So the Colts lifted Ed Johnson’s punishment. A year without weed, and Big Ed’s back in uniform. Maybe when the Colts saw former head coach Tony Dungy trying to help Michael Vick get back into polite society, and decided that Ed’s not such a bad dude anyway. The Indy Star says the Colts have lost their moral center. I say that’s a bunch of hooey. Dungy didn’t make the personnel decisions, Bill Polian did. And still does. Ed’s a good player. He made a mistake, and he’s paid for it. Stop pointing fingers.
As a player, Johnson’s more of a nose tackle-type than most Colts DTs. He’s better in the trenches than he is in pursuit. Johnson’s stock and trade is using his strength and shedding ability to dominate in a small area. He’s not much of a pass rusher, but is very explosive off the snap and can catch ball-carriers in backfields on inside running plays.
But his return makes the position quite crowded. Including him but not starting left end Raheem Brock, the Colts now have four DTs on the roster that have started a game for them (Johnson, Antonio Johnson, Keyunta Johnson, Eric Foster), two significant draft picks (Fili Moala and Terrance Taylor), another veteran prospect in Daniel Muir and two undrafted but promising rookies in Pat Kuntz and Adrian Grady. That’s nine players at a position where the team normally carries four.
• O-line coach Howard Mudd’s retirement took me by surprise, but I can understand his reasoning. He was a master at his craft, and will no doubt be missed. It would appear that the overall effectiveness of the Colts’ offensive line will in a large part depend on how well Mudd mentored his former assistant and now successor Pete Metzelaars. I’ve read that Tom Moore is also considering hanging it up. That would put a lot of pressure on Frank Reich.
• Colts.com had a photo of Austin Collie returning kicks. Despite his lack of timed speed, this could be a good idea. At BYU, he went 49-1,277-0 (a 26.06 yard average), showing great agility, elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability. His competition should come from Pierre Garcon (21.59 average in the NFL), TJ Rushing (23.67) and Chad Simpson (22.93). Although Garcon is the incumbent, he’s expected to play a much bigger role on offense this year, and that may preclude him from being the primary return man. Rushing had the job in 2007, but missed 2008 with injury. He’ll probably go to camp as the No. 1 man, but had better win the job outright, because his skills on defense will not keep him on the roster. Simpson’s also on the bubble with Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, Mike Hart and probably even late-season sensation Lance Ball. Simpson has speed, but isn’t elusive or sure-handed. Undrafted free agent wideout Brett McDermott (a 25.72 average at a lower level of competition than Collie’s) will also be given a shot, but he has an uphill battle to make the roster. So don’t be surprised if Collie wins the job.
• Every year, I root for the guy who wears my old high school number — 46. He’s also usually an early first cut. This year, Tyrell Sales is wearing it on defense and Colin Cloherty has it on offense. Go guys! Prove ’em all wrong!
• Chris Crane is wearing No. 10, and McDermott is 15.
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