Catching up

Sorry not to update for so long, but at least there’s plenty to talk about.

Injuries

• Peyton Manning: Yep, the ol’ bursa sac’s actin’ up. You know what that is? It’s a little bag of goo that cushions the shock of action at a particular joint. And this particular joint is in Manning’s knee. If his knee hurts, he can’t play well. His knee wasn’t responding to treatment so he had surgery and is said to be out 4-6 weeks. That would put him in line to be just about iffy for the season opener.

But I think he’ll be back earlier. The guy is a conditioning maniac and is as tough as nails. It’s been widely reported that Manning has taken 9,778 of 10,098 possible snaps (96.83 percent) since he became a Colt. But that’s missing the point. In fact, all but one of those missed snaps was missed intentionally — so that backup Jim Sorgi could get some live action.

In fact, Manning has missed a total of one snap since turning pro — and that was for a broken jaw. So, he’s actually played 9,778 of 9,779 snaps (99.98977 percent) snaps he was supposed to.

Yeah he’s getting older and his joints aren’t what they used to be, but through pure force of will, he’ll be ready when the games get real in September.

• Marvin Harrison: His knee is checking out, but I think his decline has started and will be sharp. He’s still a top receiver, but will definitely enter the season playing second fiddle to Reggie Wayne and may potential be playing third with the emergence of Anthony Gonzalez and maybe even fourth if Dallas Clark keeps playing like he has been. All reports out of training camp say he’s the same ol’ Marvin, but I would expect that unless he was on crutches. At any rate, the team is bringing him along slowly in the hopes of squeezing another big season or two out of his skinny, battered and headed-to-Canton body.

• Tyjuan Hagler: I feel bad for Tyjuan. This is his walk year and I don’t even think his mother believes the Colts have any interest in re-signing him. While his absence helps the team in that they will be able to pick his successor from Clint Session, Phillip Wheeler or Victor Worsley, it’s bad for him. His next contract depends on how well he plays this year. It would definitely be in his best interest to get in quickly and reclaim his starting spot before he’s usurped. You don’t want to go looking for a contract after a year on the bench. This competition may be even more interesting than first thought. On the first day of camp, Session was absent for “personal reasons” and Wheeler injured his knee. Ramon Guzman played a few snaps there early in camp, but I think that was by default — his future is as a pure pass-rusher.

• Everyone else: I’m not sure Dwight Freeney will ever be what he was before, but he’ll always be awesome. Bob Sanders is always in and out of the shop because, well, humans aren’t actually supposed to be built the way he is. Ryan Lilja will be fine. The others don’t bother me.

Roster moves

• The cuts: With Manning unavailable for preseason, the Colts had to get serious about the third-string quarterback position. That meant that Josh Betts and Adam Trafalis had to go. I’m not saying they don’t have talent, just that they weren’t ready for prime time.

Instead, the Colts signed a couple of guys who not only have a bit of NFL experience, but also far better college resumés. The interesting thing, though, is that they’re both — how do I put this delicately? — tubby.

Perhaps the more impressive of them is Jared Lorenzen (6032, 288, 5.28 in 2004/2007 stats: 8-4-28-0-1 passing, 1-2-0 rushing) — better known as Quarter(got)back, the Hefty Lefty, the Pillsbury Throwboy, The Abominable Throwman, J.Load, Round Mound of Touchdown, BBQ (Big Beautiful Quarterback), Battleship Lorenzen, Butterball, Lord Of The Ring-Dings and He Ate Me.

Despite the flab, this kid is awesomely talented. If you watch video of him at Kentucky, you can see exactly how gifted he is. He can make every throw, read defenses well and stands up against the rush.

But he is fat. If the lure of NFL stardom isn’t enough to make him drop the pounds, what would be? What kind of dedication is that? While he has some athletic ability, the fact is that his big ol’ belly makes him a sitting duck in the pocket, limits his mobility and prevents him from being a rushing threat.

Many Colts fans are familiar with Quinn Gray (6020, 232, 4.77 in 2002/2007 stats: 144-80-986-10-5 passing, 19-57-0 rushing) because he played with the Jacksonville Jaguars and then signed with the Houston Texans. And, unlike Lorenzen, Gray has had an impact on the NFL, recording a 2-2 record as a starter.

He’s similar to Lorenzen — a fat, sitting duck with a live arm. He may have been 232 with a 4.77 coming out of college in 2002, but he’s more like 255-260 now and his forty time is likely to have ballooned as much as his belly.

But, unlike Lorenzen, he has a reputation as being not all that smart. The scuttlebutt is that the Texans cut him because he couldn’t master their playbook. I’m sorry, the Texans’ playbook? If André Johnson is covered, throw it to the tight end — that’s their playbook. If he can’t understand that, he’ll have no chance in Indy.

Still, that is just a rumor. (1) He certainly had no problem picking up the Jaguars’ offense despite having come from Florida A&M. And he may have been cut by the Texans simply because they already have two fine signal-callers and didn’t want to pay Gray $645,000 just to walk around with a uniform and baseball cap on. (2)

The training camp competition between these two should be fascinating. The Colts’ offense is so complex it’s unlikely either would leapfrog Sorgi for the No. 2 position in such a short time. But in the unlikely-but-possible event that Sorgi enters the regular season as No. 1, the Colts will definitely need a competent No. 2. The other player is likely to be cut.

So here we have two very similar, recently cut quarterbacks fighting for their livelihoods. I see Gray having a slight edge at this point, though Lorenzen has a slightly better upside. Every snap these guys take will be under a collection of microscopes and, unless one falls on his face, the decision will be excruciating.

As for the other cuts, well, Rudy Burgess was brought in to fight for the return specialist job. I guess he didn’t wow them enough to continue. And while guard Mike Elgin survived the influx of interior linemen talent provided by the draft, he was made superfluous by the signing of ex-Falcon Doug Datish, who provides the same skills in a bigger, more experienced package.

Other:

• I’m as on edge as anyone when it comes to the Quinn Pitcock situation. I find it hard to believe (3) that a lineman noted for his toughness, leadership and non-stop motor would lose interest in football. It makes even less sense when you factor in that he’s penciled in to be a major contributor on a great team and he’s being paid $515,500 to do it. (4) Although my predictions have been way off as late, I’m going to go out on a limb once again and opine that Pitcock will be back in camp soon.

• Raheem Brock is playing a lot at end in camp. That’s good. It’ll give Robert Mathis and Freeney downs off (5) to stay fresh. And Brock is a better run-stopper than either. In fact, he always reminded me of a 3-4 end — a guy who, in the 4-3 would be better inside on passing downs and outside on running downs. Don’t discount the emergence of Ed Johnson for the switch. It also reinforces my belief they expect something from Pitcock. (6)

• Apparently, Dan Federkeil is getting some snaps at guard. I think that’s more of a case of him getting live snaps against good players than it is about him competing for a spot inside. They like his potential as a tackle, but 6’7 guards are a rarity for a reason.

• While most fans have been predicting huge things from Roy Hall and big things from Devin Aromashodu, I think either may be looking up the depth chart at Pierre Garcon before too long. He’s a natural.

Notes:
1. This accusation seems to come up around many black quarterbacks, but thankfully less often than in the past
2. They have Shane Boyd and Erik Brink fighting for that job — and they are way cheaper; I think the Texans signed Gray because they were contemplating trading Sage Rosenfels away, then thought better of it
3. I am, as always, an optimist
4. Not to dis the man, but where else is he gonna make anywhere near that?
5. This is essential at this point in their careers
6. I know, I know, from every report the undrafted rookies are looking like all-pros in camp; but I’ll believe it when I see it for real — they said the same things about Brandon Hicks and a million other guys