Shuffling the PS

The roster shuffling continued all the way down to the practice squad. Out are Mike Hartline – a quarterback who really needs time to develop, which the Colts don’t have – and linebacker Caleb Campbell – the soldier everyone wanted to see succeed. And in are Cal wide receiver Jeremy Ross and guard Matt Murphy.

The book on Ross is that he’s a great athlete who really hasn’t translated it to the field. The primary culprits are his hands (he’s a double catcher) and, to little surprise, his routes. More impressive, though, are his skills as a returner, which may come into use now that Joe Lefeged may be starting at safety. His career numbers at Cal were 57-764-3 (13.41) receiving, 25-201-2 (8.04) rushing, 41-851-0 (20.76) kick returns and 31-471-1 (15.19) punt returns. Signed by the Patriots, he looked overwhelmed as a receiver (2-6-0 on five targets), but pretty good returning kicks (3-68-0) and especially punts (4-37-0 with no fair catches). The kid can obviously run and jump, but can he catch?

His numbers (all from his pro day):

Height: 5117, Weight: 209, 10-yard dash: 1.50, 20-yard dash: 2.53, 40-yard dash: 4.44, Bench press: 22pd, Vertical jump: 39.0, High jump: 9’7, 20-yard shuttle: 4.19, 3-cone drill: 7.20

Nice kid, well spoken, has a degree from Cal.

Murphy was a four-year left tackle and team captain at UNLV and had athleticism a lot of teams liked but didn’t draft. Short for the position, most teams projected him inside at guard or perhaps even center. He signed with the Falcons, but didn’t show enough as a run blocker to make the team. With solid technique, he could develop into a player – he certainly has the drive. But he could stand to add more muscle.

His numbers (all from his pro day):

Height: 6037, Weight: 304, 10-yard dash: 1.82, 20-yard dash: 3.00, 40-yard dash: 5.14, Bench press: 25pd, Vertical jump: 33.0, High jump: 9’4, 20-yard shuttle: 4.73, 3-cone drill: 7.56

Three out, three in ... wait, Tryon?

Okay, so we have Gary Brackett, Melvin Bullitt and Justin Tryon out, while Dan Orlovsky, AJ Edds and Jermale Hines are all in. I already spoke about Orlovsky, so here’s some info on Edds and Hines.

Lots of people were excited about Edds before the 2010 draft after a great career alongside Pat Angerer at Iowa, saying he looked like a potential starter down the road. But it didn’t work out with either the Dolphins, who picked him in the fourth round but gave up on him, or the Patriots. Edds didn’t play badly, just wasn’t spectacular.

Granted, both the Fish and the Pats ask their outside linebackers than the Colts do, but Edds needs significant improvement at play recognition before he can play for anyone on defense in the NFL. Right now, he’s an extra body/special teamer, but he could start showing up on defense if injuries mount.

His combine/pro day numbers:

Height: 6035, Weight: 246, 10-yard dash: 1.60c/1.63pd, 20-yard dash: 2.64c/2.75pd, 40-yard dash: 4.62c/4.67pd, Bench press: 16c/18pd, Vertical jump: 33.0c/35.5pd, High jump: 9’9c/10’0pd, 20-yard shuttle: 4.28c/4.41pd, 3-cone drill: 7.19c/7.40pd

Also to note – Edds is a Greenwood, Indiana, native and pronounces his last name as though it rhymes with “seeds.”

Hines played both free and strong safety at the Ohio State University and was a fifth-round pick of the Rams. They cut him after he failed to play a down in their first three games. The book on him is that he’s very Bullitt-like, playing more like a linebacker than a true safety. He’s not quick in zone coverage and just not at all suited to man. That makes me think he’s headed toward special teams and not much more.

His combine/pro day numbers (which are remarkably similar to Edds’):

Height: 6011, Weight: 219, 10-yard dash: 1.62c/1.56pd, 20-yard dash: 2.63c/2.63pd, 40-yard dash: 4.61c/4.59pd, Bench press: 19c/--pd, Vertical jump: 31.0c/--pd, High jump: --c/9’6pd, 20-yard shuttle: 4.21c/--pd, 3-cone drill: 6.90c/--pd

Brackett and Bullitt went IR for obvious reasons. Brackett’s effectiveness has been flagging in recent years and the Colts are set and satisfied with Angerer as their Mike for years to come. With a contract calling for $5 million next year and $6.6 million for 2013 and again in 2014, I think it’s safe to say we have seen the last of the man from Rutgers in a Colts’ uniform. Bullitt demanded a long-term contract in the offseason, got a three-year deal, played very poorly and could also be done in Indy. I don’t have the details of his contract handy, but I’m pretty sure cutting him after the season would not cripple the team.

As for Tryon, who knows? He didn’t make much money, played well when he got a chance and they traded to get him in the first place. There’s a Twitter controversy brewing, but it’s all just so much political-speak, I can’t be bothered to follow it. I think his absence weakens the team – unless there’s something we’re not being told.

Oh, and Bob Sanders is on IR again. Looks like he's about done.

With Joe Pisarcik retired, Colts settle for Dan Orlovsky

It’s not too surprising the Colts re-signed Dan Orlovsky in the wake of Kerry Collins’ injury, but what I found interesting was the fact that they made him compete against ex-Chief Brodie Croyle for the contract. Croyle is definitely a better pure passer than Orlovsky and probably a more able field general, but his Bob Sanders-like history of injuries and abject unfamiliarity with the Colts’ offense would seem to make his a very, very long shot at best. It doesn’t show much confidence in Dan the Would-be Man.

But why should they have much confidence in him? Weak-armed (though generally accurate on short passes), Orlovsky is not a quick decision maker, can’t make time for himself in the pocket and doesn’t seem to inspire his teammates. Kicking around the league since 2005, Orlovsky has played in 13 games, starting seven and recording a perfect 0-7 record. His actual passing stats haven’t been terrible (272-150-1,679-8-8/71.2), but that has been inflated by throwing mainly safe, short and ultimately ineffective passes. Do I even have to bring up the Jaren Allen incident?

In preseason, the Colts gave Orlovsky every opportunity to wrest the pseudo-starting job away from Curtis Painter. But in 54 attempts, he completed just 25 and played so well they signed Collins, named Painter the No. 2 guy and stashed young Brian Hartline (no great shakes as a prospect himself) on the practice squad, letting Orlovsky walk.

Kind of makes you wonder what Nate Davis is up to these days.

Some thoughts after the Steelers game

• Yes, Curtis Painter did look marginally better than Kerry Collins. But that’s like comparing sewage systems in war-torn developing nations. Jim Irsay said not to expect to see Peyton Manning this season; then clarified, tweeting that he’s still holding out hope and that’s why Manning’s not on the IR. I’d like to reiterate my opinion that he should be on the retired list.

• Against the Steelers was the best I have ever seen Joseph Addai play. He did his best to pull the offense behind him, and nearly pulled out a win. Of course, he still didn’t break anything longer than 11 yards and wasn’t really part of the passing game. But I did notice that they used him on short yardage, which is sort of an anti-endorsement for Delone Carter, who was supposed to take that role. Still no carries for Godamnit Donald, but he did look awful on special teams, if that counts.

• Did you see how Pierre Garçon clicked with Painter once he came in? I thought it was interesting that Reggie Wayne was a big Painter supporter earlier, and now it seems Garçon is on board as well. Austin Collie still doesn’t look back to normal to me. The tight ends looked great as blockers, less so as receivers.

• I thought the o-line improved. The Steelers threw everything at them and they did a decent job in pass pro. And they are much better than last year’s unit at run blocking. Look at it this way, Anthony Castonzo can learn to be a better pass blocker, but Charlie Johnson and Co. will never get more sand in their pants as run blockers. I certainly don’t miss Kyle DeVan, who was pressed into started duty for the Eagles against the Giants and looked totally overwhelmed. When it came to the Steelers game, veteran center Jeff Saturday – that master of leverage and angles – in particular looked like a monster. And he was facing Casey Hampton.

• Maybe it was because he was facing Jonathan Scott, but Dwight Freeney looked phenomenal. And Robert Mathis also had a good day as a rusher, facing rookie Marcus Gilbert. I just hope that stupid mega-stunt is put to rest. It takes far too long to develop. The rest of the D-line? Drake Nevis looked quick, but not all that strong. Eric Foster did nothing good that I noticed. Props to Jamaal Anderson for breaking tackles, though. He looked like a tight end.

• Love, love, love Pat Angerer. He still falls for even the simplest offensive rouses, but is everywhere and knows how to tackle. I have to praise his pal Kavell Conner as well. I’ve always liked him as a chase guy, but he showed a little forward momentum against the Steelers as well. If only his coverage would improve. Some Colts fans think he’s just keeping the seat warm until Ernie Sims comes back from injury, but I’m not sure if Sims would be an upgrade. From what I've seen, he's more name than game.

• As is well known, David Caldwell was horribly burned on Mike Wallace’s long TD, and really didn’t look all that good in any aspect of the game. He started in place of injured safety Melvin Bullitt, but was outplayed by rookie free agent Joe Lefeged, who has also earned a spot as the team’s primary kick returner. Still not sure why Justin Tryon and Kevin Thomas are not playing.

• Pat McAfee has ridiculous leg power, ridiculous.

Another in our rare and occasional installments of ColtPlay

You have probably noticed that I take long hiatuses from ColtPlay for time to time. There are three primary reasons for this: a) As a full-time dad, author and freelancer, I’m a busy guy and can’t devote too much time to things that don’t help the kids, sell books or make money; b) the other Colts-related blogs (like StampedeBlue) do a great job of coverage; and c) the Bill Polian-Peyton Manning Colts have been kind of boring to talk about. The lockout certainly didn’t help, either.

But now that the players are back and the Colts suck and Manning is out and Polian is under fire, I may just tap out a few more words.

Here are some things I think:

• Manning should retire. Football is football, your neck is your neck. It’s not worth risking life in a wheelchair for another Super Bowl. I know every NFL player does that on every play, but their risk is actually statistically quite slight. Manning’s isn’t any longer.

• Of course Anthony Castonzo is having trouble with speed rushers. He is a rookie who had his learning curve disrupted by the lockout. I still think he blossoms into a top-of-the-line left tackle. Jeff Linkenbach on the other side is a different story.

• Austin Collie had the best hands in the NFL before his concussion problems. This year, he has caught three of the 13 passes headed his way. Sure, Kerry Collins is no Manning, but 23.07 percent is ridiculous compared to his previous standards.

• Newcomer of the year so far? Jamaal Anderson. The former first rounder who couldn’t catch a break in Atlanta is looking very much like a solid two-way defender for the Colts.

• I’m not sure Gary Brackett is the Colts’ best middle linebacker anymore.

• Melvin Bullitt is awful in coverage – why am I the only Colts fan who can admit that?

• Stevie Brown, the latest signee, is a box safety with limited coverage skills. Just like Bullitt. They cut rookie halfback Darren Evans to sign him. Evans was inactive for both of the first two games and now finds himself on the practice squad.