 Aromashodu, 83 Hall, 85 Garcon, 10 Roby, 16 Jones, 2 Dillon, 3 Burgess, 14 Giguere
TE 44 Clark, 84 Tamme, 86 Santi, 47 Robinson
T 67 Ugoh, 71 Diem, 74 Johnson, 76 Federkeil, 75 Toudouze, 72 Hilliard, 60 Marquez
G 65 Lilja, 78 Pollak, 61 Richard, 62 Elgin, 86 Esera
C 63 Saturday, 53 Justice, 68 Ross
DE 93 Freeney, 98 Mathis, 91 Thomas, 90 Charleston, 92 Howard, 60 Johnson, 64 Ishola
DT 79 Brock, 99 Johnson, 97 Pitcock, 96 Dawson, 95 Reid, 61 Ferrell, 68 Foster, 66 Davis, 69 Bradley
OLB 54 Keiaho, 56 Hagler, 55 Session, 52 Guzman, 51 Worsley, 49 Senn
ILB 58 Brackett, 50 Wheeler, 59 Shotwell, Adams
CB 28 Jackson, 26 Hayden, 23 Jennings, 20 Hughes, 34 Rushing, 25 Coe, 35 Ratliff, 38 Foster
S 21 Sanders, 41 Bethea, 43 Giordano, 33 Bullitt, 42 Condren, 37 Smith, 40 Silva
K 4 Vinatieri, 8 Andrus
P 17 Smith, 7 Stanley
LS 48 Snow
Media: Go Get Dom! Colts: Not So Fast!
I’m hearing a lot of blather on the TV and Internet that the Colts are going to bring Dominic Rhodes back into the fold. To them, it makes perfect sense.
To me, it doesn't and I’d be surprised if it happened. Some things to consider:
• The Colts just drafted Mike Hart to take over the No. 2 halfback spot
• Bill Polian has shown he believes halfbacks have short shelf-lives, as evidenced by how early he got rid of people like Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James while they still had lots of useful football in them.
• Rhodes may just be cooked. Discounting how he fell on his face with the Raiders, (1) he averaged 3.43 yards a carry in his final year with the Colts. (2) That contrasts unfavorably with the 4.40 Kenton Keith averaged last year behind basically the same line (3) and same game plan.
Oh, and SI is reporting that Marvin Harrison may face misdemeanor charges of the now-notorious bar shooting. While that may not seem terrible, the NFL has a strict policy regarding gun-related crime and Harrison may miss some playing time because of it.
1. He had 75-302-1 rushing, 11-70-0 receiving and lost his job to Huggy Bear’s boy.
2. And 2.95 the year before that.
3. The only change was Tony Ugoh in at left tackle for Tarik Glenn. As far as run blocking goes, I’d say that’s a step down. Also keep in mind that Ugoh missed some games and Charlie Johnson (no All-Pro he) had to fill in.
To me, it doesn't and I’d be surprised if it happened. Some things to consider:
• The Colts just drafted Mike Hart to take over the No. 2 halfback spot
• Bill Polian has shown he believes halfbacks have short shelf-lives, as evidenced by how early he got rid of people like Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James while they still had lots of useful football in them.
• Rhodes may just be cooked. Discounting how he fell on his face with the Raiders, (1) he averaged 3.43 yards a carry in his final year with the Colts. (2) That contrasts unfavorably with the 4.40 Kenton Keith averaged last year behind basically the same line (3) and same game plan.
Oh, and SI is reporting that Marvin Harrison may face misdemeanor charges of the now-notorious bar shooting. While that may not seem terrible, the NFL has a strict policy regarding gun-related crime and Harrison may miss some playing time because of it.
1. He had 75-302-1 rushing, 11-70-0 receiving and lost his job to Huggy Bear’s boy.
2. And 2.95 the year before that.
3. The only change was Tony Ugoh in at left tackle for Tarik Glenn. As far as run blocking goes, I’d say that’s a step down. Also keep in mind that Ugoh missed some games and Charlie Johnson (no All-Pro he) had to fill in.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Why I will always be a football fan, American football that is
This headline appeared on Fark:
Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo is very ashamed for hiring three transvestites in Rio, he claims he “cried a lot afterwards.”
Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo is very ashamed for hiring three transvestites in Rio, he claims he “cried a lot afterwards.”
Sunday, May 4, 2008
When Dylan Gandy and Bryan Fletcher were re-signed, I was sure it was to provide depth for a year or so to let new players ease their way into the rotation. I even thought Gandy would be given a shot at the starting right guard job.
Boy, was I wrong. They were both cut, and it makes me think that they were actually signed to put other teams off the scent of the Colts’ draft plans.
I know what you’re thinking. The Colts don’t work that way. This is the team that cut Jimmy Harbaugh before drafting Peyton Manning, the team that traded Marshall Faulk away before choosing Edgerrin James. But it should be kept in mind that with Manning, the Colts had the top pick and it didn’t matter what the other teams thought. With James? Well, everyone knew the team would draft a halfback, but I have yet to meet the person who predicted it would have been James. And, unless you have irrefutable evidence to the contrary, I would call you a liar if you claimed you did.
But that is all idle speculation. The fact is that Gandy and Fletcher are unemployed. And it occurred at the worst possible time. With every team all excited about their draft picks, it’ll will be hard to raise interest in a couple of castoff veterans. It also doesn’t help that most teams are wary of ex-Colts. Good luck, fellas.
And it is also true that the spots they were supposed to have held — starting right guard and No. 2 tight end — are now open.
• So now the consensus is that Marvin Harrison didn’t do anything wrong other than associate with some unsavory types. These things happen. If I were to own a bar and a car wash in my hometown, I would be extremely foolish if I were to guarantee nothing criminal would ever happen in them.
• Speaking of character, remember Bernard Morris, the Marshall quarterback the Colts had some interest in? A short but strong-armed and athletic fellow, most expected him to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round. But not only was he not drafted, he wasn’t signed as an undrafted free agent.
Although most of the guides listed him as a high-character guy, it came out after the draft that he was accused of hitting a pregnant woman with a beer bottle. Yikes! There are some things you can attribute to youthful hi-jinks, that’s not one of them.
Let this be a lesson to you kids in blogland.
• The Colts official roster lists positions and uniform numbers for the noobs. No real surprises, but I did see some bristle at young Mike Hart being assigned No. 32. Why? I mean James was a very good halfback and a neat guy, but hardly the legendary type worth retiring a number (even for a little while) for. Let the Cardin … oh, never mind.
And every year I always root for the guy — usually a fringe type — assigned my old high school number. Sadly this year, there is no 46.
Boy, was I wrong. They were both cut, and it makes me think that they were actually signed to put other teams off the scent of the Colts’ draft plans.
I know what you’re thinking. The Colts don’t work that way. This is the team that cut Jimmy Harbaugh before drafting Peyton Manning, the team that traded Marshall Faulk away before choosing Edgerrin James. But it should be kept in mind that with Manning, the Colts had the top pick and it didn’t matter what the other teams thought. With James? Well, everyone knew the team would draft a halfback, but I have yet to meet the person who predicted it would have been James. And, unless you have irrefutable evidence to the contrary, I would call you a liar if you claimed you did.
But that is all idle speculation. The fact is that Gandy and Fletcher are unemployed. And it occurred at the worst possible time. With every team all excited about their draft picks, it’ll will be hard to raise interest in a couple of castoff veterans. It also doesn’t help that most teams are wary of ex-Colts. Good luck, fellas.
And it is also true that the spots they were supposed to have held — starting right guard and No. 2 tight end — are now open.
• So now the consensus is that Marvin Harrison didn’t do anything wrong other than associate with some unsavory types. These things happen. If I were to own a bar and a car wash in my hometown, I would be extremely foolish if I were to guarantee nothing criminal would ever happen in them.
• Speaking of character, remember Bernard Morris, the Marshall quarterback the Colts had some interest in? A short but strong-armed and athletic fellow, most expected him to be drafted in the sixth or seventh round. But not only was he not drafted, he wasn’t signed as an undrafted free agent.
Although most of the guides listed him as a high-character guy, it came out after the draft that he was accused of hitting a pregnant woman with a beer bottle. Yikes! There are some things you can attribute to youthful hi-jinks, that’s not one of them.
Let this be a lesson to you kids in blogland.
• The Colts official roster lists positions and uniform numbers for the noobs. No real surprises, but I did see some bristle at young Mike Hart being assigned No. 32. Why? I mean James was a very good halfback and a neat guy, but hardly the legendary type worth retiring a number (even for a little while) for. Let the Cardin … oh, never mind.
And every year I always root for the guy — usually a fringe type — assigned my old high school number. Sadly this year, there is no 46.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
My hometown Hamilton Tiger-Cats selected Colts WR Samuel Giguere in the CFL draft. By not being available, he is missing out on sure CFL stardom and literally hundreds of dollars of salary and endorsements. If, as I suspect, Giguere is cut by the Colts but invited onto the practice squad, it will present him with an interesting dilemma — money and a chance at a roster spot in the NFL, or a chance to play regularly and the likelihood of being a top performer in the CFL.
Remember Larry "Too Nice" Tripplett? After a well-paid, low-production
stint in Buffalo, he's a Seahawk.
Remember Larry "Too Nice" Tripplett? After a well-paid, low-production
stint in Buffalo, he's a Seahawk.
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